Welcome to the
Harrogate & Ripon Centres for Voluntary Service
E-Bulletin 2020 ISSUE 12

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.   Finding local support in your community during coronavirus 

People who need help are encouraged to turn to trusted family, friends and neighbours wherever possible, so that public and voluntary sector resources can then be focussed on supporting those who are most in need, to be provided in a safe way.

People who are identified as clinically extremely vulnerable and have received a letter from the NHS, who have no family, friends or neighbours to turn to, can register for support  on the Government website.

People needing help can contact the County Council’s customer service centre on 01609 780780 (every day between 8am and 5:30pm ) which will direct them to the contact point in their area. North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council are working with community support organisations across the county.  

There is information about the help and support available on the NYCC website


2. Community Support organisations in Harrogate district 

6 community support organisations are the single point of contact for the county and district councils, working with the local voluntary sector for people who need support. This useful sheet summarises the questions to ask so people receive the most appropriate support.

The Community Support Organisations (CSOs) are:

This is a limited service at the times above to help with tasks such as shopping for essential items, prescription delivery and signposting to more local or specialist help.

People with more needs and urgent need will be referred to the North Yorkshire County Council Customer Service Centre on 01609 780780. This service is open every day between 8am and 5:30pm.

Harrogate Round Table has worked with Harrogate Borough Council, North Yorkshire County Council, 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.

The Ripon Community Support details are on this leaflet 

Karen’s blog on the Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce website is a helpful summary of local support.


3. Updates on food and essential delivery services in Harrogate, Ripon and Nidderdale areas
The services available are changing on a daily basis and together with colleagues we are trying our best to keep our listings up to date.

You can find the listings on our website including the latest Harrogate & villages information updated today. 

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 including a new Morrisons dedicated telesales doorstep delivery service aimed specifically at helping to ensure vulnerable and elderly people can get the groceries they need. There is also information on how to safely pay volunteers or other suppliers.

North Yorkshire Buy Local is a new website has been launched to enable North Yorkshire businesses and tradespeople who can work under Covid-19 restrictions to share what they offer with customers 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.


4. 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 will have had to change the way they work but will still be offering email and telephone support, with information and guidance on their websites.

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. We would be grateful if you were able to please add your details  or request a form to update your entry  in our Where To Turn Directory. If this is a new/ revised service you are running during the coronavirus outbreak please add the word ‘coronavirus’ to the service description so that this help and support is easier to find using the keyword search.  

We will also continue to add updates to these regular bulletins, including local food delivery options.  Follow us on twitter too for the latest news.     


5.  Volunteering 
Covid-19 Here to Help VolunteersAnyone over 18 years of age, who is healthy and not at high risk (see NHS guidelines ) who wants to volunteer safely can sign up below to become a Here To Help Volunteer and help others in Harrogate or Ripon, with tasks such as urgent food shopping for the most vulnerable.

Become a Here to Help Volunteer in Ripon

Become a Here To Help Volunteer in Harrogate

If you know someone who would like to volunteer but who isn’t online, please let them know they can call our team on 01423 813096.

In other parts of Harrogate District, please contact local hubs Masham Community Office Nidderdale Plus , Knaresborough Connectors  and Boroughbridge Community Care  who are supporting their communities (see details above).
HARCVS Volunteering Directory 
If you need volunteers remember we can help!
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


FUNDING

6. Coronavirus Community Fund for North Yorkshire, York, East Riding of Yorkshire or Hull

Emergency funding to deal with emerging issues in the community as a result of the continuing threat of coronavirus.

Grants are available of up to £2000 however the fund has two clear streams of activity and groups can only include up to £1000 costs under each stream. You can apply under either stream 1 or 2 or both streams 1 and 2.

Stream 1 – Is about costs relating to delivery of your activities and supporting beneficiaries directly–you can include costs here of up to £1000.
Stream 2 – Is about your organisational running costs or overheads – you can include costs here of up to £1000.

Applications to this fund will be assessed on an ongoing basis subject to available funds, with the aim to get a decision to you within 2 weeks of receiving a completed application.


7.  National Lottery Heritage Emergency Fund now open

HLF will be providing emergency funds of £3K-£50K over the next three-six months to stabilise operations and manage unforeseen risks plus they will fund a select number of key strategic investments where heritage is identified as at greatest risk.

HLF will only fund organisations that have received funding in the past or are either a current grantee, or still under contract following a previous grant. HLF will also be accelerating its: Digital Skills for Heritage for project which will include support for organisations to run activities and events, reach audiences, engage volunteers, share content and fundraise online.


8.  COVID-19 Emergency Funding for Charities and Social Sector Organisations
Charity Bank has updated its list of emergency funds for charities and social enterprises that are experiencing difficulties with their cash flow during the COVID-19 outbreak


9. Neighbourly Community Fund

Neighbourly is offering a series of micro-grants up to £400 to existing members in the UK and Ireland.  They will be made to charities and community groups whose work involves supporting members of the community suffering economically, socially or from ill health as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. This may include, but not be limited to, elderly people, those on low incomes and people at risk of food insecurity.


10.  Morrison’s Foundation COVID-19 Homeless Support Fund

The Morrisons Foundation recognises that homeless people are particularly vulnerable to Covid-19 because they are more likely to have underlying health conditions and are less able to access basic sanitation. The Trustees have pledged £500,000 towards the Homeless Support Fund, which is  designed to support registered charities caring for the homeless during the coronavirus outbreak and ensure help gets to those who need it most. Funding will be available to cover 3 broad areas of support: outreach and support for rough sleepers, including provision of essentials; delivery of services in hostels and shelters; information and advice.


