Throughout the last 10 months there has been unprecedented levels of support by members of the community and Third Sector/Voluntary groups working collectively alongside the Statutory Agencies to ensure support for the wider community. The scale of engagement over this extended period has been phenomenal. We would like to again take the opportunity to thank you for this.
The Scottish Government has published its route map for getting out of the COVID 19 Lockdown crisis
Read the latest NHS Lanarkshire Mental Health Improvement During COVID-19 newsletter here
The Scottish Government are adding an additional £230.10 to awards of Carer’s Allowance Supplement for the period from 1 April 2020 to 30 September 2020. The payment will be issued in June 2020 and is (as with the main carers supplement payment) disregarded for the purposes of means-tested benefits.
A qualifying individual is an individual who, on the qualifying date, was—
(a)in receipt of a carer's allowance under section 70 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, and
(b)resident in Scotland.
The second round of the Scottish Government’s Wellbeing Fund is now open to applications from voluntary sector organisations providing crucial services to people as a result of coronavirus.
The first round closed on 30 April having received over 1,000 applications, with half of applications already assessed and more than £6 million approved for funding so far.
The Scottish Government set out further information about the challenges Scotland faces and provides illustrative examples of the steps that might form part of the initial changes to the current lockdown restrictions Read the Document
The Scottish Government published guidance on Saturday 25 April regarding the expanded testing programme in Scotland and for testing of key workers – links to this guidance are below.
https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-access-to-testing/
https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-for-key-workers-in-Scotland/
Carers UK, and in Scotland, Carers Scotland carried out an online survey between 3rd April and 14th April 2020. The report from this survey is called "Caring behind closed doors Forgotten families in the coronavirus outbreak" and can be found at: carersuk.org/closeddoors
A new telephone helpline is offering psychological support and advice to people across Lanarkshire during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Designed and operated by NHS Lanarkshire psychological services, the public distress Covid-19 helpline aims to assist members of the public who are experiencing anxiety, low mood or other mental health issues in relation to Covid-19. The service can be contacted on 01698 687567.
Many local people have come forward to offer their help and support during the current COVID-19 crisis and we are delighted that there has been such a positive community response during these difficult times.
VASLan are in regular contact with over 1.300 people offering their help and support and we want to ensure that local voluntary groups are aware of the rich and diverse mix of potential volunteers.