This is where you can find information about coronavirus (COVID-19) including what you can do to protect yourself, and the impact of the disease on our services.
More on coronavirus: Westminster reopens, Westminster Connects, businesses, updates.
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1. For the most vulnerable
Support for the most vulnerable, including those who are shielded.
2. Test and Trace
As our city starts to reopen, NHS Test and Trace will help to reduce the spread of coronavirus and contain and stop outbreaks. It will help the NHS to keep the rate of reproduction, the ‘R’ number, below 1 so that the Council can continue to support the safe reopening of our city.
Find out more about the NHS Test and Trace programme.
3. Mental health
It’s important that you take care of your mind as well as your body and get further support if you need it.
Information, tips and simple steps to look after your wellbeing during the coronavirus outbreak
4. Financial advice
Find out more about the support available for public services, people and businesses through coronavirus.
5. Child and domestic abuse
Child abuse
Working alongside Kensington and Chelsea Council (RBKC), we’ve launched a campaign to encourage those who may have concerns about potential child abuse to reach out to those who can help. Find out more.
Domestic abuse
The COVID-19 outbreak brings new challenges for people who are living through domestic abuse. The advice to stay at home may cause anxiety for those who are experiencing, or at risk of, domestic abuse. It is important to remember that support is available. Whilst people should stay at home wherever possible to avoid the spread of COVID-19, anyone experiencing domestic abuse is still able to leave and seek refuge.
This page provides an overview of support that is available to victims and survivors in Westminster during this difficult time.
In addition to the resources below, there is also Home Office guidance for those experiencing or at risk of domestic abuse, including numbers that people can contact.
Support from the police
All support from the police is continuing as normal and police stations remain open. If you are at risk, there are steps the police can take to remove an abuser from the home. In an emergency, always call 999 and ask for the police. If you are in danger and unable to talk on the phone, call 999 and then press 55. This will transfer your call to the relevant police force who will assist you without you having to speak.
For non-emergency support, call 101. There are safeguarding teams and specialist investigators on duty 24 hours a day for advice and help.
Support from domestic abuse services
The Angelou Partnership
The Angelou Partnership is the support service for the boroughs of Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea and Hammersmith. It can provide support if you have been subjected to domestic abuse, sexual violence, stalking, forced marriage, so called honour-based violence, female genital mutilation and child exploitation. It provides specialist support to the Black, Minority and Ethnic and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender communities.
Angelou support is moving from face-to-face sessions to telephone and online based support. please contact the number below for support and details of service provision.
0808 801 0660 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm and Wednesday, 6pm to 9pm)
Women’s Aid
Where telephone support is not safe, Women’s Aid have an online service to support you. This includes an instant messaging service (Monday to Friday, 10am to 12pm), email support (response within 5 days), a survivor’s handbook (to get help on housing, safety planning, dealing with police and more) and a community of survivor’s forum.
Hestia’s Bright Sky app
Bright Sky is a free to download mobile app providing support and information to anyone who may be in an abusive relationship. The app displays as a weather app. It has a secure journal tool to record behaviour via text, audio, video or photo, without the content being stored on your device.
Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA)
Economic abuse can happen when an abuser restricts how their partner acquires, uses and maintains money and resources, such as accommodation, food, clothing and transport. SEA have put together a helpful resource which provides an overview of support available to anyone who is experiencing economic abuse. It also contains information on financial support that is available.
Additional local and national helplines
- Victim Support
- Men’s Advice Line
- National Stalking Helpline
- Samaritans
- Forced Marriage Unit
- Female genital mutilation - contact NSPCC or childline
6. Furloughing
Find out more about coronavirus job retention scheme.
7. Lockdown guidance
8. Your questions answered by the Leader
Councillor Rachael Robathan hosted a Facebook Live event on Friday 29 May 2020. These events are a unique opportunity to engage with the Leader on the council's response to the coronavirus pandemic.