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Coronavirus Bulletin

(Information correct as of Thursday 2 July 2020)
 
The current coronavirus pandemic has placed our communities in unique and uncertain situations, leaving many people in the dark about what they can do, and what they should do. We want to ensure carers across the city know what support is available to them given the changes to regular services. This bulletin will be shared weekly - aiming to provide the most up to date information and guidance relating to carers in Manchester.
Vol 1. (25 March)
Vol 2. (31 March)
Vol 3. (6 April)
Vol 4. (15 April)
Vol 6. (29 April)
Vol 7. (6 May)                    
Vol 8. (13 May)             
Vol.9 (6 June)
Manchester Carers Network & Manchester City Council Support
Due to the guidance to work from home where possible and to adhere to social distancing, all face to face support across the network has been suspended.

However, a number of organisations are now providing telephone support services - contacting carers with advice and guidance, taking calls from those who need support and even singing songs to raise spirits. 

We recommend monitoring the social media accounts of our network organisations for running updates to services between these newsletters.

Click here for a breakdown of the network member's current offers, as well as details on how to reach them. 
Carer's Emergency Fund

An emergency fund has been made available for unwaged carers in Manchester.

It will be open for carers to ensure the ongoing health and wellbeing of both the carer and the person who needs care. This includes those households where a child of young person is the carer.

It can be used for a range of purposes including furniture, gas and electric bills and one-off practical costs to help with the caring role at this time.

Click here for more information and to apply. 
Manchester City Council's Community Hub

Manchester City Council have set up a hub to support Manchester's most vulnerable people, and help them cope with the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak. They can help if you are:
 
  • over the age of 70, are self isolating and have no support network
  • have received a letter from the NHS advising you are high risk
  • medically vulnerable according to the government criteria
  • a carer, care leaver or young carer
and can support with things like:
  • delivery of food and medication
  • combating loneliness
  • managing fuel top-up payments

Call 0161 234 6123 or click here for more information
Shopping Guidance and Support
Please click on the heading links for more information. 

Mutual Aid Groups 
Activities that have been organised by mutual aid groups in Manchester include calling isolated individuals to check in on them, and picking up and delivering shopping for local NHS workers. 

The Shopping Slot 
 A new website where you can view delivery and collection time slots for different supermarkets. This allows for a much smoother shopping experience if you are new and unfamiliar with online shopping. We hope a service like this can make these challenging times more that bit less stressful. 
 
Supermarket Volunteer Shopping Cards
In many cases people with shielding responsibilities are taking up the support of volunteers to collect food shopping for them. However this does bring complications with managing money exchange, particularly the handling of cash. Supermarkets have now set up dedicated payment schemes, vouchers and top up cards to help manage this process.  
 
Benefits Advice and Financial Support

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) - information on employment and benefits support during the COVID19 pandemic. Find out more about housing, universal credit, furlough, sick pay, self-employment and more. 

DWP Social Media Accounts - find local vacancies, join virtual job fairs and more. 

Sick Pay - updates to sick pay entitlements during coronavirus.

Payment Freezes - updates to payment freezes on loans and credit cards.

Universal Credit - the latest information on applying for universal credit.

CarersUK have called on the government to raise the weekly amount of carers allowance by £20 to bring it in line with the rise in Universal Credit. This was one of their recommendations in their recent report here. 
Wellbeing and Mental Health Support
The team at Gaddum have put together some advice on how to cope during this difficult time.
This information covers:
  • how to talk to Children and Young People about Coronavirus
  • telling Children and Young People that someone significant to them has died
  • recommended reading for Children and Young People
This pack is available by download below.
Gaddum Child Bereavement Coronavirus Advice

Read the latest Government information about Coronavirus 
Advice and Resources
Manchester Local Offer 
(0161 209 8356)

- Helpline for Manchester SEND Families. 
- Free info, advice & support with IAS

Monday to Friday 8.30am - 4pm. 
 
