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COVID-19  Residents Services  Help for businesses  Community support  Government advice

Community hub

In response to the coronavirus lockdown residents, communities, voluntary groups and businesses came together to support their family, friends and neighbours.

Community hubs were set up for those who did not have anyone to help so that no one was left without support.

This means there is a lot of information and support now available to help cope with the effects of coronavirus. This page tells you about the different options available.

If you know someone who is self-isolating, contact them by phone and text and check that they are okay. Self-isolation is a solitary experience and their well-being could be improved by talking to someone.

You can find an easy-read guide to coronavirus here.

Local services can offer help in many different ways:

You can find more information about local information, advice and support in our leaflet about extra support at the bottom of this page.

If you need advice on a health issue and aren’t sure what to do, you can use the NHS 111 online service or call 111. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones. You should use the NHS 111 service if you urgently need medical help or advice but it's not a life-threatening situation.

You can get help directly from the NHS Volunteer Responders. This service is available to:  

  • People who have ever been advised to shield,
  • Those who are vulnerable to coronavirus,
  • If you have caring responsibilities
  • If you are self-isolating.

NHS volunteers can help with shopping for food and essentials, collecting prescriptions, and a friendly chat.

If you, or someone you know, would like to register for support from the volunteers please call 0808 196 3646 (8am to 8pm, 7 days a week). Visit the website for more information: 

NHS Volunteer Responders

Community hubs are a partnership between the voluntary sector, health service, county council and district and borough councils in East Sussex. They are here to help people affected by the pandemic who have no one else to turn to

The hubs will listen to your needs and put you in touch with the group or person best placed to help locally. They can help you with things like:

  • Supporting you with options to help you get food and essentials.
  • Organising a volunteer to help you with shopping for food or essentials, or collecting your prescriptions
  • Putting you in touch with a local organisation or group who can help you cope with the impact of coronavirus
  • Referring you to local befriending services if you are lonely or isolated and would like someone to talk to.

Anyone who feels they need extra support to cope during the pandemic and has no other way to get it can use a hub.

People who can sort out online deliveries or get help from family, friends and neighbours should do so.

You might need help because you:

  • are isolating with symptoms of, or have been confirmed as having, Covid-19,
  • have been told to isolate as a result of test and trace,
  • have been abroad and are required to quarantine for a period of time,
  • are due to undergo an operation and need to isolate prior to the procedure, or
  • are anxious about returning to shopping following the relaxation of shielding.

The Lewes and Eastbourne community hubs are open Monday to Friday 8.30pm to 5pm. If you need to request support from our community hub, please contact us:

Request support now

For details of other community hubs supporting residents in East Sussex visit the community hubs - East Sussex webpage

You can download and print our handy Community hub leaflet (see below) to use yourself or to distribute in your local area.

For information on who to contact if you need extra support and other useful information, please download our leaflets below.

This leaflet is also available in 32 other languages. Please email East Sussex Policy and Strategy Admin to request this leaflet in a different format or language.