A grandson has been documenting the time spent with his 81-year-old grandmother during the nation’s coronavirus lockdown.
Tommy Ferris, 31, from Yate, Gloucestershire, recorded the heartwarming moments he has been sharing with his grandmother, Nana Jean, as the country tries to control the spread of the virus.
Mr Ferris, whose grandmother has dementia and does not know about the virus, explained that the pair have had to abide by strict social distancing guidelines due to Nana Jean’s vulnerability to the illness.
During the footage, the grandson can be seen dancing with his nan to George Strait’s I Just Want To Dance With You and even treating his grandmother to a haircut.
Tommy Ferris (left), 31, from Yate, Gloucestershire, has shared the heartwarming moments he has been experiencing with his grandmother, Nana Jean (right), during the coronavirus lockdown
During their time together, Mr Ferris shared how he decided to jump on a tractor mower and towed his grandmother along on her wheelchair
In one scene, the grandson can be heard reminding his grandmother, who has dementia, that he will not be marrying a woman because he is gay
In one scene Mr Ferris can be heard reminding his grandmother, who has had a dinner prepared by her grandson, that he would not be marrying a woman as he was gay.
Mr Ferris, who admitted that self-isolation had made him realise that he was not spending enough time with his grandmother, also described how he towed his grandmother on her wheelchair by attaching a rope from her chair to a tractor mower he was riding.
After sharing the candid moments, Mr Ferris said he and his grandmother had formed a tighter bond and he had noticed a noticeable improvement in his own mental health.
The hospitality worker said: ‘We should use this unique opportunity to connect on a deeper level with those we live with. Concentrate on bettering ourselves and improve our relationships with loved ones.
‘Laugh, smile and consider the idea that its possible that this virus is giving us a period in our lives that one day we could be grateful for. It’s been very rewarding – for me as well as her.
‘I had been on anti-depressants for two years before – it’s been therapy for me. It’s been fantastic.
‘You can go to the doctors and take a pill, but something like this can happen and change your mindset.
‘[The self-isolation] certainly made me look inside more and made me realise I was not spending enough time with her.
‘I was going out on a night out when I should have been with her. It’s allowed me to go back to basics and look at what matters.’
During their time together the pair danced to George Strait’s I Just Want To Dance With You (left) and Mr Ferris even treated Nana Jean to a haircut (right)
The grandson described how he had formed a tighter bond with his grandmother during lockdown
Mr Ferris said that spending time with his grandmother had been a rewarding experience for both of them
Mr Ferris, who has also shared bottles of alcohol with his grandmother, explained that behind all the fun was a serious message – to make the most of the time you have with family while you can.
He said: ‘We should use this unique opportunity to connect on a deeper level with those we live with.
‘Concentrate on bettering ourselves and improve our relationships with loved ones.
‘Laugh, smile and consider the idea that its possible that this virus is giving us a period in our lives that one day we could be grateful for.
‘It’s been very rewarding – for me as well as her.
‘I had been on anti-depressants for two years before – it’s been therapy for me. It’s been fantastic.
‘You can go to the doctors and take a pill, but something like this can happen and change your mindset.
Nana Jean and her grandson have been making memories during their time in self-isolation together
The pair, who are in lockdown, have also bonded by sharing some bottles of alcohol in front of a bonfire
‘[The self-isolation] certainly made me look inside more and made me realise I was not spending enough time with her.
‘I was going out on a night out when I should have been with her. It’s allowed me to go back to basics and look at what matters.’
Mr Ferris is now hoping to use his experiences to inspire others to use their free time to help others.
He added: ‘Remind yourself that although this crisis is scary, it is also an opportunity for you to do something amazing for those who need it the most.’