Coronavirus: Support for people

On this page

Coronavirus: Signs and symptoms

Support for Clinically Extremely Vulnerable people

Information in other languages and formats 

Support for households

- Money advice and support
- Citylife line
- Domestic violence
- Help to find work
- Feeding yourself and your family
- Mental health support
- Oral health
- Stay at home message in different languages
- Sexual health support
- Relationships Education
- Pharmacies
- Healthy Start Vitamins
- Scams awareness
- Waste disposal and cleaning advice

Coronavirus: Signs and symptoms

The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of a new continuous cough, a high temperature and sustained loss of smell or taste. 

You should self-isolate  and get a free Covid-19 test if you have any symptoms of the virus. Find out how to book a test.

Keeping safe

Please view the latest  advice from government on how to stay safe outside your home.  The government have also published advice on staying safe at work.

Support for Clinically Extremely Vulnerable people

Some people are at higher risk of severe illness from Covid-19 and are classed as Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV). Separate guidance, support and assistance is available in Newcastle for anyone in this category.

Please see our Support for Clinically Extremely Vulnerable People page here for more information.

Information in other languages and formats

We've created a dedicated section on the website for translated resources for Coronavirus.

Money advice and support

You can find full information on money advice and support including benefits advice on our welfare rights and money advice section.

Enforcement and support for self-isolation

Ensuring infected individuals and their close contacts isolate is one of our most powerful tools for controlling transmission.

Find out more about the support measures for people to self-isolate, and the penalties if you don't, on our Enforcement and support for self-isolation page here.

Citylife Line

If you are self-isolating due to COVID-19, or if you know somebody in Newcastle that is, you can access information, advice and support at the Citylife Line page. 

Are you self isolating? Are you finding it difficult?

Correctly self-isolating is the best way we can keep our family, community and city safe. We know there are lots of things to think about if you are self-isolating; food, work, money, even who is going to walk your dog. We have a self-isolation guide to help you think about those questions, and if you need extra-help we're here for you. Complete our online form and someone from our Welfare and Wellbeing Team will call you back to help you think about all the things you need when self-isolating. 

Domestic violence

Nationally domestic abuse charities have reported a 25% increase in the number of requests for help since the Government’s stay indoors restrictions came into force.  People experiencing domestic abuse can get information by visiting Safe Newcastle.

To report an incident ring 101 or visit the Northumbria Police website. In a non-emergency situation you can text the police on 07786 200814.

In an emergency, always call 999. If you dial 999 and are unable to speak, the emergency operator will ask you to dial 55 and to follow their instructions to quickly put you in touch with the police.

As well as the police, there are a number of specialist organisations who provide support: 

The National Domestic Abuse Helpline offers a free helpline – 0808 2000 247 – that can provide victims and survivors with emotional support and advice on their options and signpost them to local services. 

Where it isn’t safe to telephone, Women’s Aid has an instant messaging service (Monday–Friday, 10am–12pm) which can be accessed via https://chat.womensaid.org.uk/

For more information about domestic abuse advice search "Northumbria Police" online, where there is also guidance on deleting your internet history.

Help to find work

We are currently providing an enhanced level of support for anyone seeking work. Specialist job advisors have been employed to provide fast access to support and job opportunities to help people find new jobs. The jobs@skillshub service provides a job matching service for those looking for work and information on events, work experience, apprenticeships and training. To find out more and register for the service visit www.skillshubnewcastle.co.uk or call 0191 580 6601.

Feeding yourself and your family

Residents who find themselves needing access to free or low-cost food, care or other essential items during the coronavirus outbreak should visit Information Now's food banks in Newcastle page to find out what help is available (This is changing daily thanks to the response of local voluntary groups).

Cooking on a budget

Families are facing higher food bills, and in many cases, reduced income due to the impact of coronavirus.  Our public health team has produced an online information guide and video packed with tips, to help people plan meals.

As well as ideas for easy-to-make, low-cost meal options, the information also includes price comparisons of shop-bought products compared to home-cooked food, information about foods that can be frozen to avoid waste and tips for getting children involved in preparing family meals.

People can also get tips on how to make their budget go further, ideas for breakfast and lunch – meals which many families may not normally eat at home - and has links to different websites and apps that offer simple, healthy recipes.

The information includes advice on how to get help if you are self-isolating or shielding and are struggling to get hold of food supplies – including details of how to contact Newcastle’s Citylife Line support service.

Families who have experienced a change in their financial situation because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on their jobs and income may become eligible for free school meals. Anyone who would like further information is advised to contact their child’s school.

Health and wellbeing

During this time, it is very important that you look after yourself and your family, both physically and mentally.

Find out more about maintaining your wellbeing on our Looking After Yourself page here.

Mental health support

Tyneside and Northumberland Mind may be able to help you access wellbeing support for more information.

