Coronavirus (covid-19) information hub

Northumberland is currently in national lockdown


 

NHS COVID-19 links: Vaccination | Symptoms | Get a test | Self isolation | NHS COVID-19 app

Northumberland Communities Together

Northumberland Communities Together has been launched in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. It will make sure our residents are kept safe and well throughout this crisis, and provide coordination to support individual volunteers, voluntary groups and communities across our county.

This information was last updated on 17 February 2021.


Shielding extended to 31 March

Shielding guidance has been extended until 31 March. Those on the Shielded Patient List will receive a letter to inform them of the extension.


New group of people identified as clinically extremely vulnerable

A new group of people will be sent a letter asking them to shield. This group have recently been identified as high risk (clinically extremely vulnerable) of severe illness from coronavirus and have been added to the Shielded Patient List (SPL) in England.

NHS and Government have identified this group as clinically extremely vulnerable because of a combination of their individual characteristics and underlying health conditions, using the COVID-19 Population Risk Assessment.

This assessment combines a number of factors such as age, sex registered at birth, ethnicity, body mass index (BMI) and specific health conditions and treatments to estimate the risk of a person catching coronavirus and becoming seriously unwell.

If you receive a letter to say you are part of this new group of shielded patients, please follow the shielding advice. Learn more about shielding here.


What is Northumberland Communities Together?

We're here to keep you safe and well. If you or anyone in your family needs a bit of extra support please get in touch.
 
  • Perhaps your financial circumstances have changed with reduced hours, redundancy or benefit
  • Worried about winter bills or financial pressures, we are working with Citizens Advice Northumberland to connect and support families
  • Feeling lonely, overwhelmed or struggling with mental health
  • If you do need food or medicine, please order it online or by phone or ask friends and family to drop it off at your home.
  • If you don’t have family or friends nearby please contact: Northumberland Communities Together on 01670 620015 and we can support you.
  • Children and young people eligible for free school meals will continue to receive support whilst learning at home. If you as a parent or carer are unsure what is in place for your child(ren) please contact their school directly. If you are not in receipt of free school meals already but think your child(ren) may be eligible, please apply for free school meals here. 
  • Worried about someone experiencing domestic abuse or concerned about a neighbour.
Phone the Northumberland Communities Together Response Hub on 01670 620015 9am-6pm, 7 days a week or email: NCT@northumberland.gov.uk


On this page:

Click to view our latest Community Pack filled with advice, guidance and support for community groups and volunteers:

January-front-cover.jpg

 

Please click on the links below to access the archived resource packs:

Safeguarding advice for volunteers

How can I get help?

Learn how you or someone you know can get help with the information below.

Northumberland Communities Together

If you're having a difficult time or struggling at the moment please get in touch, we'll find you support and connect you with people in your area.

Please contact the Northumberland Communities Together Response Hub. If you have speech or hearing difficulties you can use Relay UK to contact us by dialing 018001 01670 620015 you can find more information about Relay UK here

 

Recovering from COVID-19

Your COVID Recovery will help you to come to terms with how your body and mind may have suffered because of this virus. It provides help and information for those recovering, as well as advice for your family and friends.

Please click here to find out more about Your COVID Recovery.

 

SignVideo

British Sign Language users can now contact the Northumberland Communities Together Response Hub using SignVideo Web Access, an online sign language interpreting service. 

To contact us using this service click this link: northumberlandcc-covid.signvideo.net

If you like to learn more about this service click here
 

Onecall

If you are worried about the immediate welfare (health or well-being) of a child or adult contact Onecall - 01670 536400 - 24 hour service, 365 days a year.

 

Shielding 

If you have a medical condition which makes you extremely vulnerable to coronavirus (COVID-19), you may be eligible for shielding support. Shielding is a measure to protect people who are clinically extremely vulnerable by reducing interaction with others.

Shielding extended to 31 March

Shielding guidance has been extended until 31 March. Those on the Shielded Patient List will receive a letter to inform them of the extension.


New group of people identified as clinically extremely vulnerable

A new group of people will be sent a letter asking them to shield. This group have recently been identified as high risk (clinically extremely vulnerable) of severe illness from coronavirus and have been added to the Shielded Patient List (SPL) in England.

