THURROCK residents are being urged to support a 'thank-you' campaign acknowledging the work of the NHS as well as spreading festive cheer and highlighting the way people across mid and South Essex have come together to fight coronavirus.

The Mid and South Essex Health and Care Partnership is a partnership of NHS organisations and councils that are responsible for health and wellbeing across the region. It is the body that has shaped many recent healthcare reforms across the area – including the planned closure of Orsett Hospital.

This month it has launched Mid and South Essex 'Big Festive Thank You' through which people have been thanking colleagues across voluntary groups and other providers.

A statement from the partnership says: "This year with so many restrictions on every day ways to celebrate we wanted to give people an opportunity to ring a bell (rather like clap for carers) on Christmas Eve at 6pm.

"We will be asking everyone to come outside and light a candle or ring a bell or doorbell for two minutes to spread some festive cheer. We want you to create some magic for people young and old, as well as celebrating health and care staff, volunteers and communities with a message of hope for everyone. Local churches across Essex are also joining in.

"The aim is to spread cheer by encouraging the community to stand on their doorsteps ringing bells at 6pm on Christmas Eve and we wanted to support this across mid and south Essex."

The over-arching campaign, which runs until Thursday, 24 December, is based around the five ways to wellbeing which include giving, learning, taking a mindful moment, getting active and connecting. There are a number of different ways people can get involved which can be found via this link.