Resources and information for York's voluntary sector

Wednesday 22 April, Issue 4

I mentioned last week that we would be circulating a survey to gain a deeper understanding of the immediate and longer term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. I know this is an extremely busy time but we would really appreciate your input so we can represent the sector's needs to ensure we get the right support at the right time. The link to the survey can be found below.

We're also hosting an online meeting next Wednesday (29 April) to come together as a sector to discuss some of the issues we are experiencing and to gather your feedback. Registration details can also be found below.

Please do continue to keep in touch, we're here to support your organisation.

Alison Semmence
Chief Executive

York CVS

How is the pandemic impacting your organisation?
We've created an online survey to try to gain a wider understanding of how the pandemic is impacting York's voluntary, community and social enterprise sector's finances and staffing; and the potential impact this may be having on beneficiaries. The information you provide will support our direct conversations with funders and governing bodies, and will shape our services, to ensure the sector has the support it needs now and in the future. Survey deadline: Friday 1 May

Complete survey

Free HR support and guide to managing staff remotely
Everyone’s situation during this pandemic is unique. Some staff will be comfortable working from home and have the equipment, technical ability and space to manage it effectively whereas others may find conditions at home far less conducive to homeworking. As a Manager, there are things that you can do to support your staff during this difficult time. Our free guide provides practical tips and guidance to managing staff remotely.

If your organisation needs further support in relation to managing staff or with any human resources-related issues during the coronavirus pandemic, please get in touch with us by emailing: HR@yorkcvs.org.uk.

Download guide

VCSE sector online meeting
Date and time: Wednesday 29 April, 11:00–12:00
To support our online survey, we're also hosting an online meeting on 29 April, 11:00-12:00, to discuss and share any issues and experiences we are having as a sector, and to find solutions and support for your organisation. This meeting is specifically for representatives from York’s VCSE sector. Please register your attendance below.

Local information, guidance and resources

Food donations needed
Carecent York, who provide food for homeless and socially excluded members of our community, would be grateful of any donations of the following items:

Sandwich fillings: tinned corned beef, spam, ham, tuna and cheese
Crisps
Satsumas
Bananas
Chocolate biscuits/wrapped biscuits/cakes

If would like to make a donation, please contact: admin@carecent.org.uk

Yorsensory's adapted services
Yorsensory, a team that runs through The Wilberforce Trust and works with City of York Council to provide sensory services to York residents, has adapted their services to focus on helping people with reducing isolation and loneliness. The team are still available to provide advice and support over the phone/email/text to anyone with a sensory impairment who needs it, including providing pen pal/email pal/telephone buddy support.
Tel: 01904 202292 | Text: 07580750346 | Email: enquiry@yorsensory.org.uk

View poster

Fact sheet on coronavirus and human rights
York: Human Rights City Network has produced a Fact Sheet on ‘Coronavirus and Human Rights’ for local government, statutory agencies and community and voluntary groups. It offers guidance on addressing human rights when making the difficult policy decisions required by the pandemic.

In addition, the network plans to respond to the recently announced invitation to submit evidence to the Joint Committee on Human Rights Inquiry into the impact of the Government’s COVID-19 legislation. They would like to document your experiences and views, so that they can contribute York’s experience to this important national review. You can share your experiences by completing their survey below.

Complete survey

MySight York's ongoing services
MySight York staff are working from home and continue to offer support and advice to anyone living with sight loss by telephone and email. They are also running a 'Keeping in Touch' project through which people can receive a regular friendly phone call from a volunteer. Their 'Talking Space' counselling service is also running on a reduced basis via telephone. All of these services, as well as general information on any aspect of living with sight loss, can be accessed through MySight's phone number and email.
Tel: 01904 636269 | Email: hello@mysightyork.org

Ask the Council Leaders Q&A
Residents are invited to watch and ask questions during a live #AskTheLeaders Coronavirus question and answer session on City of York Council’s Facebook page on Tuesday 28 April, 5-6pm. Residents can join live on Facebook to hear from:

Cllr Keith Aspden, Leader of the Council
Cllr Andy D’Agorne, Deputy Leader of the Council
Cllr Paula Widdowson, Executive Member for Climate Change and Environment
Ian Floyd, Interim Head of Paid Services
Sharon Stoltz, Director of Public Health

Residents can interact with the session by either submitting questions in advance by emailing them to YourQuestions@york.gov.uk or commenting on the live video on Facebook where leaders will read out questions and respond.* Questions may be answered by theme rather than individually, so that the conversations cover as many topics as possible.

