To keep you updated with the latest developments regarding Covid-19 we have started to populate our online page with all the information you may need. This is available on our website at https://ervas.org.uk/coronavirus/.
This email contains just some of the updates we have seen this week.
Local-Links Networking and information event and Youth Coalition
We will be hosting another virtual Local-Links and Youth Coalition meeting on the 3 June.
Fiona will update you on all the latest VCS news, and there will be an opportunity to talk briefly about your group (please prepare a short piece), and also, that all important funding update.
As before Detty will continue the Youth Coalition when the funders have spoken. You can register for one or both of the meetings, via the same link.
Once you have registered you will automatically be sent a unique link to gain access.
E-learning – We have recently developed a range of free e-learning courses, this now includes our workshop with Humberside Police and the National Trading Standards Scams Team on Scams, Fraud and Cybercrime. We also have listed a training course developed by Charity Digital on keeping your charity secure during COVID-19, as well as our Back to Basics: Introduction to Youth Work course.
Do-It.org –Calling all volunteers, Why not volunteer for one of the fantastic organisations, that support others in the East Riding of Yorkshire, All volunteers can find opportunities via the do-it.org website which is administered by ERVAS within the East Riding.
Join the team from the East Yorkshire bereavement support charity, Talking about Loss, at its latest virtual wellbeing social event this Saturday 23rd May, at 4pm.
Every week, therapists and counsellors provide tips and advice on ways to cope with bereavement and loss and also provide a listening ear. To find out more, check the Facebook page – TALscommunityhub – for the Zoom details or email manager.tal43@gmail.com.
York CVS
York CVS have put together the following guides and documents based on the requests from the sector:
Tower Hamlets Volunteer Centre has put together a comprehensive guide to help organisations decide whether to carry out DBS checks on volunteers who are applying for common roles that are being developed in response to the COVID-19 crisis. The advice follows guidance from the DBS, NCVO and the Government’s safeguarding and DBS factsheet.
Here at ERVAS we are still operating our DBS service so if you require a check, you can contact office@ervas.org.uk and we will be able to support you further.
Launch of new Young People Count Website
YPC is a space for all young people aged between 11 and 18 living in or around Pocklington. It’s a place they can call their own, where they can be themselves. We offer support, advice and training. We encourage young people to be the best they can be by embracing talent through events and bringing people together.
In these unprecedented times, we have recently launched our new website www.ypcount.org.uk and our Facebook page and linked twitter @YourYpc and Instagram ypcyourplace. We need help to make this a valuable space for young people and ask that you promote among your relevant contacts.
We are growing our volunteer workforce and will be looking for partners to work with from our new central venue in Pocklington planned for the summer.
Please do share with your contacts and any interest please contact office@ypcount.org.uk or Maz on: 07939 505310.
Men in sheds – Virtual Information Event
Date: Monday 15 June 2020
Time: 10am11.30
Location: ZOOM
HWRA invites you to join us to our virtual information event to be held on zoom to find out more about men in sheds and how you can get involved.
To join us confirm attendance via email or telephone. You will need to download Zoom via https://zoom.us. prior to the meeting date. Once registered the meeting invitation link will be given to you.
If you need any help downloading Zoom prior to the event please contact us!
Want to find out more?
Contact Carole Johnson East Riding of Yorkshire Men in Sheds Coordinator
Tel: 01652 637700 Email:carole.johnson@hwrcc.org.uk
Humber and Wolds Rural Action Registered Charity No:1099439
MATTHEW’S HUB
A free service for people aged 18+ who live in Hull, East Riding, North Lincs or North East Lincs and are autistic and/or have ADHD (formally diagnosed or waiting for a diagnosis), and do not have a learning disability
We can connect with you by phone, text, email or video
We can give you information on how to stay safe and well during the Coronavirus outbreak
Keep telling the world why your organisation is #NeverMoreNeeded than now
We are getting a good number of you now tagging us in your #NeverMoreNeeded posts – which is great, but we can always use more!!
If you’d like to download the official logo click here. For the Twitter logo its here and finally there is a LinkedIn one here.
