Coronavirus: ways you can help your community

Get support or offer support during coronavirus

If you need support we can connect you to people who can help. Or if you'd like to support people in your community, here's how you can offer support.

Other ways you can help people locally

Download and print this viral kindness postcard created by Becky Wass from Falmouth. Fill it in and post it through the door of someone you think may need help. For example: someone who’s over 70 and considered high risk.

Remember to follow the government guidance on hand washing and hygiene before you do this. 

Visit homes where people will recognise you and trust your offer is genuine. Try to understand that people may be cautious about accepting help if they don’t know you well and have the right to refuse your help.

You can also:

• find support groups in your area – we've been given these details by local authorities and people in communities

• donate your 5% Co-op member reward to our members' coronavirus fund – to support foodbanks, a funeral hardship fund and local community causes

• direct people to mutual aid groups set up to help people in local communities who are considered high risk. Find a local group

• donate money through Fareshare, an organisation that's helping to get food to people who need it

• donate what you can to food banks – visit the Trussel Trust website and find a food bank in your area

Volunteer with recognised organisations

Sign up to volunteer at:

• NHS GoodSAM – recruitment is paused for a few weeks

• local volunteer centres

• Volunteering Wales

• Volunteer Scotland

• Volunteer Now (Northern Ireland

• Volunteering Matters

• Do-it

• Reach Volunteering

• Age UK

• British Red Cross

Donate money to charity

You can give money through the National Emergencies Trust. This charity is co-ordinating the UK coronavirus disaster voluntary relief effort. It provides a single place for online donations from individuals and companies.

Help people worrying about finances 

You can:

• share this advice on claiming benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions

• direct people to the following job sites if they're out of work: Co-op, Tesco, Asda, Aldi, Morrisons, Lidl, Cera Care, Home Instead, HC-One

Help people with legal worries

You can:

• guide them to Citizens Advice for free, independent and confidential advice on any legal issues they're facing during the Covid-19 pandemic

• listen in to a free talk to understand how to help vulnerable family members with a Lasting Power of Attorney

• share online information from credible legal specialists about difficulties during lockdown such as furlough leave and cohabiting issues

   

Share accurate advice

For advice on what to do if you, or someone you know, has symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), visit the NHS website or GOV.UK.

You can also signpost people to: 

• the mental health charity, Mind

• Mind's advice on supporting children and young people

• the latest travel advice at GOV.UK