This page was last updated on 4 February 2021
Accessible coronavirus information
- RVA information page: vaccine rollout
- Easy read guides about coronavirus from Mencap, including vaccine FAQs, are available on their website here.
- Translations: Covid-19: letters to clinically extremely vulnerable people
- Keeping safe from coronavirus: new guidance for adults who have Down’s syndrome
- Translations from RBC: simplified and translated coronavirus safety and flu vaccination materials, with locally produced information and signposting to national resources.
- Translations from Doctors of the World: latest guidance on coronavirus translated into 60 languages.
- British Sign Language: advice and updates on RBC services.
- British Sign Language: coronavirus updates from The Deaf Health Charity SignHealth.
- Beyond Words: coronavirus resources for people who find pictures easier to understand than words.
Resources and information
- Funding: grants for individuals and families in need.
- Basic needs: information about community food projects, clothes and household necessities and more.
- Peace of Mind Matters project a new service from Citizens Advice Reading which can help support with advice and guidance after the death of a loved one and help anyone plan for the future.
- The Parent Employment Wellbeing Project – a new project from RVA for parents who are over the age of 16, not in employment, not furloughed and living in Reading.
- Download: coping with family life during lockdown
- Help with getting online (an RVA guide which is easy to print out for someone not already online)
- Autism Berkshire have a page of coronavirus advice and resources and a page of fun things to do at home or online during lockdown. They continue to run online autism advice workshops and support groups – read more here.
- The Berkshire Youth Hubs are a virtual and telephone-based support platform with resources and opportunities designed around connecting, listening to and providing solutions for young people as they try to cope with the current lockdown and restrictions. With specific pages for young people, parents/carers and youth workers, users can visit the hub to find links to clubs, activities, careers, counselling services and more which are still available at this time. Go to the website here, call 07377 997495 or 01635 889764 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) or email admin@berkshireyouth.co.uk. (18 January 2021)
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Resources from 2020, for reference
Easing/ending of lockdown
Children, young people and families
- Download: Top tips for Autistic and ADHD children returning to school in September 2020 – information leaflet produced by Autism Berkshire and Parenting Special Children.
- My Back to School Bubble e-Storybook
- RBC’s Family Information Service: Daily updated list of available childcare for key workers
- Hungry Little Minds – simple, fun activities for kids, from newborn to five
- Free book explaining coronavirus to children, illustrated by Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler
- 8 April: Government announces extra support for schools and parents and increase in Working Tax Credits and Child Benefit.
- Voucher scheme for schools providing free school meals
- An easy read guide to coronavirus from Mencap
- Project Linus Berkshire: handmade quilts to comfort children and teenagers
- First Days: emergency help for families (referrals by professionals only)
- NSPCC: how to have difficult conversations with children
Carers
- Future Learn: free online courses to help carers of people with dementia cope during current restrictions
- Coronavirus: information for people affected by dementia
Helping in your neighbourhood
- Be a good neighbour – advice to those who want to help
- Coronavirus and social isolation – Campaign to End Loneliness
- Sight loss: helping you to help others during coronavirus
Keeping in touch online
Employment, self-employment and benefits
- Advice on Universal Credit and coronavirus
- Citizens Advice: coronavirus – what it means for you
- Institute of Directors: coronavirus – government support for the self-employed
Managing anxiety and wellbeing
- Mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus outbreak – round-up of support and information, including national helplines
- Government guidance for the public on the mental health and wellbeing aspects of coronavirus (Covid-19)
- Anxiety UK – support and resources
- Talking Therapies – NHS Berkshire Healthcare
- Samaritans: if you’re worried about your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak
- Every Mind Matters: 10 tips to help if you are worried about coronavirus
- Coronavirus and your wellbeing – information from Mind
- Looking after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak – Mental Health foundation
- How to stay active while you’re at home – Sport England
- Active at home – Get Berkshire Active
- Compass Recovery College – online courses and activities
- Social Prescribing: if you have received support from RVA’s Social Prescribing service in the past and would like us to get in touch again can email social.prescribing@rva.org.uk.
- If you are feeling lonely, our Ready Friends Toolkit has been updated with three new sections: live online meetups, telephone and video befriending and storytelling, podcasts and audiobooks.