How’s your Chair?
Is your Chair looking tired, saggy, or structurally defective? Hopefully not!
Chairs and other trustees play an invaluable part in the life of the VCS and deserve our thanks – volunteering at board level takes a special set of skills and knowledge, as well as time and energy.
The Association of Chairs has produced a handy Self Care for Chairs guide.
#ShowYourChairYouCare
Supporting children and young people impacted by parental imprisonment
Children Heard and Seen is a charity which supports children, young people and their families who are experiencing parental imprisonment.
In response to Covid-19, Children Heard and Seen is offering online support for families during lockdown, helping them to stay connected. This has included cooking classes, family fitness sessions, and online discussions with other families affected by parental imprisonment. One-to-one support is also available.
They are also encouraging parents to get in touch and take advantage of their services at this difficult time.
Business in the Community survey
Business in the Community is looking to connect its members with their local VCS organisations. BitC members are offering to provide pro bono assistance in areas such as financial planning advice, HR support, advice on mergers, communications support, coaching and mentoring.
By completing this very short survey you will help us identify the geographical areas where additional support is needed, and the kinds of assistance you and your local VCS organisations are looking for.
We will feed our results back to BitC to match up need with availability.
The ChildFair State Inquiry
Children and young people from across England are being supported to research, design and campaign for the welfare state they want.
Children England has launched their ChildFair State Inquiry. This aims to be the creation of a new blueprint for the welfare state by a team of 26 young leaders with input from 2,000 children and young people.
Working with people living with mental health issues, learning disabilities and/or autism
Did you know that NHS England and NHS Improvement produce a weekly bulletin for people working on Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism?
This bulletin provides colleagues working in organisations across health, care and support systems with a round-up of the new guidance, communication activities and information coming out of the NHS England and Improvement Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism COVID-19 cell.
It is recommended for staff members in social care, the voluntary and independent sectors and the NHS.
Lockdown and its effect on society
Stacie duPerrouzel, a freelance writer/director, is working on a story about the lockdown and how it has affected society.
She is particularly interested in speaking with charities who are working with women, domestic violence survivors and people in an economically unstable position.
Contact Stacie by phone on 07771790042 or email stacie.duperrouzel@gmail.com to find out more about her project.
Fraud, Scams and Digital Updates
Friends Against Scams
Friends Against Scams aim is to protect and prevent people becoming victims of scams. Due to the Covid-19 lockdown and the increased number of people spending more time at home during the day, there is a real risk more people could fall victim to scammers.
In response Friends Against Scams have produced a short information leaflet with helpful tips and advice for people to follow to protect themselves from scams.
Please support Friends Against Scams by sharing the poster with as many people as you can.
You can also complete an online scams awareness session to become a Friend Against Scams.
The Fraud Advisory Panel and Charity Commission have pre-recorded a webinar with sector partners to help organisations spot COVID-19 related fraud. They were joined by fraud experts from the City of London Police and Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy who shared practical advice and tips.
The Media Trust’s Resource Hub has a range of resources and articles offering practical tips to help your organisation thrive online. Resources include:
HMRC are aware of an increase in scam emails, calls and texts. If someone gets in touch claiming to be from HMRC, saying that financial help can be claimed or that a tax refund is owed, and asks you to click on a link or to give information such as your name, credit card or bank details, please do not respond. You can forward suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and texts to 60599.
Cervical Screening Scam – Stay Alert
Public Health England (PHE) has alerted the East Riding CCG to reports they have received of a possible scam.
It is believed that some women are being contacted by text message, claiming to be from the call and recall service to advise they are overdue for their cervical screening.
The message asks them to call a mobile number and provide personal details.
If you or anyone you know receives a message, please do not respond. These messages are not from the NHS Cervical Screening Programme and the Action Fraud Line has been contacted.
The Humber, Coast and Vale Cancer Alliance will be monitoring the situation and providing regular updates on their social media channels: Facebook: HCVCancerAlliance Twitter: @HCVCancer
Get Safe Online – Safe email
Email has always been the fraudsters’ favourite way to scam you. During the Coronavirus pandemic it’s become even worse. Read our expert tips on how to spot and deal with a phishing email.
