PLEASE SEE BELOW, USEFUL INFORMATION / CONTACT DETAILS ETC. DURING THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK
(These may change but are correct at time of publishing. We will update as new information arises.)
Support for people who are clinically extremely vulnerable because of medical conditions
If you have a medical condition which makes you extremely vulnerable to coronavirus, and have received a letter from the NHS, you will need to register for support to get essential food deliveries and medical supplies.
If you have not received a letter, you can register yourself (or do this on someone’s behalf).
Register on GOV.UK or call 0800 0288327
If you're high risk and need urgent support
Please see updated new guidance on support from 6/7/20
Croydon have a dedicated helpline for vulnerable residents:
Phone: 020 8604 7787 Monday-Friday 9am-4pm
The phone lines are very busy and if you are having trouble getting through you can complete this form
Our Befriending Service: Please visit here for details of our current service. You will find details of our criteria and a link to our referral form if needed.
Our DBS Service: Please visit here for an update.
Volunteering:
If you are interested in volunteering during this time, here is the link: https://simplyconnectcommunity.uk
Food & Delivery Service: regularly updated information can be found on our Food, Shopping & Delivery Services page.
Local Groups & Community Projects: please go to our Community Projects During Covid-19 for details of what's available in your area.
The Loss Foundation
A registered bereavement charity, The Loss Foundation is offing free online support groups for people who have lost a loved one to Coronavirus. All events can be viewed on their website calendar.
Covid-19 Mutual Aid UK
Covid-19 Mutual Aid UK are a group of volunteers aiming to support the network of local community groups organising to support people through the coronavirus pandemic. There are now thousands of local groups across the country. Find your local group here:
https://covidmutualaid.org/local-groups/
Here are a links to local facebook pages:
Norwood Junction Covid 19 Mutual Aid
Purley Community Covid 19 Mutual Aid
Coulsdon/Old Coulsdon Covid 19 Community Support
Purley Cross Centre
Their doors are currently closed but a telephone advise service is in operation. Please see here for more details.
Topping Up Gas & Electricity Prepayment Meters
The government has issued guidance supporting residents using prepayment meters (gas and electricity) who cannot leave their homes due to Coronavirus. The guidance asks residents to contact their energy suppliers to discuss options for keeping them supplied. This could include nominating a third party for credit top ups, having a discretionary fund added to their credit, or being sent a pre-loaded top up card so that their energy supply is not interrupted. Ofgem have also added the information to their website. The links are here:
COVID-19 Trading Standards Alert
CROYDON TRADING STANDARDS
COMMUNITY ALERT
COVID-19 Fraud
During the COVID-19 pandemic there has been a marked increase in online scams.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), part of GCHQ, have launched the new Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS).
If you receive an email that you think is suspicious, you can simply forward it to the NCSC at report@phishing.gov.uk and their automated programme will immediately test the validity of the site.
Any sites found to be phishing scams will be removed immediately.
This is a very simple way to alert authorities to phishing scams.
Please remember to report to Action Fraud 0300 123 2040 or Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline 0808 223 1133 if you have actually been the victim of a scam.
Croydon Council have also issued the notices below.
Trading_Standards_Alert_-_Coronavirus.pdf
Community_Link_-_Beware_of_Covid-19_scams.pdf
Community_Link_Supermarket_Vouchers-Scam.pdf
Investment_Scam_Double_Your_Money.pdf
Common_Scams_to_Look_Out_For.pdf add. 25/6/20
Community_Link_Pension_Scams.pdf
Emergency Support Numbers
Click on the link below for details of support during Covid-19:
update-emergency-support-numbers
Croydon Mencap:
Croydon Mencap have created a website page with a wealth of information and links to resources that may be of help to you during the current crisis:
Social Distancing - Different Languages
Please see below a link to guidance on the Coronavirus and social distancing in various (34) languages:
Library Services
Details of online services can be found here