 Protecting our mental health is equally important in these challenging times
People struggling with their mental health during the coronavirus outbreak will be offered additional online support and practical guidance to help them cope.
The new guidance, put together by Public Health England, includes tips such as:
- Maintaining contact with friends and family through telephone and video calls, or social media.
- Keeping a regular routine and sleeping pattern.
- Focusing on a hobby or learning something new.
Parents and carers will also benefit from tailored advice on how to support children and young people with stress during the coronavirus outbreak, which includes providing clear information, being aware of their own reactions and creating a new routine.
 Stay in, work out – keeping the nation active
Keeping active can be challenging while we’re all spending more time at home than we’d probably like, but getting in your regular dose of exercise couldn’t be more important. If you’re looking for some fitness inspiration, Sport England’s new campaign provides a wide range of home workouts that can help you and your family stay active.
Do you feel like you’ve got knowledge to pass on? The campaign is also asking everyone to share their hints and tips on how to stay active using the hashtag #StayInWorkOut.
 New guidance for tenants and landlords
The government has published updated guidance for landlords and tenants, including information about payments, tenancy extensions and protection from evictions.
Among the measures introduced so far are:
- A ban on evictions from social or private rented accommodation during the national emergency – in place for at least three months.
- A ban on new possession proceedings starting during the crisis.
Our housing options team continues to provide support for urgent cases where residents have become homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless. This service is now being provided remotely following the closure of Albert Jacob House to the public.
Residents who need urgent support should call 020 7364 7474. Other enquiries should be directed to homeless@towerhamlets.gov.uk where one of the team will respond as quickly as possible.
 2,000 parking permits issued to frontline workers
We recognise that staff working in the NHS and in other frontline public services are having to change the way they get to and from work in these unique times. To support them, we have now issued more than 2,000 temporary parking permits allowing these individuals to access parking across Tower Hamlets. We are also continuing to work with businesses to make specific parking available to key workers near to critical sites such as the Royal London Hospital.
Residents will understand that due to the demand for parking capacity, we need to limit these permits to NHS staff, other emergency service personnel, council social care teams and schools staff looking after the children of key workers.
If this isn't you, you may still be able to benefit from the lifting of certain parking restrictions in our resident and pay & display areas.
 TfL waives charges for NHS and other care staff
Transport for London is waiving parking charges at any of its car parks for NHS, home care and adult social care staff. Santander bike journeys of under 30 minutes will also be free.
A full list of car parks where this offer applies can be found online. Staff should display supporting evidence in their windscreen – a photocopy of a work pass is sufficient.
Eligible employers will issue codes directly to their staff to allow them to make use of the Santander cycling offer.
 Support for people sleeping rough
Our dedicated outreach teams continue to work on the ground providing support to those who need it most. We are pleased that the majority of the borough’s homeless are in accommodation and we are working with our partners to arrange safe housing options for the limited number of people still sleeping rough. In recent days we have managed to secure hotel space which, in addition to our hostel network and other temporary accommodation sites, means we have more options at our disposal.
As always, if you are concerned about someone sleeping rough, the most effective action is to ‘tell StreetLink’. This creates a report which can be accessed directly by our own outreach team, getting the help to the people who need it.
 Staying home really does save lives
We all have a responsibility to play our part in helping to stop the spread of the virus.
- Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work from home).
- If you go out, stay two metres (six feet) away from other people at all times.
- Wash your hands as soon as you get home.
Do not meet others, even friends or family.
You can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms.
Of course, while the vast majority of us must stay at home and avoid social contact and unnecessary travel, there are key workers from a range of sectors in Tower Hamlets, including the NHS and our very own council staff, who are venturing out every day to help others get through this incredibly challenging time. We are continually thinking about our colleagues and partners and are truly grateful for their ongoing efforts to deliver vital services.
 Support for businesses
We are continuing to support businesses in Tower Hamlets as they face unprecedented levels of disruption. Our support for businesses page contains many useful links to financial and other assistance and will continue to be updated as further measures are announced by the government. The government has now introduced a number of support schemes for different groups. We hope the information below will provide a useful summary:
 A reminder about support for our most vulnerable
Support by phone
Last week, we launched a new phoneline to support residents who have been identified as being extremely vulnerable and at the highest risk of severe illness. Tower Hamlets residents, their families or their carers can call 020 7364 3030 to let the council know if they have any urgent requirements. Alternatively, they can complete our simple online form.
The line can also be used to discuss any concerns around social isolation and help people may need with food supplies, access to medication or worries about debt, for example.
More information about the phoneline, including hours of operation, is available online.
Shielding for the most vulnerable
If you're at high risk or considered to be extremely vulnerable from this coronavirus, you should now have been contacted by the NHS. If you haven't heard and you have concerns or believe you should be in the shielding group, you should arrange a discussion with your GP or a hospital clinician.
Registering for additional support
Those who are at high risk are being asked to take additional steps to protect themselves for the next 12 weeks. As a result, they may need support to get deliveries of essential supplies. These individuals can register to get coronavirus support. We are also helping to coordinate support for residents who are extremely vulnerable.
Food deliveries underway
The first 2,000 food parcels are on their way to councils across the UK. A further 50,000 are expected to be sent out in the coming days, including those for Tower Hamlets residents.
The packages contain essential food and household items such as pasta, fruit, tinned goods and biscuits. They are dispatched from central locations across the country before being delivered to the doors of vulnerable people by teams based right here in the borough and in other local authorities.
Coronavirus: useful links
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