‘AS SOMEONE who lives in the borough of Brent, the borough with the highest number of deaths to COVID- 19,  in the capital, it’s hard not to notice the number of funeral hearses that are becoming a familiar sight on the roads, and more noticeable are the lone family limousines following behind. 

The borough of Brent has a high population of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) residents. Sadly many have lost their lives.

Devastating news

It was devastating to hear from my local newsagent that a number of his regular customers who had died after contracting coronavirus. As the death toll continues the tragedy of COVID-19 came knocking on my street.

On my way home from doing my essential shopping, I bumped into my neighbour’s son. 

As usual, I asked after his parents, who I fondly call auntie and uncle – as someone from the black community every elderly black person is your uncle or auntie! 

His composure changed as he told me that his father had sadly passed away from coronavirus. 

A few days later, I bumped into Mrs H. She was grief- stricken; she had been unable to say good bye to her husband at the end of his life, and she spoke of the heartbreak of having only five family members allowed to attend his funeral. 

It was painful for me not to be able to give her a hug and comfort her because of the social distancing rules. 

As sad as the pandemic is, it has brought out humanity, compassion and empathy in people, it has allowed us to realise that community is important and we do need each other

Dela Idowu

Seeing her grief made the impact of COVID-19 on ordinary people really hit home.

Having lost a loved one myself, I knew just how sad she must be feeling, so the next day when our street came out to clap for the NHS and Keyworkers, I stepped forward and announced that, sadly, we had lost Mr H. 

‘He had time for everyone’

Residents instantly started commenting on what a nice man he had been, how he had time for everyone and always had a huge smile on his face. 

Several mentioned his beautiful front garden, too – he tended to it so carefully. 

I personally felt so uplifted every time I walked past it, sometimes even feeling slightly envious!

Later that evening, I wondered if it might bring his wife some comfort to hear what had been said about her husband.

I had recently held an event for black living kidney donors where family members had written messages to their donor about their transplant and hung them on a ‘Gift of Life Tree’. 

I thought our street could do something similar for Mr H by writing messages about him.

I typed up a note explaining who I was, what number I lived at and what I wanted to do, I posted it through my neighbours’ letterboxes the next morning, along with a tag. 

I was amazed at the response. Almost all the street’s residents  returned their tags and commented that it was a good way to pay their tributes. 

Faith in human kindness

One resident who had recently moved to our street wrote me a personal note saying that he was just getting to know his neighbours and it had restored his faith in human kindness.

The messages about Mr H were so heartfelt, reiterating what a kind, friendly man he had been. I’ve lived on this road for 26 years and known him for most of that time.

He was never too busy to stop and ask me how my family was. He was a perfect neighbour.

I took the tree to his wife the next day. She started to cry on her doorstep, as she read the messages, clearly moved to know how much her husband had meant to her neighbours.

Our street, where many of the residents are from BAME communities, has never done anything like this before.

‘We were able to bring comfort to one family’

I don’t think I would have done something like this if not for coronavirus but I am glad I did and with the support of my neighbours we were able to bring comfort to one family during such a difficult time.

As sad as the pandemic is, it has brought out humanity, compassion and empathy in people, it has allowed us to realise that community is important and we do need each other. 

Every Thursday I witness the enthusiasm of the residents on my street as we clap for the NHS and key workers, it has brought people together and produced an energy and vibe of true community spirit.

Who knows I might be brave enough to organise an after lockdown party on my street to keep the community spirit alive.’