To be a bit concerned about my neighbour who I havnt seen since the start of lockdown?

[WhereAreAllTheTeaspoons]

I have lived here for about 3 years, in a semi detached at house on a little cul de sac. Most of the people round here keep to them selves but it's a friendly enough place to live.

A couple of houses up, the last house on the road, there is a woman in her 50's (NN -nice neighbour)who has quite severe learning difficulties. I know this because i often chat to her brother who cares for her.
Before lockdown I would normally see NN a few times a week when she was getting on the mini bus to go to her day care and if ever she had been to the shops. She loved chatting with me and DD and she always seemed happy enough. Occasionally I might hear her playing in her garden bun not too often.
Her DB used to be around quite a few hours most days (he would park near my drive) and I know he doesn't work because of his caring duties. He mentioned at the start of lockdown we probably wouldn't see NN as she was in the shielding group as she had a few health problems aswell which seemed fair enough at the time.

The reason I'm starting to worry is I havnt seen or heard NN at all now since the start of lockdown and I've noticed her DB's car is around quite a bit less than it used to be aswell. I can still hear her dogs but I've not heard NN in her garden at all even though we have had a lot of decent weather over the last couple of months.
I'm fairly certain I'm not BU to be a bit concerned but I still arnt exactly sure what I should do about it.

Is there any reason you can't knock. If they answer make up some excuse as to why you were knocking...

I'm a little unclear. What do you think might have happened if her brother is still coming round and the dogs are still being let out in the garden when only she is there?

Perhaps she is just taking "don't go out" literally.

If you mean you can only hear her dogs barking inside then that is worrying.

I took a parcel round maybe 3 weeks ago now, the DB answered the door. I've asked him how NN is a couple of times and he just says shes fine, same old really. Nothing odd in his behaviour.

I dont think NN would be allowed to answer the door, I think she has the mental age of a toddler so presumably who ever is caring for her would answer.

Sorry I've explained badly, NNs sister lives there full time pretty much as well (though I I havnt seen her much either come to think of it). Her DB also cares for her to give her sister a break but he used to be there most days. As far as I know NN is never alone as she has to have some one care for her 24/7

Presumably she is shielding. The latest letter I got from the government says I can leave the house in August. Can’t leave the house at all even to sit in the garden but can open a window.

@Rose789

Presumably she is shielding. The latest letter I got from the government says I can leave the house in August. Can’t leave the house at all even to sit in the garden but can open a window.

That reassuring, I hope that's the case for NN

@Rose789

Presumably she is shielding. The latest letter I got from the government says I can leave the house in August. Can’t leave the house at all even to sit in the garden but can open a window.

Where in the UK are you? My shielding letter (England) doesn't say that All my Government shielding letters since the start have said I can sit on my doorstep or in my garden, as long as I can maintain social distancing...

you could go to the door, stand back and offer to walk her dogs for her.
Or put a nice card through the door just to say hello, thinking of you.

I have been shielding here since the start, I would of really appreciated one on my neighbors leaving me a little note asking how I was doing an if I needed anything. I'd didn't happen sadly. Canu you do that op?

I would pop a friendly card round to be given to her, just to let her know that you've missed the chats and perhaps tell her a few things you've seen, or something related to something she might like which I don't know to suggest to you obviously. I'm sure it would be really appreciated :)

@NervousInYorkshire I’m in Newcastle. There is different shielding letters I think. The first one I and a family member received said can’t leave the house at all. Can open a window for fresh air and must social distance from members of my own household- not allowed to share cutlery or sit beside each other, sleep in separate rooms.
The letter I got 2 weeks ago saying shielding was extended to August said I could now go near the people I live with as long as food hygiene is maintened and could sit in the garden.
My friend got a shielding letter at the same time I did in March and hers said she could leave the house once a day to exercise as long as she didn’t go close to anyone

It’s probably a bit late for this now, in terms of restrictions being lifted, but can’t you just pop a note in the door?

Both our neighbours are single parents. One I had never spoken to before as she only moved in this year, the other I know pretty well. I put a card through the new neighbour’s door with my mobile number saying if she needed anything just to message, and if she ever needed to pop out without DC that i or DP (both teachers so DBS checked) would be happy to sit in with her DC.

On the other side sent a text saying much the same - “our cat” also gave little presents (comics, an Easter egg etc) to her DC. This was all back in March though.

New neighbour and I have since become friends, and have had garden wine/coffee when her DC are with their dad.

@Judystilldreamsofhorses you sound lovely I bet your neighbours really appreciated that

Do you think it is possible that NN has gone into some sort of residential care so it is just the sister and dogs living there and the brother visiting

@Honeybobbin I just went to take a photo of the shielding letter- and you are completely right 🤦🏼‍♀️ I was convinced it said I could open a window for fresh air only but nope there’s a whole other sentence. What an absolute fool I feel. Luckily we have been using the garden anyway with the kids.

@Honeybobbin I think what happened was at first they sent the texts out which was basically "you can open a window but don't go out" until they sent the detailed letters out which said yes you can use your garden. But I've never seen a letter that says you can't go out into the garden!
There was a load of confusion because of the whole text/letter thing and not helped by some people only getting one or the other

@QueenCT maybe I was thinking of the text or maybe Lockdown has finally caused me to crack

Probably the text! I think they couldn't fit "stay inside but if you have a garden you can use that" and the rest of it in so they just went with "open a window"