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Social distancing is something which all households have had to learn very quickly, and the government’s plea to ‘stay home, protect the NHS and save lives’ has been rapidly adopted.

But for vulnerable people and families, social distancing has led to new challenges which make life even harder. Lonely older people now have even less contact with others, and disadvantaged families are struggling to provide extra meals and home-schooling.

Two of the charities that the MCF is working in partnership with, Age UK and Home-Start, have provided some guidance and information to continue supporting older people and families with young children.

With more than 8.5 million older people already feeling lonely or isolated, social distancing can exacerbate existing difficulties and make tackling loneliness that bit harder.

Thankfully, Age UK exists to help older people when they need it most – whatever the global climate. Their dedicated webpage includes information on coronavirus; top tips to stay safe and well at home; and five ways people can support older people during this crisis.

We’ve pulled out a few key pieces of advice to help you through:

Make a list of essentials

Age UK recommends you make a list of the things you need day to day, including food, medicine, and household essentials to help you keep track and ensure you always have these at home. Don’t forget to include any items you need to continue hobbies or interests at home – these are also important! If you have food or medicine delivered to your home, it may take longer than expected so by planning ahead you can avoid running low. If you’re worried about running out of medication, speak to your pharmacist.

Ask for help

Don’t be afraid to call on your neighbours or family members to help you with food shopping or collecting medicine. Even if you don’t know your neighbours very well, community spirit is high and those who are less vulnerable are coming together to support those who need it most. If you live rurally, or don’t feel comfortable asking neighbours for help, get in touch with your local Age UK branch for advice on how to access support.

Stay savvy

Whilst the majority of people are genuine, there may be some who try and take advantage of this situation for their own gains. To protect yourself against telephone or door-to-door scams, feel confident to follow the following advice:

• Don’t ever feel pressured to accept help, if you don’t feel comfortable.
• Do not hand over payment or give away bank details to someone who’s offering to help – this should be done free of charge.
• If someone does your shopping, ask for a receipt so you can pay them to cover the cost of the items once they’ve been given to you.
• Ask for more information about people you don’t know – where do they live and how can you contact them?

Home-Start is dedicated to supporting families with young children through challenging times. With the current situation affecting the financial stability and mental health of many families, Home-Start’s work has never been more critical. In response to the government’s closure of schools and nurseries, Home-Start has pulled together online tools to help support families through social distancing, including fun and educational activities; how to keep up routines; and best ways to communicate with children about the coronavirus.

Here is an overview of the information they have provided:

Create a routine

Having a routine can be a comforting way for families to develop a new sense of ‘normal’. Home-Start has put together a free, downloadable PDF planner to help structure days and provides suggestions as to what to include such as meals, activities and bedtime routines. Remember, schedules are just a guide and it’s okay if they aren’t stuck to every day!

Activities for families

Home-Start has gathered together their favourite practical activities and resources for families to do at home. From educational activities to help with home-schooling; to free wildlife watching activity sheets, not all of which require a garden; to problem-solving puzzles – visit their online resources page for inspiration.

Read Dave the Dog’s story

An NHS nurse has written a short story to help reduce children’s fear about the coronavirus. The story explains Dave the Dog’s worries about coronavirus, and describes his anxieties on what he hears from friends and the news. Home-Start has provided a link to the free book online, so you can help ease any of your children’s worries with this light-hearted story book. If your child or grandchild is a little old for this story, try the following tips when talking to them about the coronavirus:

• Let them lead: ask them what they already know and how they’re feeling. Does your child understand pictures better than words? Draw out your answers!
• Reassure them: explain that children are more likely to catch a cold than the virus.
• Explain the importance of washing their hands and limiting time outside, but that if they did get the virus, symptoms in children seem to be much milder.
• Keep talking: continue to talk and update your children when you learn new information. This way, you can help shape the way your children find out about new information and ensure it’s explained in a way that’s less scary to them.