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The coronavirus pandemic is something none of us could have predicted, and has caused unprecedented changes to our lives.

Unfortunately, many people’s financial stability, health and wellbeing have been negatively impacted as a result.

We want to reassure you that we’re still here to support anyone who is going through a difficult time in their lives – whether related to the current situation or not.

For those who have been unexpectedly affected by the coronavirus, here’s how we can help:

Support for daily living

If you’ve found yourself with an unexpected loss of income – whether you’re self-employed, an employee, or are on a zero-hours contract – we can consider support to cover daily living costs, helping you to make ends meet.

 If you’re struggling to pay your rent, mortgage or utility bills and are facing eviction or arrears, we may be able to provide emergency one-off grants to keep you safe and well in your home.

Looking after your wellbeing

If you feel your mood or mental health has been affected by social distancing or isolation, we provide a free and confidential counselling service, with trained professionals on hand to listen and give skilled guidance. Please contact our Enquiries team who can provide you with details for accessing the service.

Breaks for carers

We are aware that many forms of respite care, such as day centres or residential care, are reassessing their services in response to social distancing. If you are providing care for a loved one and have found a form of respite care that suits your needs, but are unable to afford it, we may be able to provide support to help cover the costs.

Education and skills for children and young people

We understand that many educational costs still need to be paid, and those looking to continue learning may want to make applications for further education later on in the year. If a reduced household income means your child or grandchild is struggling to stay in education, or is jeopardising their chance of continuing their learning, we can consider support to keep them in education or on a vocational course.

If your child or grandchild doesn’t have the necessary equipment to continue learning at home or speak with friends and family, we may be able to provide laptops and other equipment to help them with their work and keep in touch with others.

How do I make an application?

If you would like to speak to us about making an application, please get in touch with the team – at this time it is preferable to do so by email – providing details about your situation and the best number on which to contact you. In normal circumstances, an application involves a visit to your home from an MCF Visiting Volunteer or a member of our Advice & Support Team, to take you through the application form.

To ensure your safety, as well as that of our volunteers and staff, our Advice & Support Team are instead calling people who have enquired about support to take them through an application over the phone.

What should I do if I don’t use email?

If you do not have access to email, please get in touch with your lodge Almoner who can put in an enquiry to the MCF on your behalf. Make sure they provide your telephone number to enable the team to get in touch with you. If you do not know your lodge Almoner, you can call us directly, however lines are busy and you may need to leave a voicemail.