City Council Deputy Leader Cllr Sally Longford:
These last two weeks, we’ve faced enormous challenges as a city, but as we approach the weekend, I want to thank those of you who have come forward and volunteered your time and resources to provide help and support to those in need. Yesterday, we launched a dedicated support service for those of you who are self-isolating – please call 0115 915 5555 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm if you need support, such as picking up and delivering goods. We have a great sense of community in Nottingham, with people getting on and looking out for one another. If you need help, Nottingham City Council will connect you to community support groups and neighbourhood volunteer teams.
Last night, the Government announced plans to offer self-employed people 80% of earnings, up to a maximum of £2,500 a month for three months, in response to the coronavirus. The taxable grant will be based on the average monthly profits of a self-employed person over three years, so people will need to have filed a tax return to be eligible. To find out more information, please check here.
I joined thousands of Nottingham people in showing my appreciation for our wonderful NHS workers and frontline council staff last night, applauding from my front door. I want to pay special thanks to all of our own frontline council staff, working hard across the city to keep people well and safe from harm, and maintaining vital services. I know that coronavirus is the biggest threat to this country in decades and although the measures we are taking as a city and country impose significant restrictions on our daily lives, I want to thank all of you who are working hard to continue to deliver vital services to the people who need them. We were pleased to light up the Council House and Wollaton Hall blue last night as a sign that the whole city is thankful for all of your efforts.
As demonstrated by last night’s outpouring of appreciation, this crisis has shone a light on the absolutely vital role that care workers play in the lives of some of our most vulnerable citizens. Now we need people to step up at a time when people need them the most, and become those frontline heroes and heroines. Every day, we meet people in our city who are kind, considerate and good at listening to others, perhaps they already look after neighbours or relatives – these are the sort of people who are right for this role. It really is a case of your city needs you, and you will undoubtedly find it a hugely rewarding role which will make a massive difference to the lives of many people. If you think you’ve got what it takes, I urge you to apply here.
Finally, although the circumstances are difficult, I hope you have pleasant weekends and try to stay at home, but if you need to go out, or take a run through a local park, stay apart and stay safe.