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CORONAVIRUS - COVID-19
Here below is a selection of helpful advice and information pages that have been produced by a range of agencies and services. New entries are being added daily so keep watching - and if you have something to share, get in touch - [email protected].
Liverpool Dementia and Ageing Research Forum member Dr Asan Akpan has just released a policy guidance on providing care in care homes in the time of COVID, together with the Liverpool Heseltine Institute, here.
People living with dementia need the support of their communities during this period. For this reason it is important that those offering their time are more aware of what it is like to live with dementia, and the action they can take to support those living with the condition. Alzheimer's Society have created a top tips guide with simple things a volunteer can do, like learning a little more about the condition, tips on communicating effectively and where to signpost to for specialist support. Download the toolkit here.
The Life Rooms is now offering a telephone support service. The service is available Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm. We are available to chat and to offer signposting advice to help you in areas such as housing, finances, employment, mental and physical wellbeing. This video explains the service in further detail: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IE1mdDmOUCA This service is being delivered by The Life Rooms Pathways Advisors and The Life Rooms Social Inclusion Team. The Social Inclusion Team are able to offer support in a number of languages. To speak to an advisor or to find out more information please call us on 0151 478 6556 or visit us on www.liferooms.org The Life Rooms also has a YouTube channel where you can find a range of wellbeing support videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPzFTZ0EarEipiWjTncI-SA
All the staff are still working as normal and will be contactable by phone or email for any support you may need and to answer any questions. Please call us on 0151 705 2308, if you need any advice or you want to just hear a friendly voice. You can also connect with us using our email address: [email protected]. Please also join us on Facebook for general daily updates; https://www.facebook.com/groups/228881861503696/ The Liverpool NHS walk-in centres have moved to a telephone triage appointment system effective from 25 March 2020. Many other Merseycare services have been suspended or changed, more information can be found on;https://www.merseycare.nhs.uk/about-us/news/coronavirus-covid-19/
Tide - Together in Dementia Everyday Facebook Group for Carers of People with Dementia We have set up a closed Facebook group which we hope will support you as carers & give you a platform to talk to other carers. All topics are welcome & only the people in this group can see what is written. We hope you find this group helpful. We had planned to set up a Facebook group at some stage &, as we cannot meet people face-to-face for the time being, thought it was important to set it up now. You can access the group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tidecarerssupport
In view of the current Coronavirus situation, the next public Liverpool Dementia & Ageing Research Forum event (Speaker: Dr Sarah Robertson, topic - “What is it like caring for a parent living with dementia from a distance?”) is being postponed to the 15th of July for now. We are closely monitoring the situation and will re-assess nearer the time if the event is likely to go ahead then.
National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA) has published a range of resources to support the sector during the coronavirus crisis. Topics covered include:
Visit the NAVCA resource hub
House of Memories have been thinking about how to support the wider community at this time - especially older adults. The My House of Memories app; created by and for people living with dementia can be used by anyone, especially young people and elders separated at this time! It is a FREE download found here https://houseofmemories.co.uk/things-to-do/my-house-of-memories-app/. We absolutely appreciate that not everyone is digital and not everyone has a tablet but for those who do it’s something to do in their home. They can explore museum and archive objects already in the app or there’s a function to upload personal images pages to make a digital family album. Screenshots can be shared via email with family members or friends while apart, supported by ‘how to use the app' videos We also have a couple of pages on the House of Memories website with information about how to create a memory box or a memory tree non-digitally. Memory tree - https://houseofmemories.co.uk/things-to-do/create-a-memory-tree/ Memory box - https://houseofmemories.co.uk/things-to-do/create-a-memory-box/ Please circulate to your contacts and networks supporting older people and families |
Stay at Home – Protect the NHS – Save Lives
Rules for Everyone
Everyone must stay at home to help stop the spread of coronavirus.
People should only leave the house for 1 of 4 reasons:
If you have to go out for one of these reasons
• Stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people
• Wash your hands for 20 seconds as soon as you get home
You can read the latest guidance here on the NHS website.
Guidance on what everyone should do is available in English, Easy Read and several other languages here on the government website, and on this same page there is information in Easy Read and several community languages covering advice for people more at risk.
People More at Risk
Some people are more at risk and should avoid leaving the house even for the 4 reasons above, for several weeks at least. People more at risk should ask friends, family or neighbours to pick up shopping and medicines for them and leave them outside their door. You can also ask for help from volunteers by calling Liverpool City Council on 0151 233 3066 from 8am to 6pm, seven days a week or request help online here.
