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Coronavirus resources

Coronavirus (COVID-19) resources for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers and people supporting them

With help from the Migrant English Project we have gathered information about some services which are available around Brighton and Hove. We have also linked to general information about the coronavirus, including advice from Doctors of the World (available in 51 languages) and local council and government websites.

You can also join our Facebook group and post a request or offer of help: https://www.facebook.com/groups/185565142883855/

If you know someone who …

–  feels isolated

– needs help getting essential food or medicine,

– or needs a hand setting up technology to stay in touch with family & friends …

… contact the Trust for Developing Communities https://www.trustdevcom.org.uk/what-we-do/equalities-and-inclusion/social-prescribing-plus/

If you don’t have access to food

Brighton and Hove Food Partnership Coronavirus update page: https://bhfood.org.uk/coronavirus-update/

Brighton and Hove Food Partnership advice on meal delivery: https://bhfood.org.uk/directory-hub/meal-delivery-takeaway-services-covid-19-info/

Voices in Exile East Brighton emergency food delivery & food parcel service: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2367090893508899/permalink/2584225458462107/

Covid-19 Mutual Aid help groups

Covid Mutual Aid Guide: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11cKMCy08ebN-lJQsP1jvsTcSfwC6YeE8FYrmAZCoZ1w/edit?fbclid=IwAR0xI1ct_YxzqD5i5n-gp3kYobRgc5EJdVAMhQeRDrkN81EJCy5Ywovsom4

Student Action for Refugees (STAR) advice document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IfLzSQW9jVOg8zMizp7j8d_ObQevbqE-9wL0QZuqcxY

Refugee Radio is a charity that supports refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants. It runs community projects targeting mental health, isolation and social exclusion. Refugee Radio’s mental health support group for refugees and asylum seekers is going online due to the current situation. It is the same time as usual: 3pm-5pm every Monday, but now will be meeting up online through Zoom. Zoom is easy to use on your phone or computer and Refugee Radio will contact you to talk you through it. Anyone new who would like to join should email [email protected] for more information or call on 01273 234868. The Zoom link is: https://zoom.us/j/303791160

Afghanistan and Central Asian Association has a Covid-19 telephone helpline service offering financial, counselling and mental health advice for newly-arrived refugees, asylum seekers, BAME residents, elderly, unaccompanied minors, low-income families, and children and women suffering from mental health and exclusion. Call 0750 877 3336 (Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) or 020 8572 0300 (Mon-Fri 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

If you would like to help

For donations of food items or cash to support food deliveries to refugees and migrants: Voices in Exile https://www.voicesinexile.org

To help destitute migrants in need of accommodation and small cash grants: Thousand 4 Thousand https://www.thousand4thousand.org.uk

To volunteer, go to Community Works web site: https://www.bhcommunityworks.org.uk/volunteer/

General information

Doctors of the World advice page, with written advice in 51 languages, and advice videos in 7 languages : https://www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/coronavirus-information/

NACCOM (the national network preventing destitution amongst people seeking asylum, refugees and other migrants) has a comprehensive and regularly-updated resource page, including guidance for organisations providing accommodation: https://naccom.org.uk/resources/

A group at Leeds City Council has created translated and audio guidance materials in 11 different languages – Polish, Romanian, Urdu, Arabic, Czech, Punjabi, Tigrinya, Farsi, Slovak, Kurdish Sorani and Bengali. There are also three videos which focus on spotting the signs of C-19, handwashing advice, and advice for households with possible coronavirus infection: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLggQFjpTLgpIq0r7-nFO9mT6j8Yk2vKBt

The Brighton and Hove Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has gathered questions from the community and prepared a document with answers to frequently asked questions about the Covid-19 coronavirus, and how to access healthcare at this time. A pdf document can be downloaded here.

The Coronavirus Asylum Handbook from the Refugee Action Good Practice and Partnerships Team aims to connect, inform and support a critical network of frontline UK refugee and asylum organisations to deliver and redesign their services to remotely meet beneficiaries’ needs and find new ways of responding effectively to the current crisis. https://www.coronavirusasylumhandbook.com/home

COVID-19 Infographics has been prepared by a group of doctors, medical students and volunteers, to help summarise key points about COVID-19 in a variety of languages to get the right information, in an easy to understand format, to these communities. covid19graphics.info

Refugee Council’s web page provides a summary of the government’s response to date, noting key temporary changes to asylum and resettlement policy and practice. Information will be updated on a daily basis. https://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/latest/news/changes-to-home-office-asylum-resettlement-policy-and-practice-in-response-to-covid-19/

The NRPF (No Recourse to Public Funds) network has produced a useful web page with a link to a detailed factsheet aimed at Local Authorities, with info on support for people with NRPF. https://www.nrpfnetwork.org.uk/News/Pages/coronavirus-update.aspx

The Migrant Info Hub offers useful information and resources to help migrants, and those supporting them, to stay safe, connected and informed, and to reduce the harmful impacts of coronavirus (Covid-19). It provides information about services in Yorkshire and Humber but it also has useful sections about National guidance; Specific migrant issues and; Multilingual resources. https://www.migrantinfohub.co.uk

NHS coronavirus (COVID-19) page: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Brighton and Hove City Council information: https://new.brighton-hove.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19

UK Government information: https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

If you are planning to travel abroad check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice page at: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Mencap has prepared an ‘easy read’ information sheet about Covid-19. It has been written specially for people with learning disabilities, but the information could be useful to people whose understanding of written English is not very advanced. https://www.mencap.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-03/Info%20about%20covid19%2026th%20March.pdf

Social Media

Twitter accounts with regular updates: