How you can help others during the coronavirus pandemic

With people increasingly staying at home as coronavirus spreads, you might be wondering how you can help those most at risk.

Self-isolating, either because you have symptoms or because you are in one of the high risk groups, means you might need others to give you a helping hand.

For those who are not over 70 and who do not have underlying health conditions, you can still go out, as long as you take the recommended precautions so think about what you can do for those who can’t.

You can also help by donating to food banks, giving blood and supporting small businesses who are under financial pressure.

If you are not vulnerable, check in on others who are

Check-in with friends and elderly relatives or neighbours to see if they need anything picked up from the shops or if they need any help with anything.

Self-isolation is obviously very lonely so call anyone you know who is avoiding going out. Offer to Skype them or play some online games together to help them socialise. Even if you are far away, just having a chat could mean a lot to someone.

Facebook groups have been set up across the UK for volunteers to offer help and for those in need to ask for it. Try searching for Covid-19 mutual aid to find a group in your area. If there isn’t one, you can always take inspiration and set one up.

Covid-19 mutual aid Facebook groups in London

You can join a Facebook group in your area to help, or if you need assistance, sign up and post in the group.

Barnet

Battersea

Brent

Camden

Ealing

Greenwich

Hackney

Haringey

Islington

Lambeth

Lewisham

Newham

Southwark

Tower Hamlets

Waltham Forest

Of course, if you are volunteering to help anyone, continue to take precautions – only speak to them online or on the phone and leave things outside without making contact if you are delivering to anyone.

Donate blood

With people staying home, blood donations are expected to fall and the NHS will still need lots of donors.

The NHS says you can keep donating as normal, unless you have travelled to a coronavirus risk area, been in contact with or been infected by the virus.

If you are able to donate blood but haven’t done so before or haven’t done it for a while, now is a good time.

Donate to a food bank

Some food banks are struggling with fewer donations and they are unable to get some staples due to stockpiling.

The Trussell Trust said they are also expecting an increase in demand as people may lose income.

The most important thing you can do is to listen to the guidance and try to protect other people who are more vulnerable.

Wash your hands, cover your mouth when you cough and try not to get too close to prevent the spread.

If you experience any symptoms (a cough or a fever), self-isolate for seven days and call 111 for advice.

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