- VCSE COVID-19 social impact survey
- VERA and VCSE organisations coming together
- Government's COVID-19 recovery strategy
- £10m for domestic abuse safe accommodation charities
- £6m emergency funding for frontline homelessness charitable organisations
- Help with food
- Loneliness COVID-19 Grant Fund
- Free tickets for Third Sector Fundraising Conference
- Introduction to Crowdfunding webinar
- Coronavirus testing
- Care home testing
- Could you be the difference this Foster Care Fortnight?
- Mental Health Awareness Week in Cornwall 18-24 May
- Adult social care COVID-19 key support links
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- Reporting safeguarding concerns
- Technical help and support for VCSE organisations during COVID-19
- Support for Armed Forces families and carers in Cornwall
- Data about deaths and occupations
- Government support lacking for those most vulnerable
- Guidance to help manage hearing loss and tinnitus during COVID-19
- Tempo Time Credits
- Help for parents coping with lockdown
- Support for new parents in Cornwall
- Support to stop smoking
- Previous issues of the Voluntary and Community Sector Update
- Important links
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Voluntary and Community Sector COVID-19 Update - 15 May 2020
Dear Colleagues,
A warm welcome to this week’s edition of the joint Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum (VSF) and Cornwall Council newsletter for the voluntary sector in Cornwall.
This week we would like to share our ambition to measure the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector and invite our colleagues from this sector to participate in a survey. The closing date for responses is Tuesday 26 May 2020, so please complete the survey as soon as you can.
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VCSE COVID-19 social impact survey
We know that the VCSE sector has shown an incredible level of determination, compassion, agility and resilience over the past few weeks as they have sought to win the battle against COVID-19 on the frontline within our communities. VCSE organisations have worked tirelessly to ensure that wherever possible that people have remained safe, especially the most vulnerable, and to ensure that all people can receive timely emotional, financial and practical support and care. Unfortunately, the ability to remain flexible and responsive to the needs of beneficiaries, residents and communities has sometimes come at a great organisational cost within the sector. This price has been paid at a time when organisations have seen a corresponding drop in their income as a result of not being able to undertake face-to-face fundraising or hold large events.
We know that many organisations have keenly felt the adverse impact resulting from the pandemic, which is far from being over. It is forecast that we may shortly start to see a greater surge in demand as more people begin to present their needs for support in order to continue to cope and recover from the crisis.
To help us get a clearer picture of how the VCSE sector has experienced this crisis, we need you to participate in the survey. We hope the survey findings will tell us how organisations have adapted during the crisis, and what financial impact the crisis may have had – for example, its impact on VCSE organisational reserves.
Please would you also be so kind as to share the survey link with any friends or family members who also work in the voluntary sector in Cornwall, to help us maximise the reach of our survey? The link is: https://exeter.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/complete-cvsf-covid-19-survey and the closing date is 26 May 2020. We will make the findings publicly available at the very earliest opportunity and we will provide a summary of these findings in a future issue of this newsletter. Thank you in advance for supporting this evaluation of COVID-19 social impact on the VCSE sector.
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VERA and VCSE organisations coming together
Meanwhile, Cornwall VSF’s Voluntary Community Enterprise Sector Emergency Response Alliance (VERA) continues to meet online throughout the week. We are still focusing on how we can assist staff to return safely back to work, protecting them by safeguarding their health and wellbeing needs.
We are starting to receive positive feedback from grassroots VCSE organisations that are coming together in localities across Cornwall. See Cornwall VSF’s website for details. We hope to be able to bring you some good news stories in the future, to demonstrate the positive impact that VCSE organisations are having on their local communities.
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Government's COVID-19 recovery strategy
Our Plan to Rebuild: The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy maps out a three stage approach that begins this week, with further stages at the beginning of June and potentially from 4 July.
The Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can’t do provide more information about preparing for the changes the plan will bring.
There’s also new Government guidance on:
The furlough scheme has been extended until 31 October. The scheme in its current form will continue until the end of July. From August changes will be introduced to allow more flexibility, such as return to work part-time, with employers paying a percentage towards salaries.
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£10m for domestic abuse safe accommodation charities
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has secured £10 million for domestic abuse safe accommodation charities as part of a £76 million Government package of support to charities supporting vulnerable people, including domestic abuse victims. The Domestic abuse safe accommodation: COVID-19 emergency support fund prospectus provides prospective bidders with information on how to apply for funding and how the assessment process will work.
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£6m emergency funding for frontline homelessness charitable organisations
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has announced £6m of emergency funding to provide relief for frontline homelessness charitable organisations directly affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Homeless Link will be distributing the fund on the ministry’s behalf. Apply online by Wednesday 27 May.
