Business, utility companies, housing associations and transport providers are providing fact sheets and advice on what they can do to help you during this difficult time.
Please see below for the information I have received so far - I will update it as more comes in.
Age UK
Age UK has put together postcards and a short video on neighbourly volunteering which provides helpful information and support for older friends and neighbours: http://bit.ly/2WtAOGT
Demand for our vital services has increased rapidly and online donations are the most effective way to reach the most in need at this time. Volunteers can help us keep our Information & Advice and friendship services running and help the local Age UKs provide practical help such as food parcels by donating at www.ageuk.org.uk/coronaappeal
Age UK is here to support older people during this challenging time. We’ve outlined some tips to help stay safe and well over the coming weeks here
If you have concerns about anything else, including welfare, care or housing, you can contact Age UK’s free advice line, 8am-7pm, 635 days a year: 0800 055 6112
Barclays Bank
Barclays is participating in the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBIL), which was announced by the Chancellor in the Budget and put in place by the British Business Bank. Further information can be found here: www.barclays.co.uk/business-banking/borrow/coronavirus-business-interruption-loan
The CBIL scheme is a borrowing facility designed to help businesses access finance where a lender would not be able to provide finance to the business on their normal lending criteria. The British Business Bank has set out strict eligibility criteria and limits to the size of loans that we must apply when assessing applications. This means that some businesses will find that they are unable to access loans under the scheme, but we will work with customers and clients to help them understand the framework.
Barclays has also created a hub with all the latest information on products and services for customers: https://www.barclays.co.uk/coronavirus/ It is updated daily so that customers can find the information they need in one place. The bank is asking customers to only phone in if they have an immediate financial problem so those who are most vulnerable receive the support they need.
Chelmer Housing Partnership (CHP)
CHP is a local housing association with a number of homes in the Brentwood and Ongar constituency. Enhanced health and hygiene measures have been put in place in its housing schemes and all community meetings and any external use of its facilities have been cancelled, including stopping the booking of guest suites in sheltered schemes. CHP is asking any customers who feel unwell and are self-isolating, to let them know as soon as possible. This is so they know how best to deliver any essential services to them. You can find out more here.
Epping Forest District Council
EFDC Corona Virus Helpline 01992 564088
9am till 5.15pm Monday – Thursday then 9-5pm Friday
Essex County Council
For updates on school closures, SEND, adult social care support, libraries and country parks please visit Essex Council Council's Coronavirus website
EON Energy
"During this unprecedented time of disruption, the safety of our customers, our employees, and the people they may meet as part of their work activities, is our top priority. In particular, we are focusing our efforts on ensuring we take care of our more vulnerable customers and those with prepayment meters.
We are working closely with government, health organisations, the energy regulator Ofgem and consumer advice organisations to ensure we follow the best advice and we are as prepared as we can be. Please rest assured our priority remains keeping our customers on supply and helping people to stay safe and healthy."
- advice for customers here
Lloyds Banking Group
"The entire Group has been mobilised to ensure that we continue to serve our customers. The financial and operational resilience we have built over the past decade means we can do our part to support the economy. We are collaborating with Government on a cross-industry basis to build the support schemes announced in recent days by the Chancellor, and are working to implement the measures announced so far. We are helping identify what further changes will be needed across the financial services industry to keep the UK working. This is in addition to the current support that we have already announced for our business and personal customers. Details of what the Group is doing to help can be found on our dedicated coronavirus web pages here."
Mid and South Essex Clinical Commissioning Groups
Patients/public - Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19 for the latest advice
Nat West Bank
Dedicated support lines
Our customers over 70 and those in isolation: We have created a dedicated support line for customers over 70 and those who are in a period of isolation. This dedicated line has been set up so we can help those most in need and is open 8am-8pm 7 days a week. Those who need it can call us on:
NatWest – 0800 051 4176
Royal Bank of Scotland – 0800 051 4177
NHS Workers: We have also set up an emergency customer care line for NHS workers. Our team of experts are ready to help with emergency banking support such as lending assistance and lost and stolen cards. This line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for our customers:
NatWest – 0800 046 2418
Royal Bank of Scotland – 0800 0466734
Royal Mail
We understand that having the right information is very important during this time. So, we’ve made it easy for you to find out up to date information on our website:
- Question & Answer section for all our customers
- Steps we are taking to protect our staff
- International delivery updates
- UK delivery updates
UK Power Networks (UKPN)
"We want to reassure you that, as the company responsible for distributing power to over 8.3 million properties across London, the South East and East of England, we know how important it is to keep electricity flowing to your home or business, especially during these uncertain times. Our engineers are out as normal continuing their core role in maintaining your electricity network, and fixing any electrical faults that occur. We have put into place a number of well-rehearsed contingency plans and precautions to ensure we maintain a good level of service, with high numbers of engineers and call centre staff available to support the ongoing situation.
"We continue to offer free additional tailored support and guidance to customers on our Priority Services Register if they experience a power cut, reliant on electronic medical equipment or with young children. For more information on our Priority Services Register, please visit www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/priority to register, or call us on 0800 169 9970."
UKPN's latest advice can be found here
