We have compiled a list of useful links for you to read if you are worried about the current Coronavirus outbreak. They cover a range of areas, including health, mental health and wellbeing, planning for self-isolation and how to cope as an autistic person. This list will be updated with any new resources we find that may be useful for you.
From the NHS:
- General guidance: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
- Stay at home (self-isolation) advice: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-advice/
- NHS 111 Coronavirus service: https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19/
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust (LTHT) Autism & Learning Disability service – Coronavirus cover sheet for Hospital Passport: https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/assets/2a62a88f48/CV19-Hospital-summary2-2-v2.pdf
From GOV.UK:
- Full guidance on staying at home and away from others: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others
- Coronavirus – Government’s response: https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response
- Government’s Coronavirus action plan: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-action-plan
- Guidance for health professionals: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/wuhan-novel-coronavirus
- Stay at home guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance
- Travel advice – Coronavirus: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus
- Get Coronavirus support as an extremely vulnerable person: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable
- Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-could-be-covered-by-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme
- Self-employment Income Support Scheme: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme
- Support available for renters and landlords: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/government-support-available-for-landlords-and-renters-reflecting-the-current-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak
Coronavirus and specific conditions:
- Asthma UK: https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/coronavirus-covid-19/
- Diabetes UK: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/coronavirus
- Terrence Higgins Trust – Coronavirus and HIV: https://www.tht.org.uk/news/coronavirus-covid-19
- Cancer Research UK – Coronavirus and cancer: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/coronavirus-and-cancer
- British Heart Foundation – Coronavirus and heart disease: https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/news/coronavirus-and-your-health
- MS Society – Coronavirus and Multiple Sclerosis: https://www.mssociety.org.uk/about-ms/treatments-and-therapies/disease-modifying-therapies/covid-19-coronavirus-and-ms
- Alzheimer’s Society – Coronavirus and Dementia: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/blog/coronavirus-covid-19-information-people-affected-dementia
Work, benefits and your rights:
- Coronavirus support for employees, benefit claimants and businesses: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-support-for-employees-benefit-claimants-and-businesses
- Coronavirus – advice for employers and employees: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-support-for-employees-benefit-claimants-and-businesses
- Citizens Advice – Coronavirus and what it means for you: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/health/coronavirus-what-it-means-for-you/
- Money Advice Service – employment, sick pay, benefits and more: https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/coronavirus-what-it-means-for-you
- TUC – Coronavirus guidance for Trade Unions: https://www.tuc.org.uk/resource/covid-19-coronavirus-guidance-unions
Mental health and wellbeing:
- Mind – Coronavirus and your wellbeing: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/#collapse4e48e
- Mental Health Foundation – looking after your mental health: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/looking-after-your-mental-health-during-coronavirus-outbreak
- Learnest CIC – Toolkit for planning for self-isolation: https://twitter.com/LearnestCIC/status/1239230121816535042
- The Guardian – Coronavirus, health and anxiety: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/mar/16/coronavirus-health-anxiety
- BBC – What are social distancing and self-isolation: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51506729
Easy Read information on Coronavirus:
- Inclusion North: https://inclusionnorth.org/coronavirus-easy-read-information/
- Get Checked Out: https://twitter.com/Get_Checked_Out/status/1239494284832841729
- Easy On The i: https://twitter.com/easy_on_the_i/status/1239941918542442496
Local support and services
- Leeds City Council: https://www.leeds.gov.uk/coronavirus
- Community Care Volunteering: https://doinggoodleeds.org.uk/news/2020/03/17/become-a-community-care-volunteer-to-help-with-covid-19/
- Leeds Food Aid Network: https://leedsfoodaidnetwork.co.uk/
- Leeds North & West Foodbank: https://leedsnorthandwest.foodbank.org.uk/
- Leeds South & East Foodbank: https://leedssouthandeast.foodbank.org.uk/
- Supermarket opening times for older people/people at risk: https://www.forumcentral.org.uk/content/uploads/2020/03/Supermarkets-COVID19-1.pdf
- Update to bin collections in Leeds: https://www.leeds.gov.uk/residents/bins-and-recycling
- Update to bus and train services in West Yorkshire: https://wymetro.com/corporate/news/releases/bus-and-train-service-updates/
- Bus pass holders are able to use buses for free until Friday 17th April 2020: https://www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/all-news-and-blogs/changes-to-bus-and-rail-timetables-to-provide-service-resilience-and-support-key-workers/
- COVID-19 Mutual Aid Groups: https://covidmutualaid.org/local-groups/
- Support if you’re unable to access food: https://leedsautismaim.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/03/food-scheme-poster-public-use-1.pdf
Planning for self-isolation:
- Gem Turner – adjusting to hanging out at home: https://gemturner.com/adjusting-to-hanging-out-at-home/
- BBC News – What are social distancing and self-isolation?: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51506729
- BBC News – Five ways to work well from home: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51868894
- Working from home – a personal story by Sienna: https://www.autism.org.uk/about/adult-life/stories/home-working.aspx
Coronavirus and autism:
- Autism and Coronavirus – 20 tips: https://petervermeulenblog.wordpress.com/2020/03/16/autism-and-the-corona-virus-20-tips/
- Autistically Allied – COVID-19 Survival Kit for Autistics: 19 Tips to Maintain Your Mental and Physical Health: https://spectrumofautism.com/covid-19-survival-kit-for-autistics-19-tips-to-maintain-your-mental-and-physical-health/
- National Autistic Society – Coronavirus: https://www.autism.org.uk/services/helplines/coronavirus.aspx
- Autism East Midlands – Autism, Anxiety and Coronavirus: https://www.autismeastmidlands.org.uk/autism-anxiety-and-coronavirus/
- Autistic and Unapologetic – How to Support Autistic People During the Coronavirus Pandemic: https://autisticandunapologetic.com/2020/03/20/autism-covid-19-how-to-support-autistic-people-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/
- Autistica – Coping with Uncertainty: https://www.autistica.org.uk/what-is-autism/coping-with-uncertainty
- Through The Maze – Things to go while you are at home: https://www.through-the-maze.org.uk/home/coronavirus-covid-19-information-and-things-to-do-while-you-are-at-home/things-to-do-while-you-are-at-home/
- Autistic and Unapologetic – 10 indoor activities for autistic children, teenagers and adults: https://autisticandunapologetic.com/2020/03/29/10-indoor-activities-for-autistic-children-teenagers-and-adults/
- Leeds Disabled People’s Organisation (LDPO) – Buddy scheme: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd4rdcGGpMahIIulyXOU7xt6AhzYcl2S-3RuOJ1aVsthKTo4Q/viewform
