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 get a PCR test as soon as possible. You can get a PCR test from one of Lincolnshire's fixed testing sites, which are open 8am-8pm 7 days a week at:

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

You can also access a PCR test from our mobile testing units, or you can order a home PCR testing kit.

You will be given details of your nearest available testing facility when you book online. 

Asymptomatic testing

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

These tests can identify people who don't have COVID-19 symptoms but who are infectious. They detect cases quickly so positive cases can isolate immediately, breaking chains of transmission.

Regular asymptomatic testing is a vital part of the government’s roadmap to ease lockdown restrictions.  We recommend that people do lateral flow tests twice a week, especially if you can't work from home or are in a bubble or household with nursery, school or college children or staff.

You can get a lateral flow test by:

* Fixed testing sites are where people with COVID-19 symptoms can get a PCR test, between 8am and 12pm (you must book first). Drive-through lateral flow test collection is available from 1pm – there's no need to book.

Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms should self-isolate and book a PCR test immediately. Do NOT do a lateral flow test if you have symptoms.

Our testing sites are listed here, or you can visit the national COVID-19 Test and Vaccination Site Finder to find your nearest test centre.

What happens if I get a positive lateral flow test test? 

If the lateral flow test is positive you will need to book a confirmatory PCR test either online or by calling 119. In the meantime you and your household should self-isolate.

If a PCR result comes back negative within 2 days of the lateral flow test then you no longer have to self-isolate.

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.

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

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.

Help and support

If you are required to self-isolate you may be entitled to a self-isolation support payment. 

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

If you have Covid-19 symptoms book a test

COVID-19 workplace testing

All businesses in England can now sign up to the government’s free COVID-19 workplace asymptomatic testing programme.

Businesses can register to provide free, twice-weekly lateral flow tests for their employees. There are two options:

  • Businesses of any size can set up a testing site in their workplace to test employees.
  • Businesses with 10 or more employees who aren't able to set up testing on-site can order tests for employees to collect from their workplace to use at home.

An online portal has been launched for businesses to find out more about offering rapid workplace testing. They must register their interest by 12 April 2021. Once registered, businesses will be provided with all the information they need to plan and deliver their testing programme. The programme will remain free until the end of June

For small businesses that can’t offer rapid workplace testing, there are community asymptomatic testing sites throughout Lincolnshire where employees can go for a test.

Regular asymptomatic testing is a vital part of the government’s roadmap to ease lockdown restrictions and will become a routine part of working life.

Rapid lateral flow tests can identify people who don't have COVID-19 symptoms but who are infectious. They detect cases quickly so positive cases can isolate immediately, breaking chains of transmission. Regular testing could be the difference between a workplace being able to stay open and operational, or needing to close due to a COVID-19 outbreak.

Lateral flow tests are for people without symptoms (asymptomatic). People with COVID-19 symptoms should book for a PCR test as soon as possible.

Key points:

  • all those who can work from home should continue to do so
  • anyone with COVID-19 symptoms should self-isolate and book a PCR test. Do NOT do a lateral flow test if you have symptoms – this isn't the right test.
  • employees should not go for a lateral flow test if they have been told to self-isolate by Test and Trace or the NHS COVID-19 app
  • anyone with a positive lateral flow test via home testing will need to book for a confirmatory PCR test
  • employees who are in a household, support bubble or childcare bubble with children attending nursery, primary and secondary school or college, or with staff working in any of these settings, can now access twice-weekly lateral flow testing

COVID-19 testing sites

Asymptomatic testing sites

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:

  • Boston - Skirbeck St Nicholas Community Centre, Fishtoft Rd, Boston, PE21 0DJ. Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, and Saturday-Sunday 9am-5pm.
  • Gainsborough - Gainsborough Leisure Centre, The Avenue, Gainsborough DN21 1EP. Monday-Friday 8.30am-5pm.
  • Grantham - Grantham West Community Centre, Trent Road, Grantham, Lincs NG31 7XQ. Monday-Thursday 9am-4.30pm.
  • Horncastle - Stanhope Hall, 1 Boston Road, Horncastle, LN9 6EY.  Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9.30am-5pm, and Saturday 8am-1pm.
  • Lincoln - Sudbrooke Community Centre, Sudbrooke Drive, Lincoln LN2 2EF. Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, and Saturday-Sunday 9am-5pm.
  • Louth - Meridian Leisure Centre, Wood Lane, Louth, LN11 8SA. Monday - Wednesday 10am-6pm, and Thursday 7am-1pm.
  • Skegness - Arts Room, Embassy Theatre, Grand Parade, Skegness, PE25 2UG. Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10am-6pm.
  • Sleaford - Sleaford Town Football Club ground Eslaforde Park, Boston Road, Sleaford, NG34 9GH. Monday-Friday 8am-8pm.
  • Spalding - Four Seasons House, 10 Enterprise Way, Pinchbeck, Spalding PE11 3YR. Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, and Saturday-Sunday 9am-5pm.
  • Trusthorpe - Trusthorpe Village Hall, Sutton Road, Trusthorpe, LN12 2PL. Tuesday-Thursday 9am-5pm, and Friday 7.30am-2pm.

