COVID-19 INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

Manchester City Council have launched a Freephone emergency helpline 0800 234 6123 for those in the vulnerable groups along with carers, care leavers and young carers to call if they require support with food delivery, medication delivery, combating loneliness or managing fuel top up payments during the COVID-19 outbreak.

An email address Covidsupport@manchester.gov.uk is now available for people who cannot call the helpline number for assistance. Manchester City Council ask those who are going to use the email address to provide as much relevant detail as possible, then they can deal with the request for support as efficiently as possible.

For more details on the freephone emergency helpline click here.

The Government has produced specific guidance for Carers in relation to COVID-19. This is being regularly updated and can be found here

Important updates in relation Carers Allowance

Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has introduced two important temporary measures to help unpaid carers through the current emergency.

Unpaid carers will be able to continue to claim Carer’s Allowance if they have a temporary break in caring, because they or the person they care for gets Coronavirus or if they have to isolate because of it. Under normal rules there are restrictions on breaks in care, but these have been lifted.

Providing emotional support rather than just more traditional forms of care to a disabled person will also now count towards the Carer’s Allowance

Further updates from DWP on Carers Allowance and other benefits can be viewed here

Manchester Carers Centre are a member of the Manchester Carers Network who bring together voluntary organisations providing information, advice and support to carers across Manchester.

For more information on the Manchester Carers Network and the services it provides for Carers please click here.

Manchester Carers Centre is here to support all our Manchester Carers through the Coronavirus pandemic. Our telephone helpline service is here for you if have any concerns as a Carer through this period. You can reach the Manchester Carers Centre Carersline team Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm on 0161 27 27 27 0 You can also contact us via email on admin@manchestercarers.org.uk

Key Manchester Carers Centre Service Update Resources – Please click on headings below for further information

Coronavirus and Manchester Carers Centre Services

Coronavirus and Manchester Carers Centre Group Cancellations

Coronavirus and Manchester Carers Centre Young Adult Carers Project

Advice from Carers UK and Government for those in the Extremely Vulnerable Category

How to Register as an Extremely Vulnerable Group

Practical Suggestions for Caring for Someone with Coronavirus

Guidance for Carers During Coronavirus

WE OFFER

Information and Advice

Find out more about your rights and entitlements as an unpaid Carer. We are here to answer any questions that you have in relation to your caring role.

Emotional Support

Need someone to talk to? We provide a 1-1 carers service where you can talk with a member of our teams either over the phone or in person.

Practical Help

We offer a range of support services to Carers such as access to grants, help completing important forms, emergency planning, and much more.

Social & Peer Support

We facilitate regular group sessions for Carers. These sessions provide a space to socialise, take respite breaks, and learn relevant information related to caring.

Signposting

Whatever your issue we will work with you to find the best service for you. We have strong networks across the voluntary and public sectors.