| Good evening, The last six months have been an incredible - and historic - time in our lives. Which of us at the end of March, when we first went into a national lockdown, believed we would still be under restrictions in October. Almost every aspect of our lives has changed, from the ability to visit family and friends whenever we want to making a last-minute decision to go out for a meal. These days everything has to be planned in advance and we are banned from mixing with others in homes and gardens. All of this has had a dramatic affect on our confidence and our mental health. And today our Big Conversation survey, which 11,000 people took part in, shows just how difficult life has become for some of us. Over the coming weeks we will be looking closely at your answers and then asking those in power to help find solutions. Covid-19 is not going to disappear any time soon, so we have to learn to live with it. But we promise we will be with you every step of the way, to give you all the information you need and help to point to a brighter future. I would like to ask if those of you who do not yet subscribe to www.lep.co.uk would consider taking out a digital subscription. By doing so, you are supporting local, community journalism and helping to ensure that it survives and thrives. A subscription gives you unlimited access to the site, for all the news and sport you need - and more. And thank you. Gillian Parkinson Editor | 
