As part of the local response to the measures linked to COVID-19, VSI Alliance is asking local voluntary and community sector organisations to share local intelligence with them in terms of what is happening on the ground and what you are seeing and hearing which they need to know and which they can respond to ensure vulnerable communities remain in view and supported.
A central volunteering hub has been established via the Council website: http://news.calderdale.gov.uk/council-sets-out-plan-to-co-ordinate-community-response-to-covid-19/
Plans are being now being developed for virtual locality based volunteering hubs to be developed to ensure we collectively keep people volunteering as local as possible.
To enable this approach we would be grateful if you could review the following questions and respond back to the VSI Alliance regarding what is happening locally and what current volunteering capacity the sector has. We understand there are restrictions on movement, however we are looking at how volunteers can safely support people who are vulnerable at this time. The questions are as follows:
Gathering intelligence through our sector:
- What is happening on the ground and what you are seeing and hearing which we need to know and which we can respond to ensure vulnerable communities remain in view and supported?
- Do you have any needs we can help with?
Understanding need for and availability of volunteer capacity across localities in Calderdale:
- Do you have any staff who currently cannot carry out their day job but would be able to support some volunteer activity to support vulnerable communities/people? Can you provide approximate numbers at this stage if you have staff available for volunteering activity?
- Do you have volunteers who have been through the DBS checking service who could support needs at a locality level? If so, could you provide initially, the number of volunteers?
- Do you need volunteers and if so what do you require them for?
Please send all responses to jake@nbforum.org.uk.
Thank you in advance and please note that for all general support and enquiries the VSI Alliance team can be contacted on 01422 348777 or by emailing jayne.leech@vsialliance.org.uk.
VAC member webinar invitation to wider sector – 1 April
VAC are facilitating an opportunity for local Voluntary & Community groups in their membership to have a virtual meeting place to ensure we remain connected, ensure there is a platform for peer support and where we can discuss the current impact on the sector from COVID-19 and help each other to look at viable solutions to support the individuals and communities who rely on the invaluable services the VCS provides. We hope to be able to look at the themes as they emerge and to put in a collective emergency response to Local Government and Health: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/calderdale-vcs-coronavirus-peer-support-webinar-tickets-100393313102
From Wednesday 25 March 2020, the VAC building will be closed. Phone and email contact remains unaffected. For organisations that need to submit their accounts to Helen Galvin from WYCAS, please email Helen (helen.galvin@wycas.org.uk) who will make the necessary arrangements directly with organisations.
Good Practice for Working with People and Communities during the COVID-19 Outbreak
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British Association for Sexual Health (BASHH) COVID-19 Guidance
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£3.2 Million Emergency Support for Rough Sleepers during Coronavirus Outbreak
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NCVO: Volunteers Responding To Coronavirus
Information on how to sign up as a volunteer, helping out in communities and guidance.