The help and support available in Manchester as lockdown returns

The country has gone back into full national lockdown today, and there is a range of support available to Manchester people who need help. 

The lockdown is expected to last until Wednesday 2nd December, when the position will be reviewed.  

Manchester’s Community Support Hub is remaining open to help the city’s most vulnerable people during the pandemic.   

This service helps people who are affected by the restrictions with no support network, or people who are high-risk or medically vulnerable.  

The hub can help with access to food, medication deliveries, fuel top-ups, helping to get access to online services, and combat loneliness.  

If you need help, call 0800 234 6123 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday, or text 07860 0202876 for a response the next working day.  

Since March, the hub has taken over 25,000 calls made more than 100,000 deliveries providing support packs of food and other supplies to homes, with continuing support required for many households. 

And more than five million items of PPE have been distributed through the hub to be used in community settings, such as care homes. 

The response has been managed by the City Council and made up of more than 100 members of staff in partnership with around 40 voluntary and private organisations. 

Mental Health support services are also open, and help is available to those struggling during lockdown.  

The SHOUT text messaging service gives free, confidential mental health support by text message, and is now available to people of all ages in Greater Manchester who are in crisis. 

And further help is available, such as advice for parents for Special Educational Needs children or those suffering domestic abuse. 

Where people have been told to self-isolate by the NHS Test and Trace and their income has been affected, they could be eligible for a one-off support payment

“The idea of going back into a national lockdown during the winter months is a very different prospect than the first wave – and we know this will be a really concerning time for lots of people,” said Councillor Bev Craig, Manchester City Council’s executive member for adult health and well-being.

“Manchester always pulls together in times of need, and we need to all pull together in the coming weeks. 

“We need people to know that there is help, advice and support available.

“No one should suffer on their own and if you do feel like you need someone to talk to, please get in touch. 

“In March, we set up the Council’s Community Response Hub, which is a free phone number that has been running through the crisis and we wanted to stress that it is still available for people to get essential help relating to COVID.

“It is on hand to help with essential things such as general food supplies, medication if you are asked to self-isolate or even a connection into local groups and support if you’re feeling lonely. 

“Remember that we are in this together and we will get through this together.

“Help is available – please ask for it.”