SOMERSET’S Coronavirus helpline will be available throughout the Easter Bank Holiday weekend for anyone in the county who needs Coronavirus-related support from their councils.
The Support Helpline number, 0300 790 6275, is open seven days a week from 8am-6pm for people to access any local authority help they may need in the current coronavirus crisis.
It will continue to run on Good Friday, and Easter Saturday, Sunday and Monday, staffed by the county and district councils’ contact centres.
In the first three days since it launched, the helpline took around 300 calls, dealing with a wide range of issues from finance, personal care if feeling worried, anxious or depressed, food requests and transport arrangements.
The one number does not cover medical advice, for which people will need to continue to use the 111 NHS online service and only ring 111 if they cannot get help online.
Anyone who can’t find help within their own local networks and volunteers, can use the new number to get help and advice around:
- Personal care and support including food and delivery of prescriptions
- Housing and support for the homeless
- Emotional support if you’re feeling worried or anxious
- Transport to medical appointments
- Waste collection and disposal
- Financial support
Callers will be asked to describe the support they need and will be connected with others for resolution.
If people are interested in volunteering, for example helping people out with shopping or picking up prescriptions, they can go to
https://www.corona-helpers.co.uk/ to register.
