COVID-19 treatment - what about us?
Are you concerned as a disabled or older person how you would be treated if you contracted the COVID-19 virus?
Important UK government advice
NHS advice for everyone
Government advice about coronavirus
Coronavirus information in other languages
Doctors of the World - NHS coronavirus guidelines in 43 languages
Useful phone numbers
Scope helpline - support or advice for disabled people
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freephone: 0808 800 3333
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textphone: Use Type Talk by dialling 18001 from a textphone followed by 0808 800 3333
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read more about Scope's helpline
Older People - Silverline 24 hr freephone advice: 0800 470 8090
Getting help
Register yourself or someone else on GOV.UK
If you need help to get care or essential supplies like food – register online
You don’t need to have been contacted by the NHS.
Finding help and support nearby
Covid Mutual Aid UK are a network of independent community groups supporting vulnerable people.
Find Your Local Mutual Aid Group
If you feel vulnerable or not sure about things
Staying home - guidance on shielding and protection if you’re vulnerable
Vulnerable means for example, if you have severe asthma or cancer.
‘Shielding’ means:
- avoiding face to face contact with other people
- staying at home for 12 weeks
If you think you’re vulnerable and the NHS hasn’t contacted you, contact your GP or Doctor.
An easy read guide to Coronavirus
Public health England Easy read guide to Coronavirus
Coronavirus videos in BSL
Supporting disabled people through the coronavirus outbreak
The Disability Unit at the Cabinet Office statement about Coronavirus and disabled people
Getting cash if you're self isolating
The Post Office has launched a scheme to help self-isolating people or vulnerable people access cash with the help of a family member, support worker or carer. Under the Fast PACE system, contact your bank and check they can use the service. Then you can write a cheque to "The Post Office", print the name on the back of the cheque of the person collecting it for you and sign that side too.
Read more about the Fast PACE system
Coronavirus guidance from other charities
Disability RIghts UK cover: benefits, housing, shopping, legal rights and social care
Scope: talk to or text someone - use Scope's helpline
MENCAP: Easy read guide about Coronavirus and a video on hand-washing
Carers UK: Coronavirus guidance
Asthma UK: Coronavirus: Health advice for people with asthma
Cancer Research UK: Coronavirus and cancer
MacMillan: Coronavirus and cancer
Stroke Association - support for people after stroke
Headway - life after brain injury
Campaign to End Loneliness: Coronavirus and social isolation
Age UK: Coronavirus information
Disability Rights UK has underlined the principle that: the NHS is for all of us and that judgements about our lives should in no way influence the treatment we are entitled to receive.
NHS response about COVID-19 and the rights of disabled people
Fury over Do Not Resuscitate NoticesSign the statement - COVID-19 and the rights of disabled people
Dealing with anxiety, mental health and difficulties
Anxiety UK online and phone support
NHS - every mind matters - staying at home tips
The Samaritans - call 116 123 for free
Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you - available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Cruse Bereavement Care - helping with grief
Rehab4Addiction - guide for better mental health during COVID-19
For blind or partially sighted people
The Sight Advice website - information from RNIB, Guide Dogs and Vision UK
For carers of someone living with dementia
Alzheimer’s Society offer a telephone support line – Dementia Connect Support Line on 0333 150 3456.
Dementia Talking Point online forum
Coping - be calm, stay wise, be kind
Action for Happiness have a coping calendar for April
For Deaf and hard of hearing people
The Limping Chicken - the world's most popular deaf blog
For autistic people and their families
Online discussion forum for autistic people and their family/network
For autistic children and young people, their parents and carers:
Local support groups - the National Autistic Society services directory
For people with Aspergers, partners and families
Resources for and partners of people with Asperger’s Syndrome (AS)
Care support and benefits advice
Disability Rights UK (DRUK) - national disabled people's organisation
For more information about other questions such as:
- Paying your bills
- Going to work
- the 'Coronavirus Job Retention scheme'
- Taking your children to school if you’re a ‘critical worker’.
- Taking your children to school if they’ve an Education, Health and Care Plan
- Benefits you can claim
- Getting an ‘isolation note’ online to prove to your employer you need to stay off work
- If you can’t pay your rent.
Check out Citizen's Advice web information
Online forums of and for disabled people
Youreable.com - benefits, motoring, health, travel and more
The Invictus Games Choir Video
Skills improvement ... ...
Here are some ideas if you're in the skills improvement space:
Future learn - Boredom-busting courses
Online music classes - have to register
Free language lessons from open kultura
TV classic comedy
The Good Life (every episode, each divided into three parts)
The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin - Season 1
Another Audience With Ken Dodd
Free films
Public Domain Movies – Free movies online. Classic Hollywood and British films, including some real treats like 12 Angry Men, The Lodger, Day of the Triffids, Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) - it's totally free and the quality's really good. You can sort by genre and also by popularity and rating to find your favourites quickly!
Online interest - virtual tourism
5 national parks offer virtual tours
Virtual tours of Europe’s palaces
Virtual Park Visits
The Rocky Mountain National Park
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Important research you can help with
COVID-19 Symptom Tracker is an app from researchers at Guy’s & St Thomas’ & King’s College aims to help slow the spread of #COVID19 and identify at risk cases sooner.
- You can help by self-reporting your symptoms daily, even if you feel well 🙏🏼.
- Share the app and share your “well/ill” status
- Your data can make all the difference for the policy makers to get early warnings of upcoming "hot spot" areas.
- It all helps. Thank you so very.
And finally, for goodness sake, beware of online scams
If something seems dodgy it probably is! - check if it's a scam
Thank you for reading so far down this webpage
Stay safe and we wish you well.
