Health and Wellbeing

The Essex Welfare Service is delivering food, medicine and essential supplies to people most at risk of coronavirus. If you do not have help from friends, family, neighbours or local organisations, and you are over 70, pregnant or have underlying health issues, register for support at www.essexwelfareservice.org.uk

14th May 2020 - The Government has announced an additional £600 million of funding for social care to give the sector the support it needs to deal with the coronavirus and continue to save lives.

Councils across the country are continuing to play a critical role during this pandemic - we have already provided councils with £3.2 billion of additional funding to help deal with the crisis and this additional funding will help continue to deliver frontline services and support to those who need it most.
The fund will support measures to reduce staff movement between care homes, protect wages and provide training. It will also ensure that each care home in England will be given a named clinical lead to fast-track the care of residents and staff.
We will continue to provide whatever support councils, our social care workers and residents of care homes need through this crisis and will continue to safeguard those most vulnerable in society.

Specialist Sector Advice from Trusted UK organisations

Whilst the overall NHS advice remains largely the same for all people a range of trusted UK charities provide excellent advice for specific subject areas and COVID-19 (coronavirus). This list will be updated as more information and advice is provided.

Advice Available from Age UK

Winter brings additional challenges for many older people; increased heating and lighting bills can strain finances; bad weather and dark nights can make it difficult for people to get out and about; while cold temperatures and seasonal illnesses kill thousands of older people every year. The pandemic has made matters worse, and their research shows the huge impact the virus and resulting restrictions have had on older people’s health and wellbeing. Many have told Age UK they are deeply anxious about coping with the threat of coronavirus and the challenges of social distancing.

There are important simple steps older people can take to build and sustain their resilience in the months ahead. Age UK recommend that they:

Get their free flu vaccine
Look after their mental health
Keep moving and eat well
Keep their homes warm
Get the help and support they need

Many people may not realise the importance of moving, just a little, as they age, or think losing their appetite is normal and nothing to worry about. We know lots of older people are avoiding going to their GP out of fear.

Advice Available from the British Red Cross

Emotional Support

British Red Cross’ free coronavirus support line is open 7 days a week for anyone needing emotional support, feeling lonely or worried, and in need of speaking to a friendly voice. The number is 0808 196 3651 and the line is open daily from 10am to 6pm.

Loneliness

The British Red Cross have created a bank of resources to sign-post to, on how to help yourself and others cope with loneliness.

First Aid

British Red Cross' resources page includes helpful tips for providing basic life-savings skills during Covid-19. It also includes their free to download and easy-to-follow first aid app which features skills for a range of first-aid situations, as well as tips on how to prepare for emergencies, from severe winter weather to road traffic accidents.

Advice and Support for Unpaid Carers from Carers UK

Resources, information and advice produced by Carers UK to support unpaid carers through this crisis:

Detailed advice page for all unpaid carers on the regulations and how to care safely and access support during the COVID-19 pandemic – www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/coronavirus-covid-19.
Carers UK provides an email advice line (advice@carersuk.org) and a phone line (0808 808 7777) for unpaid carers.
Carers UK produces an annual Looking After Someone guide, that outlines carers rights and the practical and financial support available – www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/get-resources/looking-after-someone.
Carers UK has an online forum run by carers, for carers, full of tips and information where carers have been supporting each other.
Carers UK has produced a local directory for carers, with details of local carers organisations and local authority support. You can access the directory here.
To find out more about Carers UK’s support services, visit: www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/talk-to-us.

Having the right information at the right time can make a huge difference when you are looking after someone. Yet many struggle to navigate the maze of services and entitlements, and miss out on financial and practical support as a result.

Having the right information and support also enables carers to remain in work. Before the COVID-19 pandemic 600 people a day gave up work to care. Since the start of the pandemic 11% of carers have had to reduce their hours, and 9% have had no choice but to give up work to care.

Today Carers UK are sharing resources and information to help carers be informed about their rights. This includes resources developed as part of our partnership with Barclays LifeSkills to promote flexible working and to support working carers:

Flexible Working Guide

As part of our partnership with Barclays LifeSkills, Carers UK are launching a new guide to help carers understand the different forms or flexible working, as well as to offer practical tips on how to ask your employer to change your working arrangements. You can read the guide here.

Flexible Working Films

Carers UK are launching a series of short films to encourage carers to understand the different types of flexible working, how to think about what types of working arrangements that might help them to manage work and care, and to share stories of the experiences of working carers. You can watch the films here.

Looking After Someone Guide

'Looking After Someone' is Carers UK annual guide to carers' rights and the practical and financial support available. You can read the guide here: https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/get-resources/looking-after-someone

Self-Advocacy Guide

Carers UK has produced a new Self-Advocacy Guide for carers. This helps carers navigate a confusing system, and to give carers the practical guidance they need to get their voices heard in often complicated and challenging circumstances. You can read the guide here.

Advice and Support from Mind

Many constituents may be experiencing mental health problems for the first time due to the coronavirus pandemic and many of those with existing mental health problems make be struggling more than usual. The Christmas period may be particularly difficult with many of us celebrating it differently this year. Mind have therefore developed specific information on looking after your wellbeing during the festive period, which provides tips on how to cope as well as suggestions for supporting others.

Mind also wanted to share their latest coronavirus information resources which includes information about looking after your wellbeing, particularly during the winter. Mind also have information specifically for young people who are worried about coronavirus and want to know how to cope with changes to their lives.

If constituents would like any additional support, their Infoline provides information on a range of topics including, types of mental health problems, where to get help, and medication and alternative treatments. Constituents can also help find details of support available in our local area. Lines are open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday on 0300 123 3393, however, these hours may differ over the Christmas period.

For up-to-date information regarding what support is available, please click here.

For up-to-date information regarding the vaccine roll-out, please click here.