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Welcome to the
Harrogate & Ripon Centres for Voluntary Service
E-Bulletin 2020 ISSUE 14
During these challenging times, we aim to issue more regular bulletins with updates for Harrogate district. Please bear in mind that we are doing our best to provide relevant information which is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time we issue the bulletin, but may change quickly due to new guidance or circumstances. If you have any news about your services or anything you read that would be helpful to share with our HARCVS networks you can submit a news story on our website.
If you have any comments or suggestions, we always welcome feedback. This will help us to share information which is interesting and helpful to you in your role in our local community. Please email us at cvs@harcvs.org.uk
If you haven’t received this bulletin direct from HARCVS, you may wish to subscribe to receive future issues of our newsletters in your inbox.
We hope you are all staying safe and well and thank everybody joining together to help others in our Harrogate district communities.
Coronavirus Community Support in Harrogate District
1. Community Support organisations
North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council are working with 6 community support organisations which are the point of contact for those who are alone and isolated by the pandemic and who have no other local support available.
These 6 organisations are working with local voluntary sector groups and trusted volunteers to arrange: shopping for food and essential items, collecting prescriptions, a friendly listening ear, information & signposting to someone who can help, if they can’t.
HARCVS and our front-line HELP team is the Community Support Organisation for Harrogate and surrounding villages.
Harrogate Round Table has worked with the councils, HARCVS and trusted local charities to provide a helpful guide to local support in and around Harrogate to assist those people who are self isolating at home, which has been delivered to thousands of homes.
In Ripon our team is working closely with Ripon Community House – support details are listed on this leaflet
People who have additional needs can contact the County Council’s customer service centre on 01609 780780 (every day between 8am and 5:30pm ). There is information about the help and support available on the NYCC website
2. Food and essential delivery services in Harrogate District
You can find listings of local services, businesses and information on our website
Our HELP Ripon & Rural team is working with Ripon Community House colleagues to offer food boxes to older and vulnerable people in and around the Ripon area struggling to get hold of essentials.
NYCC have details on their website of supermarket special openings hours and deliveries and information on how to safely pay volunteers or other suppliers including Volunteer shopping cards / E-gift cards which can be purchased online and transferred to a specific person for them to buy shopping at supermarkets.
North Yorkshire Buy Local enables North Yorkshire businesses and tradespeople who can work under Covid-19 restrictions to share what they offer with people who need their services.
Knaresborough Delivers is supported by Knaresborough Chamber of Trade and brings together local shops and small businesses delivering to HG5 and HG2 postcodes.
3. Community Information in Harrogate District: HARCVS Where To Turn Directory
There are hundreds of charity services offering support listed in our searchable community information directory. Many have had to change the way they work but are still offering email, telephone and online support, with a lot of information and guidance on their websites.
TIP: If you use the word coronavirus in your key word search your results will show services which are new or have been updated during the Covid-19 outbreak. (e.g. Use coronavirus shopping in keyword search or coronavirus as keyword and select a theme such as Mental Health)
To help people find the support they need, please let us know about changes to your charity services and any new services you are providing. Add your details or request a form to update your entry or simply email us the details of any local support you know about.
We will also continue to add updates to these regular bulletins and please Follow us on twitter for the latest news.
4. If you need volunteers remember we can help!
HARCVS Volunteering Directory
You can add new roles and update existing opportunities to reflect current changes using our HARCVS Volunteering Directory for Harrogate District
Please log in or sign up to share the opportunities you have, so we can help promote these.
If you have any questions please email us volunteer@harcvs.org.uk and we will be happy to help.
FUNDING
5. Coronavirus Community Fund
• In Phase 2 Two Ridings Community Foundation will also be offering larger grants of up to £10,000
• Larger partnership bids are also welcomed from groups that are seeking to come together to provide a strategic solution to a particular issue. For example food provision in a particular geographical area or support for people affected by homelessness
• The needs of key community organisations that have a wide reach and a strong track record of supporting communities will be prioritised to continue to deliver a crisis response and/or to maintain their existing services
• In addition, work that meets the needs of the most marginalised and underrepresented groups in our community will be prioritised
Small grants up to £2,000 continue to be available to support community groups with a small amount of emergency funding to respond to their immediate needs and those of the communities they work with. This week Two Ridings shared they had made 93 of these awards, totalling £176,267.
