The last few weeks in lockdown have been challenging to say the least, but amid the chaos, people all over the world have come together to combat the impact of Covid-19 with creative, cultural and entertaining initiatives. whitefox has selected five reasons to be cheerful – from live music in your living room to robot museum tours, these are the inspiring stories that keep us all going.

1. The British get bookish

The demand for books during lockdown is booming, with the industry seeing a huge rise in ebook and audiobook sales. For our part, we have seen an increase in the number of aspiring authors using this time to query and plan publication, in particular businesses and brands looking to make their content digital! Amazon, too, are playing their part by cutting ebook prices to support the industry during this difficult time.

2. The National goes virtual

You may be stuck at home during lockdown, but that’s no excuse not to enjoy a virtual night out. The National Theatre is offering free viewings of some of their most popular plays, including Frankenstein and Antony & Cleopatra. And, if you missed your chance to watch Fleabag Live, Phoebe Waller-Bridge is raising money for communities affected by Coronavirus by streaming the show on Soho Theatre. Finally, take a look at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s At Home lunchtime concerts, talks and performances. Why not make a night of it? Put on your best clothes, take yourself to the kitchen for a gourmet meal, and then settle in for some of Britain’s best theatre.

3. Museums and galleries open their digital doors

National lockdown has prompted a huge increase in online accessibility, making it easier for everyone to participate in activities from home. Without even taking a single step you can access some of the world’s most beautiful artworks and historic objects. Explore the Picasso Museum in Barcelona, MoMA in New York or, for something even more novel, take a tour with a robot at Hastings Contemporary.

4. Brands give back

While many brands have been forced to send their staff home and halt production, many have taken the lull in business as an opportunity to give back. Sustainable fashion brand Lucy and Yak have repurposed their warehouses to create scrubs for frontline workers, a group of furloughed advertisers are offering their skills (free of charge!) to struggling small businesses, and food-waste charity OLIO’s #Cook4Carers campaign is encouraging people to prepare and share a meal with NHS staff.

5. We all take time to breathe, reflect and create

It’s fair to say that we all have hours of unscheduled time to fill. Some are finding this time to be the perfect opportunity to take stock of their lives and work, and in many cases, put it down in writing. Coach, consultant, entrepreneur, illustrator – if you’ve got the rights to pre-existing content, lockdown seems like a great opportunity to start writing and editing a manuscript.

In times of turmoil, it is a great comfort to see people, businesses and communities working together to make the best of a global crisis. What our ‘new’ future will look like post Covid-19 remains uncertain, but a global appreciation for the theatres, galleries, brands and books that keep us entertained and inspired even in the most challenging times, is still a certainty.

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