Latest update from the Chief Executive

As ever, I'm really grateful to you all for another week's hard work and commitment to navigating our way through the Covid-19 crisis and continuing to rise to the ongoing challenges coming our way.

As I've said before, I am very aware of the demands on everyone, not just at work but at home too, where all of us have priorities to juggle, the nature of our caring responsibilities has changed, and lockdown generally is a big adjustment for many.

So, I'm really glad that this week is Mental Health Awareness Week, and the theme this year is kindness - something I think we all need in these tough times. 

It's really important we all look after ourselves and others to stay mentally and physically well.

The Covid-19 crisis has demonstrated great kindness in the city, in many different forms - from delivering shopping to the vulnerable, to checking someone is okay, or exploring technology to stay connected.

And whilst we are all trying to do our bit to be kind to others, although there are lots of demands on us, it's equally as important to take the time to be kind to yourself.

We can all forget to take a break while we're working long hours, but we need to try to take steps to make sure we look after ourselves. We all have mental health and we all need to take care of it.

So, this Mental Health Awareness Week, I'm asking you to be kind to yourself as well as to others.

I've heard first-hand from our residents and through councillors and MPs as I've mentioned before, how simple things have made a big difference such as checking on an elderly neighbour.

And when it comes to being kind to, and looking after ourselves, making sure we exercise outdoors for 30 minutes every day is a really good way of supporting our own physical and mental wellbeing.

It would be great if you could share what you've been doing by sending a photo in of you holding up a sign or sheet of paper saying "My act of kindness is......." and a few words about what that is or, just as importantly, "I'm being kind to myself by..." again followed by a few words describing it.

If you can send your photos to ecommunications@sunderland.gov.uk we can compile them and put them on the Hub to share good ideas and also get to see one another's faces during this period of social distancing.

Thank you everyone, stay safe and be kind to yourself and others. You are making a real difference and I value and appreciate you all.