Helpline for those at high COVID-19 risk

A new national helpline is being set up to provide essential assistance to those who don’t have a network of support but who are at high risk of contracting COVID-19. The service will offer help to those who do not have family or existing community support and cannot get online and who are over 70, disabled, require the support of mental health services, are pregnant or receive a flu jab for health reasons.

The helpline – 0800 111 4000 – will initially operate during core working hours of 09:00 to 17:00 while plans are developed and implemented to extend it to operate for a longer period each day.

Local Council Support

Local councils in the Forth Valley area have set up support pages on their websites to help the most vulnerable people in their area. This includes access to food, medication and other essential supplies.

COVID-19 Response – Community Grants

NHS Forth Valley’s Health Promotion department has set up a new community grants scheme to help local organisations and community groups across Forth Valley improve mental health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For advice on how to complete the application form or to ask if your activity meets the criteria, please email: fv-uhb.hpgrants@nhs.net.

Support for Carers

Telephone support continues to be available for carers feeling particularly stressed at this time. More information is available here.

British Red Cross Mobility Aids Scotland

The Red Cross Mobility Aids service are now operating a delivery only service for wheelchairs and mobility aids due to the current health situation.

Financial Advice and Support

Scotland’s Citizens Advice Helpline provides money and welfare advice and can be contacted on: 0800 028 1456. For local advice and support contact:

Falkirk – Phone: 01324 626070
Stirling – Phone: 01786 470239
Alloa – Phone: 01259 219404

CSREC Wellbeing Emergency Grant – funding is available to financially support those from ethnic minority communities who are struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please contact meghan@csrec.org.uk if you are interested in applying.

Health and Wellbeing

During the pandemic, it’s important to have the right information. Getting news from unreliable sources can make you feel more upset and anxious, which is unhelpful when it comes to mental wellbeing. Reliable sources, like the NHS and the Scottish Government, will help you to stay calm and safe.

NHS Inform has a lot of useful links to information sources including NHS 24, the Scottish Government and Ready Scotland. This page is a great resource for keeping you informed, connected and healthy.
The Mental Health Foundation also has some useful resources for looking after your mental health during this time.
Clear Your Head Scotland has a range of tips and ideas to help you keep a clear head during these uncertain times.
Mental Welfare Commission has advice for people using services and their family/carers.
Online Therapy Sessions are now available where people can watch video clips, complete exercises and learn CBT techniques that can help with depression and anxiety. Anyone who wants to be referred to the programme should contact their local GP practice.

Alcohol Advice – If you are you worried about your own or someone else’s drinking during the coronavirus outbreak visit nhsinform.scot/covid-19-alcohol-advice for support and advice.

Drug Use Concerns – If you are concerned about your substance use or someone else’s, visit nhsinform.scot/covid-19-drug-advice for details of support services.

Stop Smoking support – People who smoke are more likely to suffer from health issues and can also suffer more harmful symptoms from a COVID-19 infection. If you have concerns about smoking and would like help to quit visit nhsinform.scot/covid-19-tobacco-advice.

Talk to Someone

The Samaritans are providing over the phone support to those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can call them free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.
Breathing Space are also available Mon-Thurs 6pm to 2am and Fri 6pm-Mon 6am and you can contact them free on 0800 83 85 87.

Adults, Parents, Children and Young People

Age Scotland provides support to older people and can be contacted Mon to Fri, 9am-5pm on 0800 12 44 222.
Young Scot – Find out more about what’s happening and the simple steps you can take to help prevent catching COVID-19 and spreading to others. Also find out more about what you can do if you are feeling anxious and worried, and how you can support others in your community.
Childline has a dedicated coronavirus page which includes advice on how to cope if you are staying at home. Please also note that Childline have reduced their hours of operation and their phone line/online chat service is now available 9.00am – midnight.
Parent Club now features a dedicated coronavirus hub offering advice and support to parents as they face the many
challenges of this pandemic.
Advice for parents during coronavirus – this poster has some usual information in the event of your child becoming unwell from a non-coronavirus illness.
Anxiety & COVID-19 – We know that this is very stressful and anxious time for many and we have put together a list of resources to help support children, young people, and their parents/carers during this uncertain time.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child – A guide for children and young people.
The Breastfeeding Network and Unicef – Resources on breastfeeding and early relationship building with parents.
First Steps Nutrition – Information and resources to support eating well from pre-conception to five years.

Looking After Yourself

Our Nutrition pages have lots of national and local signposting information about healthy eating and nutrition.
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland have an advice line for people to get help and you can call their volunteer team on 0808 801 0899.
Our Choose to Lose pages having useful information for staying fit and healthy during this time. The What’s on in my local area? section has links to various physical activity programmes in your area.