People more at risk are:-
- heart disease, such as heart failure
- kidney disease
- liver disease, such as hepatitis
- conditions affecting the brain and nerves, such as Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), a learning disability or cerebral palsy
- diabetes
- problems with your spleen – for example, sickle cell disease or if you've had your spleen removed
- a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy
- being very overweight
You can read the guidance in English, easy read and community languages for everyone, and for more at risk groups, here on the government website.
Extremely Vulnerable People
Some people (adults and children) are extremely vulnerable on medical grounds and are advised to stay at home for 12 weeks and keep away from others. Extremely vulnerable people should ask friends, family or neighbours to pick up shopping and medicines for them and leave them outside their door. People can also ask for help from volunteers by calling Liverpool City Council on 0151 233 3066 from 8am to 6pm, seven days a week or request help online here.
Extremely vulnerable people are those who :-
Patients in these groups will get a letter from the NHS about this advice soon. Changes are being made to how NHS appointments are taking place. Updates are being made to GP, MerseyCare and hospital webpages so do check these or phone before going anywhere for an appointment.
Guidance for extremely vulnerable people is available on the government website in English, Easy Read and various community languages.
People with certain health conditions
Some VCSEs have worked with the NHS to produce specific advice about coronavirus, so far this includes for Asthma, Lung conditions, Arthritis, Heart Disease and Stroke and you can find these at the end of this NHS webpage.
What to do if you have symptoms of coronavirus
The most common symptoms of coronavirus are a new continuous cough and/or a high temperature. Anyone with these should stay at home and avoid all contact with other people.
Guidance about what to do if you have symptoms of coronavirus is available here at the government website in English, Easy Read and several community languages.
Getting Medical Help
If you need medical help, do not go to places like a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital in person.
For health information and advice, please use these internet and phone options:-
• The NHS website to check symptoms and for health advice
• Your GP surgery website ( use this link to find it ) and use their online support where possible.
• For same-day medical help, use the NHS 111 online service. Call 111 if you're unable to get help online. For BSL use this video interpreter service for NHS111.
• For life-threatening emergencies, call 999 for an ambulance. If you use BSL or can't speak on the phone you can register for 999 texts, send the word 'register' in an SMS message to 999 and follow instructions.
Anyone with a medical appointment should check the website of where they were going before attending, or phone. Visiting in hospitals is highly restricted now to very certain cases, again please check websites for latest.
There is a lot of incorrect information circulating, so if you can, please help share these official sources of information with your friends, family and colleagues.
Other Languages
Doctors of the World and the British Red Cross are working to translate NHS guidance into a wider list of languages which you can download here.
Other Info
LCVS have set up this web page to share information for the VCSE sector including funding options and other support/advice available.
Liverpool City Council also want to identify more volunteers and link to community groups. If you are free to offer to help someone the number is 0151 233 3068 or register to volunteer online.
BBC Radio Merseyside are looking to promote local community activity,you can find out more in this pdf.
You can also get updates on official local social media
If you are at home because of coronavirus and need help, for example with shopping or collecting prescriptions, you can call 0151 233 3066 from 8am to 6pm, seven days a week or request help online.
Liverpool City Council information including Childcare hubs for key workers is here
Please help share these official sources of information with your friends, family and colleagues and take good care.
Correct as of 31st March 2020.
Rules for Everyone
Everyone must stay at home to help stop the spread of coronavirus.
People should only leave the house for 1 of 4 reasons:
- to shop for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible
- a ny medical need, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person
- to travel to and from work, but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home
- to exercise once a day on your own or with members of your household only
If you have to go out for one of these reasons
• Stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people
• Wash your hands for 20 seconds as soon as you get home
You can read the latest guidance here on the NHS website.
Guidance on what everyone should do is available in English, Easy Read and several other languages here on the government website, and on this same page there is information in Easy Read and several community languages covering advice for people more at risk.
People More at Risk
Some people are more at risk and should avoid leaving the house even for the 4 reasons above, for several weeks at least. People more at risk should ask friends, family or neighbours to pick up shopping and medicines for them and leave them outside their door. You can also ask for help from volunteers by calling Liverpool City Council on 0151 233 3066 from 8am to 6pm, seven days a week or request help online here.
People more at risk are:-
- 70 or older
- pregnant
- have one of the following health conditions
- heart disease, such as heart failure
- kidney disease
- liver disease, such as hepatitis
- conditions affecting the brain and nerves, such as Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), a learning disability or cerebral palsy
- diabetes
- problems with your spleen – for example, sickle cell disease or if you've had your spleen removed
- a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy
- being very overweight
You can read the guidance in English, easy read and community languages for everyone, and for more at risk groups, here on the government website.
