I need some help

We know that this is a difficult time for everyone and that no one in the community remains unaffected by this global emergency. That said, the current situation will leave some of our residents in greater need of support with their daily lives, whether this be help with shopping or a listening ear. If you are one of these residents, the Community Support Hub is here to help.
The Hub is open five days a week, from Monday to Thursday 8:30am to 5pm and on Fridays 8:30am to 4:30pm and has already been used to help hundreds of local people. You can ask for help from our Community Support Hub service here. Although the Hub is open during office hours there is provision for out of hours emergencies.
Many local community groups have been set up to help and you can find your local community support groups and what they can help you with here.
Food, Prescriptions and Assistance
- COVID Winter Grant Scheme and other financial support
- Universal Credit
- Food banks and meal services
- NHS Volunteer Responders are delivering food, prescriptions and essential items purchased by vulnerable residents, if needed. The organisation can be contacted on 0808 196 3646 (8am to 8pm).
- Berkshire Age UK's Easy Shop can provide a shopping service for £6 per shop to people over 60 years old who find accessing the internet difficult. Contact Easy Shop on tel 01635 522255 or email easyshop@ageukberkshire.org.uk.
- Free NHS prescription delivery service from Lloyd's Pharmacy
- Apply for Test and Trace Support Payment
- Transportation and mobility services from Volunteer Centre West Berkshire
Domestic Violence - We know all too well that periods of enhanced stress can put an even greater strain on our domestic relationships, which can lead to an increase in domestic violence incidents. If this is something that is affecting you, please know that help will always be available to you. The information in these leaflets will let you know who to contact and what to do if you feel unsafe. There is never an excuse for domestic violence.
West Berkshire support and guidance for coronavirus and domestic abuse [251kb]
Coronavirus and Domestic Abuse: Further West Berkshire Support and Guidance [334kb]
- Flag DV - Free Legal Advice Group for Domestic Violence
Victims of Domestic Abuse can now access the new codeword scheme, 'Ask for ANI' (Action Needed Immediately). This enable victims of domestic abuse to access immediate help from the police or other support services, from the safety of their local pharmacy. Participating pharmacies will have the Ask for ANI symbol on display so please keep an eye out if you need immediate help.
Coronavirus Guidance - Families and Individuals
- National Lockdown guidance
- Covid-19 local cases data
- NHS Test and Trace app
- Latest NHS information and advice
- Check your symptoms: NHS 111 (NHS)
- Book a free test (NHS)
- Follow the latest self-isolation advice (NHS)
Covid-19 (Coronavirus) - quick guide for parents and carers [1Mb]
- What happens when you go for a coronavirus test at a regional centre (Newbury Showground)
- Guidance on shielding and protecting people clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 (Gov.uk)
- Guidance for those who provide unpaid care to friends or family (Gov.uk)
- Coping with family life during coronavirus (Berkshire West Safeguarding Children Partnership)
Stop Hate UK: Coronavirus update and advice [150kb]
Coronavirus and Modern Slavery: West Berkshire Support and Guidance [265kb]
TVP - Cyber Protect COVID-19 specific newsletter [389kb]
Coronavirus Guidance - Community Groups
Guidance for Community Groups responding to COVID-19 [289kb]
Example visitor sign in sheet [12kb]
Coronavirus: 'Play Your Part' posters [1Mb]
- Guidance for the safe use of multi-purpose community facilities
Flu Vaccine Guidance
Get your flu jab!
- This year, with COVID-19 in circulation, it's more important than ever that eligible groups are vaccinated to protect them from flu. The flu vaccination is FREE for a range of people including:
- Those with a long term health condition
- People living with someone who's at high risk of coronavirus (on the NHS shielded patient list)
- Children aged 2 and 3, pupils in Primary School and in year 7
- Pregnant women
- People aged over 65 - where capacity allows, it is now being offered to those over 50
- Carers
If you're in an eligible group - make sure you get vaccinated. Ask your pharmacist or GP if you're eligible for a free flu vaccine.
