We are receiving lots of useful advice to help people during this strange time. We will try to add the links here as we get them with a brief description of what they are about. Please click the links below to find the relevant information. We hope you find this helpful.
Food and nutrition, including National Voucher Scheme
Advice and websites about keeping healthy
Good mental health help and advice
Local help and advice including from local churches
Help and advice for parents, including how to keep your children safe on the Internet
Domestic abuse help and advice: #SittingRightWithYou or Make yourself heard
If you need to contact Citizens’ Advice in the coming weeks, you will need to ring one of the numbers on the attached leaflet as all face-to-face appointments have been cancelled. Citizens’ Advice leaflet
Early Help and other useful advice together in one place: Early Help and more
Advice line set up to help those who live alone and may be self-isolating: 0161 342 3455 for help
BAME advice leaflet about Covid 19 – BAME leaflet
Advice for Parents
Advice on preparing children for the transition back to school: Preparing to return
Transition to high school leaflet to help parents prepare their children: Preparing for high school
What is social distancing, explained with pictures and words: What is social distancing?
The school nurses now have a Facebook page: School nurses
Clear and simple factsheet to explain coronavirus to children: NHS factsheet
A book to help children understand what coronavirus is: My hero is you
A children’s guide to coronavirus: Children’s Commissioner
Government guidance on supporting children’s mental health: Guidance to support mental health
An Easy Read guide on how to look after your feelings and your body: Guide to look after your feelings and your body
How to help your child cope with stress they may have due to recent events: Help your child to cope with stress
Online courses to help you to understand your children, especially in these difficult times. Use the code SUNFLOWER. Our Place
Whilst learning from home, children will spend some time on the Internet. These activities will help parents to support online safety with their children. Think U Know
Early attachment help and advice: Early attachment
Do you need help, support and guidance?: Parenting helpline
A short book written by a teacher who wanted to help the children in his class cope with the school closures: How to NOT go to School
An online book about a dog who is worried about Covid19 – a good way to help younger children to understand: A Nurse Dotty book
Bills
Whilst self-isolating, it may be difficult to “top up” prepayment meters. If you contact your supplier, they may be able to send out up to two weeks of top ups: Gas and electricity suppliers
Are you struggling to pay your Council Tax? Some advice and possible help: Council Tax
Are you struggling to pay bills during lockdown or Covid-19? Help and advice
Employment & School Leavers
The new Covid-19 service for jobseekers and school leavers: Covid-19 Service
Various recent job opportunities throughout Greater Manchester: Jobs
Online training opportunities if you are currently unemployed: Maximus
Some information regarding food projects for those families who may be struggling during Covid.
Information about the opening times of foodbanks during the Christmas season: Opening information
We are using the national voucher scheme for Free School Meals, if you are having difficulties the FAQ for this can be found here. Vouchers can now be used at Aldi https://www.edenred.co.uk/Documents/DfE/DfE_FreeSchoolMeals_ParentCarerFAQs.pdf
Tameside’s Children’s Nutrition Team have brought out some ideas on eating healthily, but still on a budget, including a 5-day planner.
Planner issue1 Planner Issue 2 Planner Issue 3 Planner Issue 4 Planner Issue 5 Planner Issue 5
Planner Issue 6
Fact File – Cooking Know How Fact File – Cooking Essentials Fact File – Shopping
Fact File – Applying for free school meals Fact File – Food on a Budget Advice
Family Meal Planner 1 Family Meal Planner 2 Family Meal Planner 3 Family Meal Planner 4 Family Meal Planner 5 Family Meal Planner 6
If you are in need of help from the foodbank, call the help-line on: Mon-Fri 10am-3pm – 0333 772 1916 or visit https://tamesidesouthlongdendale.foodbank.org.uk/
Tameside Council have a list of businesses still open to supply groceries, some of which will deliver or you can arrange collection: Groceries suppliers
Tameside’s Children’s Nutrition Team are sharing healthy eating advice, recipe ideas and tips on how to make your food go further. They can be found on Twitter @NHSTamesideCNT.
You can also check if you qualify for Healthy Start Vouchers. You get free vouchers every week to spend on milk, plain fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables, and infant formula milk. You can also get free vitamins. Pregnant or have children under the age of four? You could qualify if you’re on benefits, or if you’re pregnant and under 18.
Keeping Healthy
Keeping healthy and exercising is important. This can still be done whilst self-isolating or staying in: Super Six
Local Help & Advice
Mottram and Hattersley Covid-19 support line
Local churches are working together to offer support Silver Cord
Mental Health
The latest mental health services poster Tameside Mental Health
Being There is a befriending service for those with life-limiting conditions: Referral form Befriending service poster
Boost your wellbeing during the crisis: 10 days of happiness
Government guidance on supporting children’s mental health: Guidance to support mental health
An Easy Read guide on how to look after your feelings and your body: Guide to look after your feelings and your body
A practical guide to help with your mental wellbeing during these difficult times Practical help guide
Having good mental health helps us to relax more. Check out some tips on the NHS Every Mind Matters website
Various websites for children and young people on issues around sleeping, anxiety, online safety and more: Emotional wellbeing or Sleep routine top tips
Resources for mental health and wellbeing, including advice and contact numbers: Anna Freud Centre
Resources for mental health and wellbeing: CAMHS
Advice on supporting children with bereavement: Childhood Bereavement Network
Helping you to talk to your child about coronavirus: Talking about it or 5-point plan