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Rochdale Local Offer COVID-19 Help and Guidance

We are experiencing an unprecedented time due to Coronavirus. It is important to try to look after yourself and your family, both mentally and physically during this time. This page is designed to offer some supportive advice for families.

Latest coronavirus information

The latest information on the Coronavirus can be found on Rochdale Borough Council website (external link) and on GOV.UK website (external link)

Help with face coverings in public

Face covering exemptions

While it is expect everyone to wear a face covering if they can, the Government has stated that anyone who has a justifiable reason on the grounds of health or disability will be free to travel without wearing one.

Government guidance on exemptions is still in development but, following an equalities impact assessment, the Department for Transport has confirmed that the exemption will apply to those with:

  • Breathing difficulties and other respiratory conditions.
  • Conditions affecting their dexterity, meaning they are not able to put on a face covering.
  • Mental health conditions such as anxiety or panic disorders.
  • Other non-visible disabilities such as autism.
  • Cognitive impairments, including dementia, who may not understand or remember the need to wear a face covering.
  • Visual impairments, with a restricted field of vision, particularly if any residual vision is at the lower edge of the normal field of view.
  • Impairments which would make it difficult to put on or take off a face covering safely, accurately, consistently or without pain.

The exemptions also apply to those who rely on lip reading. This includes carers who are travelling with someone for whom a face covering would make communication difficult.

Passengers will be able to remove their face covering for eating and drinking if necessary and taking essential medication.

This list isn’t exhaustive and exemption will also apply to anyone who has a legitimate health or disability reason for not wearing a face covering, as outlined above.

Further help regarding face coverings

ASC Advice from the National Autistic Society (53KB pdf)

Guidance on face coverings in an easy read format (1MB pdf)

Printable flash card for people who cannot wear face coverings (208KB pdf)

Advice and flash cards for people with sever learning disabilities (337KB pdf)

How to make a face covering from a sock – easy no sewing involved - Watch the video The Latest Face Mask From Sock For Adults, Fits Perfectly. No sewing on YouTube (2 mins 56 secs)

Watch the video Easy DIY Sock Face Mask Video Tutorial (No Sew Method) | Crafty Caboodle on YouTube (2 min 12 secs)

Transport for Greater Manchester Travel Advice (external link)

How to talk to your child about Coronavirus

These can be difficult conversations without clear answers at the moment. Find some links below that may help:

Education support for children and young people

See the links below for information and guidance from Rochdale Additional Needs and Educational Psychology Services that may help with learning:

I need support for my child's education and wellbeing at home

If you need support for your child's education and wellbeing you can contact Rochdale Additional Needs and Educational Psychology Services on 01706 926400 or email rans.admin@rochdale.gov.uk.

Family wellbeing

Being at home caring for your children for extended periods can be confusing and unsettling for them and you. Below are some links to information which may help.

Support for parent/carers

It is important to try to look after yourself too, during this difficult time. See useful services below that can help.

Rochdale Parent Carers Voice (external link) have been working hard to provide information and support for parent/carers. You can contact them on 01706 358326 or by email RochdalePCV@outlook.com.

If you would like to chat to other carers online you could try an online forum.

Forums for adult carers

Forums for young carers

For those families who normally receive short break support, see Rochdale Short Breaks COVID-19 guidance (88KB pdf)

For advice to keep a child with complex health needs safe during this time, see the Wellchild website (external link)

Virtual short break sessions

Sports Works 

Contact Sportsworks short breaks to book onto their Zoom short break sessions.

Link4Life

Follow the portal for crafts, cooking, relaxation and exercise sessions for children and adults on Link4Life (external link)

Barnardos

See Barnardos virtual short breaks groups regarding their Virtual Short Breaks Groups.

Helplines

If you or your child would like to speak to someone anonymously, you could try calling a helpline or visiting websites such as Shout and ChildLine.

Shout

Are a crisis text line that provides free, confidential support to anyone at crisis at anytime, anywhere, 24/7 via text.

You can:

  • Text SHOUT to 85258 in the UK to text with a trained Crisis Volunteer.
  • Text with someone who is trained and will provide active listening and collaborative problem-solving.

For more information see Crisis Text Line UK (external link).

ChildLine

We provide a confidential telephone counselling service for any child with a problem. It comforts, advises and protects.

You can:

  • Call 0800 1111 any time for free
  • Have an online chat with a counsellor
  • Check out the message boards

For more information see Childline (external link).

Teenagers and young adults

The Mix 

We provide help and advice for under 25 around everything from mental health to housing issues. It has free 24/7 crisis messenger support across the UK.

If you are experiencing any painful emotion or are in crisis, you can:

Text: 85258.

Telephone: 0808 808 4994 (7 days a week 4pm to 11pm).

For further information see The Mix (external link).

Safeguarding

Should you feel that you or your family, or someone you know, is at risk of harm or are struggling to cope, you can speak to someone using the numbers below.

  • If you need immediate safeguarding support, contact the Complex Early Help and Safeguarding Hub on 0300 303 0440 (8.30am to 4.45pm)
  • Emergency Out of Office Hours call 0300 303 8875 for emergencies only. Safeguarding Hub email: ehash@rochdale.gov.uk Or call 999.
  • For disabled children and their families, already known to the Rochdale Children with Disabilities Team telephone 01706 925900.

Mental wellbeing

Mind

Mind is a mental health charity in England and Wales offering support, including legal advice.

Helpline: 0300 123 3393

Local number: 01706 752335

Email: info@rochdalemind.org.uk

Website: Rochdale and District Mind (external link)

Wellmind (free app)

WellMind is a free NHS mental health and wellbeing app designed to help you with stress, anxiety and depression. The app includes advice, tips and tools to improve your mental health and boost your wellbeing.

Wellbeing app (external link)

Cove (free app)

Free, personal music journal to help you with your emotional and mental health.

Cove app (external link)

Rochdale Educational Psychology Service

Helping children cope with Anxiety during the Covid-19 pandemic leaflet (1.6KB pdf)

Activities and exercises

A range of activities you can do at home:

A range of exercises for children to do at home:

Death and bereavement support

During the Coronavirus outbreak some families may sadly experience the death of a loved one. The below information and links are designed to help navigate the practical and emotional elements of making arrangements following a loved ones death during the Coronavirus outbreak.

What to do when a loved one dies

See Get help with funeral costs (external link) for guidance around what to do following the death of a loved one.

How to register a death

See Registering a death (external link) for guidance around where and how to register a death and what information and documents you will need.

Funeral service during COVID-19

Things may feel different and take longer than they usually would when organising a funeral service during the current COVID-19 outbreak. Each area and funeral director will be different and will depend on their capacity at that time.

See these useful guides:

Funeral guide (external link)

Funeral payments (external link)

Cruse Bereavement Care

Cruse are open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5pm (excluding bank holidays), with extended hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings until 8pm.

Free helpline: 0808 808 1677

Email: helpline@cruse.org.uk.

Website: Cruse Bereavement Care (external link)

Child Bereavement UK

Provides confidential bereavement support, information and guidance to families and professionals. The helpline team is available to take calls and respond to emails and Live Chat Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (except bank holidays).

Helpline: 0800 028 8840

Email: support@childbereavementuk.org

Website: Child Bereavement UK (external link)

Carers UK

Offers comprehensive advice to carers and their families about what to do when a loved one dies, including issues around benefits, housing, wills and probate. They are open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm.

Helpline: 0808 808 7777

Email: advice@carersuk.org

Website: Carers UK (external link)

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