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)
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:
- COVID-19 booklet for younger children (1MB pdf)
- The Anti-Baddies Resilience Toolkit (4MB pdf)
- Nursery book explaining COVID-19 (external link)
- Talking to young people about world trauma (external link)
- COVID-19 social stories and resources for children with ASC (external link)
- COVID-19 vaccination: easy-read resources for children and young people - GOV.UK (external link)
- Watch the video While We Can’t Hug – Helping children to understand social distancing on YouTube (2 mins)
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:
- Helping your child with Literacy (34KB pdf)
- Making time and space for play (127KB pdf)
- Helping your child with Maths (127KB pdf)
- Everyday Maths (133KB pdf)
- Good seating guide (101KB pdf)
- Home Learning Timetable (973KB pdf)
- Online Classroom (external link)
- SEND education resources (external link)
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.
- Looking after families (127KB pdf)
- Calming down worries for children (external link)
- Childline – Calm Zone for kids (external link)
-
Make your own sensory kit at home – how to guide (external link)
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.
- Looking after yourself (101KB pdf)
- Managing difficult behaviours (104KB pdf)
- Help for parents and teenagers (133KB pdf)
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
- Rochdale Carers Hub (Support for Carers)
- Carers UK online forum (external link)
- Scope's online community for parents and carers (external link)
- Simplyhealth Care Community (external link)
- Sue Ryder online community (external link)
Forums for young carers
- Young Carers Hub Rochdale (external link)
- The Mix (external link)
- YACbook (external link)
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)
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
Rochdale and District 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)
Listening lounge
Are you struggling with mental health and emotional welling?
Please don’t suffer alone, if you are feeling anxious, low, are struggling with negative thoughts or just need someone to talk to, we are here for you.
Our listening lounge provides a safe, comfortable and confidential space that is open out of normal working hours to support anyone over the age of 18 with their mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Location:
The Mind and Wellbeing Centre, 3-11 Drake Street, Rochdale, OL16 1RE.
Contact
Monday and Wednesdays - 6.30pm to 9.30pm, Saturday 1.30pm to 4.30pm
Tel: 01706 752338 or 07392 313880 for more information.
This is a free walk in or self-referral service that is run by Wellbeing Workers and volunteers from Rochdale and District Mind, in partnership with local NHS services. Referrals from professionals are welcome with consent from client.
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:
- Homemade Playdough (external link to BBC good food)
- Homemade Saltdough (external link to BBC good food))
- Jamie Oliver - Keep cooking and carrying on (external link Channel 4)
A range of exercises for children to do at home:
- Wheelchair exercises for young people (external link)
- Yoga for kids (external link YouTube 1 min 26 secs)
- PE with Joe Wicks - The Body Coach (external link YouTube 33 mins 7 secs)
Long Covid support
Please see services below which can support you through Long term Covid.
- Bury/ Bolton ME/CFS Support Group (external link) - Services and support information including groups to attend.
- Bury/ Bolton ME/CFS Support Group (external link) - Support for children and young people
Online support
- Long Covid Kids Support Group (external link) – This is a support group for Long Covid Kids Charity. Your child does not need to have a Long Covid diagnosis to join our group.
- Activities and home learning ideas to do with your children - You and your child can continue to learn at home through play activities, socialisation, relaxing, cuddling, responding, talking and communicating.
Other support services
- Barnardos - Rochdale activity groups and support
Health and wellbeing support
- Rochdale Mind - We provide a range of services to support people with mild to moderate mental health and wellbeing issues in the Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale area. Our services are designed by people with lived experience for service users.
- Living Well Rochdale - The Living Well team is here to help you make healthy lifestyle changes that will improve your health and wellbeing.
Information and guidance
- Long Covid support (external link)
- Children’s guide to Coronavirus (external link)
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)