Coronavirus: Melton neighbours join forces as ‘a family bubble’

Nicola Campbell and two-year-old son, Daniel, have developed a strong bond with Victoria Street neighbours Matt and Charlotte Henson, and their daughter Connie, who is also two.

Their collaboration is helping get them through the challenges of social distancing, as Nicola is a single parent, Charlotte is expecting another baby in six weeks and Matt is a key worker as a specialist cheese-maker at Long Clawson Dairy.

They’ve organised lots of activities to keep busy including chalking a colourful design to brighten up a wall of a car park adjoining their homes.

Nicola told the Melton Times: “We have joined forces as a family bubble as I am a single parent, Charlotte is heavily pregnant and her partner Matt is a key worker working long shifts, so we take it in turns doing the shopping and cooking the dinners.

“The car park where the wall is featured is basically our garden as we don’t really have outdoor spaces attached to the house.”

Life is never dull for the two families despite having to isolate, like everyone else, from family and friends.

Nicola added: “We have our own little car park which we set up every morning for the little ones.

“The neighbours’ two daughters made them they’re very own Stick Man and had been putting on shows for them until they passed him over for them to keep. “We’ve made pizzas for lunch and been playing in the paddling pool.

“We’re starting a project building planters from pallets so the children can start growing sun flowers, runner beans and daffodils.

“We’re also getting ready for the new baby arriving as Charlotte is due in just six weeks.”