As a result of the current COVID-19 outbreak, our GP Practices are facing unprecedented demands on their services.

They are working to minimise face-to-face contact with patients in order to:
– reduce the risk of transmission of coronavirus;
– to protect our most vulnerable patients and staff; and
– enable clinicians to continue to care for those patients who need it most.

The vast majority of consultations will now be done via phone, e-consultations or video consultation. Clinicians will make a case-by-case decisions based on their experience to determine whether it is safe to manage each patient without physically seeing them or whether, in some circumstances, they need to see a patient in person.

Do not go in to your GP practice unless you have been specifically advised to do so after a phone/video consultation with a clinician.

Bolton CVS are developing a list of people who are able and willing to help and support various services and activities during the Coronavirus pandemic.  If you would like to register, please complete one of the forms the below forms:

You already volunteer with another organisation

You are new to vounteering

You do not need to be a current volunteer and you may not be called upon.

If you have any questions, please email lauren@boltoncvs.org.uk

The council has set up an emergency contact number for the extremely vulnerable people, who have been told to stay at home at all times and avoid any face-to-face contact (shielding), and who have no family or friends to support.
This group includes organ transplant recipients, those undergoing immunotherapy and people with specific conditions. If you are in this group, you will receive a letter from the government with further instructions.

Contact 01204 337 221, if you, or someone you care for, have received a letter from the government and require support. The number will be open 8.30am – 5.30pm Mon – Fri and Sat 9am – 1.30pm.

The council will talk to you about your most urgent needs such as food, medicine or other requirements.

Alternatively, tell the council about any help you need using the online form and they will arrange for someone to call you back within 24 hours.

The Bolton Response Hub will then get those items to you or respond with other services. The hub is manned by staff from the council,  partners, plus volunteers.
If your charity or volunteer group would like to help with the coronavirus response, please contact Bolton CVS at info@boltoncvs.org.uk or 01204 546 055.
If you are not in one of these extremely vulnerable groups and have concerns please see www.bolton.gov.uk for the help available or ring 01204 333 333.

Staff are currently working from home and counselling appointments for current patients are being provided by telephone. For patients who are currently on the waiting list, they have been contacted and invited to receive a one-off 90 minute telephone therapy session.  A solution has been developed for anyone with language needs, so an interpreter can be on any phone calls as required.

All face to face support has now stopped and staff are working from home. Staff are contacting all members to complete a survey about their support needs so that necessary and appropriate support can be put in place.

You can now get in touch with Bolton at Home through a live web chat service (click on the “chat live with us” button). An advisor on the web chat will be able to help you with any query you may have.

Are available to support with any telephone calls, explaining letters and giving local information. They are happy to be a point of contact for any isolated Deaf or Hard of hearing people – who would like a chat via text, voice call or video call.

BDC are posting out hearing aid batteries to people who can’t get hold of them through usual services. They have also made us aware of national information being made available in BSL – here.

All dementia support activities have now stopped until further notice. Staff are making telephone welfare calls to members.

Start Well centres delivering Early Education and Childcare at Great Lever, Harvey and Tonge are closed, except for children of Key Workers and the most vulnerable.

There is a range of support available via telephone:

•        Start Well Service and Family Support – 01204 33 7390
•        Community Midwifery – 01204 39 0023
•        Health Visiting – 01204 46 2325
•        Chat Health – 07507 33 1751 (text messaging service for Families)
•        Families Information Service – 01204 33 2170

The Bolton Macmillan Cancer Info support line is available during the coronavirus pandemic to anyone in Bolton affected by cancer.
Call: 01204 663059

Email boltoncancerinfo@nhs.net Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm (excluding Bank Holidays).

For more information Click here

ChatHealth has been commissioned in Bolton as part of the Children’s Integrated Health & Wellbeing Service provided by NHS Bolton Foundation Trust. Parents/Carers can text a local specialist nurse on 07507 331751 with questions ranging from breastfeeding support and child development, to behavioural issues and general advice.

There is also a dedicated number for young people aged between 11-19 years old. They can text a specialist nurse on 07507 331753 for support on a variety of topics, including bullying, mental health, relationships, sexual health, alcohol and drugs.

