Worried about Coronavirus?
View our care leaver guidance factsheets here or click the image on the right. The factsheets cover a range of situations such as if you’re studying at university or expecting a child.
Health & Wellbeing Organisations
| Resource | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Become | A charity specfically for Children in Care and Young Care Leavers -will answer any questions about the Corona virus, give advice or just provide someone to talk to | 0800 023 2033 http://www.becomecharity.org.uk |
| Bristol Mindline | A confidential freephone helpline open from Wednesday to Sunday from 8pm to midnight providing a safe place to talk if you, or someone you know, is in distress. We can also give information about mental health support services available in your area that could help you. | Call 0808 808 0330 http://www.bristolmind.org.uk/help-and-counselling/mindline |
| Buzzfeed | 15 Homemade Pasta Dishes To Try | https://www.buzzfeed.com/nataliakrslovic/fresh-homemade-pastas-to-make-from-scratch |
| Buzzfeed | Healthy snacks to keep you on track | https://www.buzzfeed.com/watch/video/101422 |
| Buzzfeed | 6 healthy meal prep ideas | https://www.buzzfeed.com/watch/video/101360 |
| CALM | Men only. Open 5.00p.m – midnight everyday including holidays). | 0800 585858 https://www.thecalmzone.net |
| Children’s Society | Tips to cope with anxiety and Isolation | https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/coronavirus-information-and-support |
| Every Mind Matters | Tips and advice to look after your mental health. | https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/ |
| Health24 | Stay fit at home tips | https://www.health24.com/Fitness/News/coronavirus-lockdown-stay-fit-at-home-best-workout-tips-that-are-not-too-technical-20200329-2 |
| Hub of Hope | If you need mental health support wherever you are in the UK, visit Hub of Hope or download the app. | https://hubofhope.co.uk |
| James’ Place | A non-clinical centre for men experiencing suicidal crisis in Liverpool. | Phone: 0151 303 5757 http://www.jamesplace.org.uk |
| Joe Wicks | P.E With Joe | https://www.thebodycoach.com/blog/pe-with-joe-1254.html |
| Kooth | Online counselling service (available for under 18s only) Monday – Friday 12pm – 10pm Saturday – Sunday 6pm – 10pm | http://www.kooth.com |
| NHS | NHS 10 minute workout | https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/10-minute-workouts/ |
| NHS | Fitness studio | https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-fitness-studio/ |
| NYAS | National Youth Advocacy Service-champions the voice and rights of care experienced children and young adults. They are continuing to run their service if you need them to asssit you providing legal or advocay support. Email Tel. 08088081001 | https://youngpeople.nyas.net/ |
| Papyrus | A national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide and hosts HOPELINEUK which is a confidential support and advice service for children and Young People under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide. | |
| Real Simple | 6 full body stretching exercises | https://www.realsimple.com/health/fitness-exercise/stretching-yoga/stretching-exercises |
| Rees Foundation | Provides support to Care Leavers of any age | |
| Samaritans | Samaritans works to make sure there's always someone there for anyone who needs someone. | Call 116 123 or http://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan |
| Shout | Shout is the UK’s first 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help. | http://www.giveusashout.org Text Shout to 85258 - 24/7 free text service |
| Stay Alive app | This is a suicide prevention resource for the UK, packed full of useful information and tools to help you stay safe in crisis. | Google Play Store Apple Store |
| The Liverpool Light | If you feel you are in a mental health crisis and can't get timely access to suitable support then visit The Liverpool Light service which is a preventative out-of-hours mental health crisis service, open from 6pm – 12am, seven days a week. It has been set up to provide a safe place for people who are experiencing or at risk of a mental health crisis. | https://liverpool-light.org.uk |
| Winston’s Wish | Support for bereaved children and young people. Helpline for parents/families. Email and online chat support services. Online resources. | http://www.winstonswish.org/supporting-you |
| World Athletics | Five lockdown exercises | https://www.worldathletics.org/be-active/lifestyle/lockdown-exercises |
| Young Minds | Tips to cope with anxiety and Isolation | https://youngminds.org.uk/blog/what-to-do-if-you-re-anxious-about-coronavirus/ |
| Young Minds | Provides free, 24/7 crisis support across the UK if you are experiencing a mental health crisis | Young Minds-If you need urgent help text YM to 85258 https://youngminds.org.uk |
Education, Employment & Volunteering Opportunities
Education
| Resource | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Become | Advice line and support for all care leavers on a number of issues. Get intouch with Become if you're a current student and have any HE related questions. | 0800 023 2033 |
| DiscoverUni | If you have applied for uni this year and dont know how Cornoa is effecting that, take a look at the website and follow @discoveruniUK for up to date info. | @discoveruniUK https://discoveruni.gov.uk/corona-covid-19-information/ |
