Staying safe and well

If you or someone you know is feeling anxious or worried about Coronavirus, there is further information on Dudley Mind, Mental Health.org and Let's Get Healthy Dudley.

If you are feeling lonely and isolated the NHS responders offer a Check in and Chat service call 0808 196 3646 (8am to 8pm, everyday) or visit NHS Volunteer Responders

There are also a number of further resources and websites that you can have a look at:

• NHS Every Mind Matters 
• Give us a shout  
• Young Minds
• Kooth - A free, safe and anonymous online mental wellbeing community and support for young people.
• Tough Enough To Care - Men's Mental Health Support Group

Dudley Talking Therapy Service

This service is for those that are registered with a Dudley GP, who need support for problems such as sleep issues, generalised anxiety, low mood, worry, stress, low resilience etc.

They offer a range of therapeutic support options, including group therapy, 1 to 1 support, guided self-help in the form of Silvercloud, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Interpersonal and Dynamic interpersonal Therapy and Counselling.

There is a dedicated Perinatal priority pathway, supporting pregnant women and new moms with babies up to the age of 12 months.  They also support people who have a long-term health condition which contributes to their mental health concern.

Complete the online self-referral form

Or Call on 0800 953 0404 - 9 to 5 Monday to Friday

Clients are usually contacted within 3 working days to arrange an initial assessment.

This is a primary care service, those identified as not being suitable for the service, will be signposted or referred on as appropriate.

If you are registered with a GP outside of Dudley, talk to your GP to find out what services they have on offer.

For further information and practical tips on looking after your mental health

Government information on mental health and wellbeing and COVID-19

NHS information on managing stress, anxiety or depression

Help and support is available right now if you need it.  You do not have to struggle with difficult feelings alone.  If you find it difficult to talk to someone you know, you could:

Call The Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation 24-7 mental health support helpline which is available for adults, older adults, children and young people requiring urgent mental health support during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Call 0800 0086516, 24 hours a day 7 days a week or text 07860 025281.

Call a GP, ask for an emergency appointment

Call 111 out of hours, they will help you find the support and help you need

Contact your mental health crisis team, if you have one

If you have seriously harmed yourself, for example, by taking a drug overdose – call 999 for an ambulance or go straight to A&E.  Or ask someone else to call 999 or take you to A&E.

More wellbeing support and resources

Are you a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic child, young person, parent or carer, affected by Covid-19? You can speak to Boloh about your worries, problems and stresses during this time, and we can provide emotional support, practical advice and signposting to other organisations who can provide further help. 

If you’re a professional, you can also contact us to discuss how to support a child or young person they are working with.

Call 0800 1512605 or chat to online at: https://helpline.barnardos.org.uk/

For many people working from home is completely new. It can feel strange and takes some time to adjust to.

There is support available to help manage these changes and to support the development of a healthy work life balance during this difficult time. Mental Health at Work has a range of resources to support working well at home, as well as guidance on how everyone can support their own and colleagues’ mental health throughout the outbreak.

It is really important to set a routine, take regular breaks, stay connected with colleagues and most importantly for all of us be kind to ourselves. The Leaper’s Little Guide to working well from home under self-quarantine for Coronavirus can help with this as it provides top tips for working well at home.

Mental Health First Aid have produced an animation, including a British Sign Language (BSL) version and fact sheet with top tips for staying well while working at home.

Anyone who is struggling with working at home should know that is okay, but remember it is important they speak to their manager (or a colleague) about any concerns they are having to make sure they get any additional support they may require.

Dudley Council’s public health team is reminding people that support is available to help smokers quit.

Smoking can lead to a weaker immune system therefore putting people at greater risk of developing a severe complication from the COVID-19 virus.

To access local services and for more information, call the Let’s Get Healthy Dudley team on 01384 732402 or visit Lets-Get website

Families are also urged to ensure they still seek medical help if their child is unwell or injured.

Remember that NHS 111, GPs and hospitals are still providing the same care that they have always done.

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has a range of advice for parents and carers on children accessing treatment and attending medical appointments during the coronavirus outbreak.

Go to Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health's website  for more information as well as tips on stay at home activities for children and young people.

Lets Get Dudley has a wealth of information on immunisations for your baby and child.

The NHS have also just updated its publication A guide to vaccinations from two years old until starting primary school - Pre-school immunisations.

Our Lets-Get Dudley website has lots of information on how to eat healthily during spending more time at home as well as advice on Vitamin D.

• Be prepared, but only buy what you and your family need (personal, food and household essential items)

• Order repeat prescriptions at the right time, about a week before you run out – do this over the phone.

• Order the right amount – there is no need to add items to your prescription that you have not been taking regularly or recently.

• Make sure you keep warm at home, keep the heating on if necessary. The ideal temperature for a living room is 21 degrees and the bedroom 18 degrees. Regular ventilation is also recommended. If you do have a fever, be careful not to overheat.

• If you are able to, keep moving around, even when stuck indoors. Move every hour to keep joints and muscles working and to boost circulation

• Take regular exercise

• Eat regularly and try and have at least one hot meal a day and hot drinks, drink plenty of water

If domestic abuse means home isn’t your safe place, we can help. We are working harder than ever to support victims of domestic abuse during this difficult time.

For help and support call the borough’s single point of contact number 01384 455411, text or Whatsapp 07384 466181 (9am to 9pm weekdays). In an emergency dial 999. If it’s too dangerous to speak, press 55 when connected and the operator will know you need help.

Children are often the hidden victims of domestic abuse. If you think a child is at risk call 0300 555 0050, but again in an emergency dial 999.

To find out more about domestic abuse services visit the safe & sound website.

If you are worried, concerned, or scared about the way you, or someone you know is being treated, or is treating themselves, don’t keep it to yourself, tell us.
For any concern you consider to be an emergency call 999.

If you want advice and guidance or if you want to report your concerns please contact the Dudley Safeguarding People’s Partnership report-it or call

• For children 0300 555 0050
• For adults 0300 555 0055

Scams are misleading or fraudulent schemes designed to cheat businesses and consumers out of their money. They take many forms, but typically bogus and fraudulent offers are sent by post, telephone or email. These include, fake lottery and prize draw wins, online dating, computer support, get-rich-quick investment cons and ‘miracle’ health cures are just some of the tricks used by scammers.

The Dudley Scams Unit engage with potential scam victims in the Dudley Borough, to raise awareness, improve reporting of scams and stop financial abuse.

If you, a family member or a friend think you may have been a victim of a scam speak to the Dudley Scams Unit on 01384 818871 or Email Trading.standards@dudley.gov.uk

The Scams Unit are currently offering Free Call Blockers to Dudley residents experiencing scam phone calls- please contact us to see if you are eligible for one of our free call blockers.

If you want to learn more about scams you can complete the free Friends Against Scams e-learning.

A scheme enabling residents to report uninvited callers who attempt to sell goods or services to you at your door, Bogus Caller Hotline 01384 812045

The council’s three key tips are:

• Ensure windows are not left open where children can reach or climb up to them
• Keep cleaning products, garden chemicals and medicines locked away or well out of reach
• Supervise children at all times near water, including paddling pools and garden ponds, and particularly if you live close to a canal

Further detailed advice can be found on the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) website 

The Dudley Carers' Hub helpline is available Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm to provide information and advice.

Carers are also advised to create a contingency plan so that care continues to be provided should they fall ill. We have also produced a guide for carers during the coronavirus outbreak, or you can request a copy by calling 01384 818723.

For more information visit our Carers' Hub pages 

Normal service is suspended, with the exception of essential shopping trips. For these trips, no more than 2 people will be carried in a vehicle to ensure social distancing from each other and the safety of the driver (this will be monitored on a case by case basis but will allow carers to travel).

Those with bookings already made will be contacted to check the purpose of their trip and if not essential then trip will be cancelled.

For registered users who need to book an essential journey the usual telephone numbers and hours of operation still apply and users should contact the operator as normal - (phone once registered online)

The pleased to meet you helpline is operated by the Council’s Enabling Community Support Team as part of Adult Social Care in the community. People aged over 60 are supported if they are feeling lonely or isolated or if they need a friendly chat and to find out about help in the local area. The service can also help those who need some support to access essential supplies or medication.

Residents can call the helpline 01384 812761 Monday to Friday between 9am and 4pm, or to make a referral please call the helpline number above or email CommunitySupportServ@dudley.gov.uk.

Citizens Advice Dudley Borough provides free, independent and confidential information and advice on a wide range of issues. 

You may be worried about Coronavirus (COVID-19) and how it has had an impact on you or your family.  If you are worried about debt or your financial situation at this time, there are services in Dudley that will offer Financial support during COVID-19