Worthing councillors’ heartfelt thank you to frontline workers and volunteers

During an online meeting of the borough council, Sally Smith (Lab, Central) tabled a motion aimed at NHS staff and key workers, paying tribute to those who have died during the pandemic.

She said: “Every key worker, nurse, doctor, healthcare assistant, porter is somebody’s relative and it’s heartbreaking for all of us who are key workers to suffer the loss of our colleagues.

“Weekly applause of key workers – while uplifting and greatly appreciated to begin with – increasingly rings hollow as the death toll rises, and some workers have turned to social media to express their frustration.

“Maintaining high levels of critical care has put enormous strain on staff.

“NHS and key workers are human – not saints or super heroes – and the dangers of stress, exhaustion and burn-out are very real.”

There was unanimous support for her words from all other councillors.

On the suggestion of Kevin Jenkins (Con Gaisford), the ‘thank you’ was extended to include volunteers and key workers from other sectors such as education, retail and the council’s own staff.

Mr Jenkins said: “Our world and the world of our children has changed.

“Yet as ever as a nation – and more importantly locally as a community – we’ve stepped up and tackled this head-on.”

Hazel Thorpe (Lib Dem, Tarring) suggested a memorial be held ‘at an appropriate day in the future’ to remember all those who have died.

Speaking about the ‘great sacrifices made by many across the community’, Carl Walker (Lab, Selden) added: “‘Motions like this won’t provide comfort to the families, but it does allow us at least to recognise how much we owe them.”

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