Please see below a message from Manchester City Council about their new Central Hub to support Manchester’s most vulnerable people and help them cope with the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak.

Freephone helpline to support most vulnerable in Manchester

A new freephone helpline to support the most vulnerable people in Manchester during the Coronavirus pandemic will go live on from 8.30am from Monday 30 March 2020 and this will sit alongside our comprehensive online portal www.manchester.gov.uk/coronavirus where people can access up to date information immediately.

This new service will initially offer support to:

People over the age of 70 who are self-isolating and have no support network

People who have received a letter from the NHS advising they are at higher risk or are medically vulnerable according to government criteria

Those who are self-isolating with no support networks (ie. friends or family).

Help will also be available, but not limited to, other groups such as carers, care leavers or young carers.

The primary needs that call handlers can help with are:

Delivery of food

Delivery of medication

Combating loneliness

Managing fuel top-up payments

The Hub’s freephone number is: 0800 234 6123 and lines are open Monday to Saturday, between 8.30am and 5.30pm. The helpline is being operated by redeployed Manchester City Council staff.