11. Little Magic Grants

Small grants up to £500 to support and inspire people to participate in sports or exercise with the primary aim of improving the physical health of participants. In response to COVID-19 the grants will support projects that support people to stay active during social distancing, such as online fitness classes delivered via video conferencing software or Youtube. Applications considered any time until 31 October response within 2 months.


12. The Standard Life Foundation

A new fast track grant scheme in light of the Coronavirus, funding work that relates directly to the pandemic. Projects funded may last only a few weeks or months but some may be longer. Grants will range from £5,000 to larger amounts.


13.  Arts Council for Emergency Response Fund open

£50 million available to organisations in the cultural sector, who are not National Portfolio Organisations (NPOs) or Music Education Hubs. They can apply for a maximum of £35,000.

£20 million of financial support available to individuals (artists, creative practitioners and freelancers)  so they can better sustain themselves, and their work, in the coming months. They can apply for a maximum of £2,500

Round two opens for applications today and applicants will need to register by 27 April in order to make an application before the deadline of 30 April.


14. Sylvia Adams Charitable Trust 

Registered charities with income less than £750k working with early years disadvantaged children can apply for unrestricted grants of up to £5,000.
Spring applications close 28 April 2020. 


15. Landing a grant: ten top tips

In this short blog DSC share our top ten practical tips to help boost your chances of securing a grant.


NEWS, INFORMATION & RESOURCES

16.  Managing and supporting volunteers guidance 

NCVO has created a coronavirus advice page on their Knowhow website for anyone managing or supporting volunteers during the pandemic.
These are the areas it covers:
•             How volunteers can make a difference
•             Redirecting volunteers if you cannot take on any more
•             How volunteers are affected by the lockdown
•             Volunteers in key worker roles
•             Volunteer expenses
•             Paying for goods or services
•             Data protection
•             Recognising and reporting scams


17. Volunteering Safely

The Government has updated guidance and launched further resources to encourage people to volunteer while remaining safe.


18. Free resources for people who find pictures easier than words

Beyond Words have produced a series of downloadable books dealing with some of the more uncomfortable discussions that we may all need to have during the coronavirus outbreak.


19.  COVID-19/Coronavirus: Safety Advice for Survivors from Women’s Aid
Calls to UK Domestic Abuse helplines have more than doubled since the lockdown.  People in danger need to know that they can dial 999, then press 55 and remain silent. Police will know that the caller is in danger and cannot speak.

The IDAS Live Chat service is now available 3 pm – 6 pm Monday – Friday. There is also a chat dedicated to answering questions from professionals, agencies and workers from 10 am – 12 noon on weekdays.

Live Chat, which can be accessed on the IDAS website, offers a discrete way for people to get in touch a chat box will appearing  in the bottom right hand corner of the site, during live chat hours.

Trained workers can offer practical and emotional support whether you are worried that your relationship might be abusive, if you have a question or if you are worried about someone you know. Helplines and refuges also remain open and a range of ways to access support, including online video calling, messaging services, phone calls and emails.


20.  Good practice for virtual board and committee meetings

The Chartered Governance Institute has produced comprehensive guidance and tips on how to carry out digital board meetings.


21. Guidance to help with running your charity during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

The Charity Commission have set out their response to the most commonly asked questions from  charities concerned about what to do during the coronavirus outbreak.
The Commission says that they want to assure charities that the approach to regulation during this uncertain period will be as flexible and pragmatic as possible in the public interest, whilst helping trustees to be aware of and think about the wider or longer impact of their decisions on their charity.
The Charity Commission contact centre 0300 066 9197 is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm


22. Tell NCVO if furlough rules on volunteering are not helping your organisation

NCVO is asking government to reconsider its position on furloughed staff and volunteering. Government guidance currently states that people can volunteer while on furlough, however not with their own organisation. This is likely to be having a negative impact on organisations that involve volunteers:
•             If a staff members also volunteers with your charity and they are furloughed, they will have to stop volunteering
•             If you are furloughing staff, those staff members will not be able to volunteer in pre-existing volunteering roles
•             If your organisation is developing roles and mobilising volunteers as part of the coronavirus response, you will not be able to include furloughed staff.

NCVO wants to hear your examples on where the current furlough rules negatively impact your organisation. Please email Shaun.Delaney@ncvo.org.uk with a few lines – and let him know if you are happy for this to be used in NCVO’s brief to government and/or NCVO’s public-facing work.


23. Lockdown rules relaxed for people with autism and learning disabilities
The Government has issued new guidance for people with autism and learning difficulties stating they are now able to leave the house more than once a day and travel outside of their local area – should they need to.
The change comes after lawyers were asked for help by two families with children on the autistic spectrum.  Read the full article from the Guardian here


24. NAVCA resources hub for the voluntary and community sector

There are lots of useful links on this page which is being constantly updated. Topics include safeguarding, governance and remote working.


25. Self injury Support

The TESS service offers emotional listening support for women and girls affected by self injury and a space to explore what is going on alongside a trained female volunteer with knowledge of self injury.
Confidential and anonymous services are open from 7pm -9.30pm, Tuesday-Thursday.
Text: 07537 432 444 (if you don’t know where to start just text or message ‘hello’ )
Email:  tessmail@selfinjurysupport.org.uk
Or start a webchat here
There are also self-help resources a