Coronavirus update: 2 April 2020

The coronavirus outbreak means that life is changing for all of us for a while. It may cause you to feel anxious, stressed, worried, sad, bored, lonely or frustrated. 

It's important to remember it is OK to feel this way and that everyone reacts differently. Remember, this situation is temporary and, for most of us, these difficult feelings will pass. 

There are some simple things you can do to help you take care of your mental health and wellbeing during times of uncertainty. Doing so will help you think clearly, and make sure you are able to look after yourself and those you care about. 

Here are 10 ways you can help improve your mental health and wellbeing if you are worried or anxious about the coronavirus outbreak. For specific tips and advice while staying at home, read our advice on maintaining your mental wellbeing while staying at home. 

It is important to follow the latest official guidance on staying at home and away from others to keep everyone safe. 

Public Health England’s Every Mind Matters campaign for mental health has 10 tips to help if you are worried about the coronavirus   

Following the Government’s announcement that those working in emergency services fighting the Covid-19 outbreak, should be assisted to do so by the relaxation of parking restrictions near their place of work, Hounslow Council has gone beyond this by also providing free parking for care workers and volunteers supporting vulnerable or self-isolating people. Additionally, any health or care worker who receives penalty charge notices whilst working, but are correctly parked in a parking bay, will have their penalty notices cancelled when challenged. 

To date more than 1,000 parking permits have been issued to NHS and critical workers who have applied for them under the new criteria. All other parking restrictions and controls remain in place and enforcement activity is continuing, in line with the guidance issued by central government and also London Councils.  

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Since 2018, Muslim Hands has been running a community kitchen called The Open Kitchen, for the homeless, low-income families and needy children in Hounslow from their base in Brentford. The kitchen is free and open to all, serving 100 hot, nutritious meals twice a day, seven days a week in a community-centred space, where they are treated with respect and dignity. 

Due to the Coronavirus crisis, the kitchen is now running a takeaway service for service users and home deliveries for people in self-isolation to ensure that they can continue to provide this vital service during the current outbreak. They have also implemented a strategy for volunteers to reach out to communities, aiming to increase the number of vulnerable people they are reaching. 

https://muslimhands.org.uk/appeals/coronavirus-appeal 

The Fashion & Textile Children’s Trust (FTCT) provides grants for essential items, for children (0-18yrs) and wants families to get in touch at this time. If the parent or carer works / has previously worked in a high street fashion retailer, fashion clothing company, supermarket that sells clothing, carpet store, knitwear, footwear, bridalwear, dry cleaners and many other related roles, their grants can pay for essential items that children need. (Grants are considered regardless of whether the parent / carer has been furloughed) 

Here’s what the charity can help to pay for: The charity can cover the cost of essential items such as clothing, laptops or tablets for home schooling, bedding and other household essentials, including white goods. If a child has a disability or additional needs, their grants can also help to support with mobility equipment, sensory toys, therapies and more.  Their grants are not a loan and do not need to be re-paid.  

Please note: the charity is not able to support with grants for food / household bills, nappies etc, but they are definitely worth contacting to ask for support the parent may need now and in the coming months for other essential items for children, to help out at home, with additional costs families may now be facing. 

Barbara, one of the parents supported with an FTCT grant said: “You have nothing to lose but something to gain. It’s more than just things you’re applying for, getting that grant and knowing you have provided for your child is worth so much more."  

For more information, please go to their website: www.ftct.org.uk