Support for the most vulnerable

1. Bolton’s Humanitarian Response

Bolton Council and its partners have confirmed that both the COVID-19 Support Hub and the COVID-19 Helpline will continue depsite shielding officially ending so that residents can still access the support they need.

The Team Bolton community of volunteers, partners, and council staff are offering vital help to people who need support (including food and essential items such as medication), particularly if:

  • you are self-isolating (no matter your age)
  • you are experiencing financial hardship
  • you are experiencing food poverty

Contact the COVID-19 Helpline on 01204 337221.

The opening hours are:

Monday to Friday from 8.30am – 5.30pm 

Saturdays from 9am – 1.30pm.

Our call handlers will provide advice and tell you how you can access practical support.

This includes local support for those who are feeling isolated and alone.

We're also providing regular updates on the latest government advice, local service information and that to do if you think you have coronavirus.

If your charity or volunteer group would like to participate in the coronavirus response, please contact Bolton CVS at info@boltoncvs.org.uk or 01204 546055

If you have friends or relatives in other areas of Greater Manchester and can no longer support them then these are the emergency numbers to contact for the other councils in the area.

Greater Manchester Textphone - 07860 022876 - Messages will be responded to by the next working day.

If you have hearing or speech difficulties please visit www.relayuk.bt.com to use the free service to talk to us.

 


2. Living with people at higher risk

People over 70 and those with certain underlying health conditions are urged to be particularly stringent when following social distancing guidelines.

Public Health England has issued new advice for households where someone is at increased risk or has possible or confirmed coronavirus infection.

This includes guidance for what actions you need to take if you or someone in your household has symptoms of COVID-19, or a positive test, and have a person aged 70 or over, or a clinically vulnerable person, living with you.

Where possible, you should arrange for anyone who is clinically vulnerable or clinically extremely vulnerable to move out of your home, to stay with friends or family for the duration of your home isolation period.

If this is not possible, they should be supported to take precautions to minimise their contact with other people in your household, regardless of whether others have symptoms or not. They should minimise time spent in shared spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms and sitting areas. Any shared spaces should be well ventilated.

Everyone in your household should:

  • wash their hands more frequently, for 20 seconds, with soap and water or use hand sanitiser and avoid touching your face
  • regularly clean frequently touched surfaces
  • follow the stay at home guidance for households with possible COVID-19 infection which contains more detailed guidance on what to do about cleaning, disposal of waste, laundry and other useful information.

 

3. Keep yourself and your family safe from domestic abuse

Home should be a place of safety, but measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) mean that victims and those at risk of domestic abuse may be trapped at home with abusive partners or family members.

Their children will also be affected.

Social isolation is important, but your safety is a priority.

Our domestic abuse services remain open and available for specialist help, support and advice:

You can also ring the free 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline - 0808 2000 247

 

4. Children and young people at risk

Children and young people are now spending significantly more time at home, potentially placing them at increased risk of harm.

If a child is experiencing abuse, there aren't as many opportunities for others to spot the signs, or for them to access support, in turn increasing their vulnerability.

If you have concerns regarding child exploitation, please get in touch using our online reporting services, call 101 or via LiveChat.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, dial 999. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

If you’re concerned that a young person is at risk but don’t want to go directly to the police, you can call the @NSPCC Helpline on 0808 8005000, and ChildLine is available to young people 24/7 on 0800 1111.

 

5. Homelessness

 

6. Independent Living Service

 

7. Blue badge scheme

All Penalty Charge Notices for Blue Badge holders with an expiry date of 1 January 2020 onwards have been suspended until 30 September 2020. This update comes from the Department for Transport in line with new UK Government recommendations.