LOCKDOWN AND DOMESTIC ABUSE:

Since the UK-wide COVID-19 lockdown be-gan, there has been a 49% increase in calls and online requests for help relating to domestic abuse.

Bishop John Sherrington said:

‘Every person has a right to live their life free from violence, abuse, intimidation and fear. Catholic parishes can play an important role in the fighting the scourge of domestic abuse, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic where we are seeing some shocking statistics from leading domestic abuse organisations. My thanks go to those organisations and individuals already working so hard to ensure that people suffering domestic abuse can live safe lives. Every local situation will differ and so our new guidance is designed to be used as an introduction to start a local project. I hope that Catholics and parishes will be inspired to take this up in their local area. Violence of this kind should never be tolerated or justified. It is an offence against the dignity of the human person.’

For help and support visit  https://www.cbcew.org.uk/home/our-work/health-social-care/coronavirus-guidelines/domestic-abuse/

DEMENTIA RESOURCES DURING LOCKDOWN

Dementia support line  https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/dementia-connect-support-line

Demetia support forum https://forum.alzheimers.org.uk/

Top Five tips

The Alzheimer's society have produced a top 5 tips for peole caring for those living with Dementia. You can download  a copy of this volunteer toolkit by clicking here

Supporting older people and those living with Dementia

Click here for a guide from the British Psychological Society

Advice from Dementia UK

https://www.dementiauk.org/get-support/coronavirus-covid-19/

The Archdiocese has put together a page of resources to help those LIving with Dementia and those who care for them. Click here for more information.

Spotting fraud

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/blog/coronavirus-covid-19-scams-people-affected-dementia

Cupcake day

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/cupcake-day

Sing for the Brain

On the 30th April Alzheimer's UK ran a sing for the brain session on Facebook.  You can watch a video of the event by clicking here

ARTS4Dementia

ARTS for Dementia are providing opportunities for people to join in remotely with dance, drama music.  To discover what is available and how to join in visit https://arts4dementia.org.uk/events/

Videos from Inovations in Dementia

Inovations in Dementia have developed a series of videos to assist volunteers and carers to understand the needs of a person living with Dementia. They are availabl on their youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVqQdwbR6zDgIGTPfxi0BYA

They have also produced a document that can be completed and shared with volunteers. Click here

3NDWG

Webinar hosted by people living with dementia: pandemic self isolation & difficulties.  For more Information email 

#YouAreNotAlone

At home shouldn’t mean at risk, but sadly for many people the lockdown has meant that they are trapped in isolation with their abuser under a pressurised situation.

Over the weekend, the government launched its #YouAreNotAlone domestic abuse campaign to reassure victims of domestic abuse that there is still help for them during the Covid crisis.

If you need to leave your home to escape domestic abuse. (Gov.uk, Covid19 and domestic abuse)  the  COVID-19 household isolation does not apply

Domestic abuse is a serious crime. Anyone can be a victim of domestic abuse, regardless of their gender, age, ethnicity, socio-economic status, sexuality or background. 

KEY POINTS

• If you are in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police - the police will continue to respond to emergency calls.
• If you call 999 from a mobile and cannot speak, press 55 to Make Yourself Heard (link embedded to scheme) and this will transfer your call to the police. Pressing 55 only works on mobiles and does not allow police to track your location.
• National Domestic Violence Helpline - 0808 2000 247 or www.nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk

SOURCES OF HELP

• Childline – 0800 1111
• Refuge – 0808 2000 247  (National Domestic Abuse Helpline)
• Women’s Aid
• Men’s Advice line - 0808 801 0327 (weekdays 9am-5pm)
• The Mankind Initiative - 01823 334244 (Mon-Fri 10am-4pm)
• National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Domestic Violence helpline - 0800 999 5428
• Respect Phoneline offers confidential advice and support to help domestic violence perpetrators stop being violent and abusive to their partners or ex-partners. 0808 802 4040

(With Thanks to the Archdiocescan safeguarding officer Alex for providing us with the above information)

ADVICE FROM THE NSPCC

https://www.net-aware.org.uk/