Helping others safely

Staying safe whilst helping others

Thank you to everyone who has been supporting others during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is important that you stay safe whilst you are supporting others. Our Reducing the Spread page contains lots of information about preventing the transmission of COVID-19. The Government has also published guidance on How to Help Safely

There are three actions which everyone can do, and these apply when helping others too.

These are:

Staying safe whilst caring for others

If you are visiting people to deliver food or care, it is important to maintain 2 metres distance whenever possible. It is also important to wear a face-covering indoors, particularly if it is not possible to maintain social distance at all times. If you need to meet others indoors whilst volunteering, try and keep the space well ventilated. You should not enter other people’s homes unless it is absolutely necessary.

There are a few other things you can do to make sure that you can maintain social distance whilst visiting others to deliver food or care:

• Plan ahead to identify how you can deliver supplies safely without face to face contact, for example by sending a text message to let them know that supplies are on the doorstep.
• Minimise the time you spend outside of your own home by shopping for others while you are undertaking your own shopping.
• Wash your hands often, including when arriving or leaving any location. You should also wash your hands before eating and using the bathroom.
• It is best to wash your hands with soap and water, but hand sanitiser (with at least 60% alcohol) is the next best option.

Guidance for Providing Unpaid Care provides advice to people who provide care to friends or family, including for people who are clinically vulnerable or extremely clinically vulnerable.

You don’t need to wear personal protective equipment when delivering care unless advised to do so by a health professional. Local advice and information about personal protective equipment is available.

Clinically vulnerable and extremely clinically vulnerable people

It is particularly important that we protect those who are at most risk from COVID-19.

If you are extremely clinically vulnerable, we do not recommend that you volunteer to help others if it would mean you need to leave your home. If you are clinically vulnerable, volunteering for roles which you can do from your home is safer.

If you need to self-isolate

If you need to self-isolate because you or someone you have been in contact with has tested positive for COVID-19, then you must stay at home and not care for others during this time. Advice on how to self-isolate is available.

Maintaining your own health

It is important to look after your own health and wellbeing as well as supporting others. Guidance on mental wellbeing during the pandemic is available and Support to People Whilst Isolating provides information on local and national services.

Tips include making sure that you care for your mind and do physical activity. Daily physical activity is important for health and wellbeing, including managing stress and encouraging positive feelings and sleep. The government have also developed guidance on the 5 ways to mental wellbeing.