Get help if you are shielding
From 1 April 2021, people in England will no longer be advised to shield.
People who were previously shielding must continue to follow the rules in place for everyone under the current national restrictions, but are still advised to take extra precautions to keep themselves safe from COVID-19.
The Government has written to clinically extremely vulnerable people with further guidance and also have more information available on its website.
Seek support from friends or family members
If you still need support, ask friends or family to help by doing your essential food shop or collecting your prescription.
Book your vaccination
You can now book a vaccination if you’re aged 50 or over, or clinically extremely vulnerable. Book online or call 119 free of charge, anytime between 7am and 11pm seven days a week.
Contact us if you need help
We will be able to put you in touch with a local organisation that can help you to get essential food supplies, or to pick up medication and prescriptions.
The Staffordshire Cares team will be there to help you and answer any questions you have. Contact them on 0300 111 8010.
Other support
Look after your health and wellbeing
There are some easy steps that you can take to improve how you feel each day. We have some helpful resources online that can help you improve your physical and mental health.
Learn how to use your computer or digital tablet to make life easier
We are running free online courses that teach you how to use a computer or digital tablet from the very basics through to formal qualifications.
Our online courses will teach you how to use a computer so you can order your shopping and medication online, how to video call family and friends and even how to order a library book straight to your door.
To view available courses, please visit the Staffordshire Community Learning website.
For more information please contact the Staffordshire Community Learning service on 01543 334 537 or email communitylearning@staffordshire.gov.uk
If you are struggling to use your home computer, tablet or phone, you can also call our free IT Telephone Support centre on 0300 111 8000 where a friendly team member will talk through your problem and help you work through it. If we can’t find an immediate solution we’ll make sure we direct you to someone who can, to a suitable course or other kinds of help.
Plan how you will vote in the elections on 6 May 2021
Polling stations will be safe places to vote but there are other ways to vote. Postal or proxy vote applications can be requested for anyone already registered to vote. Please contact your local district or borough council or visit their website to request an application form or complete an application online. The request for a postal vote must be received before 20 April 2021. Further information on the process to vote can be found at on the Electoral Commission website.
Get help heating your home
It is important that you keep safe and warm at home. If you are struggling to pay your heating bills or have broken or no heating you should contact your energy supplier and ask to be added to their Priority Service Register. The support available varies depending on the supplier but includes accessible billing; safety measures when someone from the energy supplier needs to enter your home; pausing debt repayments; stopping disconnections; and sending prepayment top ups if you cannot leave the house.
Other contacts
The below list of local organisations, are working with Staffordshire County Council, and can also offer you help.
Newcastle District
The Realise Foundation
support@realisefoundation.org.uk
01782 742800 (NuL BC)
Moorlands - Biddulph
Biddulph Youth Action Zone
Antony.capostagno@bycz.org
01782 244288
Moorlands - Cheadle
Moorlands Home Link
office@moorlandshomelink.co.uk
01538 750511
Moorlands - Leek
Haregate Community Centre
office@haregate.co.uk
01538 398378
Stafford District
Stafford Borough Council with Rising Brook
Liz Dipple
foodbank@risingbrook.org
01785 214750
Emma Walton
manager@stonecommunityhub.org
07395 668115
Burton & Uttoxeter (East Staffs)
Burton Albion Community Trust
Bactadmin@burtonalbionct.org
01283 246207
South Staffs
South Staffordshire Council
covid19@sstaffs.gov.uk
01902 696499
Cannock Chase (Inc. Rugeley)
Cannock Chase District Council
cv19public@cannockchasedc.gov.uk
01543 462621
Lichfield
MHA Live at Home Scheme
Lichfield:
lichfield.liveathome@mha.org.uk
Caroline.bruno@mha.org.uk
01543 415020
Burntwood:
Burntwood.liveathome@mha.org.uk
Amy.moore@mha.org.uk
07720 680243
Tamworth
Community Together CIC
sh.communitytogethercic@gmail.com
01827 59646