Did you know that contactless payments can now be made on NCT buses, NET trams and the Linkbus network including Medilink. The new Nottingham Contactless system allows people to tap on with contactless bank cards or phones throughout the day and pay one daily charge capped at the best fare for their travel, regardless of which of the three operators they use or how many journeys they make on the day. Trentbarton also offer contactless payment on their bus services and we are working to integrate that into the new Nottingham Contactless system.

It will help to make using our wonderful public transport network as simple and stress-free as possible. The new system will always give the best value for passengers, providing an extra reason for even more people to choose our award-winning green public transport services. This in turn helps Nottingham continue to grow sustainably. Find out more here.

In recent weeks we have also introduced Robin Hood Flexible days which provides discounted travel on all bus and tram services in Nottingham and is the ideal product for passengers looking to use public transport a few days a week for work or leisure but still want to benefit from the discounts normally associated with longer term season tickets.

Looking after our mental health and wellbeing is becoming ever more important as the impact of the pandemic and the cost of living crisis put extra strain on many people. That?s why we are encouraging people to take part in a series of events to mark Nottingham?s Mental Health Awareness Weeks (MHAW), which are taking place between 10?21 October.

MHAW was started in Nottingham in 1992 by a small group of carers and service uses. Since then, and thanks to the enthusiastic support of many individuals and organisations, it has grown from a one-week to two-week programme of events and timed to include World Mental Health Day today.

This year will see MHAW celebrating their 30th year, with a series of events taking place across the city, bringing people together from all backgrounds, to promote a greater understanding and awareness of mental health. Events include art, music, film, drama, therapies and information sessions. The programme of events is open to anyone and to find out more and how you can take part visit: www.mhaw.org.uk

This week is National Hate Crime Awareness Week, a week of action to raise awareness of hate crime and to work towards tackling it.

I?m proud of the diversity that we have in Nottingham and that our communities all generally get on well, but sadly there is still a lot of work to be done before we can stamp out prejudice entirely once and for all.

To mark Hate Crime Awareness Week this year, the City Council is working with Communities Inc to deliver a series of free Bystander Intervention Training events ? Stand By Me, to help people learn how to tackle prejudice and discrimination when they witness it. If you would like to attend one of these events listed below you can book your place through Eventbrite here.

• 11 October 1.30-4.30, St Ann?s Valley Centre
• 14 October 10-1pm, Mary Potter Centre
• 15 October 10-1pm, Bulwell Riverside.

The City Council also has a wealth of resources to help people respond to prejudice on our Nottingham Together website, providing support and guidance on how to deal with different types of discrimination, approaching sensitive issues and the ways in which we can examine our own words and behaviour.

Above all, I believe through education, understanding and conversation we can make Nottingham a happier, safer and fairer city for everyone.