19th November 2020

Please find below updates and information that we would like to share with you. Please circulate to any groups or individuals who may find it useful.

Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme

Applications are open for the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme for those having to self-isolate as advised by NHS Test and Trace and cannot work from home and so would lose income.

Further information and the online application is available at www.harrogate.gov.uk/benefits . Applications can also be made over the phone with Customer Services on 01423 500600.

Key messages on the Test and Trace Support Payment:

  • If you are on a low income and can’t work from home while you are required to self-isolate, you may be entitled to a payment of £500 from your local authority under the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme.
  • This is for individuals who have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace on or after 28 September 2020.
  • The Test and Trace Support Payment scheme will run until 31 January 2021.
  • You can check the eligibility criteria here.

Clinically Extremely Vulnerable

All residents who are Clinically Extremely Vulnerable should have now received two letters informing them of how to register for help if required. One letter was sent out nationally to everyone on the list however, a decision was taken locally to also send a letter to residents in the first few days of lockdown to ensure they knew where to get assistance locally if needed, before  activation of the centrally provided provision.

Some follow up calls have been made to those who stated that they required support however many of these calls have found that the individuals are ok and ticked they needed assistance should their circumstances change over the lockdown period. Local information of support available has been provided should their circumstances change.

An easy read guide to the latest guidance for extremely vulnerable can be found here

Guidance

What should you do if there is a Covid-19 outbreak in the workplace?

An outbreak is defined as two or more laboratory confirmed cases of Covid-19, among individuals associated with a specific setting/workplace with onset dates within 14 days.
Easy to follow guidance and action cards on outbreak control and keeping workplaces Covid secure are available here

Enabling safe and effective volunteering during coronavirus

This new Government guidance updated on 13 November aims to help organisations and groups understand how to safely and effectively involve volunteers during the pandemic.

Mental Health and wellbeing

Domestic Abuse awareness

As we are in ‘lockdown 2’ North Yorkshire Police are actively promoting the partnership video that was compiled back in June as part of Safeguarding Week to highlight the support available around domestic abuse.

https://youtu.be/GpKggvS2l38

The video is also available on the NY partnership Domestic Abuse page, see link below

https://www.nypartnerships.org.uk/da

Please use/share these links in any internal communications with your teams or community groups to help raise awareness in these difficult times.

If you’re worried about someone during the coronavirus pandemic

New social distancing rules and national restrictions are changing the ways we keep in touch. If you’re worried about someone who may already be struggling, the Samaritans website has some tips that may help.

Digital

Scam awareness event hosted by North Yorkshire Police

North Yorkshire Police are hosting an online event in partnership with North Yorkshire Trading Standards which will be your opportunity to learn about the types of online shopping fraud currently operating, how to spot them and how to stay safe.

There will be an opportunity to ask questions to a panel of experts from North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Trading Standards

The event will be conducted over Microsoft Teams. Do not worry if you do not have Teams installed on your computer. All attendees will be sent a link and you will join the meeting through your web browser. Full details will be circulated to all those attending prior to the event.

This online event will take place on Wednesday 25th November 6:30pm – 8:30pm.

If you wish to attend please click on the link below.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/black-friday-cyber-monday-how-to-avoid-online-shopping-fraud-tickets-127694759463

Digital skills assistance for older and disabled people

AbilityNet provides free assistance to older and disabled people to get the most from their home technology, computers, tablets, phones and smart tech. They are a national charity with a network of DBS vetted volunteers who normally conduct home visits however, remote support technology is now being used to provide assistance.

The service is tailored to an individual’s needs and priorities but support can be provided with using email, browsing the internet, shopping online and connecting with family and friends.

AbilityNet is also delivering a series of live online events to help share useful information for disabled people and their carers and employers.

Funding opportunities

A further round of North Yorkshire County Council’s Food Banks and Community Food Projects Support Fund is now live.  Funded by Defra’s Local Authority Emergency Assistance Grant for Food and Essential Supplies, one off grants of up to £5,000 are available to voluntary and community sector food banks and other food supply schemes (for example, community kitchens and fridges, or meals on wheels).

