Please find below helpful information for Walthamstow residents on Covid-19 (Coronavirus) - this page will be updated with information as and when it is verified as accurate. 

 

COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Please visit the NHS website for information on COVID-19 (Coronavirus): https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/​

Latest info from City Hall on Covid-19: https://www.london.gov.uk/coronavirus

National restrictions are in place from November 5th 2020: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november?priority-taxon=774cee22-d896-44c1-a611-e3109cce8eae

How to avoid catching or spreading coronavirus

Do:

• - wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds

• - always wash your hands when you get home or into work

• - use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available

• - cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze

• - put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards

• - try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell

Don't:

• - do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean

 

You can find more information here, including information for Walthamstow:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

https://walthamforest.gov.uk/content/wednesday-11-march-covid-19-coronavirus-daily-update 

https://www.bartshealth.nhs.uk/news/worried-about-coronavirus--7272

https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

Information in different languages: https://www.bartshealth.nhs.uk/coronavirus

 

Information about mental health

There are a number of organisations who are there to provide support for those feeling worried or anxious during these difficult times:

• NELFT Mental Health Direct: As a Waltham Forest resident, you can call for mental health help and advice anytime of the day or night. Please call 0300 555 1000 https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/services-mental-health-direct/
• Samaritans: Offering emotional support and counselling – you can call them for free on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
• List of NHS-approved help lines: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mental-health-helplines/
• Waltham Forest Mental Health and Wellbeing support: https://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/content/mental-health-and-wellbeing-0

Information about food

The community pantry at the Paradox Centre, Chingford Hall Estate, was set up in August 2020 by the Peabody Community Foundation (reg. charity: 271731) and local residents, who continue to operate the pantry. They are a member of the national Your Local Pantry network, which was established by Church Action On Poverty: https://www.pecan.org.uk/peckham-pantry

For more information on free school meals click here

if you are able to contribute, you can:

- Donate to Eat or Heat. Food donations are preferable but cash donations are appreciated too. 
- Donate to the Salvation Army, who are asking for specific products. You can find their shopping list here and if you are unable to shop, you can donate money here. You can find out how to drop off donations from 8am on Monday 26th October at the Jewel Road entrance to their shop. 
- Donate to help PL84U- Al Suffa. Email pl84ualsuffa@gmail.com for more information on how to help them or visit their website.  
- You can also donate to schools who are currently running their own schemes but need support to continue. 

Information about Social Distancing

The Government have published a full guide to the conditions of the lockdown and what staying at home means – you can read this here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/876279/Full_guidance_on_staying_at_home_and_away_from_others__1_.pdf

 

Support from the Government for vulnerable people including food deliveries

Register if you have a medical condition that makes you extremely vulnerable to coronavirus. For example, you’ll be able to ask for help getting deliveries of essential supplies like food.

If you’re not sure whether your medical condition makes you extremely vulnerable, register anyway.

You can register yourself, or on behalf of someone else.

If you know it, it’s useful to have your NHS number to hand. You can find it on any letter the NHS has sent you or on a prescription.

This service is available in England.

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable

 

Information from Waltham Forest Council

Latest information from Waltham Forest Council: https://walthamforest.gov.uk/content/coronavirus-latest-information 

Daily update from Waltham Forest Council: https://walthamforest.gov.uk/content/wednesday-11-march-covid-19-coronavirus-daily-update 

- New Single Point of Contact for all queries related to Covid-19: public.health@walthamforest.gov.uk.

- Residents who are struggling to buy food can receive Local Welfare Assistance and such as food vouchers and essential household items https://walthamforest.gov.uk/content/local-welfare-assistance-lwa 

- Discretionary Housing Payments may be available to top-up housing-related benefit for a limited time to cover housing costs like rent https://walthamforest.gov.uk/content/discretionary-housing-payments 

- Those in significant financial hardship may be able to claim a discretionary reduction in Council Tax https://walthamforest.gov.uk/content/discretionary-reduction-council-tax 

- Those experiencing exceptional hardship through no fault of their own could qualify for help to reduce their Council Tax bill https://walthamforest.gov.uk/content/discretionary-council-tax-hardship-scheme 

 

Information about sick pay

There is government guidance for employees, employers and businesses here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19

Employment rights and sick pay: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/social-policy/health/coronavirus-employment-rights-and-sick-pay

Layoffs and short time working: https://www.gov.uk/lay-offs-short-timeworking/guarantee-pay

People who are not eligible for sick pay, particularly the self-employed, are now able to claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) from day one of "illness" rather than day eight. ESA is paid to those who are too sick to work, provided you meet certain conditions. https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance

Additional money has been granted to council for a hardship fund. You can see if you're eligible and apply here: https://walthamforest.gov.uk/content/local-welfare-assistance-lwa 

There is a tax helpline to support businesses affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tax-helpline-to-support-businesses-affected-by-coronavirus-covid-19

 

Information for renters

Information about housing

Information about business and employment

The Chancellor has set out a package of measures to support public services, people and businesses through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses

Updates from Waltham Forest Council: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKWALTHAM/bulletins/2820bc3

Self Employment & Universal Credit
https://www.gov.uk/self-employment-and-universal-credit

Employment & Support Allowance
https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance

CORONAVIRUS BUSINESS INTERRUPTION LOAN SCHEME (CBILS)

https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/ourpartners/coronavirus-business-interruption-loan-scheme-cbils/

Information about education

The Department for Education has launched a new helpline to answer questions about COVID-19 related to education.

