A DVICE
“In this time of global crisis and
increased human need we all must
pledge to do what we can to help
as many people as possible.”
time. That’s why I am now working full-
time to support jobs and businesses.
At the beginning of this year, it
genuinely felt like the region was on the
cusp of a something big – our fortunes
had changed. We can’t deny that the
Tees Valley is now back on the map,
but due to circumstances outside of our
control, we have to face a completely
new set of economic challenges.
The seeds we planted over the past
few years to grow our economy had just
started to bear fruit. This has put us in a
stronger position to deal with the fallout
of coronavirus than we would have been
in otherwise, if we had stuck to business
as usual.
It is my sincere hope that the firm
foundations we have laid, plus the
government’s economic measures, will
mean we can weather the storm without
too much economic damage. I will
certainly be working tirelessly to make
sure this the case.
The government has made the difficult
decision to close all schools until further
notice. This will slow the transmission of
the virus, although it presents additional
challenges to businesses. Schools
will still open for the children of key
workers, such as those in the NHS and
to vulnerable children, but the majority
must stay home. Some of these social
distancing measures may seem strict,
but when lives are at stake, it is the duty
of each and every one of us to stick to
them.
My team has already started to work
with our local councils and voluntary
organisations to place people who get
in touch asking to help. It is perhaps a
little early to say how, but through the
efforts of heroic volunteers throughout
our region, people who might otherwise
go without will be provided for. Older
and vulnerable people in isolation – and
children who get their only decent meal
at school – can’t fend for themselves, so
we must step up.
Companies looking for support
accessing government help and people
offering to volunteer can contact my
team by emailing support@teesvalley-
ca.gov.uk. In addition to this, businesses
can get in touch by calling 01642 526 716
during office hours.
If you are a business in the medical
supply chain or provide equally
important products of national necessity
and you think my team or I can assist
you in any way, we are keen to speak to
you. You’re knocking on an open door.
In this time of global crisis and
increased human need we all must
pledge to do what we can to help as
many people as possible. It is likely
that some dark days are ahead of
us. Nobody will be left unaffected in
one way or another, so let’s do what
Teessiders do best and stick together.
This is the time to cast aside petty party-
political differences and realise only one
thing matters – people.
Take care of yourselves and your
families.
The voice of business in the Tees region | 15