ChatHealth is free (standard message rates apply), confidential and available between 8am-8pm Monday-Friday. The young people’s service is also available 12pm-4pm Saturday-Sunday. Outside of these times an automatic reply will be sent

In the absence of drop-in centres the Citizens Advice service have increased telephone support and web chats.

You can call on 0300 330 9071 Monday – Friday between 10-4pm

Visit the website 24/7 for self-help advice

Dental help and advice is still available. Contact your dental practice in the usual way for a telephone assessment.
If you aren’t registered with a dentist, visit https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-dentist or call the dental helpline 0333 332 3800 (Greater Manchester only).

Face-to-face assessments for all sickness and disability benefits will be suspended for the next three months. More about this from the DWP Website here.
Regarding claims – Click Here

Lloyds allows customers to give another person access to their account. It says it will carry out strict security checks and cap withdrawals at £100. 

Barclays is offering to deliver cash free of charge to vulnerable customers. Temporary third-party access to their account can also be arranged.

Royal Bank of Scotland and NatWest customers can get up to £500 delivered. The group is also giving codes over the phone that customers can give to someone to withdraw cash within hours.

HSBC customers can nominate another person to help manage their money.

TSB has a similar scheme and has also sent ATM cards to all those who had just passbooks before.

Nationwide says those needing cash could transfer some to a trusted individual who could then withdraw it and hand it to them.

Hoot Credit Union can set you up with a pre-payment Engage Card this has a charge of £2.00 per month, the credit union will refund this for the first 2 months.

They will also allow those who are isolated to have their money transferred to a friend or family members account, this is done at the members own risk. 

https://www.wisewithmoney.org.uk/  Tel: 01204 365024

E-mail: enquiries@wisewithmoney.org.uk

The Post Office has launched two schemes that allow people to access cash for vulnerable people.

The Pay-out Now service sends vouchers by text, email or post, which customers give to a trusted individual to withdraw cash. https://www.postoffice.co.uk/post-office-payout

Fast Pace allows a nominated person to cash a cheque on their behalf at a post office in one to two days. All UK banks, building societies and credit unions can use the service, but just HSBC has signed up so far.

This link has an easy to use tool that advises you on what you should do, you tick your answer to a few simple questions, you do not need to give your name or any personal details.

Co-operative Bank have not put anything specific in place to help access cash.

• Waived interest on first £500 of an arranged overdraught
• Delayed the introduction of increased overdraught rated until 4^th April 2020

Santander

• Online you can send a payment which will normally be received the same day.
• Paym a secure mobile to mobile service where you can transfer up to £250.00 per day using just a mobile number.
• Telephone banking where they can help making new payments to third parties for those customers most in need.
• Vulnerable customers with a unique situation and urgently need help can call the helpline on 0800 015 6382

Halifax

• Halifax are offering payment holidays on loans, car finance and credit cards, these need to be applied for and are not guaranteed.
• You can also do your everyday banking at your local Post Office.You can check your balance, pay in and withdraw, you can also deposit cheques at the Post Office.

  Customers will need to contact their branch for further details.

Is a charity for supporting people affected by domestic abuse and violence. All face to face sessions with children and young people have been suspended, however, Fortalice are continuing to deliver sessions and support using zoom (video), or by phone.  Support is being offered on an ongoing basis to all children and young people who require it.
Tel: 01204 365677

Please visit the GMFRS website for information on staying safe whilst at home and for details on the changes to home safety visits during this time.

