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To keep you up to date, the UK Government has launched a Coronavirus Information Service on WhatsApp.
If you need help with transport to a vaccination appointment, you can contact your local community transport provider or Good Neighbour group. Many are offering vaccination transport services. Residents living in the Hampshire County Council area can also call the Coronavirus Support and Helpline for advice.
Hampshire County Council has a helpline for residents who need support or advice.
Portsmouth City Council helpline and advice
Southampton City Council helpline and advice
Need help from an NHS volunteer responder? If you are vulnerable or at risk, are currently not supported and need some help with shopping, a prescription collection or a friendly chat, you can request help from an NHS responder by calling 0808 196 3646.
Councils of Voluntary Services (CVS) in Hampshire are leading in the co-ordination of the county's community volunteering response. You can contact them if you need support at this time. They are also actively seeking volunteers.
District and Borough Councils
You can also search for a local group on the national Covid-19 Mutual Aid UK website.
Armed Forces and Veterans
Hampshire County Council has a helpline for residents who need help or advice.
Portsmouth City Council helpline and advice
Southampton City Council helpline and advice
Financial support if you have to self-isolate
The £500 Test and Trace Support Payment is for people on low incomes who have to self-isolate due to coronavirus (COVID-19). You may be eligible if you are employed or self-employed, cannot work from home, and will lose income as a result. You can only apply if you’ve been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, notified to self-isolate by the NHS COVID-19 app, or you’re the parent or guardian of a child who has been told to self-isolate.
Shopping / prescription collection:
Meals
Telephone befriending services:
Many local groups and organisations are also now offering befriending and wellbeing telephone calls. See "Who to contact for help in Hampshire", above, for contact details of your local CVS who should be able to refer you to an appropriate service.
Online chat forums:
Staying well:
Looking after your health is even more important during this current pandemic. It is important that you still access health services when you need to. More information about using the NHS and other health services during coronavirus
At the same time, there are some simple things you can do to avoid preventable hospital admission. Exercising, eating well, staying hydrated and removing trip hazards around your home will help you to protect yourself and the NHS.
Financial support if you are self-isolating
You may be eligible for the Government's £500 Test and Trace Support Payment.
Debt and financial hardship advice
- Citizens Advice
- National Debtline
- Money Advice Service
- Business Debtline - debt help for the self-employed and small businesses
- Christians Against Poverty - debt counselling for anyone, regardless of faith.
- Central Government advice
- DWP Benefits information
- DWP Benefits information in BSL
Housing
Food hardship
Fuel hardship
Work and financial support
Mental health and debt
Further information
Find more information about advice, support and local welfare assistance
Looking after your mental health is more important than ever at this time. We have put together a list of local and national information to support your mental health. There is a range of options and you can find the best one for you.
There are also specialist services in some areas of the county:
Looking after your body is important for your mental wellbeing:
If someone you know (perhaps an elderly relative, friend or neighbour) does not already use the internet, now is the perfect time to help them get online or to become more confident. The internet has many benefits for older people, from increasing their independence to helping with their physical and mental health.
If they have access to a device, there are a lot of resources which you can use to help them:
Find more computer help in our community directory.
Hampshire Superfast Broadband - If your property is not included in the current superfast broadband programme and you can only access a speed of 2Mbps or less, there is a government scheme in place to help you access better broadband.
The major banks, as well as the Post Office, are developing ways to assist customers with their banking needs, managing money and accessing cash at this time.
Email carer.involvement@southernhealth.nhs.uk to join and get involved.
Our Autism and Learning disabilities pages have information and advice as well as signposting to local and national support services.
Hampshire County Council have launched a helpline for frail and vulnerable residents who are in urgent need of practical assistance.
Asthma
Cancer
COPD/ Emphysema/ Bronchitis
Cystic Fibrosis
Diabetes
Dementia
HIV
Kidney Disease
Liver disease
Muscular Dystrophy
Neurological disease
Sickle Cell
Some people who have tested positive for COVID-19 go on to experience ‘Long COVID’, which means they are unable to shake off the effects of the virus months after initially falling ill.
Symptoms can be wide-ranging and fluctuating, including breathlessness, chronic fatigue, ‘brain fog’, anxiety and stress.
The NHS has established nationwide sites to help combat Long COVID.
The service offers:
Contact your GP if you think you have Long COVID. They can refer you to the NHS Long COVID service.
Hampshire's Domestic Abuse Service is continuing to provide help to people experiencing domestic abuse via phone, email and online. The telephone helpline can be accessed on 03300 165 112 and will be staffed from 11.30am to 2.30pm Monday to Friday. A face to face support option is not available during this time but access to refuge, for those with urgent needs, will still be available 24/7.
The Government has issued guidance on domestic abuse: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and domestic abuse. This contains links to national helplines and resources.
Anyone in immediate danger is urged to call 999 and ask for the police, who are continuing to respond to emergency calls.
If speaking may put you in danger, call 999 from a mobile. If prompted, press 55 to Make Yourself Heard and this will transfer your call to the police. Pressing 55 only works on mobiles and does not allow police to track your location.
See further information on our Domestic abuse page.
If you need support at this time for issues relating to drugs or alcohol, information and advice along with links to services and support can be found on our Health and Wellbeing Advice page.
Household emergencies:
Household emergencies – who to call:
If you are considering volunteering, please see advice from the Government on ways to volunteer and how to support safe and effective volunteering.
Anyone whose volunteering role brings them into contact with potentially vulnerable people may find it useful to complete our free 'Trigger Tool' e-Learning. This will help you to recognise possible signs or situations which may trigger a concern around someone’s safety, independence or physical / mental wellbeing and provide information and guidance on what support is available.
You can download audio books and e books FOR FREE from Hampshire libraries.
Project Gutenberg have created a free e-book library of 60,000 classic books.
You can improve your skills by accessing free, high quality digital and numeracy courses via The Skills Toolkit.
There are numerous free online events taking place - from concerts and comedy gigs to exercise and dance classes and even virtual pub nights where you can join in and chat. Use your search engine to find one which suits your interests or keep an eye on social media.
Finally, we like this resource page of boredom busting resources to keep you entertained and educated!