Spirit of Salford Helpline

Support from Salford City Council during coronavirus

Our Spirit of Salford Helpline has been set up for you to get help, support and advice on lots of different issues that you might be facing at the moment.

The helpline number is 0800 952 1000 and is open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 6pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm. Alternatively you can click on the ‘Tell us about any help needed’ button below and fill out our form and somebody will contact you.

If phone calls are a challenge, you can access the support via SMS, please text 07860 022876. Messages will be responded to by the next working day.

Tell us about any help needed

We can help you with:

• Test and Trace payments - Have you had an application for a test and trace payment refused, or accepted but still need further support 
• Connexions - Are you a 15 to 24-year-old or their parent looking for help and support with education, training, and careers?
• Motiv8 - Are you aged 25 or over and not in employment or training? If so, we can help you get back on track.
• Community/voluntary sector - Are you self-isolating and in need of practical help, or support to connect with others? If you are currently not getting help from family and friends, and you need some practical support such as collection of shopping or other essential items; or you are unable to exercise your dog or access pet food, we have a team of neighbourhood response volunteers who can assist you.
• Benefits – Do you want to talk about benefits you may be entitled to or help with applying. Do you need advice and support for Housing Benefit, Discretionary Housing Payments or Free School Meals?
• Council Tax - Has your income reduced or have your financial circumstances changed? Do you need help with council tax support, payment plans, council tax reductions, other exemptions or getting back on track?
• Digital buddies - Do you need help to use your phone, tablet, or computer to communicate well? We can help with one-to-one support to help you solve your digital skills challenges. 
• Digital inclusion - We can support you on your digital journey, if you would like to learn new skills or improve on existing skills, we can help you find the help and support you need. We can also offer advice on any available schemes that may help with connectivity and devices.
• Feeling isolated and lonely - Are you feeling a bit lonely and isolated? Would you like someone to contact you and talk through how they can support you to feel less isolated?
• Homelessness or housing advice – Do you need free confidential advice on housing options and homelessness?
• Mental health support - Support with managing anxiety/ depression and routine, motivation and purpose, mental wellbeing resilience, mental health specific support, talking therapies, help with managing thoughts of harming yourself
• Neighbourhood support and connections - Are you self-isolating and in need of practical help, or support to connect with others?
• Pregnant women and new mums - Is the household in financial crisis with a child in nappies requiring support with Infant formula, Nappies, or family hygiene essentials? Also, if you are pregnant or have a young child under four years you could get Healthy Start Vouchers to help buy basic foods. Eligibility Criteria - Women who are at least ten weeks pregnant and families with children under four years old qualify for Healthy Start if the family is getting - Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Child Tax Credit (with a family income of £16,190 or less per year) or Universal Credit (with a family take home pay of £408 or less per month)
• Public Health - Do you need specific advice on self-isolation or infection control in your home or workplace? If yes, please tell us more below if you are a carer or if someone in your household is extremely vulnerable to the virus
• Salford Assist - Short term support in a crisis – Do you need baby milk, nappies or help with emergency supplies? This could be help with an emergency supply of gas or electric where there is no heating in the household?
• Salford Citizens Advice - Consumer, employment, housing, immigration, legal /family, advice. Rights to health, social and community care services and support around bereavement. Problems with private sector landlords. Rights to education, health, and community care for disabled children
• Salford Credit Union- Do you have a financial emergency where a loan up to £500 could help get you back on track?
• Skills and Work Team – Have you been struggling to find work for a long time? Are you newly unemployed? Do you want help finding a new career? Are you looking for training opportunities? Do you want help increasing your skills for work? Are you looking for an apprenticeship?
• Social Help - Do you need someone to help with pet services / dog walking? Or do you have special dietary requirements?
• Welfare Rights and Debt Advice - Has your income recently stopped or reduced? Do you need advice about social security benefits? Do you need independent, confidential advice about social security benefits or advice for managing multiple debts?​

We can also help if you’re a carer and want any advice, or if you just have questions about self-isolation or the current situation. If you’re self-isolating, or just want to know more about this, download the booklet below, it’s full of useful information, advice and tips.

Self-isolation support booklet (Adobe PDF format, 557kb)

Are you worried about your mental health and wellbeing?

We have arranged mental health support with a new Salford mental health collaborative, Beyond, for people not known to the Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Beyond can put you in touch with:

• Online self-help and wellbeing support
• One to one support
• Help to adapt or develop a new routine when self-isolating/social distancing
• Talking therapies support

If you are already known to a Salford community mental health team, or you have a care co-ordinator (for example a Community Psychiatric Nurse) please ring the Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust telephone line on 01204 483071.

If you are worried about keeping yourself safe from thoughts of suicide or self-harm call the Samaritans (freephone) 116 123 or access the SHOUT Crisis Text Support (open to all Salford residents). Text GMSalford to 85258 or visit the SHOUT website.

If there is an immediate risk of harm to yourself or others please go directly to Accident and Emergency at your local hospital.

Tell us about any help needed

This page was last updated on 15 July 2021