Community help and volunteering

We recognise that Coronavirus is one the biggest health challenges we have ever faced within our communities in many years. This is why we need everyone who can to follow the government advice in helping us tackle it.

Across Lincolnshire people continue to play their part in the fight against the virus and many vulnerable people who need support.

The act of volunteering at this time can make a huge difference to many people within our communities. Simple acts of kindness can contribute towards keeping some of the most vulnerable people well and out of hospital.

Your help has the potential to make a real difference to some of those most affected by this outbreak – from delivering essential prescriptions to calling to check on the wellbeing of those self-isolating.

Your local councils, voluntary organisations, community groups and volunteers are all working together to ensure everyone has a local point of contact and support if they are self-isolating.

You can volunteer to help and support people with things like:

  • Shopping
  • Getting prescriptions
  • Dog walking
  • Friendly chats

I want to help others

Lincolnshire councils and partners have been working with local community groups and volunteers. This has ensured there is a local point of contact for those self-isolating or in need.

Those who would like to volunteer can contact:

Thank you to all those who have offered and provided their support. Responses across our communities has been truly remarkable.

I am looking for help

Each neighbourhood has set up groups of people who have come together to help those who are not able to leave their home.

You are not alone. Let us know if you need help and we will link you up with them.

Local volunteers may be able to help you with things like:

  • shopping
  • getting prescriptions
  • dog-walking
  • friendly chat

I want to request help from a volunteer

Alternatively, call us on 01522 782189.

Support agencies

Established voluntary organisations and links to the town and parish councils in your area.

NHS volunteer responders

Voluntary centre services

Good neighbour schemes

British Red Cross – community reserve volunteers

Age UK - Lincoln and South Lincolnshire

Evergreen care trust

Lincolnshire community and voluntary service

RAF benevolent fund

The RAF benevolent fund has begun several new initiatives alongside established support for members of the RAF family. These are some of the services they now offer:

All these services can be requested via their welfare helpline on 0300 222 5703 or by visiting the website.

District councils

Town and parish councils

Specialist support groups

Details of support groups and links to information which can help you manage your condition at home.

Asthma

Arthritis

Autistic people

Cancer

Cystic Fibrosis

Diabetes  

HIV

Inflammatory Bowel disease

Kidney Disease

Learning disability

Liver disease

Mental health

Muscular Dystrophy

Neurological disease

Respiratory conditions

Sickle Cell Disorder

Visual impairment

LRF member organisations

Member organisations of the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum.

Local authorities

  • Lincolnshire County Council
  • East Lindsey District Council
  • West Lindsey District Council
  • North Kesteven District Council
  • South Kesteven District Council
  • City of Lincoln Council
  • Boston Borough Council
  • South Holland District Council

Health

  • CCGs
  • NHS England
  • ULHT
  • LPFT
  • LCHS

Emergency Services

  • Police
  • EMAS
  • Fire and Rescue
  • Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Utilities

  • Western Power
  • Anglian Water
  • IDBs
  • BT
  • East Midland Trains / Network Rail

Government departments

  • MoD (RAF and Army)
  • MHCLG
  • Met Office
  • Environment Agency
  • HM Prisons
  • Highways England
  • Public Health England

Voluntary sector

  • British Red Cross
  • RAYNET
  • 4x4 Groups
  • Faith responders
  • Coastwatch

Others

  • NFU

Self-isolation support payments

District Councils across Lincolnshire are delivering a nation-wide scheme to support people on low incomes who have to self-isolate if they test positive for coronavirus and cannot work from home.

The scheme is offering £500 support payments to help workers on low income.

The Test and Trace Support Payment has been introduced by the government in response to feedback from local authorities and directors of public health that some residents are struggling to self-isolate due to financial constraints.

The support payment will help ensure that people on low incomes are able to stay at home and self-isolate when they are instructed to do so by the NHS Test and Trace.

It will also encourage more people to get tested without the added pressure of losing income. It is hoped the scheme will help lead to a reduction in the transmissions of COVID-19.

Further information can be found on District Council websites:

 

COVID-19 testing

There are two types of test available to Lincolnshire residents: 

  • Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests 
  • Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests 

The type of test you need depends on your circumstances. 

Symptomatic testing 

If you have COVID-19 symptoms then you should self-isolate and book a PCR test as soon as possible at one of our fixed testing sites. These sites are open between 8am and 12pm for PCR tests (you must book first), and from 1pm for drive-through lateral flow test collection (no need to book). 

Asymptomatic testing 

If you do not have COVID-19 symptoms you can do a lateral flow test.  

