Supporting vulnerable people in your community
Sometimes just a small kindness can make a big difference. We're all working hard to play our part to follow social distancing and reduce transmission of coronavirus. For some people, the additional restrictions can make them feel anxious or vulnerable.
Here are some ways you can safely offer your support:
Additional support is available for anyone who does not have a network of friends, family or neighbours around them and who needs help with things like shopping and picking up medicines.
Below you’ll find information, resources, and a list of key contacts, which we hope you can share with your community to support each other as much as possible during this time.
Please always refer to the latest official government information on social distancing.
I'm worried about being isolated and on my own
How can I get assistance with foods and medicines if I am reducing my social contacts?
Ask family, friends and neighbours to support you and use online services.
It’s important to speak to others and ask them to help you to make arrangements for the delivery of food, medicines and essential services and supplies, and look after your physical and mental health and wellbeing.
If you receive support from health and social care organisations, for example, if you have care provided for you through the local authority or health care system, this will continue as normal. Your health or social care provider will be asked to take additional precautions to make sure that you are protected.
How can I stay connected with family and friends during this time?
Draw on support you might have through your friends, family and other networks during this time.
Try to stay in touch with those around you over the phone, by post, or online using social media. Let people know how you would like to stay in touch and build that into your routine.
This is also important in looking after your mental wellbeing and you may find it helpful to talk to them about how you are feeling.
Remember it is okay to share your concerns with others you trust and in doing so you may end up providing support to them too.
You might want to use a NHS recommended helpline.
You can also follow Wakefield Council on
Facebook and
Twitter where we'll be sharing tips and advice on staying connected.
How can I get assistance with foods and medicines?
Ask family, friends and neighbours to support you and use online services wherever possible.
It's important to speak to others and ask them to help you to make arrangements for the delivery of food, medicines and essential services and supplies, and look after your physical and mental health and wellbeing.
If you receive support from health and social care organisations, for example if you have care provided for you through the local authority or health care system, this will continue as normal. Your health or social care provider will be asked to take additional precautions to make sure that you are protected.
If you can afford to pay for your food then please see a
list of companies providing food deliveries
district wide.
If you can’t ring up/order online yourself please ask a family member or neighbour to help. If you are still struggling the then please see the list of community hubs in your area where you will be able to get some further support.
Where can I get official information about coronavirus?
Which social media should I look at for official news and updates?
Social media is a valuable tool at a time like this, but it can also contain misinformation and rumour, which isn’t helpful.
The following Twitter (www.twitter.com) accounts will be regularly posting out the latest factual advice and information related to coronavirus (COVID-19):
• Public Health England – @PHE_UK
• Department of Health and Social Care – @DHSCgovuk
• NHS England – @NHSEngland
• Wakefield Council – @MyWakefield
I’m self-isolating and I cannot cope with my symptoms at home
Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:
• you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
• your condition gets worse
• your symptoms do not get better after 7 days
Use the 111 coronavirus service>
Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.
There isn't anyone I can ask for support, can the council help me?
If you can’t get out for things you need and you don’t have any friends, family or support available within the community, we can help.
You can contact your local Community Hub for assistance (see below).
Or, if you’re not sure which Community Hub to contact, we have also set up a dedicated helpline for anyone who is alone and needs help with essentials like shopping and medication.
Call 0345 8 506 506 between 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday. Choose option 3 to make a request for support and help will be arranged.
Community Hubs
If you need help in your local area you can contact your Community Hub.
They have volunteers and a range of support to help you and they are working with the Council to support communities during this crisis. We will add to this list as more Hubs are set up.
Please only contact the Hub in your area as they are going to be very busy. You can ring or email.
If you’re interested in volunteering in your area, see ‘Volunteering’ below.
Community Hubs
I'm worried about someone else who is vulnerable and isolated
What is the advice for informal carers?
If you are caring for someone who is vulnerable, there are some simple steps that you can take to protect them and to reduce their risk at the current time:
Always follow good hand hygiene guidance
Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
Do not visit them if you are unwell and make alternative arrangements for their care
Provide information on who they should call if they feel unwell, and how to use
NHS111 online coronavirus service if they become unwell and cannot cope with symptoms at home.
Find out about different sources of support that could be used and access further advice on creating a contingency plan is available from Carers UK
Look after your own well-being and physical health during this time
I know someone who is self-isolating and needs help
In the first instance, can you or can someone you know help them?
If not, and they don't have any other friends, family or support available within the community, we can help.
You can contact your local Community Hub for assistance (see above).
Or, if you’re not sure which Community Hub to contact, we have also set up a dedicated helpline for anyone who is alone and needs help with essentials like shopping and medication.
Call 0345 8 506 506 between 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday, and choose option 3 to make a request for support on their behalf and we will arrange for help to be provided to them.
I feel fit and well and would like to help others in the community. How can I do this?
See the #WakefieldCares section below for how to get involved as a good neighbour or community volunteer.
Here's a list of useful organisations in the Wakefield district
Age UK Wakefield District
Age UK Wakefield District is a local independent charity working with and for older people across Wakefield District.
Call: 01977 552114
Website: www.ageuk.org.uk/wakefielddistrict/
Live Well Wakefield
Supporting healthy living for the people of Wakefield District, providing information, advice and support in coping with everyday life.
