Covid Tribute - Mayor

Borough falls silent to recognise efforts of social care workers

The borough fell silent this morning (Thu) to recognise the efforts of social care workers in the fight against coronavirus.

The Reverend James Treasure, vicar at Top Church in Dudley, led a service at Coronation Gardens which finished with prayers and a two-minute silence to remember those who lost their lives on the frontline.

It was held almost two years to the day since the country first went into lockdown.

Social care workers, including those who work at the Dudley Council-owned care home Tiled House in Pensnett, were in attendance along with the Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Anne Millward.

Speakers included the mayor; Councillor Nicolas Barlow, cabinet member for adult social care; and council directors Iain Newman and Matt Bowsher.

A young choir from Christ Church Primary School in Coseley also performed at the poignant service.

Councillor Anne Millward, the Mayor of Dudley, said:

This morning is about recognising the outstanding contributions that have been made over the last few years.
I have been inspired by the hard work, by the tenacity, the sacrifice, the hours put in, and commitment from our social care workers in this borough.
During incredibly difficult times, they have continued to deliver excellent services across our borough. And our community has survived, and thrived, thanks to their dedication.
I’m glad that we have been able to take this opportunity to recognise the large part they have had to play, and I thank them from the bottom of my heart on behalf of all elected members for their continued efforts.

Councillor Nicolas Barlow, cabinet member for health and adult social care, said:

Our incredible social care work colleagues have, just like our wonderful NHS counterparts, made the ultimate sacrifice by putting the needs of others ahead of themselves during the pandemic.
We continue to celebrate the essential contribution social care makes to the lives of so many people.
I would like to thank them, for their kindness, bravery, and resolve. They have been the backbone of our borough, and we are all indebted to them.

Matt Bowsher, director of adult social care, said:

It’s about two years today that the lockdown started, give or take, and at the point in time we asked our carers to go out.
They didn’t have public protective equipment, we didn’t know what Covid was.
They didn’t know what they were walking into and the people they were caring for didn’t know who was coming into their homes, or what risk they were facing.
So to do what they did, with the risk that they faced, in putting other people’s needs ahead of their own and indeed their own families, with no protection is something that this borough should never forget and should always be thankful for.

Contact Information

Dudley Council

pressoffice@dudley.gov.uk