1.5 million people in England have been identified as particularly vulnerable to coronavirus. This group have been, or soon will be, contacted by letter and strongly advised to stay home at all times and avoid face-to-face contact with others for at least 12 weeks.

If you or somebody you know is in this high risk group and in need of support, here are four places you can get it:

 

The Government

You can register yourself as high risk and in need of support on the Government’s website. This will enable you to get help with things like deliveries of food parcels and essentials.

More details about this will be in your letter from NHS England, including how to request the support if you’re not online.

You can register here: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable.

 

Manchester City Council

Manchester City Council has launched a new Coronavirus Support Hub this week. If you're over 70, have received a high risk letter, or are medically vulnerable according to the government’s criteria, you can get help with things like:

  • Delivery of food
  • Delivery of medication
  • Combating loneliness
  • Managing fuel top-up payments

The Hub has a Freephone telephone number 0800 234 6123 open between 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Saturday.

More information can be found on their website (click here).

 

Southway

Southway’s new Community Support Service launches this week. We're starting by phoning all of our customers in vulnerable groups including people over 70 and anyone that we know has an underlying health condition.

We'll find out whether you need things like practical support, a friendly call on a regular basis, or are fine and have local support; and we will offer help on this basis.

If you are in this group but think that Southway isn’t aware of your vulnerability, you can refer yourself for the Support Service here. 

 

Community Support Groups

Local Councillors, community groups and volunteers have teamed up in these challenging times to offer support to those in need. They can help with shopping, prescription collection, and other practical support, as well as being a friendly point of contact in your local area.

The additional benefit of these online communities is they have become a welcoming space to talk with your neighbours if you're feeling lonely and isolated.

You can join your local group below:

 

Please do get in touch with Southway if you need help with your health and wellbeing, or worry about paying your rent - we're here to support you.