We want to be there for you as much as possible during this lockdown
We want to share the up to date response from the Highland Council's Community Resilience Group
Even though we can't meet up with you to enjoy our activities like Bumblebags and our plastics workshop, Green Hive will do everything we can to support the Nairnshire community and the environment whilst we go through this difficult period.
From the meeting today of the Highland Council's Community Resilience Group, there is a very useful list of support services, organisations and groups who can provide direct help for people requiring support whilst self-isolating, support for people in vulnerable groups and support for mental health and wellbeing.
Support for Individuals
The Council, working with its third sector and community group partners, continues to provide help to those affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
The Council’s Coronavirus Helpline can provide advice and support to individuals and businesses at this time.
Coronavirus Helpline: 0300 303 1362
(operates Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm and is FREE to call)
Food and Prescription Support
Food support can be provided for those in crisis who require emergency access to food. This includes people who have to self-isolate because they have tested positive for covid or are a close contact of someone who has.
Prescriptions can be collected for people who have no way to collect or get their prescription delivered.
Support can be accessed by phoning: 0300 303 1362
Financial Support
The Council’s Welfare Support Team can provide advice, guidance and support to people who are struggling financially.
The Team will identify all the benefits that are available for an individual’s circumstances and will complete applications on someone’s behalf. For example, if someone is self-isolating and on a low income, it may be possible to help with heating, travel and other costs. The Welfare Team will also claim on an individual’s behalf any benefits they may be entitled to, including reductions that may be available on Council Tax.
This service is free and confidential.
FREEPHONE on 0800 090 1004 (9am – 5pm); or
Email: welfare.support@highland.gov.uk
Further information is also available on the Council’s website: www.highland.gov.uk/directory_record/102970/benefit_advice
Self-Isolation Support Grant
If someone on a low income has been asked by NHS Test and Protect Service to self-isolate, either because they have tested positive for Covid-19 or they have been in contact with someone who has tested positive, they may be entitled to the £500 self-isolation support grant
To apply contact the Welfare Support Team:
FREEPHONE on 0800 090 1004 (9am – 5pm); or
Email: welfare.support@highland.gov.uk
Further information is available at:
Support for Mental Health and Wellbeing
The impact of the measures to reduce the spread of Covid-19 has placed increased pressure and uncertainty on everyone so it’s important to know where to find help and support for our mental health and wellbeing when it is needed. There are services where you can find confidential and trusted support, these include:
Help in a crisis:
The following advice is intended for crisis situations which happen only rarely. A mental health crisis is when someone feels their mental health is at breaking point and they need urgent help and support.
If you are concerned that you are, or if you feel that someone else is, in immediate danger call 999. If you are calling for someone else, try to establish the person’s name, contact details and location.
If the crisis is not life-threatening but you are concerned for your own or somebody else’s mental health, advise them to call NHS 24 on 111 or speak to their GP. The route into formal mental health services is through a GP surgery. If someone discloses to you that they are already in receipt of support for their own mental health they should be directed to link in with that pre-existing support.
Support, advice and resources can also be found at:
Samaritans - 116 123 (calls are free and do not show on a phone bill)
Breathing Space - 0800 83 85 87
Mikey’s Line - 07786 207755
Ewen’s Room - 0800 689 3317
National Scottish Domestic Abuse Helpline - 0800 027 1234
LGBT Helpline Scotland 0300 123 2523
Childline - 0800 1111
CRUSE Bereavement Care Scotland - 0845 600 2227
Non-crisis situations:
In most instances where mental health concerns are raised it will not be a crisis. If you have, or someone you are in contact with has, concerns about mental ill health, a GP should be the first point of contact.
It is understandable in the current crisis that many people will feel anxious, worried or stressed. For those who are in need of emotional/wellbeing support or who are affected by isolation due to the current COVID-19 circumstance, you might want to look for local voluntary organisations who can offer a regular welfare call or suggest contact with a befriending service
Additional resources:
While we can’t control many of the challenges around us, there are still things we can do to protect our mental health and wellbeing. Check out any of the resources below:
Great tips from the Scottish Government and partners to help get you through these difficult times.
A collection of resources gathered by NHS Highland to support mental wellbeing
Resources to use at home to help with going back to school, and resources for school staff to support themselves
SAMH Information Service you can talk to their Information team about mental health on 0344 800 0550, and there is a range of information on support, including:
SAMH have put together a list of organisations who can help if you need to speak to someone.
Some of us can struggle with our mental health and wellbeing during the colder months.
Concerned about Someone who is Vulnerable?
Should you be concerned about a vulnerable adult, whether for care, welfare or mental health reasons, you can contact the following numbers:
Adult Protection Concern helpline – 0800 902 0042 in office hours and out of office hours or during holiday periods – 0845 769 7284.
Should you be concerned about a child, their welfare, wellbeing or their safety, then please use the following contacts:
Child protection - phone the Police on 999 if a child is at immediate risk of harm.
If you feel that a child or young person may be at risk of harm at any time either physically or emotionally, visit the Child Protection Committee website www.hcpc.scot for advice, guidance and sources of support. Child protection is everyone’s responsibility and now, more than ever we rely on local communities to help us make sure families get the right support at the right time.
General advice or concerns, local numbers for each area can be found at http://hcpc.scot/professionals for local contact numbers or the Emergency out of hours service can be contacted on 08457 697284
Support for Business
A national Helpline is in place from the Scottish Government for employees and employers regarding the Coronavirus outbreak
Telephone: 0300 303 0660
Further information is available on the Government website:
Further information on support for business including any current grant support available can be found on the Council’s website at:
If you, or anyone you know is having difficulties right now, the Green Hive team are here for you - our staff are working from home and are available Tuesday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.
Whether you would like a chat, or need help, assistance or guidance get in touch with us at nre@greenhive.co.uk or drop us a message on social media - Facebook
We are continuing to adapt and change our approach to our activities and events and we are really looking forward to seeing you all again soon
If you have a suggestion or could provide a service to help members of our community, let us know - we would love to help share your contribution out to our membership.
Come and join us every second Friday at 1pm for a chat online about anything that is on your mind on our Digital Natter - if you are having trouble accessing the internet, or Zoom, please do get in touch with us and we will do our best to get you online and participating.
You can register for a link to our open Natters by clicking the picture below
Or you can sign up here: https://www.hub.greenhive.co.uk/bookings-checkout/new-friends-and-natter
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