Helping third time Leeds Covid shielders combat social isolation and loneliness

Guidance from the Government advises that those who are considered clinically extremely vulnerable - defined by the NHS as those at high risk from Covid-19 - should no longer attend work, school, college or university.

Disabled and cared for people are among more than two million people being asked to once again limit time they spend outside their home.

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City charity Carers Leeds said it is anticipating an increase in the emotional support that it will need to offer unpaid family carers as many cared for people will once again be shielding during the latest lockdown.

Leeds charity Dream CIO, which was set up to combat social isolation among disabled people, is continuing to send out monthly arts and craft packs to its 25 members and hold weekly Zoom meetings.

In his televised address announcing the latest lockdown, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "If you are clinically extremely vulnerable, we are advising you to begin shielding again and you will shortly receive a letter about what this means for you."

This group should limit the time they spend outside their home, only going out for medical appointments, exercise or if it is essential.

Anyone in the clinically extremely vulnerable group will have previously had a letter earlier in the pandemic from the NHS or their GP informing them of their status.

They include solid organ transplant recipients, people with specific cancers, people with severe respiratory conditions, adults with Down's syndrome and adults on dialysis, among others.

Brenda Taylor, 63, of Yeadon, founded charity Dream CIO in 2004 after realising there was a need for a support group to combat social isolation among people with a wide range of disabilities in Leeds.

In normal times, the group's 25 members meet on Monday afternoons at St John's Church Hall in Yeadon.

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Brenda said the group is sending arts and crafts packs to its members once a month and weekly Zoom meetings are helping combat isolation.

Brenda said around a dozen members of the group are shielding, adding : "One of the main aims of Dream CIO is to combat social isolation, which was a big thing for disabled people before Covid came along.

"It is affecting a lot of people's mental health because they haven't been able to meet up. We are trying to combat that through having the Zoom meetings and by sending the packs out.

"They are missing the human contact. All people want to do is hug and meet other people.

"We are at the end of the phone and on email if they need to talk."

Carers Leeds, a service which supports unpaid carers, has been open throughout the pandemic, giving information, advice and emotional support to carers through their advice line, online and through support groups and social events via Zoom.

Steve Taylor, head of operations at Carers Leeds, said: "Some carers we've spoken to have been shielding prior to this lockdown in order to protect their loved ones.

"Being unable to leave the house increases the loneliness and isolation but carers are doing all they can to protect the person they care for.

"Carers in Leeds this week have reported that this latest lockdown has left them feeling low, worried, anxious and out of control.

"They are worried about travelling to the person they care, how to prove they are a carer if challenged and the impact on the mental health of the person they care for."

Mr Taylor said many of the cared for people will be shielding again now so carers will have to take additional measures like wearing PPE outside and getting changed so they don't bring Covid into the home.