As Scotland pauses to reflect on the anniversary of lockdown (Tuesday, 23 March), the Council has produced two new videos to showcase and praise the incredible efforts displayed by teams and community responders over the past 12 months.
The first highlights the lengths Council teams and community groups have gone to in an effort to protect Stirling’s most vulnerable people, with figures highlighting the work of community resiliency and voluntary groups that worked with the local authority’s care and community teams over the past year.
The second tells the story of how the Council’s essential services all adapted after radical changes were implemented by the Scottish and UK Governments almost overnight.
The videos have been released on the same day the National Wallace Monument lights up yellow to mark a national day of reflection on the anniversary of lockdown – 23 March, 2021.
The flag at the Council’s main offices – Old Viewforth – will also be lowered to half-mast.
Life changed for us all
Stirling Council Chief Executive, Carol Beattie, said: “I don’t think anyone will forget the first few days of lockdown last year, and the uncertainty that spread across the nation as life drastically changed for us all in the blink of an eye.
“The country moved into emergency response mode overnight, and suddenly, the every-day essential services Councils deliver like in-school education, libraries or care at home, had to find new ways to operate under strict lockdown rules and guidelines.
“It was the Council’s responsibility to respond to this crisis so I’m immensely proud of our reaction and the way our staff have managed to keep key services going in some form or other over the past year.
“The community response to Covid-19 and the sense of community spirit that’s been evident throughout is also something that should fill us all with great pride and respect, and should be seen as a badge of honour for everyone who lives in the Stirling Council area."
Loved ones and colleagues remembered
“The last year has also brought untold pain, stress and tragedy into our lives, with the loss of colleagues and loved ones something we’ll never truly get over and we’re lighting up the Wallace Monument yellow to join in with the National Day of Reflection to remember all those we’ve lost.
“Today we’ve issued these videos to showcase our thanks to the community and acknowledge the selfless acts of kindness that have been on display every day over the past year, and I would like to personally thank everyone who has helped the response to Covid-19 in whichever way they could.”
The videos are available on the Stirling Council YouTube page and Twitter and Facebook.