Applications to this fund will be assessed on an ongoing basis subject to available funds.
6. Knabs Ridge Wind Farm Community Fund
The fund is available to small local charities and voluntary and community groups based in the parishes of: Felliscliffe, Hampsthwaite, Birstwith, Norwood, Menwith with Darley, Haverah Park with Beckwithshaw and Fewston. In addition parish councils can apply provided that the proposed project is wholly charitable and falls outside of their usual remit.Applications for ‘micro’ grants of up to £500 can be made at any time throughout the year subject to available funding. The deadline for larger grants of up to £2,500 is 18 May 2020.
7. Co-op Foundation #iwill Bereavement fund
Grants of up to £10,000 to help young people support each other during bereavement. Due to the increased difficulties many organisations are facing because of COVID-19, the deadline is extended and the initial application is a simple expression of interest.
If you wish to apply, please express an interest before noon on 31 July 2020.
8. The West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health Inequalities Grant Fund
Funding of up to £450,000 is now available for voluntary and community organisations to help them tackle the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on people’s health.
The Fund will help reduce the gap in health equalities across the area. The funding will support practical projects and initiatives that will benefit local people and communities across Bradford and Craven, Calderdale, Harrogate District, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield.
This grant funding is intended to provide innovative and sustainable support for people who are worst affected by the impact of coronavirus. This includes people who live alone and cannot access social activities, and those whose mental health and financial circumstances have changed significantly due to the pandemic.
Six grants worth between £25,000 and £50,000, and six grants worth up to £25,000 will be available.
The deadline to apply is by 5pm on Monday 8 June 2020. Decisions will be made by a virtual panel and applicants will be notified before 30 June 2020.
9. Small Business Grant Fund and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund
There are two different funds, the Small Business Grants Fund (SBGF) and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Fund (RHLF). The guidance for both is in one Government document.
Our national body NAVCA has pointed out that the guidance says “Under the RHLG eligible businesses in England in receipt of the Expanded Retail Discount (which covers retail, hospitality and leisure) with a rateable value of less than £51,000 will be eligible for a cash grant of £10,000 or £25,000 per property.” And the guidance explicitly includes charities that meet this eligibility criteria. As examples: sports clubs or grounds, public halls, museums and art galleries are all included.
“However the SBGF, which gives grants of £10,000 to eligible businesses, is only available to a business in receipt of either Small Business Rates Relief or Rural Rates Relief. Any organisation claiming Charitable Rates Relief, even if you would be eligible for one of the other reliefs, is explicitly and definitively excluded.”
10. Charity Excellence Framework – A free, online toolkit to increase impact and fundingProviding assurance and enabling charity trustees and management to increase their social impact and secure more charitable funding.
You can sign up to have access to 545 COVID-19 related funders and a toolkit on improving your social impact, all for free.
11. The Edward Gostling Foundation
The Foundation supports charitable organisations that work with people living with a mental and/ or physical disability or long term illness. It has suspended its usual criteria for grant-making during the COVID-19 crisis, to concentrate on helping smaller charities providing frontline community services. It will be awarding grants of up to £10,000 to eligible charities with less than 6 months’ worth of free reserves, to support core operating costs.
NEWS, INFORMATION & RESOURCES
12. NCVO Involving Volunteers GuidanceThis web page is regularly updated with lots of advice on involving and managing volunteers during the coronavirus outbreak.
You can also keep up to date with latest volunteering policy, research and practice with NCVO online webinars
Involving volunteers during the pandemic: What you need to know 5 May 2020
This free webinar will provide you with some top tips on involving and supporting volunteers during the coronavirus crisis and give an overview of the practical guidance and support available.
How to involve and safeguard your volunteers during coronavirus 14 May 2020
What do you need to do if you are involving volunteers in your response to coronavirus? This free webinar will bring you up to date on common volunteering roles, key safeguarding principles, and wellbeing tips for your volunteers.
13. Association of Volunteer Managers: Themes from covid-19AVM has hosted a number of networking calls to discuss and share how people working with volunteers are adapting to the coronavirus pandemic. As similar themes and suggestions have emerged across all calls, they have pulled these together with links and resources generously shared by those on the calls.
14. Hints and Tips for Positive Conversations from the Befriending Network
This short guide provides ideas for positive conversations between volunteer distance befrienders and befriendees from checking in about general welfare/wellbeing, to going beyond the COVID-19 situation to find things in common, learn more about each other and allow your befriendship to develop.
