Coronavirus Information for Carers

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to know what support is available to you as a carer and those you look after.

Here at Blackpool Carers, we are continuing to monitor guidelines and directives from the Government, NHS and Public Health England and are adapting our services and support accordingly.

Our highest priority still continues to be ensuring that our staff, carers and their families are healthy and safe whilst continuing to deliver high quality services and support for carers in Blackpool.

Please see the information below but also visit our Useful Resources page for details of additional local support available to carers.

Emergency NHS Numbers

NHS 24 (for use if coronavirus symptoms worsen): 111
NHS Inform (no symptoms but looking for Coronavirus advice): 0800 028 2816
COVID-19 Helpline for people in high risk category who do not have a support network at home: 0800 111 4000
Emergency services – Ambulance: 999

Protecting your mental wellbeing

Carers UK have some valuable tips to help both you and those you care for look after yourselves and protect your mental wellbeing. CLICK HERE to visit their website.

Lancashire and South Cumbria`s mental health helpline is now open 24/7 to help those struggling during the coronavirus lockdown. The helpline offers advice and emotional support.

The helpline operated by the area’s leading mental health provider Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust is available for anyone who is struggling to cope, feeling isolated or experiencing mental health problems such as stress, anxiety or depression.

The helpline can be contacted on 0800 915 4640 or by texting ‘hello’ to 07862 022846.

Samaritans offers free confidential support 24 hours a day on 116 123.

You can find a list of national mental health services and helplines at https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk

Challenging times, difficult and uncomfortable thoughts can really affect us and our loved ones.

It may seem like we’re alone, but please be reassured that we are not, there is always someone to talk to, whether by phone, text or web chat.

Here is a list of organisations, agencies and charities who can provide information, advice and support for anyone in need.

Alcoholics Anonymous
Phone: 0800 917 7650 (24-hours)
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Alzheimer’s Society
Phone: 0300 222 1122 (Mon – Fri, 9am to 5pm, Sat/Sun 10am to 4pm)
www.alzheimers.org.uk

Anxiety UK
Phone: 03444 775 774 (Mon – Fri)
www.anxietyuk.org.uk

Beat (Eating Disorders)
Phone: 0808 801 0677 (adults) or 0808 801 0711 (for under-18s)
www.b-eat.co.uk

Bipolar UK
www.bipolaruk.org.uk/

CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)
0800 58 58 58 (daily, 5pm – midnight)
www.thecalmzone.net/

Cruse Bereavement Care
0808 808 1677 (Mon – Fri, 9am to 5pm)
www.cruse.org.uk

Drinkline
(Free confidential helpline for people worried about their own or someone else’s drinking)
0300 123 1110 (Mon – Fri 9am – 8pm, Sat/Sun 11am – 4pm)

Family Lives
(Advice on all aspects of parenting, including dealing with bullying)
0808 800 2222 (Mon-Fri, 9am to 9pm and Sat/Sun, 10am to 3pm)
www.familylives.org.uk

FRANK
(Free, confidential information and advice about drugs)
0300 1236600 (24-hour helpline)
or, text a question to: 82111
www.talktofrank.com/

Gamblers Anonymous
0330 094 0322 (24-hours)
www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/

Kooth (Young people)
https://kooth.com/

Mencap
(Charity working with people with a learning disability, their families and carers)
0808 808 1111 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
www.mencap.org.uk

Mind
0300 123 3393 (Mon – Fri)
www.mind.org.uk/

National Gambling Helpline
0808 8020 133 (daily, 8am to midnight)
www.begambleaware.org

NSPCC
(Children’s charity dedicated to ending child abuse and child cruelty)
0800 1111 for Childline for children (24-hours)
0808 800 5000 for adults concerned about a child (24-hours)
www.nspcc.org.uk

No Panic
www.nopanic.org.uk/

OCD UK
0333 212 7890 (Mon – Fri)
www.ocduk.org/

PAPYRUS
(Young suicide prevention society)
0800 068 4141 (9am to midnight, every day of the year)
www.papyrus-uk.org/

Rape Crisis
0808 802 9999 (daily, 12pm to 2.30pm and 7pm to 9.30pm)
www.rapecrisis.org.uk

Refuge
(Advice on dealing with domestic violence)
0808 2000 247 (24-hours)
www.refuge.org.uk

Relate
(Relationship Support)
www.relate.org.uk

Samaritans
116 123 (free 24-hour helpline)
www.samaritans.org/

SANE
(Emotional support, information and guidance for people affected by mental illness, their families and carers)

Textcare: comfort and care via text message, sent when the person needs it most: www.sane.org.uk/textcare

or www.sane.org.uk/ support

SHOUT
Digital mental health support.
Text 85258 or visit:
www.giveusashout.org

SOBS
(Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide)
0300 111 5065 (Mon – Sun, 9am to 9pm
https://uksobs.org/

Stand Alone
(Estrangement Support Charity)
www.standalone.org.uk/

Stonewall
(Information and support for LGBT communities)
0800 0502020 (Mon – Fri, 9.30am – 4.30pm)
www.stonewall.org.uk/

The Silver Line
(free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people)
0800 4 70 80 90 (24hours)
www.thesilverline.org.uk/

Victim Support
0808 168 9111 (24-hours)
www.victimsupport.org

YoungMinds
(Information on child and adolescent mental health)
0808 802 5544 (Mon – Fri, 9.30am to 4pm)
www.youngminds.org.uk/