Help to keep you warm and well this Winter
Keeping warm and well this winter can be even more of a challenge with more of us spending time in doors with national restrictions in place to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
If you need help with your health or wellbeing you are not alone, and advice and support services are available:
Staying warm - Keeping warm helps prevent colds, flu and other serious health problems. Try heating your home’s main living room during the day to 18-21°C (64-70°F) and other rooms to 16°C (61°F). Remember with the national lockdown restrictions in place we are stay indoors more, so do allow fresh air into your home by opening a window to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 particles indoors.
For information about how to turn your cold house into a warm home this winter by claiming all the help and support are entitled to visit www.manchester.gov.uk/helpinghands
Vitamin D – Helps to maintain a healthy body including your immune system, teeth and bones. Winter means shorter days and longer nights, so our bodies don’t get all the vitamin D we need from the sun. Taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D during autumn/winter can help this, especially for people who are African, African-Caribbean or south Asian.
Get help, when you need it – Talk to your pharmacists /GP about any health concerns or changes to your body that you notice. The sooner you access healthcare services the more treatable a condition can be.
Tens of thousands vaccinated against flu in Manchester
82,248 people have been given a flu jab in Manchester this winter so far. This is an increase of almost 15,000 compared to 2019.
It is important that as many people as possible receive the flu jab, as people who are susceptible to flu are also at increased risk of Covid-19. Given the current high rate of hospital admissions it is vital that work continues to protect the most vulnerable. So far 61% of people aged 65 and over have been vaccinated.
There are still areas and groups in our city where vaccination rates are lower than expected and local healthcare teams are working to ensure every eligible person can be vaccinated.
A strategy is being put in place to increase the number of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic residents getting a flu jab. Areas that will be focused on include Cheetham and Crumpsall, Hulme, Ruhsholme and Moss Side.
Efforts are also being made to reach pregnant women, as well as parents of young children aged 2 and 3 who can face more serious complications if diagnosed with flu.
GPs will remain open during the current lockdown and residents with appointments are urged to attend. To find out more about flu, please visit www.mhcc.nhs.uk/flu
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Free flu vaccinations for over 50s in December
People aged 50 to 64 will get free flu vaccine from 1 December as part of expanded flu vaccination programme. Individuals will be able to get free flu jab from their GP or pharmacist
Digital mental health support in Greater Manchester for adults
There are two services to help any adult in need of quick mental wellbeing support without the need to leave the house or visit their GP or other health services during COVID-19 outbreak.
The Shout service provides free support by text at any time of the day or night. By sending a message to the service, anyone can quickly and discreetly communicate with a trained crisis volunteer about a range of issues including worries, anxieties or fears they are experiencing. To access support simply text SHOUT to 85258 or visit hub.gmhsc.org.uk
Anyone can also access online therapy to help with stress, anxiety, low mood and depression through the Silver Cloud platform. The free online programmes provide adults with the skills to deal will issues affecting emotional health and wellbeing and can be accessed at gm.silvercloudhealth.com/signup/
For more information about mental health support available across Greater Manchester visit hub.gmhsc.org.uk
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Digital mental health support in Greater Manchester for children and young people
Kooth, an online counselling and emotional wellbeing platform, is designed for young people aged 11-18. It offers a live chat function to contact and talk with a qualified counsellor, crisis information and self-help resources. There are also chat forums where young people can chat with others experiencing similar issues.
Young people can also get free support by text through the Shout messaging service 24/7. To access support simply text SHOUT to 85258.
Manchester Community Response Hub
The Community Response Hub offers support to Manchester's most vulnerable people to help them cope with the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak. The Hub is open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm and can help with:
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Access to food
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Delivery of medication
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Combating loneliness
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Managing fuel top-up payments
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Getting access to services online
NHS Local Test and Trace sites available at weekends too
Your local NHS Test and Trace service is also available at weekends too. So, if you have COVID symptoms call 119 or nhs.uk/coronavirus to book a free test at walk or drive through sites across Manchester. Home testing kits are also available. Additional local testing sites available soon.
Carers Rights Day 26 November 2020
On #CarersRightsDay, Thursday 26 November, a new support pathway is being launched for carers in Manchester.
Carers Manchester is a partnership of statutory and voluntary organisations, working together to improve services for Manchester’s unwaged carers.
The pathway includes a dedicated carers helpline, a network of 18 carers organisations as well as enhanced carers support for you in your local area (due to start in December).
At 10am on Carers Rights Day there will be a special event broadcasted from the carers Manchester Facebook page to celebrate the launch of this new service. There will be guest speakers and conversations with carers. Please join this online event from 10am – 11.30am – on Thurs 26 November on Carers Manchester Facebook page
For more information on our services and what we can do for you as a carer, visit carersmanchester.org.uk
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Emergency Fund for Unpaid Carers
The Fund is open for carers (aged 16+) to ensure the ongoing health and wellbeing of both the carer and the person who needs care. This includes those households where a child or young person is the carer.
The funding can be used for transport costs (including taxis) or fuel, furniture, emergency delivery of food and one-off practical costs to help with the caring role at this time.
Carers can receive advice about accessing this financial support by ringing the Manchester Carers Contact Point: Mon-Fri 10am-4pm on 0161 543 8000 or their Young Carers Coordinator.
Alternatively, carers can email: contactpoint@carersmanchester.org.uk, visit www.manchester.gov.uk/carers (and click on the Carers Emergency Fund tab), or visit www.carersmanchester.org.uk
Support for people Self isolating with COVID-19
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. Find out more.
Help with Debt, Bills and Borrowing
If you are not working or furloughed at the moment due to COVID-19 and need help with debt, bills or borrowing, visit www.manchester.gov.uk/helpinghands for advice and support.
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Bin not emptied? Leave it out
COVID-19 has impacted our bin services with occasional staff shortages for health reasons and increased demand due to more people being at home more often.
Sometimes it may not be possible to empty your bin on your usual day. If your bin is not emptied on your usual day, please leave it out and we will attempt to empty it the following day.
Help Us, Help You with abdominal cancers
If you have persistent tummy troubles these can be signs of a number of cancers, including bowel, ovarian or pancreatic cancer. People who are suffering with symptoms can be reluctant to visit their GP; as they may be embarrassed about their symptoms or concerned that they might be wasting their doctor’s time, or they may just put their tummy troubles down to getting older.
Or they may be concerned that they will be a burden to the NHS who are also dealing with COVID-19. While it’s probably nothing serious, any of these symptoms could be a sign of something that needs treatment. If it is cancer, finding it early makes it more treatable and can save lives. Visit nhs.uk/cancersymptoms for more information.
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