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Lockdown Lifeline - daily isolation ideas

 Friday 6 November 2020  Camdenist presents ideas to break the sofa-bound monotony, while supporting local businesses through the tough month ahead 

 Your new lockdown service 

We've put our usual format on hold for a month, to instead bring you the very best ideas for things to do at home. Crucially, we'll be suggesting ways you can have fun while offering your vital patronage to help support to a whole range of local businesses. Read more about the Camdenist Lockdown Lifeline here. From restaurants conjuring up innovative things deliver to your door, to cultural entertainment and community groups doing their very best to help those in need. Over the next few weeks, you can expect to hear from us a bit more often as we pledge to keep you fully briefed on the myriad ways you can continue to enjoy life in the borough. Please do follow the recommendations and offer a lifeline to Camden's brilliant businesses during this challenging time for all.

   Get set... bake!  

Camden Town's Luminary Bakery are on hand to enhance your lockdown experience thanks to a live bake-along with Melissa Hemsley. Starting at midday on Saturday, the TV chef will be taking to Instagram to cook two faves from the cafe's new recipe book 'Rising Hope'. Find the ingredients list on their Instagram stories, or even better - stop by the cafe on Chalk Farm Road to pick up your own copy of their beautifully illustrated book, as they continue to operate a takeaway service during lockdown. Catch up on our recent interview about this special social enterprise here.

 Stay-at-home scientists 

Looking for something to keep the kids busy during lockdown? Despite being extremely busy working at the forefront of the scientific response to Covid-19, the Francis Crick Institute has found the time to put together a whole host of activity suggestions that will keep both little people and bigger kids entertained for days. Head to their online Family Zone to learn how to make your own lava lamp (pictured), create chemical reactions from kitchen ingredients, take the tastebud challenge or embark on a science scavenger hunt.

 We're looking forward to... 

The Camden Highline crew have revealed the five design teams shortlisted to deliver the hotly anticipated elevated park, set to link Camden and King's Cross via 1.1km of regenerated railway line. Following a recent international competition, the exciting concept is now one step closer to reality, with the winner set to be announced in January. Forget isolation for a moment, take a gander at the seriously imaginative finalists here and dream of happier times ahead.

 Feel-good lockdown scheme 

Local snack lovers can participate in this truly inspirational scheme to keep the homeless warm this winter - by creating foil survival blankets (as seen draped over London Marathon runners) from ironing together used crisp packets. Simply collect and rinse your foil bags, and send them off to 

. Since he launched the scheme only a few days ago, the idea has taken off online, being brilliantly eco-friendly as well as socially-minded. 

 Nominations continue 

Rather like the US elections, every vote counts in the Camden Covid Champions awards nominations. And as we roll into a second lockdown, there are sure to be further heroic tales to be told, and locals to be honoured. Vote now for the people who have truly stepped up during this most challenging of years.

Share with your family and friends to get them voting too and win discounts and prizes including a luxury staycation. Find out more

Camdenist is collaborative and transparent by design. We want all locals to participate, so we've built a form where you can send us ideas, propose features, and even contribute your own work. 

 Well worth following...