About self-isolation
If you have tested positive for Coronavirus all members of your household must also self-isolate.
The isolation period is the day your symptoms started (or the day your test was taken if you do not have symptoms), and the next 10 full days. You can return to your normal routine and stop self-isolating after 10 full days if your symptoms have gone.
To limit close contact with others in your house if you have Covid-19:
- Spend as little time as possible in shared spaces
- Practice social distancing
- Wash hands with soap and hot water for 20 seconds/use hand sanitizer
- Ventilate indoor areas
- Cover your mouth and nose with disposable tissues when you cough or sneeze, then wash hands
- Regularly clean frequently touched surfaces
If self-isolating and you have pets, you must make alternative arrangements to take care of your animals. Use professional services or ask for support off people who aren’t self-isolating.
Accessing essential supplies when self-isolating
There is lots of support on offer if you are unable to leave your home to access essential items.
All major supermarkets offer a home delivery service and will provide priority delivery slots to vulnerable residents. Access their websites here:
Sainsbury’s and Morrison’s also offer shopping schemes that can be accessed by telephone. Simply call the number, place your order with a member of staff and delivery will be arranged within 24 hours.
Morrison’s doorstep delivery: 0345 611 6111 (Option 5)
Sainsbury’s assisted shopping scheme: 0800 328 1700 (Option 2)
Prescription delivery- You can have your prescriptions delivered to your door.
Visit healthwatchnorthtyneside.co.uk/infoandadvice/prescription-deliveries/ for information about prescription deliveries and lots of other useful health and care services.
Local support available
North Tyneside have access to a wealth of services, local charities and community organisations which have adapted to support people during the pandemic.
You can search the North Tyneside SIGN Directory for full details of services in your area: services.northtyneside.gov.uk/sign/
North Tyneside Council’s Covid-19 Support Hub supports anyone in urgent need of non-clinical help in the borough. Priority is given to those identified by the NHS as clinically extremely vulnerable due to their health conditions.
Opening hours for the Covid-19 Support Hub are Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. You can contact the Hub on 0345 2000 101.
Good Neighbours
VODA’s Good Neighbours project provides support to local residents via a team of trained volunteers. Good Neighbours volunteers can assist with:
- Delivering a click and collect order you have booked
- Topping up your gas or electricity
- Carrying out shopping for you
- Prescription collection and delivery
- Helping you to get online
To access Good Neighbours support contact: 0345 2000 101.
If you would like to sign up as a volunteer, please email volunteering@voda.org.uk
Age UK North Tyneside
Age UK North Tyneside is the one stop shop for older people in North Tyneside offering support such as emergency hot meals, shopping support, telephone befriending and more.
Contact them on: 0191 2808484 Option 1
Citizens Advice North Tyneside
Citizens Advice North Tyneside offers free advice on debt, benefits, employment, pensions, housing, consumer, family and any other problems.
Call 0300 3309 047 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm or visit: ntcab.org.uk.
North Tyneside Carers’ Centre
North Tyneside Carers’ Centre provides remote information, advice, counselling and support for carers.
Call 0191 643 2298 or email enquiries@ntcarers.co.uk.
Healthwatch North Tyneside
Healthwatch North Tyneside is a local charity and the independent voice for users of health and care services. They recently launched a brand new website helping you to find local services, leave your feedback and take part in consultations about how well health/care services work.
Visit: hwnt.co.uk or ring 0191 2635321 to talk to one of the team.
Financial support
If you’re on a low income and you’re asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, you may be able to get a £500 Test and Trace Support Payment.
For more information visit: my.northtyneside.gov.uk/category/1491/ apply-test-and-trace-support-payment
Staying well
It’s important to look after your physical and mental health whilst self-isolating.
NHS Better Health - The NHS Better Health website provides lots of information and advice to help you improve your wellbeing by making healthier lifestyle choices.
Visit: nhs.uk/better-health/
HowFit Website
HowFit website is designed to help members of the public get fit in their own homes. It encourages users of any ability, from chair based to fairly fit, to undertake a plan of simple exercises that can be carried out at home.
Visit: howfittoday.co.uk
If you can’t get online, you can still do some simple exercises at home to keep active:
Put on some music and dance around your living room
• Squats, jogging on the spot, press ups, sit ups, using tins as arm weights, skipping
• Walk up and down the stairs more times than normal (be sure to hold the rail)
• Gentle stretches
• Set yourself a reminder to get up every hour and walk around the house
• Get the vacuum and duster out and do some housework
Mental wellbeing
Looking after your mind as well as your body is really important when you are at home self-isolating.
Here are some things you can do to look after your mental health:
- Keep in touch with friends and family through telephone calls, video calls, emails and even letter writing to help stay connected.
- Try and stay as active as possible
- Try and learn a new skill. Visit futurelearn.com/courses for adult learning provision available online.
- Try to eat a balanced diet
- Reach out for help as early as possible – especially with things like debt and finances, or with your mental health.
VODA’s NT Life Recovery College webpage contains links to some useful online mental health resources: voda.org.uk/nt-life-online-resources/
Mental health support
Healthwatch North Tyneside’s website contains important information on how to access mental health support: healthwatchnorthtyneside.co.uk/ infoandadvice/supportingmentalhealth/
If you need urgent help with your mental health right now and live in North Tyneside, call the following numbers:
Adults: 0800 652 2861
Children and young people: 0800 652 2862
Vaccination roll out
The NHS will get in touch when it’s your turn to be vaccinated. The new Covid-19 vaccine is now being rolled-out in North Tyneside in four mass vaccination sites across the borough in a phased approach. Residents of North Tyneside are being urged not to contact their GP regarding the vaccine at this time.
What to do if your symptoms get worse
You should use the NHS 111 online Coronavirus service if:
• You feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
• You feel breathless and it’s getting worse
• Your symptoms get worse and you’re not sure what to do
Or online: 111.nhs.uk/covid-19/
If you cannot get help online then call the 111 service.
Call 999 for an ambulance if you:
- Are struggling to breathe
- Are coughing up blood
- Have blue lips or a blue face
- Feel cold and sweaty, with pale or blotchy skin
- Have a rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it
- Collapse or faint
- Become confused or very drowsy
- Have stopped peeing or are peeing much less than usual
Tell the operator you might have Coronavirus symptoms.
Community Health Champions
To help ease some feelings of loneliness and discontent from self-isolation, why not become a Community Health Champion and help share important Covid-19 messages with people you know and care about in North Tyneside?
To find out more and sign up, visit: voda.org.uk/community-health-champion/
Or contact Alice at alice.holliday@voda.org.uk or call 07709 244 578.
How might this help you in self-isolation?
- Flexibility - low commitment and fully flexible - it will only take you 15 minutes to sign up to be a Champion.
- Positive mood - doing things to help others can help increase wellbeing.
- Connect - Enjoy the opportunity to connect with like-minded Champions through online socials and skill shares.
- Stay in the know - Being a Champion will mean you’re the first to receive trusted up to date messages from Public Health.
Do you belong to an ethnic minority community in North Tyneside?
Covid-19 has nationally disproportionately affected people belonging to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups. This needs to change.
VODA has recruited a new Health, Wellbeing and Information Worker specifically for ethnic minority communities. Are you able to talk about access to health concerns for people within your community and what health information could be useful? Please get in touch
Contact Safiah at safiah.fardin@voda.org.uk or call 07596 806373. You can find out more information here: voda.org.uk/health-wellbeing-andinformation-ethnic-communities/
