John McDonnell MP
Dear Colleague,
As you may be aware, I contacted community organisations at the beginning of the Coronavirus outbreak to establish what support is being provided and where the possible gaps are in terms of practical support during the Coronavirus outbreak.
My focus is on how we can support those that are most vulnerable to the virus, including many elderly people and those that have other health conditions or disabilities that put them at risk. In addition, as people self-isolate there will increasingly be issues of what financial support is available and how food supplies and other essentials are secured.
The response has been overwhelming. There has been incredible acts of kindness, support and community spirit
There are several groups and lots of individuals undertaking fantastic work. I wish to personally thank them for all they are doing for our community.
As the local MP, I am maintaining regular contact with the CCG, Hillingdon Hospital, care homes and other relevant agencies to get regular updates and to offer assistance.
I wish to also extend my sincere gratitude to all key workers for keeping us safe, keeping us well and for continuing to deliver essential services in very difficult circumstances
Information relating to volunteering, seeking support and advice during this time can be a bit sketchy and so I have put together links to reputable sources of advice which I hope is helpful.
I have also put together some links to craft activities, concerts, educational and environmental activities and other pursuits that may be of interest to you
Stay well and stay safe
Yours,
John
McDonnell MP
Local Support & Volunteering
H4All
We have to be mindful that vulnerable people need to be protected from opportunistic crime. It is agreed that a coordinated, central point for people to volunteer and to receive support is helpful.
The council is working with H4All, a partnership between five of Hillingdon’s leading charities, to provide support to the most vulnerable members of our community at this difficult time.
If you are unable to leave the house because you’re ill, because of your caring role or if you are self-isolating due to the coronavirus and do not have a friend, neighbour or family member available to support you, then we can offer peace of mind.
Services include:
- help with food shopping – if you are unable to find a neighbour, friend or family member who is available to shop for you, then we can help to ensure you get a food delivery.
- emergency food parcels – H4All can deliver a box of essential food items to eligible residents.
- prescriptions – we can help you to register with your local pharmacy and arrange for regular prescriptions to be delivered to your door, to ensure you have a supply of essential medicines for yourself or the person you care for.
- a regular telephone call – if you are feeling lonely and isolated or struggling with your emotions during this time, then we can call you for a friendly chat, as frequently as you need, to see how you are getting on.
- information and advice – our skilled advice team will contact you on the telephone to support you through the complexities of the welfare benefits system, if you are eligible to claim, we will help with your claim and answer your questions
- dog walking and posting mail – if you need someone to walk your dog or to post letters we can help.
If you are on a special diet for medical reasons or need essential equipment, we will do our very best to help. This is a free service, with the exception of food shopping, which will be arranged individually.
If you would like to use this service, email COVID19Hub@hillingdon.gov.uk or call 020 3949 5786 from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday (10am to 2pm weekends and bank holidays).
Please fill in the online form if you want to volunteer to help www.hillingdon.gov.uk/community-support
NHS Volunteer Responders
You can sign up to volunteer for tasks such as delivering medicines from pharmacies, driving patients to appointments, making phone calls to check on people https://www.goodsamapp.org/NHS
Hillingdon Council
https://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/coronavirus
Your Local Councillors
To find the contact details of your local elected councillor
https://modgov.hillingdon.gov.uk/mgFindMember.aspx
Assistance with Meals
Petito can provide a hot or frozen meal service to residents in need https://hillingdon.gov.uk/article/3959/Meals-service
Hillingdon Food Bank welcomes any support that can be afforded at this time. https://hillingdon.foodbank.org.uk/
Citizens’ Advice:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/health/coronavirus-what-it-means-for-you/
Hillingdon Womens Centre
Our one-to-one support service will be available Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. Women can contact us at
01895 259 578
info@hillingdonwomenscentre.org
Facebook Messenger: https://www.facebook.com/HillingdonWomen/
Twitter: @HillingdonWomen
Instagram: hillingdonwomen
The Traveller Movement
They offer advocacy, support and advice
https://travellermovement.org.uk/covid-19
Health and Wellbeing
NHS Coronavirus helpline
This is the official NHS website that contains all necessary health related information and advice on Coronavirus.