| Hardship Funds | If you're in uni and struggling financially, contact your Student Support team to find out about applying for a hardship loan | https://www.gov.uk/extra-money-pay-university/university-and-college-hardship-funds |
| Stand Alone | Podcast from StandAlone - organisation helping estranged young people and adults. If you have questions about being estranged from family members in the COVID-19 crisis, Stand alone have put together two special editions of their podcast with therapist Jonathan and life coach Monika. | https://mailchi.mp/b197113f0c85/podcast-2705991 |
| Student Minds | Student Minds have gathered some helpful information and guidance to help people deal with the mental health and wellbeing impact Covid-19 is having on their university life. | https://www.studentminds.org.uk/coronavirus.html |
Employment & Volunteering Opportunities
| Resource | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Anchor Hanover | Archor Hanover are currently recruiting for their new ‘Welfare Assistant’ roles. This role requires no previous experience, and involves no ‘hands-on’ care. It is primarily to help engage with residents during this period of isolation. | https://www.anchorhanover.org.uk/careers/recruiting-welfare-assistants-now. |
| Aldi | Aldi are currently recruiting a large number of new staff. Please follow the link to the Aldi site for details on how to apply. | https://aldi.vacancy-filler.co.uk/Candidate/ |
| Amazon | Amazon are a Care Leaver Covenant signatory. If you are a care leaver who would like to apply for a job at amazon, please get in touch with the Care Leaver Covenant at | |
| Asda | Asda are currently hiring to meet the increased demand. Please see their website for current opportunities. | https://www.asda.jobs |
| Caring Care | Caring Care is a care organisation which supports people with care in their own homes in the Midlands. They provide care for all ages and a range of different type of people. They currently have vacancies for care assistants. | http://www.caringcare.co.uk |
| Cera | "Home care provider Cera Care has announced the creation of 10,000 jobs across its UK business. All of the jobs will be long-term, with staff being retained even when the COVID-19 outbreak lessens." | https://ceracare.co.uk |
| Co-op | Co-op are currently fast tracking recruitment for temporary jobs. Co-op's updated advice says For roles in our food stores you should use the Co-op store finder to locate your nearest store, and contact them by phone to apply (we have jobs available in many but not all stores) | https://jobs.coop.co.uk/guidance-for-covid-19 |
| HC-One | HC-One are recruiting for their 300 care homes nationwide | https://recruitment.hc-one.co.uk |
| Home Instead | Home Instead are currently recruiting and have vacancies for care givers nationally. | https://www.homeinstead.co.uk/joinourteam |
| Lidl | Lidl are currently hiring for minimum 4 week fixed term contracts. | https://careers.lidl.co.uk |
| Lloyds Pharmacy | Lloyds Pharmacy have a variety of opportunities, including apprenticeships. | https://www.mckessonjobs.uk |
| Morrisons | Morrisons are currently hiring for temporary roles at their stores. | https://morrisons.jobs |
| Moy Park | Poultry firm Moy Park has launched a search for hundreds of temporary staff to work at its processing sites across the UK following a surge in demand caused by the coronavirus crisis. | https://www.moypark.com/en/careers |
| Red cross Reserves | Community Reserve Volunteer Applications. Sign up to get your community back on track during the Covid-19 crisis. | Retrieving data. Wait for a few seconds, then try cutting or copying again. |
| Tesco | Tesco are recruiting for a variety of roles available | https://www.tesco-careers.com/search-and-apply/ |
| University Hospitals Birmingham | University Hospitals Birmingham are recruiting for key workers. There are a variety of roles available. | https://www.uhb.nhs.uk/coronavirus-public/coronavirus-jobs |
| Virgin Media | Virgin Media are recruiting for call centre staff in different regions of the country. | https://careers.virginmedia.com |
| Yeo Valley | Yeo Valley is hiring for production and warehouse operative jobs in Somerset | https://www.acornpeople.com/featured-clients/yeovalley/ |
| 2 Sisters | The manufacturer 2 Sisters are currently recruiting for their feed the nation initiative. | https://www.2sfg.com/careers/feed-the-nation/ |
Money Matters
The Office for Students (OfS) has information on the different ways in which universities and colleges are supporting estranged students, those who have spent time in care and others who may be unable to depend on family support.
Mutual Aid is a simple system of community support. If you can’t get out of your house to go to the shops or pick-up your medication you can ask your local mutual aid group. They will put you in touch with a local person who can collect what you need for you. Similarly if you are able to volunteer to support others you can join your local mutual aid group. It’s one of the main ways that communities are staying connected and supporting each other through the crisis.
Search their map below to find thousands of local groups across the country with a constantly updating list!
More information visit: covidmutualaid.org