• CAMDEN’S motto is “not for self but for all” and that is the spirit we have seen over the last few weeks from the thousands of people who have come forward to volunteer or donate to Covid-19 relief efforts through to all who are following public health advice in the most difficult of times.

And that spirit is embodied by Camden’s NHS staff who are looking after our loved ones under intense pressure and the key workers continuing to deliver vital services.

I would also like to personally thank all the staff at Camden Council who have stepped up in extraordinary ways to support our community during the crisis.

I have volunteered alongside librarians and sports staff working full-time on emergency food deliveries for vulnerable people. Camden’s parking attendants have managed to identify thousands of free parking spaces for NHS and emergency services.

Homeless outreach workers have found beds for more than 100 rough sleepers.

Our waste contractor Veolia’s staff continue to be out every day collecting rubbish, emergency repairs are going into people’s homes where there is a health and safety issue to fix, and there’s so much more.

Our schools are working with us to not only teach the children of key workers but also provide food and learning support for all the children working at home. Our social workers are still there to help those who need extra support.

Alongside the shop workers, the cleaners, the bus and tube drivers, and so many more, they are the heroes of this crisis.

We have been overwhelmed by the support for our staff and all those working to tackle this crisis – rainbows have sprung up on windows across London, and bins have been covered in thank-you notes.

However a small minority of our staff have suffered verbal and physical abuse. I know that CNJ readers will be appalled to hear this and I ask you to join me in encouraging everyone in Camden to send our solidarity and support to front-line staff at this time. If staff are out and about in Camden it is because they have a vital role in the relief effort.

So many public sector staff are working round the clock, on our streets and in their homes, to keep our community running during these difficult times. There is no one untouched by this disease.

Our staff are just as scared about their families as the rest of Camden and beyond, and yet they are going out to serve the public.

We need them now more than ever. As we recover from this we must never forget those people who stood up and put themselves at risk for the rest of us.

We must redouble our efforts to build a society where they get the rights and recognition they deserve.

Cllr GEORGIA GOULD
Leader of Camden Council