Guidance and resources for York's voluntary sector
Welcome to the March issue of Voluntary Voice...
A very different Voluntary Voice this month however, we hope the information and resources we have collated, both from local and national sources, will provide some guidance during this unprecedented time. We will continue to work closely with our members, City of York Council and our key partners to ensure York's voluntary, community and social enterprise sector remains informed with the latest updates and guidance.
We have provided an update below with regards to our activities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have any questions regarding your organisation, please do get in touch with us by emailing: enquiries@yorkcvs.org.uk.
Bringing the sector together to support the most vulnerable in York
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, York CVS is working with a team of Social Prescribing Link Workers and General Practitioners (GPs) to provide wellbeing support for the most vulnerable residents in York.
We are linking-up with other local voluntary and community organisations across the City to ensure vulnerable individuals receive the help and support they need over the coming months.
Initially, we will be working with existing volunteers from the sector who will make telephone calls to check on the welfare of individuals to identify any specific needs that they may have and to provide reassurance that an individual is not alone.
Vulnerable residents who need help because of the impact of COVID-19, are asked to contact City of York Council’s Community Support Coordinators:
Email: covid19help@york.gov.uk
Telephone: 01904 551550
Our website (www.yorkcvs.org.uk) will be updated regularly with the latest news, information and guidance for the sector. Please also refer to the following key websites:
Healthwatch York - free post address
Healthwatch York has a free post address and will write letters to anyone who is isolated and doesn't use the internet but still needs to be connected! Please share this information with anyone you think may benefit from the contact.
The freepost address is: Healthwatch York, FREEPOST RTEG-BLES-RRYJ 15 Priory Street YO1 6ET
Guidance from the Charity Commission
The Charity Commission has set out their response to the most commonly asked questions from charities in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.
They want to assure charities that their approach to regulation during this uncertain period will be as flexible and pragmatic as possible in the public interest, whilst helping trustees to be aware of and think about the wider or longer impact of their decisions on their charity. The page will be updated on an ongoing basis.
York Mental Health Peer Support Group
If you are looking for mental health resources or peer support to help during the coronavirus crisis, please connect with Yor-Peer Support via their social media pages.
Their Facebook peer support group page (York Mental Health Peer Support Group) can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for free.
Older Citizens Advocacy York (OCAY)
OCAY are now working from home and will be responding to client calls and providing their services over the phone.
Ruth Potter, Charity Manager: 07715099498
Dan Brittan, Lead Advocate: 07715099500
Kayleigh Fox, Charity Support Assistant: 07715099493
York Carers Centre
Although York Carers Centre's activities are cancelled for now, they are on the phone offering their usual advice and support to carers and young carers in York.
Please call them on: 01904 715490 (office hours) Wednesdays 5 to 8pm for out of hours carer advice.
Follow them on Twitter: @yorkcarers Visit their website
IDAS are continuing to run an online chat on their website between 4-6pm Monday to Friday.
Just visit their website at this time and a box will pop up for you to type into.
Their helpline (03000 110 110) is also available as is the National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247
Free NCVO resources
The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) has made their member-only resources FREE to everyone because of the current situation. They think it’s important people have the guidance they need to run their organisations during this time. The resources include guidance on funding and income, campaigns and awareness, as well as a whole range of tools to support your organisation.
How to look after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak
The Mental Health Foundation has published some top tips for looking after and managing our mental health and wellbeing, as well as some resources and tips for employers and employees.
Free mindfulness resources
Headspace, which promotes mindfulness for your everyday life through meditation, is offering free support via their website. Some of the free meditations include: 'relieving stress', 'walking at home' and 'feeling overwhelmed'.
Tools for managing a remote workforce
Charity Digital has examined some of the best tools available to help you and your team work remotely. The article covers digital tools to manage projects, team communication tools and online event management tools.
Cyber security and home working: preparing your organisation and staff
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has published their latest advice in relation to working from home which includes how to make sure your organisation is prepared for an increase in home working, and advice on spotting coronavirus (COVID-19) scam emails.
Lasting Leadership Guide Wren and Greyhound Limited has produced a comprehensive guide to sustainable leadership for non-profit organisations. The guide covers, background and challenges, the four capabilities, succession planning, lateral leadership, attracting the next generation of leaders and leadership as an equalities issues.
Coronavirus Community Fund Two Ridings Community Foundation has established the Coronavirus Community Fund to support community groups through this unprecedented time. The focus of the fund will be to offer community organisations emergency funding to deal with emerging issues in the community as a result of the continuing threat of coronavirus.
The fund will support the following:
Community organisations that are preparing themselves to appropriately respond and continue their work in a difficult work environment, and to tailor their specialist services to give help to the people who need it the most
The development of advice and support initiatives to fill gaps for people and places where there are no current suitable services
Groups that provide vital community support to maintain some level of viability through these uncertain times where they are experiencing a significant loss of income as a result of the current crisis.
£1m available to fund urgent small-charity coronavirus poverty relief Martin Lewis (Money Saving Expert) is releasing £1,000,000 from his personal charity fund to provide grants of £5,000 to £20,000 to small registered charities, or local arms of bigger charities, across the UK – to help with specific UK coronavirus-related poverty relief projects.
Applications close at 11.59pm on Wednesday 25 March.
As the health and safety of York residents is a priority, this structured and safe approach to volunteering is to ensure people get the support they need in a co-ordinated and safe way.
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