Active at Home
A Guide to Being Active at Home During the Coronavirus Outbreak
Who is this booklet for?
This booklet has been developed to support older people and those who are shielded to be active and healthy at home.
This is part of the Sport England Join the Movement campaign, designed to provide inspiration and trusted information to the public anout how to get active in and around the home during the coronavirus pandemic.
Why is it important to stay active?
Being active is good for our physical and mental wellbeing. This is why we should all try to move regularly, including exercises to help stay strong and steady. This particularly applies to those of us who have health conditions or are older. Due to coronavirus we are all spending more time within our home, so it is important that we find ways to build activity into our day, every day.
Over the next few weeks, you may have health and social care appointments cancelled or delayed. If you are waiting for treatment, being active is one of the best things you can do to look after your health, as part of a healthy lifestyle. Being active at a level that feels comfortable is unlikely to make your health worse; in fact it can help to manage many health conditions.
Most of us are spending much more time within our home. This can be frustrating and upsetting, and it can be harder to be active when you can’t do your normal daily activities. This guide will help you to find ways to build activity into your day. If the exercise suggested doesn’t work for you, feel free to adapt them based on what you can do.
Click the button below to download the FULL document:
Children Returning to School
Guidance Notes for Parents
Dear Parents
Guidance Note for Parents of Children Returning to School from 1st June 2020. We are aware that some parents might be understandably anxious about the Government’s recent announcement, advising that children of a certain age return to school in the week commencing 1st June 2020.
GPs are unfortunately not in a position to provide individual risk assessments or letters to a child, in order to confirm their suitability (or otherwise) to return to school.
Sunderland Local Medical Committee has therefore prepared this guidance note to help parents, on behalf of your practice; as the statutory body that advises and supports all GPs and practice teams across Sunderland.
Should I keep my child at home if they have an underlying health condition or live with someone in a clinically vulnerable group?
- Children and young people who are considered extremely clinically vulnerable and shielding should continue to shield and should not be expected to attend (see Appendix 1).
- Clinically vulnerable (but not clinically extremely vulnerable) people are those considered to be at a higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus (see Appendix 2). A minority of children will fall into this category and are expected to attend school with strict social distancing measures in place. Parents should follow medical advice if their child is in this category and is unwell. See https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-in-children/
- Children and young people who live in a household with someone who is extremely clinically vulnerable and shielding should only attend if stringent social distancing can be adhered to and the child or young person is able to understand and follow those instructions (see Appendix 1).
- Children and young people who live with someone who is clinically vulnerable (but not extremely clinically vulnerable) as defined in the social distancing guidance and including those who are pregnant, can attend.
I also wanted to reassure you that schools have been instructed as follows:
- To carry out a risk assessment before opening to more children and young people, and directly address risks associated with coronavirus so that sensible measures can be put in place to minimise those risks for children, young people and staff.
- To make sure that children and young people do not attend if they or a member of their household has symptoms of coronavirus.
- To promote regular hand washing for 20 seconds with running water and soap or use of sanitiser and ensuring good respiratory hygiene by promoting the catch it, bin it, kill it approach.
- To clean more frequently, to get rid of the virus on frequently touched surfaces, such as door handles, handrails, table tops, play equipment and toys.
- To minimise contact through smaller classes or group sizes and altering the environment as much as possible, such as changing the layout of classrooms.
- To reduce mixing between groups through timetable changes, such as staggered break times or by introducing staggered drop-off and collection times.
I sincerely hope you will find this guidance note useful, and that it will also help to alleviate some of your concerns.
We ask that parents continue to follow the most up to date national guidance published on this issue, during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Further information is available at:
Yours sincerely
Dr R N Ford
LMC Secretary
Appendix 1
Who is ‘Clinically Extremely Vulnerable’?
Clinically extremely vulnerable people include the following:
- Solid organ transplant recipients.
- People with specific cancers:
- people with cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy
- people with lung cancer who are undergoing radical radiotherapy
- people with cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma who are at any stage of treatment
- people having immunotherapy or other continuing antibody treatments for cancer
- people having other targeted cancer treatments which can affect the immune system such as protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors
- people who have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last 6 months, or who are still taking immunosuppressive drugs
- People with severe respiratory conditions including all cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary (COPD).
- People with rare diseases that significantly increase the risk of infections (such as severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), homozygous sickle cell).
- People on immunosuppression therapies sufficient to significantly increase risk of infection.
- Women who are pregnant with significant heart disease, congenital or acquired.
Appendix 2
Clinically Vulnerable People
If you have any of the following health conditions, you are clinically vulnerable, meaning you are at higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus. You should take particular care to minimise contact with others outside your household.
Clinically vulnerable people are those who are:
- aged 70 or older (regardless of medical conditions).
- under 70 with an underlying health condition listed below (that is, anyone instructed to get a flu jab as an adult each year on medical grounds):
- chronic (long-term) mild to moderate respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or bronchitis
- chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
- chronic kidney disease
- chronic liver disease, such as:
- hepatitis
- chronic neurological conditions, such as:
- Parkinson’s disease
- motor neurone disease
- multiple sclerosis (MS)
- or cerebral palsy
- diabetes
- a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or medicines such as steroid tablets
- being seriously overweight (a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above)
- pregnant women
COVID-19 Service Section
LGBT + FED
Celebrating 15 years of connecting LGBT communities across the North East…
Please read the open letter in the blog about COVID-19, we send love and support to all our Members:
Important Announcement from Sunderland Pride; please click the link below:
Sunderland Keeping People Connected
For anyone who is autistic or has a learning disability or both in response to Coronavirus
In Sunderland we are doing our best to support people at this difficult time.
