Reducing social isolation and loneliness
To avoid the coronavirus, public health experts may advise people of all ages to stay home and practice social distancing as much as possible. This is particularly true for older adults and those with chronic medical conditions.
Social distancing and staying home may put some at greater risk of becoming socially isolated.
Social isolation can happen to anyone at anytime and can become a health concern. Social isolation can be avoided or reduced with proper, proactive steps.
Staying connected
Create a contacts list
Gather your connections' phone numbers, address and email addresses. This makes it easy to stay in touch regularly with people you care about by phone, email or even writing letters.
Set up times to call friends and family and make staying in touch with each other a priority while you're stuck at home due to COVID.
Telephone Befriending services also run locally and nationally. There are also local groups that offer online social group activities or even penpals.
Keep in touch with loved ones in long-term care
Ask staff if you can email pictures or letters that can be printed out and delivered to your person. Consider asking staff to help you FaceTime a loved one.
Having up-to-date communication
There are many ways of staying in contact with people:
- Talking - Going for a walk to a local corner shop and speaking to people along the way or within the shop or even talking across the fence or landing to your neighbours.
- Calling - Speaking to people using a landline phone or mobile, these can be friends, family or even local or national befriending or helpline services.
- Writing letters - Writing letters and sending them via post not only gets you active and walking to the post box, but it is a good way of enjoyment when your letter arrives.
- Emails - Some people find it better to communicate online via emails, texts or WhatApps, you can add pictures of things you have been doing via these routes also.
- FaceTime, Skype, Video messaging - These video calling/conference options can be used rather than just calling. Being able to see your friend's face can make you feel more connected. If you have a computer, tablet or smart phone you can join online groups or people who share your interest.
You may also consider setting up a schedule for when you'll connect with friends and family to create a routine or to have something to look forward to.
Caregiver isolation
Caregiving itself can be isolating. Try connecting with other caregivers through virtual support groups online.
Enfield Carers Centre can offer information and support for those who are unpaid carers in the borough.
Creating an online social media account to stay in contact
- Skype - see how to set up and use Skype
- Facebook - see how to set up a Facebook account
- Twitter - see how to make a Twitter account
- Instagram - see how to create an Instagram account
- Zoom - see how to set up a Zoom account
Help with technology and online safety
Age UK tech doorstep tutorials, online groups, classes (see attached flyer) If anyone is struggling to access our digital offers, we have a Digital Champion willing to help set people up. Additionally for people digitally excluded we have a range of Activity Packs available. If you would like book into a class or have any enquiries, email onlineactivities@ageukenfield.org.uk
Since a lot of the resources are currently online, you may want additional advice around keeping safe online, for those new to the internet.
Staying active
Get outside
Take a walk, cycle, sit out in the garden, balcony or outside space, wave to your neighbours.
Activities can be done depending on your own ability, by yourself, with family, friends or even by joining a local community group.
In Enfield there are walking groups, gardening groups, cycling clubs and much more. Why not try see if there is something local to you by viewing our Resource Directory.
See more ideas on activities and things to do in Enfield.
Stay physically active
If you are unable to go outside and be active, why try being and indoor activity. These can be anything from housework chores, sorting out old clothes or even an exercise video.
In Enfield there are groups who are delivering activities such as chair aerobics, yoga, Thai chi all online via zoom or social media/uTube. Why not get in contact with a group to discuss more, search our Resource Directory to find a group near you.
Online options:
- Public Health England - Active at home booklet
- Shape up with Spurs Part 1: Home workout (watch)
- Shape up with Spurs Part 2: Resistance home workout (watch)
- Shape up with Spurs Part 3: Abdominal workout (watch)
- Meditation
- Simple Home Exercises for Older People
- NHS 10 minute workouts
- Gym-free exercises
- Four workouts to do at home
- Age uk/ simple exercises for older adults
- NHS Aerobics video for beginners
- NHS Belly dancing exercise video
- NHS La Bomba dance exercise video
- NHS Wake-up workout video beginner
- NHS Pilates video for beginners
- NHS Chair-based pilates video workout
- NHS Back pain pilates video workout
- NHS Knee problems pilates video workout
- NHS Arthritis pilates video workout
- NHS Osteoporosis pilates video workout
- AGE UK Enfield Fit for life exercise videos
Get creative
Now may be the time to starts something new, or pick up and enhance some hobbies you may have left behind a few years ago.
Photography is something you can do inside or outside, this is also a way of exploring your surroundings and being active. Enfield Borough have amateur photography clubs and yearly photography exhibitions.
Find a group with similar interests in our Resource Directory
You may want to do virtual dinner parties with friends or family. You can use a variety of online platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp or Zoom. You could read a book or watch a movie and then chat with others about it after.
Picking up old or new hobbies and practise your favourite crafts, such as needlework, creating a scrapbook, knitting or even drawing.
