Coronavirus - Community support

Updated advice for clinically extremely vulnerable people

With more knowledge about the virus and due to the success of the vaccine programme and other treatments, people who were previously identified as CEV can continue to keep themselves safe by following the same guidance as everyone else. The shielding programme has now ended in England and you will soon receive a letter from the Department of Health and Social care explaining the reasons for this decision in more detail.

Read more about the end of shielding

Some individuals who are immunosuppressed due to underlying health conditions or medical treatment will be offered a third vaccination to increase their chances of being protected against COVID-19. You will be invited to book your vaccine by the NHS at least 6 months after your second dose if it is recommended for you.

Read more about the third primary dose vaccination

If you can’t have the vaccine for whatever reason, or if you are immunosuppressed, you should strongly consider taking additional precautions mentioned on the NHS website on additional things you can do to help keep yourself safe.

Many of you may still feel anxious about getting out and about. If that is the case for you, the community hub is still here to offer you support and advice. You can contact us on 01993 861077 or email [email protected].

Community support

The Oxfordshire All In website has details of local support you can access. You may also be interested in one of their volunteering opportunities, for example collecting prescriptions, shopping, keeping in touch.

If you are working with volunteers or want to organise a volunteer group the National Council for Voluntary Organisations has Covid-19 specific advice.

Food and essential supplies

Find information on how to get food and other essential supplies during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Household Support Fund (HSF) has been launched by the government to offer a very important lifeline for vulnerable households who may struggle to afford life’s essentials.

The money will primarily be used to help pay for food, energy, and water bills for vulnerable households, but other costs can also be covered.

The funds are not restricted to people in receipt of benefits and there is no requirement that you must be employed or that you must be unemployed.

Citizens Advice West Oxfordshire distribute the support in the form of food vouchers on behalf of West Oxfordshire District Council.

How to apply

Guidelines and criteria

Supporting Families and individuals in most need who are struggling to afford food and other living costs including energy, water bills and transport related costs. The latest scheme will remain open until the funds are spent.

Who is eligible?

People living in West Oxfordshire who have not had a similar payment from Citizens Advice West Oxfordshire in the last six months; and
- People with a priority debt (e.g. Rent arrears, Mortgage arrears, Gas, Electricity, Court Fine, Tax or National Insurance debt etc) OR
- People in receipt of means-tested benefits

Applicants must be aged 18 and over. To check if you are eligible and to access the scheme, you can either email [email protected] or ring 01993 892063.

Please note this is not an emergency fund and there could be a short delay in replying to emails/telephone calls. If you need urgent assistance please ring Citizens Advice West Oxfordshire on Freephone 0808 278 7908.

Good Food Oxford is continuously updating the Oxfordshire food access map to signpost anyone in food need to community food services such as food banks, community larders, and food projects.

If you are struggling to pay fuel bills please contact Better Housing Better Health or Citizens Advice West Oxfordshire.

DEFRA has produced a list of food options for vulnerable people to help you get food when you need it.

Scams

For more information on scams related to Coronavirus visit the Friends against Scams website. They have more information on different types and how to protect yourself.

COVID-19 - Advice to stop fraud - pdf - 731 Kb