Coronavirus support

On this page, you will find lots of information to support you as a Carer during the pandemic and specifically during the lockdown period.

Local support services available during lockdown

This booklet has been compiled by Connect Well East Kent and covers all services available locally during lockdown.

Download Support Services available during lockdown booklet (18.12.2020)

Coronavirus information from Carers UK

Carers UK is regularly updating information for Carers: https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/coronavirus-covid-19

Looking after your mental well-being durign Coronavirus: https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-mental-wellbeing

Carers can access help from the NHS Volunteer Responders Programme

If you’re a Carer you can make a referral to the NHS Volunteer Responders Programme for someone that you care for on their behalf.

You can also make a referral for yourself, if this support helps you to continue in your caring role. Please call 0808 196 3646 to make a referral.

https://volunteering.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/nhs-volunteer-responders-portal/isolating

Support if you or the person you care for have medical conditions that make you extremely vulnerable to coronavirus

You can get coronavirus support if you or the person you care for has a medical condition that makes you extremely vulnerable to coronavirus. For example, you’ll be able to ask for help getting deliveries of essential supplies like food. If you’re not sure, register anyway. You can register yourself, or for someone else. https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable

Access to medication

If you need to get your medication without leaving home (free delivery on all NHS prescriptions), visit: https://www.pharmacy2u.co.uk/

Government advice on COVID-19

Government advice about Coronavirus, or COVID-19 is regularly being updated. You can find the latest information at https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Care home visits

All care home residents should be able to receive visits from their family and friends during lockdown following new guidance issued by the Government in place from 5 November 2020.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visiting-care-homes-during-coronavirus

Planning for Christmas

If the person you care for lives in a care home, there will be more things than usual to think about this year if you usually bring them to your home for Christmas. Government restriction aside, there may also be quarantine restrictions in place at the care home or reduced access to care providers for home-based support packages.

COVID-19 and health advice

For more information on coronavirus and health advice please visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Planning for emergencies

Check out our useful tips on planning for emergencies.