Covid-19: What you can do to help

Keep yourself and others safe

First and foremost, please keep yourself and others safe by following government advice at all times. Stay updated on all the latest advice, which may change quickly, at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus. Additional advice includes:

Get Council support

Lewisham Council have a regularly updated webpage with latest information and advice about Coronavirus and how it will impact local services.

If you are aware of anyone sleeping rough, please let the Council know via StreetLink. Social housing tenants facing problems paying rent can contact the Council. Citizens Advice may be able to advise you on navigating other hardships, and keep an eye out for more public information that will likely be published widely in the coming days.

Volunteer

Community groups are rapidly organising themselves and are looking for volunteers to support residents and neighbours who are self-isolating or socially distancing. The list will grow, but for now useful links include:

You can also get in touch with Voluntary Action Lewisham, the local umbrella body for the voluntary and community sector, or find a community organisation to volunteer for here.

Please also take simple, sensible, actions to connect and reach out to your neighbours and to support vulnerable and isolated people.

If you do volunteer, make sure to continue following the Government’s medical advice at all times. If you feel at all unwell, do not volunteer.

Donate

Food banks are concerned that they may have less food available when people most need it. All food banks need donations, so please support them if you can. You can find your local Lewisham food bank here.

Charities and community organisations are on the frontline of helping people through this crisis, but many are expected to face an income crisis of their own. Please consider making donations if you can.

Share information

People across Lewisham are extremely anxious about Covid-19, and one of the most useful things you can do for your community is to share accurate information and advice. Please signpost people to official information from Public Health England and always encourage people to follow the correct hygiene practices.