Community Wellbeing

There's never been a more important time for us to think about our wellbeing, and the wellbeing of others. This page provides many useful links that can help with the many challenges that this year has given us.

There is little doubt that the COVID 19 pandemic has had an enormous impact in all our lives: whether we are relatively young and healthy, elderly and vulnerable or have serious health issues, things have been difficult to a higher or lesser degree. Not going to school has probably had an until now, unknown effect on our youngsters as many families having to stay at home for months at a time have suffered tension and, regrettably, even domestic violence. And then there is the financial impact with its immediate and, possible, long term effects.

 Add to this the devastating effect on our businesses which have had to close or spend large amounts of money to make them Covid 19 safe.  The same can be said of many of our community groups the majority of which cater for our older residents or, as in the case of Bidford Community Library, are managed by volunteers of a “certain age”.

Fortunately, both the Government and Local Authorities have realised that help is needed and help is being offered by many bodes: from the NHS to volunteer groups.  Cllr Meredith and the Clerk have attended a COVID 19  Course, run by Warwickshire County Council and are now “official” COVID 19 COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS – if you need any help or signposting please fell free to contact either of them: Suze Meredith on 07800 873195 and Elisabeth Uggerloese on 07718 628925 – it is important that you all know that there is always someone that can help.

 Here are some links to information and/or contacts for specific problems – don’t suffer in silence and make sure you seek help.

Your Local COVID 19 Community Champions

Myth Buster: Covid-19 vaccine

It is important to check any speculative information about the vaccine with a reliable source i.e. the dedicated enquiries email address: warnoccg.vaccinecoventrywarwickshire@nhs.net. This is monitored and someone will come back to you.

  • Myth #1: Covid vaccines are unsafe because they have been fast-tracked into production
    Truth: Safe Covid vaccines have been produced quickly because of a global effort among experts. They have all focused on a single task and learned lessons from recent outbreaks of Ebola and Zika viruses.
  • Myth #2: I will be forced to take the vaccine and that infringes my human rights
    Truth: You will not be forced to take the vaccine, it is a choice. But if you choose to take the vaccine you will be protecting both yourself and the vulnerable.
  • Myth #3: Natural immunity is better than vaccine-acquired immunity so I’ll take my chances
    Truth: Re-infection with Covid is possible and we cannot predict who will get severe disease. We do know that the new vaccine protects around 90% of people so the safest option is to have it.
  • Myth #4: The vaccines are pointless unless everyone takes them
    Truth: If you are vaccinated you will be protected regardless of who else is vaccinated. But the more people who are vaccinated the better because this will protect babies and other vulnerable groups who can’t be vaccinated themselves.
  •  Myth #5: The type of vaccines for Covid have never been tried before – we’re all just guinea pigs
    Truth: mRNA vaccines have been tested on animals and were very safe and effective against influenza virus, Zika virus, rabies virus and others. mRNA vaccines have also been tested in human clinical trials to treat cancer.

Covid-19 vaccination websites now LIVE

Some webpages have been set up to help with the most common questions about the COVID vaccination, these will be on all of the CCGs websites, Warwickshire North CCG’s website, click here and for South Warwickshire CCG, click here. The information on both sites is the same and will be duplicated on Coventry and Rugby CCG website early next week, but hasn’t been possible today due to a technical issue.

We will be adding to the web pages all the time and now that the vaccination programme is gathering place locally as well as nationally, we will share vaccination centres as soon as they are available. However, it will be stressed that patients have to be invited for a vaccination, they cannot simply turn up and they should wait to be contacted.

Email for questions

There is dedicated email address for enquiries about the vaccine warnoccg.vaccinecoventrywarwickshire@nhs.net. Please make sure that all enquiries about the vaccine, vaccine delivery programme or vaccine availability are sent to this address, in order to guarantee a timely response.

Useful information for carers or those feeling lonely or isolated

To download a copy of this advice, please click this link (opens PDF).
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Help if You Are Caring for a Family Member or Friend

For many people a carer is someone who is paid to care for another person in their home or in a care home. However, if you look after a friend or family member who couldn’t cope without your help, then you are a carer. It is important that you look after your wellbeing as well as the person you care for.

