Local support - Enfield stands together

Local community support is available to help people get necessary items such as food, medication, and advice on financial hardship, particularly during times when restrictions are increased to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Food support and deliveries

If you need food support, visit our help with food page.

This includes information about how to access food if you can't afford it, and how to arrange food deliveries with supermarkets.

Getting your medication

If you need to self-isolate, you may not be able to get to a chemist. If you have prescription medication, check if your chemist will deliver to you. Some pharmacies offer home deliveries and a repeat prescription service.

Contact your local pharmacy or GP surgery to find out more. You may also find these links useful:

• NHS patient referral form
• Pharmacies with an electronic prescription service

Guidance for clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) people

For this latest lockdown (January 2021), if you have been identified as clinically extremely vulnerable, you’ll receive a letter after 8 January outlining important guidelines, in addition to the national advice, to help keep you safe during the current restrictions. Read the full government guidance on protecting clinically extremely vulnerable people.

Winter support for children and families

Support was made available over the Christmas holiday period for children who have free school meals and families who are in financial hardship. This support will be repeated for the February half term. For more information, see the COVID Winter Grant Scheme FAQs.

During term time and while children are learning at home, schools will provide meal options to all pupils qualifying for free school meals. This will usually take the form of a food parcel. Any questions on this support during term time should be directed to the school.

If you are struggling financially

COVID-19 has caused many residents immediate financial hardship, because you have lost your job or your income has dropped.

This might affect your ability to pay for essentials, such as food, utility bills and council tax, rent, mortgage and other household bills.

Check the advice and information on our financial hardship page and if you still need further help, you can complete our financial support referral form.

If you're in crisis now and cannot afford food or essential items, need help completing the financial support referral form or need information about COVID-19, ring 020 8379 1000 (select option 7), Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.

North Enfield Food Bank may be able to offer you support if you find yourself in a situation where you are financially struggling to buy food. For more information call 07826 542119 or visit North Enfield Foodbank.

Self-isolation payments

From 28 September 2020, the government introduced a Test and Trace Self-Isolation Support payment of £500, for people who need to self-isolate for two weeks and can't work from home.

If you want to apply, you must do so within two weeks of the final date of your isolation period. It's important that you provide all the information and evidence asked for.

Visit our self-isolation payments page to apply.

Covid Community Campaign

Enfield Council is proud to support the Covid Community Campaign. Their aim is to ensure that no child should go hungry, and no parent should go hungry in order to feed their child.

If you still need support

If you're vulnerable, struggling to cope, and haven't received a letter offering additional support, NHS Volunteer Responders can help you by:

• collecting shopping, medication (if your friends and family cannot collect them for you) or other essential supplies
• making a regular, friendly phone call which can be provided by different volunteers each time or by someone who is also shielding and will stay in contact for several weeks
• helping with transportation to medical appointments

To arrange support call 0808 196 3646 between 8am and 8pm, or if you need transport support speak to your health care professional. For more information visit NHS Volunteer Responders.

Other useful contacts:

• Stay up to date with council news and service updates by signing up to our digital newsletters
• Age UK Enfield - 020 8375 4120
• Citizens Advice Enfield - 0300 330 1167
• North Enfield Foodbank - 07826 542119
• Friends Against Scams
• Enfield Voluntary Action
• MyLife Enfield
• Domestic violence helpline - 0800 923 9009

Always dial 999 if an ambulance or the police are required.