It is undisputed that this year has been a tough one for everyone, not just in Northampton, but across the country.
With two national lockdowns and months of other restrictions, 2020 has been like no other.
Whether it has been the loss of a loved one, redundancy or loneliness due to isolation, everyone has suffered some form of hardship, so community spirit has never been as important.
Northampton has plenty of neighbourly love and so many acts of kindness have been completed across the town in a bid to look after one another.
So many people carried on working to provide a key service and many more raised money for organisations helping those who needed it most.
Aside from key workers and vital fundraising, residents have also rallied round to support each other and spread some light in community-based ways too.
Here is a round up of just some of the amazing gestures from the people of Northampton during 2020: The year of community spirit.
1. Team of posties don costumes to deliver joy on the streets
From superheroes to sportspeople, a team of post men and women dressed up for their rounds in different themes every Friday for 12 weeks to help spread some cheer. During the first lockdown, the team from the Crow Lane office in Billing completed their deliveries in costumes to brighten up the day for residents. The posties also made sure to help out the vulnerable who were shielding at the time by dropping off food, if they needed it.
2. Carer sacrifices seeing family to move in with and support ‘clinically vulnerable’ clients
Mum and nan, Kate Rose, works for Complete Support Care Services, which is a supported living service that provides at-home care for people learning difficulties. When shielding was introduced, two of Kate’s clients who she described as ‘clinically vulnerable’, had to begin shielding. The selfless carer sacrificed seeing her loved ones for months and moved in with her clients so she could look after them and support them, as she believed that was the best way to keep them safe.
3. Eight-year-old’s rainbow banners and posters to thank the NHS
So many of us stood on our doorstep to clap for carers every Thursday evening during lockdown, but some took it even further. Scarlett Brannan was inspired by her neighbour who works in an operating theatre and wanted to thank him and his colleagues. To do this, she painted and drew bright rainbows to stick to her garage door, make her neighbours smile and thank key workers. Photo: Leila Coker.
4. Neighbour out in force to sing happy birthday to 100-year-old
Gordon Bentley who is Northampton born and bred, was supposed to mark his milestone birthday with a party, which was cancelled due to lockdown. Not wanting his special day to go unmarked, neighbours in Duston lined the street to sing happy birthday to Gordon who was watching on from his window. The 100-year-old received a card from the Queen as well as many from his neighbours. He was also overwhelmed by the community spirit, which made his birthday so special.