Warwickshire Carer Wellbeing Service (Carers Trust Heart of England)

  • This Service provides emotional and practical support to help people care for someone and maintain their health and wellbeing.

  • A wellbeing check can be done for carers to identify any needs they may have and also provide signposting to other agencies to help support the person they care for.

  • A community-focused service helps the person with a caring responsibility have access to local agencies who can help with shopping, collecting prescriptions and other practical help.

  • If circumstances means you must leave your family member for a short period of time, the CRESS service may be able to help.

    The helpline can provide a listening ear to talk through problems and provide reassurance.

    Helpline: 02476 632972 (opt 2) Opening times: Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm. Email: carerssupport@carerstrusthofe. org.uk

    Website: www.carerstrusthofe.org.uk/warwickshire-carer-wellbeing- service/

    Mobilise provides information and support on COVID-19 to carers. There is currently a ‘virtual cuppa’ for carers at 4pm each day – where carers are invited to link up with each other via laptops, tablets and smartphones to share ideas, news and have a laugh, which is proving very popular visit the website to sign up. Website: www.mobiliseonline.co.uk/cuppa

    Care Companion is a free online resource, developed by carers for carers. It is confidential with reliable resources and information tailored to the care needs of their loved ones. Website: www.carecompanion.org.uk

Dementia Connect in Warwickshire can support people with dementia and people caring for those with dementia. The service can help you understand how dementia can affect your loved one and how you can help and support them. For more information and support visit www.alzheimers.org.uk/dementiaconnect or call 0333 150 3456

NHS Mental Health Access Hub - Available 24/7 if you need advice and / or support for an urgent issue such as if a person with dementia is at immediate risk or displaying behaviours that are hard to manage, please call 0300 200 0011

However, if the person with dementia is already receiving services from Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust and it is between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday, please call the NHS Dementia Service Duty Worker for the local area instead of the Mental Health Access Hub. For Stratford District call 01926 450660

Mental Health Matters emotional and mental health - The helpline is available 24/7 and can support you if you are a carer and your mental health is being affected by your caring responsibilities. If you are feeling low, anxious or stressed, socially isolated or finding it difficult to cope, support is available.Telephone: 0800 616 171 Free phone number for mobiles to call: 0300 330 5487 Online web chat: www.mhm.org.uk/helpline-webchat

Cruse - Offers information and support to all those affected by bereavement. Helpline: 0808 808 1677

If you need someone to chat to...

The pandemic has resulted in lockdowns, social distancing and clinically vulnerable people staying at home for long periods. Many of the regular activities we did and social connections we had before the pandemic stopped suddenly which has caused an increase in many people spending more time on their own. The organisations listed below can help if you feel a bit lonely and would like to talk to someone.

Age UK Coventry & Warwickshire’s Befriending Service provides regular contact to over 70s, reducing loneliness and social isolation.
If you or someone you know would benefit from a weekly or fortnightly telephone call 01926 458 113 or email befriending@ageukcovwarks.org.uk

If you feel you could do with more conversation in your life, Independent Age can connect you with a trained volunteer who’s good company and wants to chat. If you’d like a regular call (weekly, fortnightly or monthly) contact Independent Age on 0800 319 6789.

Reengage supports older people who live alone and find it hard to get out in normal times. The call companion service offers older people who are feeling alone a regular friendly phone call throughout the coronavirus crisis and beyond. To request a call companion call 0800 716543 or fill in the online form https://www.reengage.org.uk/join-a-group/

Timebanks are a way for people to help others in their community and be rewarded for it – in time. For every hour you give helping someone, you receive one hour – a time credit - back. Everyone’s time is valued equally so one hour of sharing skills or helping others is recognised by giving that person one hour as a time credit. Contact the local timebroker on 07419 373680 for more information.

