JUST a few weeks ago, I wrote about the need for Councillors to put aside their partisan loyalties in our shared interest of the City of Glasgow.

While there is – rightly, in my view – debates currently raging between politicians about the nature of the ‘exit’ strategy, at the local level so many of our elected Councillors have put aside party to work together.

I’m particularly inspired by the work of Councillors Eva Murray and Michael Cullen, the Labour and SNP Councillors for Garscadden/Scotstounhill. In an incredibly short period of time, they’ve managed to work with the community to put in place a crisis response centre – delivering food and advice where it is most needed. They, of course, have not been alone in that endeavour, working closely with the inimitable and ever undaunted Sandy Busby.

In a similar vein, the Lord Provost Phil Braat has been out working with colleagues regardless of affiliation. Just this week, he was out delivering vital food packages to people with none other than the former SNP Business Manager John Letford in Maryhill.

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In their efforts, they join a legion of volunteers across the City. Glaswegians from all backgrounds who have chosen to roll up their sleeves in this time of crisis and support one another. Groups of people across the City, like the Covid19 Support – Glasgow North East network which operates in part of my own ward, the City-wide Covid19 mutual aid group co-ordinating volunteers, or even the Glasgow Helps Community Hub bringing as many organisations together as possible.

That these initiatives can be brought together and work so successfully in such a short space of time is an incredible testament to the people of our City. We are a city of communities built on shared values.

And in this time, when we are reaching out to support the most vulnerable, we cannot forget a vital element of support for those who are on the frontline. Over the past weeks, it has become clear the social care settings are some of the most difficult in terms of coronavirus. The staff and volunteers in those environments are doing incredible work, but perhaps are suffering some of the greatest personal impact.

That’s why I raised the issue of mental health support for those working in social care with the Chief Executive and the Leader of the Council at our weekly conference call on Monday. It’s important that we get this right and put that support in place as soon as possible.

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In just over a week’s time, we will mark International Workers Day. During this crisis, our frontline workers have demonstrated just how much

we all rely on them – especially during a crisis.

And getting the right mental health support and the right personal protective equipment in place, and making sure that our workers are safe at work is the absolute least we can do for them this May Day.