Lockdown 3.0 - Resources and Support Services available for Free

Lockdown 3.0 - Resources and Support Services available for Free

"Though we are all battling the same storm, we are not all in the same boat"

With lockdowns continuing across England, Scotland, Wales and restrictions in place in Northern Ireland, it's abundantly clear that Covid is still impacting people across the world. We wanted to share some support networks that are available, for free, for anyone who may need them.

As part of Mental Health Awareness Week 2020, we spoke with Jayne Hardy, founder of Blurt Foundation about the ways we can be kinder to ourselves – especially during a pandemic – you can find this blog post here.

Mind
Mind have a selection of resources and guidance available for anyone who is struggling with their mental health due to lockdown, isolation and the pandemic as a whole - click here
Are you a student? Take a look at Mind’s dedicated Student page here
Mind have also created a page focussing on how to cope with redundancy here
One You
The NHS have some great resources and advice on how to look after your mental wellbeing whilst staying at home, and some top tips for taking working from home in your stride!
Mental Health and Staying at Home
Top tips for Working from home!
Samaritans

The Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Whatever you are going through, Samaritans will face it with you. You can call or text for free, and a trained and dedicated volunteer will be there to help. Samaritans have also launched a dedicated helpline for NHS and social care workers.
Samaritans Website

SMS number: 07725909090
Phone number: 116123
Details on the dedicated NHS and Social care Worker Numbers

Blurt Foundation:
Founded by Jayne Hardy, Blurt is a UK based social enterprise dedicated to helping those affected by depression, increasing awareness and understanding. They provide tools and knowledge, and work closely with medical practitioners, employers, schools and companies to help them understand depression, what it means and how they can support those affected. They provide an array of free online resources and a buddy box service - a monthly subscription box full of self-care items to help your or a friend practice self-kindness every month.
Mental Health Mates
Launched in 2016 with a single tweet, when Bryony Gordon invited others to join her for a walk around the Serpentine in London, Mental Health Mates is a network of peer support groups run by the community and people with mental health issues, who meet regularly to walk, exercise and share without fear or judgement. You do not have to have a diagnosed mental health issue to join their meet-ups – everyone has mental health and everyone is welcome. For more info and to find your nearest group check their website.
7 Cups of Tea
7 Cups is an online support service that provides caring listeners with free emotional support. They have self-help guides to look through and a free 24/7 chat service with volunteer listeners. They have facilitated over 40,000,000 conversations about mental health and have helped over 25 million people.
The Hub of Hope
Endorsed by the Samaritans and 25 other national mental health support organisations and trusts, The Hub of Hope is the world’s first of its kind mental health database bringing grassroots and national mental health services together in one place for the first time ever. Using the location of web browsers or mobile devices, the cloud-based web application allows anyone, anywhere to find the nearest source of support for any mental health issue, from depression and anxiety to PTSD, as well as providing a ‘talk now’ button connecting users directly to the Samaritans.
Domestic Violence
It is no secret that the risk of domestic violence has increased due
to the pandemic. Here are a couple of ways to seek help and support if you, or a loved one is in need.

Government Guidance on Domestic Abuse
Refuge
Advice and guidance on support available, your rights and options and how to support a survivor.

Men’s Advice Line
Confidential helpline for male victims of domestic abuse and those supporting them
Freephone: 0808 8010327
Child related resources
NSPCC Learning Hub UK

Risk of child abuse during COVID-19 Lockdown
Childline

Food Resources and Support Services

Find a Food Bank Near You

Fare share UK

Independent Food Aid Network
Find your local Mutual Aid group
Mutual Aid UK
Here’s a couple of articles the team have shared over the past few days that we wanted to pass on to you.

It's OK If You're Not Being Productive During The COVID-19 Pandemic

Life after Lockdown – how NZ influencers are navigating a post Covid world

BrewDog offers its locations as Vaccination Centres

Ratitouille The Musical raises over $1 Million for the Actors Fund

80 Positive News Stories You May Have Missed During The Coronavirus Outbreak

Reasons to be hopeful in 2021
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