Going online

Ability Net can help you set up new equipment, fix technical issues, show you how to stay connected to family and use online services. Call 0800 048 7642 or visit https://abilitynet.org.uk/

You might be surprised at how much you’re able to do on the internet. You can connect with friends and family, carry out tasks like shopping and banking, and access services such as the GP surgery and the local council. The internet can also be a great source of entertainment and education, with sites like the BBC Archive https://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/

Getting out and about

The UBUS service is a dial a ride service operating in Stratford District for anyone
who is stuck for transport to travel locally on Mondays to Fridays. The service is for you if you cannot access public transport because of mobility problems or you live in an area with limited public transport or no bus service at all. You can travel between 9:30am and 7:00pm. To register and pre-book your journey call 01789 264491.

Mobile Library - A reduced Mobile Library Service is currently in operation. Library staff can select up to 4 books per customer to be collected from over 150 designated locations around Warwickshire.

To arrange a collection of books, please contact the Mobile Library Team on 01926 851031 or mobilelibraryservice@warwickshire.gov.uk

Charlotte Temple on 07795 367825 charlotte.temple@uhcw.nhs.uk

Pam Martin on 024 7696 5833 pamela.martin@uhcw.nhs.uk

Other useful resources are:

Useful articles for supporting a griever:

Warwickshire’s Local Welfare Scheme can offer help to vulnerable families and individuals particularly affected by the pandemic this winter with access to

  • Food
  • Energy bills
  • Water bills

Contact the Scheme to find out more about this and other support by calling 0800 408 1448 or 01926 359182 or visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/localwelfarescheme

Advice to support your Health, Wealth, Housing and Wellbeing

  • Citizens Advice South Warwickshire  0300 330 1183 or email via the website www.casouthwarwickshire.org.uk
  • National Debtline  Call 0808 808400 or visit www.nationaldebtline.org
  • Citysave Credit Union Ltd – have you thought about using a Credit Union? They provide an alternative to high street banks, payday loans & other lender. Citysave is a modern credit union providing services online.  To find out how they can help you call 0121 616 6200 or visit www.citisave,org,.uk

Are you worried you might lose your home? – Preventing Homelessness Improving Lives (p.h.i.l.) prevents people losing their home by tackling the early warning signs.

  • Lost your job
  • In debt
  • Missing rent [payments
  • Asked to leave your home

Don’t want for your problem to become a crisis? p.h.i.l. can help. Call 01788 533644 or 01788 533646 or contact via Facebook: fb.me/preventinghomelessness

Is your child entitled to Free School Meals? To apply visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/education-learning/apply-free-school-meals If your application is successful, your child(ren) will be eligible for free school meals until at least summer 2023. For more information contact WCC on 01926 359189 or email freemeals@warwickshire.gov.uk

Support for Families – the Family Information Service provides a range of information, advice and 1:1 support for families. Call 01926 742274 or visit https://warwickshire.gov.uk/fis

Support for Young People

  • Rise  provides emotional wellbeing and mental health services for children and young people: https://cwrise.com/ Contact the Rise Team on 02476 641799 between 8.00 am and 8.00 pm or on 0300 200 0011 outside these hours
  • Chat Health  - a text messaging service that enables young people between the ages of 11 and 19 to speak to a member of the school nursing team.  You will get a reply within 24 hours between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays) Text 07507 331525
  • The Dimentions Tool – free online personalised information to support a persons/s wellbeing and mental health https://cwrise.com/dimensions-tool

Take care of Your Mental Wellbeing

  • Wellbeing for Warwickshire – telephone support to anyone in need of contact. Call 024 7771 2288 or email wbw@cwmind.org.uk
  • Samaritans if you are having a difficult time, whatever you are going through a Samaritan will face it with you. Call 116 123 any time, day or night, 365 days a year
  • Mental health Helpline and webchat Available 24/7.  Call 0800 616 171 or via the Time Online Webchat www.mhm.org.uk/coventry-warwickshire-helpline
  • Togetherall – an online community sharing what is troubling them, guided by trained professionals. www.togetherall.com

For more information and further resources visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/mentalhealth

Hardship Support in Warwickshire leaflet  available at https://api.warwickshire.gov.uk/documents/WCCC-1980322935-1767