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Help with food
Cornwall Council’s Getting help with food web page includes information on home deliveries, guidance on how to pay, support for those shielding, free school meals, and nutrition.
If your organisation provides food support, please help by complete the food survey to support evidence gathering on current levels of demand.
Cornwall Council is also supporting any vulnerable individuals who cannot leave home and are struggling to arrange deliveries to access delivery slots. Individuals who need such support should contact 0300 1231118 or covid19@cornwall.gov.uk.
The Government has now launched a Food Charities Grant Fund, providing grants of up to £100,000 for charities helping people affected by coronavirus.
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Loneliness COVID-19 Grant Fund
National organisations working to tackle loneliness and build social connections have been invited to apply for a share of the £5m Loneliness COVID-19 Grant Fund, which the Government is investing to help them continue and adapt their critical work.
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Free tickets for Third Sector Fundraising Conference
An additional 1,500 free places are now available for the Third Sector’s Fundraising Conference. The virtual conference takes place on 20 and 21 May and has the theme of Fundraising in the Coronavirus Pandemic and Beyond.
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Introduction to Crowdfunding webinar
Crowdfund Cornwall is running a free 30-minute online workshop on how to crowdfund and the extra funding opportunities available in Cornwall. The workshop takes place at 11am on Wednesday 20 May.
This introductory session is suitable for anyone who wants to find out more about this method of fundraising, the potential uses for local projects in Cornwall and the extra funding that’s available through Cornwall Council.
You can find out more and register online on Eventbrite.
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Coronavirus testing
The latest Government guidance on coronavirus testing, including who is eligible for a test and how to get tested is available on the GOV.UK website.
You can apply to get a test if you’re in one of these groups:
- All essential workers, including NHS and social care workers with symptoms
- People over 65 with symptoms
- People who cannot work from home and have coronavirus symptoms (for example, construction workers or delivery drivers)
- Anyone who has symptoms of coronavirus and lives with any of those identified above
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Care home testing
Care homes can now access coronavirus testing kits to test staff and residents at their homes. More details are available through the Government’s online portal. Care homes can apply whether or not any of their residents or staff have coronavirus symptoms.
Testing will be offered to:
- Care home and service staff and residents, with or without symptoms, in the event of an outbreak in the home.
- People who are awaiting admission to a care home.
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Could you be the difference this Foster Care Fortnight?
We may be in lockdown, but there’s still a need to recruit more foster carers in Cornwall. That’s why Cornwall Council is launching a fresh appeal at the start of Foster Care Fortnight to recruit new foster carers to help support the 450 young people currently in care across the county.
All carers receive training and 24-hour access to support, along with allowances. Foster carers need to have the time, patience and determination to support and help vulnerable children and young people who are living away from their families. Foster carers also need to be over 21 and have a spare bedroom in their home.
Find out more about fostering on Cornwall Council’s Foster web page.
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Mental Health Awareness Week in Cornwall 18-24 May
Hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, this year Mental Health Awareness Week focuses on the power and potential of kindness.
Mentalhealth.org.uk has lots of resources and ideas for getting involved.
In Cornwall, CornWELL Festivals CIC is hosting an opening webinar on 18 May and daily seminars that will help participants make cross-sector connections, learn and take action to sustain kindness.
Find out more on Cornwall VSF’s website.
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Adult social care COVID-19 key support links
Cornwall Council has published a list of adult social care COVID-19 key support links, including support for:
- All members of the public
- People with health and wellbeing needs
- People with specialist needs
- People with social care needs
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Reporting safeguarding concerns
Cornwall Council is reminding people to keep an eye on their vulnerable neighbours during lockdown in case of any safeguarding concerns. This extends to those who are volunteering in their communities, who may be the only external contact a household has.
Everyone has a right to live their life free from violence, fear and abuse, but not everyone can protect themselves. Watch out for:
- Domestic abuse, by and towards people of any gender
- Abuse of older people
- Abuse of disabled or otherwise vulnerable people
- Abuse of children
To report an adult safeguarding concern, ring the Council on 0300 1234 131 and choose option 3.
If you have immediate concerns or are worried about a child or young person’s safety, ring the Multi Agency Referral Unit (MARU) on 0300 123 1116.
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Technical help and support for VCSE organisations during COVID-19
A number of organisations are providing technical or digital support for voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations during the COVID-19 crisis. Take a look at Cornwall VSF’s website and see if your organisation can benefit.
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Support for Armed Forces families and carers in Cornwall
Active Plus have been awarded an Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust grant to work with Armed Forces families and carers in Cornwall. If you have contact with, or are currently working with, veterans or their families, please contact the project lead Lucy Richards on 07415888830 or lucyr@activeplus.org.uk.