GMFRS are urging people to:

• Fit a smoke alarm on each level in your home and make sure you test the batteries every week.
• Take extra care when cooking and never leave children alone in the kitchen when the hob/ oven is on or leave cooking unattended. Never cook while under the influence of alcohol
• Have an escape route plan for your home if there is a fire and make sure that everyone living in the house knows the plan
• Do a bedtime check – check for fire hazards such as electrical items before you go to bed – it takes longer to become aware of a fire when you are asleep.
• Don’t overload plug sockets – try to keep to one plug per socket. If you have too many electrical appliances plugged in, it can lead to overheating.
• Electrical appliances, plugs and cables that are old or poorly wired can also be a real danger
• Always stub cigarettes out properly and dispose of them carefully. Don’t smoke in bed or anywhere you could fall asleep
• Make sure candles are secured in a stable holder and kept away from curtains, fabrics and paper and always put them out when you are leaving the room or going to bed
• If there’s a fire in your home, don’t tackle it yourself – get you and everyone in your home out, stay out and call 999

You will find lots of information about food deliveries, health and care, helplines, and advice on our website. Maybe you fancy a spot of Bee Origami? You’ll find an activity sheet on the link above and bird spotting in your garden. We do update this regularly so keep checking back. If there is any information you would like to see on there please let us know using our survey.

Household waste and recycling centres in Bolton and across the Greater Manchester region will start to accept recyclable items from Saturday 16 May. 

Residents can bring garden waste, cardboard, paper and wood – general waste will also continue to be accepted.

Safety measures and traffic control system based on vehicle registration to limit visitors will remain in place.

Check the Recycle for Greater Manchester website before you go.

All Children and Young People aged 11 – 25 in Bolton can access free anonymous online support which includes:

• Live 1:1 text-based chat function for children and young people to speak with a qualified counsellor (12pm – 10pm Mon to Fri, 6pm – 10pm Sat & Sun)

• 24.7 messaging function for children and young people to contact the service
• Static and live topic-focused forums which encourage the development of a moderated peer supported community online
• Online magazine containing a wealth of topic specific resources, from mental health specific topics to more general subjects
• Crisis information and self-help resources

All volunteers (except those aged over 70) are continuing to volunteer. The Bolton branch has been deep cleaned and volunteers are isolating in their pods and picking up calls.

Samaritans – 0330 094 5717

All face to face support has now stopped and staff are working from home. They are providing self-help, advocacy and counselling support via phone to their members as and when required.

This is a free online mental health resource split into different sections for Families, Older People and Professionals and Volunteers. It is funded by the Department for Education and NHS England and provides safe and reliable advice around mental health and wellbeing.
Website Here

If you need to contact Money Skills please call 01204 33 2916 or 01204 33 1968 Alternatively you can email your query to: moneyadvice@bolton.gov.uk

Or visit the money skills website for more information.

Urgent support available for people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in Bolton, Manchester and Salford

We know that measures introduced to manage the impact of COVD19 are affecting the lives of everyone across the UK, especially in relation to financial security. We wanted to share some information from the MS Society about the ways we can support you and the clients.

The Improving Quality of Life project is delivered in partnership with Citizens Advice Manchester and offers people with MS across Bolton, Manchester and Salford tailored support from a dedicated advice worker. They can help with a range of financial security issues, including:

• Welfare benefits including Universal credit and Personal Independence Payment.
• Benefits health checks – making sure you’re getting what you’re entitled to.
• Debt advice.
• Housing issues.
• Employment issues

They can also offer emotional support and a trained listening ear.

Where can people with MS go for information?

If you feel that we they help you or your clients, please contact:

Mark Pritchard – Project Officer
07920 429 477 / 0208 438 0753
Mark.Pritchard@mssociety.org.uk

Mia Tamarin – Administration Officer
0208 438 0815 / Mia.Tamarin@mssociety.org.uk

Maternity and Post Natal Care Helpline now available.
Mon – Fri, 9am – 4pm – 01204 487497.

An out of hours helpline is available for urgent concerns about parents’ health and/or babies’ health: 01204 390612

Place2Be teams are continuing to support children and young people during this unsettling time. The teams are currently making arrangements for telephone ‘check-ins’ with the young people they support through one-to-one counselling, or with the parents/carers of younger children.

YoungMinds provide a lot of online support to children and young people.  They have updated their website to include specific advice and mental health support for children and young people who are anxious about coronavirus.
Website Here

YoungMinds have also set up a free Parents Helpline to offer advice to parents and carers worried about a child or young person under 25.

Call 0808 802 5544 for free Mon – Fri from 9:30am to 4pm. Out of operating hours you can contact the Parents Helpline via the online contact form and a response will be provided within three working days