How Portsmouth families are staying connected with video calls and a cuppa

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder – and that old saying will chime with many of us now.
Lorna Jackson, from Fareham, talking to her father Jess Rhoades over Skype while he self-isolates. Picture: Clive JacksonLorna Jackson, from Fareham, talking to her father Jess Rhoades over Skype while he self-isolates. Picture: Clive Jackson
Lorna Jackson, from Fareham, talking to her father Jess Rhoades over Skype while he self-isolates. Picture: Clive Jackson

What we’d give to be able to do some of those things we all took for granted before – popping to a friend’s house for a cuppa, having Sunday roast with parents, playing football in the park with the grandchildren.

Perhaps the most painful time of these past few weeks has been not being able to give our mums a great big squeeze on Mothering Sunday.

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But as with every other aspect of our lives now, we have to adapt.

Wendy Ball from Hayling Island talking to her daughter Michaela in Spain over Facetime.Wendy Ball from Hayling Island talking to her daughter Michaela in Spain over Facetime.
Wendy Ball from Hayling Island talking to her daughter Michaela in Spain over Facetime.

And even the older members of the community are embracing technology to keep in touch with their families.

Lorna Jackson is a 59-year-old PR consultant from Fareham.

Until the lockdown, she regularly visited her recently-widowed father, Jess Rhoades, in Hastings.

The 86-year-old RAF veteran was a woodcutter, then a gardener, before retirement.

The Fletcher family are keeping in touch over WhatsApp and Zoom. From Left: Val Brewerton, Sharon Freeman, Sandy Bury, Barbie Corstorphin and Jean Fletcher.The Fletcher family are keeping in touch over WhatsApp and Zoom. From Left: Val Brewerton, Sharon Freeman, Sandy Bury, Barbie Corstorphin and Jean Fletcher.
The Fletcher family are keeping in touch over WhatsApp and Zoom. From Left: Val Brewerton, Sharon Freeman, Sandy Bury, Barbie Corstorphin and Jean Fletcher.
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Lorna says: ‘Dad had no previous experience with technology.

‘Mum and dad enrolled on a local government IT silver surfers’ course at their local library about seven years ago to teach them the basics and they were hooked.

‘They loved being able to keep in touch with us all via e-mail and then through Facebook – keeping tabs on three daughters, eight grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren is quite a task

‘However, it makes Dad feel connected without leaving the house, which is just as well in the current lockdown situation.’

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They arrange a time every day to have a chat. Both make a brew and settle down for a natter over the internet.

Lorna says: ‘I know how important communication is at the best of times and, of course, in times like these it is even more important to check on loved ones, friends and neighbours.

‘By video calling dad I can see him and make sure he has everything he needs.

‘So technology is a saviour for him. He loves listening to music and searching for old favourite movies.

‘He loves YouTube, it is a constant fascination for him.

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‘He will usually send me links to what he has been watching or listening to.’

But, Lorna adds, it has only been a few weeks and things could change. ‘It is good to know he is okay but it is early days and he is such a social person that this is going to be tough on him mentally.’

Over on Hayling Island Wendy Ball is also feeling that pang of sadness due to separation from daughter, Michaela.

Wendy is the founder of Hayling Helpers, a volunteer force which is supporting the hundreds of elderly and vulnerable self-isolating residents on the island.

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But she is going through her own turmoil. They are relying on daily video calls to keep in touch. Wendy says: ‘Michaela went to visit her partner in Spain and while she was there they went into lockdown.

‘Luckily they are in an apartment rather than an hotel but she is incredibly bored. I’ve found it very emotional (being separated) even though I know she’s not a little girl any more – shes 30!’

It inspired Wendy to set up Chatterbox – a group for Hayling residents who are self-isolating and and feeling lonely to have telephone or video calls with volunteers on the Island.

Spread out across Portsmouth, Fareham and Emsworth, sisters from the Fletcher family have, for the first time, been using video calls to hold their regular wine, fish and chips catch-ups.

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The family of 10 siblings, their partners, and children, have met up at each other’s houses for Saturday night soirees for more than 50 years and the coronavirus lockdown wasn’t going to stop them.

Five of the sisters – Val Brewerton, Sandra Bury, Sharon Freeman, Barbara Corstorphin and their sister-in-law Jean Fletcher – aged between 64 and 73, have logged on, wine glasses in hand, for a good old chat.

Val, a 70-year-old grandmother from Portsmouth, says: ‘We have met up every Saturday night for our entire adult lives, and we couldn’t imagine not seeing each other, we’re very close. It took us a good few days to get to grips with the technology and talking into a screen felt very odd, but we’ve had such a laugh.

‘Before you know it you’ve been chatting away for hours! It’s made being on lockdown so much more bearable.’

The best apps for video calls (all free over home wifi):

WhatsApp: Really easy to use. Go to whatsapp.com

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Google Hangouts: You need a Gmail account for this. Go to gmail.com

Zoom: The PM and cabinet are using this. Go to zoom.us

FaceTime: For iPhone users only.

Houseparty: houseparty.com

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