The coronavirus pandemic has impacted 20schemes in significant ways. The months-long nationwide lockdown has had severe effects on Scotland’s poorest communities.
Some of the impacts of lockdown are more obvious. Along with churches across the UK, none of our churches have been able to hold Sunday services. Our church-planting teams have had to put things on hold – including one that had to postpone the launch of their church, which was scheduled for May of this year. Some effects, however, are more hidden.
Problems multiplied
In poor communities like the schemes, mental health issues, domestic abuse, and addictions are already highly prevalent. These realities preceded the pandemic, and they will remain long after it ends. But a lockdown – and the ensuing isolation that comes with it – only serves to exacerbate these already serious problems. Tragically, this means we’ve seen a spike in abuse, suicide, and various mental health issues.
