Mapping our networks of care

In the last month most of us have looked at more graphs and statistics than we ever have before.

So coming across Georgia Lupi’s project ‘Mapping Ourselves’, for Atlas of Caregiving, was refreshing. Mapping Ourselves is a series of low-tech tools for observing, visualising and analysing the care we are receiving and giving to others, particularly to our more vulnerable loved ones, in a more human way.

I had already been carefully drawing out a weekly map of activities to remind me what I need to do to stay sane,and to record my own story as time shifts shape. I’ve now broadened the scope of my reflections to encompass the communities and care-ecosystems around me. I'm also taking inspiration from Lupi’s fun way of approaching data visualisation – it's more than a checklist, there’s shapes and arrow, symbols and colour. Perhaps over time I’ll be able to look back and decipher patterns in my moods, movement and approach to the situation.

What does your caregiving network look like and how can it be strengthened in a time of social isolation?

Watch Georgia Lupi’s TED Talk here, or check out 'Mapping Ourselves' here.