Extremely Vulnerable People
Some people (adults and children) are extremely vulnerable on medical grounds and are advised to stay at home for 12 weeks and keep away from others. Extremely vulnerable people should ask friends, family or neighbours to pick up shopping and medicines for them and leave them outside their door. People can also ask for help from volunteers by calling Liverpool City Council on 0151 233 3066 from 8am to 6pm, seven days a week or request help online here.
Extremely vulnerable people are those who :-
- have had an organ transplant
- are having certain types of cancer treatment
- have blood or bone marrow cancer, such as leukaemia
- have a severe lung condition, such as cystic fibrosis or severe asthma
- have a condition that makes you much more likely to get infections
- are taking medicine that weakens your immune system / makes you much more likely to get infections
- are pregnant with a serious heart condition
Patients in these groups will get a letter from the NHS about this advice soon. Changes are being made to how NHS appointments are taking place. Updates are being made to GP, MerseyCare and hospital webpages so do check these or phone before going anywhere for an appointment.
Guidance for extremely vulnerable people is available on the government website in English, Easy Read and various community languages.
People with certain health conditions
Some VCSEs have worked with the NHS to produce specific advice about coronavirus, so far this includes for Asthma, Lung conditions, Arthritis, Heart Disease and Stroke and you can find these at the end of this NHS webpage.
What to do if you have symptoms of coronavirus
The most common symptoms of coronavirus are a new continuous cough and/or a high temperature. Anyone with these should stay at home and avoid all contact with other people.
Guidance about what to do if you have symptoms of coronavirus is available here at the government website in English, Easy Read and several community languages.
Getting Medical Help
If you need medical help, do not go to places like a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital in person.
For health information and advice, please use these internet and phone options:-
• The NHS website to check symptoms and for health advice
• Your GP surgery website ( use this link to find it ) and use their online support where possible.
• For same-day medical help, use the NHS 111 online service. Call 111 if you're unable to get help online. For BSL use this video interpreter service for NHS111.
• For life-threatening emergencies, call 999 for an ambulance. If you use BSL or can't speak on the phone you can register for 999 texts, send the word 'register' in an SMS message to 999 and follow instructions.
Anyone with a medical appointment should check the website of where they were going before attending, or phone. Visiting in hospitals is highly restricted now to very certain cases, again please check websites for latest.
There is a lot of incorrect information circulating, so if you can, please help share these official sources of information with your friends, family and colleagues.
Other Languages
Doctors of the World and the British Red Cross are working to translate NHS guidance into a wider list of languages which you can download here.
Other Info
LCVS have set up this web page to share information for the VCSE sector including funding options and other support/advice available.
Liverpool City Council also want to identify more volunteers and link to community groups. If you are free to offer to help someone the number is 0151 233 3068 or register to volunteer online.
BBC Radio Merseyside are looking to promote local community activity,you can find out more in this pdf.
You can also get updates on official local social media
If you are at home because of coronavirus and need help, for example with shopping or collecting prescriptions, you can call 0151 233 3066 from 8am to 6pm, seven days a week or request help online.
Liverpool City Council information including Childcare hubs for key workers is here
Please help share these official sources of information with your friends, family and colleagues and take good care.
Correct as of 31st March 2020.
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Alzheimer’s Society local services update
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Local Alzheimer’s Society teams continue to provide information, support and guidance to those who need it. To ensure the wellbeing of our service users, volunteers and staff, we have made some changes to how this support is provided. This may change depending on future government guidance, but at present the following is in place in your area:
Direct support for people affected by dementia:
Group support:
Online support:
Further support:
Alzheimer’s Society contact details:
Website: www.alzheimers.org.uk
Telephone: 0333 150 3456
Direct support for people affected by dementia:
- All face-to-face and home visits have currently been suspended.
- We will increase the number of keeping in touch telephone calls with service users to help support their wellbeing and guard against isolation.
- We will be extending the operating hours of our national Dementia Connect Support Line. Trained advisors can be contacted via 0333 150 3456 for advice and guidance.
Group support:
- All local group sessions have been suspended.
- We are working with our volunteers to develop ways to continue to support group members via other methods.
Online support:
- Advice and guidance on a range of issues is available on our website.
- We would encourage people to join Dementia Talking Point. This is our online community where people affected by dementia can receive valuable support from people in similar situations.
Further support:
- People with questions about what they should be doing and how they should be interacting with people living with dementia at this time can access this guidance.
