The Spirit of Salford shines through

Salford’s amazing community spirit has been in abundance in recent months. Front line workers, volunteers, charity workers, people who look out for their neighbours, leave thank you notes for essential workers or do something for your community – you are all Spirit of Salford heroes.

From the bottom of my heart I would like to thank every resident of our city for the way you have responded to the challenges faced by the coronavirus pandemic. In April we shared on social media CCTV footage of empty streets as we as a city stayed home – a testament to your resolve.

City Mayor, Paul Dennett

Many people in Salford have lost loved ones to this deadly virus and we feel your loss.

The Spirit of Salford Network and helpline was launched within days of the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown to support selfisolating vulnerable residents. This saw volunteers, councillors, council employees and partner organisations such as Salford Community and Voluntary Services (CVS), work together to get help to those that need it.

We have seen thousands of food packages delivered, essential shopping done and prescriptions picked up for people who have had to stay at home because of their age or health. Council employees who normally manage events turned their hands to coordinating a food hub with boxes of essential groceries.

The Spirit of Salford is exactly what this great city is about. I would like to pay special thanks to those who continued to

work out and about in our communities, putting themselves at risk throughout this pandemic. The NHS, social care and essential workers as well as volunteers focused tirelessly on helping those who needed it most and keeping this city moving. We would also like to thank the shop workers, drivers and delivery people who have been so busy.

In times of crisis like this it becomes clear how much society relies on things we take for granted. Never before in my lifetime has the national spotlight shone so much on the people who empty bins, look after the vulnerable, work in supermarkets and transport goods.

Until a vaccine is available then testing, tracing and selfisolation in some cases will remain part of our lives as will social distancing and restricting contact for vulnerable people.

Our resources have been and continue to be stretched as we continue to deliver our essential services and respond to reopening services and being prepared for further outbreaks. Since 2010, we have lost over 50% of our budget and we are lobbying hard to hold the government to its promise to refund to local authorities the costs of responding to the coronavirus pandemic.

We are working as a city to help support those areas of our economy going back to work and I would ask you to support local businesses which are struggling to return to activities.

If you need support while self-isolating visit www.salford.gov.uk/spiritofsalford or call The Spirit of Salford helpline on 0800 952 1000.