Following this, we also want to share some of our employees’ experiences and their tips for wellbeing during lockdown.

Some of our employee mental health champions have recorded videos.

Tips from employees on wellbeing during lockdown

Below are some of their tips, taken from these videos.

Lisa Doran, Sellafield Ltd Remediation Team Leader says:

My tip is to do things to keep your mind occupied. I take daily exercise. I also stay connected to friends and family and give myself little treats.

Some days we all have little slumps, and that’s fine. Be kind to yourself and stay safe.

Stuart Buchanan, Sellafield Ltd Control Systems says:

Like lots of you, my mental health has been up and down, but thankfully with no real problems. I find that getting out and doing a bit of exercise really does help.

I also do a bit of charity work and I think that helping others have a positive impact on your mental health.

Kay Mulhatton, Sellafield Ltd Waste Vitrification Plant says:

I try to stop overthinking. I also crochet, knit and do any DIY. All these are things to fill your head, so you don’t overthink things.

It’s not always easy, but it helps to keep your feet on the ground.

Kindness is important too – I think we need more of that. DO help each other and keep each other going strong.

We finish with an insight to a particular mental health challenge from Michael Wright who is the co-founder and co-chair of the Nuclear Stammering Network. This aims to raise awareness of stammering as well as coach those who suffer within the industry, helping them gain control over their speech.

Michael Wright, Site Integration and Outage Management Team has talked about his experiences of lockdown with a stammer, and how the daily conference calls can be a challenge.

Since working from home, we have seen a huge increase in the use of technology to enable us to communicate effectively, with the use of conference call dial ins, and with apps such as Skype and Zoom.

For those who suffer from a stammer this can inflict additional stress and anxiety and can bring additional complexity when trying to perform their job.

Work is continuing on the multi-million flood risk management scheme in Lancaster in line with government safety guidelines to ensure that flood risk in one of the city’s most important commercial areas is significantly reduced.

On completion, the £11million project will protect homes and businesses as well as helping to safeguard jobs. Key features will include new flood defence walls and embankments stretching from Skerton Bridge to junction 34 of the M6. Additional works will take place on the right bank of the river to reduce the risk of flooding to homes and businesses on Aldrens Lane.

The project is being done in partnership between Lancaster City Council and the Environment Agency who are working with VolkerStevin, Boskalis Westminster and Atkins (VBA Joint Venture Limited), and remain on site to deliver the flood mitigation scheme.

Latest construction activity is centered on flood walls being put into place along the Millennium Cycle Path near the River Lune.

Gary Bowker, Project Engineer and Project Manager for Lancaster City Council said “We are doing everything we can to make sure that work continues safely and that delays are kept to an absolute minimum. It’s vital that we deliver this scheme for our communities.”

“Our priority in these difficult times is the health, safety and wellbeing of our staff and the public. As a result we have temporarily closed the drop in centre on Caton Road and will not be holding any public events for the foreseeable future.”

“I am pleased that we are starting work on the Millennium Cycle Path section this month and delighted that we have worked so hard as a team to overcome obstacles including flooding in February this year, to continue safely in our efforts to provide this vital, and life changing scheme”

Andy Brown, Flood Risk Manager for the Environment Agency in Lancashire, said: “In line with government advice, the project team are continuing to deliver this flood risk management project and are working with our staff and contractors to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those working on this important scheme.

“Many residents and business owners across Lancashire will understand first-hand the devastating consequences that flooding can have on homes, livelihoods and communities. This is why it is vital that we continue to invest in projects like this, which drastically reduce the risk, and bring peace of mind to local residents.

“The safety of our staff, partners and the communities we work in remains a priority for us and we are thrilled with the progress made so far on this scheme.”

• recent VAT revenue from PPE donated to the NHS and care homes will be given to charity
• money to support frontline workers affected by Covid-19
• donations made to Care Workers Charity and NHS Charities Together

The Care Workers Charity and NHS Charities Together will benefit from the government donation, which is expected to be worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.

The government introduced a temporary zero rate of VAT on PPE on 1 May to reduce costs for care homes and businesses buying the essential equipment during the Covid emergency.

The amount to be donated to charity will reflect the VAT collected on donations made from 1 March until 30 April – the period between PPE donations starting and when the zero VAT rate became effective.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Steve Barclay said:

Frontline health workers are fighting coronavirus day in, day out – in our hospitals, care homes and communities. Whilst we will never be able to fully express our gratitude to them, we want these donations to be a small sign of our appreciation.

From the Treasury and the whole government, we say thank you for all you are doing.

Health Minister Jo Churchill said:

I’m delighted that these donations will be going to such a worthwhile cause, helping those that selflessly care for others.

These charities are doing fantastic work, supporting our amazing NHS and social care staff, who continue to display incredible determination and resilience as they lead the struggle against this invisible killer.

VAT is due on assets donated by businesses where they paid and reclaimed VAT when they originally purchased the goods.

Businesses will have until the end of June to tell HMRC what VAT they have paid, giving them time to complete their usual accounts and identify these costs. Affected businesses should contact ppe@hmrc.gov.uk for further information.

NHS Charities Together is a membership organisation representing, supporting and championing NHS Charities. They support the NHS on a variety of projects.

The Care Workers Charity provides crisis cash grants to care workers. This includes those working in residential social care, home care, supported living care and day care.

The donation will be split equally between the two charities. Both the Care Workers Charity and NHS Charities Together are run nationwide and people across the UK will be able to benefit.

Ellie Orton, Chief Executive of NHS Charities Together said:

“We’re really pleased to receive this donation and put it towards supporting NHS staff, volunteers and patients as they deal with the Covid crisis. NHS charities are working closely with trusts across the UK to put that support in place.”

Karolina Gerlich, Executive Director of the Care Workers Charity said:

The Care Workers’ Charity is delighted to accept the donation from HM Treasury. The charity exists to support care workers, give them a voice and to advocate for the social care workforce.

There are about 2 million care workers in the UK, many of whom exist on a low income. This means that if they are impacted by a crisis, it is all too easy for them to be plunged into a financial crisis. The charity supports care workers by offering grants for everyday living costs and emergencies that enable individuals and families to maintain a quality of life. This donation will boost our collaborative efforts with care workers, key industry stakeholders and policy leaders to reach a consensus from which the social care sector can become stronger and more cohesive. Care workers nurture and protect the most vulnerable people in our society and they deserve to be recognised and appreciated.

The Department for Health and Social Care will make the donation of the VAT on the government’s behalf.

Further information

HMRC estimates that the donation will be between £500,000 to £1 million.