Coronavirus Support Helpline
The Coronavirus Support Helpline is a confidential Helpline for Jamati members.
Contact information is as follows:
UK; 020 8191 0911
coronasupport@iiuk.org
LOCAL COUNCIL GERMANY
Germany; 0 69 222 214 075
Austria; 0720 02 2905
Poland; 0223 07 2966
gc-coronasupport@iiuk.org
LOCAL COUNCIL SWEDEN
Sweden; 0850 63 8600
Netherlands; 020 262 8654
Denmark; 078 77 5052
Finland; 09 4272 3435
Norway; 800 25 142
sc-coronasupport@iiuk.org
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Savvy Saving
For those of us renters who have been impacted by COVID-19, if paying your monthly rent has become difficult, the government will ensure that you do not face the threat of eviction for at least three months. Legislation is being created so that landlords are not able to start proceedings to evict tenants for at least three months. As a starting point, speak to your landlord to see if you can work out a deferred payment plan explaining your individual circumstances. During this time, ensure that you are being careful with your finances and only spending on necessary items.
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Volunteering throughout COVID-19 (Europe)
Murids across Europe are encouraged to support national volunteering initiatives wherever possible. Below are a few European opportunities to support the Coronavirus Response.
Netherlands:
Sweden
Denmark
Norway
In order for us to capture information on how many Jamati members sign up to volunteer with these or other appeals, we request the Jamat to email akysb.info@iiuk.org to let us know if you sign up to these initiatives.
Information on how to volunteer within the Ismaili community will be shared shortly.
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Temporary Business Closures
The welfare of our colleagues, customers and partners must be our absolute priority throughout this time of uncertainty. With this in mind, the government has decided to close all premises that sell or provide non-essential goods and services until further notice. It is important that the Jamat comply with the decision taken by the government. For a full list of premises that are affected by this decision please click here.
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Government Support for Self-Employed
On Thursday, the UK government announced more support for the self-employed. Self-employed workers/partnerships may be able to apply for a taxable grant worth 80% of their profits (up to a cap of £2,500 a month) for an initial three months to help them cope with the financial impact of COVID-19. The Jamat should note:
- HMRC will reach out and ask you to complete a form
- If you are eligible, support will be paid as a cash lump-sum in early June, straight into your bank account
- HMRC will calculate the amount paid based on your last three years of annual earnings
- Applicants must have at least one year of self-employed earnings
- Applicants must have submitted their tax return for the 2018-19 tax year
- The scheme will be open to those with a trading profit of less than £50,000 in 2018-19 or an average trading profit of less than £50,000 from 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19
- To qualify, more than half of your income in these periods must come from self-employment
- Whatever cash support you receive will be taxable
- You will be able to continue working as well as receive this taxable grant
- The cash support will be from 1 March for 3 months (may be extended)
The government has also given the self-employed longer to pay their income tax, extending payments due in July 2020 under self-assessment to January 2021.
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Education Board
Online Q&A Sessions with the Aga Khan Education Board for Demark, Germany and The Netherlands.
How can I help my child with their learning at home? How much work should my child be doing per day? What non-academic activities could my child be doing at home? How can I help my child with keeping in touch with friends? I am studying at college/university, what does this mean for my course?
AKEB invites parents and students to join an online question and answer session, where education professionals will answer your questions about school closures.
Denmark: Saturday 28 March from 12.00-1.00pm covering early years, primary and secondary. To register please click here.
Germany: Sunday 29 March from 1.00-2.00pm covering early years and primary. To register please click here.
Germany: Sunday 29 March from 2.15-3.15pm covering secondary. To register please click here.
The Netherlands: Sunday 29 March from 9.00-10.00pm covering early years, primary, secondary and college/university students. To register please click here.
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Resources to Cope with Anxiety
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Remaining Active
It is vital not to forget the importance of active living during this time. Many of us will find that our daily step count will drastically reduce whilst we are staying at home, in addition to not being able to go to our local gym. That is no excuse to give up on exercise.
Check out The Body Coach who is conducting live P.E. classes for kids every morning at 9am (UK). The page is also packed with free home workouts for everyone, no matter what your fitness levels. And for the aspiring runners among you – you can still go outside for a run every day if you are not self-isolating. Why not use this time to go from Couch (potato) to 5k with this podcast!
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ITREB Thought of the Day: #FridayFaith
Did you know: The growth of Islam in the 7th century sparked a Golden Age of intellectual and scientific discovery. For five hundred years, from 813 onwards, the House of Wisdom in Baghdad became a world renowned academy attracting philosophers, scientists, scribes, theologians and translators from across the region. Scholars, both male and female, of many faiths and ethnicities were drawn to this intellectual powerhouse.
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