Those considering applying should contact myself Liz.Meade@northyorks.gov.uk or stronger.communities@northyorks.gov.uk for an application form and associated guidance; please note that all applications should be submitted electronically no later than 12noon on Wednesday 25 November 2020.

THE LOCAL FUND for the Harrogate District is now OPEN for applications!

Established in 2018 THE LOCAL FUND is a grant funding scheme available only to local Harrogate district voluntary and community sector groups and organisations. The fund supports projects and activities that benefit local communities and residents that have a positive impact on the wellbeing of people, especially those facing equality and disadvantage. The fund aims to grow local giving and provide a sustainable source of funding for small voluntary and community groups, small charities and other types of not for profit organisations provided that they can clearly demonstrate that the purpose of the organisation is wholly charitable.

The 2020/2021 allocation will focus on supporting small organisations who have suffered financial hardship due to financial challenges of this most unusual year. Grants will be targeted at small organisations with charitable aims where a small amount of money can make a significant difference. Applicants must be based in and/or working in the Harrogate district.

Size of grants
In this funding round, grants are available of up to £5,000. Applying organisations must have an income of under £200,000 a year (based on the most recent annual accounts). However priority will be given to charities with a turnover of under £150,000 and those that can clearly demonstrate how a small grant can make a real difference to their viability.

How to apply?
For more information please go to the ‘How to Apply’ page for detail on general eligibility and the application process. Please consider THE LOCAL FUND Harrogate Guidance Notes 2020 for this grant scheme carefully before applying.

When to apply?
The deadline for this round is the 11th of January 2021. Panel decisions will be made in February.

Other Community Information to share

Celebration of Volunteering across the Harrogate District

Sadly the 13th Harrogate & District Volunteering Oscars did not take place in 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions. At the Harrogate and District Community Action AGM we took the opportunity to say thank you and to celebrate the huge contribution local volunteers make.

Our presentation featured just some of the many volunteers across our Harrogate district who have made a real difference this year. You can watch the video again and please share via our website at https://www.hadca.org.uk/news/celebration-volunteering-2020

 North Yorkshire Adult Learning & Skills
The online courses are being updated every week and now include

Opportunities to get creative with ‘Handmade Christmas From Home’ courses
Take care of yourself this winter with ‘Health and Wellbeing’ courses and develop and learn new skills with ‘Health and Social Care’

https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/view-adult-learning-courses-and-enrol-online

Learning Guidance and Support

Whether it’s taking the first step back into learning, or getting that all important qualification to open doors to further learning or employment support is available.
Book a 30 minute advice and guidance session via Skype or on the phone to discuss your situation.
E: adultlearningservice@northyorks.gov.uk
T: 01609 536066 (new direct line contact number)

Vision Support Harrogate District – changes to TV Licensing

Vision Support has been helping visually impaired members with understanding the TV Licensing changes and the practicalities of responding to the licensing letters. If anyone in the district is living with sight loss and finding this difficult (or seeking any other support/advice), the Vision Support team are here to help.

The Vision Support telephone befriending and support services are also available for anyone with sight loss who would like someone to talk or who needs a little extra support.
Call 01423 565915 or email enquiries@vshd.org.uk

Fiona Friday

Partnership & VCS Officer

Legal & Governance

Harrogate Borough Council

PO Box 787

Harrogate

HG1 9RW

Tel :01423 500600 (ext number 58608)

email: fiona.friday@harrogate.gov.uk

Website: www.harrogate.gov.uk

Working hours: Monday to Thursday

Coronavirus advice for residents and businesses in the Harrogate district: www.harrogate.gov.uk/covid19

To subscribe to our Residents’ News, for the latest news and updates about the work of the council, please visit: www.harrogate.gov.uk/residentsnews

Post Views: 712