Due to the impacts of Coronavirus (Covid-19), there are likely to be serious disruptions to services and groups on the directory. If you are intending to make use of one of these services, you should check the organisation’s website or contact the organisation directly for further information.
We have identified information about Covid-19 and how you can look after yourself during this pandemic.
Coronavirus information
Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It’s caused by a virus called coronavirus.
Our Public Health Team have created a booklet with information and things for you to do or try at home.
We have published the summary to our Covid-19 Outbreak Prevention, management and Support Plan as part of the Test Trace, Contain and Enable recovery strategy. We will be updating this working document regularly.
Cheshire East People Helping People
Anyone who is currently isolated or feeling vulnerable can ask for support from the Cheshire East People Helping People service.
We are working in partnership with voluntary community and faith sector organisations, businesses and residents in response to the Coronavirus outbreak, to ensure that community based support is channelled to those who need it.
Covid-19 response grant for community organisations
Cheshire Community Foundation is inviting applications for a Covid-19 Response Grants Programme. Grants are typically up to £2000.
Charitable organisations delivering projects supporting disadvantaged and vulnerable people affected by the covid-19 outbreak are eligible to apply to this programme
See the Cheshire Community Foundation website for details.
Social Action Partnership
Social Action Partnership have listed sources of community funding and grants on their website.
See our Support and Resources for BAME Communities
See our COVID19 Mental Health Information Point
Adult social care
Age UK has advice on how to look after yourself and loved ones including how to best support older people at this challenging time.
Public Health England has easy read information on Covid-19 for people with learning difficulties.
Carers UK is providing Covid-19 guidance for people with caring responsibilities.
Cheshire East Council is working closely with care providers across the Borough to ensure social care service users continue to receive the support that they need. We are also working to ensure that care providers take all necessary precautions to protect individuals and staff against possible infection from COVID-19 (coronavirus).
Due to the disruption caused by COVID-19, there may be a need for social care support to be delivered in a slightly different way. This could include support in the home being delivered by a different carer, or checks on someone taking place over the telephone rather than through face to face visits. However, any changes will be minimised as far as possible. Your care provider will let you know if any changes do need to take place to your normal service.
If you are a social care service user, or a family member or friend and have any concerns, contact the Council on 0300 1235034 for further information.
My family or friends usually help me but cannot do this at present
If you are concerned that you will not get essential help with staying safe, keeping clean or getting meals, call 0300 123 5034, or contact the People Helping People service.
Services are still available for people with new social care needs
A social care assessment together with information and advice about support continues to be available from the Council. See our Adult Social Care Assessment webpages.
Measures care providers should be taking to protect service users
The Government has provided information to professionals on how social care support should be delivered in the home and in residential care including the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as face masks. This is regularly updated.
The guidance gives different PPE requirements for different types of staff such as care workers and district nurses.
If you think you or someone you know is being abused
If you are worried about yourself or someone else, please view our Adult Safeguarding information for further advice
Advice for blind and partially sighted people during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Financial support to care providers
We have published details of our financial support to care providers so far in response to Covid-19
Direct payments
We have commissioned PeoplePlus to provide a direct payment support service. This service provides universal, impartial, independent information and advice in how to manage your direct payment and associated responsibilities for example if you were to employ a personal assistant (PA).
See personal budgets and direct payments
Government Direct Payment Guidance
COVID-19 testing for personal assistants
If you are a Personal Assistant and are self-isolating, you may be eligible for a test to check your COVID-19 status. This would allow you to return to work earlier if your test result is negative.
Personal assistants will be eligible for testing based on the following criteria:
- they are self-isolating and mildly symptomatic (symptoms started less than five days ago); or
- they are self-isolating because a member of their household has developed COVID-19 symptoms in the last 5 days; and
- they do not have caring responsibilities for the unwell person and could return to work; and
- they are not a vulnerable member of staff shielding for 12 weeks.
To book a test and for for further information and support regarding Covid-19 testing for personal assistants visit PeoplePlus.
PeoplePlus upcoming sessions
Regional Peer Support Groups
This group provides you with the opportunity to join others Direct Payment recipients from across other PeoplePlus regional contracts via Microsoft Teams and chat in an open atmosphere on the following dates and times:
Wednesday 19 May 10.30am – 12pm
Wednesday 9 June 5.30pm – 7pm
Monday 12 July 1.30pm – 3pm
Drop in Sessions
A PeoplePlus advisor will be available via Microsoft teams to answer any queries or questions that you have regarding your Direct Payments on the following dates and times:
Wednesday 2 June 10.30am – 11.30am
Tuesday 8 June 2.30pm – 3.30pm
Tuesday 6 July 11am – 12pm
Tuesday 13 July 1.30pm – 2.30pm
To book a place on these sessions email ilscheshire@peopleplus.co.uk with your preferred date and appointment time. PeoplePlus will then confirm your appointment and email you with joining instructions.
Children and young people
A number of respected organisations are providing clear and accurate advice about coronavirus and we encourage you to use their content.
Do you have a concern about a child? Access support and advice on safeguarding and child protection
Domestic abuse
See our webpages on keeping safe or getting help if you are experiencing domestic abuse or sexual violence or call 0300 123 5101
If you have urgent concerns about a vulnerable adult or a child call our safeguarding teams.
Homelessness and Housing options
If you are homeless or at risk of homelessness contact our team via email at cheshirehomechoice@cheshireeast.gov.uk or telephone 0300 123 5017 and press option 1 or 2.
Your call may be answered by a machine if staff are busy on other calls but you can leave a short message and our team will reply to you very quickly. There are phone boxes near our local offices and call charges are at a local rate. Shelter offer a free phone helpline to access national advice 0808 800 4444.
Many of our local social housing providers have decided to stop advertising available homes. The homes that are available will be advertised again when it is safe for staff to support customers in exchanging keys and signing contracts. We advise Homechoice customers to check the homechoice website for any homes being advertised, and to contact our team if they have any concerns.
Our team are working in remote locations and will respond promptly to email and telephone messages.
Cheshire East Carers’ Hub is providing support to carers throughout the Covid-19 outbreak.
See the Cheshire East Carers Hub website, email enquiries@cheshireeastcarershub.co.uk or call 0300 303 0208
A carer is anyone, including children and adults who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support. The care they give is unpaid.
Getting the best from your pharmacy team during covid-19: a guide for unpaid carers
A guide to support unpaid carers to make the most of the pharmacy team has been published. It sets out helpful hints and tips for carers including making emergency plans in case the carer becomes unwell and cannot collect medication.
Care Leaver Local Offer - Update
Our care leavers service is still open. Be assured that we are still here if you need anything. Some of our activities within our care leaver local offer, such as gym access and group tenancy readiness courses, are no longer running because of the current Covid-19 restrictions. See our care leaver local offer update (PDF, 263KB).
Veterans Gateway are a first point of contact whatever support you need.
Visit the Veterans Gateway website or call 0808 802 1212 - available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Many of the team are veterans themselves. They understand the issues that people face after leaving the Armed Forces. They can put you in touch with the help you need, or direct you to the information you are looking for.