IN this week’s column, Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols highlights the impact of lockdowns on mental health.

January 31 marks one year since the first Covid-19 case in the United Kingdom.

And over the past twelve months, we have learned and been reminded of so much: from how important our families and friends are to us to how to stay safe in the face of an awful virus.

But the main lesson I have taken is how, in times of crisis, our communities pull together and support one another.

This was on show, once again, in the face of horrendous flooding in Warrington last week.

Following the floods I met with a number of constituents who had been affected and saw our community spirit in action – from people looking after each other’s pets; to the amazing amount of donations of food, clothes, bedding, toys and other household items being donated and distributed; and the money raised to help those affected rebuild their lives.

When I visited The Friends of Meadowside, they were overwhelmed with generous donations from members of our community who pitched in to support others.

That community support has also kept many people’s spirits up during these lockdowns.

The mental health costs of lockdowns cannot be over-emphasised, and we need the Government to provide a strategy for dealing with its consequences.

This must include a plan for dramatically reducing waiting times and a significant rise in funding for mental health services, including for children and adolescent mental health services.

The proposed £20 a week cut to Universal Credit will also be a source of great uncertainty and anxiety to many families in Warrington.

In Parliament last week I voted to stop this cut and I will continue to do all I can to defend families who are just about managing.

The tremendous roll-out of the vaccine in Warrington is a significant source of optimism for our town.

I want to pay tribute to the amazing NHS staff and volunteers who are powering us through locally.

They are heroes and deserve immense credit for their work.

Vaccines are the best exit strategy from Covid and I also want to thank everyone who is promoting take-up of the vaccine in the face of scaremongering from a very small minority.

It is our community spirit that makes me so proud to represent Warrington North and I will do everything I can do support it.

Once this is over I hope we can come together as a community and celebrate the amazing work of everyone who has played their part to keep us going through these trying times.