- Any community groups or individuals that wish to support vulnerable adults during this time can contact Alzheimer’s Society for information and guidance. This includes how to access our online Dementia Friends awareness sessions.
Alzheimer’s Society contact details:
Website: www.alzheimers.org.uk
Telephone: 0333 150 3456
Steve Morgan Foundation: Emergency Fund Launched
20 March 2020
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Steve Morgan Foundation has introduced an emergency hardship fund to support charities and not-for-profit companies in the foundation’s remit area (Merseyside, North Wales and Cheshire west of M6).
The fund, of up to £1 million a week for an initial 12 weeks, will be open to charities and not-for-profit organisations across the region, to help with the costs of additional emergency services to support people affected by the virus; it will also help charities experiencing a loss of fundraising revenue to stay in business.
Please note that this fund is not open to individuals. Any individual seeking help should refer to organisations and charities in their local area which are supported by Steve Morgan Foundation.
For the duration of this grant, all other new applications will be on hold.
In order to ensure that the Steve Morgan Foundation team is free to process applications received, applications will only be accepted on line.
Visit www.stevemorganfoundation.org.uk to apply.
20 March 2020
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Steve Morgan Foundation has introduced an emergency hardship fund to support charities and not-for-profit companies in the foundation’s remit area (Merseyside, North Wales and Cheshire west of M6).
The fund, of up to £1 million a week for an initial 12 weeks, will be open to charities and not-for-profit organisations across the region, to help with the costs of additional emergency services to support people affected by the virus; it will also help charities experiencing a loss of fundraising revenue to stay in business.
Please note that this fund is not open to individuals. Any individual seeking help should refer to organisations and charities in their local area which are supported by Steve Morgan Foundation.
For the duration of this grant, all other new applications will be on hold.
In order to ensure that the Steve Morgan Foundation team is free to process applications received, applications will only be accepted on line.
Visit www.stevemorganfoundation.org.uk to apply.
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Online exercise classes for the over 50s |
As an organisation whose core business is delivering exercise classes in the community to improve health and reduce social isolation for the over 50's we have had to drastically change the way we do things.
We will no longer be able to offer face to face exercise classes as of Friday 20th March 2020.
However we also understand the huge health implications of older and vulnerable people being isolated and confined to their homes for possibly months on end and we have a social responsibility to do all we can to help.
With that in mind we are going to flip our service and start delivering online exercise classes instead.
As of Monday 23rd March we have been streaming classes LIVE on Facebook at Healthiness Ltd and we have also posted short, 30 minute exercise video's on the website at www.healthinessltd.co.uk
These gentle exercise sessions can be followed by participants in their own homes with no equipment necessary to enable them to keep active and connected.
We will be offering a timetable of classes each day ranging from Chair Based exercises, Better Balance, Postural Stability, Functional Fitness, Pure Tone, Dance and many more. We have already posted 6 class videos online and the feedback has been very positive so we're hurriedly putting together as many options as we can for you.
We hope to engage with as many people as possible and would like our networks and partner organisations like yours to help us spread the word and keep people connected, healthy and stimulated throughout this period.
Live Online Class Timetable
Monday
10.00am - Boxercise & Toning
1.00pm - Escape-Pain
2.00pm - Memory Fit
Tuesday
10.00am - Toning
11.00am - Chair-Based Fitness
2.00pm - Functional Fitness
Wednesday
10.00am - Boxercise
1.00pm - Escape-Pain
2.00pm - Better Balance
Thursday
10.00am - Chair-Based Fitness
1.00pm - Active Bingo
2.00pm - Functional Fitness
Friday
10.00am - Dance & Tone
11.00am - Pure Tone
12.00pm - Core & Stretch
All sessions are available on our Facebook page. For setup instructions, please see the Healthiness Online page on our website.
As a not-for-profit organisation we rely on class income so we are asking participants to make a small donation to help business continuity and set up costs should they wish. This can be done at our GoFundMe page.
We will no longer be able to offer face to face exercise classes as of Friday 20th March 2020.
However we also understand the huge health implications of older and vulnerable people being isolated and confined to their homes for possibly months on end and we have a social responsibility to do all we can to help.
With that in mind we are going to flip our service and start delivering online exercise classes instead.
As of Monday 23rd March we have been streaming classes LIVE on Facebook at Healthiness Ltd and we have also posted short, 30 minute exercise video's on the website at www.healthinessltd.co.uk
These gentle exercise sessions can be followed by participants in their own homes with no equipment necessary to enable them to keep active and connected.
