Launch of new supported volunteering project, updated DBS prices, Community information about covid19 and more

Welcome to the CSVA newsletter,

In this week's issue, CSVA is happy to announce our new project, Walking buddies. Charities are invited to take advantage of a free stand at the Charity Fair organised by Chris Grayling to promote your charity and recruit volunteers.

New DBS check prices. New community information about covid19, new guidelines for track and trace in the workplace, the launch of the Brigitte Trust's Bereavement support group and fundraising campaign for Shooting Star Children's Hospices.

and finally, if you wish to include any information from your organisations in our newsletter, please email samantha.aungthin@csva.co.uk.

We wish our readers a pleasant week ahead

CSVA Team

Walking Buddies - Supported Volunteering Project

CSVA is proud to announce a launch of a new project Walking Buddies.

A new volunteer-supported project designed to help people experiencing a lack of confidence to go out and about or feeling slightly nervous after spending so long at home and would like some company to motivate them to go out- walking buddies are here to help.

Walking buddy volunteers will help you find the impetus or confidence to go out for regular walks or take a stroll around the block, or venture into local shops or cafes. The project is open to anyone over 18, living in Elmbridge, Epsom & Ewell, or Mole Valley, and who is fit enough to walk unassisted.

If you know someone who could benefit from this project, please contact our walking buddy’s coordinator Jack on jack.blythe@csva.co.uk or call 01306 640 369.

To book your free stand at the charity fair, please email Debbie.cook@parliament.uk.

New Disclosure and Barring Pricing

From 1st August the price of DBS/DS checks will increase by £1 (plus VAT).

New prices

Enhanced DBS - £51.60 inc VAT

Standard/Basic DBS - £34.60 inc VAT

Basic DS - £36.20 inc VAT

Volunteer checks- £11.60 inc VAT

COVID Community Information

1^st vaccine doses – 46, 872,411 (88.6% of population). 2^nd vaccine doses – 38,464,025 (72.7% of population)

Adjustments have been made to the NHS COVID-19 app so that fewer people are alerted and told to self-isolate.
From Monday 2 August, the app will instruct contacts to isolate only if they have been close to someone in the two days leading up to a positive test, rather than the previous five-day threshold.
The changes have been made to reduce the disruption that self-isolation can cause for people and businesses
People are strongly encouraged to continue using the app, even those fully vaccinated. It is a life-saving tool that helps people to stay safe and to protect those closest to them.

Click here to download a copy of the weekly Community Champions update.

If you want to be a part of our local community Champions network, please email samantha.aungthin@csva.co.uk

COVID-19 Vaccine Passport Scam

Be aware of a COVID-19 Vaccine Passport scam email in circulation that purports to be from the NHS and informs recipients that they can apply for their “Digital Coronavirus Passports”.

Clicking on the link within the email takes you to a convincing but fake NHS website that asks for personal and payment details. The most recent website has since been taken down, but in case similar emails/websites appear, please alert your residents, members, groups, and mailing lists. Your vaccination status is obtained FREE through the NHS App, website or by calling the NHS on 119.

More information can be found on GOV.UK. Please note that any Phishing scams can be reported to SERS (Suspicious Email Reporting Service):

Email: report@phishing.gov.uk

The key message this week is: Test and Trace guidance for the workplace

Following the rising numbers of workers having to self-isolate after either being contacted by Test & Trace or ‘pinged’ by the NHS Covid-19 App, as close contacts of a case, the Government has announced new Test and Trace Workplace Guidance for critical services where staff absence would have a major detrimental effect. This allows for a limited number of named critical workers who are fully vaccinated, to leave self-isolation for the purposes of undertaking critical work only and following strict rules. The exemption only allows staff to leave self-isolation to go to work and back again; it does not allow any other activity e.g. shopping even if it is for essentials. This applies until 16 August 2021 after which fully vaccinated close contacts will be exempt from self-isolation.
Frontline health and social care staff exemption from self-isolation can also be authorised in exceptional circumstances. For frontline social care staff in Surrey, a local process has been designed to manage applications from social care organisations for their staff members.
Details for other critical workers are still being worked through; updates will be provided as soon as possible.

For more information about the latest COVID19 community information, please click visit www.csva.co.uk/communitychampions

Bereavement Support Group launches

The Brigitte Trust will be running free structured eight-week bereavement courses run by a professional facilitator for anyone in Surrey in need of bereavement support.

The course will be limited to a maximum of 12 people and will be run in different parts of Surrey according to need. The first course will be held on a Monday morning from 10.00 am to 12.00 pm and will be based in Dorking starting in July.

The next course is likely to be in the West of Surrey in September. There will be refreshments along with parking and disabled access to toilets.

For more information or to book a place, please contact Sarah Pattenden:

Email: sarah.pattenden@brigittetrust.com
Telephone: 07469 932192