Support

In these scary/tough/disconnected times it’s even more important than usual to have access to support and information. This list is in no way comprehensive, but hopefully it can help point you in a useful direction and help you and those you care about get through the next few(?) weeks or months.

Quick Links:

Mad Covid Resources

Template letters for people requiring exercise more than once a day due to mental health : We have two template letters available for you to download which can then be filled in by your health professional, support worker or carer. 

Mad Covid Communication Cards : These cards can be used in situations where you are approached by people and questioned about whether you are following social distancing rules correctly. 

Covid-specific Mutual Aid

Covid-19 Mutual Aid UK : A group of volunteers aimed at supporting local community groups to organise mutual aid throughout the outbreak. Helps to connect people with local groups and shares resources for those interested in setting up new ones.

Map of COVID-19 Mutual Aid Groups : Draws together information from multiple sources, aiming to be as comprehensive as possible.

Online/Phone Support Options

NHS List of Mental Health Helplines : List of some options to speak with people in person.

Shout : 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in a crisis anytime, anywhere. Staffed by a team of volunteers. Text Shout to 85258.

For men: CALM – Campaign Against Living Miserably : Helpline and  website available from 5pm until midnight 365 days a year.

Under 25s: The Mix : Helpline, email support, 1-2-1 live chat, 24hr crisis messenger, group chats and counselling services for under 25s.

14-25 Year Olds: Hearts and Minds : A peer support charity for young people that have set up digital hangouts that are open to anyone aged 14-25 with experience of mental health difficulties, no matter where they live.

Children and Young People: Kooth : Online platform to support children and young people, including access to an online community of peers and counsellors.

Practical and Financial Support

Coronavirus and Food Banks : Regularly updated info on what’s happening in food banks around the country by the trussell trust.

Shelter’s Housing Advice: Coronavirus : Regularly updated information around eviction, rent payment problems, mortgage arrears and benefits.

Guide for Supporting Migrants During Coronavirus : Contains info, ideas and links that can be useful to migrants, refugees and people with insecure immigration status in the UK

FSB COVID-19: Advice and guidance for small businesses and the self-employed : Explains the financial help on offer, and includes a free webinar (so you don’t need to wade through lots of text)

Arts Council Covid-19 Financial Support Scheme : Arts Council England is launching a £4 million fund to enable artists and creative practitioners grants of up to £2,500 if they have a track record in ‘publicly funded culture’. This includes practitioners in the fields of music, theatre, dance, visual arts and literature. Information will be published on 30 March and potential applicants must register by Friday 3 April.

Corona Advice for Musicians : Created by Help Musicians to be a central source of support and advice for all musicians during the coronavirus period. Includes information on hardship funds and managing contractual issues.

Mental Health / Wellbeing Support

National Mind – Coronavirus and Your Wellbeing : Includes practical advice for staying at home and how to take care of your mental health

Trans Resilience in Isolation : Galop, the LGBT+ anti-violence charity have put together some info for community-specific issues relevant to the current crisis.

Beat: Eating Disorders and Coronavirus : Specific info and tips for those who are managing eating disorders whilst in isolation or doing social distancing.

OCD UK: OCD and Coronavirus Survival Tips : Tips for people who struggle with OCD on getting through the current crisis. May also be useful for anyone struggling with anxiety or health concerns.

Coping with Coronavirus Lockdown When Your Mental Health is Already Not Great: Self Injury Support’s blog aimed at people who have been struggling prior to Covid-19 (trying to avoid the anxiety-reduction 101 basics already shared by many places). 

Staying Connected

BBC’s Step by Step Guide: How to video call your family : A series of videos aimed at those who are new to video calling and want (or need) to give it a try.

NSUN’s Guide on Keeping in touch with each other when we can’t meet face to face : An overview of some of the different options, and links to tips/guidance on setting up group spaces.

Information Resources

Useful Links for Disabled People COVID-19-UK : A community generated list of resources, with a UK focus. Readers are welcome to add comments with recommended resources.

Coronavius Tech Handbook : An evolving community-generated resource (people are welcome to add to it) that includes a wealth of information around topics such as organising, event alternatives, parenting, mutual-aid, institutional responses (e.g. emergency funding) and more.

Mencap’s Easy Read Guide to Coronavirus: An easy read explanation of the Covid-19 and social distancing.

Home Start’s Support for families during COVID-19 : Information from Home Start that may be useful for families with children. Includes links to a range of activities, a planner and tips on talking with children about Covid-19 .

Things to do

ChatterPack’s list of free, online, boredom-busting resources : Does what it says on the tin, includes lots of ideas to suit a range of interests.

Effin’ Birds @EffinBirds and www.effinbirds.com
Pictures of birds and curse words

Survivors Network’s Online resources available during social distancing and self-isolation : A vast array of online resources, from web chats and support options to activities for kids and aquarium tours.

Audible – Children’s Stories : Free access to streaming children’s stories via laptop, desktop, phone or tablet whilst schools are closed.

Do Think Share – Create to Connect : #CreateToConnect
Two weeks of fun, free creative challenges to do at home, starting on 23 March 2020.

National Theatre at Home : Free full-length plays, with a new one released at 7pm every Thursday from 2 April.

Edinburgh Zoo – Live Webcams : Watch Pandas, penguins, koalas and tigers live from the Zoo (although they are having a few technical hitches)

Some twitter hashtags/accounts to pass the time:

@pandemink / #pandemink : Community drawing daily (ish) to get ourselves through the Covid19 pandemic. Use the daily randomly generated word for inspiration and check out other people’s interpretations.

#texturehuntergather : Set up by someone who struggles with anxiety and finds capturing tiny texture details in photos soothing … join in or browse

#JackMonroesLockdownLarder : @BootstrapCook is live every day at 5pm to create meals out of the random ingredients people have in their cupboards. She bills it as a Ready Steady Cook meets 28 Days Later …  just tweet her clear pics or lists of what you have.

Rai Waddingham

Rai is MadCovid’s expert assistant. She helps out editing the website, blogs and creating content. Rai compiled our Support and Information Page!

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