Like many of us, Vicki Owens, 49, still remembers exactly how she felt when Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the country was going into lockdown, amid a terrifying coronavirus pandemic in March 2020.
‘It was really scary,’ Vicki, who lives in Holyhead, on Anglesey, Wales, says. ‘I have psoriatic arthritis, and the medication I take to manage my condition represses my immune system, putting me straight into the “vulnerable” category.
‘I always knew my chronic health condition came with a few disadvantages but being more susceptible to a killer virus during a worldwide pandemic wasn’t something I ever thought I’d need to consider,’ Vicki says. ‘A phone call with my Rheumatology department and the dreaded letter from the Welsh Government confirmed I needed to shield – and with that, completely change my way of life.’
But Vicki, a hotel receptionist, had a plan. Keep busy and carry on – and the key to that was her position with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
Back in August 2016, Vicki had taken on the volunteer role of Lifeboat Press Officer (LPO), which she balanced alongside her full-time job. But with the hospitality industry forced to close its doors, and Vicki being compelled to ‘stay home, working for the RNLI was about to become her entire focus.
この記事は WOMAN'S WEEKLY の July 20, 2021 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は WOMAN'S WEEKLY の July 20, 2021 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
10 OF THE BEST Buys for CHARITY
Look great and support Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October
How to HAGGLE
Save those £££s by plucking up the courage to negotiate
Your wellbeing
LATEST HEALTH SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR MIND AND BODY
Here to help
LET COUNSELLOR KEREN LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD
Good to GLOW
Plant your bulbs now for a lovely bright start to spring
Painted VASES
Prettify empty jars and bottles with this quick craft project
Escape to OXFORD
Delve into the city's rich cultural heritage for a wonderful weekend
Sail through menopause WITHOUT WEIGHT GAIN!
Middle-aged spread may seem inevitable - but it really doesn't have to be
Woodland wonders
When you go down to the woods, you'll find a whole new world teeming with life
'We should all be dancing'
Singer and actor Toyah Willcox on overcoming adversity, ageing and Strictly Come Dancing