COVID-19 Shielding Support
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, there are some people who have been shielding for many months. We are aware that shielding practices and some packages of support available for those shielding will officially be coming to an end on 1st August 2020 and we appreciate that you may be feeling particularly stressed, worried or low in mood because of this.
In Merton Uplift we provide support for people struggling with worry and low mood which may have been caused or exacerbated by the current pandemic, lockdown and shielding, as well as difficulties that may arise as lockdown eases. We are also able to provide support for problems with worry and low mood related to living with any Long Term Physical Health Conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the impact of shielding and social distancing. If you are struggling with worry or low mood as a result of the pandemic and the impact it is having on your life, please do get in touch with our service and your GP so that we are able to support you during this difficult transition.
To refer yourself to Merton Uplift, you can fill out our referral form below, via the link. Once we have received your referral, one of our administrators will contact you. Please also find other resources below which you might find helpful in relation to COVID-19 shielding support.
COVID-19 Shielding Resources
General Shielding Support
Royal Voluntary Service
https://volunteering.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/nhs-volunteer-responders-portal/isolating
Will continue to offer support after shielding has stopped on 1st August 2020. You can ask for support by visiting the website or calling 0808 196 3646 between 8am and 8pm. They can provide help with shopping, collecting medication or other essential supplies; regular phone calls; and transport to medical appointments.
General Wellbeing Resources and Support:
NHS
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/moodzone-mental-wellbeing-audio-guides/
Offer a series of wellbeing audio guides.
Mind
Coronavirus and your wellbeing.
Anxiety UK
https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/blog/health-and-other-forms-of-anxiety-and-coronavirus
Advice and helpline.
Mental Health Foundation
Looking after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak.
OCD Action
https://www.ocdaction.org.uk/support-groups/online2
Provide Skype and telephone support groups.
RCOG
Advice for pregnant women.
BEAT
https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/
Support for people with eating problems including tailored advice to the current pandemic and more time at home.
Psychology Tools
Booklet on managing worry and anxiety during these globally uncertain times. They now have various translations of this booklet.
Mental Health UK
https://mentalhealth-uk.org/help-and-information/covid-19-and-your-mental-health/
Useful information on managing mental health during Covid-19.
Support for Older Adults
Independent Age
https://www.independentage.org/get-support/receive-regular-phone-calls
Provide a helpline and you can sign-up to receive regular phone calls.
Silverline
https://www.thesilverline.org.uk/
Free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Call on: 080 0470 8090.
Merton Specific Support
Merton Voluntary Service Council
www.mvsc.co.uk/CoronavirusSupport
Merton Voluntary Service Council (MVSC) is working with the voluntary sector in the borough to mobilise a volunteer taskforce to help isolated households and those at risk from COVID-19. Volunteers will be able to help with: shopping/basic provision parcel delivery, prescription/ medication delivery, dog walking, gas & electricity payment card top ups, keeping in touch via telephone and posting letters.
Wimbledon Guild
https://www.wimbledonguild.co.uk/coronavirus
Offers a range of services to support local residents including grants, befriending, activities and free /low cost psychological therapies.
Age UK
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/merton/
Offers a range of advice on pensions, benefits and social care in addition to a telephone befriending service.
Common Side
https://commonside.net/contact/
Support and assistance to vulnerable individuals and families in Pollards Hill.
Wimbledon Food Bank
https://wimbledon.foodbank.org.uk/
Part of a nationwide network of food banks, supported by The Trussell Trust.
Mutual Aid
https://mertonmutualaid.co.uk/
A grassroots community organising network established to support vulnerable Merton residents during the COVID-19 crisis.
Muslims for Humanity
https://www.muslimsforhumanity.org.uk/
Network of volunteers providing support to the vulnerable and those self-isolating. Linked to Bhaitul Futuh Mosque in Morden.
Carers Support
http://www.csmerton.org/covid-19-update
Providing support to unpaid carers, both adults and young people.
African Educational Cultural Health Organisation
https://www.mvsc.co.uk/news/african-educational-cultural-health-organisation-covid-19-support
Providing support for anyone from Afro/Caribbean and other ethnicities feeling worried, afraid or lonely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Polish Family
https://www.polishfamily.org.uk/
Providing advice, information and guidance including on Covid19 related issues. The service is available in Polish/English from 9am – 2pm Monday-Friday.
Dementia Social Care
https://www.merton.gov.uk/social-care/adult-social-care/dementia
Providing support for people with dementia as well as their families and carers.
Domestic Abuse Support
Providing support information for victims of domestic abuse.
Merton Safeguarding
Resources on adult and child safeguarding for the borough of Merton.
