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THCVS Covid-19 Updates

Dear Colleagues

I hope this briefing finds you and your colleagues safe and well. 

Our 2nd Covid-19 response bulletin focuses on the responses to the survey we have been conducting for the last week and connecting you to funding opportunities and the practical support that is available for vulnerable people across Tower Hamlets.  

If you haven’t already filled in the survey, please do so here. It is mostly a tick box exercise and should only take about 10 min to complete. The survey will remain open throughout this lockdown because issues and needs will change the longer the lockdown continues. 

We are using the survey to promote the services you are providing via the Council website and to inform and influence funders and policy makers on the challenges VCS organisations are facing.  Your responses are also our primary tool for providing tailored one to one support for your group. If you have already filled in the survey and we are not already in contact with you, please email us at info@thcvs.org.uk   

We will be publishing the results of the survey via our website.  But in the meantime, over 30 groups have responded so far – ranging from small start ups to larger more established organisations that provide a range of services across the diversity of client groups. 

From the responses, the biggest challenges organisations face are: availability of staff/volunteers; concern about funding; technical know how to operate digitally/work remotely; and practicalities around organising payment to staff/volunteers/suppliers etc. 

The good news is that more than half of organisations responding are managing to maintain some sort of service delivery – including reduced hours and changes to activities in response to current circumstances.   However, this also means that just under half of groups responding have closed up shop and aren’t providing any services at the moment.

At this time, it is important that everyone who can, contributes to the effort to ensure vulnerable people and your service users are supported.  Our priority here at THCVS is to help you make that contribution and we are doing this in 3 main ways:  

1)       Promoting your services as part of the Borough wide Covid-19 response and linking you to key support services (food, financial assistance and social contact) for vulnerable people.   

2)      Providing one to one telephone and email support to help you fund, develop and plan your services and longer-term survival plans

3)      Our fortnightly bulletin and Covid-19 website page – promoting the range of available funding and support.   

So if you are wondering what you can do to help or have a service offer that you need help with developing or promoting, take our survey or get in contact by email at info@thcvs.org.uk  Our aim is to contact everyone who completes our survey to see what help we can provide in your specific circumstances.

In terms of the support, our mantra for survival of your organisation is: be safe; act practically; mitigate risks. 

Take care, be safe and stay connected,

Peter Okali and the THCVS team
Crowdfunding Campaigns in Tower Hamlets
Bow Food Bank

Bow Foodbank is crowdfunding to keep their foodbank stocked for Tower Hamlets residents, they fund fund will deliver tinned food, fruits and vegetables to the community over the coming weeks and months.
Make your donation
Food for Tower Hamlets 

First Love Foundation supports people in crisis living in Tower Hamlets to get their lives back on track with advice and support, the donations will go towards purchasing & distributing food throughout the borough.
Make your donation
Covid-19 - Staying Safe 
Council launches new phoneline to support vulnerable residents
 

Tower Hamlets Council has set up a new phoneline to support residents that have been identified as being extremely vulnerable and at the highest risk of severe illness from COVID-19 caused by coronavirus.

People at the highest risk of severe illness from coronavirus and extremely vulnerable residents can call the council:

020 7364 3030

The phone line will be open: Monday – Friday (8am - 8pm), Saturday (10am - 5pm) and Sunday (10am - 4pm).

This number is for Tower Hamlets residents, their families or their carers to let the council know if they have any urgent requirements.

On this page you will also find information and support if you are self-isolating including a directory of organisations who can support Tower Hamlets residents with:

Organisations who can help with loneliness and social isolation
Organisations who can help with health and wellbeing
Organisations who can offer advice and Information
Organisations who can help with entertainment
Organisations who can help with food
Organisations who can help with domestic abuse
 
More info
NHS: Covid-19 Advice for everyone 

The Coronavirus pandemic is new territory for all of us, always refer to trustful sources for the right information.

The NHS is continuosly updating their guidance to look after yourself, others and to stop the spread of the virus.

-Advice for people at higher risk
-Symptoms and what to do
-Self-isolation if you or someone you live with has symptoms

NHS: Covid-19 Advice for everyone
Gov.uk: Covid-19 What you need to do

Central Government general guidance on the steps you need to follow to carry on with your life during the pandemic.

The guidance includes: employment and financial support, School closures, Education and childcare, Business and other organisations, Healthcare workers and carers, Travel, Effect on public services and how can you help.
Gov.uk: What you need to do
Covid-19 - News and Updates
Tower Hamlets Community Catalogue

The catalogue is a joint work between the council and local voluntary, community and social care provider organisations in the borough.

The situation with Coronavirus (Covid19) is changing by the day and many providers are re-focusing services to support the community.