Set a challenge
Set a challenge, hit a target - How quickly can you do a puzzle, crossword or wordsearch? You can set up mini challenges for yourself or include others. Ring a friend and see if they can help you complete the missing word or maybe you can help them.
Read a book, watch a film and maybe review it together over a cup of tea. Set a time each week to get in contact and then share your thoughts.
Staying well - self care
Food and drink
Making sure you eat well has never been so important. Get into a routine, plan your meals, not only is this a good way of saving money and not over spending but it is also good for knowing what goes into your food, making sure you have a well balanced diet.
Try cooking something new, you can pick up many new recipes online or even via cookery books.
Many vegetables and fruits have been known to contribute to hormones that make you happy.
Meals: A number of food venues are open on a takeaway basis. You could also contact hot meal suppliers on our Resource Directory.
Recipes:
- BDA food facts, eat well, spend less
- NHS live well, eat well, eight tips for healthy eating
- NHS Change 4 life recipes
- NHS Live well, eat well, 20 tips to eat well for less
- BHF Healthy eating on a budget
- BBC Food - For Budget dinners
- BBC Goodfood - Five ingredients or less recipes
- BBC Goodfood - Storecupboard Recipes
- BBC Goodfood - Easy Recipes
- BBC Goodfood - Healthy
Sleep
Try to get a good amount of sleep, you can set an alarm so that you get yourself into a healthy routine of getting up and starting each new day.
There are lots of ways of catching up on late night shows via 'catch up tv', so no need to stay up late.
Managing your health and medical conditions
Local healthcare options
Managing you own health is very important, making sure you have contact details and addresses for your local healthcare providers such as Doctors, Dentists, Non Emergency walk in and even A&E departments.
Make sure you have your regular check ups and try not to miss an appointment. If you are feeling unwell make contact and discuss your symptoms.
You can even try NHS 111 online or over the phone by calling 111 for non emergencies to discuss next steps.
Please remember in emergencies call 999.
Having enough of your prescription medication on hand in case we go into another lockdown is also recommended, or make arrangements with friends, family, neighbours or even local pharmacies to get your repeat medication when required.
Find a local Healthcare service, go to My Healthy London
Local and national helplines
Local providers
Here are just a few local providers that work closely with Enfield Council. Click on the headings to find out more:
We have put together a few other local providers on the Mylife sight and hearing loss page.
Shout Mental Health text service – text 85258 24 hour for anyone struggling to cope
Sanctuary – Mind in Enfield - A new service to help people: Find Calm – Make Space – Move Forward
Sancturary Is a seven day a week evening (5pm-11pm) phone service available to anyone struggling with their mental health in Enfield. The service is for Enfield residents aged 18-64 experiencing difficulty managing their mental health and wellbeing. This could be due to isolation, the impact of Covid 19, anxiety, stress or a diagnoses such as depression or bi-polar.
This support may be suggestions on how to cope now, where to get help in a hurry and practical signposting for support with benefits, housing, counselling and more. Callers may receive follow up one to one support and / or invitations to join groups in order to assist with self management strategies, problem solving, action planning, and signposting.
Call us on: 020 8906 7509, Monday – Sunday, 5-11pm
COVID 19 - Citizens advice - life after loss
Citizens Advice Enfield has partnered with Mind in Enfield to deliver a new service to help residents who have been directly impacted by COVID19. The Life After Loss service will allow Citizens Advice to go beyond its advisory role, providing financial and emotional support through Mind in Enfield to local residents, helping them cope with the terrible losses bought about by COVID-19.
View the Life after loss flyer
National help and support lines
British Red Cross support line - 0808 196 3651, 7 days a week from 10am to 6pm. For those who don’t speak English, translators are available and people can email SupportLine@redcross.org.uk if they prefer.
Anxiety UK - Charity providing support if you have been diagnosed with an anxiety condition.
Phone: 03444 775 774 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm)
Bipolar UK - A charity helping people living with manic depression or bipolar disorder.
CALM - Campaign Against Living Miserably, for men aged 15 to 35.
Phone: 0800 58 58 58 (daily, 5pm to midnight)
Men's Health Forum - 24/7 stress support for men by text, chat and email.
Mental Health Foundation - Provides information and support for anyone with mental health problems or learning disabilities.
Mind - Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems.
Phone: 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm)
No Panic - Voluntary charity offering support for sufferers of panic attacks and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Offers a course to help overcome your phobia or OCD.
Phone: 0844 967 4848 (daily, 10am to 10pm). Calls cost 5p per minute plus your phone provider's Access Charge
OCD Action - Support for people with OCD. Includes information on treatment and online resources.
Phone: 0845 390 6232 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm). Calls cost 5p per minute plus your phone provider's Access Charge
OCD UK - A charity run by people with OCD, for people with OCD. Includes facts, news and treatments.
Phone: 0333 212 7890 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
PAPYRUS - Young suicide prevention society.
