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.

Forth Valley COVID-19 Food, Pharmacy and Essential Supplies Helplines

If you have no other means of accessing food and essential supplies these helplines can direct you to support providers in your local community.

Falkirk Council – Online form available.
Alternatively, call 0808 100 3161 (9am to 6:30pm).
A list of community support organisations in Falkirk, by area, can be found here.
Stirling Council – Residents in need of care, essential supplies or support can contact 01786 404040 and have their requirements formally recorded by Stirling Council’s community response teams.
You can also fill in their Support for People online form.
Clackmannanshire Council – First point of contact number: 01259 452275.
A list of community support organisation available in Clackmannanshire can be found here.
Neighbours Helping Neighbours’ support is available here.

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.

Please call 0300 456 1914 (option 4) if you require help or information.

Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)

For financial advice and support contact:

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

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

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.

Support for All Ages

Age Scotland provides support to older people and can be contacted Mon to Fri, 9am-5pm on 0800 12 44 222.
Young Scot has a wealth of resources to help young people understand the current situation and support their mental wellbeing during this time.
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.

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.

Are you experiencing money worries during COVID-19?

It’s normal to feel worried, anxious or down when times are hard. If you’re worried about how Coronavirus will impact your finances Scotland’s Citizens Advice Helpline provides money and welfare advice and can be contacted on: 0800 028 1456.