Yasmin Qureshi Labour Member of Parliament for Bolton South East
Support for Individuals
NHS Coronavirus helpline
This is the official NHS website that contains all necessary health related information and advice on Coronavirus.
Department for Work and Pensions (Benefits)
This is the official DWP website for claiming benefits including Universal Credit: https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/coronavirus/
Government Information
Get coronavirus support as a clinically extremely vulnerable person: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable
Local Support Groups
Greater Manchester Law Centre has created a ‘survival guide’ with information about housing, employment, income, benefits, emergency help from the council and debt management.
Al-Khair Foundation is providing help and support for the people in isolation on a dedicated helpline 01204 363680 (option 6), 07935196976 (Call or text) or WhatsApp Al-Khair Foundation at 03000 999786 (operating times between 9am-9pm)
Advice and Support available on:-
- Shopping collection and delivery
- Medication collection and healthcare advice
- Food hamper referral
- A friendly phone call to overcome loneliness
Bolton Hindu Forum: helping people in self-isolation. Please ring 01204 238018 and leave a message. https://www.boltonhinduforum.org.uk/
Morris Green/Daubhill area – Bolton South Salvation Army Janice Lahouel
Practical and Emotional support such as shopping, phone calls or checking on neigbours
Tele 01204 651137 or email bolton.south@salvationarmy.org.uk
Bolton Nice – Foodbank still open and may be able to do some deliveries. http://www.boltonnice.org.uk/ | https://www.facebook.com/bolton.nice.71
Telephone Martin on 07900 535403 or email boltonnice1@gmail.com and welfare rights team boltonniceone@gmail.com
Bolton Sunday Street Kitchen – boltonsundaystreetkitchen@outlook.com
We are a group of volunteers who run an independently run street kitchen for the homeless & needy in Bolton every Sunday night 6-7 at Bolton B&M Bargains Manchester Road
Any single homeless that don’t have accommodation or support please refer them to the Street Kitchen.
Urban Outreach – Storehouse@urbanoutreach.co.uk.
With regards to how the foodbank is going to be run over the next few weeks, Storehouse will be open at the usual times (10am-11 45am). However we will not be opening the café for people to come in. Instead we will be providing people with their food at the door so as to reduce the potential risk of the virus spreading. If any of your service users show symptoms of the virus or they think they have it, please discourage them from accessing the foodbank and encourage them to find someone else to pick up on their behalf , they will need to bring ID and proof they have written permission to collect on their behalf. Alternatively you are also welcome to come and pick up on their behalf.
To give you a little context we expect to see a reduction in food donations and we are endeavouring to plan for this and we really need your support, we will have to reduce the offer in the Food Bank as stocks potentially reduce down. If you have any more questions then please do not hesitate to email us on Storehouse@urbanoutreach.co.uk.
They are not delivering and this is causing problems to participants who are isolating and cant get out
Dunscar Financial Services Ltd. – Free Service naomi@dunscarfinancial.co.uk
If you need assistance in understanding what financial help you could be entitled to depending on your circumstances then please get in touch. I will be more than happy to help and there will be no charge for this service. This includes both businesses and individuals.
For anyone struggling or worried, please don’t hesitate to get in touch – Naomi. x
Ummah Welfare Trust is reaching out to families in the UK who are suffering in the coronavirus pandemic. Families struggling to pay bills, cover rent or meet other immediate payments can contact the charity.
Phone: 0800 4 0800 11 or 01204 661030 | Females only line: 07933 001 283 | Email: info@uwt.org
All applicants will be verified through vigorous checks
Helping Hands in Farnworth – https://m.facebook.com/groups/208840987133615/members/?notif_t=group_milestone¬if_id=1584451121477220&=m_notif
Bolton Mutual Aid
https://www.facebook.com/alanarchy01 | Tele Call 07948 032155 | alanarchy@hotmail.com
supporting Bolton communities through mutual aid, cooperation the development of a commons of shared assets and resources
Bolton COVID 19 Support Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2686489491585859/about/
This group is to provide support for any vulnerable people during the COVID-19 Pandemic, share information and identify anyone who is in need of any help & organise volunteers to help food banks & community centres during this time. Our volunteers can pick up shopping if you are unable to get it delivered, prescriptions etc, provide someone to talk to if you are feeling isolated and signpost to services. Contact Francesca on 07598355547 or one of the other admins via the page.
