When will I get vaccinated?

The NHS will contact you when it's your turn to have the vaccine. Do not contact the NHS for a vaccination before then. For all local vaccination information please see Suffolk and North East Essex COVID-19 Vaccination Service: https://sneevaccine.org.uk/

Including:

• Vaccine eligibility
• Making an appointment
• Attending the appointment
• FAQs

The NHS is using a range of community buildings, GP premises and hospitals to deliver vaccinations. 

Where is my nearest Vaccination centre or Rapid testing centre?

Testing and Vaccination Centres in Suffolk

Need transport to take you to your Covid vaccination?

Once you have an appointment booked, call Connecting Communities to arrange transport. Connecting Communities will be charged at a normal bus fare rate. Tel 0345 606 6171

https://communities.suffolkonboard.com/ 

Or see what other options are available: Community Transport in Suffolk

Find your NHS number

You may be asked for your NHS number to have your covid vaccination

Find your NHS number

Suffolk Learning Disability Partnership

Easy read guide - COVID-19 vaccine

Go to a test site

You can go to a rapid lateral flow test site to get a rapid test.

If you go to a test site:

• you may need an appointment, so check before you go
• a trained helper might be able to help you do the test
• you'll get a text or email with the result when it's ready

Find your nearest rapid lateral flow test site

Get a test to do at home

You can get rapid tests to do at home.

You can collect up to 2 packs of 7 tests from a local pharmacy or test site:

• find a pharmacy where you can collect rapid tests
• find a test site where you can collect rapid tests

You can get a pack of 7 tests sent to your home. Order rapid lateral flow home test kits on GOV.UK

If you do tests at home, you'll need to report your results online or on the phone.

School, college and nursery testing

If you attend or work at a school, college or nursery you can get rapid tests through your school, college or nursery.

If you're in a childcare or support bubble with someone who attends or works at a school, college or nursery, you can get a rapid test at a rapid lateral flow test site or order tests to do at home.

You're advised to do a test twice a week.

Primary school-age children and younger do not need to test.

Employee and university testing

Some employers and universities offer rapid tests. Ask your employer or university if they provide rapid tests.

More information: Regular rapid coronavirus tests if you do not have symptoms

Help out with our response to the COVID-19 pandemic by sharing information with family, friends, colleagues and community groups:

• Become a Message Cascader

• New lockdown rules from 12 April 2021 (PDF, 257KB) 12/04/2021

• Community testing (PDF, 389KB) 03/02/2021

• Self isolation financial support (PDF, 409KB) 01/02/2021

• Vaccinations (PDF, 430KB) 18/01/2021

• Lockdown rules (PDF, 312KB) 07/01/2021

• Find infographics plus other COVID-19 information in other languages

Easy read versions

• COVID-19 vaccinations (PDF, 751KB) 11/02/2021

Updated 09/03/2021

Suffolk Schools

From 8 March pupils returned to face-to-face education in school and further education in England. Wraparound childcare, such as after-school clubs, reopened to enable parents to work, attend education, access medical care or attend a support group.

• You can check the recently updated schools status page, schools by type, or a list of schools in a particular town

Suffolk Childcare

Early years settings (including nurseries, childminders and School Nursery Classes) remain open

• Offering care to all children in Suffolk
• Offering care to vulnerable/keyworker children only in Suffolk

Test and Trace support payment for parents

You can call the Home, But Not Alone phoneline if you live in Suffolk and need urgent help due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Home, But Not Alone service may be able to link you with local groups or shops who can support you to access essential supplies.

This emergency phoneline is for people who:

• do not have any support available from friends, family or neighbours
• are struggling for food, medicines or other essential supplies
• are feeling lonely and isolated

If any of these apply to you, call 0800 876 6926 (available 9am to 5pm, from Monday to Friday)

Hardship Fund: For financial advice or support with access to food, call The Suffolk Advice and Support Service 0800 068 3131

What other help is available?

Any organisations working with people who are facing severe financial hardship due to COVID-19 can refer into the Local Welfare Assistance Scheme.

The Local Welfare Assistance Scheme primarily provides household furniture and white goods, plus fuel (electricity and gas top ups) and supermarket vouchers to address identified need. The Local Welfare Assistance Scheme does not accept applications from members of the public. You must be referred into the scheme by a gateway partner.

Find a gateway partner from the list of organisations who can refer into the Local Welfare Assistance scheme.

• Contact localwelfareassistance@suffolk.gov.uk
• Download the current Local Welfare Assistance Scheme guidance (PDF, 277KB)
• Referral organisations (online form)

LWAS from Offshoot Films on Vimeo.

Coronavirus cases are rising in Suffolk. Help us to stop the spread of the virus, by sharing accurate and easy to understand information from Suffolk County Council.

You can find resources to download and share in English and other languages on the Suffolk County Council website.

Suffolk County Council - Coronavirus Updates on YouTube

Public Health England also has simple and clear pictures and resources to share on social media, websites and more.

