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29 January 2021
Leader of Kingston Council talks about the importance of following COVID-19 guidance and how to get help 
Caroline Kerr, Leader of Kingston Council, highlights the support available for anyone facing difficulty as a result of COVID-19 - particularly people who are struggling with their finances or mental wellbeing. 
Cases of COVID-19 are still high in Kingston, and Kingston Hospital remains under pressure. 

To protect our local NHS and to keep your family and loved ones safe, you must stay at home. You should not leave your home except for a few essential reasons, such as to:
  • shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person
  • go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home
  • exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person once per day, within your local area
  • avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse)
  • get a COVID-19 test, for medical appointments and emergencies
  • if you are contacted for COVID-19 vaccination
Everybody has a personal responsibility to protect their loved ones and those around them by following the rules.
Read the full Government guidelines to see the full retrictions
Many people are finding the effects of the current lockdown more difficult to cope with than before. The impact on mental health, physical wellbeing and financial concerns mean many are facing uncertainty.

It's important to remember there is help available to help you manage your problems and provide support to those who need it most.
The Kingston Stronger Together Hub can help provide food and prescription deliveries for residents who cannot rely on others to provide support. You can arrange for supermarket shopping or prescriptions to be collected by a local volunteer and delivered to your door.
 
If you are shielding or clinically extremely available, you can apply for priority access to supermarket delivery slots to reduce your risk of catching COVID-19. 
The national lockdown is affecting the way many of us live our lives, and it's normal that this will affect people's mental health. 

Having good mental health helps us relax more, achieve more and enjoy our lives more. Every Mind Matters offers tips to help you deal with stress and anxiety, improve your sleep, boost your mood and feel more in control.

If you need someone to talk to someone about how you're feeling, no matter how large or small, you can call the Samaritans 24hrs a day on 116 123.
If you have a low income and are unable to work from home, and you need to self-isolate, you may be eligible for financial support. This would be a £500 lump sum.

This payment is aimed at residents of Kingston who cannot leave their homes because of COVID-19 or who are particularly vulnerable to the illness and who don't have support from friends, family or trusted neighbours. 
The Winter Support Fund has been created to help individuals and families who are struggling to afford food, utilities and other essentials over the winter months.

The Fund is available for vulnerable families and those who need it to have food on the table and other essentials, so every child will be warm and well-fed this winter.

So far the Fund has provided supermarket vouchers for 3,424 children in Kingston, and helped 236 families cover the costs of winter essentials, like heating and clothing.

Read more on our website.
Many people who are concerned about money are eligible for a range of benefits and grants that they may not be aware of. Turn2Us helps people access welfare benefits, grants and other financial help by using a benefits calculator to check what support is available.

If you need more advice about how to manage your money during the pandemic, how to set a budget, or with repayments, StepChange offers free, expert debt advice to suit your situation.
An HM Government picture showing a sick man in a hospital bed, wearing a face covering, being cared for by a nurse also in a face covering. Above the image it says: 'Coronavirus, dont accidentally spread it. Around 1 in 3 people with covid-19 dont have any symptoms, but can still pass it on,'
With so many cases of people across our borough having the virus without any symptoms we are urging all residents to act as if YOU have coronavirus.
A yellow graphic which says 'Stay home, protect the NHS, save lives'

Where to find the latest information and guidance
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