Phone: HOPElineUK 0800 068 4141 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm and 7pm to 10pm, and 2pm to 5pm on weekends)
Rethink Mental Illness - Support and advice for people living with mental illness.
Phone: 0300 5000 927 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm)
Samaritans - Confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair.
Phone: 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline)
SANE - Emotional support, information and guidance for people affected by mental illness, their families and carers.
Textcare: comfort and care via text message, sent when the person needs it most:
Shout Mental Health text service
Text 85258 24 hour for anyone struggling to cope
Young Minds - Information on child and adolescent mental health. Services for parents and professionals.
Phone: Parents' helpline 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm)
Abuse (child, sexual, domestic violence)
NSPCC - Children's charity dedicated to ending child abuse and child cruelty.
Phone: 0800 1111 for Childline for children (24-hour helpline)
0808 800 5000 for adults concerned about a child (24-hour helpline)
Refuge - Advice on dealing with domestic violence.
Phone: 0808 2000 247 (24-hour helpline)
Alcohol misuse
Alcoholics Anonymous - A free self-help group. Its '12 step' programme involves getting sober with the help of regular face-to-face and online support groups.
Phone: 0800 917 7650 (24-hour helpline)
Al-Anon - Al-Anon is a free self-help “12 step” group for anyone whose life is or has been affected by someone else's drinking
Phone: 0800 0086 811 (daily, 10am to 10pm)
Drinkline - A free confidential helpline for people worried about their own or someone else's drinking.
Phone: 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am to 8pm, weekends 11am to 4pm)
National Association for Children of Alcoholics - National Association for Children of Alcoholics offers free confidential advice and information to everyone affected by a parent’s drinking including children, adults and professionals.
Phone: 0800 358 3456 (Friday, Saturday and Monday 12pm to 7pm and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 12pm to 9pm)
SMART Recovery UK - SMART Recovery UK face-to-face and online groups help people decide whether they have a problem with alcohol and drugs, build up their motivation to change, and offer a set of proven tools and techniques to support recovery.
Phone: 0330 053 6022 for general enquiries about SMART Recovery UK (9am to 5pm, Monday-Friday)
Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's Society - Provides information on dementia, including factsheets and helplines.
Phone: 0300 222 1122 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and 10am to 4pm on weekends)
Bereavement
Cruse Bereavement Care - Phone: 0808 808 1677 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
Crime victims
Rape Crisis - To find your local services phone: 0808 802 9999 (daily, 12pm to 2.30pm and 7pm to 9.30pm)
Victim Support - Phone: 0808 168 9111 (24-hour helpline)
Drug misuse
Cocaine Anonymous - A free self-help group. Its '12 step' programme involves stopping using cocaine and all other mind-altering substances with the help of regular face-to-face and online support groups.
Phone: 0800 612 0225 (daily, 10am to 10pm)
FRANK - Free, confidential information and advice about drugs, their effects and the law. FRANK's live chat service runs daily from 2pm to 6pm.
Phone: 0300 1236600 (24-hour helpline)
Text a question to: 82111
Marijuana Anonymous - A free self-help group. Its '12 step' programme involves stopping using marijuana with the help of regular face-to-face and online support groups.
Phone: 0300 124 0373 (callback service)
Narcotics Anonymous - A free self-help group. Its '12 step' programme involves stopping using drugs with the help of regular face-to-face and online support groups.
Phone: 0300 999 1212 (daily, 10am to midnight)
SMART Recovery UK - face-to-face and online groups help people decide whether they have a problem with alcohol and drugs, build up their motivation to change, and offer a set of proven tools and techniques to support recovery.
Phone: 0330 053 6022 for general enquiries about SMART Recovery UK (9am to 5pm, Monday-Friday)
Eating disorders
Beat - Phone: 0808 801 0677 (adults) or 0808 801 0711 (for under-18s)
Gambling
Gamblers Anonymous - A free self-help group. Its "12 step" programme involves stopping gambling with the help of regular face-to-face and online support groups.
Phone: 0330 094 0322 (24-hour)
Gam-Anon - A free self-help group. Its '12 step' programme is for those affected by someone else’s gambling with the help of regular face-to-face and online support groups.
Phone: 08700 50 88 80
National Gambling Helpline - Phone: 0808 8020 133 (daily, 8am to midnight)
National Problem Gambling Clinic - A specialist NHS clinic for problem gamblers aged 13 and over.
Phone: 020 7381 7722 (callback)
Learning disabilities
Mencap - Charity working with people with a learning disability, their families and carers.
Phone: 0808 808 1111 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
Parenting
Family Lives - Advice on all aspects of parenting, including dealing with bullying.
Phone: 0808 800 2222 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm and Saturday to Sunday, 10am to 3pm)
Relationships
Relate - The UK's largest provider of relationship support.
Additional information
Useful links
British Red Cross: