We all need help from time to time – and sometimes that help might be specific advice, it might be technical knowleldge or it might just be someone to listen & tell us we’re not alone.
We’ve put this list together of organisations and sources of information that we know work – there are literally hundreds more – but if you’re struggling to find the right support then drop us a line and we’ll use our contacts to try and help.
Mental Health & Wellness
- Mind’s Coronovirus Information – If the current outbreak has you or someone you know worried then this resource links out to a lot of practical ways you can help either yourself or other.
- WHO Coronovirus Information – get the latest from the experts, fight false news and hearsay with facts. Knowing you’ve the right information is the first part of reducing stress & fighting rising anxiety.
- Social Distancing in the UK – UK Government advice – direct.
- Samaritans UK – if you or someone you know are in crisis then help is avalable 24/7 – please reach out, more people care than you think
- Dealing with Coronavirus anxiety. Excellent blog with practical steps from renowned psychotherapist Anna Mathur.
- Depression – it’s a worrying time and it may well feel too much – the NHS has excellent advice on dealing with depression here. If you’re seeking to support someone else who is suffering then this article by Helpguide.org is excellent.
- Start a conversation. Now is an excellent time to make those calls you never find time for, to catch up with the friends who are always busy.
- Write a letter. Many elder people don’t use the media we do – send then something really special a letter. Even if you’re isolated there are ways to do it – you can buy postage online or you can use an app like Touchnote to turn your own photos into cards for people.
- Don’t suffer alone. If you really really don’t think you can start a difficult conversation then reach out to someone who won’t mind listening. Each of the main UK mountain organisations have people who are trained to listen and to help you find support. I’m ready to put my email address out there if it might help you, I’m sure others are too: happy@mentalhealthnorthwest.co.uk
Financial Support
We anticipate that this section of resources will change almost daily as UK Govt. takes expected further measures to support the economy.
- UK Gov. support for small businesses. This includes the Job retention scheme (note: For businesses with fewer than 250 employees on 28 February, the government will refund the cost of providing 14 days of Statutory Sick Pay per employee. SSP is £94.25 per week. Employees will not need to provide a doctors’ note if they are off work because they may have coronavirus), grant funding of £25,000 for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with property with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000, small business grant funding of £10,000 for all business in receipt of small business rate relief or rural rate relief & a 12-month business rates holiday for all retail, hospitality, leisure and nursery businesses in England.
- Coronavirus & claiming benefits (existing) – advice from UK. Gov.
- Universal Credit now available for self-employed at SSP rate (£94:50 pw) Note: this includes the suspension of the minimum income floor for the self-employed: self-employed people can now access, in full, Universal Credit at a rate equivalent to Statutory Sick Pay for employees immediately. However it currently appears that the existing barriers to UC for self employed people apply (savings, partners income level etc)
Help Others
One way to maintain mental wellbeing during the current crisis is to give something back. Seems hard when you’re stuck at home? Here are some ideas:
- Silverline – offer a telephone based befriending service for older people – exactly those members of society most likely to be feeling vulnerable right now.
- Donate to a food bank – follow the link to find your local foodbank – most are now arranging deliveries – AND collections. If you’ve got something to spare it will make a real difference to those that haven’t.
- Donate Blood (Register HERE) – Donating blood is a medical necessity for the NHS – and is still allowed during the corona crisis (all doners will be tested & take a questionnaire)
- Volunteer for the NHS. Most outdoor practitioners will be dbs checked, hold a driving license (often enhanced) and basic first aid. THIS IS NOW BEING CENTRALLY COORDINATED – FOLLOW THE LINK
Each NHS trust is dealing with this individually – so you’ll need to do some research(if you are in the North West of England feel free to message me), but many trust’s are seeking volunteers for basic tasks such as cleaning ambulances, deliveries etc.
