Information, practical help and trusted resources for Clinically Vulnerable people and the families who live with them.
Start here
Where to start
Find out what clinical vulnerability means, or find guidance for organisations that support Clinically Vulnerable people.
Understand
What is clinical vulnerability?
Who is at higher risk, from what, and what helps. Our plain-English guide, with sources.
Find out more
For organisations
Resources for organisations
Guidance for schools, employers, healthcare and event organisers on including Clinically Vulnerable people.
Explore resources
I need help with…
Helpful services
Across the UK
Many services are run separately in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Each resource below links to the right page for where you live.
Health
Important if you are at higher risk from infections. In an emergency, always call 999.
Covid-19 treatments
Antiviral treatment for people at highest risk. Act quickly after a positive test.
- England NHS Contact your GP, 111 or hospital specialist
- Scotland NHS inform Phone your health board’s treatment number
- Wales GOV.WALES Contact your GP
- Northern Ireland nidirect Contact your GP or out-of-hours service
Covid-19 vaccine
Who is eligible this season, and how to get your vaccine.
- England NHS Book online, in the NHS App or on 119
- Scotland NHS inform You will be invited
- Wales Public Health Wales Your health board will invite you
- Northern Ireland nidirect At your GP, a pharmacy or an HSC clinic
Urgent medical advice
When you need help quickly but it is not an emergency.
- England NHS 111 online Or call 111
- Scotland NHS 24 Call 111, day or night
- Wales NHS 111 Wales Call 111, day or night
- Northern Ireland GP out of hours There is no 111 service; call your area’s out-of-hours number
From CVF
Paying for a vaccine privately
Not eligible on the NHS? Compare private ’flu and Covid-19 vaccine prices at the main pharmacy chains, cheapest first.
Power & water
Free registers that mean you get extra help, warnings and priority support if your power or water is cut off.
Electricity and gas
If you rely on medical equipment, or a power cut would put your health at risk.
- England, Scotland & Wales Priority Services Register Also tell your energy supplier
- Northern Ireland: electricity NIE Networks Customer Care Register
- Northern Ireland: gas Gas supplier care schemes Join your gas supplier’s scheme
Water
Priority help such as bottled water deliveries if your supply is interrupted.
- England CCW: priority services Register with your water company
- Scotland Scottish Water Priority Services Register
- Wales Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water priority services Or your own water company
- Northern Ireland NI Water Customer Care Register
Work, money & your rights
Free, independent advice
Confidential advice on benefits, work, housing, debt and discrimination.
- England Citizens Advice
- Scotland Citizens Advice Scotland Helpline 0800 028 1456
- Wales Citizens Advice Wales Advicelink Cymru 0800 702 2020
- Northern Ireland Advice NI Freephone 0800 915 4604
Children, families & carers
Is my child too ill for school?
When to keep your child at home, and when they can go in.
- England NHS
- Scotland Parent Club (Scottish Government)
- Northern Ireland Public Health Agency leaflet In 15 languages
Wales: there is no national guide for parents. Ask your school, GP or pharmacist.
Special educational needs advice
Free, independent advice for parents about support at school.
- England IPSEA advice line SEND
- Scotland Enquire helpline Additional support for learning
- Wales SNAP Cymru Additional learning needs
- Northern Ireland SENAC Advice line 028 9079 5779
Support for unpaid carers
Advice, rights and support if you look after someone.
- England Carers UK
- Scotland Carers Scotland
- Wales Carers Wales
- Northern Ireland Carers NI
From CVF
Schools and attendance
Our work on attendance for Clinically Vulnerable children, and our current survey.
Your wellbeing
Someone to talk to
If you are struggling or feel overwhelmed, you do not have to cope alone.
- UK-wide Samaritans Call 116 123 free, any time
- England NHS urgent mental health help
- Scotland Breathing Space 0800 83 85 87, evenings and weekends
- Wales C.A.L.L. Mental Health Helpline 0800 132 737, any time
- Northern Ireland Lifeline 0808 808 8000, any time
From CVF
Our support community
Weekly check-ins and online meet-ups with people who understand.
Voting safely
You have the right to vote in person safely. Thanks to our work, the Electoral Commission’s guidance for polling stations in England now recognises Clinically Vulnerable voters for the first time, so you can ask for what you need. A postal or proxy vote is there too, if it suits you better.
Changed by our work
Voting in person
In England, polling stations are now advised to:
- ventilate the room, by opening windows or doors, or with HEPA air filters where they can’t stay open
- have masks for staff, who should wear one when helping a voter who is masked: “see a mask, wear a mask”
- offer to check your photo ID outside if you wear a mask, where ID is needed for the election
- keep a distance when helping Clinically Vulnerable voters
You can keep your mask on. Contact your council’s electoral services before polling day to say what you need.
Find your electoral services team
Read the Electoral Commission guidance
How we changed the guidance
Postal or proxy vote
If you would rather not go in person, vote by post, or ask someone you trust to vote for you.
- England, Scotland & Wales Apply for a postal vote Online
- England, Scotland & Wales Apply for a proxy vote Online
- Northern Ireland Electoral Office for Northern Ireland Paper form by post; no online applications
Write to your MP or a public service
Ready-to-use template letters about masks and the new protest law, safer air in healthcare, and asking a public service for reasonable adjustments.
Our open letters
Our open letters to the Government and health bodies, backed by clinicians and scientists, and letters we have supported.
Can’t find what you need?
If you know of a resource that should be here, or you are looking for information you cannot find, tell us.
These links go to other organisations. CVF is not responsible for their content and does not provide their services.