Covid19 Info, Advice & Support
We have put together a few links below that we hope you will find useful during this Covid-19 crisis.
Donations and Help Wanted
Local organisations that need money and support, plus volunteer opportunities.
Supporting Local Business
No need to shop in supermarkets or with Amazon please support local businesses
Local Support in Hackney
Mutual aid and neighbourhood groups informations.
General Advice Pages
For artists, local businesses, the self employed, renters, how to claim grants, protect your rights etc. Government advice and virus mythbusting
Organisations Offering Support
Get the help you need here in Hackney
Self Care and Mental Health
Advice on how to look after yourself and others
Activities for Isolation
A selection of links to help you get fit, learn something new, teach your children, find something to watch, listen to or read etc. or just be fancifully distracted.
Donations and Help Wanted
Hackney Food Bank are looking for donations and volunteers STILL URGENT
https://hackney.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/
Hackney Giving coronavirus response fund: we are appealing for funding so that we can support grassroots community organisations affected by the coronavirus crisis with a rapid response programme
http://hackneygiving.org.uk/about-us/coronavirus-response-fund/coronavirus-response-fund/
North London Action for the Homeless: Covid-19 Emergency Fund
During this crisis, we are operating a take-away service, as well as offering deliveries and regular phone calls to homeless people, people on the margins or without support network.
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/nlahcovid19
Please make a donation to the Homerton Hope Charity at Homerton Hospital
https://www.homerton.nhs.uk/homerton-hope
Support Hackney Pupils to access learning: Around 400 laptops are urgently needed for pupils from three primary schools who do not have access to technology at home.
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/support-hackney-pupils-to-access-learning
Streets Kitchen is a UK & Ireland grassroots group working to help the homeless community, providing daily outreaches with food, clothing and information that benefits our streets. We work in partnership with others across the UK and beyond.
https://www.streetskitchen.org/
The Access to Justice Foundation, the London Legal Support Trust and its partners across the funding community have come together to fundraise for an emergency appeal that will support a national advice fund that will be available to all free legal services.
https://atjf.org.uk/emergencyappeal
Under One Sky: On 4 April 2020, Under One Sky started running an EMERGENCY FOOD ACTION for the homeless still on the streets of London during the Covid-19 lock-down. Despite promises by the Government and Mayor of London, many remain on the streets. In fact, it seems the numbers are growing, fuelled by increasing illegal home evictions and the early release of prisoners. 570 new volunteers have joined us since we started. They are serving an average 200 meals a day in 4 teams. By 25 April 2020, we served over 5000 meals. Please support us if you can.
https://www.underonesky.cc/
Spare Hand: We help community organisations find and manage volunteers during the COVID-19 outbreak and beyond.
https://www.spare-hand.org/
CovidCall provides a free phone service for volunteers to provide local people in self-isolation with local advice and social contact.
https://covidcall.org/
Supporting Local Business
No need to wait for a delivery slot from big supermarkets, we have lots of dedicated independent suppliers here in Hackney
Ridley Road market is open for food and essential items, this Twitter account has updates and photos of what is on offer
https://twitter.com/RidleyUpdates
Central Dairies - Local Milkmen
https://www.facebook.com/groups/280285692955390/permalink/304596673857625/
Dishpatch: Great independents, delivering food & drink
https://dishpatch.co.uk/
Useful document listing Food Delivery services available in Hackney
https://docs.google.com/
Nourished Communities: We bring the finest quality seasonal home-grown produce & products from the English countryside straight to your door.
https://www.nourishedcommunities.com/
My Virtual Neighbourhood was born of a desire to keep small businesses going throughout the Coronavirus outbreak.
https://www.myvirtualneighbourhood.com/
Plant Pack: Our Plant Packs rescue quality plants destined to be scrapped during lockdown.
https://getplantpack.co/
Word Up! Support independent bookshops by placing orders via phone, email and online
https://wordup.top/
How to avoid Amazon: the definitive guide to online shopping – without the retail titan
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/apr/27/how-to-avoid-amazon-the-definitive-guide-to-online-shopping-without-the-retail-titan
COVID-19: A comprehensive directory of London food+drinks businesses offering delivery and takeaway during lockdown
https://myhungryvalentine.com/
Serendipity Botanist - Hackney Wick
https://serendipitybotanist.bigcartel.com/product/fruit-veg
Jaguarshoes Collective – Foodbox delivery in East London
https://jaguarshoescollective.bigcartel.com/
Stoke Newington business (including non-food)
https://www.myvirtualneighbourhood.com/stoke-newington
Spitalfields Shops Open for Business
https://spitalfieldslife.com/2020/04/08/list-of-local-shops-open-for-business-a/
Organic and sustainable groceries at wholesale prices
https://www.goodclub.co.uk/
Five Points Ale
https://shop.fivepointsbrewing.co.uk/
London Fields Brewery
https://www.londonfieldsbrewery.co.uk/
Tower Green Hamlets Veg Boxes: Affordable, local and seasonal fruit and vegetables
https://towergreenhamlets.com/
List your business in Forever Local from iZettle
https://foreverlocal.izettle.com/gb
Hackney shops supporting communities in the Corona crisis Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/496629754553992/?hc_location=group
Pages of Hackney offering free delivery on books by bike
https://pagesofhackney.co.uk/news/deliveries-update
Stokey Bookshop are similarly offering books and jigsaws
https://twitter.com/StokeyBookshop/status/1239263358873997314
6 ways you can support your Deliveroo driver
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10157974985764454&set=gm.282869066030386&type=3&theater
Local Support In Hackney
If you want to connect and get involved in your local community the Hackney Covid 19 Mutual Aid Facebook group is a great resource for sharing information that people in Hackney would find useful when supporting each other in our local areas.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/280285692955390/
It also lists WhatsApp groups you can join for each local ward, some of these also have sub groups at individual street levels. Join your local group to get more details.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/280285692955390/permalink/280307612953198/
If you are worried about elderly relatives in other parts of the country, especially those who are not computer literate, it can be helpful to put them in touch with their local group.
A full list of Mutual Aid groups are here
https://covidmutualaid.org/local-groups/
Alternatively a Facebook search will usually bring up a community group in their area and you can ask them to get in contact.
NHS Nightingale Hospital Volunteers
The NHS will be opening a 4000 bed hospital at the ExCel Centre in London for COVID-19 patients and two further NHS Nightingale Hospital's in Birmingham and Manchester.
Generation Medics are working with the NHS to make a list of people who would be willing to volunteer to work in non-clinical roles at the hospitals.
https://nhsvolunteers.generationmedics.org.uk/volunteer-now/
Hackney Council Volunteer Hub
Hackney Council has launched a volunteering hub to help coordinate the various local efforts that have sprung up in response to the coronavirus crisis.
https://volunteering.hackney.gov.uk/
Also have a look at Volunteer Centre Hackney
https://www.vchackney.org/
Hackney Council Community Support
Use this form to tell us that you or someone you know needs help.
https://community.hackney.gov.uk/
Hackney Council Activities and Support Pages
Other Groups
Akwaaba: Here is our COVID-19 response local services flyer which we distributed last Sunday to members.
