Coronavirus

You can help!!

Covid-19 Survey for Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector Organisations
In these uncertain times amid the outbreak of the Covid-19 coronavirus, we recognise that many organisations in the Cumbria Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector are having to make tough decisions about the services they offer and if these can continue to operate over the coming weeks and months.

We also understand that this will have a huge impact on organisations in many ways and that this will be a major concern for many of you.

Cumbria Community Resilience Group have put together a short survey to establish the bigger picture across the county.  We’d be extremely grateful if you could spare a few minutes to complete it.

This information will help us to develop a strategy with partners and stakeholders to provide the right help and support to protect the sector and the valuable role it plays in many people’s lives.  We will share the findings through the Community Resilience Group.

The deadline for the survey is (midnight) Sunday 29 March 2020.

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/CCovid-19

Being prepared

It’s hard to miss the fact that the country is preparing for Coronavirus (also known as Covid-19), but whilst there’s a lot of information available, there’s not a lot of advice tailored to the needs of small, local third sector organisations.
This webpage aims to direct you to the information that is available, and to help fill some of the gaps.

Please note that this information is correct at the time of being made available.

Key information sources

Please note that these websites are constantly being updated to reflect new information, advice and guidance and so please do check them frequently for the most up to date information:

Government
https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

NHS
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19

Remember: NHS trusted social media accounts have a blue tick

Travel
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Cumbria
https://cumbria.gov.uk/coronavirus/

Support Cumbria -Multi-agency supported website supporting volunteers and organisations

Eden Project – Community Action Response Press release & Poster

Active Cumbria: https://www.activecumbria.org/

ACT: http://www.cumbriaaction.org.uk/

Pets
Guidance leaflet on Pet Support when self-isolating

What should we do?
At all times it is important to follow the advice provided by the Government and the NHS and so please visit their websites to check on the latest advice.

  • People who are concerned they are suffering symptoms that may be due to Coronavirus can use the tool on the NHS 111 website in the first instance https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19 where possible to check what they should do.

Active Cumbria have developed  specific resources for the sport and physical activity sector: https://www.activecumbria.org/workforce/coronavirus-update-sector/

Active Cumbria have also developed a comprehensive list of activities people can do at this time #StayInWorkOut: http://www.activecumbria.org/stayinworkout

Buildings

  • Display copies of the Workplace Handwashing and Hygiene Poster prominently in public areas and in the toilets of your building. You can get a copy here: Workplace Handwashing and Hygiene A4 Poster (PDF)
  • Make sure you have supplies available for people to wash and dry their hands in line with the advice on the Poster and that clear advice is visible.
  • Ensure there are signs up notifying people whether they can access the building or not and how to contact you/access your services by phone/email

Online Fraud

Third Sector Organisations

Volunteering Opportunities
Cumbria CVS is working with local organisations to promote some of these current volunteering opportunities – please see attached Covid 19 Volunteer Vacancies (24/03/20)
If you are interested – or know someone else who is – please contact the organisations directly.

If you wish to be added to the Cumbria CVS database to be kept up to date on the latest Covid-19 Volunteering opportunities please complete and return this form: Covid-19 Volunteer Form

Need Volunteers?
If your organisation is looking for volunteers for extra help during Covid 19, please contact Cumbria CVS to register these. Please complete and submit the attached Registration Form and return it to Cumbria CVS (info@cumbriacvs.org.uk).

Access our full list of volunteering support, advice and downloadable resources here: https://cumbriacvs.org.uk/coronavirus/covid-19-volunteering/


Advice to businesses which may be relevant to some larger third sector organisations:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19

Advice for Trustees:(meetings and annual returns)
https://www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/charity-commission-releases-advice-for-trustee-meetings-during-covid-19.html

https://www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/covid-19-means-charities-can-ask-for-extensions-on-filing-annual-returns.html

Cumbria Chamber of Commerce

Food Preparation
Preparing Food at Home for Donation COVID – 19 : Advice and risk assessment form (download a copy here)

Advice for those operating in a health and social care setting:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-social-or-community-care-and-residential-settings-on-covid-19

A full list of Goverment guidance:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-guidance

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) has some guidance to help you decide what steps you and your organisation may need to take in light of the spread of the covid-19 virus including updates on sick leave; managing finances and planning for staff/volunteers to work from home:
https://www.ncvo.org.uk/practical-support/information/coronavirus

NESTA: How can we support the voluntary and community sector as they respond to COVID-19.
https://www.nesta.org.uk/blog/going-distance/

 

Funding:

National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF)
Many charities and community organisations across the UK are facing increasing challenges as a result of COVID-19 and the NLCF want to support those they fund as far as is possible at this difficult time.Please click here for the latest statement from Dawn Austwick, CEO, The National Lottery Community Fund, on their website:
https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/news/press-releases/2020-03-17/updated-statement-from-dawn-austwick-ceo-the-national-lottery-community-fund-covid-19


Cumbria Community Foundation
On 17 March 2020, Cumbria Community Foundation set up a fund to help charitable groups support vulnerable people affected by Coronavirus (COVID-19). As the virus spreads across the county, those who are vulnerable will be hardest hit and in times of crisis, many people turn to charities for support.

Like other sectors, Cumbria’s charitable organisations are likely to face challenges in the coming weeks and months. There will be an increase in demand for their services while they are already under resourced and at capacity, with some having to completely change the way they operate. Many are reliant on volunteers and will struggle if they must self-isolate, become ill or have caring responsibilities. Many will also see a drop in their income due to cancelled fundraising events and reduced rental and activity income.

The Cumbria COVID-19 Response Fund will prioritise funding to charitable projects across the county that are supporting people affected by the virus, helping to keep them safe and supported in their homes and reducing pressure on the NHS.
For further details and to apply, visit: Cumbria Community Foundation Response Fund

Copeland Community Fund
On 20 March Copeland Community Fund Board approved a £50,000 donation to the Cumbria COVIS-19 Response Fund administered by Cumbria Community Foundation.

This will be used to support Copeland based charitable projects providing activites that help vulnerbale people self -isolating, providing funding to coordinate community response and support volunteers, and increase capacity for organsiations providing emergency support such as foodbanks or benefits advice.
For more information: https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/fund/covid19-response-fund/

 

Cumbria CVS Funding Support:
Cumbria CVS can offer support in relation to funding applications, please contact:cvsfunding@cumbriacvs.org.uk or call 01768 800350

A range of resources are available to support your organisation:

The GRANTfinder news section will keep you updated on which funds and extra support have been announced to counteract the impact of the outbreak: www.grantfinder.co.uk/coronavirus

 

Practical Considerations for local voluntary organisations

Prepare
Consider how an organisation will cope if a high proportion of their staff or volunteers become ill or unavailable at the same time, and what steps you might take to avoid this happening.
Click to download PDF

Impact
The following document has been created to help raise awareness around how the Coronavirus can potentially impact the third sector organisations in Cumbria.
Click to download a PDF copy.

Coronavirus and your wellbeing
Here are some suggestions about how to look after your health and wellbeing during this difficult time:

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/

https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/

https://www.sportengland.org/news/coronavirus-information-sector

Advice around working from home – My Whole Self guide

 

If you have any questions, or ideas on other information that it would be useful to add to this webpage, then please contact:

Carolyn Otley – 07776 594252 / CarolynO@cumbriacvs.org.uk

Or contact our main office on 01768 800350 / info@cumbriacvs.org.uk