Social care
Carers
Sunderland Carers Centre
During this time are offering information, advice and guidance via email, telephone or social media
More Than Grandparents
More Than Grandparents are offering support to kinship carers who are raising their grandchildren or a relative or friend’s child in Sunderland by providing home delivery services and ideas on how to entertain the children.
Based in Hendon you can call Melanie on: 07501 191 338
Email: morethangrandparents@gmail.com
Website: www.morethangrandparents.com
Carers UK
Includes advice on making a contingency plan, getting a carer's assessment and guidance for working carers.
Joint Statement from Carers Trust and Carers UK
Carers Trust
Rethink Mental Illness
Coronavirus: Advice for carers of those with severe mental illness
Changes to Carer’s Allowance
During the COVID-19 pandemic, new measures allow unpaid carers to continue to claim Carer’s Allowance if they have a temporary break in caring, because they or the person they care for gets coronavirus or if they have to isolate because of it.
The government has also confirmed that providing emotional support counts towards the Carer’s Allowance threshold of 35 hours of care a week across the UK. For more details of recent updates, please see new A-Z of changes.
NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland and Ulster Bank launch card
NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland and Ulster Bank launch card for carers to support vulnerable customers and those in isolation, they have introduced a new ‘companion card’– a supplement to their existing current accounts that will enable vulnerable customers and those in extended isolation to give trusted volunteers a way to pay for their essential goods.
Drugs and alcohol
NERAF
Are providing telephone support to people who have substance misuse addiction, if you need support ring 0191 514 8520
Wear Recovery
Wear Recovery is a dedicated service for anyone in Sunderland experiencing problems with drugs and alcohol. Call for support on: 0800 234 6798
Talk to Frank
Coronavirus: drinking and taking drugs during the outbreak
Rehab 4 Addiction
Helping you to find addiction rehab
Rehab 4 Addiction was founded to assist those affected by substance misuse and their loved ones. They offer a range of services, and help signpost you to the most effective treatments. This includes alcohol rehab, drug rehab, detox services, intervention, aftercare and outpatient counselling. Their helpline advisors are committed to helping you in your quest to locate effective treatments for addiction.
Domestic abuse
In an emergency situation call Police 999
What is domestic abuse and how can I get support?
If you are experiencing or feel at risk of domestic abuse, or are worried about someone who might be,
find out where you can go for advice and help.
Wearside Women in Need
Offer support to people across Sunderland through domestic violence with non-judgemental information, advice and guidance. Contact the free phone number for advice 0800 066 5555. Access their website.
Women's Aid
Coronavirus: Safety advice for survivors
The impact of COVID-19 on women and children experiencing domestic abuse, and the life-saving services that support them
The Women's Aid website provides a wide range of resources to help women and young people.
This includes The Survivor's Handbook which provides a range of information including legal and housing advice, tips on how to create a safety plan and advice for people with specialist housing needs. It's available in 11 languages and in audio.
They also run a website to support to children and teenagers who may be living in a home affected by domestic violence, or who may be in a violent relationship themselves.
Website: www.womensaid.org.uk
Bright Sky
A free to download mobile app providing support and information to anyone who may be in an abusive relationship or those concerned about someone they know. The app is also designed to be used by professionals looking for information about issues around domestic abuse such as online safety, stalking and harassment and sexual consent. It looks like a weather app so the abuser wouldn’t suspect if it was on a survivor’s phone. Visit here.
The Safe and Together Institute
Providing advice on how domestic abuse support work might be adapted during the pandemic crisis. Visit here.
National domestic abuse helpline
The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is a freephone 24 hour helpline which provides advice and support to women and can refer them to emergency accommodation.
There are translation facilities if your first language is not English. The Helpline also offers BT Type talk for callers with hearing difficulties. The Helpline worker contacts the Type talk operator so that the caller can communicate through them.
Telephone: 0808 200 0247
Monday to Sunday, 24 hours
Refuge
Their helpline offers advice and support to women experiencing domestic violence.
Refuge also provide safe, emergency accommodation through a network of refuges throughout the UK, including culturally-specific services for women from minority ethnic communities and cultures.
Their website also includes some information for men who are either being abused or who are abusers.
Telephone: 0808 200 0247
Monday to Sunday, 24 hours
Email: info@refuge.org.uk
Website: www.refuge.org.uk
Rights of women
Rights of Women offers confidential legal advice on domestic and sexual violence. They produce free information sheets which can be downloaded from their website.
Family law advice line: 020 7251 6577
Tuesday to Thursday, 7pm to 9pm
Friday 12pm to 2pm
Criminal law advice line: 020 7251 8887
Tuesday 7pm to 9pm
Immigration and asylum law advice line: 020 7490 7689
Monday, 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm
Thursday 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm
Textphone advice line: 020 7490 2562 (on the days and times above)
Administration: 020 7251 6575
Fax: 020 7490 5377
Email: info@row.org.uk
Website: www.rightsofwomen.org.uk
Finding Legal Options for Women Survivors (FLOWS)
FLOWS gives legal advice to women who are affected by domestic abuse - they also give advice to front line workers.
Helpline: 0203 745 7707
Monday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm
Email: FLOWS@rcjadvice.org.uk
Website: https://www.rcjadvice.org.uk/family/flows-finding-legal-options-for-women-survivors/
Respect - Men's Advice Line
The Men's Advice Line is a confidential helpline for all men experiencing domestic violence by a current or ex-partner. They provide emotional support and practical advice, and can give you details of specialist services that can give you advice on legal, housing, child contact, mental health and other issues.