Health Advice Sheets in Different Languages
(Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Dari, English, Farsi, French, Hindi, Kurdish, Malayalam, Mandarin, Pashto, Portuguese, Somali, Spanish, Tigrinya, Turkish, Urdu and Vietnamese), please click here:
https://www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/coronavirus-information/
Government Information – support as a clinically extremely vulnerable person: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable
Age UK:
Asthma UK:
https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/coronavirus-covid-19/
Diabetes UK:
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/coronavirus
Macmillan Cancer Support
https://www.macmillan.org.uk/coronavirus
MIND ‘Coronavirus and your wellbeing’:
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/
Mental Health at Work
Autistica – Autism Research Charity
some resources for autistic and neurodivergent people who are finding this period especially difficult.
https://www.autistica.org.uk/what-is-autism/coronavirus
https://www.autistica.org.uk/what-is-autism/coping-with-uncertainty
Hillingdon Council Advice About Domestic Abuse
https://hillingdon.gov.uk/abuse
National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Women Only)
Freephone: 0808 2000 247
http://www.nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk/
Domestic Advice Line (Men Only)
Freephone: 0808 801 0327
http://www.mensadviceline.org.uk/
Shelter
https://england.shelter.org.uk/get_help/local_services/manchester
Telephone: 0344 515 1640
Streetlink – Assistance for Rough Sleepers
0300 500 0914
Local Businesses, Self Employed
& Finances
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
This is the Government’s main site listing all nationally available packages of support to businesses, and how to apply.
HMRC Tax Helpline
The official helpline to support businesses and self-employed people concerned about not being able to pay their tax due to Coronavirus.
Phone: 0800 024 1222 (Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm)
ACAS – information for advice for employers and employees: https://www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus
Federation of Small Businesses
The Federation is a well-established non-profit organisation that campaigns on behalf of its members. They are nationally recognised experts in business and have set up a Coronavirus page on their website with advice and guidance specifically for small and medium size businesses and self-employed workers. They also offer a free webinar (on demand) that explains what financial assistance is available.
https://www.fsb.org.uk/campaign/covid19.html
Health & Safety Executive:
https://www.hse.gov.uk/news/coronavirus.htm
TUC:
https://www.tuc.org.uk/resource/covid-19-coronavirus-guidance-unions
Department for Work and Pensions (Benefits)
This is the official DWP website for claiming benefits including Universal Credit:
https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/coronavirus/
Local Credit Unions
Hillingdon Credit Union
http://www.hillingdoncu.co.uk/
m4money Credit Union
Turn2us – Charity providing help to those who are financially struggling
- Benefits Calculator so that people can work out what they are eligible for (coronavirus updated)
- Grants Search – containing over 1,700 charitable grants searchable by profession, health condition, location and age)
- Information pages on benefits and grants (including additional rights due to coronavirus)
In addition we offer a helpline to people who are digitally excluded:
- 0808 802 2000 (Mon-Fri 9:00-17:30)
In the coming days we will be opening a specialist grant fund for people affected by coronavirus funded by our crisis appeal Stand Together, which has enabled us to increase our support during this unprecedented time of need: turn2us.org.uk/together
Support for Parents, Carers and Teachers
List of Key Workers
This is the current official Government list of key workers. If your work is critical to the COVID-19 response, or you work in one of the critical sectors listed below, and you cannot keep your child safe at home then your children will be prioritised for education provision:
Educational Psychology Service – Telephone helpline for parents and carers
Hillingdon Educational Psychology Service is providing a helpline for any parent or carer of children, who feel they would benefit from a consultation with a psychologist to support them with any concerns arising at this time, for them or their families. The concerns may be related to school or family life.
Areas of concern you may wish to discuss may include: ● Anxiety around the current situation and its impact on your children and family; ● Supporting you to support your children’s emotional needs; ● Concerns about friendships, learning, daily structure and activities; ● The impact of change, loss or bereavement; ● How to best look after yourself so you can look after your children.
If you would like to access this service, please email educationalpsychologyservice@hillingdon.gov.uk with the following:
- Your name; ● The telephone number you would like to be contacted on; ● The name of your child’s school; ● Times and dates you are not available for a consultation; ● A brief description of what you would like to focus on in the consultation.
We will aim to get back to you within two working days to confirm a date and time for your consultation. The consultation service will, as far as possible, be confidential.
Mental Health and wellbeing Resources from Mentally Healthy Schools
Education Support
Helpline is free and available to all teachers, lecturers and staff in education (primary, secondary, further or higher education) in England, Wales and Scotland
24/7, 365 days a year.
Call 08000 562 561
Text 07909341229
https://www.educationsupport.org.uk/helping-you/telephone-support-counselling
Department for Education Helpline
Available for parents, young people and staff to ask any questions about COVID-19 and education and children’s social care.
Phone: 0800 046 8687 (Open: 8am to 6pm Monday-Friday and 10am to 4pm Saturday-Sunday)
DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk
Children’s Commissioner:
https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/coronavirus/
Guidance for schools, colleges and local authorities on maintaining educational provision: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision
How to Stay in Touch
Large numbers of people are self-isolating or are confined to their homes. It is vital that people with low or no digital skills can keep in touch with family and friends and access health services.
The spread of the coronavirus presents significant challenges to small businesses.
Families with children at home from school need to get the best out of technology to help their children to learn and play. And many people need support as they work from home for the first time.
Working in partnership with digital skills organisations, BT Skills for Tomorrow has free resources and information to help people with each of these challenges
Activities for During the Lockdown
Home-Start
Home-Start have created some activities and resources for families during self- isolation
https://www.home-start.org.uk/news/activities-for-families-during-self-isolation
Netmums
https://www.netmums.com/coronavirus/tag/things-to-do-at-home
Craft club – Adults and Children
https://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/what-we-do/craft-club/
Young Traveller Times
An online magazine made by young gypsy, Roma and Travellers for young gypsy, Roma and Travellers
https://www.travellerstimes.org.uk/ytt
Travellers Times Educational Resources https://www.travellerstimes.org.uk/ytt/features/bank-free-educational-resources-kids-can-use-while-schools-are-closed
Audible Stories
For as long as schools are closed, children can stream a collection of stories, including titles across six different languages. All stories are free to stream on your desktop, laptop, phone or tablet.
https://stories.audible.com/start-listen
Scouts
The Scouts have pulled together some indoor activity ideas. These activities are free but donations are welcome!
https://www.scouts.org.uk/the-great-indoors/
National Geographic Kids
Activities and quizzes for younger kids.
UN Environmental Programme
https://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories/story/celebrate-your-love-ocean-virtually
Nature Detectives
A lot of these can be done in a garden, or if you can get to a remote forest location!
naturedetectives.woodlandtrust.org.uk
Wildlife Trust webcams
https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/webcams
RSPB
https://www.rspb.org.uk/fun-and-learning/for-kids/facts-about-nature/
https://www.rspb.org.uk/fun-and-learning/for-kids/games-and-activities/
Stargazing
Gardners World Magazine
https://www.gardenersworld.com/
VR Museum Tours
Google Arts & Culture teamed up with over 2500 museums and galleries around the world to bring anyone and everyone virtual tours and online exhibits of some of the most famous museums around the world
travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours
NHS Home workout videos
https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/for-your-body/move-more/home-workout-videos/
New Free Courses and hobbies
Activities with Celebrities
- 9am – PE with Joe Wicks
- 10am – Maths with Carol Vorderman
- 11am – English with David Walliams
- 12pm – Lunch with Jamie Oliver
- 1pm – Music with Myleene Klass
- 30pm – Dance with Darcey Bussel
- pm – History with Dan Snow (free for 30-days)
- 4pm – Home Economics with Theo Michaels (Mon/Wed/Fri)
National Theatre
Every Thursday, the National Theatre are streaming a new play that is available for a week
The Royal Opera House
The Royal Opera House have launched a programme of free online broadcasts and live content
https://www.roh.org.uk/streaming
The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
You can stream concerts at
https://www.liverpoolphil.com/the-orchestra/live-streamed-concerts/
Sofa Singers
The Sofa Singers is a free weekly online singing event hosted by James Sills
https://www.thesofasingers.com/
London Symphony Orchestra
London Symphony Orchestra Each Sunday and Thursday (from 22 March) will be streaming a concert from our archive on their YouTube channel.
https:lso.co.uk/whats-on/2019-20-season/alwaysplaying.html