Welcome to the
fourth edition of STRiVE
– the VICTA Newsletter designed, written and published by our team of Young Ambassadors
Welcome to the latest issue of our STRiVE newsletter. This time the Young Ambassador group Ruqaiya, Ibz, Sonal, Owais, George and myself, Harriet, have decided to explore the theme of lockdown and the wide range of ways it has affected everyone. But rather than put a negative slant on the last year, we wanted to do the opposite and focus on the positives that have come out of it for some members of the group, and what we’re all looking forward to beyond lockdown. Inside you will find articles on all aspects of lockdown life: from the surprising benefits of online education to the difficulties of social distancing with a guide dog. So come on a journey with us and say hello to the future!
If you would like to view this newsletter in another format please email online@victa.org.uk, if not read on!
Saying hello to the future!
My university experience during lockdown
By Ibraheem Iqbal
“A stressful storm – Hi, I’m Ibraheem. Currently a first year university student studying Psychology at the University of Liverpool. Well, I should be in my second year, but COVID happened…”
A message of hope
By Ruqaiya Asim
“Lockdown has been extremely difficult for a countless number of people. I understand that everyone has been affected in one way or another, I just want you to know that you are not alone! It may seem that way right now especially with social distancing, but I am here to tell you this does not mean shutting yourself off from the world…”
How lockdown affected me
By Owais Niaz
“Hello, my name is Owais Niaz, I’m a VICTA Young Ambassador and visually impaired. In the recording below I talk about how COVID-19 has affected me, both the initial challenges and the positives that came out of it for me personally…”
Lockdown life
By George Upfield
“I remember this time last year, I’d just started working as an intern in Guide Dogs’ HR department, and thought that Coronavirus would cause a bit of damage then fizzle out… how wrong I was! By early March 2020, not even a month after starting work at the National Breeding Centre outside Warwick, I had to work from home…”
Spring is here!
By Sonal Sumaria
“Spring is here, and it’s definitely my favourite season. It’s when the UK starts to warm up from the chilly winter. It’s when the bulbs come out and the grass becomes lush and green! It’s when birds start chirping again and when nature is reborn!…”
My experience of lockdown and social distancing
By Harriet Smith
“Everyone has had to adapt their life in some way during lockdown and get used to the imposed restrictions and social distancing, but for me as a visually impaired person, it has been incredibly challenging…”
Harriet’s cooking hacks
Cooking and sharing recipe’s on my blog ‘Harriet’s Blind Kitchen’ has been one of my most positive pastimes during lockdown, here are a couple of easy to make dishes I’d love to share with you!
Perfect Pasta using a tin for measuring!
This is an extremely simple way to cook pasta using a tin to measure all the ingredients.
Speedy microwave sponge pudding
Here’s a very simple sponge pudding that will help to cheer you up!