https://twitter.com/AkwaabaHackney/status/1250708025486331904
Dalston Subgroup
https://www.facebook.com/groups/280285692955390/permalink/291704545146838/
LGBTIQ+ group for those at risk or able to support others
https://www.facebook.com/groups/646616226125829/?hc_location=ufi
London COVID-19 Mutual Aid Migrant & Asylum Seeker Support
https://www.facebook.com/groups/193855082039231/
Local group for supporting those with dogs in isolation
https://www.facebook.com/groups/280285692955390/permalink/282955626021730/
Blackstone Estate Mutual Support Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/3014714241912618/
General Advice Pages
WHO Myth Busters
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters
Coronavirus (COVID-19): what you need to do
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can't do
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do
Hackney Council Support Pages
https://hackney.gov.uk/coronavirus-support
A Handy List of Reputable Coronavirus Information and how to spot disinformation online
https://medium.com/@melissaryan/a-handy-list-of-reputable-coronavirus-information-78b9aa153928
Modelling and computational data
https://www.wolfram.com/covid-19-resources/
Advice for pet owners and livestock keepers on maintaining the welfare of their animals during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-people-with-animals
Public Law Project: COVID-19 and Universal Credit Advice
https://claimantcommitments.org.uk/covid-19/
Guidance for current students
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/guidance-for-current-students
Government Coronavirus Information Service on WhatsApp
https://twitter.com/DHSCgovuk/status/1242813027189239811?s=19
Hackney Resources Gallery, listing
https://airtable.com/shrDtrVJmWmRcgkgE/tblQyv9WahSteQAHs?blocks=hide
There With You: Essential list of groups, networks and organisations during the coronavirus outbreak
https://www.hackneygazette.co.uk/news/health/there-with-you-essential-list-of-groups-networks-and-organisations-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak-1-6576398
Subscribe to Hackney Council Coronavirus Newsletter for local updates
https://hackney.gov.uk/coronavirus
Rent Advice
London Renters Union - Is the Coronavirus crisis making you worried about how you’ll pay rent? You’re not alone. Help and Advice
https://londonrentersunion.org/c19rentcrisis/
Government support available for landlords and renters reflecting the current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/government-support-available-for-landlords-and-renters-reflecting-the-current-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak
Rent Strike London
https://twitter.com/RentStrikeLDN/status/1243621229539532800?s=19
Advice for Small businesses and Self Employed
Coronavirus financial support for businesses: a complete guide
https://www.freeagent.com/blog/claiming-financial-support-coronavirus/
Hackney Council Hot Meals Grant 2020- Application Form
This hot meals grant application invites existing charities, non-profit organisations and social enterprise providers that are already delivering hot food to express interest in financial support from Hackney Council to scale up the existing production and delivery of meals provided to vulnerable residents.
Click here to access application form
Hackney Council: Business Rates Advice
https://hackney.gov.uk/businessrates
Federation of Small Businesses - Advice Pages
https://www.fsb.org.uk/campaign/covid19.html
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) - Advice Pages
https://www.acs.org.uk/advice/covid-19-coronavirus
COVID-19: support for businesses
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support
HM Treasury: How to access government financial support if you or your business has been affected by COVID-19
Covid-19_fact_sheet_18_March.pdf
Closing certain businesses and venues
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close-guidance
Hackney Business Network: Latest information, guidance and support for businesses
http://investinhackney.org/coronavirus
Coronavirus emergency grants digest, a useful list of emergency grants for businesses and charities that you might want to apply to and links to funders' websites
https://www.voscur.org/insight/news/coronavirus-emergency-grants-digest-updated-090420
A regular update from thought leaders in marketing and beyond on how to address the challenges presented by the COVID 19 pandemic
https://www.marketingweek.com/the-lowdown/
Employment
What are my employment rights?
https://eachother.org.uk/coronavirus-what-are-my-employment-rights/
Need an isolation note for your employer? Get one here
https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/
Support and Information for Artists
Information and guidance for artists and arts organisers
https://www.a-n.co.uk/news/coronavirus-covid-19-information-and-guidance-for-artists-and-arts-organisers/
Support letter from Hackney Mayor
https://news.hackney.gov.uk/message-from-the-mayor-of-hackney-how-were-supporting-our-cultural-sector/
Lessons of Lockdown: What creative freelancers will be doing differently when things return to normal
https://www.creativeboom.com/tips/the-things-creative-freelancers-and-small-businesses-will-be-doing-differently-when-lockdown-ends/
Yugen Creative Network for sharing job opportunities/availabilities, as well as ideas and helpful resources
https://www.facebook.com/groups/yugenoriginals/
Funding sites for artist and designers
https://parallaxaf.co//helpandhope.html
Arts Council: Financial support for artists, creative practitioners and freelancers
https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/funding/financial-support-artists-creative-practitioners-and-freelancers
Arts Council: Financial support for organisations outside of the National Portfolio
https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/funding/financial-support-organisations-outside-national-portfolio
Arts Council: Support for individuals from Government and other sources
https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/covid-19/covid-19-support-individuals-government-and-other-sources
Arts Council Digital Culture Network : Offering advice, guidance and support in handling your digital endeavours during the coronavirus outbreak and beyond.
