Coronavirus Latest Information from Care for the Carers

At this difficult time, we are working hard to make sure that unpaid carers feel supported and connected and have the information to care safely during coronavirus. You can also read our carer FAQs and advice here. We are still here for you, so please get in touch. Our Carers Hub is open virtually 10am-5pm Monday-Friday (except Bank Holidays) as follows: 

• Call us on: 01323 738390
• Text: 07860 077300
• Email: info@cftc.org.uk
• Facebook: Message us at Care for the Carers​ 

We are currently receiving a large number of calls, so it is likely that you will need to leave us a message when you phone.  We will prioritise carers urgently needing to access food, essentials and medication and will respond as soon as possible to other enquiries. Please include in your message your name, contact details, as much information as possible and how urgently you need help. We will respond to non-urgent enquiries within 5 working days.

All face-to-face groups, support, meetings and activities are on hold until the end of April 2020, however these will be replaced by phone and online support.

East Sussex Local Community Support for the vulnerable and those in need

Local community hubs have opened across East Sussex to bring extra help for people who need support in coping with the effects of coronavirus. The hubs include online forms and phone lines which anyone can contact to seek help if they are isolated, anxious or unwell at home and do not have family or friends they can call on.

Volunteers and staff from local councils and the health service will then ensure they try to get the right assistance to the people who need it most, including arranging food deliveries, medical supplies or mental health support.

The community hubs will focus their help on people who do not have an extreme medical condition but may be vulnerable because they are isolated from help, too unwell to buy food or need extra support because of coronavirus. 

There is more information about these local Community Hubs on the community hubs web page and contact details for each area are below.

Eastbourne

Website: Lewes and Eastbourne Councils
Phone: 01323 679722 (option 1)

Hastings

Website: Hastings Borough Council
Phone: 01424 451019

Lewes

Website: Lewes and Eastbourne Councils
Phone: 01273 099956 (option 1)

Rother

Website: Rother District Council
Phone: 01424 787000 (option 4)

Wealden

Website: Wealden District Council
Phone: 01323 443322

Further coronavirus information

Government advice about Coronavirus, or COVID-19, has been announced.  Please check the latest information on the Government website here: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus  which includes links to guidance about:

• How the virus is spread
• How to prevent the transmission of coronavirus
• Social distancing and vulnerable people
• Staying at home as much as possible.

The key new government measures are:

• Stay alert
  • stay at home as much as possible
  • work from home if you can
  • limit contact with other people
  • keep your distance if you go out (2 metres apart where possible)
  • wash your hands regularly
  • Do not leave home if you or anyone in your household has symptoms.

  You can read the full guidelines at: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus.

• The government has updated its guidance for people who are shielding taking into account that COVID-19 disease levels have decreased over the last few weeks. People who are shielding remain vulnerable and should continue to take precautions but can now leave their home if they wish, as long as they are able to maintain strict social distancing. If you choose to spend time outdoors, this can be with members of your own household. If you live alone, you can spend time outdoors with one person from another household. Ideally, this should be the same person each time. If you do go out, you should take extra care to minimise contact with others by keeping 2 metres apart. This guidance will be kept under regular review and you can read the full guidance on shielding vulnerable people on the Government website here.
• Use telephone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services.
• If one person in any household has a persistent cough or fever, everyone living there must stay at home for 14 days.

Specific carer guidance The Government has issued guidance here for anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who, due to a lifelong condition, illness, disability, serious injury, a mental health condition or an addiction, cannot cope without their support.

Emergency planning – It may be useful to think about emergency planning if you haven’t already done so. As a carer you will be concerned about what would happen to the person you care for if you had an accident or were suddenly taken ill. The Carers Card enables you to set up a Carers Respite Emergency Support Service (CRESS) plan as part of your Carer’s Assessment. This includes contact details for up to three people who could provide short-term support in an emergency. You can find out more information and apply for a Carers Card here. We can complete the form with you over the phone and with your verbal consent.  

If you have created an emergency plan, please check it in light of the current coronavirus measures and consider whether you will need to adapt your plan. 

NHS information – you can also get the latest information, answers to common questions and updates on the NHS website here. 

There is Public Health England Stay at Home Guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection here.

Carers UK have information and guidance specifically developed for carers on their website here.  This is being updated in response to carers’ queries about Coronavirus and its impact. 

Public Health England has a useful blog with 5 things you can do to protect yourself and your community. Read it here.

Share this article: