When Lockdown started back in March member parent Val like many others wondered how she would fill her days, so she quickly decided to write a poem every day for family and friends. She has always enjoyed writing silly poems for family occasions and thought it was a good way of staying connected.

Val has written 70 poems focusing on the ups and downs of life during lockdown, she has now put them into an A4 book. We have a limited number of copies on sale and Val is donating all the proceeds from the sale to us; who, despite the closure of clubs made a commitment to remain operational and stay connected to all our members during the pandemic.

“Keynsham Mencap have transformed our daughter Claire’s life through a variety of clubs and activities. When Lockdown began we were extremely worried about Claire and how it would affect her but Keynsham Mencap have continued supporting her in so many ways; Zoom meetings, welfare calls, fitness in the park and a range of other ingenious activities. Their care for all aspects of the young people’s physical and mental wellbeing is inspiring.”
Val Rowles

The sun is shining the skies are blue,
We all know what we need to do.
Stay at home and look after our own,
All we have is the phone.
We can clean, cook and spring clean it’s true,
But I just can’t be bothered can you?
I mean to exercise with Joe Wicks every day,
But lack of enthusiasm is getting in the way.
I did change into my gym kit and even pinned back my hair,
Sadly very quickly I slumped in the chair.
We did go for a walk in the field for something to do,
But came home with boots covered in cow’s poo.
Today I’m worried sick about Charlie boy will he survive?
Oh hang on he’s got an entourage keeping him alive.
He and Camilla have only got 41 rooms to self-isolate,
But we can all walk to our front gate.
Well I’m going to write a poem a day,
Sorry it’s coming your way.
Keep Safe xxxx

Hope you enjoyed the sample.

To order your copy of this creative and very entertaining book of 70 lockdown poems email amanda@keynshammencap.org.uk. For a minimum donation of £7.50 we think it is a bargain, and if ordered by 10th December we will guarantee to get the book to you before Christmas.