https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/developing-digital-culture/digital-culture-network
Arts Marketing Association Help and Advice
https://www.a-m-a.co.uk/covid-19-resources/
Join the Voluntary Arts #creativenetwork
https://www.voluntaryarts.org/creativenetwork
Arts Fundraising: Power Hour Every Day
https://twitter.com/artsfundraising/status/1240216422074253312
Organisations Offering Support
Age UK East London
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/eastlondon/
0800 169 6565
Charity helping older people
They have published a useful help pack here
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/bp-assets/globalassets/east-london/coronavirus-help-pack.pdf
Citizens Advice
http://www.eastendcab.org.uk/hackney/
Please note face to face services have been suspended
Adviceline: 0203 855 4472 or Text on 07860041446
(Monday to Friday between 10.00-12.00 & 14.00-16.00)
Email [email protected]
Toynbee Hall Free Legal Advice Centre
https://www.toynbeehall.org.uk/
Call: 020 7392 2953
Email: [email protected]
Free legal advice including employment and debt counselling
Hackney Community Law Centre
https://hclc.org.uk/
Helplines weekdays 11am to 1pm
Employment, Housing, Asylum & Immigration, Welfare Benefits
Hackney Council’s Domestic Abuse Intervention Service
Telephone: 020 8356 4458 (Monday-Friday, 9-5pm)}
Email: [email protected].
StepChange
https://www.stepchange.org/debt-info/debt-and-coronavirus.aspx
Online debt advice
National Debtline
https://www.nationaldebtline.org/
https://www.nationaldebtline.org/EW/factsheets/Pages/coronavirus-advice-and-support/help-and-advice.aspx
Advice line, web chat and online tools for debt advice
Shelter
https://england.shelter.org.uk/get_help
https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/coronavirus
Housing advice
Praxis
https://www.praxis.org.uk/
Provide free immigration advice over the phone on Wednesday afternoons from 2pm to 4pm and additionally on Thursday mornings from 10am to 12.30pm. Call 020 7749 7608 or 020 7749 7605.
Hackney Migrant Centre
https://hackneymigrantcentre.org.uk/drop-in/
We will run a remote immigration and housing advice service for the duration of the Covid-19 crisis. This service will be run by phone. Call 07961 014182 on Mondays, between 10am – 1pm. During the call we will book an appointment for an assessment later that week.
A full range of services can be found here
https://hackney.gov.uk/find-support-services
Self Care and Mental Health
You need to be aware of your mental health during this period, be kind to yourself, try not to constantly consume the news and remember others are probably feeling the same way as you - reach out as much as you can.
Thrive LDN is a citywide movement to improve the mental health and wellbeing of all Londoners.
https://thriveldn.co.uk/
Coronavirus and your wellbeing
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/
NHS: Every Mind Matters
Having good mental health helps us relax more, achieve more and enjoy our lives more. We have expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing.
https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/
If you have an eating disorder, the coronavirus outbreak might be causing additional stress. You're not alone – the charity Beat has seen a 30% increase in demand for its services in recent weeks and is providing invaluable support.
https://www.good-thinking.uk/coronavirus/how-to/manage-eating-disorders/
Guidance for the public on the mental health and wellbeing aspects of coronavirus (COVID-19)
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-the-public-on-mental-health-and-wellbeing/guidance-for-the-public-on-the-mental-health-and-wellbeing-aspects-of-coronavirus-covid-19
Guidance for parents and carers on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-supporting-children-and-young-peoples-mental-health-and-wellbeing/guidance-for-parents-and-carers-on-supporting-children-and-young-peoples-mental-health-and-wellbeing-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak
WHO: Mental health and psychological resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic
http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/health-emergencies/coronavirus-covid-19/news/news/2020/3/mental-health-and-psychological-resilience-during-the-covid-19-pandemic
Online counselling platform for children and young people
https://www.kooth.com/
The Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA) have published a comprehensive Well-being resources hub
https://ilpa.org.uk/members-area/working-groups/well-being-new/well-being-resource-hub/
Support for adults in crisis including Domestic Abuse
https://www.hestia.org/
Report Domestic Abuse to the Police here
https://www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/daa/domestic-abuse/how-to-report-domestic-abuse/
Find out how to get help if you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-abuse-how-to-get-help
Samaritans: What to do if you think someone you know isn't okay.
