We catch up with some of our furloughed colleagues to see how they’re keeping busy during lockdown.

CAROLINE SUTCLIFFE from the HR Team
How have I spent my furlough so far? Well, with a 5-year-old and 18-month-old, I spend most of my time covered in yoghurt and answering endless questions like ‘what colour is air?!’

When I first stopped working in April, I looked around at the house and identified several projects that needed doing (spending such a long time in one building really highlights areas for home improvement), none of which have been done. I also thought I would have a go at baking, become an at-home-fitness fanatic, and keep myself occupied with myriad other projects. However, the reality is that between home schooling, daily walks, and keeping the kids happy, fed, and clean, there hasn’t been much opportunity for any of those.

The time is going much faster than I expected, and while I do spend a lot of it daydreaming about when I can outsource childcare again and all the things I’ll do when normality is restored (I’m coming for you wine bar), I’m also learning to celebrate small wins. We planted some apple seeds the other day and little green sprouts have just poked though, my daughter has learnt to ride her bike without stabilisers, my fringe-trimming skills are second to none, and I could represent the country with my impressive biscuit eating skills. If the girls remember this time when they’re older, I hope their memories are lovely happy ones where we had more time to play and be silly.

I think while everything is so uncertain, so strange, and frankly, so scary, it’s important that we’re not too hard on ourselves. It’s tricky enough to navigate through all of this without self-imposed high expectations – just getting through is enough. I feel very lucky that TE is supporting us so well, I still feel connected to my colleagues, and am looking forward to when we can all work together again.

So while I may not have learned a new language or written the next Harry Potter, I have definitely learned to slow down, live in the present, and be kinder to myself – and I hope that’s something that will stay with me beyond furlough.

SARAH CANT from the Trafalgar Theatre Productions Team
Initially, I found being furloughed from work a bit of a struggle. After a few days of feeling a little down about the whole situation and that I had lost my purpose, I went over some tips that I learnt recently on a Mental Health first aid course that I attended at SOLT/UK Theatre (which I would highly recommend).

I put together a list of things I wanted to achieve during the time off, created a daily routine and looked to the positives that could come from it.

The major project we have spent time on is our garden, which I feel very lucky to have at the moment. Amongst other things we have created a new vegetable patch and planted huge amounts of fruit and veg, which are all starting to grow! I’m thoroughly enjoying spending lots of time outdoors and it’s rewarding, at a moment when everything feels a bit out of our control, to be able to create and watch the garden start to flourish…fingers crossed for a good harvest very soon! Here’s hoping we can be back creating and growing shows again before too long.

DAVID FEARNS from the Trafalgar Theatre Productions Team
My furlough has mainly consisted of swinging between two extremes – either intense self-learning or endless memes and You Tube videos – all mixed with everyone’s favourite activity of drinking and being right (on Zoom quizzes!)

Being furloughed has allowed me to have free time to do things I’ve wanted to do – beyond the garden and heading out to the countryside more (image is from the Surrey Hills). After a few weeks of not doing much, I’ve been spending time upskilling myself. These have included online ‘Masterclasses’ with Bob Iger (Chairman, Walt Disney Company) on Business Strategy and Anna Wintour (Editor, Vogue) on Creativity and Leadership among others. I’m currently in the middle of a home study course on Economics and Social Sciences and I’m intending to buy a keyboard and reprise my Grade 1 prize-winning performance of ‘Chopsticks’ and maybe even learn a new song!

Away from the learning, my knowledge of the completely useless has increased exponentially. Did you know that bananas float, a typical pencil can draw a line that is over 35 miles long and the inventor of the ‘Hawaiian’ pizza was Greek-Canadian?

Finally, to help those on furlough pass some time – here’s my favourite quiz round for you to try at home. The big question – is it a range of furniture from Ikea or a cheese!