Information Guides
Coronavirus
Easy read guide about Coronavirus and how to keep yourself safe
COVID-19_easy_read
Easy read guide about shielding the vulnerable from coronavirus
COBID 19 Easy_read_guidance_on_shielding_March_2020
Easy read guide from Mencap
Mencap Easy Read information Coronavirus
People with a learning disability
You may be finding the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak stressful. You may be worried about changes that might happen because of it, including having to stay at home. You may also be worried about your family or those close to you.
Public Health England has easy read guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19) and how it may affect you. (see link above) There is also other information available about coronavirus (COVID-19) from Mencap and how to manage difficult feelings you are having.
What-makes-us-worried
What-can-help
There are ways you can take care of yourself and prevent spreading the virus:
• as you are asked to now stay at home you should keep in touch with people you trust (like friends, family and employer) over the phone or internet – follow the advice from the stay at home and social distancing guidance
• there may also be self-advocacy groups in your area offering more support online or by phone – you can ask your families or carers for help to search for these groups
• it is also important to get information about coronavirus (COVID-19) only from places you can trust, such as the NHS website
While it is important to be aware of coronavirus (COVID-19), it is important not to forget about any other health conditions you might have. Make sure you take any medication you have been prescribed, keep any hospital appointments you have (unless you have been told otherwise by the hospital) and tell people if you can’t attend appointments.
Autistic people
You may be finding the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak stressful and be worried about getting the virus or changes that might happen because of it, including having to stay at home. There are ways you can take care of yourself and prevent spreading the virus.
Managing difficult feelings or behaviours to do with hygiene, washing or fears of infection
Some mental health problems can cause difficult feelings or behaviours to do with washing or hygiene. If you experience this, you might find it hard to hear advice about washing your hands.
It is important to follow government advice on helping to avoid the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), but if you find you are going beyond the recommendations, if this is making you feel stressed or anxious, or if you are having intrusive thoughts here are some things you could try:
• don’t keep re-reading the same advice if this is unhelpful for you
• let other people know you’re struggling, for example you could ask them not to discuss the news with you
• breathing exercises can help you cope and feel more in control. You can find a simple breathing exercise on the NHS website and Mind’s pages on relaxation have some relaxation tips and exercises you can try
• set limits, like washing your hands for the recommended 20 seconds
• plan something to do after washing your hands, which could help distract you and change your focus
• it could also help to read some of Mind’s tips in their information on obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
The National Autistic Society have a number of resources that you may find useful
Personalisation for people with mental health problems – SCIE:
http://www.scie.org.uk/topic/people/peoplewithmentalhealthproblems/adultswhohavementalhealthproblems/personalisationforpeoplewithmentalhealthproblems
Links
Mental Capacity Act:
http://www.justice.gov.uk/protecting-the-vulnerable/mental-capacity-act
Protect your mental health – 5 ways to wellbeing from In Control + Mencap
http://www.in-control.org.uk/media/16786/41.%20in%20control%20factsheet%20five%20ways%20to%20wellbeing%20v1.pdf
Information Guides
Self Directed Support
In Control and Mencap have developed a series of fact sheets with accessible information for everyone who wants to direct their own support. These are available on:
http://www.in-control.org.uk/resources/fact-sheets.aspx?page=0
Additional Downloads include;
How to make a support plan:
http://www.in-control.org.uk/media/16708/05.%20how%20to%20make%20a%20support%20plan%202011%20v1b.pdf
01. Introduction to self-directed support
This fact sheet tells you what self-directed support is and how it works. It gives links to other fact sheets and resources. http://www.in-control.org.uk/media/16696/01.%20introduction%20to%20self-directed%20support%202011%20v1b.pdf
02. Where do I start?
This fact sheet tells you how you can get started with self-directed support. It gives links to other fact sheets and resources with more detailed information. http://www.in-control.org.uk/media/16699/02.%20where%20do%20i%20start%202011%20v1b.pdf
03. My money, self-assessment
This fact sheet tells you about self-assessment and resource allocation. You start by filling out a form – often called a ‘self-assessment form’. http://www.in-control.org.uk/media/16702/03.%20my%20money%20self-assessment%202011%20v1b.pdf
04. What if I disagree?
When you’ve done your self-assessment form and the local authority has given you an ‘indicative’ budget (an amount that may still change), you make a support plan. This fact sheet tells you what you can do if you don’t think you agree with the amount in your resource allocation.
05. How to make a support plan
You are ready to write your support plan when your local authority has given you an idea of how much your personal budget is. This fact sheet tells you how to make a support plan and what you need to put in it. http://www.in-control.org.uk/media/16708/05.%20how%20to%20make%20a%20support%20plan%202011%20v1b.pdf
06. Support brokers
Some people can plan and organise their own support without any help. Others want help from ‘support brokers’. This fact sheet tells you about what support brokerage is and who you might choose as a support broker.
http://www.in-control.org.uk/media/16711/06.%20support%20brokers%202011%20v1b.pdf
07. Getting my plan agreed –
08. Organising my money
09. Organising support
10. Thinking outside the box –
11. Living the life you want –
12. Seeing how it worked-review
13. Personal budgets, individual budgets and direct payments –
14. Criminal Records Bureau CRB Checks
15. Transport – getting out and about –
16. Managing risks and safeguarding –
17. Stuff or staff – equipment and technology
18. Housing –
19. Jobs
20. History of the social care system –
21. shop4support –
22. Money – resource allocation –
23. Organising Support – Do It Yourself
24. Using a support provider
25. Opening a bank account
26. Fair Access to Care
27. Disabled Facilities Grants
28. Personal Health Budgets –
29. Postural care –
30. Short breaks –
31. Community equipment –
32. Reablement
33. Wills and Trusts
34. Person centred planning
35. Personal Budgets and older people –
36. Mental health and self-directed support
37. Micro enterprises
38. Friendship and relationships
39. Profound Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD)
40. Getting involved in your community
41. Five ways to wellbeing –
42. How to give something back to your community
43. Self-directed support and BME communities
44. Employing your own staff
45. The Mental Capacity Act 2005
Links
