Just as scientists successfully created vaccines for the Covid-19 Coronavirus, a new strain of the same has rattled the UK. To cope with the new developments and stop the spread of the virus, authorities had no other choice but to declare the UK quarantine extended. Different nations are expected to go back to their normalcy with the new lockdown rules in different schedules. However, the negative impact of the lockdown in students’ schools and colleges and comprehensive education remains the same everywhere.
Most scholars have been forced to stay indoors in the comfort of their homes. But they have been asking the question, “When is the UK lockdown over?” Thankfully, online lessons are still ongoing. As part of their academic course, teachers have been handing out assignments for scholars to work on during the quarantine. However, working from home is different from working in class, and students may require help on their assignments from a third party. One may seek help from Writix – writing service that can deliver custom written essays for scholars. These assignments often add up to students’ overall grades and must, therefore, be fulfilled to a high standard.
Even though academic institutions are doing their best to resume normal lessons as part of their scholars’ education, we cannot deny the negative impacts of the UK’s lockdown on students’ mental health.
Mental health in lockdown
Several studies in the UK show that scholars have been feeling confused and disrupted by the current situation. A recent COVID-19 pandemic study in the UK suggests that the levels of distress were too high in young adults. This may have been due to the increased consumption of social media, as young people are hooked to their smartphones while in isolation.
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The study also shows that UK teenagers have been feeling more anxious than they normally did before the pandemic hit. The level of anxiety has been reported to be higher among mixed-race and black participants. The well-being of such scholars has also been impacted. They have agreed that the fear of stigma and the stigma experienced by young people is a risk factor for maintaining social support mechanisms.
Loneliness leads to mental health problems
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Out of all the factors contributing to such anxiety and mental disarray, loneliness has been identified as the critical factor. While in school and colleges, students interact with several other people and form meaningful bonds. The lack of such healthy interaction has increased the potential for young people to feel lonely and developmental health problems. In the UK, evidence shows that young people aged 18 to 24 experienced loneliness the most. Another survey suggests that 50% of young adults aged 16 to 24 have experienced lockdown loneliness.
The loss of peer group support during one’s developmental stages can have an overall impact on one’s mental health and physical development. One’s interaction with other healthy young adults also contributes to their brain development and self-concept construction, which has since been obstructed due to their being confined to their homes.
Supporting one’s well-being
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Several studies suggest that individuals who keep in regular touch with their family and friends through the internet and get ample physical exercise do better than those who don’t. Taking the time to work on one’s well-being can have a positive effect on their mental health. During quarantine any student has enough time both to find their favourite sport and to do some research. Individuals may be able to cope up with the current situation for now, but their mental health may only bounce back to its usual self when things go back to normal, at least in terms of having their regular routine filled up with various activities.
Policymakers and academic institutions must do their best to help young people develop their mental and physical health while confined. Since it is easy for one to get anxious during such challenging times, there must be multisectoral and multidisciplinary responses to ease such groups’ anxieties broadly.
Business
Manchester Marathon found fresh community fund following milestone charitable efforts
Danny Jones
The Manchester Marathon has begun a new community fund following more than a decade of incredible charity efforts.
Known as the Trafford Active Fund for the last 10 years or so, the initiative covers not only the city and its wider boroughs’ annual 26.2-mile long race, but various other sports and activity-based schemes across the region.
Now, though, the fresh Manc Marathon Fund is evolving in partnership with the existing Trafford Moving Fund and MCRactive arm of Manchester City Council by expanding its vital charity work further afield than ever before.
Launching ahead of the 2026 event this spring, runners will once again be behind crucial funding across the Greater Manchester region and beyond.
The new Manchester Marathon Community Fund logo (Credit: Supplied)
For context, back in 2024, the MCR Marathon raised nearly £30 million for the local economy and roughly £3.7m for charities like the Alzheimer’s Society; last April, that figure surpassed more than £4m, and the fundraising numbers only continue to increase with every year.
With that in mind, more than £60k is distributed to various partner programmes that “inspire movement, improve wellbeing, and create meaningful change for local people”.
Moving forward, not only will £1 from every paid entry into the Manchester Marathon and Manchester Half continue to go directly into the Manchester Marathon Community Fund (MMCF).
Andrew Smith, Chief Executive of A.S.O. UK – organisers of the MCR Marathon and Half – said: “We’re incredibly proud of the positive impact the Trafford Active Fund has delivered locally over the years, and we’re excited to extend that impact across both Trafford and Manchester City [Centre].
“By broadening our reach, the MMCF will help even more people to get active and contribute to a legacy of movement and wellbeing. Our relationship with Trafford remains as strong as ever, and we look forward to continuing to support the brilliant community projects that make a real difference there.”
Community groups and projects in Trafford or the City of Manchester can apply for funding via the Trafford Moving Fund and MCR Active (dependent on their location).
A panel from each organisation reviews applications and selects projects that best demonstrate lasting impact.
We share stories from funded projects throughout the year, so you can see the difference your event entry makes.
We love how much the North West regularly dedicates its charitable efforts, both socially and physically, towards important causes throughout the year.
Featured Images — Press shots (supplied via Manchester Marathon/ASO UK)
Business
Deansgate bar Simmons closes just over a year after opening
Danny Jones
London-born bar brand Simmons has closed their Manchester site just over a year after opening their first Northern location.
They’ve lasted roughly 15 months on one of our busiest nightlife strips.
Opening on Deansgate back in October 2024, Simmons Manchester wasn’t just their first foray here up in this half of the country but their only other venue outside of the capital.
An otherwise well-established and popular chain down south, they have a total of 15 different bars in central London, but things clearly haven’t quite taken off as planned here in Manchester.
Placing a poster in the unit’s shopfront besides the likes of Be At One, Yours, The Moon Under The Water Spoons and the Deansgate branch of Slug and Lettuce, as you can see, the fellow franchise founded over a decade ago said: “After much consideration, we’ve made the difficult decision to close our doors.
“It’s never easy to say goodbye”, they add, “We’re incredibly proud of what the team built here and so grateful to them, as well as everyone who joined us over the past year.
“We’ve had some unforgettable nights. We love Manchester, and we hope to be back under the right conditions.”
They go on to thank everyone for being “part of the journey”, but for now, it looks like the room has closed effective immediately.
Simmons started back in 2012 when founder Nick Campbell opened the first bar below his flat in Kings Cross, and their presence has grown hugely since then. The closing sign was spotted and shared on social media earlier this week.
Offering everything from stylish cocktails to New York-style pizza, live music and even private karaoke booths, the place had plenty going on.
With rising business rates, energy bills and more dovetailing with the continuing cost of living crisis that is still hampering both hospitality and the nightime economy, they are just one of many to unfortunately close their doors of late.
For instance, it was only earlier this month that we saw multiple well-known names shut up shop here in the city centre or elsewhere in Greater Manchester, including another long-standing late-night favourite, Revolution.
It’s a shame for any business to close, and we certainly hope they’ll return someday with a model that can be sustained in the current climate.
The Manc -
8th February 2021 
