Letters to the Lincolnshire Free Press editor – June 2, 2020
We need your help to recruit more counsellors
As a result of the growing coronavirus death toll, national healthcare charity Sue Ryder is seeing an increase in need for its bereavement support, which we are struggling to keep up with.
In addition to the tragic increase in deaths that the UK is seeing, the grief that those around us are experiencing now is unlike anything we have ever witnessed before.
As a result of the lockdown restrictions, loved ones of those dying from all causes, not just coronavirus, have been unable to be at their loved one’s bedside when they died.
They have been prevented from holding their hand or saying goodbye. Many people have not been able to attend funerals or find solace and comfort, physically, in the arms of their support networks.
Normally, our usual routines of school, work or activities can provide us with a sense of safety, like an anchor to life before our loss.
This consistency can help with the process of grieving, but the lockdown and social distancing measures have meant that feelings of grief are being intensified and compounded.
Sue Ryder now has a waiting list for our free video bereavement counselling. This means there are grieving people in need of our support right now, who we are currently unable to reach.
Coronavirus is impacting so many of us all, as well as our friends and neighbours. We are asking Lincolnshire Free Press readers to please give what you can afford, however small.
We need your help to help those struggling with grief at this very difficult time. Every little bit will help us to recruit more trained counsellors for our free bereavement counselling service.
If any Free Press readers are struggling with the loss of a loved one and would like to find out more about our support services you can visit www.sueryder.org/support.
Heidi Travis,
Chief Executive at Sue Ryder
A big thank you to all of you
National Volunteers’ Week started yesterday (Monday)and what better way to say a very big thank you to all volunteers.
Volunteers’ Week takes place every year and this year is even more essential to recognise the fabulous contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK.
Lincolnshire Community and Voluntary Service (LCVS) thinks that at a time like this during the pandemic it is more important than ever to recognise and say thank you to volunteers in Lincolnshire.
The current pandemic has put the value of the contribution of community groups and volunteers firmly in the spotlight with volunteers stepping up to help people in ways never seen before.
Conversely, the pandemic has made it impossible for many volunteers to give their time and feel the benefits of volunteering while services are on hold.
Knowing that their support will still be needed and that they are still valued is a crucial message that we can help communicate through Volunteers Week.
So, whether services and volunteers are in full swing or they are on hold and doing their best to maintain the support and enthusiasm of their supporters, we want to help the voluntary and community groups in Lincolnshire say ‘thank you’.
The COVID-19 crisis has demonstrated that volunteering counts, communities need support and volunteers matter.
Volunteers keep people safe and well and take pressure off frontline health and care workers. They give their time, knowledge and skills selflessly to look after our environment, historic buildings and animals, and perform many, many more great deeds.
Whether it is in a crisis or simply to support vulnerable people and keep our communities going, volunteers make a very big difference.
LCVS are asking community groups to get involved to share their gratitude to not only the local volunteers but also to others across the county by sending a Volunteers Week ecard or updating their Facebook profiles and pages.
There is also an opportunity to be part of a collage of images saying thank you to all volunteers.
All information and instructions about how you can get involved and say thank you are available on the LCVS website: www.lincolnshirecvs.org.uk/uncategorised/volunteers-week/ or you can contact LCVS by email: enquiry@lincolnshirecvs.org.uk or telephone: 01205 510888.
David Fannin
CEO of Lincolnshire Community and Voluntary Services
Such an incredible compliment
I note that Mr Clery calls my letter ‘rambling’ but challenges nothing, as it was all absolutely correct.
But what an incredible compliment he pays me!
A ‘chocolate teapot’?
As someone who dislikes modern tea intensely, and believes it should be made only with tea leaves and a little strainer, because he so dislikes the paper flavour from the bags, what a wonderful idea.
I could admire it, like a large, unusual, Easter egg, and think long and hard where to start.
Do I try the handle, the spout or the lid?
I think the lid – I might discover something unusual inside the pot!
Probably the first genuine compliment Mr C has paid anyone for many a day.
Chris Brewis
Sutton Bridge
It’s a long Way to Durham City
Nigel Hancocks has submitted these verses, to be sung along to the tune of ‘It’s a Long Way to Tipperary’!
It’s a long way to Durham City
It’s a long way to go
It’s a long way to Durham
City
To the parents that he
knows
Goodbye to Westminster
Farwell Boris J
It’s a long long way to
Durham City
But I’ll go there and stay.
Up to mighty Durham
went
An advisor chap one day
Took his wife and child
there
So everyone was safe
Tried to keep the rumours
quiet
Economical was the truth
Sneaked his way back to
Parliament
Staying quite aloof!
It’s a long way to Durham
City
It’s a long way to go
It’s a long way to Durham
City
To the parents that I know
Goodbye to Westminster
Farwell Boris J
It’s a long long way to
Durham City
But I’ll go there come
what may.
The chappy made a
statement
To the people of the land
Saying if you don’t believe
me
You do not understand
When you’re fixed in
Government this he
clearly said
The rules are for the
masses
But not for me instead
It’s a long way to Durham
City
It’s a long way to go
It’s a long way to Durham
City
To the parents that I know
Goodbye to Westminster
Farwell Boris J
It’s a long long way to
Durham City
But I’ll go there come
what may.
Nigel Hancocks
via email
We’ve had the applause, now let’s have the rewards
It’s just over 50 years ago since a Labour government passed the Equal Pay Act, outlawing workplace pay discrimination.
This law was won by women coming together in their workplaces, organising through their unions to demand equal pay and forcing the issue onto the political agenda.
This would not have happened without a Labour Government willing to take action for equality.
But 50 years on and pay discrimination and the pay gap are still a reality. At the current rate, it will take another 50 years to win equal pay for women.
That’s why it’s important for women to be members of a strong union, backed by a Labour government, to organise and to take the national campaign forward to win equal pay.
This issue is more important than ever. Unless Government action is called for, one of the economic effects of the pandemic will be an increase in the pay gap.
So many of the key worker heroes, underpaid and undervalued, who are putting themselves in harm’s way, are women. We cannot return to business as usual as working people deserve a new deal, and that has to include pay equality.
It’s only through strong unions, good organising, standing together, and a Labour government, governing in the interests of working people, that this can be achieved. We have had the applause, now let’s move forward and reward our key workers.
Rodney Sadd
Union Delegate for the South Holland & The Deepings Constituency Labour Party