Useful links
These are unprecedented times and you and your loved ones might find it more difficult than usual to locate the information you are looking for about services or issues. This page includes some useful links that have been sent to WAMA, from other organisations, for us to share with our community. Gloucestershire Community Hub and South Glos Community Aid also provide access to lots of information.
National and local organisations offering further support
Ante-natal and post-natal support:
Ante-natal groups:
Gloucestershire Breast-feeding Support Network are continuing to support Gloucestershire mothers on their breastfeeding journeys. Whilst they have had to close their weekly support groups, Mums and Mums-to-be can book virtual face-to-face time with one of their Breastfeeding Specialist Workers or book onto virtual workshops. See their website for more information:
https://gbsn.org.uk/bumps-virtual-workshops/
https://gbsn.org.uk/gbsn-virtual-support-registration-form/
Home Start / Bump Start:
Confidential parenting support for families within Stroud District, Bump Start (ante natal group), Mothers in Mind and Best Start (post-natal group).
Association for Post-Natal Illness:
During the present quarantine period if you wish to speak to one of their staff please send an email to info@apni.org with your phone details and they will ring you back during office hours.
Bereavement:
Cruse Bereavement Care:
Support, advice and information for children, young people and adults when someone dies.
Phone: 0808 808 1677 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
Child Bereavement UK:
Bereavement support for children and young people (under 25).
Phone: 01494 568900
Email: support@childbereavementuk.org
http://www.childbereavementuk.org
Winston's Wish:
Support for children and young people after the death of a parent or sibling.
Phone: 08088 020 021
Email: ask@winstonswish.org
Care advice for older people:
Age UK Info:
Age UK is the leading charity for older people. Visit Age UK today for help, information and advice.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1MnpsYAQH9BsBCAKBW5J1cWx6MiGHsvwP
Domestic abuse:
GDASS:
A country-wide service designed to reduce the level of domestic abuse and improve the safety of victims and their families.
Refuge Advice on dealing with domestic violence.
Phone: 0808 2000 247 (24-hour helpline)
Foodbanks and food boxes:
Cam and Dursley:
Food boxes from the GL11 Community Hub plus lots of other help and support. Either visit their website https://www.gl11.org.uk/ or call 01453 548530.
Foodbank information in the Stroud area:
https://strouddistrict.foodbank.org.uk/
Phone: 01453 367077 or email office@strouddistrictfoodbank.org.uk
Foodbank information in the South Gloucestershire area:
Yate Foodbank is now only making home deliveries. Please contact Elaine Weaver 07512 523343 or email foodbank@ctr-yate.org. You can also contact the South Gloucestershire Council main Covid-19 helpline on 0800 953 7778.
South Glos also has some other useful advice and resources for their residents
https://oneyou.southglos.gov.uk/eat-well/food-poverty-support/
Managing bills and debt advice:
Prepay energy information:
Some useful information about topping up your cards and helplines for the main national energy suppliers can be found in this energy suppliers information document.
Debt advice:
Wotton Debt Advice Centre are still available during the Covid-19 pandemic, but cannot offer face to face meetings. They can help by phone, WhatsApp or video meetings. Contact them for help with debt or budgeting. Call 01453 844082 or email: help@wottondebtadvice.org.uk.
Mental health support:
Time to change:
http://www.time-to-change.org.uk/mental-health-and-stigma/help-and-support
Anxiety Network:
For help and information regarding anxiety disorders.
https://www.anxietynetwork.com/
Mental Health Org:
Mental Health Foundation's recommendations and tips for looking after your mental health, particularly during the Coronavirus outbreak.
Other mutual aid groups:
Other mutual aid groups:
To find your local mutual aid group: https://covidmutualaid.org/local-groups/
Scams to watch out for:
The National Trading Standards Office have issued some helpful advice on how to protect yourself from potential scams: https://bit.ly/3eWPc1q
Gloucestershire Constabulary have issued this advice for phone scams:
- Neither police nor bank officials will ever ask you to withdraw money from your account, purchase anything or hand over your personal details or passwords.
- If you believe you are being targeted by a scammer, hang up the phone and use a different phone line to call Action Fraud or the police, as scammers have a way to stay on the line and will pretend to be the police when you call back.
- If you don’t have access to a different phone line, wait for a period of time and try calling a family member or friend first to make sure the scammer is no longer on the line.
- Just because someone knows basic details about you like your address or date of birth, it doesn’t mean they are genuine bank or police employees.
- Always question suspicious phone calls and report them to Action Fraud or the police.
If you think you, or someone you know, has been defrauded, you can report it to Action Fraud online or by calling 0300 123 2040. For more advice about fraud visit: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/fa/fraud/personal-fraud/