I’m Simon and I am the Chief Executive of Justlife. I just wanted to give a brief update on how we are trying to support people in temporary accommodation though this Coronavirus pandemic.
These are unprecedented times we are living in. Everyone is having to make changes and here at Justlife we are having to do the same. These changes in many ways go against our natural instincts of wanting to support people as much as we can in temporary accommodation but it’s clear everyone needs to play their part to beat the Coronavirus.
If you are someone who engages with Justlife you will know we’ve had to stop all our group based sessions as well as reducing our contact with people we support to a bare minimum. We want to protect you from catching Coronavirus, and we want to protect the wider community catching and spreading the virus. Many people in temporary accommodation will have underlying health issues that mean they are more at risk of the effects of Coronavirus, so we have to take the advice and guidance from the experts seriously.
If you have a support worker at Justlife they will be contacting you as much as you need by phone and continue to make calls and emails on your behalf where helpful. They may be able to see you in person if it is an urgent appointment or issues that need dealing with in person, or delivering urgent supplies to you, but we will be making sure we all stay 2 meters away from one another.
Staying away from other people, at a distance of 2 meters, and trying not to share spaces, is the biggest thing we can all do to beat Coronavirus and stop it spreading. It is highly contagious and its consequences are severe, especially if you have an underlying health issue already.
We will also do our best to get you information updates on self-isolating and social distancing and what this all means for you via text, phone calls or leaflets. If you live in temporary accommodation in Brighton or Manchester and want advice, guidance or need to know how to get support, especially food and supplies if you are self-isolating please do contact us.
Email info@justlife.org.uk
Or phone Brighton on 0800 328 1550 or Manchester on 0161 285 5888
We can also give you items that can help make this idea of staying away from other people and the usual groups you may go to more bearable, like games, puzzle books, radios etc. We are working closely with the local authorities and voluntary sectors to ensure people who would usually access food banks & services providing meals are able to get food and support during this time and will keep you updated on this.
I hope this has been helpful. Please do contact me with any questions or thoughts. My email is simon@justlife.org.uk
