The impact of COVID-19: conversations with faith communities

Section Three - Positive experiences, new skills and services

One of the positive developments mentioned by faith communities was an increased capacity and confidence for running digital events. There was an uptake in the use and skills for technology and video meetings.

Although remote access to services wasn't possible or easy for all faith community members, some of the leaders spoke about how digital technology enabled access to other people, and contact across communities – and sometimes in far-off places, and other countries. The benefits of digital forms of worship and other activities have been felt strongly – albeit as an additional form of interaction and not as a replacement for physical interaction. Participants reported a desire to keep these going.

"All of the stuff we have brought in digitally, we have kept going, so for a while, when we weren't allowed to meet, we were entirely digital, and since we have been a hybrid of digital and physical, and moving forward, and some of our growth has been in London and people joining us digitally via Zoom, we will not be doing away with the digital. We will be continuing with the physical and the digital." (Christian participant)

There were many stories and reflections on the adaptability of these communities, and how quickly and effectively they were able to reorient themselves towards a new reality, and provide vital help and services.

"We as a congregation are spending more time calling people, and making sure people are not isolated. There are 2 kosher delis in the community, and they are making more of an effort to ensure, when they deliver things, they provide a newspaper. They have their clientele, and ask do you need toilet paper, or dish washing liquid. In some cases, I think neighbours are getting better, and being more helpful. But if we have a dinner at _____, I think that dinner would have previously been 40-45 people and now it is 20-25." (Jewish participant)

A reflection period

There were lots of examples of how the pandemic had given an opportunity to pause and think about the present and the future, and what matters to people, and how the community can prepare for future shocks.

"It is a reflection for people. The temporary nature of life, and how something like this comes. I know we can never be prepared for something like this, but the idea would be a bit more sensible. I know that pandemics will happen, because of how globalised we are." (Muslim participant)

This has been expressed in faith communities providing a new emphasis within their activities, on the environment, technology and work and the economy – and establishing a legacy for the future and future generations of members.

"Thinking from a Church of Scotland perspective, lots of local churches have used the time in a creative way. In _____ we have now created a wildlife garden, a piece of heaven in a haven or ______. When people couldn't meet inside we had this community courtyard. And people can meet outside. People's appreciation of nature, and growing food outside." (Christian participant)

"In our community, there is a lot of people who have started growing their own food. The idea, that if tomorrow we run out, we should be somewhat self-sustainable. Onions and carrots, in allotments." (Muslim participant)

"I remember people in _____ talking about how that some people had never experienced so much connection in their lives. One person said to the minister of the _____, that people had never asked how he was, and he had people visiting him with food, and visiting, during the lockdown. He had never felt so connected as he did during lockdown. Envisaging a new future." (Christian participant)

There are thoughts about ways of using technology, and communicating and interacting as a community internally and externally.

"it has shown how we can adapt, so not only health and wellbeing, but youth group – much easier getting online. It showcased some gaps we have in services, we have befriending services that were blossoming in the pandemic, we have volunteers calling and checking up on people, and it is something we have been able to give life back to. It has shown us what has worked better, and what hasn't worked. We have taught ourselves other methods of communicating people, via Whatsapp – video call. They all can do that, but not Zoom or Teams. We have a plan for our future of services and the community that uses them, to have a quicker response." (Sikh participant) And reflections about family life, and work, and the economy.

"It was something we learned through the pandemic. It took us off guard. A lot of people were so comfortable with the status quo or how they were living. It hasn't just changed behaviour, it has changed the mind-set. And a lot of people have spent more time with their family, and they have enjoyed that. And there is a lot of talk that we don't want to go to a life that was pre-pandemic, we want to come out of the pandemic with some sort of wisdom, that we don't go back to the habits pre-pandemic. In that regard, for some families, it would be economically more robust. To have less holidays, eat out less, try to save up and pay the mortgage off, something like that." (Muslim participant)

"And prioritising things that are actually much more important, that perhaps you didn't think they were important. And perhaps also the pay gap, clearly a lot of people made a lot of money through the pandemic. And the general type of employment that people do – I think people are more aware of that. And if we can work towards a qualification where if anything did happen, we can work from home, rather than just losing our jobs. So there has been a lot of introspection like that." (Muslim participant)