Karen Bradley

THIS week is Mental Health Awareness Week, the UK’S national week to raise awareness of mental health and this year, the theme is kindness.

In these challenging times and probably more than ever before, mental health awareness is so important and we must do all we can to reduce the psychological and social impacts of the pandemic which are likely to affect many people in our communities.

Here in Staffordshire Moorlands, there have been so many acts of kindness from our fabulous carers and keyworkers to the volunteers, neighbours, families and friends looking out for others in our community.

The message this Mental Health Awareness Week is that kindness matters. It matters to our mental health and it will matter hugely as we start to come out of these difficult and challenging times.

On another note, I am pleased to announce that Isaac Timbey, aged seven is the winner of my Nhs/carers/keyworkers Poster competition (see page 31).

Thank you so much to everyone for sending in the lovely posters.

I know that Cllr Ralphs had a very difficult time choosing and wanted to make everyone a winner.

Thank you also to everyone who joined me on Friday at my virtual social distancing coffee morning.

Once again, I have had some lovely photos and comments and joining together like this is something that I really believe helps those that are living on their own or are shielding and certainly puts a smile on all our faces.

My constituency office is open virtually and my team and I continue to do our best to help local people on a wide range of issues – please do email me.