Hi!
You sound like you are not a physio. Is this right? I will assume you are not...
It is hard to teach you how to take care of your ankle without seeing you or putting our hands on to assess you.
However, there are some simple, non-dangerous things you can do to help yourself...
1. Use a bucket of water filled with ice. I have found this the best way to ice ankles. Make sure you keep your feet moving every now and then so the surrounding water doesn't get to warm! Be warned, you should check to see if you are susceptible to ice-burn...
2. If the waiting list for physio is 8 weeks, where do you live? Often ringing and speaking to a physio will give you good tips on what to do until then. It is so difficult to give advice when you don't know enough...
3. If you have to wait to see a physio (for free i am guessing), perhaps it would be beneficial to pay for one or two visits with a private practitioner (I am one, just declaring my background!). If someone told me the story up front and that they could only afford to come once or twice, i have always made sure they have all they can learn from me in that time and often the right exercises, stretches and advice can go a long way in helping you out until you get in to see a physio. I suggest this as you state you played footy - in Australia???
Apart from the above advice, i think it would be imprudent of me to offer any other advice as i could be harming you - even the ice could be bad for you if you do it wrong.
Let us know how you go!