15. Guidance for trustees, especially at smaller charities, who may need help facing difficult situations or decisions
The Charity Commission understands that many trustees have to cope with serious financial challenges that will have a major effect on their charities and those who depend on them and have therefore set out some guidance.
16. Action Towards Inclusion (ATI)
ATI is Your Consortium’s partnership of organisations connecting with community members who are furthest away from work and training. Flexible support is given to help adults overcome physical, psychological, financial and skills-related barriers and progress towards employment, training, education and job-search, whilst at the same time helping to combat a range of social issues including poverty and social exclusion. The work is undertaken by key workers and specialist intervention partners through a range of organisations in the voluntary and community sector.
Local Linking Events Online – Spring 2020
If you would like to find out about what ATI is doing in our area, the Harrogate District event is on 18 May and you can book here
If you are interested in referring a person to the Action Towards Inclusion then please contact the ATI team on 01423 795300.
17. Guidance on coronavirus testing for essential workers who are self-isolating
Charities responding to Covid-19 (charities and workers delivering critical frontline services) are included in the list of essential workers who can be tested for coronavirus ( as are their household members with symptoms ). There is more information on this Government web page which is being updated regularly.
There is also information on the NYCC website
18. Caring Behind Closed Doors
Millions of people are providing care unpaid every day. During this national crisis many carers have had to provide more care for their elderly, sick or disabled family or friends.
The new Carers UK report, Caring Behind Closed Doors, found 70% of carers are providing more care than before. Over a third are providing that care because of the closure or reduction of local services. Carers were already under pressure before, but now over half (55%) say they feel overwhelmed and are worried they are going to burn out in the next few weeks.
In Harrogate District, Carers’ Resource provides support for carers, no matter what their age or needs.
19. National Diversity Awards – Celebrating Unity in Society
Choose an award category for the person/organisation you wish to nominate for and nominate by 18 May. Categories include a Community Organisation Award.
20. Our Frontline support for keyworkers – You support us, we support you
Frontline health, care, emergency and key workers put themselves at physical risk to form our frontline against the coronavirus, also putting their mental health under pressure.
Our Frontline offers round-the-clock one-to-one support, by call or text, from trained volunteers, plus resources, tips and ideas to look after your mental health.
Our Frontline is a partnership between Shout, Samaritans, Mind, Hospice UK and The Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
21. Talk Suicide free online training
Anyone can suffer from suicidal thoughts but every one of us can make a difference. This free online suicide prevention training course will take less than half an hour of your time but it could help you save a life.
22. The National Gambling Helpline provides confidential information, advice and support for anyone affected by gambling problems.
Advisers are available over the phone or via live chat every day of the year, 24 hours a day. They will be able to listen to what’s going on, and can talk through all of the options available for support. Freephone 0808 8020 133.
23. RSPCA York, Harrogate and District Branch, have teamed up with City of York Council to offer advice and reassurance about how residents can help look after their pets during the Coronavirus pandemic.
There is also information on pet welfare and dog walking here
HAVE YOUR SAY
24. Responding to Covid-19 – VCSE Resilience Survey
Voluntary groups and charity organisations are playing a critical role in the Covid-19 pandemic response, working in different ways, more flexibly and, in many instances, under real financial pressure. Community First Yorkshire and partners in Yorkshire and Humberside are gathering information using a common survey, being coordinated by Voluntary Action Leeds. Data will shape support services and will be shared with health and other partners. Please complete the survey here by Friday 1 May.
LOCAL NEWS & SERVICES
25. A reminder of changes at HARCVS
From 1st May 2020 we will undergo our planned major change as we restructure to concentrate on the provision of services for older and vulnerable people delivered across the District under the umbrella of the Harrogate Easier Living Project. After 11 years in post Karen Weaver will step down as Chief Executive on Thursday and Frances Elliot, currently Head of Practical Support Services will become our new Chief Executive. Our charity will become known as Harrogate and District Community Action (HADCA) and Karen will have a reduced but continuing role in the organisation as Strategic Lead for Community Action.
At this time when our services are #NeverMoreNeeded we will continue to work with both established and new partners, members and volunteers to meet new local needs (and our bulletins will continue!)
26. Citizens Advice Craven and Harrogate are still here to help with Benefits (including Universal Credit), Employment issues, Consumer problems, Rent/Landlord/Housing Issues, Foodbank access and many other advice areas.
