Portsmouth residents dance on their doorsteps to battle social isolation during lockdown
THE sounds of Black Lace, Michael Jackson and Earth, Wind and Fire have been blaring out in the streets of Portsmouth this week.
With government guidelines instructing people to stay in their homes – except for going out for essential supplies and daily exercise – many people have found themselves cut off from society.
But amid the doom and gloom, doorstep discos have started to pop up across the city, giving people a chance to enjoy the sunshine and have a laugh with their neighbours while obeying social distancing rules.
The entertainment has been lifting people's spirits in what has been a lonely few weeks.
In Burleigh Road, Fratton, mental health campaigner Marcus Tisson, 40, has been playing music and holding discos from his front door, after seeing others do the same on Facebook.
He said: ‘I just started playing a few songs and everyone started coming out and dancing on their doorsteps – so still keeping a distance from each other.
‘Our street has 44 houses on it and we have about 50 people dancing around, it was great fun.
‘We’re doing it again this Sunday.’
Similar shenanigans have been taking place in Corby Crescent, Anchorage Park, where residents have been dancing at 11am each day – sticking to the two metre distance rule.
Plans are also in motion for a lockdown disco in Bonchurch Road, Milton.
Marcus is hoping that more streets will take up the intiative, saying all you need is a decent speaker – and a good taste in music.
This, he says, will help with people’s mental health while also giving them some exercise during the day, all from the safety of their front door.
He said: ‘You get everyone from children to people in their 80s jigging along.
‘It’s quite overwhelming to know you can bring so many people together with something as simple as music.
‘People desperately need a boost like that at a time like this, so the more people we can get doing this in Portsmouth, the better.
‘You have to try and stay positive during this pandemic, but also stay safe; I think these doorstep discos are a brilliant way of doing just that.’