As part of our catch up feature, we are talking with members of the Outwood Family and finding out how life has changed for them since the school closures announcement.

This time we chat with Robert Pierce, Graphic Designer for the Outwood Family. 

Read on to see how Rob’s day to day life has been changed due to the social distancing measures taken by the Government.

[Outwood.com] Hi Rob, thanks for taking the time to chat with us. We appreciate you’re busy, so let’s get to it! Things have been turned upside down recently, for reasons we are all too aware of. So, for you what has been the most difficult aspect of the lockdown period for you and your work?

“Thanks for asking me to take part. I am more used to designing the graphics for these features, rather than taking part!

“I would say the most difficult aspect has been dealing with working from home while looking after my daughter.

“When my wife went back to work for the NHS, after a two-week isolation period, it meant having to simultaneously work and look after our three-year-old daughter. She was supposed to be starting school after Easter, so we have had to explain why she can't go, and introduce some home schooling.”

That must have been difficult to both explain and for her to understand. How have you been juggling the two then? What’s a typical day now for Rob?

“Well, it runs something like I will get up, get myself and my daughter washed, dressed, and ready. 

“Then it’s phase two, which is getting the washing machine on, making my daughter's breakfast while preparing the slow cooker for tea. Then it’s time to make my breakfast and check emails while eating breakfast. 

“Phase three moves me on to starting on some work, getting the washing hung out before half an hour of school books with my daughter. 

“Leads us beautifully into phase four which is snack time and doing some more work while eating said snack!

“That sees off the morning and it’s time to start phase five and I get my daughter’s dinner ready and do some more work while eating dinner.”

I will be honest, Rob. I am tired already. Are we only at lunch time?

“Yeah! Afternoon begins with half an hour of games or jigsaws with my daughter before afternoon snack time and me doing some more work while she is eating the snack.  Followed by half an hour of fresh air or exercise in the garden then we are on the home straight and tea time and do some more work while eating tea. 

“Final phase is prepping the house ready for when my wife gets home. It is important the house is clear because it’s vital she puts hospital clothing straight in the washing machine, and showers straight away with minimal contact. 

“Then it’s bedtime CBeebies with daughter and her bedtime routine. At some point I will walk the dog, get more work done, and have an hour of down time before bed.”

Sounds like a tough juggling act. Has this been the most surprising thing you’ve found during this lockdown?

“Well I expected it to be difficult so I wasn’t really surprised by it. What has surprised me is how only spending money on bills and essential food has highlighted just how much life costs to keep functioning in an economy.”

That’s true. It has been a real eye-opener. So, what would you say has been the most satisfying part of this period?

“This is easy. Having a network of staff and external suppliers, who are all intrinsically linked, has allowed me to move my work, from the office to the home, with minimal disruption. Which, given the juggling act I have to perform, has helped me a lot.”

Good to hear. Do you think after this then you will change your work approach because of how you have had to adapt to these special circumstances?

“I think I will use Google File Stream a lot more, and probably copy everything across to it, as this allows work to be accessed from anywhere with just a Google login. 

“I copied across as much as I thought would be required before lockdown, but I could have done with access to some of the things which are saved in my archive.”

Thanks for your time, Rob!