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/support-and-information/worried-about-someone-else/
Samaritans: Information on what to do if you're feeling low or struggling to cope.
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/support-and-information/if-youre-having-difficult-time/signs-you-may-be-struggling-cope/practical-ways-help-yourself-cope/
Remember, if you're struggling to cope and you feel like there's nowhere to turn, the Samaritans are always available to listen round the clock.
Call 116 123 or email (response time 24hr) [email protected]
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
For those struggling to work at home, don't beat yourself up, you are not working from home; you are at your home during a crisis trying to work.
Activities for Isolation
Theatre. Poetry and Literature
New Yorker Fiction Podcast
https://www.newyorker.com/podcast/fiction
Creation Theatre: Live Zoom call of The Tempest
https://www.creationtheatre.co.uk/book-shows/
Soho Theatre On Demand: New theatre, comedy and cabaret
https://ondemand.sohotheatre.com/
This gripping dramatisation of a 1612 rape trial brought by the gifted painter Artemisia Gentileschi roars down the ages centuries after it shocked Renaissance Rome.
https://www.newdiorama.com/whats-on/its-true-its-true-its-true
Poet Luke Wright is doing readings every evening on twitter
https://twitter.com/lukewrightpoet
Free downloads in support of the Trussell Trust.
https://www.gofasterstripe.com/cgi-bin/website.cgi
Shakespeare's Globe Player
https://globeplayer.tv/
Carol Ann Duffy and the Manchester Writing School at Manchester Metropolitan University have brought together poets from around the world to write new poems about the recent days past and the weeks ahead.
https://www2.mmu.ac.uk/write/
The Secret Life of Books: Confessions of an English Opium Eater
John Cooper Clarke explores Thomas de Quincey's Confessions of an English Opium Eater, and discovers how this addiction memoir avoids the cliches of modern 'misery-lit'.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b06n9khy/the-secret-life-of-books-series-2-4-confessions-of-an-english-opium-eater
Artist Kate Tempest hosts a night of poetry that includes her epic new story Let Them Eat Chaos and performances from three of her friends
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b07yc9ms/performance-live-kate-tempest
Free National Theatre at home, including Anthony and Cleopatra
https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/nt-at-home
Home Fitness and Stretching
Online Yoga Classes
https://tam-tamyoga.com/online-classes/
NHS Fitness Studio exercise videos
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-fitness-studio/
NHS Pilates
https://www.nhs.uk/Video/Pages/pilates.aspx
Politics and Environmental Activism
Extinction Rebellion: Reset TV is a large and comprehensive programme of online workshops and more, using the video conferencing service Zoom
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Q6DGUxHCTvjKRRmqCUDtCDGU-UY1Z_S5O51hSf9ystM/edit
The Anthropocene Project combines art, film, virtual reality, augmented reality, and scientific research, the project investigates human influence on the state, dynamic and future of the Earth.
https://theanthropocene.org/
Miscellaneous
Who Will Call Me Beloved: Writer Tania Hershman on the word ‘beloved’ and commemorating single people when they die.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/favourites/m000b4r1
Filmed before the coronavirus crisis, Rhod Gilbert takes on one of his toughest challenges yet - being a carer. Even in more ordinary times, the work of carers is so valuable, if not always valued.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000hqvk/rhod-gilberts-work-experience-series-9-1-care-worker
Wolfgang Tillmans, Vivienne Westwood, Peter Kennard, and more contribute to Dazed’s art project that will raise funds for NHS trust Barts Charity
https://www.dazeddigital.com/art-photography/article/48811/1/vivienne-westwood-wolfgang-tillmans-poster-art-coronavirus-nhs
Singing With Nightingales - Earth Day 2020 will take you on a journey into the woods of Sussex to hear the unforgettable song of the nightingale.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pr3CVt5paTM&feature=youtu.be
https://thenestcollective.co.uk/includes/singing-with-nightingales/
Black Music in Europe: A Hidden History. Clarke Peters uncovers the stories of black musicians in Europe, from the birth of recorded sound to the height of the jazz age.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09kg57l