Silver Line 
(0800 470 80 90)

Confidential, free helpline for older people across the UK. Open 24/7.
 
Kooth

All children and young people in Greater Manchester can now access free online counselling and emotional well-being support.
Greater Manchester Mental Health 
(01204 483071) 

24/7 helpline for anyone suffering from poor mental health and their carers.
 
One Education - Putting Children First
(0161 276 0118)

Supporting parents of children with SEND 
Educational Psychology Helpline (Monday – Friday, 1pm – 3pm)  
 
A helpline for parents/carers of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and for Early Help professionals within Manchester.
Public Health England - update their Coronavirus blog page daily.

Buzz - Manchester Health & Wellbeing Service Information Collections - useful information, resources and helplines around a wide variety of mental health topics.

Sign Health - BSL information on coronavirus.

CarersUK - advice and guidance for carers.  

Doctors of the World - information about COVID19 in a number of languages. 
 
 
Manchester Community Central - advice and guidance including info on how to volunteer with groups responding to (COVID-19).
 
BAME communities - information for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
 
Women's Aid - women and children at risk of domestic violence at home during the coronavirus crisis. 
 
Greater Manchester Police - information regarding the impact of Coronavirus on areas such as: Courts and tribunals, visas and temporary residents, funerals and places of worship etc.
Have Your Say...

You are invited to an online fun interactive workshop that allows everyone's voice to be heard. It's a great opportunity to explore your thoughts, emotions and  challenges that we have all faced during Covid-19, putting a positive spin on our experiences through the power of poetry.

Creative Confidence's aim is to make people feel good about themselves, improving mental health, boosting confidence through creativity and giving back some zing in people’s lives!  Please email val.bayliss-brideaux@nhs.net if you would like to attend. 
School Uniforms for Families 

Wood Street Mission have started a free SmartStart school uniform programme.

The programme is for families with children aged 4-16, living in Manchester and Salford and finding it hard to provide the basics on a regular basis. Items available include non branded school uniform, sports kits, stationary, dressing up costumes and more. 

Click here for more information and how to access the service. 
Face Mask Exemption Cards

In line with government guidance, it is now mandatory to wear a face covering on public transport, however there are exemptions if you have an illness or a disability. 

This includes breathing problems, learning disabilities, autism or if you use lip reading.

Click here to download and print your free face mask exemption cards. 
Manchester Kindness Stories

Manchester Community Central have been gathering stories about positive things that are happening in Manchester's communities during this difficult time. 

Click here to read the stories we have gathered so far.

It has been fantastic to see the community spirit across the city. If you have a story please email hannah@macc.org.uk 

#ManchesterKind #NeverMoreNeeded
Are you LGBT in Manchester?

LGBT Foundation have announced the launch of a new project, to better understand the housing and support needs of older lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people across Greater Manchester. LGBT Foundation’s recent research into the impact of Covid-19 on LGBT communities revealed that 40% of older LGBT people were living alone at this time, putting them at a higher risk of isolation, and that 8% of respondents currently felt unsafe where they were living.

Have your say and complete the survey before Friday 31 July for a chance to be entered into a prize draw to win shopping vouchers.
Shout out to Khizra Mosque

Khizra Mosque in Cheetham Hill has been doing some fantastic work supporting the neighbourhood during the covid crisis. They have provided hot food, prepared food parcels and worked in partnership with other VCSE organisations to support the community and respond to the crisis.

They are organising a fundraising walk on Sunday 26 July to raise money for the mosque which is open for all. Get out into the fresh air and raise money at the same time by taking part in the Three Parks challenge.

Click here for more information. 
Network Members
Please follow the below links to explore our network and find out more. If you would like a Network booklet with all our information in one place, please let us know via hello@manchestercarersnetwork.org.uk 
LMCP
 
Copyright © 2020 | Gaddum - Registered Charity - 507162 | All rights reserved.

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Manchester Carers Network · Gaddum Centre · Great Jackson Street · Manchester, Lancs M15 4AX · United Kingdom

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