NHS and Government have identified this group as clinically extremely vulnerable because of a combination of their individual characteristics and underlying health conditions, using the COVID-19 Population Risk Assessment.

This assessment combines a number of factors such as age, sex registered at birth, ethnicity, body mass index (BMI) and specific health conditions and treatments to estimate the risk of a person catching coronavirus and becoming seriously unwell. If you receive a letter to say you are part of this new group of shielded patients, please follow the shielding advice.


Safe Families Information

Safe Families are offering remote support for all Northumberland families with children  who may be struggling for a variety of reasons during the Coronavirus pandemic. Whether you are a parent, grandparent, or carer for children, many issues have come up in recent times with homeschooling, isolation, and a range of other concerns. 

This  service is open to anyone who may benefit from some outside, remote support to help them, and you can refer yourself at any time via the Safe Families contact form, located here.

How can I help others?

We have been overwhelmed by how many of you have offered your help: more than 1000 Northumberland residents have signed up to volunteer. Many have already been contacted and have been deployed locally assisting community and voluntary groups picking up shopping, dropping off prescriptions, organising emergency food, and making contact with some of our most vulnerable residents to make sure they are safe, well and not feeling isolated during these difficult times.

Please click here more guidance on how to help safely.

If you are keen to help here are some simple things you can do to make a difference:  

  • Remember that by staying at home and observing social distancing you are already helping your community stay safe. 
  • Be a street champion: wave to your neighbours, keep an eye out for someone who may need help, and pass on reliable information.
  • Stay connected: ensure you connect on social media with your friends and family, and with your community. Share things that make people smile, feel safe, and know that there is support available to them.
 
Thank you all for your support, and stay safe. 
 
We have also created a resource to help facilitate the work you're doing in your communities:
​Please click here to access our resource pack.

Local Business Support Directory

The COVID-19 business directory located here contains information on businesses based in Northumberland who have adapted to support residents during this challenging time.

Local Business Support Directory (A spreadsheet version can be found here)

Coordination of the data for the directory was produced by Janie French a volunteer from Hexham.

Map of Northumberland and filters (Link to map directory)

This allows people to self-source provisions and services during the time of restrictions and support our local economies. If you are a local business and would like information included within the directory please get in touch by using the email provided

NCT@northumberland.gov.uk

The inclusion of any services does not constitute endorsement or a guarantee of quality. All services may be subject to checks by Northumberland County Council and may result in some details not being included in the directory. Any links to third party websites on this site are for information, we have no responsibility for the content of third-party websites, nor have these been reviewed by us. These links do not constitute approval by us of those linked websites or information you may obtain from them.

Support for voluntary groups 

If you’re part of a community group and you’d like advice, support or information please contact us at:

NCT@northumberland.gov.uk

Stay safe 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice on staying safe

You can stay safe outside your home by:

  • Staying 2 metres (6ft) away from other people
  • Work from home if possible. If you cannot work from home, you can travel to work. Try to reduce demand on public transport where necessary and walk or cycle where possible.
  • Wearing face coverings on public transport. Please click here for more information.
  • Wash your hands as soon as you get home and wash your clothes regularly.
Please also see here for what you can and can't do during the Coronavirus outbreak.

PLEASE NOTE: Guidance sets out the principles you should follow to ensure that time spent with others outside your homes is as safe as possible (those who were shielding can now leave their homes, but must stick to social distancing guidelines). 

For more information and advice on coronavirus (COVID-19) click here.

Stay in touch 

For the latest local updates and information, visit 

www.northumberland.gov.uk/coronavirus

Twitter: @nlandtogether

Visit our Facebook page here.

We are highlighting the incredible part volunteers and businesses are playing to keep communities safe and well, so if you have a good news story please get in touch communications@northumberland.gov.uk 

Coronavirus guidance in multiple languages

If you need translated versions of the latest COVID-19 guidance, information in multiple languages are included at the links below.


The guidance can be accessed in written, audio and video form.
 

Written and audio translations

Doctors of the World, in partnership with the British Red Cross, Migrant Help and Clear Voice, have produced advice on Coronavirus (COVID-19) in 60 languages.

 

Video versions

Doctors of the World, in partnership with the Mayor of London, has produced motion graphic videos with key COVID-19 information for migrants living in the UK. The videos contain the latest advice from the UK government, including information on COVID-19 testing and wearing face masks. 

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