It is crucial to keep and up-to-date listing of services available to residents in this time of need.

The information should include:

-Changes to services in response to the epidemic
-Service delivery changes e.g. virtual support instead of face-to-face
-Opening times e.g. phone lines
More info
THCVS - Covid-19 Support Survey

We know that community groups and local organisations are working with the most vulnerable in society and therefore the most at risk in this lockdown.

We want to find out if you are able to contribute to the Borough wide effort to support the most vulnerable and isolated residents and if so, what help you need with this.

With your colaboration we want to map what services are available and create a reasonable listing of services across the borough.

If you need help with filling in the survey or would like a member of the team to help you with this, please email us at info@thcvs.org.uk and we will get back to you by the next day at the latest.
Take the survey and tell us what you need
Covid-19 - Volunteering opportunities and requests
Safeguarding and Volunteer DBS checks during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, what you need to know
 

Many people would like to volunteer during the current coronavirus pandemic to help others in their community. Those needing support are often vulnerable people and therefore safeguarding is an important consideration.

This factsheet provides some guidance for organisations on Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks (criminal record checks) and some more general safeguarding advice.

 
Read the Factscheck
Do you want to volunter?

Do you want do your bit to help local residents during the Covid-19 pandemic?

Complete the form and the Volunteer Centre will put you in touch with organisations providing services to local residents.
Fill in the form to support Tower Hamlets residents
Are you looking for volunteers?

The volunteer cnetre Tower Hamlets currently have a database of hundreds of volunteers avalailble to support your groups in delivering your services, get in touch and let them know what are your needs.
Let the VCTH know what are your volunteer needs
Covid-19 - Support and resources
Cyber Security - Keep yourself safe
 

Since the lockdown started the number of attacks to charities and individuals has rocketed, The National Cyber Security Centre and Metropolitan Police have published guidance on what to look at when receiving a suspicious email or phone call.
NCSC- Home working: preparing your organisation and staff

The NCSC and UK Government have produced advice and guidance to help individuals and businesses who are working from home to stay safe online.
Read the guidance
Met Police- The Little Booklet of Scams

Nearly a third of all fraud is committed over the phone, and so the Met Police is asking people to read its booklet of phone scams to raise awareness of the different ways scams can be carried out over the phone.   
Read the booklet
Charity Digital - Coronavirus tech offers for charities

Charity Digital is a charity who have partnered with leading technology providers to deliver the UK’s only software donation platform, Charity Digital Exchange.

In this article they explore tools and platforms useful for your organisation during the pandemic, some of them are free other are offered at a discount price for UK registered charities.
Check out what offers are available
Firesouls

Firesouls is running the Social Value Exchange and they are in talks with councils are providers to find grants and technology solutions for charities.

They want to know what kind of support you need? IT hardware, like laptops. Over the phone / Skype / Facetime mentoring, or specific advice on bid writing or business planning, for example.
Answer a few questions
NCVO: Your organisation and Coronavirus

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations published a guidance intended to help you decide what steps you and your organisation may need to take in the light of the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
Visit NCVO Coronavirus guidance
NCVO - KnowHow portal

In order to support the sector with all the guidance they need NCVO have made all their only-members portal KnowHow free for all.
Visit the KnowHow portal
NCVO Webinar: Coronavirus and your charity -Key legal issues to consider

If you missed the webinar the recording is now available on their website, register and will receive a link to watch the recording.

This webinar, Bates Wells in association with NCVO, will explore the headline topics in brief, with a half-hour Q&A session. The Q&A will answer legal and regulatory questions you may have about the current environment.
Register and watch the webinar recording
NCVO Podcast:Job Retention Scheme and Volunteering

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is part of the government Business Support Programme.

In this podcast NCVO in partnership with Bates Wells explain how the programme works, eligibility and frequently asked  questions and scenarios.

The second part of the Webinar focusses on Coronavirus and volunteering.
Listen the podcast
GOV.UK
 

The government announced additional measures to support UK workers and organisations during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Self-employment Income Support Scheme - Under this scheme self employed workers will be able to claim a taxable grant worth 80% of their trading profits up to a maximum of £2,500 per month for the next 3 months.

Council tax: Covid19 hardship 2020-2021 - The funding will go to local authorities in England to enable them to reduce the 2020 council tax bills of working age people receiving Local Council Tax Support.

Deferral of VAT payments due to coronavirus (COVID-19) - VAT payments will be deferred for three months from 20 March 2020 until 30 June 2020. All UK businesses are eligible. No applications required.
Covid-19 - Funding

Local Funding Opportunities

East End Community Foundation - East End Emergency Fund - The fund is open for donations and the amount collected will be matched by the Canary Warf Group. EECF is working with the council on identifying need and community groups.

Spacehive - Coronavirus: Let’s pull together Campaign - Spacehive is engaging with national funders to support community projects. The fund is aimed at local projects around the Coronavirus outbreak, they're relaxing the criteria so you can fundraise for running costs. All projects under this campaign will have the Spacehive fee waived.

Regional Funding Opportunities

London Community response – Wave 1 small grants – Up to £5,000. Deadline 3rd April. First round of funding from the London Funders collaboration to cover urgent needs and incurring costs with a focus on food and essentials.

London Community Foundation - London Communities Coronavirus Appeal – Not yet open - The first phase of funds raised will provide emergency funding to charities and community groups supporting those people most vulnerable due to COVID19.

National Funding Opportunities

Central Government - Business Support Portal

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - This page helps businesses find out how to access the support that has been made available, who is eligible, when the scheme opens and how to apply.
Deferral of VAT payments due to coronavirus (COVID-19) - VAT payments will be deferred for three months from 20 March 2020 until 30 June 2020. All UK businesses are eligible. No applications required.

Charity Aid Foundation – Coronavirus Emergency Fund - Grants up to £10,000 for charities with an income under £1m, applications will be reviewed and paid within 14 days of application, You can apply for unrestricted funding for core costs, staffing, volunteer costs, supplies and equipment, communications or other critical charitable areas.

Tesco Community grants - Bags of Help COVID-19 Communities Fund – Deadline: ongoing. One-off grants of £500 to organisations supporting vulnerable groups.

Childhood Trust - Champions for Children - funding available for groups and organisations supporting vulnerable children affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. Next 6th April will be a support webinar to ask CT any questions or seek any clarification about the Campaign. Sign up here

Thomas Pocklington Trust - COVID-19 Emergency Fund for the Sight Loss Sector- £500k fund - Grants of up £10,000 are available to sight loss charities in England for projects that support the blind and partially sighted community during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis or for covering the general running costs of the charity in the face of cashflow issues caused by the crisis.

National Lottery – Heritage Fund - Grants between £3,000 and £50,000. Not yet open. £50m fund aimed at heritage sector organisations as response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Sylvia Adams Trust – Early years' preventative work in England and Wales – one off grants of up £5,000 – Deadline 28th April – Fund for Charities that can demonstrate the likelihood of increased demand for their services and/or can demonstrate a loss of anticipated income attributable to the current pandemic.

Youth Music - Emergency Fund - Deadline 5pm 9th of April - Youth Music are distributing an emergency fund to support organisations with cashflow, maintaining services, adapting services, and with a focus on children and young people. It is not necessary to have received a Youth Music grant in the past. Funded by People’s Postcode Lottery, PayPal, and the National Lottery via Arts Council England.

Arts Council - Coronavirus support - Emergency fund of £160 million to support organisation working in the cultural sector in three streams: 

-National Portfolio Organisations £90m - Fund for National Portfolio Organisations (NPOs). All organisations within the Arts Council’s 2018-22 National Portfolio of Organisations (including Bands 1-3, and Sector Support Organisations).
-Organisations outside of the National Portfolio £50m - available to organisations in the cultural sector, who are not National Portfolio Organisations (NPOs) or Music Education Hubs.
-Funding for individuals £20m - Fund available to individuals working in the cultural sector, including artists, creative practitioners and freelancers.

National Emergencies Trust - Coronavirus Appeal - Fund launched to raise funds to help local charities in their work during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sport England – Community Emergency Fund – Grants between £3,000 and £10,000. £20 m fund to help community sport and physical activity organisations who are experiencing short term financial hardship or the ceasing of operations due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

Leathersellers - Small Grants Programme – Up to £3,000 – Deadline 11th May - Fast track funding for small one-off grants looking to cover small projects or unexpected costs.

John Lewis Partnership - £1m Community Support Fund - The fund will focus on the elderly and vulnerable. Help could include setting up additional local delivery services to support the self-isolating, the vulnerable, the elderly and those looking after them; delivering boxes of staples to local care homes and community groups, and donating products to create care packages for customers to share with vulnerable neighbours. The complete information is not yet published, please refer to their website for updates.

Ufi VocTech Trust - VocTech Now – Grants between £10k and £25K- deadline 6 April - VocTech Now provides grants of between £10,000 and £25,000 to support vocational learning providers to rapidly transition to remote teaching and training and deliver accessible learning at a time of significant change. The aim of the fund is to enable those in work or training to continue to engage with their vocational learning programmes during this period of travel disruption.
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