PKAVS CARERS HUB

Coronavirus Advice for Unpaid Carers

Anyone providing regular support to a vulnerable friend or relative will want to do what they can to protect their own health and that of those they look after during the coronavirus outbreak.

Like everyone, unpaid carers (including young carers) and people being cared for should familiarise themselves with the public health advice on how to protect themselves from infection. As the situation is changing quickly, the guidance may also change, so carers should therefore check regularly to make sure they are following the latest guidance at:

NHS Inform - Coronavirus

Carers who do not already have an emergency plan in place may also want to talk with family and friends about who could take over their caring role if they become ill or need to self-isolate – particularly while social work services are under additional pressure during the coronavirus outbreak. It will also be important to make sure you have key information about the person you care for easily available - so that anyone taking over care has all the information they need.

Where carers and family and friends are unable to provide essential care for someone, they should contact their local social work department. Contact details here: 

Social Work Departments Contact Information

See NHS 24 for advice on coronavirus symptoms; precautions to take; and what to do if you think you may have become ill with coronavirus 

NHS24 Scot

Prevention is better than cure!

PKAVS Carers Hub Services

The Carers Hub is still operating to provide you with support throughout the Coronavirus Outbreak. We have changed the way we provide services to best protect our Carers, Service Users, Staff and Volunteers.

We are here to offer you a listening ear, provide information, advice and sign post you to appropriate practical support. This support is available irrespective of whether you are registered as a Carer with PKAVS or not. You can also check our Facebook page (@PKAVSCarersHub) for information and advice. 

You can contact us

• By telephone

9am-5pm Monday to Friday on 01738 567076

Evenings and Weekends on 07759058207

• By Email 

carershubadmin@pkavs.org.uk

• Facebook

@PKAVSCarersHub

Perth and Kinross Council

The Perth and Kinross Council Facebook page will provide local updates for residents of P&K and is worth following.

Perth and Kinross Council - Facebook Page

Perth and Kinross Council also have a new page, providing information for anyone who might need some extra support from their community in the next few weeks and months, and at those who are well and able to offer that support. If you're an individual or part of a community group who could help support the most vulnerable in Perth and Kinross, please get in touch. This page will be updated regularly, so please do check back.

https://www.pkc.gov.uk/coronavirus/communitysupport

The Community Care and Crisis Grant provides assistance to people in an emergency situation and may be able to help you if you are struggling to make ends meet during the Coronavirus pandemic. You can contact them on 01738 476 900 (option 2) or email welfarefund@pkc.gov.uk

Alternatively, you can apply online at 

Community Care Grant and Crisis Grant Online Application

For enquiries on Single Person Discount, email localtaxes@pkc.gov.uk or contact 01738 477 430

For Council Tax Reduction or Housing Benefit, email HBEnquiries@pkc.gov.uk or contact 01738 476 049 or visit:

Council Tax Reduction and Housing Benefit

For general queries on Welfare Rights, email welfarerights@pkc.gov.uk or phone 01738 476 900 (option 1). 

Other Organisations Offering Support, Advice and Information

• Perth Citizens Advice Bureau - any client who would like advice on employment, benefits, consumer etc. should contact their office by phone on 01738 450 580 or email per-advice@perthcab.org.uk 
  • If you need help to claim Universal Credit, please phone 0800 023 2581
• Samaritans Perth - 01738 626 666 or 08457 909 090 / 116 123 (general)
• Coronavirus Helpline for Business - to help small businesses affected by the pandemic. Contact 0300 303 0660 (Monday - Friday from 8:30am - 5:30pm)
• HMRC Helpline - 0800 015 9559

Emergency Contact Numbers

• Fire/Police/Ambulance - 999
• Social Work Access Team and after hours number - 0345 30 111 20
• Access Team can be used to call if you are concerned about neglect or abuse of a vulnerable adult) - 0845 30 111 20
• NHS24 - 111PRI Direct - 01738 623311
  • If anyone is in a mental health crisis they need to call their own GP or call 111
• Ninewells Hospital - 01382 660111
• Murray Royal Hospital - 01738 621151
• Community Mental Health Teams (for individuals in crisis age 16-64)

Perth City – 01738 413070

South Perthshire Locality (Crieff/Kinross) – 01764 657120

North Perthshire Locality (Blairgowrie/Pitlochry) – 01828 626000

• Older peoples community Mental Health teams (over 65)

North Perthshire Team – 01796 474818

South Perthshire Team – 01764 653173

Strathmore Team – 01250 877843

Perth City Team – 01738 414564

• Pharmacies - call your local GP to find out where your prescription is
• Alzheimer's Scotland 24-hour Support Line - 0300 222 1122
• Men's Aid Safe Line for men who are suffering from domestic abuse - 0808 800 5005

Practical Information and Community Support

NORTH PERTHSHIRE

• Kinross

For people in the Kinross area there has been a group set up called Kinross Kindness to support people who are self isolating. They are volunteers who will collect shopping, prescriptions, give advice or a friendly voice. Contact no 01577 212036. They are open from Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm.

