Beat the Heat: Coping with heat and COVID-19

Although most of us welcome the summer sun, high temperatures can be harmful to your health. The heat can affect anyone, but some people run a greater risk of serious harm. Many of those who are at risk of harm from heat are also at greater risk of severe illness due to COVID-19 and may need to spend more time at home than they would usually. Others may need to stay at home because they are self-isolating or recovering from the infection.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, its especially important that you know what actions to take to keep yourself and others safe from high temperatures.

This document below will tell you how to stay safe in hot weather, including how to keep your home cool. It tells you who is at greatest risk of ill health from the heat, how to recognise when you or someone's health may be affected, and what to do if you or someone else becomes unwell as a result of the heat.

Talking Therapies

NHS Talking Therapies are still there and able to provide support to those who need it.

They help people who might be struggling with feeling stressed, anxious and overwhelmed.

They support those aged 17+ registered with a GP in Berkshire.

Those in need of support can contact their friendly and approachable admin team on 0300 365 2000, or can sign up to support online.

Carers Week 2020

Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. It also helps people who don't think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access support.

The campaign is brought to life by thousands of individuals and organisations who come together to provide support for carers, run activities and highlight the vital role carers play in our communities, drawing attention to just how important caring is.

We asked the NHS, social care and local charities to think about this week and to contribute to it by making some videos to thank you and to show to you that they are still there to help support you at this time and we have been sharing these on social media throughout the week.

You can view these here.

Free online counselling and wellbeing platform for children and young people

Kooth is a free online counselling and emotional wellbeing platform, recommissioned by NHS East Berkshire Clinical Commissioning Group for children and young people aged 11-19 (11– 25 for children with Special Educational Needs and care leavers).

The confidential service provides a safe way for to access advice, support and counselling.

Kooth can be accessed via a mobile, tablet or desktop. Young people can drop in or pre-book to speak with qualified counsellors who are available from 12 noon to 10pm on week-days and 6pm to 10pm at weekends, every day of the year. Outside counselling hours, a messaging function is available.

More information can be found at https://www.kooth.com/