So many acts of kindness

The past couple of months have been difficult for us all and I think it’s fair to say that most of us have suffered mentally through not being able to see family and friends and to socialise in the many ways we are used to doing.

For young people and those with pre-existing mental health conditions it has been particularly hard.

Research carried out by Young Minds found that 83% of young people have said the coronavirus pandemic has made their mental health worse.

This is really worrying and provides even greater reason for us to mark Mental Health Awareness Week and to talk about mental health and how we can all support one another better.

Throughout this week people are being asked to celebrate acts of kindness in their own lives and communities and to create a few more.

Every day I hear about kind acts taking place across our city – the pandemic has truly brought out the best in many people who are using their time to ensure others are safe and well.

Many of these stories come via our Peterborough COVID-19 Support Hub, run by the city council, which is assisting groups and organisations to help those in need, as well as supporting people directly to access food and medicine and in many other ways.

For example, Peterborough Asylum and Refuge Community Association (PARCA) received a request for emergency food for a family of four recently. Moez Nathu, CEO of PARCA, delivered the emergency food within a couple of hours of the request being made.

The Peterborough Foodbank, which has been doing fantastic work in our city for many years, has recently recruited an additional 80 volunteers to keep up with demand from those who need help accessing food during the pandemic. All these people are giving their time for free to help those most in need.

Just last week an urgent call came into the city council’s hub from a lady who needed medication for her son that evening. The call was received at 5pm and by 5.40pm SERV, a local bikers group, had delivered the medication to the family.

It’s these kinds of examples that make me proud to live and work in Peterborough.

If you need help from the Peterborough Hub, please visit www.peterborough.gov.uk/ coordinationhub or call 01733 747474, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Lots of information and advice around mental health is available at www.keepyour-head.com. In response to the pandemic, the Lifeline helpline, a free mental health support service, has increased its hours so people can call 0808 808 2121 and receive help between 9am and 11pm Monday to Friday and 2pm to 11pm on weekends and Bank Holidays.

I was delighted to hear that Peterborough has been named as the ‘UK’s greenest city’ after a study revealed we have the highest number of solar panels on household roofs.

There are more than 9,000 solar panel installations on city homes, enough to equip 11.1 per cent of the city’s 82,000 households.

As a council, we are fully committed to promoting and developing renewable energy initiatives and we previously ran a successful solar panel installation scheme which provides energy for thousands of homes.

In fact, we’ve been leading the way on environmental matters for some time - a recent report found that the city had a higher proportion of electric cars on its roads than any other city in the UK. To cater for increasing electric vehicles, we are working to install charging points across the city.

Last year the council declared a climate emergency and agreed to make all our activities carbon neutral by 2030. The motion also commits the council to achieving 100 per cent clean energy across its buildings and services by 2030.

There is lots in the news at the moment about the potential for schools to reopen to some year groups from 1 June at the earliest.

I can understand why people might feel anxious about this so I would like to reassure you them that the safety of our children, their families and school staff is our number one priority.

The reality is that some schools will be ready to open on 1 June but others may not, but schools will update parents directly on their plans next week, based on Government scientific advice which is expected to be released on May 28.

Parents or carers who decide not to send their child to school between now and the start of the next school year will not be fined.

Our parents have been doing an incredible job educating their children at home, in very challenging circumstances, and we ask for their continued support as we put our plans in place to ensure children can return to learning in a considered, well-structured, and ultimately safe way.

You can rest assured the council will continue to work hard to keep its residents safe and well and to keep the city moving.

Peterborough City Council leader gives his view on the council and news and issues affecting you...