• Carse Area

Community Volunteers - (Over 70s) Shopping/prescription collection

Invergowrie – Kelly Kyle – 07542879721

Longforgan – Elaine Stewart – 07801563553

Inchture – Jenna Gallazi – 07479466013

Grange – Greta Macdonald-Whittle – 07546923522

Errol – Gilly Low – 07890154193

St Madoes/Glencarse – Rev Marc Bircham – 01738 861023

General contact CLLR Alasdair Bailey on 01738 861023 if no answer by local contact or your area isn’t listed

• Blairgowrie and Rattray

Elder Voice - has been shut down. However, Samantha and a few other volunteers are offering some services. To access the support, please follow the instructions:

1. Carer can call Samantha on 07936 067 294 directly if they feel confident, if not PKAVS Carers Support Workers can call on carers behalf

2. Inform Samantha of your details and what support you need

3. Samantha will put the details out on her volunteer WhatsApp group and a volunteer who is free picks this request

4. The carer leaves their shopping list and money/card in an envelope at the door (if they cannot do online shopping).

5. Volunteer will pick this up and do what needs to be done i.e., shopping, collect prescription

6. They will leave the items at the door of the carer with receipts etc. in an envelope

7. This is a 100% free services and volunteers are not accepting any fee including travel expenses (will inform you of any changes)

8. If a carer cannot get to the bank, has no card or money, the volunteer can pay for this and will be reimbursed by the project

•  Luncarty, Redgorton and Moneydie

For those who are self-isolating and require any support then the Luncarty Support Group are happy to help with the following:

- Essential food and prescription delivery.

- Posting mail and keeping in touch.

For more information contact Luncarty, Redgorton and Moneydie Community Council on Facebook @luncartyrmcc  or on one of the following numbers:

Frank Stevenson 07794152747

Terri McAllister 07595641860

Sharon McKinnon 07534012474

PERTH CITY 

• North Perth City Centre (Tulloch, Muirton, North Muirton, Fairfield and Letham) - offering a shopping service where food can be dropped at the door. Also offering dog walking service for those in isolation. They also have a telephone befriending for those in isolation and front-line workers who need support. Contact Grant McLaughlin - 07790518041
• A&B Taxi - can offer Click & Collect pick-up at any supermarket. Carers need to place their ordered food and the staff will go and pick this up and deliver to the carers door. Please contact The Carers Hub so that we can inform them of your details and orders.
• Letham4All - there is a foodbank and community can collect from the Community Hub on Tweedsmuir Road between 9am-1pm and 5pm-9pm. Can also help with shopping and prescriptions. Please note that ONLY over 16's are allowed into the centre. Any further information call 444061 – perhaps advise to call ahead if certain items required.
• North Inch and Muirton Community Council - have 'Give or Take' boxes set-up in the local area to make food sharing accessible during lock-down. Give if you can or take what you need. You can even share books or messages of good will. Be the 'WE' not the 'I'. Boxes are painted in GREEN so you can easily spot them on:

- both Muirton and Tulloch Coop

- Riverside Church in North Muirton

- 3 on Dunkeld Rd - at the shops, Asda entrance and the BP garage

- 1 on Balhousie St outside the store,

- 1 outside the Grammar and 1 at the North Inch Campus

SOUTH PERTHSHIRE

• Crieff and Comrie 

Campbells Bakery are doing free local home deliveries. Call 01764 652114.

The Handy Shop are doing fruit and veg boxes at £7 or £10 (£1 for delivery). You can order over Facebook or call 01764 652030.

Crieff Co-Op is also delivering shopping - you can call 01764 654951 or go online.

Comrie Community Council has set up a helpline and are being manned by volunteers on a rota basis. They also provide assistance with picking up shopping, posting letters, a friendly phone call, urgent supplies of any sort and any other things. Please contact Tim Lucas on 01764 679 555 or visit their Facebook page @Comrie Perthshire or website at

Comrie Community Council

Shopping Services and Food Delivery

• There are a number of supermarkets that you can order online with for delivery to your home.

• Gloagburn are delivering from their farm shop. Possible £5 delivery charge - Tel 01738840864

• Willows Coffee Shop and Restaurant food delivery – Tel 01738 441175

• Martins Fruit Bazar – Will deliver fresh fruit and veg to doorstep – 01738 621428

• McCash Pet Store – Can telephone orders and collect in car park – 01738 623245 

• Tower Bakery – deliveries available from Monday – Friday 09:00 – 15:00. Call 01738 563333

• Highland Health Store – offering free delivery to Perth area. Place order over phone and they will deliver 01738 628102

• Crees Inn Abernethy – are delivering a bowl of soup to elderly and vulnerable. Call 01738 851086

• Simon Howie Butchers - Delivering orders - call 01738 626376

• Lindsay the Butchers - Delivering orders - call 01738 621496

 Updated on: 03/04/2020