Your Safety

The official source of safeguarding information in relation to COVID-19 can be found on the Government website.

COVID - 19 Safeguarding Advice

We are not medical professionals, or medically trained individuals. This advice has been collated following a review of publicly available information provided by the UK Government. We advise all individuals using our platform and the services offered (both Requestors and Helpers (see our User Terms for definitions) to follow the advice provided by the NHS.

If you are worried about symptoms, please consult the NHS guidance. If symptoms are severe call NHS 111. Do not go directly to your GP or other healthcare environment. Immediately stop carrying out deliveries or in person support work.ur bank account details.

Medical Safety

Dont catch or spread the disease. Points that will aid this are:

• washing your hands more often - with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitiser when you get home or into work, when you blow your nose, sneeze or cough, eat or handle food

• avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands

• avoid close contact with people who have symptoms

• cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in a bin and wash your hands

• clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces in the home and touch points like door bells and door handles or letter boxes.

Vunerable people are:

• aged 70 or older (regardless of medical conditions)

• under 70 with an underlying health condition listed below (ie anyone instructed to get a flu jab as an adult each year on medical grounds):

  • chronic (long-term) 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), a learning disability or cerebral palsy

  • diabetes

  • problems with your spleen – for example, sickle cell disease or if you have had your spleen removed

  • a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy

  • being seriously overweight (a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above)

• those who are pregnant

Only go to somes house if you are well to do so if you become sick or someone you have become in contact with please refer receiver back to the site.

Physical Safety

Before you go to someones house or someone comes to your house;

• Pick a time that suits both parties and stick to the time to make it easier on both.

• Always know where you are going, and let somebody else know and when you will be back. If you like feel free to phone someone just before you drop off the item then again straight after to let them know you are safe and on your way home.

• Do not put yourself in a situation where you are not safe.

• Never be alone with somebody, and never enter someones house or invite somebody into your house, unless you already know and trust the person. If you do enter, it is at your own risk.

Emotional Safety

You are there to help, not to take on their stress.

Some people are unfortunately going to be in a bad way mentally and or physically. This is not your responsibility offer words of comfort and encouragment and pass their details on if required to the appropiate careworkers.

Checklist: are you ready to stay at home?

For those in isolation some useful pointer for mental wellbeing

• Food: do you have a way to get food delivered?

• Cleaning: are your cleaning supplies stocked up?

• Money: can you budget for any higher bills or expenses? Will you save money from lower transport costs that you could spend elsewhere?

• Work: can you work from home or not? If not, what are your rights to payment or benefits?

• Medication: do you have enough medication, or a way to get more?

• Health: can you reorganise any planned therapy or treatments?

• Commitments: can someone else help you care for any dependents, walk your dog, or take care of any other commitments?

• Connectivity: have you checked the contact details of the people you see regularly, like their phone numbers or email addresses?

• Routine: can you create a routine or timetable for yourself? And if you live with other people, should you create a household schedule? Do you need to agree how the household will run with everyone at home all day?

• Exercise: is there any physical activity you can do inside your home, such as going up and down the stairs, using bean tins as weights, or exercises you can do in your chair?

• Nature: have you thought how you could access nature? Can you get some seeds and planting equipment, houseplants or living herbs?

• Entertainment: have you thought about things to do, books to read or TV shows to watch?

• Relax: have you got materials so you can do something creative, such as paper and colouring pencils?

Data and Financial Safety

Don't make big financial outlays, or part with your bank details.

Protect yourself from scrupolous allegations, keep all receipts, as some some recipients maybe confused especially at this stressfully time.

Be careful exchanging monies as these could be contaminated. If you know the cost give them prior notice so they can have the correct money ready in an envelope. It may be advisable to sanitse the money before handling which is easier with the plastic notes.

Be careful giving personal details or bank details as a delivery person.

Paypal is an option or other similar forms.

In paying for goods you shouldn't give your bank card to the delivery person to get cash out for you this is highly dangerous.

Let’s work together

HelpAround has been created to help our communities. While we appreciate you, in particular a Helper, are offering time and other assistance voluntarily we ask all Members to meet these basic requirements for each connection:

• Be responsive: Maintain a high response rate where you make a request for help or volunteer to assist.

• Avoid cancellations: Try your best to avoid cancelling – others are relying on you.

• Be reasonable: Do not ask for a service which is unreasonable and where you do not genuinely need assistance.

• Do not ask why someone needs help and do not judge. Most people are genuine but there will be people who take advantage. Accept that.

• Respect: Do not discriminate. Every member of our community should feel welcome on our platform no matter who they are, where they come from, how they worship, or whom they love.