Staff, parents and young people can contact the helpline as follows:

Phone: 0800 046 8687

Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk

Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday)  

 

Guidance for schools, colleges and local authorities on maintaining educational provision: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

 

Information for cancer patients

Find out more from Cancer Reserach UK here: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/sites/default/files/one_cancer_voice_advice_on_coronavirus_for_people_with_cancer.pdf

 

Information for older people

The World Health Organisation has some information for older people here: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200311-sitrep-51-covid-19.pdf?sfvrsn=1ba62e57_10

Waltham Forest Community Hub: If you know of someone, a neighbour or friend who needs help, please call us on 020 8223 0707 or email info@wfchub.org

Age UK Waltham Forest – 020 8558 5512 https://www.ageuk.org.uk/walthamforest/#

Hornbeam  - 020 8558 6880 https://www.hornbeam.org.uk/

PL8 4U – 075 393 64110 http://pl84u-alsuffa.org/

Revert2Reality – 020 8610 9393 http://revert2reality.com/

 

Disability benefits

Claimants on disability benefits will no longer be required to attend face-to-face assessments. The change also covers health checks for Universal Credit.: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/face-to-face-health-assessments-for-benefits-suspended-amid-coronavirus-outbreak

 

Information about Citizens Advice Bureau

- Children and Family centre line: 02085096444, and leave a voice mail, we will allocate for a call back (for families with children who have an issue with debt, benefits or employment).

- If their query is regarding claiming Universal Credit: 0800 144 8 444 (Help to Claim line - Calls are Free) 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday

- If they are able to webchat (for universal credit only): https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/helptoclaim/#h-talk-to-us-online

- They also have the option to call Adviceline  0300 330 1175  - calls charged at local rate 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday  

- SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disability, Information, Advice and Support Service - families call on 020 3233 0251 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm) or email wfsendiass@citizensadvicewalthamforest.org.uk. We also have a new website which has a callback booking facility which can be found here https://www.walthamforestsendiass.org.uk/bookings/slots?category=4254-callbacks

- Direct Payment Support Service - telephone 020 3233 0279 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm)

- Fee Paying Immigration (for residents in and outside of Waltham Forest) - 020 8509 6432 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm)

- Pension Wise - face to face appointments have currently been suspended. Telephone appointment bookings are being developed nationally and this should be available via https://www.pensionwise.gov.uk/en?&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIo-7xoqmz6AIVC7DtCh1YkgCeEAAYAiAAEgKz8vD_BwE or telephone 020 3233 0250 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm)

Information for children

Local children’s advocacy group all about kids have produced a web resource for parents about children and corona virus which is being regularly updated: https://www.allaboutkids.uk/coronavirus

The Children's Society have created a coronavirus hub on our website for children and families. The hub has resources ranging from loneliness and well-being packs to how to deal with family conflict. https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/coronavirus-information-and-support

 

Information about food shopping

There are a number of shops which are delivering food in Walthamstow

Morrisons: https://my.morrisons.com/doorstep-deliveries/

Open Near Me 
A website listing lots of local businesses focusing on food and drink and what they are doing from deliveries to vouchers. www.opennear.me

Walthamstow Delivery 
A spreadsheet of local businesses and what they are doing. Email thomas.kay@gmail.com to get added: http://www.walthamstowdelivery.co.uk/?fbclid=IwAR2nhX5VgI-3qh_PBHruKmAty7gR3iiqadYUfO7QcZO1kOyjuds4D6ENI50

My Virtual Neighbourhood was born of a desire to keep small businesses going throughout the Coronavirus outbreak. There is a Walthamstow section. Local businesses can contact the site to be included. https://www.myvirtualneighbourhood.com/

Independent food, drink & grocery delivery in walthamstow, e17 during lockdown
A blog featuring a list of local folk who are delivering locally to this very special corner of London: https://www.poppyloves.co.uk/2020/03/independent-food-drink-grocery-delivery-in-walthamstow-e17-during-lockdown.html

 

Other information

Citizen’s Advice
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/help-if-on-a-low-income/if-youre-struggling-with-living-costs/

Emergency Funding
https://www.stepchange.org/debt-info/emergency-funding.aspx

Information about shileding:

https://digital.nhs.uk/coronavirus/shielded-patient-list

Information about dentistry:

Dentists have been told to stop or defer all non urgent care e.g. orthodontics and to operate a telephone system for referrals for any urgent matters. Details here of what dentists have been advised: https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/03/issue-3-preparedness-letter-for-primary-dental-care-25-march-2020.pdf​

For residents who have Cystic Fibrosis or a relative with the condition, the CF Trust have produced a Q&A site that they are updating with advice and information: https://www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk/news/coronavirus-qa?utm_campaign=1870558_Coronavirus%20update&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Cystic%20Fibrosis%20Trust&dm_i=3YSZ,143BY,6F1ENT,3WSSX,1