Oral health

Our public health team, with Newcastle Hospitals Community Health, are supporting parents and carers to look after children's teeth.  As part of this they have produced a guide to good oral health and a video full of information that is relevant to everyone.

For more information about dental health go to https://www.nhs.uk and search "teeth."

Sexual health support

You can find information on all the places in Newcastle that offer sexual health advice on our sexual health support services information page.  This includes access to free condoms, emergency contraception, testing and treatment of STIs and termination of pregnancy.  There is also a Facebook page, Sexually Healthy Newcastle that shares information about these services and ways you can look after your sexual health and relationships.

You can keep up to date by following Sexually Healthy Newcastle on 

• Facebook - @SHNewcastle
• Twitter - @ncl_SHTraining 
• Instagram - @sexuallyhealthynewcastle

Relationships Education

Children and young people have a right to access accurate information, support and advice on puberty, at a timely point for their age, maturity and development. They need this before they start going through these changes, so they know what to expect.

Puberty can be a tricky time for children and young people. Support from parents and carers can help children navigate puberty with confidence, reducing embarrassment and emotional upset.

We appreciate that talking about puberty can be difficult and some resource material can be accessed here.

Pharmacies

Pharmacies have made changes to make it safe for patients and customers to visit and collect prescriptions.  Detailed guidance on accessing community pharmacies can be downloaded here, while below, Dayna Sheppard, manager of Lloyd's Pharmacy, Benton, outlines some of the measures pharmacies have put in place.

The Carers Trust, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and PSNC have worked together to make pharmacies across England improve carers’ experiences. 
These include:

•    Allowing two people into store when the carer has no choice but to take the person being cared for to the pharmacy with them
•    Considering prioritising unpaid carers of vulnerable / shielding people for medicine delivery slots
•    Recognising that, for some families, young carers are the only people able to collect medicines in the household

Getting the best from your pharmacy team during Covid-19 – a guide for unpaid carers
 

Healthy Start vitamins

Eligible pregnant women and families with children under 4 years of age who access Healthy Start vitamins are still able to collect supplies. 

If you/your family are eligible, either you or someone on your behalf should take your valid voucher to one of the pick-up locations at Byker Sands, Nunsmoor Centre, Galafield Centre, Families Matter in Blakelaw, Fawdon Children’s Centre, Geoffrey Rhodes Centre, and Kenton Centre. From the 13th of September 2021, Healthy Start vitamins will be available from Healthworks at the Health Resource Centre and Riverside Community Health Project at the Carnegie Building. Arthur's Hill Clinic will be temporarily closed for Healthy Start vitamin pick-up from the 3rd of September until further notice.

A drop-in service is available at all locations with social-distancing and face covering guidance being followed: 
•    Byker Sands at 19 Raby Cross, Byker, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE6 2FF: Open Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm. Contact number: 0191 2759636
•    Nunsmoor Centre at Studley Terrace, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE4 5AH: Open Monday to Friday from 8:30am until 4:30pm. Contact number: 0191 2774400  
•    Galafield Centre at Newbiggin Lane, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE5 1LZ: Open Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm. Contact number: 0191 2777800
•    Families Matter at Lindfield Ave, Blakelaw, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE5 3PL: Open Mondays & Tuesdays from 8:30am to 4:30pm. Contact number: 0191 2142460 
•    Fawdon Children’s Centre at Cairns Way, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE3 2SN: Open Mondays from 8:30am to 12:30pm as well as Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8:30am to 4:30pm. Contact number: 0191 2115773 
•    Geoffrey Rhodes Centre at Algernon Road, Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 2UZ: Open Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Contact number: 0191 2823339 
•    Kenton Centre at Hillsview Avenue, Kenton, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3QJ: Open Monday to Friday 9:00am to 12:00pm and then 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Contact number: 0191 2823600 
From the 13th of September 2021:
•    Healthworks at the Health Resource Centre, Adelaide Terrace, Benwell, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 8BE: Open Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 8:00pm and Saturdays from 9:00am to 1:00pm. Contact number 0191 2724244
•    Riverside Community Health Project at Carnegie Building, Atkinson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 8XS: Open Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 3:30pm. Contact number 0191 2260754

Please bring your valid voucher with you when collecting the vitamins
 

Scams awareness

In common with most other crisis situations, criminals are using emails, text messages, social media posts, online advertisements and phone calls to defraud unsuspecting victims.

For the latest information on scams to be aware of, and ensuring you and your family are safe online, visit Get Safe Online.

For more information about supporting vulnerable adults visit our Safeguarding Adults and Coronavirus page.

And to contact our Trading Standards department, please use the online form at www.newcastle.gov.uk/tradingstandards

Waste disposal and cleaning advice

Help keep your household safe with guidance on cleaning and how to dispose of your waste.