Visit CYC's Facebook page

National guidance and resources

COVID-19 Personal Protection Equipment
All the latest guidance and advice regarding PPE can be found on the GOV.UK website where you will find the latest guidance for non health-care and social settings from Public Health England. There is also guidance on recommended PPE types and the rationale for use. If your organisation is experiencing any issues regarding personal protection equipment (PPE), please email: info@yorkcvs.org.uk.

More information

Making a claim for furloughed staff
The Government's Job Retention Scheme is now open for applications. Employers can go online to claim cash grants worth up to 80% of wages, capped at £2,500 a month per worker. For more information on the process, visit the GOV.UK website (click on the button below) which provides information and guidance on what you need to know before you start the claim process, what information you'll need, how to claim and the next steps once you have made a claim.

Visit website

How to deal with cybercrime
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) says there has been an increase in cybercrime - with coronavirus being used as a main theme. They have produced some resources which provide advice for individuals and organisations on how to deal with this new trend. They have also produced guides on the following issues:

More information

Funding and Development

Visit our COVID-19 Funding Information page for more local and national funding information. If your organisation needs support with funding advice and applications, please contact our Funding and Development Officer, Jane Granville: jane.granville@yorkcvs.org.uk

Navigating funding possibilities during Covid-19
Good Finance has compiled some tips and information to make it as easy as possible for groups and organisations to navigate this changing landscape. The guide covers the following:

Key principles to help your thinking
Making the most of government advice
What to consider with your current grants
What to consider if you currently have social investment
Navigating your relationship with banks
Operational and business planning

Download guide

The best online fundraising platforms
Charity Digital has compiled a list of some of the best free and cheap online fundraising platforms. The list includes lesser-known platforms to show the broader online fundraising landscape and includes platforms that have different donation models, are aimed at different types of fundraising and often take a much smaller cut from donations and do not charge a subscription fee.

Read article

Yapp Charitable Trust
Small registered charities in England and Wales, with a total annual expenditure of less than £40k, are invited to apply for grants of up to £3k to cover core costs and staffing.

More information

Coronavirus Mental Health Response Fund
To help voluntary sector organisations based in England continue to provide vital mental health services, or to provide additional support, organisations can apply for a Coronavirus Mental Health Response Fund (CMHRF) grant. Thanks to £5m support from Government (the Department of Health and Social Care), grants of £20,000 or £50,000 are available for projects lasting up to 12 months.

Support for smaller organisations or groups
As part of this funding programme, the National Survivor User Network (NSUN) will be administering a fund to support user-led organisations and smaller, unconstituted community organisations, who might not otherwise be eligible for a grant. More details are available on the NSUN website.

More information

Tesco bags of help COVID-19 communities fund
Grants are available to support a wide range of community groups, organisations, charities, schools and other not-for-profit organisations who are supporting vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 crisis.

More information

Halifax Foundation
Charities with an income of under £1m can apply for up to £2,500 for a 12-month grant. This is a rolling programme with a maximum 4-month turnaround for a decision. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, they have broadened their criteria temporarily and will now consider applications from constituted groups not yet registered as a charity with the Charity Commission or HMRC (maximum grant award £1,000).

More information

Health and Wellbeing

Rethink Mental Illness want to hear from you
If you live with a mental illness or care for someone who does, Rethink Mental Illness are asking you to share your experience of the current crisis. Nationally there is currently no data detailing the extent to which people's lives have been impacted. This survey aims to identify the emerging issues and help shape responses to the situation to ensure those living with mental health problems and their carers, receive the support and services they need.

Complete survey

Foss Park mental health hospital opens
York's new purpose-built mental health hospital opened on 21 April, ahead of schedule. Located on Haxby Road, the 72-bed hospital provides two adult, single sex wards and two older people's wards. The hospital also has a Section 136 assessment suite - a place of safety for people detained under the Section 136 of the Mental Health Act, an electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) suite and dedicated space for research and development.

More information

We care about your data. We only use your data with your permission to access our support and services and we keep it secure. We never share your data with third parties unless you tell us we can. If at any time you wish to remove your data from our database, please let us know and we will delete this from our records. You can unsubscribe by following the link below.
To read our privacy statement, click here. Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list