National Day of Reflection: One Minute's Silence at 12 noon

Today, along with many across the nation, we will be marking one year of the Covid-19 pandemic with a Day of Reflection. You are asked to observe a minute's silence at 12 noon to look back on the challenges and changes both our colleagues and members have all faced over the last year. We encourage you to take some time out of your day to join in with this moment of quiet reflection.

Tragically, since the first lockdown began last year, millions of people throughout the world have died. Too many lives have been cut short; and so many bereaved. So today we have an opportunity to come together to reflect on our collective loss. We celebrate the lives of everyone that has died, as well as show our support to members, family, friends and colleagues who are bereaved during these challenging times.

At 8.00pm people are being encouraged to stand on doorsteps with phones, candles and torches to signify a "beacon of remembrance", and public buildings will be lit up across the country. This is a small way in which we can both show our respect to the people who have lost loved ones and thank our members on the frontline for putting their lives on the line to help save others.

We know that there are still tough times ahead and sadly more lives will be lost, but we will come through this by continuing to support each other, and all working tirelessly to support our members.