Martha Pollard, a PhD student in Alzheimer and Dementia Research at the University of Edinburgh tells us about the challenges of lockdown for those living with dementia and for their carers, especially now that they are unable to get the company and respite of meeting in groups, or of receiving specialist care in their homes. Martha also talks about the interruption that lockdown brings to her doctoral research, now that she cannot access dementia wards. We don’t hear much about research being interrupted by lockdown, but this is the case for many people doing field research, lab work, or reliant on library collections. Nonetheless, Martha is finding that the confinement is leading to discoveries of new ways of working, and so brings with it a new kind of freedom.

For Coronavirus updates and advice,and FAQs please see the University webpages here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/news/covid-19

The Chaplaincy blogs ‘For Times Like These’ https://www.ed.ac.uk/chaplaincy/for-times-like-these are written specifically for mental health and wellbeing support during lockdown, as are these mindfulness virtual drop-ins: https://www.ed.ac.uk/chaplaincy/mindfulness-and-wellbeing/mindfulness-virtual-drop-ins

For University support

The University Listening Service (for students and staff) is continuing throughout the lockdown, listening.service@ed.ac.uk

Student Counselling Service, https://www.ed.ac.uk/student-counselling

Staff Counselling Service, https://www.ed.ac.uk/counselling-services/staff

If any of the issues in this broadcast have affected you and you’d like support, here are some helplines.

If you feel that you or someone you are with is in danger right now, please call 999

A 24 hour emergency mental health service, Mental health assessment service on 0131 537 6000.

· Breathing Space 0800 83 85 87

· The Samaritans 08457 90 90 90

· Edinburgh Crisis Centre 0808 801 0414