Resources

Gov.uk Guidelines

If you want to do a basic web accessibility check check the gov.uk guidelines by clicking here

Business Disability Forum

“We exist to remove barriers in business structures and Government that prevent disabled people from thriving and contributing in this way.”

Below you’ll find resources from their Covid-19 toolkit which includes technology, mental health and working from home.

Education and childcare Chidcare Support and teaching staff Those specialist education professionals who must remain active during the COVID-19 response to deliver this approach	Key workers (PDF download)
Adjustments The home office environment	Supporting disabled employees to work from home – adjustments (PDF download)
Technology A list of what assistive technology providers can offer	Resource – COVID-19 and the technology that allows us to work from home (PDF download)
Health and wellbeing Addressing concerns around Covid-19	Resource – Reassuring disabled colleagues about the coronavirus and their jobs (PDF download)
FAQs Travel and working from home	Resource – FAQs – COVID-19 and your disabled employees (PDF download)
Communication ADHD and working from home	https://www.additudemag.com/working-from-home-adhd/
Job retention scheme Furlough	UK Government Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (PDF download)

Where to turn to for help

It’s okay to not be okay. We all need someone to talk to sometimes. If you feel overwhelmed, at risk of abuse or experiencing financial need, there are people you can call on for support:

Mental health organisation

Contact information

Mental Health Foundation

Provides information and support for anyone with mental health problems or learning disabilities

Website: www.mentalhealth.org.uk

Mind

A mental health charity

Phone: 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm)

Website: www.mind.org.uk

Samaritans

Confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair

Phone: 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline)

Website: www.samaritans.org.uk

SANE

Emotional support, information and guidance for people affected by mental illness, their families and carers

Website: www.sane.org.uk/support

Centre for Autism

Support for Autism

Website: http://www.reading.ac.uk/autism/resources/resources-for-the-covid-19-pandemic/?fbclid=IwAR0fl1QkTSt4R9qKNQ_hK7I2jtjO3aVxl-4niEX0UM_33tsI5a8H6WLKJxA

Cruse Bereavement Care

Support for grief and bereavement

Phone: 0808 808 1677 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm)

Website: www.cruse.org.uk

NHS

Mental wellbeing while staying at home

Website: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-staying-at-home-tips/

Acas

Supporting mental health in the workplace

https://www.acas.org.uk/supporting-mental-health-workplace/

Accessibility and LGBT

For those who require accessibility support with an LGBT focus (with thanks to Stonewall for sharing their information)

EasyRead This organisation specialise in easy read resources, and have created a webpage about coronavirus in easy read format. They also have a guide you can download with illustrations.	http://easyread.info/
Live Through This For LGBTQ+ people living with cancer, Live Through This offer advocacy and support. They’ve taken some of their peer support services online, so get in touch to access these opportunities.	https://www.livethroughthis.co.uk/
MESMAC Newcastle They are a sexual health promotion and HIV prevention service for gay and bisexual men, MSM and men questioning their sexuality. They provide information, advice and support, in addition to a free HIV testing service.	https://mesmacnewcastle.com/
MindOut The LGBT advocacy and online support charity for those facing mental health issues will continue running its services. Access their services.	https://www.mindout.org.uk/
Regard This national organisation for LGBT Disabled people has produced guides for Disabled and older people, featuring advice for food shopping, as well as how to cope with extended isolation.	http://regard.org.uk/
SignHealth The national Deaf health charity has made videos in British Sign Language, covering issues from what coronavirus is, what the government guidance is, to how to self-isolate.	https://signhealth.org.uk/
Spectra London This London-based CIC provides sexual health and wellbeing services. They have moved their 1-2-1 support online, offering live web chat with their staff for sexual health questions, with a weekly virtual face-to-face drop in. They also have information about accessing free testing kits.	https://spectra-london.org.uk/
The Rainbow Project They are a health organisation that work to improve the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of LGBT people in Northern Ireland. You can send them a message on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, email them or call them on 02890319030.	https://www.rainbow-project.org/
Terrence Higgins Trust The national HIV and sexual health charity has issued guidance for those living with HIV in the context of coronavirus.	https://www.tht.org.uk/

Insight - LGBT Domestic Violence

Find out about LGBT Domestic Violence and the support available through Prof. Catherine Donovan's blog and a podcast with the ‘Big Mouthful’ Podcast

Resources

Guidance for Friends and Family (last modified: 28 May 2020)
Guidance for Friends and Family of LGBT Victims (last modified: 28 May 2020)
National LGBT Domestic Abuse Project Joint Statement (last modified: 28 May 2020)