Loneliness and lockdown exploited in romance scams
Organised criminals will be exploiting loneliness during lockdown to take money from romance scam victims, a charity has said.
Victim Support said people’s increased confidence in using the internet to meet and talk leaves them vulnerable.
Research in one region shows romance scam victims are groomed, then tricked out of an average of £47,000. more
The emails detected by the Cofense Phishing Center used official EE imagery, luring victims with the subject line “View Bill -Error”. The message within reported there has been an issue with the customer’s payment, urging them to update their details with EE. more
Whilst much of the malicious cyber-activity that has been identified is targeted at vulnerable individuals and organisations involved in the pandemic response (such as healthcare organisations), businesses should not rest on their laurels. more
Health Updates
Updates from the East Riding CCG
Mental Health Awareness Week: Children and young people urged to use free online service for mental health and emotional wellbeing support
Children and young people living in the Humber and North Yorkshire areas are being encouraged to use a free online mental health and emotional wellbeing service if they need support during Mental Health Awareness Week (18th-24th May) and beyond.
People aged between 11 and 25 in Hull and East Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire, and North Yorkshire can register to use Kooth – a free, anonymous online counselling and emotional wellbeing service which can be accessed using a computer, smartphone or tablet device.
They can access Kooth, which is accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, to receive one-on-one online sessions with qualified counsellors, receive and provide peer-to-peer support through moderated online forums, and read and contribute articles.
Kooth can also be used to keep an online journal and track your wellbeing via an interactive goal tracker. There are no waiting lists or thresholds for use, so people can use the service as soon as they register.
Kooth – created by XenZone, the UK’s largest provider of online mental health services – is available across the Humber, Coast and Vale Health and Care Partnership area, which includes the cities of Hull and York and large rural areas across East Yorkshire, North Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire.
#CovidCommunityHeroes Campaign
In recognition of the amazing work-taking place within communities across Hull and the East Riding we have launched a campaign called #CovidCommunityHereos to celebrate and thank those people who are going above and beyond to help make a difference during the Covid-19 pandemic.
If you know someone who has made a positive difference to their local community, or you have been helped by someone and you would like to say thank you, please let us know by clicking here and completing the nomination form.
Humber NHS Research Team – Psychological Impact of COVID19
Researchers from a collaboration group would like to invite you to take part in a short questionnaire exploring the psychological impact of the coronavirus, its effect on our emotions, behaviour and wellbeing. Anyone over the age of 16 can take part.
Please make sure to select ‘Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust’ when it asks ‘where did you hear about this study’.
Want to find out more? Just click on this link: https://bit.ly/2SnQvg1
For any questions, or support completing the questionnaire, please feel free to contact us: HNF-TR.ResearchTeam@nhs.net / Tel: 07970314826
Community Safety Updates
Commissioner Blog 20th May 20/05/2020
Every week I will update you on the work of myself and my office as we move through the current situation of the Covid-19 lockdown. You can read the latest update HERE.
There are now over 30,000 people signed up to My Community Alert, receiving regular updates from Humberside Police, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service and my office. Now, more than ever, it is essential we all keep in touch so please spread the word and encourage your family and friends to sign up at www.mycommunityalert.co.uk.
Funding News
National Lottery Community Fund
The National Lottery Community Fund has announced that the Government’s Coronavirus Community Fund. This opened at 10am today.
The first tranche will be £200m which will focus on two objectives:
To increase community support to vulnerable people
To reduce temporary closures of essential charities and social enterprises
Grants will cover service costs, where organisations are experiencing an increased demand and/or short-term reduction in income.
Head over to the NLCF’s website for the full announcement and then onto their funding pages tomorrow.
The remainder (£160m) will come as a second tranche later on but within the agreed timeline.