Everyone in England can take a free lateral flow test twice a week. However please note that lateral flow tests are NOT recommended for: 

  • anyone with COVID-19 symptoms - if you have symptoms you should self-isolate and book a PCR test immediately – do NOT do a lateral flow test
  • children who are primary-age or younger should not do lateral flow tests - these children should only have a PCR test if they have COVID-19 symptoms

Regular asymptomatic testing is a vital part of the plan to reopen society and the economy, and to suppress the spread of variants.  

Rapid lateral flow tests identify people who don't have COVID-19 symptoms but who can still infect others. They give a result in 30 minutes so positive cases can isolate immediately. This helps stop the virus spreading.  

Getting tested regularly is the only way to know if you have the virus. Along with hand washing, wearing a mask and social distancing, regular testing is another way of protecting each other.  

Lateral flow tests can be done in two ways: 

We have a list of testing sites, or you can visit the national COVID-19 Test and Vaccination Site Finder to find your nearest test centre. 

Lateral follow tests can also be collected from a participating pharmacy. Find your nearest pharmacy or test site with the COVID-19 Test and Vaccination Site Finder.

When should I do a lateral flow test? 

It's recommended that people do a lateral flow test twice a week.

Take a test before you leave home to go to work or school, before meeting friends or attending an appointment. Do another test 3-4 days later. 

People who are part of a workplace, school or university testing programme will have their own testing regimes to follow. 

What happens if I get a positive lateral flow test?  

If the lateral flow test is positive you will be prompted to book for a confirmatory PCR test. In the meantime you and your household should self-isolate. 

Try to have your follow-up PCR test within 2 days of the positive lateral flow test. If you wait longer than this then you may still have to self-isolate for 10 days even if the PCR result is negative.  

NHS Test and Trace will notify you if your follow-up PCR test is negative and you can stop isolating. They will also notify you if your follow-up PCR test is positive and advise you on self-isolation.  

What happens if I get a negative lateral flow test? 

If the lateral flow test is negative you could still be infectious so continue to follow the usual precautions such as hand washing, wearing a mask and social distancing. 

Do NOT do a lateral flow test if you have symptoms. If you have COVID-19 symptoms and get a negative lateral flow test, you should self-isolate and book a PCR test.  

How many kits can I pick up? 

You can collect two test kits, each contains seven tests. This is enough for seven weeks of twice-weekly tests. If you are not able to collect in person, you can order online where you will receive one test kit for each order. 

I'm a contact of a positive case, should I take a test? 

Contacts of a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 need to self-isolate at home for 10 days because they are at risk of developing COVID-19 in this time. 

Because of this risk, contacts will be asked to take a home PCR test even if they don't have symptoms. Again, this should be done as soon as possible. If you develop COVID-19 symptoms during the 10 days, you should arrange for a PCR test. 

If the PCR result is negative, you will still have to complete the 10 day self-isolation as the virus incubation period means there's still a risk of developing COVID-19 and you may be infectious. 

If the PCR result is positive, you will need to start the 10 day self-isolation again from the date of your positive result. 

Do not do a lateral flow test if you're self-isolating. A negative result does not mean you can end self-isolation as you may be incubating the virus and could infect other people.  

I've had COVID-19 in the last 90 days, should I take a test? 

If you've had a positive PCR result in the last 90 days do NOT do another PCR test, unless you develop COVID-19 symptoms.

What help and support is available to me if I need to self-isolate?

You may be entitled to a Test and Trace Support Payment of £500.

For further support, advice and guidance call the county council's COVID helpline on 01522 782189.

COVID-19 testing sites

Asymptomatic testing sites

The asymptomatic testing sites at Boston, Sleaford, Pinchbeck and Lincoln are now closed. You can do lateral flow tests at any of the other asymptomatic testing sites listed below or collect self-test kits to do at home from a testing site, local pharmacy or order test kits online.

If you do not have COVID-19 symptoms you can do a lateral flow test or collect a test to do at home at the following locations - you do not have to book:

  • Gainsborough - Gainsborough Leisure Centre, The Avenue, Gainsborough DN21 1EP. Monday-Friday 9.30am-5pm.
  • Market Rasen - Festival Hall, Caistor Road, Market Rasen, LN8 3HT. Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.

You can also use the national COVID-19 Test and Vaccination Site Finder.

Symptomatic testing sites

If you have COVID-19 symptoms then you should self-isolate and book a PCR test as soon as possible at one of our fixed testing sites:

  • Lincolnshire Showground
  • University of Lincoln (this site is for the public, as well as students)
  • Skegness
  • Boston
  • Gainsborough
  • Grantham