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Data about deaths and occupation
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released new figures around deaths related to COVID-19, focusing on occupation, and exposure. If you are putting together funding bids, or planning future activities, these might be a useful resource:
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Government support lacking for those most vulnerable
disAbility Cornwall has carried out a survey of local people with long term health conditions, or disabilities (or both), with analysis of the results showing a failure by central government to support he most vulnerable people, and those most adversely affected by the pandemic. Their report, and their recommendations, can be seen on the Cornwall VSF website.
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Guidance to help manage hearing loss and tinnitus during COVID-19
Action on Hearing Loss has produced guidance to help manage hearing loss and tinnitus during COVID-19, including local support, accessible phone and video calls, and more.
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Tempo Time Credits
Tempo Time Credits are a way for vulnerable families and young people in the Newquay, St Austell, Saltash and Bodmin areas to earn credits through volunteering to spend on leisure activities. Find out more on the Cornwall VSF website.
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Help for parents coping with lockdown
Creating and maintaining a nurturing environment for both parents and children during lockdown can be a challenge. It can be tough for parents to find the energy to keep their family and themselves emotionally strong and resilient. Help is at hand with Cornwall Council’s Emotional Resilience for Parents and Carers web page, which is updated weekly.
This week’s content focuses on ways we can look after ourselves in order to take better care of our families, and to build connection to the wider world during lockdown. There are videos, podcasts and suggested activities.
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Support for new parents in Cornwall
Support for new parents in Cornwall, including front line health visiting and school nursing, are continuing throughout the lockdown.
New parents are still being offered home visits to undertake new birth assessments or can opt to receive their assessment by phone or video call.
Parents with children under the age of two also have access to video calls with a named health visitor and telephone or video call health reviews are continuing.
Families with additional needs are being prioritised, and health visitors and school nurses are actively contacting families to provide health advice and support. This can range from growth and developmental concerns, health worries, behaviour and emotional health needs, coping with babies and children during the lockdown, infant feeding, nutrition and sleep issues. Breast feeding support is also being delivered by telephone and virtual contacts by breastfeeding volunteers who work with health visitors.
There’s more support and information for families on Cornwall Council’s Together for Families web page.
Health visitors and school nurses in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly can be contacted on the Client Advice Line on 01872 322779 or by emailing coco.childrenscmc@nhs.net.
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Support to stop smoking
New evidence shows that smokers who get coronavirus are 14 times more likely to get a severe respiratory disease, so there’s never been a better time to give up smoking. Cornwall Council’s Healthy Cornwall team are continuing to provide a stop smoking support service, even during the lockdown, with support available by telephone, text and email.
As well as personalised behavioural support to develop a quit plan and practical help on beating the cravings, the Healthy Cornwall team can also arrange stop smoking medication, such as nicotine replacement therapy, through a GP prescription request or voucher.
To find out more, complete the online enquiry form or ring 01209 615600.
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Previous issues of the Voluntary and Community Sector Update
You can view previous issues of the Voluntary and Community Sector COVID-19 Update on Cornwall VSF’s website.
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Important links
Anyone who needs help can request a volunteer by ringing Volunteer Cornwall on 01872 266988 or emailing requestforhelp@volunteercornwall.org.uk.
Community volunteers can register with Volunteer Cornwall on their website or by emailing mid@volunteercornwall.org.uk. Volunteer Cornwall will match people who ring up needing help with the community volunteers in their local area – or, if they have more complex needs, with specialist services.
Find out more about Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum, including joining as a Member (which is free), at www.cornwallvsf.org, or email office@cornwallvsf.org.
Please send all coronavirus related enquiries or issues to Cornwall Council’s dedicated email address covid19@cornwall.gov.uk. This email address is monitored seven days a week and will be staffed from 9am-5pm.
There’s an information page on Cornwall Council’s website specifically for clinically vulnerable residents who are in the shielded group.
Support for those living with domestic abuse is available from Safer Futures. People can make a referral online, email saferfutures@firstlight.org.uk or ring 0300 777 4777. There is also refuge and support via the Cornwall Refuge Trust website and their 24 hour helpline 01872 225629.
Cornwall Council’s Coronavirus Funding Resources web page is a roundup of coronavirus funding resources and guidance for charities and community groups.
Please share our newsletter with your partners, and encourage them to sign up to receive it themselves, using the link below.
Stay in touch, stay strong, stay safe.
With very best wishes,
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Julian German
Leader of Cornwall Council
Hembrenkyas an Konsel
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Helen Boardman
CEO of Cornwall Voluntary
Sector Forum
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