Useful information for Carers

Useful information and assistance

1.Carers Leeds Advice Line remains contactable by phone (0113 380 4300) and email (advice@carersleeds.org.uk) and they have guidance for carers on their website (https://www.carersleeds.org.uk/coronavirus-guidance/) – Carer Support Workers are continuing to take referrals and are keeping in contact with carers on their caseload by phone/email – regular information and advice is being shared via Twitter and Facebook – all support groups, events, drop-ins, meetings and other face to face activities are cancelled until further notice.

2.West Yorkshire and Harrogate Partnership Unpaid Carers Programme have developed a Coronavirus ‘Plan B’ document to help carers think about the different ways and people that can help you in an emergency if you look after someone who couldn’t manage without your support.  My Coronavirus/Covid-19 'Plan B'

3.Carers UK are regularly updating their advice and guidance for carers https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/health/looking-after-your-health/coronavirus-covid-19

4.Carers UK also host an online forum and there is a section specifically on coronavirus https://www.carersuk.org/forum/44 where carers are sharing ideas and concerns – people need to join the forum to post a comment but it is easy to do so

5.Digital Resource for Carers is available free to all carers in Leeds – the resource includes online guides, online ‘building resilience’ training and the Jointly App – carers need to create an account to access the resources which you can do visiting www.carersdigital.org and using the free access code DGTL8267.

6.The council is working in partnership with Voluntary Action Leeds to provide people who are self-isolating or need practical support for example with things like shopping, fetching a prescription or walking the dog. To access this support please ring the council helpline number which is 0113 378 1877.

7. Gov.UK https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus and NHS.UK https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ regularly update advice and guidance for everyone

8. Guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19