More flu vaccine information:
- www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/who-should-have-flu-vaccine/
Flu Vaccination who needs it and why - Winter 2020-21 [651kb]
Mental Health and Wellbeing
It is well recognised that these times of coronavirus can cause undue pressure and anxiety. If you are struggling to cope, in the first instance it is recommended that you talk to your GP or alternatively contact the Common Point of Entry on 0300 365 0300 (Mental Health referral service).
In addition, these are specially dedicated helplines for West Berkshire:
- West Berkshire Suicide Prevention: If you or someone you know is struggling with poor mental health and/or have had suicidal thoughts please visit this website for a range of resources for immediate and non immediate emotional support.
- Samaritans Newbury - emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 116 123
- Shout: 24/7 UK text messaging service to correspond with trained volunteers and clinical specialists about anything that is worrying you. Text SHOUT to 85258, 24 hours a day
- Kooth: Free online counselling and emotional wellbeing support for young people 11-18 years of age.
- Emotional Health Triage Service - Free service open to children and young people (under 19 years old) in West Berkshire who need support with emotional health difficulties.
- Talking Therapies Berkshire - 0300 365 0200 - for those aged 17 and over. 8am to 8pm Monday to Thursday, and 8am to 5pm on Fridays.
- Eight Bells for Mental Health - Contact coordinator@eightbellsnewbury.co.uk or mobile: 07387 962220 for existing members and anyone else needing help or advice for mental ill health by phone or email on Mondays 8am-8pm and Tuesdays to Fridays 10am-5pm (closed on weekends). Eight Bells Peer Supporters have set up a WhatsApp Group to offer friendship and a listening ear to all members; please email for more details.
The following links and resouces have some really useful tips, advice and suggested activities to support good mental health and wellbeing:
- Winter Wellbeing 2020 - NHS Berkshire West has published a handy set of information about GP visits, looking after your mental health, and who to contact if you are feeling unwell:
Winter wellbeing information 2020 [761kb]
Self Care Resources 2020 [383kb]
- NHS Every Mind Matters website (NHS)
- 10 Tips to Help if you are worried about Coronavirus (NHS)
- Well being resources for children and families (Berkshire West Safeguarding Children Partnership)
- Get Berkshire Active - be active at home
Keeping active indoors - for seniors and the less able
It can be harder to keep active and get out during the current lockdown with the colder weather and shorter days. Keeping your spirits up and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is really important, particularly for those who are less able to get out for daily exercise due to health issues or older age. Keeping active helps overall health and can improve balance, flexibility and muscle strength, reducing the likelihood of having a fall or needing medical attention. Exercise can also help the release of the 'happy hormones' endorphins and can help promote a sense of wellbeing.
There are a wide range of free exercise sessions online for all abilities, including seated workouts, so it is worth having a look at different options to find something that suits you. These sessions are particularly aimed at adults in later life or those with restricted movement.
- AgeUK has suggested exercises for seniors on their website.
- Dance to Health Online is a weekly fun and creative dance session tailored to people over 55 years old.
- Elderfit UK specialises in exercise for older people with seated and standing exercises.
- Get Berkshire Active has great tips and recommendations to keep you moving at home https://getberkshireactive.org/activities-for-older-people and they have also now arranged for Mindset Massage to run free seated exercise classes every Tuesday afternoon for local residents https://www.facebook.com/mindsetmassage.co.uk
- How to stay healthy 70+ workout was started by an exercise physiologist who created videos for her Nan and other older people who are unable to get out and about at the moment.
- More Life Health Seniors has a range of free workouts with a qualified physiotherapist, including this session showing four stretches to do every day.
Additional useful links and resources
- Citizens Advice West Berkshire Due to government guidelines on coronavirus, Citizens Advice West Berkshire has closed their charity's face-to-face advice sessions. However, there are many ways to access their free, confidential, independent and impartial advice. Please
view this document [115kb] to find out how to contact them during this time.
- Links to help and support in West Berkshire from West Berkshire Directory
- Our Adult Social Care Advice page also contain information to help you find the right support.
- Public Health England
- ASD Family Help - support, advice and activities for individuals on the autistic spectrum and/or other learning disabilities, their parents, carers or professionals within Wokingham & West Berkshire Boroughs in Berkshire, UK
- Berkshire Vision - supporting the visually impaired