Leave no one behind

We braved lockdown together, now we must rebuild together

THIS coming week we mark the one-year anniversary of going into lockdown.

While more and more of our loved ones are receiving the vaccine, we need to keep our focus on those who are being left behind.

Our children have been separated from their friends this year, they have had the stress of wondering how their school subjects will be assessed and many have been stuck in violent homes without teachers to pick up on the warning signs of their suffering.

Their mental health cannot be forgotten. It is vital that every one of them is given the support they need during every stage of their childhood, both inside and outside of school.

Children must be able to access mental health support without experiencing long waiting lists or dropping off the books.

Before Covid-19 hit, our most vulnerable youngsters relied on their teachers to refer them to children’s mental health services.

Now – with so many having been away from school for so long, and so many families experiencing new challenges – teachers face a difficult task to ensure that no child falls through the cracks.

Our teachers have done a fantastic job in this crisis. As a parent who had to homeschool two little ones, I have such respect for the work they do every day.

They will also need support throughout this next chapter.

Our key workers have sacrificed so much for us in the pandemic. So, as well as saying a huge thank-you to everyone who has kept us safe over this past year, it is vital that they all get the support they need now as we start to rebuild.

That’s why it felt so wrong when we found out that our NHS heroes were going to effectively get a pay cut – not a reward for all of their hard work and dedication.

After everything they have done to keep us safe, it is simply an insult.

Ministers should take this pay cut off the table and start talks with staff on a pay deal that reflects their worth.

We will not stop fighting until they get a fair wage.

Support

And it’s not just pay. All of our health and care staff need proper mental health provision to support them through the sheer volume of death they have had to experience this past year.

We have lost friends, colleagues and loved ones to this virus – and healthcare staff have witnessed more than anyone. So the support is needed now.

Mental health must be at the heart of rebuilding. With 10 million people expected to need mental health support as a result of the pandemic, this isn’t a problem we can sweep under the carpet. We must confront it head-on.

No one has been left untouched by this virus. Check with your closest ones and see how they’re coping. We’ve made it through the past year together – so let’s carry on supporting each other as we rebuild.