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

Drive-through lateral flow test collection is also available at these sites from 1pm – there's no need to book for this.

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

COVID-19 home contact testing

Contacts of positive COVID-19 cases, who are not experiencing symptoms, are being offered PCR tests which can be booked at www.gov.uk (or through 119).

This testing will be via a home PCR testing kit.

A negative PCR test result will not release the contact from self-isolation. A positive PCR test result will extend their self-isolation as they must isolate for 10 days from the date of the positive test.

As a contact of a case of coronavirus, when should I take a test?

If you are experiencing symptoms:

  • you should take a test in the first 8 days of having symptoms
  • on days 1 to 7, you can get tested at a site or at home – if you're ordering a home test kit on day 7, do it by 3pm
  • on day 8, you need to go to a test site – it's too late to order a home test kit

If you are not experiencing symptoms:

  • you can take the test at any point within your self-isolation period, but we advise you test as soon as possible
  • you will have to complete your self-isolation period even if you test negative
  • do not request a PCR test if you’ve tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 90 days - this is because the test may pick up COVID-19 after you have recovered from it and are no longer infectious

If I am a contact who has had a positive test result and have already been self-isolating why will my self-isolation be extended if my test result is positive?

If you test positive even though you are asymptomatic, you will have to self-isolate for an additional 10 days from the point of receiving your result. 

If I am a contact who is asymptomatic why will I not be able to end my self-isolation early if I take a test and the result is negative?

Receiving a negative result does not replace self-isolation in any way. Close contacts who test negative will still have to complete 10 days of self-isolation, as the virus’ incubation period means there is still a risk of developing COVID-19 and you may still be infectious. This means anyone leaving self-isolation early could still inadvertently infect others if they become positive at a later date.

I have recently had COVID19, should I book a home PCR test?

No  - do not request a PCR test if you have had a positive COVID-19 test result in the last 90 days. This is because the test may pick up COVID-19 after you have recovered from it and are no longer infectious. 

Reinstatement of confirmatory PCR Testing

From Monday 29 March in England, cases who have a positive LFD test result will be strongly encouraged to take a follow up confirmatory PCR test. Cases will receive a SMS/email following a positive LFD test result, asking them to book a follow up confirmatory PCR test.

If the case had:

  • a LFD test at home and their follow up PCR test result is negative, then they can stop isolating on receipt of negative PCR result
  • a LFD test carried out with a trained assistant present and the negative result of their PCR test which was taken within 2 days of the date of the initial LFD test, then they will be notified that they no longer have to self isolate
  • if a PCR test is taken more than 2 days after the date of the initial LFD test, then the legal duty to self isolate remains

Contacts of the case will also be marked as ‘Deleted Incident’ and will receive a text (or email) to notify them that they no longer need to self-isolate. Contacts must check the account ID number on the text/email matches the account ID number on the original notification to self-isolate. If the account ID number is the same then they should follow the instruction on the latest email/text and they no longer need to self-isolate. If they have received advice to self-isolate from NHS Test and Trace with a different account ID, then they should follow that advice.

How are cases notified that they no longer have to self-isolate?

If a case ( who had a LFD test carried out with a trained assistant present ) receives a negative PCR test result (from a test taken within 2 days of the date of the initial LFD test) then:

  • the case will be marked with a ‘Deleted Incident’ status on NHS Test and Trace
  • they will receive a text (or email) to notify them that their self isolation can end

Contacts of the case will also be marked as ‘Deleted Incident’ and will receive a text (or email) to notify them that they no longer need to self isolate.

If a case/contact does not have a mobile number or an email address then they will be manually notified that they no longer have to self-isolate by a ringfenced Trace team.