Over the last week we have seen first steps out of the coronavirus lockdown. I hope that most of you have been able to enjoy a little more fresh air and possibly even a return to work. Clearly a return to work is only possible if safe conditions are in place, both for when you are at work and getting to and from.

We must all remember that we individually have a responsibility to follow the guidance rules too. I get representations about businesses not doing things correctly, which we then engage on but I also receive complaints about people who have been in an organisation that has tried to do everything correctly and then they leave and see a number of their colleagues from different households get in the same car to go home. Please remember you have to take responsibility for your own actions as well both for you and your colleagues.

This week is also mental health awareness week and that is particularly poignant given the circumstances of the coronavirus lockdown. The need to socially isolate can put many additional pressures on anyone who has a concern of their mental health and we need to be cognisant of one another in this situation. The theme of the mental health awareness week is being kind and there is some great information and support on the website mentalhealth.org.uk.

We can all do many things to support the mental health of ourselves and others, for example just calling your family or friends to check up with them can be therapeutic for both you and them. It is also an opportunity to do little things that can help enormously so going for a walk or keeping a set routine in your life all help to make things seem better. It is very important to remember that you don’t know what you don’t know, and therefore if someone is having a bad time or just wants to talk, remember it’s okay to not be okay and you don’t know what has happened in their world.

Please, if you do need help, talk to someone, or if someone talks to you remember they’re looking for support and the fact that they trust you is a huge compliment so please give them the support that they are looking for.

Back in my world, we will return to Westminster on 2nd June which will be another step towards normality. We continue to do some committees and debates virtually for now but there is so much work that can only be done by being there. Our staff will continue to work from home and it will be interesting to see how the house is reconfigured to allow us to return.

One of the strongest debating points at the moment is of course the return of children to schools and unfortunately we are seeing far too much false messaging leading to confusion and misunderstanding. It is clear to me that the schools cannot open until it is safe to do so and it is incumbent on all parties to do everything they can to help to create that safe place. This will allow children and families to take another step out of lockdown and remember it is typically our most disadvantaged children who will suffer most from missing school.

To conclude for this week please be kind to yourself and others, try and listen and understand what they are saying before you judge, maintain social distancing at all times and of course Stay Alert, Control the Virus and Save Lives.

Paul Howell

MP for Sedgefield

paul.howell.mp@parliament.uk