Coronavirus Covid 19 – UK Resources for Writers, Artists, Creatives, Freelancers & Small Businesses

We are in an unprecedented time. The Covid-19 pandemic is impacting every single person on the planet in a multitude of ways. I wanted to share some resources I’ve found helpful – please share with your colleagues, networks and friends who run small businesses, arts organisations or are self-employed freelancers, especially folk in the creative industries.

Creativity helps us finds solutions to problems as well as explore what it means to be human and have fun! I believe everyone is creative though sometimes we need a little help to tap into it.

We’re really going to need our creativity in the coming months years while we find our way through this storm.

I’m also disabled. I have a chronic condition (fibromyalgia/chronic pain) and, like my friends in the chronic illness and disabled community, we are bosses at coping with the unconventional, like how to work and play when bedbound, housebound, ill for long periods, or shielding. Social distancing? We got this!

FYI I’m based in Scotland, so some resources are UK-based and I’ll add more as I find them. Feel free to email resources to me jeda@jedapearl.com and I’ll add them.

Why has it taken a pandemic to provide ubiquitous online access to events and education, plus the flexibility of working from home?

Please be aware that disabled and chronically ill people have been fighting for years for many of the measures that are swiftly being put in place for everyone since Covid-19. And while it’s wonderful to see the campaigning, listening, community support and digital access, it’s been equally frustrating and upsetting to experience harmful ableist language and things like the sudden flood to digital, live streaming of events, education & classes or ‘of course you can work from home’ as a forced plan B or only for ‘healthy’ people/ableds. It never had to be either/or. Access should be for all, not a privilege. (Read this article in the Ecologist by Laura C Elliott.) Be aware of your privileges and consider how you can be a better ally.

Wishing you and your loved ones the strength to weather the storm (plus the wisdom and energy to help create lasting change).


BTW, links on this page do not open in a new tab

Mental and physical health

Mental health 

Mind | Breathing Space | Samaritans

Mindfulness:

Bereavement and grieving – community and support

UK

International

Living with Long Covid

Welcome to the chronic illness community! There is some great community support out there. There are many energy-limiting chronic illnesses, including rheumatological and neurological conditions, terminal illnesses, sickle cell disease, and more. Below are some links with further resources. While you may not identify as disabled, if you have a chronic illness which has a significant impact on your daily life, you may be entitled to certain reasonable adjustments at work/study and disability benefits.

Resources by/for people living with chronic illness

By people who are chronicaly ill with energy-limiting conditions (own voices):

For people who are chronically ill with energy-limiting conditions:

Rest and pacing

Rest and pacing is vital for people with ELCI (Energy-Limiting Chronic Illness) but can be useful for everyone to know about and incorporate into their lives.

Pacing guides:

Rest and relaxation, during flare-ups, periods of low-energy, recovery or illness:

Fitness and exercise


Helpful resources for creators and freelancers

Creative Freelancers Illustrated Guide (general guide, UK)

Arts Councils: Creative ScotlandEngland | Wales | N. Ireland | Creative Europe | Ireland

Support: Society of Authors | Independent Arts Projects | The Dots | Covid-19 Freelance Artist Resource (USA & international)

Work: Disability Arts Online | Freelance Writing Jobs | Creative Scotland Opportunities

Check with your local councils, arts bodies and sector organisations for grants and support.


Creative activities and happenings

Literary happenings past and upcoming (digital, in-person, hybrid):

Creative happenings past and upcoming (digital, in-person, hybrid):

  • The Remote Body (online) art, reading, performance, workshops – ‘fostering community and hosting remote events for the isolated in the current crisis and beyond, for all but prioritising chronically ill and disabled folx.’
  • Day of Access (Scotland, online)
  • Curating for Culture – a public archive for India during the pandemic

General resources

Medical and government resources + news

Huge thanks to all frontline medical staff, especially nurses, doctors and cleaners. Big up all our keyworkers – teachers, scientists, store staff, rubbish collectors, postal staff, delivery drivers, journalists, parents, carers, creators, volunteers, activists and everyone making sacrifices/creating spaces and you – whatever small thing you can do makes a difference.


UK practical help

Covid Mutual Aid UK – find your local community group

Don’t panic-buy! Donate your overflow to food banks. Support your local grocery stores

Grocery shopping online? Many elderly, vulnerable, chronically ill and disabled people were unable to get home delivery slots during 2020 and 2021. Please only shop online for groceries if you’re physically unable or find it very difficult to pick up shopping in-person.

Scottish Government Business Support Helpline: 0300 303 0660 (Mon – Fri 8:30 am – 17:30 pm)

UK Government support for employees and businesses

Connecting in isolation – video calls

Large groups, hosting meetings, delivering interactive workshops:

  •  Zoom (unlimited mins free 1-to-1, or 40 mins free for group calls up to 100 people)
  • Cisco Webex (50 mins free, up to 100 people)
  • They both cover lots of needs, from live interactive classes, to recordings, captions and much more. Download the PDF.

Simple 1-way live streaming or class delivery:

Pairs, small groups (everyone needs an account):


Hopeflly some of the above resources have been useful. If you have a resource that should be on here, please contact me. Look after each other. ❤️

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