- We want to help people stay safe, healthy and not feel alone.
- Our Keeping People Connected Service is free and available now for people with learning disability and / or autism who need support
Our aim is:
To keep people connected during the coronavirus crisis enabling them to stay safe and stay well.
- Helping people to understand Coronavirus and how this can effect them
- Helping people to stay connected
- Helping people to problem solve
- Supporting people to get help from other services if needed
- Ensuring people know what to do and who to contact in an emergency
If you know someone who would benefit from one of these calls, please contact the appropriate organisation below to pass on their personal information:
For anyone who is autistic without a learning disability contact Autism in Mind:
Contact Phone Number: 0191 567 2514
Email: info@autisminmind.com
Website: www.autisminmind.com
For anyone who has a learning disability/autism, contact Sunderland People First:
Contact Phone Number: 07858 226 187
Email: lisa@sunderlandpeoplefirst.com
Website: www.sunderlandpeoplefirst.com
COVID-19: Supporting Your Recovery
As you find yourself recovering from COVID-19 you may still be coming to terms with the impact the virus has had on both your body and mind.
These changes should get better over time, some may take longer than others, but there are things you can do to help.
Your COVID Recovery helps you to understand what has happened and what you might expect as part of your recovery.
Information for family, friends and Carers
Supporting your family member, relative or friend following their COVID illness can be challenging. You may be providing emotional and physical help in addition to all your other responsibilities.
This can be a very stressful time for you both and we hope the information within the website will give you reassurance and support during their recovery.
Domestic Abuse
Domestic Abuse is Everyone’s Business
Click below to download this document if you are worried about someone who is the victim of Domestic Violence:
“It’s just because…the mental health problems make things hard.”
If you’re worried, don’t make excuses, act. Domestic Abuse is everyone’s business.
You might think it’s none of your business, or worry you’ll say the wrong thing, but now more than ever, we need to keep each other safe.
If you are worried about someone:
- Be Safe: remember – social media, phone and emails might be monitored. Don’t confront the abuser.
- Be Kind: listen, make suggestions, not demands.
- Be There: be understanding and available.
- Get Help: contact organisations for support and information
- Call 101: if you are concerned about a friend or loved one, or that someone’s behaviour is abusive
- Call 999: if you think there’s an immediate danger
Here are some Useful Contacts:
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247
- Victims First Northumbria: 0800 011 3116
- Wearside Women in Need (WWIN): 0800 066 5555 – 24/7 helpline / www.wwin.org.uk: online chat
- The Men’s Advice Line: 0808 801 0327
This campaign was developed by domestic abuse and sexual violence support groups supported by Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness.
Face Coverings / Masks
The NHS in the North East and North Cumbria is reminding the public to have face coverings available to wear when they attend health care settings.
Face coverings should cover the mouth and nose while allowing the wearer to breathe comfortably, and can be as simple as a scarf or bandana that ties behind the head to give a snug fit.
Please watch these two short videos if you are attending an appointment at hospital or your local GP Surgery:
For Children ⇓
General ⇓
Let’s Talk Sunderland…
Sunderland Council would like to hear the views of residents, as it finalises the Neighbourhood Delivery Plans for the next three to five years. Sunderland launched its Let’s Talk Sunderland resident engagement campaign in 2019, and engaged with residents of all ages across all neighbourhoods in the city, to obtain their views on what they liked about their neighbourhood, what they would change/improve and how they would like to be involved in the future.
The response was outstanding and the feedback was used to develop the Neighbourhood Investment Plans which were approved by the council’s Cabinet in March 2020.
The Neighbourhood Investment Plans can be found on the Sunderland Council Website, click below:
As we commenced a new year, 2020, no-one could have anticipated the impact the Coronavirus (Covid-19) would have across the world. The Covid-19 pandemic was like no other ever experienced in our lifetime, however the British people came together as they always do during a crisis. On Monday 23 March 2020, the Prime Minister declared to the nation that we must work together, stay at home to stay safe and protect the NHS.
From Tuesday 24 March onwards, our communities and neighbourhoods prepared themselves like never before, looking out for each other and working together to support our most vulnerable.
As Sunderland now prepares for life after the coronavirus, the council is keen to speak again with residents, particularly those who have been most vulnerable during the pandemic, to understand their needs and to ensure the emerging delivery plans meet those needs at a neighbourhood level, to re-build Sunderland’s resilient communities for the future.
The council will be telephoning hundreds of residents over the next couple of weeks to obtain their views, however we would love to hear your views directly, please complete the online form, using the link below:
Supporting Sunderland
Restrictions may be changing, but the Covid-19 pandemic means many people are facing changing financial challenges and still spending more time indoors. We have pulled together some useful information on staying safe, staying healthy and supporting each other.
Looking after yourself:
- Mental Wellbeing – Now more than ever, every mind matters. The COVID-19 pandemic means that life is changing for all of us for a while and it’s important to take care of your mind as well as your body. You can get expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing: www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters
- Supporting those with mental health needs, learning disabilities and autism during lockdown
- Quit for COVID: Today is the Day – www.stopsmokingsunderland.nhs.uk or call 0800 169 9913 for local support. Visit www.todayistheday.co.uk to find out more about smoking and COVID-19.
- How does your weekly drinking add up? Don’t let drink creep up on you: call the National Alcohol Helpline on 0300 123 1110 or visit www.reducemyrisk.tv for tips to help you cut back.
- Seeing your GP: During lockdown, all GP practices in Sunderland have been able to continue to see patients through online and telephone consultations.
Click below to download the leaflet with a wealth of information:
Thinking of Taking a Holiday?
Please click below to download the leaflet