Coronavirus: Advice from other organisations

It can be hard to keep up with the constantly changing and evolving nature of guidance and help with coronavirus. Here are some links to different national organisations and their advice.
Young person using phone in waiting room

This page is no longer being updated - please contact the organisations listed directly for the latest information

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Thank you to Healthwatch North Yorkshire for many of these links

Adrenal insufficiency

The Society for Endocrinology is advising slightly different sick day rules for patients with adrenal insufficiency during the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. To support this, their webpage has very clear and easy to use guidance

Advocacy

VoiceAbility - Advocacy during coronavirusAccess to establishments statement

Alcohol

Al-Anon Family Groups - Al-Anon Family Groups are still available to provide support to anyone whose life is, or has been, affected by someone else’s drinking.

Alcoholics Annonymous - Coronavirus news

Drinkaware - Information, facts and advice about alcohol and Covid-19

Alzheimer's (and see Dementia)

Alzheimer's Society - Information for people affected by dementiaAlzheimer’s Society local services updateToolkit for COVID-19 volunteers

Anaemia

Pernicious Anaemia Society - Following some confusion caused by the guidelines issues to doctors and others about access to regular B12 injections for Pernicious Anaemia during the pandemic, the British Society for Haematology has changed the guidance. The Pernicious Anaemia Society played an active part in the re-writing on the guidance having received many calls from confused and concerned members of the public. Read more

Arthritis

National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society - Coronavirus and rheumatoid arthritis

Asthma

Asthma UK - Health advice for people with asthma

Autism

National Autistic Society - Information about coronavirusCoronavirus: latest updates and resources

NHS - Important advice to staff supporting people with a learning disability or autistic peopleGetting NHS help when you need it during the coronavirus outbreak - plain English

Council For Disabled Children - NHS England and NHS Improvement have produced a Coronavirus FAQs document for their Learning Disability and Autism Programme. They will provide an update on questions and answers each Friday for the next few weeks. We will add this update to our weekly FAQs newsflash which you can sign up for here.

Benefits

Turn2Us - Benefits and coronavirus

Gov.uk - All face-to-face assessments for sickness and disability benefits suspended for 3 months

Universal Credit - Coronavirus and claiming benefits

Bereavement

Advice and links to other organisations from Healthwatch England

Cruse Bereavement Care - Coronavirus: dealing with bereavement and grief

The Good Grief Trust - Coronavirus bereavement advicePop-up Good Grief cafes

Blood

NHS Blood and Transplant - Information about blood donation. You can still travel to donate. Giving blood and platelets is essential to the NHS and vulnerable patients. Please keep donating

British Sign Language

SignHealth - Information – BSL videos

Cancer

Macmillan - Advice on coronavirus for people with cancer

Lymphoma Action - Advice on coronavirus for people with cancer

Blood Cancer UK - Coronavirus information for people affected by leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma or any blood cancer

Eve Appeal - Gynaecological cancer and coronavirus

CLIC Sargent (Young Lives vs Cancer) - Supporting you through coronavirus

Healthwatch England - Cancer and coronavirus advice article, 28 April 2020 - It’s understandable you might feel anxious about COVID-19. The Government and the NHS have both confirmed that cancer treatment should continue to be prioritised during the response to the COVID-19 emergency.

Carers

Carers UK - Information for unpaid carers – Carers UKJoint Statement from Carers Trust and Carers UKCoronavirus - further supportCoronavirus - protecting your mental wellbeing

Carers Trust - Guidance on coronavirus

Rethink Mental Illness - Coronavirus: Advice for carers of those with severe mental illness

Carers’ Resource - Coronavirus updates

Northamptonshire Carers: Support for carers and young carers - Coronavirus is having a huge impact on carers of all ages. Northamptonshire Carers have pulled together a page full of useful resources for carers and young carers including support available and those with health conditions including official guidance and ways of coping in unprecedented times.

Children and Young People

NHS - Coronavirus in childrenNHS vaccinations update

Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health - Advice for parents during coronavirus - what to do if your child is unwell or injured

YoungMinds - Coronavirus mental health advice for young peopleWhat to do if you’re anxious about coronavirusCoronavirus mental health advice for parents and carers and other articles

BBC - Coronavirus: What is being done to tackle the virus? (Newsround)Coronavirus: Here’s some advice if you’re worried about it (Newsround)Coronavirus: How to help kids cope with life without school

The Lowdown - Online emotional support chatbot or wellbeing support helpline: 01604 622223 (both monitored between 1:00pm and 3:30pm Tuesday to Friday and Mondays 1:00pm to 7:30pm)

Mentally Healthy Schools - Responding to the coronavirus: resources for mental health and wellbeing

The Mix - Help, I’m worried about coronavirus

Young Northants - Online safety checklist

Children's Commissioner - Children’s guide to coronavirus

ThinkUKnow - The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Agency's (CEOP) education team have designed resources, designed at helping parents and carers have a conversation about internet safety, suitable for a range of ages.

Achieving For Children - Easy read and support resources about COVID 19

Gingerbread - Information for single parents

A free information book explaining the coronavirus to children, illustrated by Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler

Public Health England Guidance for parents and carers on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

Northamptonshire Sports - Active Northants online exercise and activity classes for teenagers

University of Plymouth Student’s story takes light-hearted look at pandemic to help children stay safe

Crohn's and colitis

Crohn’s & Colitis UK - Coronavirus: Advice for people with Crohn’s  and colitis

Debt

Citizens Advice - If you can’t pay your bills because of coronavirusCoronavirus - what it means for you

Step Change - Debt and coronavirus

Dementia

Alzheimer's Society - Information for people affected by dementiaAlzheimer’s Society local services updateToolkit for COVID-19 volunteers

Dementia UK - Coronavirus (COVID-19): information for families looking after someone with dementia

The British Psychological Society - Supporting older people and people living with dementia during self-isolation

Innovations in Dementia - Guide and short films made with people with dementia to help volunteers interact, with deliveries, befriending and transport.

Dentists

Healthwatch England - Changes to Primary Dental Care services

Northamptonshire CCG See the simple patient leaflet for local dentistry access

Diabetes

Diabetes UK - Advice for people living with diabetes

  • If you are concerned about your diabetes during the coronavirus pandemic, the NHS is here to help. Contact your GP Practice or Diabetes team.
  • If you have diabetes and have been contacted by your specialist eye or foot care team, please go to your appointments to receive treatment to avoid these problems getting worse. Clinics are taking extra protective measures to keep people safe.
  • The 4Ts – toilet, thirsty, tired and thinner – are signs of a life-threatening diabetic emergency, diabetic ketoacidosis or ‘DKA’. If you recognise these signs, seek urgent medical advice from your GP Practice (or 111 out of hours); if you already have diabetes, contact your Diabetes team; or if you feel very unwell, call 999.
  • If you have diabetes and see a cut or blister on your foot, it may be a sign of a foot ulcer. Call your GP Practice to get it checked as soon as possible. If you do have an ulcer or other serious foot problem, you will be referred to see a specialist urgently.
  • If you are experiencing a serious or life-threatening emergency – call 999.

Disability (and see Benefits above)

Scope - Coronavirus information

Disability Rights UK - Coronavirus information

Government - Supporting disabled people through the coronavirus outbreak

Anglian Water - Priority Services

Sense - Information and resources for disabled people during Coronavirus

Domestic abuse

Locally, the following sources of support are available:

Read more local advice on Northamptonshire County Council website

Women’s Aid - Coronavirus: Safety advice for survivorsThe impact of COVID-19 on women and children experiencing domestic abuse, and the life-saving services that support them

The National Domestic Abuse Helpline  - 0808 2000 247 or go to www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk

Respect - Male victims can call Respect on 0808 8010 327 or go to mensadviceline.org.uk

GALOP - LGBT victims can call GALOP on 0800 999 5428 or go to www.galop.org.uk/domesticabuse/

As of 30 April 2020, any woman who needs to travel to find refuge from domestic violence can do so for free on any UK train. Email railtorefuge@womensaid.org.uk to access.

In addition, Boots shops are now dedicating space for victims to access support.

Easy Read information (see Learning Disability below)

Eczema

National Eczema Society - Advice on coronavirus (COVID-19) for people with eczema

Exercise

NHS Fitness Studio - Take your pick from 24 instructor-led videos across our aerobics exercise, strength and resistance, and pilates and yoga categories.

NHS One You home workout videos

Sport England (Stay in, work out) - Tips, advice and guidance on how to keep or get active in and around your home

Reach for Health - The centre in Daventry has put together 12 exercise plans designed to keep people active and also tailored to individuals who may have disabilities. They also have a helpline open from 10am to 4pm each day: 01327 828 260

Gambling

GamCare - Update on COVID-19

Aquarius (a GamCare partner) - Telephone counselling support/0300 456 4292 or email: northamptonshire@aquarius.org.uk

Grief support (see Bereavement)

Gypsies and travellers

Friends Families and Travellers - Covid-19: Guidance for supporting people living on traveller sites, unauthorised encampments and canal boats

Heart

British Heart Foundation - Information for people with heart and circulatory diseases (British Heart Foundation)

Resuscitation Council UK - Statement on COVID-19 in relation to CPR and resuscitation in first aid and community settings

HIV

Terrence Higgins Trust - Coronavirus and HIV

Homelessness

Groundswell - Coronavirus advice and planning for people experiencing homelessness

Shelter - Housing advice: coronavirus

Internet safety

Northamptonshire County Council and NAYC Resources about young people and internet safety: Online Safety AgreementProfessionals Advice Sheet – Online Safety

Kidney

National Kidney Federation - Information and advice for patients

Kidney Care UK - Guidance for patients with kidney disease

Learning disability (see Easy Read information above)

NCC Local Offer - Special Educational Needs coronavirus guidance - Information, resources and guidance relating to coronavirus for families with children and young people with special educational needs (SEN)

NHS guidance - Getting NHS help when you need it during the coronavirus outbreak - Easy ReadGetting NHS help when you need it during the coronavirus outbreak - plain English

Easy Read Online - Easy Read advice about Coronavirus and self-isolatingCoronavirus Glossary - a list of those words and what they meanNew rules on staying alert and safe

Mencap - Information about Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Learning Disability England - Keeping Informed and In Touch during Coronavirus

Ineqe Safeguarding Group - Makaton video about the Coronavirus

LGBTQ+

Stonewall - COVID-19 – How LGBT-inclusive organisations can help

Lung conditions

British Lung Foundation - Information for people with lung conditionsWhat is the difference between self-isolation and social distancing?

Medicines

The Patients Association - Patients Association work during coronavirus 

Mental health and wellbeing

NHS/Gov - Every Mind Matters - Looking after your mental health, Public Health England new online guidance setting out principles to follow to help people to manage their mental health, List of mental health helplinesChanges to mental health legislation under the coronavirus billApps to manage your health and wellbeingCOVID-19: guidance on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeingWhat to do if you’re a student and it’s all getting too much

Healthwatch England - Coronavirus is affecting my mental health – what can I do?

Campaign to End Loneliness - Coronavirus and social isolation

Mind - Coronavirus and your wellbeing

Independent Age - Regular phonecalls for older people

The Silverline - 24/7 helpline for older people  who want a friendly chat

Side by Side - Supportive online community run by Mind for people experiencing mental health difficulties

Samaritans - Whatever you’re going through, a Samaritan will face it with you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 116 123 for free, If you're worried about your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak

FarmWell - Isolation and loneliness - information and resources for the Farming Community 

Mental Health Foundation - Looking after your mental health during the outbreakPodcasts for your wellbeing

National Survivor User Network (NSUN) - COVID-19 updateCOVID-19: General InformationCOVID-19: Mental Health InformationCOVID-19: Advice for User-Led Organisations and GroupsCOVID-19: Mutual AidCOVID-19: And Human RightsCOVID-19: Keeping in touch with each other when we can't meet face to faceResources on how to support yourself and others with mental health.

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - Coronavirus anxiety: how to cope if you’re feeling anxious about the outbreak

World Health Organization - Coping with stress during the outbreak

Beat Eating Disorders - Eating Disorders and CoronavirusThe Sanctuary is an online group created specifically in response to the coronavirus and subsequent social distancing & anxieties this could lead to for people with an eating disorder. A safe space for people with an eating disorder to share concerns and advice on how they are coping with the pandemic

Rethink Mental Illness - COVID-19 and mental illnessCoronavirus: Advice for carers of those with severe mental illnessManaging your mental health during the Coronavirus outbreak

Anxiety UK - #Coronanxiety support and resources

OCD UKOCD and coronavirus

YoungMinds - Coronavirus mental health advice for young peopleWhat to do if you’re anxious about coronavirusCoronavirus mental health advice for parents and carers and other articles

The Patients Association - Self-care during self-isolation and social distancing

Every Mind Matters - Every Mind Matters has created new COVID 19 specific content to help support the public’s Mental Health during this difficult time

Headspace - The app is making some of its content free at the moment, including meditations, sleep, and movement exercises to help you out, however you’re feeling.

FutureLearn - Is offering courses that will help you manage your mental health and support others who are struggling during lockdown. 

Royal Society of Psychiatrists - has created a series of videos in multiple languages on maintaining positive mental health during COVID-19. The video includes some basic tips individuals can do to support their mental wellbeing during this time as well as the importance of staying connected.

M.E.

M.E. Association - ME Association Guidance: Coronavirus and ME/CFS

Military

Army Families Federation - Covid-19 advice including housing, allowances, education, foreign & commonwealth, rebasing, wellbeing and support

Combat Stress – For Veterans’ Mental Health - Self-care during COVID-19

Royal British Legion - Their response to COVID-19 and updates. The Legion’s contact centre remains fully operational to support the Armed Forces community and can be reached on 0808 802 8080 (8am-8pm, seven days a week) or at info@britishlegion.org.uk.

Multiple sclerosis

MS Society - MS and coronavirusSimple exercises for MSPilates for MSAsk an Expert – weekly webinar

NHS volunteer responders

Members of the public can sign up quickly and easily at goodsamapp.org/NHS to become NHS Volunteer Responders. They can be called on to do simple but vital tasks such as: delivering medicines from pharmacies, driving patients to appointments, bringing them home from hospital, or making regular phone calls to check on people isolating at home. Recruitment has been very successful so is currently paused.

Older people

Age UK - Coronavirus information for older peopleCoronavirus - a short guide

Independent Age - FAQs - Coronavirus

U3A - Latest guidance and advice on coronavirus plus some great ideas to keep learning together 

The British Psychological Society - Supporting older people and people living with dementia during self-isolation

Armchair Gallery - A free app that allows older people, and those who support them, to enjoy the life-changing benefits of art. In this era of lockdown and mass isolation it feels even more relevant than before.

Reach for Health - The Reach for Health Centre is running a telephone service to assist with improving the caller’s independence, wellbeing and mental health. They can help with social isolation, concerns over wellbeing and advice on activity and exercise. The helpline is: 01327 828 260 and is open from 10am to 4pm each day. Find more information about their service. 

Public Health England - Active at Home booklet

Northamptonshire Sports - Resources and advice on staying active at home for older adults, Get Up & Go Strength and Balance Classes

Other languages

Doctors of the World - Information about Coronavirus in other languages

COVID-19 Infographics - Infographics about Coronavirus in various languages

NHS - Information about coronavirus in other languages

Royal Society of Psychiatrists - has created a series of videos in multiple languages on maintaining positive mental health during COVID-19. The video includes some basic tips individuals can do to support their mental wellbeing during this time as well as the importance of staying connected.

Race Equality Foundation - COVID-19 Translated Materials Resources

Parkinson's

Parkinson’s UK - Understanding coronavirus and Parkinson’sParkinson’s UK Community Group (Facebook)

Pregnancy

Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists - Information about coronavirus for pregnant women and their families

Ramadan

Public Health England - Stay at home for Ramadan

The Muslim Council of Britain - COVID19 – #RAMADANATHOME

NHS - NHS urges public to stay safe ahead of Ramadan

Scams and fake information

Whilst there are lots of people and groups who are doing amazing work in local communities, we need to be aware that there are people who will use the current situation to exploit others for their own benefit. Scams can come in the form of people knocking on your door, fraudulent emails, phone calls, text messages or posts via social media. Fraudsters will attempt to get recipients to disclose personal or financial information or click on links that may contain malware - which then will be used for their own fraudulent purposes. Find out more on the Northamptonshire Trading Standards page and find a list of scams on the National Trading Standards page.

If you receive any such fraudulent contact please report via: Action Fraud, 0300 123 2040, Citizens Advice Consumer helpline, 0808 223 1133, to report offers of financial assistance from HMRC contact phishing@hmrc.gov.uk

The Patients Association is giving advice about how not to be caught out by fake news and how to watch out for the signs of false information.

Alzheimer’s Society - Four ways to spot a coronavirus financial scam and protect people affected by dementia

Self-isolation and Shielding

Gov.uk - Stay-at-home guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection. Includes documents in Easy Read and a variety of languages

British Lung Foundation - What is the difference between self-isolation and social distancing?

Healthwatch North Yorkshire - Things to do while you’re stuck at home

Healthwatch England - Coronavirus: What does shielding mean?

Royal College of Occupational Therapists - Staying well when social distancing (Advice to support people who are undertaking social distancing and for families to support their children while schools are closed)

The Patients Association - Highly vulnerable patients – what to do if you have not been contacted?

Sensory loss

Action on Hearing Loss Information and support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

Living With Hearing Loss - Your COVID-19 Hearing Loss Survival Guide

Sign Health - Information for deaf people or those hard of hearing

Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) - Coronavirus: How RNIB can help youEssential links and information on supermarket opening times

Guide Dogs - New phone line launched to support you during the coronavirus outbreak - 0800 781 1444 between 9am-5pm Monday to Friday.

Macular Society - Coronavirus information and advice

Sight Advice FAQ - Covid-19 information

Smoking

COVID-19: advice for smokers and vapers

NHS10 self-help tips to stop smoking10 myths about stop smoking treatmentsUsing e-cigarettes to stop smokingPassive smoking

ASH (Action on Smoking and Health) - #QuitforCOVID and other resources

Stroke

Stroke Association - Information for people affected by strokeManaging loneliness and isolation

Terminal illness

Marie Curie - Coronavirus if you’re affected by terminal illness

Veterans (see Military)