Health and wellbeing FAQs

For customers concerned about their health and wellbeing

We aim to provide support where we can to anyone that needs it. First and foremost, we want to ensure that you have all available information and guidance in order to take care of your own health and wellbeing and the health and wellbeing of others.

As part of our Better Days service, we work with a range of trusted independent partners who can provide information and support on a wide range of issues, including feeling isolated, struggling with your mental health, dealing with physical illness or disability and relationship or family issues. Visit our Better Days myWellbeing section for advice and guidance.

How can I protect myself and others in the community?

There a few things you can do to protect yourself and others from contracting, or passing on coronavirus:

Follow the latest government advice
Wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water
Avoid touching the mouth, eyes and nose
Wear a mask inside any building that is not your own home - for example whilst visiting a supermarket
Maintain social distancing
You should at all times ensure you are 2 metres apart from anyone outside of your household

To read more about how to stay protected, visit:

Ventilating your home

It is important to ventilate your home when you have visitors, including family members, from outside you household or if someone in your household has COVID-19.

Letting fresh air into indoor spaces can help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The best way to improve ventilation is to open windows or doors slightly – this does not mean you have to be cold, opening windows or doors for just 10 minutes every hour whilst you have visitors will allow air to refresh.

If you are experiencing any difficulties with your energy bills or the cost of heating your home please visit our dedicated webpage here to find out what support is available to you.

What should I do if I am told to self-isolate?

Follow NHS advice, and take a look at the Mind toolkit. Information about how self-isolation may impact your work can be found here and by visiting our work and employment FAQs.

If you are interested in getting online whilst in lockdown, you can apply for FREE digital skills support delivered by our partner 'We Are Digital'. This service is tailored for our customers who are struggling with the impact of coronavirus.

Doing more online can be a great way of becoming more independent and making your life easier. Our partner, We Are Digital, can support you with any of the following:

Keeping in touch with friends and family through Skype, Facebook, WhatsApp, Zoom & MS Teams
Ordering groceries online and having them delivered to your door
Getting up-to-date information and news on the internet
Learning about online safety
Learning techniques for using Microsoft applications like PowerPoint and Excel
Learning how to use the Universal Credit app on your smartphone.
Learning how to create and use an email account
Filling in forms and applications online.

And so much more!

We can arrange for an experienced tutor to talk through how to use digital devices and equipment over the phone.

Please contact us to apply for digital skills support, and find out more information about getting online here.

What can I do about managing my mental health?

We all struggle with our mental health at times, and we all need support. Talking it through can help and it’s important that you know you are not alone. Your mental health is equally as important as your physical health.

As a part of our Better Days service, we work with the mental healthy charity Mind and togetherall. They provide a FREE confidential service offering you support and guidance by phone, text, or digitally. This service is called "Breathing Space".

Breathing Space supports Orbit customers who are experiencing difficulties with mental health issues. Breathing Space aims to prevent problems occurring or worsening, tackling the causes rather than dealing with the consequences. Our ultimate goal is to support our customers to be in control of their lives and feel empowered to contribute to their community and society.

Anyone can refer a customer to this service, with their consent, and customers can self-refer.

How can we help?

Option 1:

You can register for anonymous support via our digital online platform, Togetherall. This service is available for customers aged 16+ and focuses on digital support.

Togetherall is designed to help people get support, take control and feel better. It provides 24/7 peer-to-peer and professional support (from experienced clinicians who are always online), plus a range of courses and tools to help people self-manage their wellbeing. This service is safe, anonymous and free to all Breathing Space customers. You can visit www.togetherall.com/joinnow/orbit to self refer.

Option 2:

You can receive confidential support from our partner organisation, Mind. This service is for customers aged 18+ and offers support via telephone, text, and Skype.

Their experienced recovery workers will provide:

Space and time for you to talk
Advice and signposting to specialist and community services
Individualised coaching and information sessions
Mentors for personal goal setting and weekly support
Self-help tools to grow and develop skills and qualities
Where appropriate, fully-trained volunteers can enable people to build connections and enhance their own sense of well-being.

If you feel that this could be beneficial to you or a close friend or family member, and you are over 18 years of age, you can:

Complete your Breathing Space referral form
Call on 0208 303 8932 and press option 3
Text 07951 497 382 with your name and contact details

MIND will then get in touch with you.

Become a birder

Take some time to enjoy the moment and the environment around you. If you are lucky enough to have access to a garden or private outdoor space, you may have already been able to spot birds from inside your home – you’re officially a birder! How about joining in the British Trust for Ornithology Garden Bird Watch?

They are giving everyone free access to join their research during the coronavirus lockdown – so you can support your wellbeing and contribute to scientific research!

Practice mindfulness

Search for free online meditation classes or take a look at Smiling Minds YouTube mindfulness videos.

What should I do if I am struggling to feed myself/my family?

Visit the Trussell Trust website to find your nearest foodbank who can offer support and guidance.

Set up online grocery shopping accounts with your preferred supermarket, and find out more about online food delivery services here.

If you do not have access to digital equipment to enable you to shop online, please refer to our myDigital page for more information.

How can I find support in my local area?

Many local authorities/councils are coordinating community support for residents facing difficulties as a result of coronavirus. Working alongside local charities and community groups, they aim to help people who may be struggling with food or medical supplies as well as supporting those with issues relating to health, loneliness or money.

We have collated information from local authorities across the country and have published this on our local support page.

You can find contact details for your local authority, including links to information they have released regarding support that is available to local residents at this time, such as food deliveries and prescription collections. Whilst we keep this information regularly updated, Orbit is not responsible for the information published by other organisations.

To find activities happening near you, use our postcode search on our help and support page.

What should I do if I live in an area subject to local restrictions?

We’re aiming to keep you updated and informed, whilst keeping our services running. We are still running a full repairs and maintenance service for anyone living in an area with local restrictions in place. Information about how national and local restrictions could impact you can be found here. More information can also be found on the Government website.

What should I do if I am already isolated, feeling lonely and/or do not have support nearby?

Text cv19 to 07860 017 857 including your name and an Orbit colleague will contact you
Call us on 0800 678 1221 and press option 1 then option 4
Email us at betterdays@orbit.org.uk

Prepare for staying at home by taking a look at the Mind toolkit.

What should I do if I have health appointments booked?

Follow NHS advice, and contact your local GP surgery.

What should I do if I am a carer for someone?

Contact your local authority, who may be able to give you specific advice and guidance. You can find more information about how to do this by entering your postcode here. More coronavirus-specific support information is available on our local support page.

Find Government guidance by clicking here.

I need coronavirus information in a different language or format

Books Beyond Words have developed a picture-only booklet about coronavirus which is non-language dependent and therefore suitable for those with learning disabilities or autism. You can also download a free version of their wordless story app for smartphones and tablets from the App Store or Play Store.

Contact are regularly updating their information page for families with disabled children, and the National Deaf Children’s Society are providing updates on coronavirus support and ways to access British Sign Language NHS advice.

Doctors of the World have translated the latest NHS guidance into 43 languages. The CDC have also produced information in different languages.