Online advice is available at https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
Contact the local team by email via https://cachd.org.uk/email or phone and leave message on 01423 503591 and they will get back to you as soon as they can.
27. Alzheimer’s Society (York, Selby, Harrogate, Ripon and Craven) COVID-19 Support
Support for anyone worried about their memory, has a diagnosis of dementia or cares for someone with dementia. Dementia Support Workers provide information, support and signposting. Call 01904 929444 or email york2@alzheimers.org.uk for dementia support, welfare and companion calls.
28. The Ripon Wholemeal Café Meals on Wheels service
A new free service for vulnerable people in the community, carers, NHS workers and those in need who would like a meal to be cooked for them one day a week, on Thursdays.
Please ring Janet on 01765 601938 to request a meal in the Ripon area.
29. Harrogate and District Diabetes UK are available to offer information, support and a friendly ear to people who have Diabetes
Mon – Fri office hours and Sat mornings please email: hadduk@outlook.com or call 07969 823 753 or find them on Facebook
There is information on Coronavirus and diabetes which is regularly updated for people living with Diabetes and their families on the Diabetes UK website
30. Harrogate Borough Council latest information – Coronavirus
The HBC website is updated with the latest information about waste and recycling collections, claiming benefits, rent and council tax, Parking, Housing options advice and support for businesses affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
31. North Yorkshire Adult Learning & Skills Service
New Online Course – Understanding Autism
Starting 5 May, every Tuesday for 3 weeks 11:00-14:00
This course will give you a greater awareness of Autistic Spectrum Disorder and the importance of effective communication skills and approaches that can support individuals with Autism. It will cover:
- Some of the issues surrounding autism & the myths and misconceptions frequently linked to autism
- Some of the characteristics of ASD & behaviours that may be associated with autism
- Sensory aspects of autism
- Communication skills, Strategies and approaches that can help.
Online Course – Cultural Awareness in Safeguarding
Starting 26 May every Tuesday for 3 weeks 11:00 – 14:00
This course is for anyone wishing to gain an understanding of cultural practices and how this might impact on Safeguarding issues. It will provide you with an awareness of cultural, ethnic and religious identities and practices when considering safeguarding issues that may present themselves.
During each session, you will develop an awareness and understanding of:
- Different cultural groups in the UK
- The term Safeguarding
- How language, cultural identity and belief systems may impact on the children and adults within the family
- How this may impact on the family’s ability to safeguard their children
- How our own cultural identity impacts on others
For both of the above courses you will have access to your teacher on a weekly basis through Skype, email and Google Classroom as well as the opportunity to contribute to group discussions across the County. You will be given tasks to complete where instructions and online demonstrations will be provided.
To enrol and for more information on either course please call 01609 532536 or email: north.adultlearning@northyorks.gov.uk
32. Ripon Walled Garden deliveries
The team has launched a new website and are now delivering plants and compost as well as their popular range of jams, chutneys and apple juice. Visit the website for available products and instructions on how to order. There is free delivery on all orders over £15 in the HG4 area.
33. BBC Radio York’s Stay at Home Cake & a Cuppa for VE Day
Friday 8 May 2020
Bringing everyone together, whilst we’re apart. Put the kettle on, get baking with whatever is already in the cupboards and join BBC Radio York between 10:00 – 12:00 on VE Day.
Get creative and make your own ‘Great British Bunting’.
34. Harrogate Scrubbers
Facebook group ‘Harrogate Scrubbers’ has been set up in conjunction with Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, which operates Harrogate District Hospital. Volunteers are producing scrubs, laundry bags, scrub caps and waterproof gowns. There has been an amazing community response. You can find a Resources and FAQ document on the Facebook group.
35. #NeverMoreNeeded – An opportunity to highlight your vital work
The charity sector has never more been in the public eye and our national body NAVCA wants to use this momentum to raise the public profile of the invaluable work charities do and why the public must continue to support it.
A reminder to please use the hashtag #NeverMoreNeeded in your social media posts ( and tag us) and let’s make a noise about the vital role we play! You can download the official logo here
Local voluntary and community sector job opportunities
Opportunities to work with HARCVS member organisations and our partners will appear on our HARCVS website
If you would like your opportunity to appear you can Add a Job to our website. This is a free service for HARCVS full member organisations. |
