During this COVID-19 pandemic, it's important to know what support is available to you as a carer and those you look after.
Here at Carers Link Lancashire, we are continuing to monitor guidelines and directives from the Government, NHS and Public Health England and are adapting our services and support accordingly.
Our highest priority still continues to be ensuring our staff, carers and wider communities and their families are healthy and safe whilst continuing to deliver high quality services and support for carers in East Lancashire.
Our head office, staff base and community facility are closed to the public. However, our services are still operating 9:00am-5:00pm Monday to Friday, and out of hours where necessary. Carers Link Lancashire can be contacted on
01254 387444 / 0345 688 7113 or via email on info@carerslinklancashire.co.uk
or use our website Contact Us
Our team of dedicated staff will continue to work from home to provide you with the services we offer including -
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Your Carers assessment
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Annual review of your Carers assessment
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Requesting respite
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Benefits Support
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Grant applications
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Understanding Dementia Course
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Monthly Dementia Support Hub
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Peer Support Group and much, much more.
We are still providing our normal services including welfare and benefits support, carers assessments and reviews and 1-2-1 support etc
We have developed new virtual platforms bringing you a weekly program of virtual cafes, support groups, courses, therapies, activities and events to participate in, to ensure our community do not feel lonely or isolated in their roles.
Click here to view our Carers Online Guide and book your virtual place
We can also be able to provide you with face to face virtual 1-2-1 support.
If you are worried or concerned and would like to talk to a member of our team, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Take care and stay healthy and safe during this time.
From all at Carers Link Lancashire
I'm under lockdown, but I need to care for someone in a different household. What if I get challenged?
We can provide you with official documentation to prove your caring role in case you are challenged.
The letter confirms that you are performing an essential caring role on behalf of a vulnerable person and supporting Lancashire County Council's response to COVID-19.
As part of your work, you must travel and will be visible within your local community in undertaking essential activities, for example shopping and collecting medicines.
How can I continue to get support with essential deliveries of our medical and food supplies?
Pharmacies and food stores will continue to offer support to those who are most vulnerable. If you or someone you care for have been on the shielding list, you will retain access to priority delivery slots as well as NHS volunteer and local council or trust support.
GP surgeries remain open, many offering telephone consultations as standard, and appointments by video app or in person if absolutely necessary.
Please contact us if you need further support in practical ways – we will be able to direct you to the most relevant services available in your local area.
When will we be able to have the vaccine?
The NHS is currently offering the COVID-19 vaccine to people most at risk from coronavirus.
The vaccine is being offered in some hospitals and hundreds of local vaccination centres run by GPs.
It's being given to:
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some people aged 80 and over who already have a hospital appointment in the next few weeks
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people who live or work in care homes
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health care workers at high risk
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unpaid carers
The vaccine will be offered more widely, and at other locations, as soon as possible.
They will contact you to invite you for your vaccination.
The JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation) has included unpaid carers on the vaccination priority list (UK wide) group 6. Many carers will be in a group higher up the list due to age if they are over 65. You can find the list of groups here.
Please click here for the latest guidance for unpaid carers and information sharing. If you have any concerns regarding this, please contact us on 01254 387444.
Protecting your mental wellbeing
Carers UK have designed these tips to help both you and those you care for look after yourselves and protect your mental wellbeing.
If you, or someone you know are struggling with Mental Health Issues, support is available.
Lancashire and South Cumbria`s mental health helpline is now open 24/7 to help those struggling during the coronavirus lockdown. The helpline offers advice and emotional support.
The helpline operated by the area’s leading mental health provider Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust is available for anyone who is struggling to cope, feeling isolated or experiencing mental health problems such as stress, anxiety or depression.
The helpline can be contacted on 0800 915 4640 or by texting ‘hello’ to 07862 022846.
Samaritans offers free confidential support 24 hours a day on 116 123.
You can find a list of national mental health services and helplines at https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk
In light of the news of another national lockdown, its even more important to take the best care of ourselves, not just physically but mentally.
Challenging times, difficult and uncomfortable thoughts can really affect us and our loved ones.
It may seem like we're alone, but please be reassured that we are not, there is always someone to talk to, whether by phone, text or web chat.
