Issues Within the Sri Lankan Tamil Community During the Covid Pandemic in England and How These Challenges Were and Continue to be Met

The operation of the 24-hour Tamil Helpline and groups that sprung up during the Covid pandemic within the Sri Lankan Tamil community in England, have played a vital role in maintaining the wellbeing of this community. These initiatives were set up in response to concerns expressed and an apparent need from within the community. In this connection, information sharing, education and mutual support has played an important role towards understanding and taking responsibility for the individual, familial and community’s wellbeing.

The success of these initiatives can also be attributed to the community as a whole responding to the crisis and the associated benefits of knowing support was available from trusted professional members from within their community. It appears that strengthening social connections and undertaking health enhancing activities, particularly exercise and maintaining a daily routine was helpful. Regular zoom sessions relating to exercise and information sharing were available in the Tamil language, these were well attended by people from across the UK in addition to a number of other countries.