Dear all
Firstly, I hope that everyone is staying well - physically and mentally - during the Covid-19 pandemic. These are worrying and difficult times for all of us, and I hope that everyone has a support network in place (online or otherwise) to help them through it.
As the people on this list are very aware, although Wikimedia is an online movement it has a strong face to face element, with meetups, editing events, training sessions, conferences, and of course offices including the UK chapter. We have been following the situation carefully over the past few weeks, with many of our upcoming events cancelled or moved online and staff preparing to work from home. Yesterday evening, following the new government advice around reducing contact and non-essential travel, we decided to *close the Wikimedia UK office in London as of tomorrow (Wednesday 18th March).* This closure will last until at least Monday 13th April (Easter Monday), but we will of course be reviewing the situation on an ongoing basis.
The whole staff team met today to discuss some of the implications of the office closure - and the wider Covid-19 situation - for us, our partners and our volunteer community. We are already thinking about our programme and partnerships, and considering what events and projects will need to be cancelled but what can be rescheduled, moved online or re-imagined. We are also keen to explore ways in which we can support editors and readers during this period. Some of our ideas at this point include:
- Exploring video conferencing platforms, and considering taking out a paid subscription/account which we could share for community members organising online meetups or other virtual events - Organising training in delivering online training/webinars for interested volunteers, particularly our existing lead trainers - Exploring the potential for online editing events specifically focused on producing quality information about the pandemic and associated issues - Joining wider advocacy efforts across the movement encouraging bodies such as the WHO to release their content under open licences - Thinking about how we can support educators - including parents - in a move to online learning (at universities) and homeschooling (for the schools sector) - Encouraging applications to our small grants scheme for books and other research materials, for those of you who suddenly have more time for editing!
We realise that an increased emphasis on social distancing is likely to impact on all of you, personally and professionally and within the context of your Wikimedia activities. If you have any other ideas for how Wikimedia UK may be able to support our community over the next few weeks and months, please do get in touch. I would ask you all to bear in mind that this situation is also affecting staff, some of whom are separated from their families, or have underlying health conditions, or are being impacted financially by what is happening. So please bear with us as we adjust to a new reality in terms of our own lives as well as our work.
With very best wishes Lucy