Depth in the Digital : Emerging Forms of Community in a Pandemic
Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at 12:36AM 
Observing The Swallows Group hosting the first online patient and carer meeting for head and neck cancer - April 8th 2020
In this current moment, our screens are the communal spaces in which we gather. I am not sure about you but for me this is taking some getting used to. I am a listener, an observer, and I can find the introverted part of myself in a group Zoom room having not said a word for quite a while. Navigating the new cues of social engagement can be overwhelming at times. However, what I am enjoying about this moment are the questions that are arising around the ways that we build 'normal' and how we can harness our collective creativity to be curious and to lean in, looking respectable...at least from the waist up.
On Wednesday evening of last week, Dr Elaine Emmerson and I were invited to attend the first online meeting for patients, carers and clinicians, hosted on Zoom by The Swallows Head and Neck Cancer Support Group. The meeting was attended by roughly 60 participants from all across the globe. And can I tell you, it was incredible. We heard directly from patient advocates and clinicians on the front line about how this pandemic is affecting the community. For two hours the World felt like a safe and supportive village in that space. I think that my favourite moment may have been when Chris Curtis, the Director of The Swallows Group, respectfully and momentarily muted an expert to remind them about keeping language accessible! I sketched while I listened. It feels like an important moment to document history as it happens in any way possible.
With social distancing being the new norm, community is a precious resource for care and resilience, and both Elaine and myself were very grateful and humbled to witness this event. The clear message to patients and carers living through this pandemic is that you are seen and heard and that you are not alone.
The next meeting is the 13th of May between 7-8:30pm (BST). You can register and join from anywhere in the world by sending your name and email to chris@theswallows.org.uk. For more info visit www.theswallows.org.uk.
Be safe, be kind and stay at home.
Thank you for reading,
Emily