Get coronavirus support as a clinically extremely vulnerable person
If you have a medical condition which makes you extremely vulnerable to coronavirus (COVID-19), register and tell the Government whether or not you need support.
You may have received a letter from the NHS telling you that you’re clinically extremely vulnerable, or been contacted by your GP or hospital clinician. If this has not happened, contact your GP or clinician after you register with this service.
It may take time for any support offered through this service to arrive. Wherever possible you should continue to rely on friends, family and wider support to help you meet your needs. (You’ll be asked for your NHS number but you can still register if you do not have it. You can find it on any letter the NHS has sent you or on a prescription.)
You can register yourself, or on behalf of someone else: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable
Hierarchy of Help
Whilst you are self-isolating and want help or support with shopping, picking up a prescription, or just want a chat to beat the boredom, it is recommend you seek help in this order:
- FIRST: From Friends and Family, or local community groups you are part of
- SECOND: From Castle Point Association of Voluntary Services
- THIRD: From new local community volunteer groups who offer support
- FOURTH: From the Essex Welfair Service
Friends & Family
Don’t be afraid to ask friends and family who are under 70 and do not have health conditions to do your grocery shopping or pick up medicines for you. They will not get in trouble for leaving their house to get those things for you, but make sure you keep your distance from them when they deliver to you.
Castle Point Association of Voluntary Services
If you need assistance and trusted friends or family are unable to help, then the Castle Point Association of Voluntary Services should be your first port of call.
CAVS are being supported by both Essex County Council & Castle Point Council to coordinate assistance for those who are self-isolating. Their volunteers are trained and are vetted by the national ‘Disclosure and Barring Service’.
They can help with…
- Shopping deliveries
- Prescription pick-ups
- A good chat for those who want one
Contact details...
- Telephone hotline: 01268 214000 (open 9:00AM-5:00PM Monday-Friday)
- Email: wellness@cavsorg.uk
Essex Welfare Service
In response to the Coronavirus crisis, Essex Welfare Service has been set up to support the most vulnerable in our community. Designed for people who are without the support of family, friends or neighbours we are co-ordinating requests and referrals for support and connecting them to volunteers who want to do their bit at this exceptional time of need.
- Need help? Call on 0300 303 9988
- Or their website to request support: www.essexwelfareservice.org.uk
New Local Facebook Community groups & volunteers
A number of new groups have been set up by community minded people to assist those in their neighbourhood and our wider community. Essex County Council’s ‘Essex Coronavirus Action Support’ initiative and the Castle Point Association of Voluntary Services are looking to coordinate and support these local groups and their volunteers whilst ensuring that people are kept safe. https://facebook.com/groups/essexcoronavirusactionsupport/
If you are on Facebook there are some local community groups that also offer assistance with picking up prescriptions and other essentials. These Facebook groups include the ‘Benfleet Community Helpers’ and the ‘Canvey Island Coronavirus Support’ group. You may have also received a leaflet through your door. It is likely that it is just a concerned neighbour looking to help. However make sure you do not take any risks and take precautions to ensure your own safety, like not allowing strangers into your home or paying them for food deliveries or transport, before they are delivered.
You should also make sure you contact the Castle Point Association of Voluntary Services and friends or family to seek their advice and let them know the contact details of person who has offered help.
**BEWARE OF CORONAVIRUS SCAMS**
Always follow Government advice. Use local council websites, local council services and trusted charities like Age UK.
- Be careful on social media, especially with coronavirus response groups springing up.
- Be as careful as you would normally be… don’t be side-tracked or rush into decisions.
- Don’t purchase items from your doorstep or respond to surveys.
- Contact your local councillors or MP if urgent.
TRADING STANDARDS ADVICE
- Don’t draw attention to the passer-by that you are self-isolating (signs in windows).
- Don’t give bank details, cash, credit or debit card information to strangers to do shopping etc.
- Don’t buy cures and medicines online.
- Don’t buy soaps and sanitizers from unknown sources.
- Buy all products from known sources.
- Trust and seek help from family and friends.