I need help and support

We have set up a community hub for residents of Hastings and St Leonards who feel they need extra help in coping with the effects of the coronavirus.

Many people will already have the support they need from family, friends, carers or neighbours and will not need to use the community hub.

Who can use the community hub?

Any Hastings residents who needs help getting food, prescriptions, fuel or befriending/welfare checks during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak.
This service is only for those who aren't able to get these things for themselves or by asking family, friends, neighbours or carers.

How do I get this help for me or someone I know who needs it? 

Please complete our online form or call our helpline 01424 451019.

It is open 9am - 5pm Monday-Thursday, 9am - 4.30pm Friday.

We will share the information you provide to us with organisations who can help put this support in place.  

Who provides the support?

The community hub is a partnership between voluntary groups in the town, the health service, Hastings Borough Council and East Sussex County Council.

The Sussex Resilience Forum (emergency services, health, local government and other partners) are co-ordinating supplies for extremely vulnerable/'shielded' people who have been told to stay at home for 12 weeks. But if there is something else they need, they can get in touch with the community hub.

What are the supermarkets doing to help people get food?

What places, apart from supermarkets are doing food delivery or collection?

www.hastingsheart.com keeps an up-to-date list of shops such as greengrocers, butchers etc), restaurants and takeaways offering food for delivery and collection

I am struggling to collect my prescription

There are a few things you can try:

• Ring the pharmacy to arrange for home delivery of your medicine
• Ring your doctor to see if they can suggest a pharmacy that will deliver your medicine
• If you have no other means to get your medicine (pharmacy delivery or family, friends, carers or neighbours to collect it). Complete our online form to request help or call us on 01424 451019.

I am low, or out of gas/electricity and can't top it up, or am struggling to pay for it, what should I do?

Speak to your energy supplier in the first instance and explain your situation to them. Energy companies have introduced extra support during the coronavirus outbreak to support their customers.

If you are struggling to pay you may be able to access a fuel voucher by completing the online form via the Warm East Sussex website or phoning their call and ring back number: 01424 869352

I am concerned about an adult where can I go for help?

In an emergency always call 999.

If you have concerns about an adult's welfare or you, or you know someone that needs extra support and help in their home call East Sussex County Council's Adult social care team 0345 60 80 191 / hscc@eastsussex.gov.uk.  

I need help with my housing

For general housing inquiries phone Hastings Council's housing line: 01424 451100

If you rent from a housing association, please contact them directly in the usual way

If you are struggling to pay your mortgage, you need to speak to your mortgage company.

I feel isolated, lonely, fed up

Hastings Voluntary Action (HVA) have a free befriending service where you can be matched a with volunteer who will call you every week for a chat. Their volunteers are of all ages and interests.

You can self-refer by completing Hastings Voluntary Action's online form or by phoning 01424 444010

I am struggling to get out any cash or make payments

Speak to your bank, most of them have put additional support in place during the coronavirus outbreak to help their customers.

Find the phone number via your bank's website on the back of your bank card.

Hastings Voluntary Action (HVA)

CONNECT IN: Telephone Befriending Scheme

HVA have volunteer telephone befrienders of all ages and interests ready to check in with you for a chat.  Call 01424 444010 or register at www.hastingsvoluntaryaction.org.uk/news/connect-telephone-befriending-scheme

Links to other sources of Covid-19 support are also available on the HVA website.

Hastings Emergency Action Response Team (HEART)

Hastings Emergency Action Response Team (HEART) is the registered Mutual Aid Group for Hastings & St.Leonards, providing a broad range of practical support for people in need during the Coronavirus crisis. For more information or to request help please visit www.hastingsheart.com

King's Church

King's Church runs Hastings Foodbank, Baby Basics and several other projects that support those facing poverty in Hastings & 1066 Country. King's is currently chairing the Hastings Community Hub food poverty sub-group, set up in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Neighbourhood Watch

Hastings and St Leonards Neighbourhood Watch has been actively participating in planning and communication around the local response to COVID-19 as the support that can be provided by neighbours to vulnerable members of the community is invaluable.