A year like no other
■ It was the day life in Calderdale changed forever as the Covid lockdown began ■ Twelve months on we look back at the impact of coronavirus in the district – and how our communities have rallied round to offer optimism for the future
A YEAR ago Calderdale Council’s leader Tim Swift addressed councillors in the council chamber at Halifax Town Hall outlining the authority’s initial action plan for dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Within days national lockdown followed and as the situation has developed the council has played a major role in implementing and promoting the Government’s guidelines and requirements, from advice and practical help its public health team are giving schools to arranging payment of business grants to those qualifying, and ongoing support for care homes.
“It has been an incredibly tough year and we have all been affected in some way.
Coun Swift said through the year the generosity of spirit – and practical help – shown by volunteers had seen the council’s watchwords met in these difficult circumstances, such as kindness and resilience, building blocks as the borough eventually emerges from the pandemic.
“As we approach the oneyear anniversary of the first national lockdown, our deepest condolences and thoughts remain with everyone who has faced loss and devastation due to COVID-19.
“It has been an incredibly tough year and we have all been affected in some way.
“People continue to make sacrifices to protect each other, and we are truly grateful for everyone’s remarkable efforts.
“We have stuck together through the challenges and achieved so much.
“We can now look ahead with hope thanks to the outstanding vaccine rollout and the cau
tiously optimistic roadmap out of lockdown.
“Calderdale’s amazing joint community efforts have helped to support our most vulnerable residents, businesses, schools, workplaces, the voluntary and care sectors and faith groups,” he said.
Some figures also told part of the story.
“We have distributed over 2.5 million pieces of PPE locally; paid out around £78 million in business grants; jointly raised £70,000 to provide laptops to pupils learning from home, and over £100,000 to help end child hunger in Calderdale for good.
“Our wonderful local key workers have continued to go above and beyond, putting
themselves at risk to keep the rest of us going.”