Tomorrow (Tuesday 23 March), the country marks one year since the beginning of the first Covid-19 national lockdown and there will be a national day of reflection to mark the occasion.

In Nottingham we will remember those we've lost - over 600 people - with the Council House flag flown at half-mast and a minute's silence at 12noon. The Council House and Wollaton Hall will be lit up in rainbow colours after dark. You can mark the day at home by lighting a candle in your window or door as it gets dark.???

The last year has been the most difficult in our recent history. I?d like to thank the people of Nottingham for everything they?ve done to keep each other safe ? everyone who stayed home, washed their hands, wore masks and got their vaccination when their turn came, all this has made and continues to make a difference in bringing infection rates down.

Find out more: Nottingham commemorates one year of Covid-19 pandemic

The past twelve months have not been the year that any of us is expected and we have all had to make adjustments and sacrifices so we can honour our commitments to family and work whilst keeping each other safe. Here, at the council, we have had to re-design many of our services so we can keep serving Nottingham and we have taken on new roles too. Since the start of the pandemic we have made

• 171,566 calls to our helpline for food & prescriptions
• 5000 welfare visits to check vulnerable people are safe & well
• 1200 laptops given to school children for home learning
• 4000 food parcels & prescriptions delivered to people isolating
• 8500 calls to help vulnerable people make their vaccine appointments

I?m really proud of how our council frontline staff have gone above and beyond to keep services going and to respond to the needs of local people over this uncertain time.

Our Customer Hub team continue to work extremely hard to support citizens through Covid-19. You can contact the Hub by calling 0115 915 5555 for advice on local services that can help you with issues arising from the pandemic and for help with self-isolating. ?

On top of all the disruption and uncertainty this last year has brought, many people in Nottingham are also having to deal with the loss of loved ones. At a time when we need each other for support and strength, we are being asked to stay apart. If you have lost someone or are just struggling, there is help available;

• Help dealing with grief - 0800 111 4451 Notts Hospice- Grief Line
• Help with your mental health NHS Every Mind Matters - coping with loneliness during coronavirus outbreak
• Local services Ask Lion - COVID-19 Mental Health Support

This week is Debt Awareness Week. You may not know that in Nottingham, we have a fantastic Welfare Rights Team who can help you ? totally for free, and in privacy, to talk through and deal with your money problems.

They can help with bailiffs and court action, negotiating with companies you owe money to, reviewing your finances and budgeting, and giving you advice on the best long-term options to resolve your debt problems and helping you make applications for things like?debt relief orders and bankruptcy.

They?ve even got over ?1.6million in unfair debts written off completely.

The sooner you talk to someone, the sooner we start getting things sorted out. Call the team on 0115 915 1355 (8:30am ? 4:50pm) or email [email protected]?