Those of us of a certain vintage in the UK may have noted the return to our (rarely visited) newsagents - and more availably online - of The Face, the definitional style and culture magazine that flourished after punk in the early 80s. It was always self-conscious about deriving its content from the streets - young, semi-intutitve style makers commanding their spaces through clothes or music.

The current incarnation - best sampled from their newsletter - has an equal focus on the streets, but often in a much more documentary and realist fashion, trying to tune into the everyday politics of a Gen Z/ReGen A audience.

We were delighted to see this series launch, “Key Workers of Britain”, which simply trains a video and a microphone at three young service workers, brought to the forefront as (previously unheralded) “heroes of the lockdown”.

Above is a multiscreen of food delivery rider Alex, who is also studying film production at the University of Gloucestershire.

In his profile - and there’s a video interview in each Face report - Alex says:

I’ve had a chat with a few of the other riders, and we ask each other how it’s going and if we’re busy. Normal conversations really. In terms of customers, people are definitely a lot more grateful now. They’ll come out and say, “Thank you for doing this, mate.” I had one household that sat in their garden and clapped as I came along. I think I’ve probably got more tips than I did before, too.

When I first started, I didn’t feel like a “key worker”. And maybe it isn’t a job that people immediately think of – but it’s still something people have to do. And I’m happy to do it.

Another profile is of 20-year-old supermarket assistant Keziah, working on the frontline of food sales in Reading. She notes:

In terms of the team, we’ve definitely been pulling together. Before the pandemic, you’d go in, do your shift and go home, and there would be a select few people you’d talk to. But now everyone is talking to each other.

We’ve had a lot of young temps coming in and they seem to brighten up the place. It’s unusual to see everyone singing and dancing. It’s nice to be at work, in that sense…

I’d say I’ve felt like a frontline worker since the pandemic hit, just because I was very aware that everything would be shut down apart from places like supermarkets and chemists – very urgent, important places. But it didn’t really impact me until the whole process carried on for a month.

Now we’re in our sixth week of lockdown and I’m still in the same position where I have to go to work and provide a good service. I have to do that anyway, but now I have to step it up for the people who come out and get their shopping, going that extra mile for each customer.

It’s hard to explain, but even though there’s a lot of panic, the pandemic has almost united people in a sense. There have been a couple of moments when customers have walked past and said, ‘You guys are doing a great job, well done.’ A lot of older people are very thankful for us doing that extra bit. People are talking to each other – people who might not have spoken to one another before.

Even though the country is divided and having to stay at home, we are quite united, in a way.

And finally there’s 24-year-old courier Connor, on the frontline of parcel delivery, dropping off essential goods around Leeds. As he says:

It’s surreal being on the coronavirus frontline. It didn’t feel real when it first started because we all took it as a big joke but now you are actually risking your health just to deliver some parcels.

The general atmosphere when I’m talking to people is that they’re very, very pleased to see me. A lot of people are telling us about how much of a good job we’re doing and to stay safe. I’m getting a lot more gratitude for what I do, whereas before people kind of turned their noses up.

The most rewarding part is seeing how happy people are when I’m bringing them something that they need because they can’t physically leave the house.

The atmosphere hasn’t changed too much with the lads that I work with. We’re just trying to get on and do what we can because if we don’t work, we don’t get paid. A lot of people are getting 80% but if we don’t work, we’re not getting paid.

My last words to the general public would be to just buy what you need. I understand that everyone is at home and bored, but don’t buy stupid stuff. We’re more than happy to deliver what you need.

More from The Face’s social coverage here. We found these short interviews (written and video) moving - they evoke a kindly, responsible generation who would no doubt be open to the appeal to build a better system, after the worst of Covid-19 is over.

The Face shows us the faces of young key workers of Britain - the cheerful and resourceful Alex, Keziah and Connor