I need some support, supplies or advice

Here are some suggestions for where you can access support, supplies (such as delivery of food and sanitary items) or advice.

Balsall Heath CovidCall number

CovidCall provides a free phone service for volunteers to provide local people in self-isolation with local advice and social contact. Call 0808 169 9599 to get support with groceries, prescriptions and general Covid support. We can signpost you to other resources if we can’t help you ourselves.

Get coronavirus support as an extremely vulnerable person

Register on this Government site if you have a medical condition that makes you extremely vulnerable to coronavirus. For example, you’ll be able to ask for help getting deliveries of essential supplies like food.

If you’re not sure whether your medical condition makes you extremely vulnerable, register anyway.

This service is free. You can register yourself, or for someone else.

Register yourself or someone else here

Birmingham City Council Emergency Community Response Hub

The council have launched an emergency community response hub to provide support to our most vulnerable citizens.

The service will prioritise those in critical need who have received a letter from NHS England stating they are in a priority group or those that are self-isolating for shorter periods but are unable to rely on family or friends for adequate practical support. Find out how to access support on the Council website.

People who are self isolating in Birmingham and looking for support can contact The Active Wellbeing Society.

There is a form on their website which you can access here: https://theaws.co.uk/relief/. Help can also be requested by calling 0121 728 7030 during office hours, emailing relief@theaws.org or you can message them through Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Food and Supplies

  • The Sultan Bahu Trust on Ombersley Road can deliver food parcels and sanitary items to those in need. They are focusing their efforts on those over the age of 60, single parents and NHS staff. They can be contacted on 0121 440 4096 or by e-mailing friends@bahutrust.org.
  • Brum Baby Bank is helping people with small children access supplies. If you require help accessing supplies such as formula or nappies, complete this online form.
  • Cooperation Birmingham are a cooperative of working class people providing mutual aid in Birmingham, UK. They have a Solidarity Kitchen delivering hot food for free to those in need.
  • Free School Meals – Birmingham City Council is to fund vouchers for families of the 61,000 children who get free school meals. The voucher scheme, for use in major supermarkets, will be administered by schools who will issue electronic codes to families or print vouchers off for families who cannot access electronic codes. Schools will be contacting parents from 30th March.

Support with Mental Health

Big White Wall is an online community for people who are stressed, anxious or feeling low. The service has an active forum with round-the-clock support from trained professionals. You can talk anonymously to other members and take part in group or one-to-one therapy with therapists.

Support with personal finances, work, benefits and other services

  • Birmingham City Council have a dedicated page giving information about finance, benefits and housing.
  • The Citizen’s Advice Bureau have regularly updated advice relating to accessing healthcare, personal finances, benefits, employment and travel: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/health/coronavirus-what-it-means-for-you/
  • Ashiana Community Project are offering a free, impartial and confidential telephone helpline, Monday – Friday, 12pm-2pm for anyone wanting advice or someone to talk to. Call or text 07941 364 718 / 07918 077 777.
  • Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid is continuing to provide support as safely as possible to women and children affected by domestic abuse. Call the freephone helpline on 0808 800 0028.
  • Refuge’s freephone 24-Hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline is open.  If you’re scared of your partner and want to speak confidentially, the expert team are there for you. You can also request a call back at a time that’s safe for you. You are not alone.
  • www.streetlink.org.uk – Bed spaces are being made available for all rough sleepers in Birmingham at Washington Court where they will receive support from services and assistance to move on to appropriate accommodation. The site has been thoroughly deep cleaned. You can refer anyone to a bed space via or by calling 0800 880 7157.
  • Tenants in rented accommodation experiencing issues can seek help through the Acorn Union.
  • MOT Testing – From 30 March 2020, car, van and motorcycle owners will have a temporary exemption from MOT testing to ensure vital services can continue, people can carry on with essential travel, and to buy food and medicine.
  • Pet owners may find useful help and advice, including information about local Vets here: https://www.facebook.com/BirminghamDogsSupportGrouo/

Other health and care needs

Information and advice for parents/ carers of children with SEND is available on a dedicated page on Birmingham City Council’s website.

MacMillan Cancer Support understand the need to support people with a diagnosis of cancer at the moment and have provided the following information:

We understand that people are worried about coronavirus (COVID-19). If you have cancer, you might be worried about how coronavirus affects you. This is an anxious time for people with cancer and supporting you continues to be our priority. We have a number of different services available to support you:

  • Our online community continues to provide invaluable emotional and peer support at community.macmillan.org.uk
  • Comprehensive cancer information and support, including guidance on how coronavirus might affect cancer care, is available on www.macmillan.org.uk
  • Our Macmillan Support Line, which is free to call, is open Mon-Fri, 9am to 5pm on 0808 808 00 00.

Keeping safe

To help keep everyone safe, Birmingham Safeguarding Adults Board has produced some leaflets. This one page Information Leaflet for Vulnerable Citizens, in particular those who are self-isolating, contains information in regards to keeping safe, scams, accessing services, reporting concerns and a link to the Birmingham City Council Coronavirus page which has lots of both national and local advice and information: https://www.bsab.org/downloads/download/50/information-vulnerable-citizens-who-are-self-isolating