Rishwith Residents 2020 in Great Lever – residents local to Skelwith and Rishton Avenue supporting each other. Contact Colin Unsworth on 0984123891 | RishwithRA@gmail.com | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/399922887299829/
Bolton Council
Bolton Council is publishing daily bulletins, which you can find here: https://www.bolton.gov.uk/news
Bolton Council services affected by coronavirus: https://www.bolton.gov.uk/news/article/701/bolton-council-services-affected-by-coronavirus
Local Welfare Provision – help in a crisis or emergency: https://www.bolton.gov.uk/benefits/help-crisis-emergency
Support for vulnerable people who need help: https://www.bolton.gov.uk/health-care/covid19-support | Telephone: 01204 337221
Covid-19: childcare and education for keyworkers: https://www.bolton.gov.uk/schools-children/covid-19-childcare-education-keyworkers/1
Rubbish and Recycling: https://www.bolton.gov.uk/news/article/689/waste-collections—coronavirus-covid-19-update-and-advice
Bulky item collections: https://www.bolton.gov.uk/rubbish-recycling/bulky-item-collections
Registrars (Births, Marriages and Deaths): https://www.bolton.gov.uk/news/article/696/registrars—coronavirus-covid-19-update-and-advice
Council Tax: https://www.bolton.gov.uk/council-tax
Benefits: https://www.bolton.gov.uk/benefits
Join the Library: https://www.bolton.gov.uk/libraries/join-library
Homelessness: https://www.bolton.gov.uk/homelessness-1/homelessness
Bolton Market: https://www.boltonmarkets.com/
Health Advice
NHS advice: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Royal Bolton Hospital: http://www.boltonft.nhs.uk/2020/03/coronavirus-latest-information-and-advice/
Achieve substance misuse service: 01204 483090
Age UK: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/conditions-illnesses/coronavirus/
Alcoholics Anonymous: 0800 9177 650
Asthma UK: https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/coronavirus-covid-19/
Bolton Hospice: https://www.boltonhospice.org.uk/
Cancer Research: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/coronavirus-and-cancer and https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/sites/default/files/one_cancer_voice_advice_on_coronavirus_for_people_with_cancer.pdf
Citizens’ Advice: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/health/coronavirus-what-it-means-for-you/
Diabetes UK: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/coronavirus
Glide: https://glidegroup.co.uk/remote-working-a-practical-safety-guide-for-businesses#mental
Mental Health Awareness for Remote Workers: Practical Guide for Businesses” – it focuses on the impact of remote work to employee well-being and shares useful information such as:
- The biggest struggles of remote workers: a 2019 study found that 22% can’t unplug after work, 19% feel lonely, and 8% can’t stay motivated. Blurred boundaries between work and home life and lack of collaboration are also key problems influencing well-being.
- The importance of creating ‘culture’ in remote teams: how it makes a huge difference to employee happiness and how to build trust and a healthy work environment.
- What employers and managers can do to look after mental well-being and recognising mental health struggles amongst remote staff and colleagues.
Kooth – an on-line counselling and emotional well-being platform for children and young people
Living life to the full is one of the world’s most used wellbeing support packages and aims to provide key information using everyday non-complex language
MIND ‘Coronavirus and your wellbeing’: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/
Narcotics Anonymous: 0300 999 1212
The Parallel (health service for young people): 01204 462444 | http://www.boltonft.nhs.uk/services/the-parallel-young-peoples-health/information/
Shout crisis service – a 24/7 text service (with trained crisis volunteers who will chat using trained techniques via text responses) – Bolton residents should text GMBolton to 85258
SilverCloud – an online therapy programme for adults proven to help with stress, anxiety, low-mood and depression.
Tax Debt and Mental Health: https://www.riftrefunds.co.uk/tax-rebates/uk-tax-refund-advice/tax-debt-and-mental-health/
The guide offers lots of helpful information such as:
-
- Understanding the impact of debt to mental health – the different kinds of debt (e.g. tax debt) and how they can be a key source of stress, depression, and anxiety if not planned and managed properly.
- Advice for dealing with debt such as setting up a Debt Management Plan or an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA), qualifying for a Debt Relief Order (DRO), or even filing bankruptcy to get some protection and keep life essentials like pension savings safe from creditors.
- What to do if debt problems begin affecting your mental health. This includes recognising the symptoms and early warning signs of mental health problems associated with debt as well as advice on where to turn to for help and support.
- Other useful information and resources, including debt charities and organisations that are dedicated to helping people conquer their debt problems
Time2Talk – Family Mediation Service – If you are having family disagreements or disputes during this difficult time, Time2Talk offers free, confidential and impartial mediation interventions to Bolton residents to improve relationships and to stop situations reaching crisis point. Contact 01204 331965 or time2talk@bolton.gov.uk.
Versus Arthritis: https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2020/april/coronavirus-and-how-to-manage-your-pain-at-home/
Housing and Homelessness
Bolton at Home: https://www.boltonathome.org.uk/coronavirus-covid-19
Streetlink: https://www.streetlink.org.uk/
If you are concerned about someone over the age of 18 that you have seen sleeping rough, you can use this website to send an alert. The details you provide will be reviewed by the StreetLink team who will look at the information you provide and make a judgement as to whether the alert is suitable to be sent to the local street outreach for the area in which you have seen the person, to help them find the individual and connect them to support.
Shelter (England) – Covid 19 Housing Advice Line
Support and advice to constituents who are facing problems with their housing.