Call: 01924 255363
Website:
www.livewellwakefield.nhs.uk/
Volunteer Wakefield
Find out about opportunities for volunteering in your community.
https://volunteerwakefield.org/
Wakefield Samaritans
Offering a safe place to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever's getting to you.
Call: 116 123 (this number is free to call)
Website: https://www.samaritans.org/branches/samaritans-wakefield-and-district
If you're a local organisation that is able to offer help during this time and would like adding to this list, please contact us.
#WakefieldCares – looking out for your neighbours
Many people want to know if they can volunteer to help others and show that #WakefieldCares during this challenging time.
If you're able to give help to people in your community, we're encouraging you to start by being a good neighbour in your own streets and offering support to others.
We've prepared some contact cards that you can print and post through letter boxes to help you find out who needs help. It's up to you where and how quickly you can offer help.
Printable #WakefieldCares card
You could also encourage other neighbours who are able to join you in supporting people and form a small team to spread the load, provide back-up and do everything safely.
Please
always check the latest government guidance on social distancing and self-isolation, to keep everyone safe and protected
here.
• Print out some contact cards, enter your contact details (be willing to share your information and able to respond before dropping any cards)
• Use a calendar to note agreed times to visit each person with items or for assistance
• Find out which local cafés, restaurants or pubs are offering food for take-away or delivery
• Call local shops to see if they can take phone orders and payment from the person self-isolating for you to collect
• Look out for special shopping times or privileges for older or vulnerable people
• Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, with soap, for twenty seconds
• Drop the cards through letterboxes in your street and keep a note of which houses you have covered each time
• Create a log and note all calls asking for help and what help is required e.g. shopping list, pharmacy for prescription collection, activity needed – e.g. dog walking or help setting up mobiles for social media
• Keep a list of people offering to support you; refer them to this information
• Make sure you ask people to consent to you keeping their contact details safe, using them to provide assistance required and that you can share with other neighbours who are offering to join you to help
• Where you can, keep in touch by text, app or phone with the people you are helping so you can be aware of any changes e.g. feeling ill, moving to another location, getting alternative support
Keeping yourself and others safe
• Always check the latest government guidance on social distancing and self-isolation, to keep everyone safe and protected
here.
• Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, with soap, for twenty seconds
• Do not visit anyone if you are unwell; please make alternative arrangements for their care
• If someone you visit is unwell with coronavirus symptoms, provide information on how to use
NHS111 online coronavirus service if they become more unwell and can’t cope with symptoms at home
• Look after your own wellbeing and physical health during this time and don’t put yourself at risk
• Always check the latest government guidance on social distancing and self-isolation, to keep everyone safe and protected here.
• Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, with soap, for twenty seconds
• Do not visit anyone if you are unwell; please make alternative arrangements for their care
• If someone you visit is unwell with coronavirus symptoms, provide information on how to use NHS111 online coronavirus service if they become more unwell and can’t cope with symptoms at home
• Look after your own wellbeing and physical health during this time and don’t put yourself at risk
#WakefieldCares - Volunteering
The Council, NOVA and many partner organisations across the district are working hard to keep services running and give needed support to older and vulnerable people.
There are some community volunteering opportunities available for anyone who is fit, well and able to offer an amount of time, large or small to helping others.
NOVA Wakefield District has experience of supporting volunteers in a range of roles, and teams are on hand to match people's skills and experience to a range of voluntary roles during this challenging time.
Examples of support that might be required include:
Chatting to people on the phone who may be self-isolating so that they don't get lonely
Doing shopping or dropping off other supplies
Dog walking
Making food parcels
Delivery drivers
Administrative or support work
View current opportunities and register your interest online.
Volunteer in Wakefield
Covid 19 Community Champions
Covid 19 Community Champions Wakefield
A Covid 19 Community Champion is someone who is keen to help us in the fight against Covid 19. We are looking for volunteers who have a network of people they can work with (simply share messages with via email, WhatsApp or whatever method works best). If you can answer 'yes' to the following, we would like to hear from you:
- Do have an interest in helping to reduce the rates of Covid 19 in the Wakefield District?
- Do you have a network of family, friends, colleagues, acquaintances, group members that you are happy to share information with?
- Are you happy to feed back to us any questions or concerns your network of friends and family or community group members may have about keeping safe during Covid-19?
Are you able to access Zoom meetings on alternate Wednesdays between 12:45 and 1:45 to chat with Anna Hartley, our Director of Public Health or alternatively are you able to listen to recordings of the meetings after the event? You will be invited to them all, and we hope you will attend as many as you are able
If you answered 'yes' we would like you to register with us so that we can send you meeting invitations, records of meetings (if you're unable to attend) and any resources that we can share, such as infographics, picture messages or posters.
In turn, we will
- invite you to bi-weekly meetings with Anna Hartley, our Director of Public Health or a deputy
- We will provide you with an opportunity to ask questions and get feedback
- Supply you with resources
- Seek regular feedback from you and
- Listen and act on your questions and concerns
Covid 19 Community Champions Zoom Meeting Invitations
Please could you complete our survey to Register as a Champion