Helpline: 0808 801 0327
Monday and Wednesday, 9am to 8pm
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 9am to 5pm
Email: info@mensadviceline.org.uk
Website: www.mensadviceline.org.uk
ManKind Initiative
The ManKind Initiative is a charity offering information and support to men who are victims of domestic abuse or violence. This can include information and support on reporting incidents, police procedures, housing, benefits and injunctions. They can refer you to a refuge, local authority or other another support service if you need it.
Telephone: 01823 334 244
Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm
Email: admin@mankind.org.uk
Website: new.mankind.org.uk
SurvivorsUK
This is a helpline for men who have been victims of rape or sexual abuse.
They may be able to arrange counselling or a support group if you live in the London area, or provide details of an appropriate service if you don't.
You can contact the SurvivorsUK helpline through an online chat service, text message or WhatsApp.
Online chat: www.survivorsuk.org/ways-we-can-help/online-helpline/
Text message: 020 3322 1860
WhatsApp: 07491 816064
Monday to Sunday, 12pm to 8pm
Admin: 0203 598 3898
Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm
E-mail: info@survivorsuk.org
Website: www.survivorsuk.org
RCJ Advice Family Service
RCJ Advice Family Service can give legal advice to people who are affected by domestic abuse or need family law help – find out more on the RCJ Advice website
National Centre for Domestic Violence
The National Centre for Domestic Violence helps people get protection from their abuser. They provide free legal support to all survivors of domestic violence, for example by helping individuals get injunctions from their local court.
Telephone: 0800 970 2070
Website: www.ncdv.org.uk
Rape Crisis
Rape Crisis (England and Wales) is an umbrella organisation for Rape Crisis Centres across England and Wales. The website has contact details for centres and gives basic information about rape and sexual violence for survivors, friends, family, students and professionals. Rape Crisis (England and Wales) also runs a freephone helpline.
National Freephone Helpline: 0808 802 9999
Monday to Sunday, 12pm to 2.30pm and 7pm to 9.30pm
Website: www.rapecrisis.org.uk
Honour Network Helpline
The Honour Network Helpline is a national helpline run by Karma Nirvana, a national charity which advises victims and survivors of forced marriage and honour-based abuse.
Helpline: 0800 599 9247
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Website: www.karmanirvana.org.uk
Action on Elder Abuse
Action on Elder Abuse gives confidential advice and information to older people who are victims of violence or abuse. A relative or friend of the person being abused can also contact the helpline on behalf of the older person. The helpline can be used in the case of older people who live at home, in a care home or who are in hospital.
Helpline: 0808 808 8141
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Tel: 020 8835 9280
Email: enquiries@elderabuse.org.uk
Website: www.elderabuse.org.uk
National Stalking Helpline
The National Stalking Helpline can provide advice on how to deal with any type of stalking behaviour. This includes advice on how to report the behaviour to the police, and what you can expect if you report something.
Helpline: 0808 802 0300
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 1pm to 4pm
Email: advice@stalkinghelpline.org
Website: www.stalkinghelpline.org
Respect Phoneline
Respect Phoneline offers information and advice to men and women in heterosexual or same-sex relationships who want to stop their violent behaviour.
Telephone: 0808 802 4040 (free from landlines and most mobiles)
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Webchat: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 10am to 11am and 3pm to 4pm
E-mail: info@respectphoneline.org.uk
Website: www.respectphoneline.org.uk
National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline
Galop provides support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people experiencing domestic violence.
Helpline: 0800 999 5428
Monday to Tuesday, 10am to 5pm
Wednesday to Thursday, 10am to 8pm
Friday, 10am to 5pm
Tuesday 1pm to 5pm is a trans specific service
Woman’s Trust Browse Safely
If you are in an abusive or controlling relationship, it’s important to make sure you take measures to protect yourself online. Find out more here
Homelessness
Basis Sunderland
Are providing support to people who are homeless, for help and guidance search for them on Facebook, or ring:
0191 567 0033
Sunderland YMCA
Are supporting young people to self isolate, for help and guidance contact Leesa on: 0191 5676160
Accessing advice and services on Rough Sleeping and Homelessness
Normally advice services would be available by the Housing Options Team at Fawcett Street, either by pre-arranged appointment or by simply turning up. Due to the Emergency Protocol introduced by the Government, Fawcett Street is now closed. The service can still be accessed by phone. The Housing Options Team are available Monday to Friday 8.30 to 5pm, or through their Out of Hours team, 5pm to 7am 7 days a week. The contact number for both is 0191 520 5551
Shelter
Groundswell
Groundswell has produced a short guide about vaccination for people who are homeless. As well as giving some information about the vaccine and the vaccination process, it highlights the importance of being registered so that if they have any health conditions that make them more vulnerable, this is taken into account.
Older people
Age UK Sunderland
Information and updates on Coronavirus, comments from Age UK Sunderland and ways you can support older people.
Age UK Sunderland is offering a new Lunch on Wheels service to ensure the older people of Sunderland receive a meal during the current crisis.
Support is also available in the form of Crisis Food Packs, food shopping and welfare calls.
If you would like more information on this service, visit Age UK Sunderland website, phone 0191 5141131 / 0191 514 8334 or email enquiries@ageuksunderland.org.uk
Age UK
Coronavirus information for older people
U3A
Latest guidance and advice on coronavirus plus some great ideas to keep learning together
Armchair Gallery
British Psychological Society COVID-19 Resources
The British Psychological Society are creating a set of covid19 specific resources including; Talking to children about Coronavirus; Psychological impact on older people; Supporting older people and people living with dementia during self-isolation.