Phone: 0808 800 4444 (free of charge) | Webchat: https://england.shelter.org.uk/get_help/webchat
Other Advice Services
Bolton Carers: https://www.boltoncarers.org.uk/
Bolton Citizen’s Advice: http://www.boltoncab.co.uk/
Domestic Violence – support for survivors
Fortalice: supports women, families and children affected by domestic violence – https://fortalice.org.uk/ 24-hour contact line – 01204 701846
The Men’s Advice Line, for male domestic abuse survivors – 0808 801 0327
The Mix, free information and support for under 25s in the UK – 0808 808 4994
National Domestic Violence Helpline – 0808 2000 247
National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0800 999 5428
Samaritans (24/7 service) – 116 123 https://www.samaritans.org/
Survivors Manchester: Charity supporting male victims of sexual abuse, rape and sexual exploitation.
https://www.survivorsmanchester.org.uk/ | support@survivorsmanchester.org.uk | Office tel: 0161 236 2182 | Helpline: 0808 800 5005
Unit 9, Brewery Yard, Deva City Office Park, Salford, M3 7BB | Social media: @SurvivorsMcr | Facebook.com/SurvivorsMcr
Women’s Aid (domestic abuse support): https://www.womensaid.org.uk/ | helpline@womensaid.org.uk |
Zac’s Bar (for young people aged 8-18) – https://zacsyouthbar.co.uk/ Need to talk to someone? Give their listening service a call on 07725 128915 or email listening@zacsyouthbar.co.uk
Utility Companies
British Gas: https://www.britishgas.co.uk/covid19
Ebico: https://ebico.org.uk/ebico-news/coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak-announcement/
E.on: https://www.eonenergy.com/coronavirus-update.html
O2: https://www.o2.co.uk/covid-19
Ofcom: How broadband and mobile firms are serving customers during the coronavirus pandemic and Stay Connected during the coronavirus
Scottish Power: https://www.scottishpower.com/news/pages/covid_19_update.aspx
Shell Energy: https://www.shellenergy.co.uk/service
Three Mobile: http://www.three.co.uk/stay-connected
United Utilities: https://www.unitedutilities.com/Coronavirus-update/
Vodafone: https://www.vodafone.co.uk/mobile/coronavirus-advice
Banks, Building Societies and Money
Bolton’s Money Skills Service – for those struggling financially
If you re struggling financially at this difficult time, Bolton’s Money Skills Service offers free, confidential and impartial services to people who live, work or study in the borough.
If you need help with debt; homelessness prevention; mortgage and rent arrears; council tax and fuel arrears; help with payment arrangements; advice about court forms such as bankruptcy – contact 01204 331965 or moneyadvice@bolton.gov.uk
Get advice about making ends meet and reducing expenses; reducing fuel costs; better deals on other costs such as broadband; Warm Home Discounts; help with the Priority Services Register the free service provided by utilities to customers in need– contact 01204 331983 or moneyskills@bolton.gov.uk
Get help with Local Welfare Provision applications for furniture, food and fuel; advice about different furniture options available across Bolton; advice about buying goods through loans from the credit union Hoot and help with trust fund applications to help source items – contact 01204 331973 or funiture4u@bolton.gov.uk
You can also get help from: Citizen’s Advice Bolton & Bury about Universal Credit claims – see the live webchat for new claims or ring 0800 144 8 444 Mon – Fri 8am to 6pm.
Bolton at Home’s (BH) Debt & Money Advice Team for tenants – 01204 328000 or email moneyadviceteam@boltonathome.org.uk
Bank of Scotland: https://www.bankofscotland.co.uk/helpcentre/coronavirus.html
Barclays: https://www.barclays.co.uk/coronavirus/
Bradford and Bingley: https://www.bbg.co.uk/personal-support
Co-op Bank: https://www.co-operativebank.co.uk/news/2020/coronavirus-support-personal-customers
Help Musicians Coronavirus Hardship Fund: https://www.helpmusicians.org.uk/news/latest-news/help-musicians-launches-5m-coronavirus-financial-hardship-fu
HSBC: https://www.hsbc.co.uk/help/coronavirus/
Lloyds: https://www.lloydsbank.com/help-guidance/coronavirus.html
Money Advice Service: https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en
Money Saving Expert – Coronavirus Financial Help & Rights – Sick pay, mortgages, rental help, train refunds, energy top-ups & more: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/03/uk-coronavirus-help-and-your-rights/
Natwest: https://personal.natwest.com/personal/support-centre/coronavirus.html Telephone: 0800 051 4176
Royal Bank of Scotland: https://personal.rbs.co.uk/personal/support-centre/coronavirus.html
Santander: https://www.santander.co.uk/personal/coronavirus?icid=php-Hero-Coronavirus-0320
TSB: https://www.tsb.co.uk/coronavirus/
Travel and Transport
Arriva Buses: https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/coronavirus/
Diamond Buses: https://www.diamondbuses.com/news/dbnw-coronavirus-timetable-changes/
Money Saving Expert – Coronavirus Travel Rights – Holiday refunds, travel insurance cover and more: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/02/coronavirus-travel-help-and-your-rights/
Network Rail: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/coronavirus
Northern Rail: https://media.northernrailway.co.uk/news/coronavirus-travel-information
Stagecoach: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/coronavirus
Transport for Greater Manchester: https://tfgm.com/coronavirus
