Guidance on Coronavirus

Find information on what Coronavirus (COVID-19) might mean for you or someone you care for.

If you are concerned about what Coronavirus might mean for you, or someone you care for, we recommend you visit the Carers UK website. Our friends at Carers UK have put together really useful information on Coronavirus that is relevant for carers and the people they care for. 

You can also find information about Coronavirus and where to get support on these websites:

England

• The UK Government website.
• The NHS website.

• See UK Government Guidance for those who provide unpaid care to friends or family.

• See the UK Government Guidance for Visiting arrangements in care homes.
• Get coronavirus support as an extremely vulnerable person. Register on the Gov.uk website if you have a medical condition that makes you extremely vulnerable to coronavirus. For example, you’ll be able to ask for help getting deliveries of essential supplies like food.If you’re not sure whether your medical condition makes you extremely vulnerable, register anyway. You can register yourself, or on behalf of someone else.

• If you are currently not supported and need some help with shopping, a prescription collection or a friendly chat then NHS Volunteer Responders are ready to help. If you are a carer you are able to make a referral for someone that you care for. You can also make a referral for yourself, if this support helps you to continue in your caring role. See the Royal Voluntary Service website.

• The government has clarified that unpaid carers are one of the priority groups for the COVID-19 vaccine.  If you are concerned that your GP doesn't know you are a carer, please let them know. See our coronavirus vaccine FAQs for unpaid carers in England.

Northern Ireland

• Latest advice from the Department of Health for carers and young carers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland. 
• The website for the Department of Health.
• The Public Health Agency website.
• Get information on the COVID-19 vaccination programme in Northern Ireland. If you are the main carer of someone who is elderly or disabled and you are 18 or over you can now book a vaccination online at one of the seven trust centres.

Scotland

• The Scottish Government website. You will also find specific information for carers here. Also see the Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on self-directed support. 
• The NHSInform.Scot website.
• The National Carer Organisations in Scotland have worked together to develop information about Coronavirus and what it means in a Scotland context.

• The National Assistance Helpline is dedicated to helping those who cannot leave their home and who cannot get help online including people who are disabled, are receiving mental health support, have dementia, are over 70 years old, are pregnant or have received the flu vaccine for health reasons. Call: 0800 111 4000 (the line is open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm). This number connects people to help in their local area. You can pass it on to someone you are supporting, or call on their behalf.  

• The National Wellbeing Hub has information for unpaid carers. 
• Coronavirus Testing for Carers in Scotland briefing.
• Personal Protective Equipment in Scotland briefing.
• Life Leaving Lockdown in Scotland Discussion Paper.
• The National Carer Organisations in Scotland have developed FAQs about the COVID-19 vaccines and unpaid carers in Scotland. Find more information about vaccines here.

Wales

• The UK Government website information for individuals and businesses in Wales.
• The Gov.Wales website.
• The NHS Direct Wales website.
• The Public Health Wales website.
• Carers Trust Wales, in partnership with The Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Community Pharmacy Wales, Carers Wales and Welsh Government, has developed a series of resources to improve access to medicines and identification of carers in pharmacy and retail environments during COVID-19.  
• Carers Trust Wales has advice and support for young carers relating to learning, well-being and accessing food and medicine. There are top tips from support workers and young carers too. The guidance is available to download in English and Welsh. 
• Carers Trust understands that Welsh Government is creating a web form for unpaid carers who are eligible to self identify.  We are waiting for the Welsh Government to confirm details but expect more to be communicated early in the week commencing 1 March 2021.  Unpaid carers who are registered with their GPs as carers will already be being processed for vaccination by their GP practice and will hear directly about their appointments. Further information is available in English and Welsh.

Virtual 'Cuppa' for carers

Mobilise is an organisation providing a daily e-support package through the Corvid-19 crisis. It includes links to key information, updates on how other carers are finding ways of coping, and suggestions for entertainment at home. The service is completely free, and carers and those providing care services can sign up here.

Mobilise is running a virtual 'Cuppa' for carers at 4pm, which is proving popular.

If you run a carer service, some services have found Mobilise a helpful way to offer carers some support online, while their teams focus on calls to their most acute cases.

Coping as a carer

A member of Carers Trust Scotland's staff has some useful tips for coping as a carer during Coronavirus.