We will be offering a timetable of classes each day ranging from Chair Based exercises, Better Balance, Postural Stability, Functional Fitness, Pure Tone, Dance and many more. We have already posted 6 class videos online and the feedback has been very positive so we're hurriedly putting together as many options as we can for you.
We hope to engage with as many people as possible and would like our networks and partner organisations like yours to help us spread the word and keep people connected, healthy and stimulated throughout this period.
Live Online Class Timetable
Monday
10.00am - Boxercise & Toning
1.00pm - Escape-Pain
2.00pm - Memory Fit
Tuesday
10.00am - Toning
11.00am - Chair-Based Fitness
2.00pm - Functional Fitness
Wednesday
10.00am - Boxercise
1.00pm - Escape-Pain
2.00pm - Better Balance
Thursday
10.00am - Chair-Based Fitness
1.00pm - Active Bingo
2.00pm - Functional Fitness
Friday
10.00am - Dance & Tone
11.00am - Pure Tone
12.00pm - Core & Stretch
All sessions are available on our Facebook page. For setup instructions, please see the Healthiness Online page on our website.
As a not-for-profit organisation we rely on class income so we are asking participants to make a small donation to help business continuity and set up costs should they wish. This can be done at our GoFundMe page.
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Advice and help from The Brain Charity |
The Brain Charity building is closed at the moment to help slow the spread of COVID-19. As we're not able to meet together in person just now, we’ve moved several of our weekly, centre-based activities online and brought back some old favourites.
Weekly Calendar of Online Events:
Mondays:
Coffee Morning 10.30 – 11.30am
Shared Reading 12.30 – 1.30pm
Tuesdays:
Online Exercise 11.00am – 12.00pm
Shared Reading Group 1.00pm – 2.00pm
Wednesdays:
Knit and Natter 10.30pm – 12.30pm
Bingo 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Thursdays:
Online Exercise 11.00am – 12.00pm
DIY Cosmetics Workshop 1.00pm – 2.00pm
Shared Reading Group 1.00pm – 2.00pm
Brain e-Quiz 7.00pm – 9.00pm
Fridays:
Poetry workshop 2.00pm – 3.15pm
Saturdays
Online Exercise 11.00am – 12.00pm
Saturday Social with Kym 7.00pm – 9.00pm
If you'd like to take part in any of these activities, please email [email protected] and he will send you the login details.
New events are listed in our online calendar and on our social media as they become available, so check out what’s available there or phone our helpline for more information (0800 008 6417).
You will need to use the zoom app or software on your phone, tablet or computer to take part in many of these groups. This video meeting software is free to download from www.zoom.us . If you have any problems getting on to Zoom, please get in touch with our information team for help: [email protected]
For general information about Coronavirus from The Brain Charity visit their website here.
The Brain Charity can also help anyone with a neurological condition & their carers with shopping, collecting prescriptions, dog walking etc.
If you need help, please get in touch: Email The Brain Charity or call us free on 0800 008 6417 (Monday-Friday: 9am-4.30pm)
Weekly Calendar of Online Events:
Mondays:
Coffee Morning 10.30 – 11.30am
Shared Reading 12.30 – 1.30pm
Tuesdays:
Online Exercise 11.00am – 12.00pm
Shared Reading Group 1.00pm – 2.00pm
Wednesdays:
Knit and Natter 10.30pm – 12.30pm
Bingo 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Thursdays:
Online Exercise 11.00am – 12.00pm
DIY Cosmetics Workshop 1.00pm – 2.00pm
Shared Reading Group 1.00pm – 2.00pm
Brain e-Quiz 7.00pm – 9.00pm
Fridays:
Poetry workshop 2.00pm – 3.15pm
Saturdays
Online Exercise 11.00am – 12.00pm
Saturday Social with Kym 7.00pm – 9.00pm
If you'd like to take part in any of these activities, please email [email protected] and he will send you the login details.
New events are listed in our online calendar and on our social media as they become available, so check out what’s available there or phone our helpline for more information (0800 008 6417).
You will need to use the zoom app or software on your phone, tablet or computer to take part in many of these groups. This video meeting software is free to download from www.zoom.us . If you have any problems getting on to Zoom, please get in touch with our information team for help: [email protected]
For general information about Coronavirus from The Brain Charity visit their website here.
The Brain Charity can also help anyone with a neurological condition & their carers with shopping, collecting prescriptions, dog walking etc.
If you need help, please get in touch: Email The Brain Charity or call us free on 0800 008 6417 (Monday-Friday: 9am-4.30pm)
