A warm welcome to Multiple Disadvantage Matters, the newsletter from the Making Every Adult Matter (MEAM) coalition.
During this unprecedented time, we're keeping you up to date with the latest policy changes, hearing about how you are responding locally, and learning more about how we can best support you at this time.
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Ask the Network Series
MEAM will be producing a series of recordings focused on multiple disadvantage and Covid-19 over the next few weeks. Our staff will be discussing local responses to the virus with a host of experts and exploring ways of reducing the potential negative impact it could have on this group. We hope these videos will be a way for the MEAM Approach and Fulfilling Lives networks to keep in touch with each other over the weeks ahead
In the first recording MEAM's Head of Networks and Operations, Tassie, and Ben McDonnell from the Greater London Assembly discuss sourcing suitable accommodation for people experiencing homelessness so that they can self isolate. We will also be talking to a number of other towns and rural areas in the coming days.
Our Partnership Manager Safia recorded a conversation with Marie Ludlam from the Counting Every Adult Team in Cambridgeshire focused on how coordinators and navigators from across the network can continue to provide personalised support to people experiencing multiple disadvantage during the crisis period.
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COVID-19 Resources from the sector
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Latest from Clinks
Clinks have set up a dedicated page on their website updating the work they are doing around the crisis and the most recent policy changes to prisons and probation. The Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) has set up a Special Interest Group on Covid-19, to channel policy suggestions to government on how they can protect people in contact with the criminal justice system.
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Homeless Link updates
Homeless Link has a resource page related to Covid-19. They are also holding weekly webinars on Wednesdays to keep the sector updated on latest best practice and policy guidance around the virus, you can sign up here.
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Collective Voice resources
Collective Voice has published resources for substance misuse treatment services.
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Mind supporting wellbeing
The Government has announced a £5 million grant for mental health which will be administered by Mind to be used by the charity sector to support people struggling with their mental health, including telephone and online support services.
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Letters to local areas from government
Luke Hall MP, Minister for Local Govenrment and Homelessness, has written to local authorities to update them on plans to protect people sleeping rough. He has also written to hotels asking them to stay open to provide accomodation for people who are homeless and for key workers.
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Faculty for Homeless and Inclusion Health
The Faculty, hosted by Pathways, has produced detailed Covid 19 guidance for the homeless sector, including on PPE, symptom assessment and staff deployment. They have also drafted a health model for the social isolating units intended for vulnerable homeless people without symptoms.
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New policing powers
New rules have been announced for the police to enforce social distancing measures and reduce the spread of Covid-19. The College of Policing has issued guidance that enforcement will only be used as a last resort.
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Domestic abuse guidance published
The Government has published guidance for people who are experiencing or are at risk of domestic abuse during the current crisis. Women's Aid have published safety advice.
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Ministry of Justice and PHE guidance
The Ministry of Justice and Public Health England have produced updated guidance for prisons on Covid-19. All visiting is temporarily suspended and a lock-down regime has been put in place in order to apply social distancing. A network of priority courts will remain open during the coronavirus pandemic to make sure the justice system continues to operate.
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Update on evictions legislation
The Government has effectively banned new evictions from rented housing for a period of three months. Eviction cases that are currently being considered are also suspended.
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Emergency funding for local authorities
The Government has set aside £2.9bn for people who are vulnerable. £1.6bn of this is for local authorities to provide essential services, including homelessness services.
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National Emergencies Trust
The National Emergencies Trust has set up a Coronavirus appeal. The funds being raised for this appeal will be distributed through the UK Community Foundations Trust. Find your local community foundation trust here for details of how and when to apply.
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John Lewis Partnership Fund
The John Lewis partnership has announced a £1m fund to support local communities. Get in touch with your local Waitrose store as staff are deciding on how best to distribute funding locally.
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The Indigo Trust
The Indigo Trust is making £2.5 million available through emergency grants to help charities respond to the coronavirus emergency.
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Further opportunities
We are aware of a range of further emergency funding opportunities that are being discussed and will update via this briefing when more information emerges. Civil Society has collated a list of some of the funding being made available for charities during COVID-19 emergency.
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FEANTSA morning bites webinar
FEANTSA will be holding short webinars on Wednesday mornings at 9am related to ongoing practice development and learning. The first one begins this Wednesday.
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MEAM Approach and Fulfilling Lives Areas
As noted above we look forward to providing a range of online networking opportunities going forward depending on what areas would find most beneficial at this time.
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Keeping you up to date at this time
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Our priority in this difficult period remains people facing multiple disadvantage and the people who support them. If you have any questions, comments or issues you would like to raise, please contact any member of the MEAM team.
Multiple Disadvantage Matters will keep you up to date with key policy developments affecting people facing multiple disadvantage. Please forward this email to colleagues, who can subscribe here for future editions. From now on, we'll get shorter updates to you more often.
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