Support for vulnerable people

On Monday 30th March Manchester City Council launched a new free phone helpline to support the most vulnerable during the covid-19 outbreak.

The service will initially offer support to:

  • People over the age of who are self-isolating and have no support network.
  • People who have a letter from the NHS advising they are at higher risk / medically vulnerable according to GOV.UK criteria.
  • People that are socially isolating with no support network
  • Help will also be available, but not limited to, other groups such as carers, care leavers or young carers.

The primary needs that call handlers can help with are: delivery of food, delivery of medication, combatting loneliness and managing fuel top-up payments.

The number for people to call is: 0800 234 6123

Be Well and Care Navigators continue to work with the Red Cross to provide help and support to vulnerable over the coming weeks.

They are taking referrals in the normal way:

St Mary’s Hospital has launched a COVID 19 Midwife Hotline to support pregnant women that are booked to give birth at either St Mary’s at Oxford Road or St Mary’s at Wythenshawe. The hotline will be answered by a dedicated midwife, Monday to Friday from 8am to 9pm.

The number for women of their families to call is 0161 701 5572 

  • Fallowfield and Withington Foodbank are now working from the one centre at Union Chapel Hall, Waller Avenue, Fallowfield, M14 6TQ.

Opening hours: Tuesday 12pm – 2pm and Friday 12pm -2pm.
Clients will be given pre-packed bags of food to cut down on infection.
Everyone who comes to the foodbank for emergency food needs to have a valid foodbank referral. Please call 0800 234 6123 to be directed to help with getting a food parcel.

  • Sure Start is offering a reduced service to their families. If you are aware of families that have children under 5 in need of support then please email: p.gallagher2@manchester.gov.uk (include the family contact details – name, address and phone number – with the parent’s consent).

Food Club continues at Whalley Range Sure Start Centre on Fridays from 1pm -3pm (except bank holidays). An additional session has been added weekly on Wednesday from 1pm – 3pm. To access the club, families must live and/or work within a 20 minute walk of the Centre and must be on a low-income, in receipt of benefits or have no recourse to public funds. If you know of a family (with a child under 5) who would benefit please contact outreach worker Julie Ross at Whalley Range Sure Start Centre on 0161 245 7007 or email j.ross@manchester.gov.uk |

Gas and Electric Credit for Self-Isolating

We Have Been Made Aware That Certain Gas and Electricity Companies Are Providing Customers With Additional Credit on Their Meters if They Are Self-isolating. All Customers Need to Do is Call Up Their Provider on the Below Numbers and Tell Them They Are Self-isolating. They Will Then Be Sent 2 Weeks’ Worth of Gas / Electricity or if They Have a Smart Meter They Will Top You Up.

The Numbers to Call Are: