Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland
Coronavirus Crisis Response Our coronavirus crisis response, launched in March, is available to anyone over the age of 50 and to anyone supporting a friend, neighbour or family member over the age of 50. The Coronavirus Helpline, on 0116 299 2239, is the point of entry for our coronavirus crisis response which can help with a range of support including: •P rovision of emergency essentials (food, toiletries and cleaning products) if you do not have any other way of getting these items. Pack contents depend on our stock each day but will often include bread, milk, canned and dried goods, toilet rolls and sometimes fresh produce. •G rocery shopping at a supermarket where we have been given priority (faster) access and can pick up the specific items you need. The level of demand for this service means that your shopping list needs to keep you in groceries for at least 7 to 10 days as we are not able to shop more frequently than this. If you require it, our Home Care team can arrange for a regular care worker to shop more frequently for you. •P rescription collections and delivery to your home if your pharmacy is unable to deliver. All deliveries to you will be made to your doorstep until distancing restrictions are relaxed. • Telephone Befriending for a regular chat and catch up and to make sure you are coping at home. You can talk about your concerns, anxieties or practical support needs and befrienders can arrange the help you need. •E motional Support due to unexpected challenges that the coronavirus crisis has brought. If isolation is increasingly difficult, you are struggling with being unable to see family
members, prevented from visiting a loved one in hospital, recently bereaved or have informal caring responsibilities and are missing respite support…you are not alone in facing such challenges or in finding it difficult to deal with them and whatever your situation, it is very likely that our staff will have helped with a similar situation in recent months. • Increasing your income where money is tight whether because you are furloughed or have additional expenditure, we can help you navigate the complex benefits system to access extra income that you are entitled to. We can also help you access support or complete the paperwork for specific items which will make your life more manageable, such as mobility equipment, a hospital bed disabled parking badge or lifeline alarm system. If your finances are a concern, we would urge you to seek support now, so that we can work with your before the higher costs in winter stretch your income further. •C ommunity response support - working with the NHS to help you avoid hospital admission, we can also help with home care, meal preparation, a handyman and domestic adaptations service (key safe and grab rail installations) and transport to GP/hospital appointments. If you feel that you need help, are not sure how to overcome an issue you face or just need to talk to someone, please call the Coronavirus Helpline on 0116 299 2239 between 9am and 5pm every weekday and from 10am to 4pm on weekends.
Due to Covid-19, many of our services have closed to keep the public, our staff and volunteers safe. Listed below and on the facing page are our current services, but please note that group activities are suspended at the time of going to print. Support for Carers
Tackling Loneliness & Isolation
Respite Care
Befriending
Time for yourself to recharge your batteries or manage other aspects of your life. Our staff can provide the same attentive, thoughtful and compassionate care that you would provide yourself. Contact: 0116 299 2266 Open: Mon - Fri 08:30 -16:30
Befriending services support older people who may be lonely or socially isolated and would benefit from a friendly face calling on a regular basis at a mutually convenient day and time. Leicester City: 0116 223 7364 NW Leicestershire: 01530 833000 Rutland: 01572 770 324
City of Leicester Carers Support Service Support and information to all carers in Leicester aged 18+ looking after a family member or friend. Contact: 0116 222 0538
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Men In Sheds & Women In Sheds A place to pursue practical interests with a high degree of autonomy. Members share tools and resources to work on projects of their own choosing, at their own pace and in a safe, friendly and inclusive venue. Please call the Shed for latest opening days and times Charnwood Shed: 01509 211 603 Rutland Shed: 01572 720319
