Barriers come down as the crisis creates new friendship

THE CORONAVIRUS pandemic has been a turbulent time for communities, causing heartache and loneliness, but for a group of neighbours in York, it has literally torn down fences.

When Michael Mawhinney and Johnny Latham, both 32, moved into their new house last November they were told by the older couple who lived there before that the neighbours tended to keep to themselves. However, the couple invited their neighbour, Melissa Talago, 47, who lives next door with her two teenage sons, to “pop round” and she did.

Ms Talago, who has lived in her house for just over a year, started to get to know Mr Latham and Mr Mawhinney, but it was not until the lockdown that they became friends.

“I think that’s what makes the difference actually when people don’t just take these invitations as pleasantries, but actually take a risk, have a bit of courage and say hello because really, we’re all looking for friendship aren’t we?” Mr Latham said.

The neighbours decided to take a fence panel down between the two gardens, so they were able to talk more easily, and what had been a chat every couple of weeks became daily as the lockdown continued.

Soon, other neighbours joined in and they were able to have socially distanced garden parties and a VE Day party on the street.

Mr Latham said: “We were feeling a bit isolated in York, coming here. And I think from Melissa’s side of things she was feeling isolated, but you never really want to show it, you always want to smile when you’re out on the street.

“We didn’t just want a quick chat every now and then, we really wanted to make friends. I think being able to be open straight away and sharing each other’s lives and sharing journeys that we’ve been on has been key to connecting really.”

He said it has been like being part of a bigger family, particularly as Mr Latham’s family lives in Liverpool, while Mr Mawhinney’s family lives in Ireland.

He said: “We’ve been far from our families for a while, and to reestablish family in a community has really made a difference.”

Ms Talago, who is originally from South Africa, added: “It’s been great. They’ve really given me a sense of community and made somewhere not my home feel like home.”