The changes are inevitably causing a lot of disruption to the way in which we all live, and to our normal ways of working together.
This is a frightening and unsettling time for many young people and those who were already at heightened risk of violence.
But we are also seeing people step forward to assist others and real efforts by neighbourhoods to look after one another.
The Violence Reduction Unit is working to assist our local violence reduction partners to adapt to the new situation and to ensure help is available, even in these difficult times.
We have compiled a list of resources that we hope will be useful.
Health Advice
Symptom Guidance NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Public Health England: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-guidance
Self-Isolation and Social Distancing Guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults
Self-Isolation and Social Distancing Guidance (multiple language translations): https://www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/coronavirus-information/
The government has released translation guidance for self-isolation and social distancing into the following languages: Arabic, French, Mandarin, Cantonese, Polish and Welsh. The links are here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance AND https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people
Advice from West Midlands Police
West Midlands Police: https://west-midlands.police.uk/coronavirus
Financial Advice
Citizens Advice: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
Advice and Support for Voluntary Sector Services
Government guidance for charity sector: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-the-charity-sector
Charity Commission guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/charity-commission
Advice From Your Councils and for Councils
Birmingham City Council: https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/coronavirus_advice
Coventry City Council: https://www.coventry.gov.uk/coronavirus
Solihull Council: https://www.solihull.gov.uk/Resident/socialservicesandhealth/Coronavirus
City of Wolverhampton Council: https://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/coronavirus-advice-and-information
Walsall council: https://go.walsall.gov.uk/covid-19_information
Dudley Council: https://www.dudley.gov.uk/council-community/emergencies/coronavirus-advice/
Sandwell Council: https://www.sandwell.gov.uk/coronavirus
Specialist Domestic Abuse and Stalking Support Services
(This is not an exhaustive list, if you can’t find the support you need here please contact one of the national support services who hold directories of local services)
National Support Services
Safelives: http://www.safelives.org.uk/
National Centre for Domestic Violence (Provides free and fast emergency injunction advice to individuals experiencing domestic abuse): https://www.ncdv.org.uk/
Hollie Gazzard Trust: https://hollieguard.com/
(Free downloadable personal safety app available https://hollieguard.com/
Suzy Lamplugh Trust, National Stalking Helpline: https://www.suzylamplugh.org/
Local Support Services
Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid: https://bswaid.org/
The Haven, Wolverhampton: http://www.havenrefuge.org.uk/
The Haven, Coventry: https://www.coventryhaven.co.uk/
Black Country Women’s Aid: https://blackcountrywomensaid.co.uk/
West Midlands Stalking Support Service: https://blackcountrywomensaid.co.uk/services/stalking-harassment/
Wolverhampton Domestic Violence Forum: http://win.wolverhampton.gov.uk/kb5/wolverhampton/directory/service.page?id=KJx2nTf1cEE
Sexual Violence Support
*This is not an exhaustive list, if you can’t find the support you need here please contact one of the national support services who hold directories of local services
National Support Services
The Survivors Trust: https://www.thesurvivorstrust.org/
Rape Crisis England and Wales: https://rapecrisis.org.uk/
Ugly Mugs, good source of information, advice and support for sex workers: https://uglymugs.org/um/covid-19-affecting-sex-workers/
Modern Slavery Helpline: https://www.modernslaveryhelpline.org/ online information, chat with the helpline, and a downloadable app which also provides support.
Local Support Services
Black Country Women’s Aid: https://blackcountrywomensaid.co.uk/
RSVP, Birmingham and Solihull: https://rsvporg.co.uk/
CRASAC, Coventry: http://www.crasac.org.uk/
Support for Children & Young People
(This is not an exhaustive list, if you can’t find the support you need here please contact one of the national support services who hold directories of local services)
There are additional resources for those who work with children and families in our educational resources section. Read here
National Support Services
Childline: https://www.childline.org.uk/
NSPCC: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/
Kooth: https://www.kooth.com/
Fearless.org: https://www.fearless.org/
Children’s Society: https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/youngcarer/refugee-toolkit/support-for-children-and-young-people
Federation for Detached Youth Work: https://www.fdyw.org.uk/
Youth work support: https://youthworksupport.co.uk/
Essential support for under 25s: https://www.themix.org.uk/
Supporting young people’s mental health: https://youngminds.org.uk/
Advice and counselling for young people: https://www.youthaccess.org.uk/
Chilren’s Society (staying safe online): https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/news-and-blogs/our-blog/invite-only-parties-and-staying-safe-online-during-covid-19-lockdown
Winston’s Wish: https://www.winstonswish.org/supporting-you/support-for-schools/
Mental Health Support
Coventry Mental Health Matters: https://www.mhm.org.uk/coventry-safe-haven
Education Resources
For resources designed to help people working with children and families, view here.