Government unlocks £150 million from dormant accounts
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden announced on Wednesday that £150m will be released from dormant bank and building society account funds and made available to the voluntary sector in the following ways:
£10m to the Youth Futures Foundation to develop an Emergency Levelling Up Youth Fund
£45m to be issued by Big Society Capital to help investments and as emergency loans for those with cashflow issues
£65m to Fair4AllFinance to provide ‘affordable credit’ solutions and as an alternative to high cost loans
£30m to Access – the Foundation for Social Investment to support social enterprises helping people in vulnerable circumstances. The words ‘social lenders‘ and ‘flexible finance‘ are used.
Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund – open to small charities
Details of the Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund have been published.
It is expected that this will be open to charities with properties that are receiving charities business rates relief – however please note that local authorities are expected to develop their own criteria.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Apply for the Food Charities Grant Fund
Frontline food aid charities can now apply for a grant of up to £100k to provide food to vulnerable people within your community.
Eligible organisations are those who are unable to meet the increasing demands for food and can distribute food purchased by 9 August. This grant is not to provide food for the extremely clinically vulnerable, who are already being supported by government.
£300k funding available through Clinks
Working with HM Prison and Probation Service, Clinks – the criminal justice charity – has been given £300k to share with organisations working with people in the criminal justice system and who have an annual income of less than £500k.
Bids should be directly related to Covid-19 and meet an immediate requirement or anticipated gap in provision.
Bidding opens this week and the funding is available for six months, or until the funding runs out.
Independent Age Grants Fund Deadline: 9am 4 June (first round – 3 further rounds)
Independent Age has released £2 million of funding to help smaller organisations across the UK working with older people that have been impacted heavily by COVID-19.
Resourcing Racial Justice
The Resourcing Racial Justice fund is a coalition of people of colour (POC) innovators, change makers, activists, artists and social leaders dedicated to social change. Together, we have established a new UK wide-funding pool to support individuals and communities working towards racial justice.
New digital funding and online support for charities and non-profits
The catalyst share three top tips for organisations applying to Comic Relief and Paul Hamlyn Foundation’s new £230,000 Explore programme.
Loneliness Covid-19 Grant Fund Charities can now apply to a £5m government fund aimed at tackling loneliness during the Coronavirus emergency. The fund will be issuing grants between £500,000 and £1m, and aims “to ensure that, for people of all ages and backgrounds, staying at home does not need to lead to loneliness”. The deadline is 29th May 2020
Youth Endowment Fund – COVID-19 Grant Round Organisations which support children (aged 10-14) in England and Wales at risk of youth violence, can apply for funding of £25,000 and over. The new grant round will help organisations adapt and deliver activities to reach and support these vulnerable children during the COVID-19 pandemic, under social distancing and stay-at-home guidelines.
The Morrison’s Foundation The Morrisons Foundation are offering grants of up to £25,000 for projects which make a positive difference in local communities. Charities applying to the COVID-19 Homeless support can apply for up to £10,000.
Resilience and Recovery Loan Fund is a £25m emergency loan fund which will provide repayable finance to charities and social enterprises directly affected by the current crisis.
The Fund offers loans of £100k-£500k, a loan term of a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 3 years, is interest-free and fee-free for the first 12 months.
East Riding Stronger Together Fund – This grant and support package aims to provide support and funding to enable the voluntary sector to thrive, now and into the future. It has been designed to reflect the essential needs of the voluntary and community organisations, with the opportunity to receive consultancy support from the East Riding VCSE Network.
I AM Fund – This fund supports local charitable organisations that connects children and young people to performance arts.
Future Fund launches today
The government’s £500 million Future Fund opens for applications today (Wednesday 20 May) with innovative and high-growth British businesses able to secure investment to help them through the Coronavirus outbreak.
£40m boost for cutting-edge start-ups
Innovative businesses and start-ups are set to benefit from a £40 million government investment to drive forward new technological advances.
Protecting our mental health
Our lives have all changed dramatically over the last 2 months. In times like this, it’s natural to feel more anxious or stressed.
‘Sobriety tags’ come into force
Criminals who commit alcohol-fuelled crime may be banned from drinking and made to wear ‘sobriety tags’ after new legislation comes into force today (19 May 2020).
£37 million to support children with complex needs
The multi-million-pound settlement will help low-income families with seriously ill or disabled children with the cost of equipment, goods or services
