Dear resident Tuesday 23 March marks one year since the Prime Minister announced the first national stay-at-home order. Since then there have been three periods of national restrictions, in addition to regional tier restrictions and, sadly, tens of thousands of deaths including more than 850 in Havering. This has been an incredibly difficult year for all of us. My thoughts are with you if you have lost loved ones, and particularly if you were not able to pay tribute to them in the way they would have wanted. If you have suffered a loss in your family, or among your friends or work colleagues, you have my sincere condolences. Havering, due to its geographic location and the age profile of its population has been particularly badly hit, exacerbated in recent months by the rise of more deadly and infectious variant of the virus. It was only a few months ago that Havering had the highest infection rate in England. No-one expected the pandemic to reach this terrible anniversary but I am extremely proud of the way the Council, our staff, partner organisations and volunteers initially responded back in March 2020, and continue to ensure that no resident is left behind. We put a series of financial measures in place last March to offer support and reassurance to many in a time of great need and uncertainty. This support remains in place to help residents that need it. Our Havering Helps a package of financial measures has provided nearly £4.5m to support residents, businesses and care providers in the borough through the pandemic, and our Emergency Assistance Scheme, run by the DABD on the Council’s behalf, has awarded just over £500,000 in grants to local people in need since the pandemic began. Thank you to all those Havering residents who are doing their bit and came forward in their droves to volunteer as part of the COVID-19 vaccination programme. More than 450 volunteers registered to support the vaccine roll-out across the borough. My grateful thanks also to staff in schools who have gone above and beyond to help children through this pandemic. Over the last year voluntary sector organisations in Havering have continued to serve our residents through very difficult times. They have done this tirelessly and, in many cases, unnoticed. They have supported tens of thousands of residents, many of whom are the most vulnerable. Thank you to all of them from me and all the leadership of Havering Council. I also want to thank everyone across the community, from our health and care services, to our local businesses, who have risen to the challenges posed by COVID-19. The disruption to normal life, schooling for children, meeting relations, visiting loved ones in care homes, and the enjoyable things in life like meals out, watching live sport or holidays has been, and remains, painful. But better days are ahead thanks to the vaccination programme and your compliance with the restrictions the Government brought in to control the virus. This booklet is a reminder of just some of the amazing work, sacrifices, and losses endured since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. On Tuesday 23 March we will observe a minute’s silence at midday and a national doorstep vigil will form part of a day of reflection to mark that anniversary. Working together we can look forward to better days ahead.
Councillor Damian White Leader of Havering Council
Cover picture: Sunrise over Brittons Playing Fields, Rainham Road, South Hornchurch. Photographed by Luke Phimister who lives in Elm Park and works for Havering Council.