If you find yourself isolating or at home for a period of time, which may be due to illness such as Coronavirus, flu, long-term illness or after an operation.  These situations can all have an impact on you or your family. There could be many changes for you and your loved ones over this period, such as having to spend a lot of time at home or you could be concerned about your finances, work or your health. This can feel difficult and stressful, however, there are many organisations that can support you to overcome some of these worries.

Mental Health

The Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation mental health support helpline is available 24/7 for adults, older adults and children and young people requiring urgent mental health support

Call 0800 008 6516, 24 hours a day 7 days a week or text 07860 025281

Please see the services below for further support:

Samaritans

Childline

SHOUT – You can also text SHOUT to 85258 – A free 24/7 mental health line

MIND UK

NHS Every Mind Matters (Stay well at home)

Mental Health Foundation

Bereavement

Any death may leave us feeling shocked or numb.  It may be you are unable to connect with people as you would want to.  This may already be a difficult time and it may be more so if you are bereaved.  Please follow the link below for guidance and support.

Bereavement Support and Advice

The Five Ways to Wellbeing

Finding out more about the five ways to wellbeing can really support us all with our mental health. Practising the five ways to wellbeing can help us to prevent some mental health difficulties and it can also help us to overcome some of the difficulties that we might have been experiencing. Click on the image below to find out more.

Feeling Isolated or Lonely

It could be that you have feel isolated or lonely during this time. If so, these organisations can help.

Dudley Pleased to Meet You

Silverline (over 60s)

Side By Side MIND

Beacon Centre Befriending Service – to refer into the programme, call Beacon on 01902 880111 or email referrals@beaconvision.org

Alcohol & Substance Misuse

You could find that during this time your drug and /or alcohol use may increase. If you would like support with this, you can access these services for help and guidance.

Atlantic Recovery Centre

Cranstoun-Here4YOUth

Turning Point

Aquarius

Domestic Abuse

This can be a difficult and worrying time for everyone but particularly so for adults and children living with abuse. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, please call 999 and ask for the police. Silent calls will work if you are not safe to speak – use the Silent Solution system; call 999 and then press 55 when prompted

If you can’t use a voice phone, you can register with the police text service, text REGISTER to 999.  You will get a text which tells you what to do next.  Do this when it is safe so you can text when you are in danger, find out more

Safe & sound, Dudley Community Safety Partnership – for help and support call Dudley borough’s single point of contact (SPOC) 01384 455411 (24 hours), text or Whatsapp 07384 466181 (9am to 9pm weekdays).

Support For Carers

Many people who provide care often do not recognise themselves as a carer and can therefore be unaware of the support available to them. Below are some services with information available that can provide help and support.

Dudley Disability Service

Disability Rights

Support for Carers – Dudley Carers Hub

Alzheimer’s Society

Age UK

Physical Health 

Healthy Eating

You may find that your eating habits have changed during this time. Eating a healthy diet is important to maintain health and boost your immunity.

Find out about eating a healthy diet here

Pregnancy

If you are concerned about how your isolation / illness will effect you during pregnancy, please contact your GP or midwife.

Guidance on COVID and pregnancy

Long Term Health Conditions

If you have a long term health condition, your GP can give you specific advice.  Below are links to sites with general information on how you can look after yourself:

Asthma

Diabetes

Heart Disease

Cancer

Financial Guidance

Citizens Advice Dudley Borough provides free, independent and confidential information and advice on a wide range of issues.

For help call their Contact Centre on 0300 3309 044

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday (local rate) between 9:30am-3:30pm.

Visit their website: www.citizensadvicedudley.org for more information and a complete list of all the services that they offer across the Dudley Borough.

Black Country Foodbank helps vulnerable individuals and families in crisis through the provision of 3-days’ emergency food supplies while a longer-term solution is developed. The services they provide have an enormous impact on the people who use them, giving them important breathing space at a time of great need.

STOP LOAN SHARKS

Stop Loan Sharks investigate and prosecute loan sharks. Their official title is The England Illegal Money Lending Team. They are the lead organisation in England with the power to prosecute loan sharks and illegal money lenders. Since 2004, they have helped over 30,000 people who have borrowed from loan sharks.

GAMBLING RELATED FINANCIAL HARM (GRFH)

Gambling related financial harm (GRFH) can manifest in many ways and can impact not just the gambler but also their loved ones. Year on year, around 70% of callers to the National Gambling Helpline operated by GamCare, mention some level of gambling debt and/or financial hardship caused by gambling. If you need advice, you can contact these services for support:

Gamcare: Free helpline: 0808 8020 133; Live Chat at: www.gamcare.org.uk

Citizens Advice Dudley Borough gamble aware support service.

For information support and advice about gaming and gambling visit safe & sound.

Local Services and Organisations

For locating and contacting local services and organisations please visit Dudley Community Information Directory.