Hackney Coronavirus Advice and Assistance

25 Mar 2020

With the Coronavirus (Covid-19) situation evolving rapidly, I’ve rounded up a list of useful resources for anyone looking to help or be helped in Hackney.

I’m in touch with local volunteers, businesses, community groups and Hackney Council and this page will be regularly updated with information on any Hackney initiatives providing advice and assistance.

Health services

  • Always ensure any information you’re reading is from an official channel. For anyone experiencing Coronavirus symptoms (a high temperature or a new continuous cough), your first ports of call should be official NHS information.

 

  • Hackney Council: The local authority’s page with advice and information about services and the latest health advice can be found at hackney.gov.uk/coronavirus.

 

Support for vulnerable people

People with underlying medical conditions

  • If you have an underlying medical condition, you can register for special assistance during self-isolation. You are considered to have an underlying medical conditions if you:
    • have had an organ transplant
    • are having certain types of cancer treatment
    • have blood or bone marrow cancer, such as leukaemia
    • have a severe lung condition, such as cystic fibrosis or severe asthma
    • have a condition that makes you much more likely to get infections
    • are taking medicine that weakens your immune system
    • are pregnant and have a serious heart condition

 

Assistance for older people

 

  • Here’s a list of other useful numbers that may be useful for older people seeking support:
    • Asthma UK: 0300 222 5800
    • The British Heart Foundation: 0300 330 3311
    • Diabetes UK: 0345 123 2399
    • Mind: 0300 123 3393
    • Scope: 0808 800 3333
    • The Silver Line UK: 0800 470 8090

 

  • Many supermarkets are offering specific hours for the elderly to come in. They’re also encouraging those who can to shop in-store in order to free up delivery slots for more vulnerable people and those in self-isolation.

 

Mental health

  • Don’t suffer in silence. We know it’s going to be a difficult time for everybody over the coming weeks but there’s always help out there. Here’s a list of helplines that can offer you and your loved ones support.

 

  • Campaign to End Loneliness have published a helpful briefing advising you on how to deal with the long-term challenges of self-isolation.

 

 

Volunteering

Hackney Mutual Aid: Local volunteer groups set up to help those self-isolating can be found here.

Neighbourhood Groups

  • Stamford Hill N16 Mutual Aid: Local volunteer group for Stamford Hill N16 can be found on Facebook.
  • East London Cares: neighbourhood network helping to support and ensure older people are kept connected during the lockdown. Find more info here.
  • Hackney Central Town Hall Covid-19 mutual aid: Self-organised group of local residents co-ordinating support during the Coronavirus outbreak. They can be found on Twitter as @hackneythallaid.
  • Winston Road N16 Mutual Aid: Local volunteer group in Winston Road, Stoke Newington. Can be found on Facebook.
  • Woodbury Down Mutual Aid: Local volunteer group in Woodberry down found on Whatsapp.

 

Food Banks

  • Food banks are struggling to get enough volunteers and also struggling to acquire certain staples (pasta being the obvious one). If you have the means, most of them also accept financial donations as well as food. You can find your nearest food bank on The Trussell Trust website.

 

Financial Support for Individuals

  • Citizen’s Advice and Step Change have published helpful advice on support for anyone struggling to meet their living costs, outlining how you can access emergency loans, access benefits payments early and other vital resources such as food.
  • You can get assistance with utility bills by calling your provider and telling them you are self-isolating. If you have a prepay meter, they will give you two weeks of gas/electricity and if you have a smart meter, they will top you up.
    • British Gas – 0333 202 9802
    • EDF – 0333 200 5100
    • EON – 0345 052 000
    • NPower – 0800 073 3000
    • Scottish Power – 0800 027 0072
    • SSE – 0345 026 2658

 

Financial Support for Business

  • Hackney Business Network newsletter: Posts the latest updates on business relief with submissions from local business owners on how the pandemic is affecting them to help the council shape its response. To subscribe click here.

 

Other groups and organisations (in alphabetical order):

  • Akwaaba: Hackney-based social centre for migrants that is now helping to distribute take-away food to people in need. Go tofor more information.
  • Sistah Space: Domestic abuse charity that will be providing support and advice for people self-isolating.

 

If you’re doing something to help out or if you think there’s some information that needs to be included on this page, please drop an email with some details to diane.abbott.office@parliament.uk



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