Survey results paint a picture of how we have been coping during lockdown in South Leicestershire

Four out of 10 people have struggled with the tough coronavirus lockdown, a new South Leicestershire survey has found.

A sizeable 41 per cent of people quizzed said they are worried about their futures as the Covid-19 pandemic threatens to wreak damage to the UK economy and send unemployment rocketing.

The study has been carried out by new Kibworth-based outfit BBrave Clothing.

The sustainable active leisurewear company, dedicated to supporting positive mental health, questioned 117 people to get a local snapshot of the extraordinary emergency.

The firm acted in an attempt to understand how the three-month lockdown has affected local people and their hopes and fears as restrictions are easing.

Some 59 per cent of people have dedicated their time to improving their physical health.

Fifty per cent of these have taken up running while others are walking and taking part in yoga/Pilates and dancing.

Most people are excited about seeing their friends and family and spending time with loved ones.

But there is still a lot of anxiety about catching Covid-19 and people not adhering to guidance, risking sparking a devastating second wave of the virus.

One in 10 fear that life will never return to normal – but others revealed “that they were worried that life would return to normal”.

Sam Wren, the owner of BBrave Clothing, said: “I know lockdown has been really challenging for many - social isolation, fear of catching the virus and having to balance working from home with home schooling and child care.

“But it was really encouraging to see that most of the respondents to our research used lockdown to invest in themselves and their physical and mental well-being.

“However, 41 per cent of our respondents have struggled with lockdown and say that they are emerging from the last three months feeling anxious about the future.”

He added: “BBrave Clothing was established to champion positive mental health to encourage the next generation to BBrave and have a better understanding of mental health and how to be kind to others, but also themselves.

“The feedback from this survey will help us to tailor our content and the support we offer and signpost to as lockdown measures continue to ease.

“We may have only been in lockdown for a couple of months.

“But the impact of this change to all our lifestyles will be felt for a long time to come.

“Although some people have the resilience to adjust to it, as shown by our survey, there are others that will find the ‘new normal’ really tough.

“And it’s important that they have the right help and support from the outset.”

BBrave Clothing was set up in Kibworth in 2019 by Sam and Stacie Wren.

The Wrens donate some of their profits to Mind, the leading mental health charity.

The company has a number of corporate partnerships with counselling and wellbeing services.