Here is a list of organisations, agencies and charities who can provide information, advice and support for anyone in need.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Phone: 0800 917 7650 (24-hours)
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Alzheimer's Society
Phone: 0300 222 1122 (Mon - Fri, 9am to 5pm, Sat/Sun 10am to 4pm)
Anxiety UK
Phone: 03444 775 774 (Mon - Fri)
Beat (Eating Disorders)
Phone: 0808 801 0677 (adults) or 0808 801 0711 (for under-18s)
Bipolar UK
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)
Phone: 0800 58 58 58 (daily, 5pm - midnight)
Cruse Bereavement Care
Phone: 0808 808 1677 (Mon - Fri, 9am to 5pm)
Drinkline (Free confidential helpline for people worried about their own or someone else's drinking)
Phone: 0300 123 1110 (Mon - Fri 9am - 8pm, Sat/Sun 11am - 4pm)
Family Lives (Advice on all aspects of parenting, including dealing with bullying)
Phone: 0808 800 2222 (Mon-Fri, 9am to 9pm and Sat/Sun, 10am to 3pm)
FRANK (Free, confidential information and advice about drugs)
Phone: 0300 1236600 (24-hour helpline)
Text a question to: 82111
Gamblers Anonymous
Phone: 0330 094 0322 (24-hours)
https://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/
Kooth (Young people)
Mencap (Charity working with people with a learning disability, their families and carers)
Phone: 0808 808 1111 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
Mind
Phone: 0300 123 3393 (Mon - Fri)
National Gambling Helpline
Phone: 0808 8020 133 (daily, 8am to midnight)
NSPCC (Children's charity dedicated to ending child abuse and child cruelty)
Phone: 0800 1111 for Childline for children (24-hours)
0808 800 5000 for adults concerned about a child (24-hours)
No Panic
OCD UK
Phone: 0333 212 7890 (Mon - Fri)
PAPYRUS (Young suicide prevention society)
Phone: 0800 068 4141 (9am to midnight, every day of the year)
Rape Crisis
Phone: 0808 802 9999 (daily, 12pm to 2.30pm and 7pm to 9.30pm)
Refuge (Advice on dealing with domestic violence)
Phone: 0808 2000 247 (24-hours)
Relate (Relationship Support)
Samaritans
Phone: 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline)
SANE (Emotional support, information and guidance for people affected by mental illness, their families and carers)
Textcare: comfort and care via text message, sent when the person needs it most: www.sane.org.uk/textcare
http://www.sane.org.uk/support
SOBS (Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide)
Phone: 0300 111 5065 (Mon - Sun, 9am to 9pm
Stand Alone (Estrangement Support Charity)
https://www.standalone.org.uk/
Stonewall (Information and support for LGBT communities)
Phone: 0800 0502020 (Mon - Fri, 9.30am - 4.30pm)
The Silver Line (free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people)
Phone: 0800 4 70 80 90 (24hours)
https://www.thesilverline.org.uk/
Victim Support
Phone: 0808 168 9111 (24-hours)
Young carers
https://carersinbeds.org.uk/young-carers/
YoungMinds (Information on child and adolescent mental health)
Phone: 0808 802 5544 (Mon - Fri, 9.30am to 4pm)
Click the Coronavirus Guidance booklet here:
COVID Helpline UK 119
Free PPE for Carers
If you are a registered carer providing personal care to someone else (particularly if they are not in your household), you might want to consider using PPE to protect yourself and the person you are caring for.
We are pleased to be able to offer a range of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), if you need it. This includes protective gloves, disposable face masks and a face shield.
Information on when to use PPE and using it correctly can be found in this Public Health England guide.
How to order PPE
If you are an unpaid carer and registered with our service, and you need PPE for your personal use we will arrange for a pack to be delivered to you or it can be picked up from our community centre in Accrington, please:
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make sure the title of the email is “Carers PPE”
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include your name and address (in order that PPE can be posted to you) and the glove size that you require.
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Or call 01254 387444 with all of the above information and we will arrange for PPE to be sent out in the post or picked up from our centre.
New to using ZOOM?
Just get in touch, one of our staff will be happy to give you a quick tutorial and get you started.
"It's a great place to go for information & advice. The activities are lots of fun!"
Click here for detailed information about specific changes to Carer benefits, assessments and other support during the pandemic.
Useful Numbers
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NHS 24 (for use if coronavirus symptoms worsen): 111
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NHS Inform (no symptoms but looking for Coronavirus advice): 0800 028 2816
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COVID-19 Helpline for people in high risk category who do not have a support network at home: 0800 111 4000
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Emergency services – Ambulance: 999