Suffolk Learning Disability Partnership have put together some easy to read and understand guidance about the coronavirus on their website. You can download information for yourself or someone else on lots of topics including what the coronavirus is and why it's important to get a flu jab.

Become a Message Cascader - Help out with our response to the COVID-19 pandemic by sharing information with family, friends, colleagues and community groups

Friends Against Scams aims to protect and prevent people from becoming victims of scams.

Be aware of people offering or selling:

• Virus testing kits
• Vaccines or miracle cures
• Overpriced or fake goods to protect yourself from coronavirus
• Shopping or medication collection services
• Home decontamination services

National Guidance and Support

GOV.UK - Coronavirus (COVID19) Education and Childcare provides up to date guidance for teachers, school leaders, carers, parents and students.

Get advice on supporting children and young people with their mental health from the NHS - Every Mind Matters.

Coronavirus: A Book for children about COVID-19, available for a small cost from the Nosy Crow website. 

What is coronavirus, and why is everyone talking about it? This illustrated book is aimed at children from 5 to 7 years old. With input from an expert medical consultant, as well as advice from teachers and child psychologists, this is a practical and informative resource to help explain the changes we are currently all experiencing.

Suffolk Guidance and Support

The Source is an online hub of information and advice for young people in Suffolk, covering topics such as mental health, employment, relationships and housing. There is lots of useful advice on who to contact and where to go for support.

Suffolk Parent Carer Network, have helped us produce a series of illustrated and simple family leaflets. These include 5 tips for getting better sleep, and 5 tips for people with challenging behaviour. These leaflets are free to download from the Suffolk County Council website.

Emotional Wellbeing Gateway website 

If you are worried about the emotional wellbeing and Mental Health of a child or young person. Find information, advice and guidance on emotional wellbeing issues, and local mental health support services, such as the Emotional Wellbeing Hub and Kooth.

COVID-19 (coronavirus) Information for parents and carers of children and young people with SEND.

This has various services and support for families which has been put together by the Suffolk Parent Carer Network who supports families who care for a SEND child or young person. 

Need help now?

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need to talk to someone

For immediate emergency assistance Emergency Services Call or Text: 999

For urgent, non-emergency medical advice

• Call: NHS 111  Or go to: NHS 111 Online
• Samaritans Email: jo@samaritans.org Call: 116 123
• First Response is a 24/7 helpline offering immediate advice, support and signposting for people with mental health difficulties. If you are experiencing something that makes you feel unsafe, distressed or worried about your mental health, call: 0808 196 3494

Suffolk Guidance and Support

Covid Mental Health Support Services Guidance

Suffolk Mind: The Suffolk Mind Team have put together a number of resources for adults and children to help them stay well during the pandemic. For advice and helpful resources please go to the Suffolk Mind website.

BSEVC Later Life Community Connect Helpline: 01284 334516

A new support service for older people in Suffolk: Later Life Community Connect is a single point of access telephone line for people aged 65+

Helpline: 01284 334516 10am – 2pm, seven days a week

Dementia Support: 

Dementia Together free helpline - 08081 688 000 

The helpline will continue to be available 7 days a week for continuous support throughout this difficult time. Dementia Together Navigators will also be able to complete a detailed assessment over the phone offering support, education and a listening ear to you throughout this difficult time.

Befriending Services: 

If you are concerned about meeting at groups, many befriending services offer telephone support

Domestic Abuse:

See this list of Organisations supporting domestic abuse

Cruse Bereavement Care, Suffolk - Are continuing to support clients and will be doing so by phone.

Suffolk Drug and Alcohol Recovery Network - COVID-19 updates and help

Suffolk and Norfolk Constabulary crime reduction advice: 

suffolk.police.uk/firstprinciple and norfolk.police.uk/firstprinciple 1st Principle will give you advice and tips for a range of crime prevention issues. There are even some self-assessment forms to enable you check your home security and help you to make improvements

National Guidance and Support

The Stay Alive app is a suicide prevention resource for the UK, packed full of useful information and tools to help you stay safe in crisis. You can use it if you are having thoughts of suicide or if you are concerned about someone else who may be considering suicide

GamCare - The National Gambling Helpline is open 24 hours every day on Freephone 0808 80 20 133, or you can live chat with us.

Relate UK - Live Chat, Telephone and Webcam Counselling

The charity Sudden provides advice for people bereaved by COVID-19 and their carers.

Keep Moving Suffolk

Keep Moving Suffolk is a local campaign to support & encourage people to get active and stay active, in response to the Coronavirus outbreak.

A list of local organistions offering online events & activities

Local information and support organisations:

• Meal delivery services
• Domestic cleaning services
• Food banks
• Parish and Town Councils: Town and parish councils across Suffolk are  prioritising the most vulnerable   

Suffolk Family Carers Contact our Information Hub on 01473 835477, email us on hello@suffolkfamilycarers.org