March 20, 2020

Of course, I’m no different to anyone else.  In the last week, I have been through the same emotions as the rest of the country: denial, anger, depression, bargaining and acceptance – and I expect to move between these five stages of the Kubler-Ross grief model over the coming weeks.  But that’s ok – because it’s NORMAL to experience all these stages – and they have been linked to how we all deal with change.  And if ever there was a time we needed to understand how to cope with change, it’s now.

I am immensely proud of how the team at Cumbria CVS have responded to the fairly immediate directive to home-work: keen to maintain connections, to contribute, to help others, to make a difference.  Within a week, we have all staff working from home; phones redirected, resources developed, funding bids won – and we are at the heart of Cumbria’s co-ordinated response to the virus.  Carolyn Otley is reprising her post-Desmond role on behalf of the voluntary sector, supporting the work of the Local Resilience Forum.  I am helping manage the change, redirecting resources, keeping information flowing, linking with key stakeholders – and (trying to) think longer-term in this weird, evolving landscape.

We will share what we are learning with you all, as we move through this crisis – and encourage you to do the same, throughout your networks.  One of the benefits of an attack such as this in the 21st Century is our connectivity and ability to communicate quickly and clearly – whether on rolling 24-hour news channels, across websites, through email, phone networks or the Twittersphere…and I would encourage everyone to prepare for a digital, virtual immediate future.  Cumbria CVS have ensured the team are on-line and starting to share tools and resources with each other.  (One particularly helpful resource is Zoom video-conferencing which has paid for itself on day 1 – others are available…).

Of course – not everyone has this access; not everyone has this opportunity – that’s why many of us exist: to try to redress the balance of the enormous health and social inequalities in the world.  And now is probably one of the greatest opportunities to work together and contribute to help achieve this goal.  This is the time that the community and voluntary sector – above all others – will demonstrate its innovation, enthusiasm, energy, flexibility and compassion for others.

But none of us will do it alone – that is clear.  We need our partners, friends, stake-holders and supporters to rally round to help us – and enable us to help them.

Most of the coordination of community response will take place locally, in the six district-level Local Community Resilience Groups that are currently being established. These are being led by Cumbria County Council’s Area Managers, who will co-chair with a representative from another organisation, and will include a wide range of local community, voluntary and statutory sector organisations (See Local Support Structures below).
If you are aware of new or existing groups that want to get involved in the response to Covid-19, you should ask them to make contact via the appropriate email address below:

Allerdale.AreaSupport@cumbria.gov.uk

Barrow.AreaSupport@cumbria.gov.uk

Carlisle.AreaSupport@cumbria.gov.uk

Copeland.AreaSupport@cumbria.gov.uk

Eden.AreaSupport@cumbria.gov.uk

SouthLakeland.AreaSupport@cumbria.gov.uk

We are also aware there are individuals who want to volunteer, but aren’t sure where or how to do so, but the “Support Cumbria” website has just been launched which will allow them to register their interest online, so that we can link them to local groups – see further information below.

We will be issuing weekly Ebulletins to all members, stakeholders and charities registered with the charity commission across Cumbria – whether members of Cumbria CVS or not – for the foreseeable future.  I hope you find the information useful – and feel able to contribute your own material.  Our team are working hard with councils, healthcare organisations, community bodies and our collective army of volunteers to identify the gaps and find ways to meet them.  (With this in mind, we will shortly be launching a questionnaire to ask you what help and support you need – from us, from each other and from government).

In the meantime, some resources to share:

Online volunteer training resources: a “Volunteer Learning Passport” approved by Health Education England for those volunteering in the health and care sectors:  https://volunteers.e-lfh.org.uk/Catalogue/Index

Some great resources, ideas and links for all voluntary organisations developed by NCVO: https://www.ncvo.org.uk/practical-support/information/coronavirus

The Cumbria County Council website provides a wide range of very useful advice and guidance: https://cumbria.gov.uk/coronavirus/

Here at Cumbria CVS, we are frequently updating our website to reflect advice, support and guidance available especially for volunteers and third sector organisations: www.cumbriacvs.org.uk/coronavirus

Again, a different but useful approach from our national body NAVCA: https://navca.org.uk/

Resources to help you stay mentally healthy whilst working from home: https://mhfaengland.org/my-whole-self/

And something for those managing remote, virtual staff from the Chartered Management Institute: https://www.managers.org.uk/insights/news/2020/march/how-to-manage-an-entirely-virtual-team?sc_trk=follow%20hit,{86CB756B-AB02-44E6-995A-305C69252B29},manaaging+virtual

And finally some words from our Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/its-a-national-effort-to-win-coronavirus-fight-we-all-have-crucial-part-to-play

We’ll be in touch again next week: in the meantime – keep safe, keep connected, keep perspective!

Follow me on Twitter: @davidallenCCVS

David

David Allen
Cheif Executiven Officer
Cumbria CVS