Once again we are asked to stay at home to save lives and protect the NHS. NHS services across the country are in danger of being overwhelmed so those of us who can should stay at home as much as possible.

The continuing pandemic and a third lockdown are not easy for us all to navigate. To help local people find out what help and support is out there for them we?ve put together a dedicated Coronavirus (COVID-19) section on our website.? On these pages you can find out

• How to get a test - People with symptoms of Covid-19 can now be tested quickly and easily for the virus at various sites across Nottingham
• Help for Residents Self-isolating ? Support available for local people who need to self-isolate
• Guidance for people who are Clinically Extremely Vulnerable
• Accessing food and essential supplies - Information on what supermarkets offer to provide you with food and supplies throughout lockdown or for those self-isolating
• Food banks and community based social eating projects.

If you are self-isolating in Nottingham and do not have friends or family locally who can offer support with food shopping and collecting medicines, then please do contact our Customer Hub 0115 915 5555 we can put you in touch with support services available in Nottingham.

This global pandemic brings not just stress and worry about our own health and that of our loved ones, but the lockdown will unavoidably lead to increased isolation, money worries and make some of our usual coping mechanisms inaccessible.

Now more than ever, we need to be kind to ourselves and prioritise our mental health. To find local organisations that can support you visit AskLion: mental health during COVID-19.

The Mental Health Foundation has put together a fantastic online resource to help people cope with this public health crisis. At www.mentalhealth.org.uk/coronavirus you can find tips for looking after your wellbeing whilst balancing responsibilities such as work, studying and parenting through this pandemic.

The Ask Lion website has put together a page of information to help people manage their finances over the outbreak and to highlight local organisations that can help people who are experiencing financial difficulties. Visit Financial Help during COVID-19 to find out more.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced further business support for those in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors as the country enters another lockdown until at least the February half-term, in addition to the grants given during the previous Tier 2 and Tier 3 restrictions. Eligible businesses will receive grants of ?4,000-?9,000 depending on the rateable value of their premises. In addition, ?594 million of discretionary grant funding will be available nationwide for local authorities to pay to businesses in need of support but who fall outside of this scheme.

As the Government has only very recently announced these additional grants we are awaiting further details including when we can start to pay out these funds to local businesses. ?

Ensuring that local businesses can access the financial support they are entitled to from Government is a key priority for the council. We know how challenging and frustrating lockdowns are for our local businesses and we are working towards being able to distribute this money as soon as it becomes available to us.

For the latest updates in business support grants that are administered by the City Council, visit Coronavirus (COVID-19) ? Support for businesses or sign up for updates here.

2021 will be a year of low carbon gains for the council and the city as we continue to deliver on our Carbon Neutral by 2028 Action Plan. The plan acknowledges that a citywide effort will be needed to reach this goal and has actions for local organisations, businesses and people.

A key action for reducing household emissions is reducing meat and dairy. It is widely thought that shifting to a more plant-based diet and reducing meat intake is the single biggest individual action we can take to reduce our impact on the environment. Cutting meat and dairy entirely from our diet is not something that many of us will want to do but we can consider reducing our meat and dairy consumption. Missing out on just one serving of beef a week for a year saves the equivalent emissions to driving 348 miles in a car! Many people are currently undertaking the Veganuary challenge and there is a lot of information and recipes being shared this month to inspire us to increase our plant-based choices.?

For ideas and what you can do to reduce your impact on the environment and help Nottingham become the UK?s first carbon neutral city visit Carbon Neutral by 2028: Information for citizens

While the city?s leisure centres are temporarily closed for lockdown, Active Nottingham is still here to support you with your New Year fitness goals and challenges.

Active Nottingham On Demand is a selection of recorded fitness classes from a library of over 150 sessions including aerobics, Pilates, Belly Dancing and the higher intensity HIIT and Insanity cardio and muscle building sessions. These are available to anybody at no cost.

Livestream fitness classes are still running so if you want to join in live, sign up to Active Nottingham Digital for just ?4.99 per month or access them free as part of your existing Health and Fitness membership. Find out more at: www.activenottingham.com/stay-in-work-out