Coronavirus (Covid-19): Help and support
The following organisations are providing Covid-19 support and information in Birmingham.
See a list of national organisations offering help and support here.
Please email info@healthwatchbirmingham.co.uk with details of any other organisations that should be featured here.
Please note our Disclaimer below, we do not accept liability for any loss, damage or inconvenience because of the information we have provided you.
Food and urgent support
The Active Wellbeing Society
TAWS is providing a limited number of emergency food parcels on a first come first served basis. This reduced service will mean they can no longer take requests for ‘repeat’ parcels. To ask for a food parcel, telephone 0121 728 7030 Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm. Support is only available for Birmingham residents and TAWS will aim to get one to you within 72 hours. If you phone after the daily limit has been reached, TAWS will try to signpost you to another organisation nearby who can help.
TAWS new telephone support Listen and Connect service has now launched offering more support to those in need.
Request support using the online form.
For any general enquiries about the service please email listenandconnect@theaws.org or phone 0121 728 7030
Birmingham City Council Emergency Community Response Hub
Birmingham City Council has set up a hub to support Birmingham’s most vulnerable people, and help them cope with the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak.
They want to help you if you are:
- over the age of 70, are self isolating and have no support network,
- if you have received a letter from the NHS advising you are high risk, or
- you are medically vulnerable according to the government criteria.
They can help with things like:
- Support to access food
- Combating loneliness
- Information on financial support
Access this support by completing the online form or phone 0121 303 1116 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)
Food Banks
You can see details of food banks in your local area on the Find Food Banks Brum website.
Welfare
Route 2 Wellbeing Birmingham
The Route 2 Wellbeing Birmingham Portal is a directory of Health and Wellbeing services across Birmingham, provided by the local voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. The range of support being offered includes:
- food shopping
- food banks
- financial advice
- mental health
- befriending
- carers support
- drug and alcohol support
- homelessness
- general community support
- mutual aid groups and more
If you know of services in your area that can be listed on the Route 2 Wellbeing portal, please e-mail r2wbirmingham@bvsc.org.
The Waiting Room
The Waiting Room has an easy to search database of organisations providing specific support during the coronavirus pandemic, and other health and wellbeing services for citizensof Birmingham and Solihull.
Visit The Waiting Room
Coronavirus – Free Money Advice
Birmingham Settlement is providing a phone and email service for free debt and benefit advice.
Telephone Bereavement Pastoral Ministry Support
Church of England Birmingham has set up a dedicated phone-line offering 1-2-1 pastoral support and prayer for bereaved people. To access this ministry, please dial 0121 426 0405
Refugee and Migrant Centre
The Refugee and Migrant Centre provides free advice and guidance around welfare and benefit entitlements and can do so in a range of community languages. This includes support in accessing Universal Credit.
RMC can also provide free qualified immigration advice for those in need.
For more information see the RMC website or call the office on 0121 374 0140
Local Support Groups & Mutual Aid
There are a number of Facebook groups for residents to chat, find information and support other members of their local community.
South Birmingham
- B31 Voices Community Chat for south west Birmingham • Coronavirus support
- Moseley Together
- Selly Park South Community Response to Covid-19
- Covid-19 Mutual Aid Harborne B17
- Selly Oak Community Response to Covid-19
- Northfield Community Partnership
East Birmingham
North Birmingham
West Birmingham
Search the Coronavirus Mutual Aid UK Database to find local groups by you. https://covidmutualaid.org/local-groups/
West Midlands Combined Authority – Birmingham Community Groups & Services
Links to community groups and support services across all areas of Birmingham
Birmingham City Council
For support and information about coronavirus visit the Birmingham City Council website
An updated list of service alterations as a result of coronavirus can be found on the Council website.
BVSC: The Centre for Voluntary Action
BVSC is working with Birmingham City Council to create a coordinated community response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Voluntary and community organisations can request or offer support by telephoning 07388 376 945 or emailing comms@bvsc.org
There is also a list of information and resources to help community organisations during the outbreak.
Medical Advice
Changes to health services
To stay up-to-date with changes to local health services visit the news pages at Birmingham and Solihull CCG.
Ask A&E Covid Care Assistant
This online tool allows you to check and monitor your symptoms with the option of a video consultation with a healthcare professional.
Mental Health
Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group – Mental Health Support Offer
These services are provided by a range of local organisations, and offer emotional help, guidance and reassurance to people in Birmingham and Solihull who may be finding the current coronavirus situation overwhelming.
Kooth
Kooth is a new free, safe and anonymous service to support the emotional and mental health of young people aged 11-25 in Birmingham.
Birmingham Mind
Birmingham Mind is the largest independent mental health charity providing services in and beyond the City of Birmingham’s boundaries. For all enquiries please call 0121 262 3555 or email help@birminghammind.org
Birmingham Centre of Arts Therapies
Birmingham Centre of Arts Therapies (BCAT) have put together Soothing Packs that contain a number of activities and advice on how to achieve positive mental health during this period of isolation. The packs have been put together in association with BCAT’s NHS and therapies partners.
If you require a pack please email talktous@bcat.info
Safeguarding
Information for vulnerable people who are self-isolating
Birmingham Safeguarding Adults Board has provided information to help keep the most vulnerable safe when they are self-isolating. Here are some things to think about and support available to protect vulnerable people.
Safeguarding vulnerable adults
Birmingham Safeguarding Adults Board (BSAB) has produced a range of materials to support volunteers and community groups to help raise awareness about Safeguarding Adults during the period of the coronavirus 2020 lockdown including how to get Safeguarding Adults Basic Awareness Training.
Domestic Abuse
Refuges are still open and accommodation, advice and support is still available for people who need help. These organisations are ready to help people in Birmingham:
Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid
0808 800 0028
www.bswaid.org
Birmingham Housing Options Hub:
0808 169 9604
Birmingham Council Housing
0121 303 7410 or 0121 303 2296/4806
https://www.birmingham.gov.uk
Adult Social Care
0121 303 1234 or 0121 675 4806
Children’s Social Care
0121 303 1888 or 0121 675 4806
A full list of regional charities can be found on the West Midlands police website.
Disclaimer: We do not accept liability for any loss, damage or inconvenience arising because of any use of, or the inability to use, any information we have provided. We assume no responsibility for the content of external websites we signpost towards. You should not take inclusion of links to such websites as endorsement of any kind by Healthwatch Birmingham.