Coronavirus
CVS statement
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak and following the national Government and Public Health advice, West Lancs CVS, along with the majority of VCFSE organisations, will need to change working arrangements in response to the pandemic. Read more.
Information and resources
West Lancs CVS is working alongside West Lancs Borough Council and our public sector partners to make sure that key coronavirus (COVID-19) facts and messages are available to all West Lancs residents via voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations.
Please join in these efforts to provide clear information to our community by cascading these messages to your networks, work colleagues, friends and families.
See our local covid information on the new Community Champions microsite here
Vaccine factsheet
The NHS have produced a useful factsheet in response to the most frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccine. Read it here.
Guidance for community groups
For a summary of useful information for community groups during COVID (from LCC Community Projects team), see here.
Government advice for charities
Information and advice for voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations during the coronavirus outbreak.
See website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-guidance-for-voluntary-community-and-social-enterprise-organisations
GDPR – Community groups and COVID-19
The Information Commissioner has published a blog on data protection, containing FAQ, a template for a privacy notice, and security tips for community groups.
Need extra skills for your charity?
If your charity needs support in the form of skills, logistics or planning, then you can sign up to benefit from the help of volunteers from the business community.
NAVCA has joined leading UK charities and sector bodies including ACEVO, Charity Finance Group, Directory of Social Change, Institute of Fundraising, NCVO, SCVO, the National Voluntary and Community Sector Emergencies Partnership, Volunteering Matters and the WCVA to help charities and community groups get support from the business community as they respond to the Covid-19 crisis.
Please tell them what help and support you need in this form.
Charity Bank COVID-19 Resource Hub
Their COVID-19 Resource Hub is updated daily and outlines the measures announced by the Government that will help charities and social enterprises. It is also signposting to the latest guidance on a wide range of issues including:
- Governance
- Risk management
- Legal
- Data protection
- HR
- Fraud
- Finance
Umbrella bodies and regulators
The charity sector’s umbrella bodies and regulators have issued some advice about keeping your charity running under lockdown conditions:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for the charity sector from the government
The government have set out their responses to the most commonly asked questions. The Charity Commission has added new questions and answers about charity finances to its Covid-19 guidance. It states that decisions on financial matters should normally be taken collectively, and significant decisions and action points noted in writing. Read more
The government will update the web page with responses to further questions on an ongoing basis.
Questions & answers include:
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How do I get support to pay my charity staff?
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Can I use reserves and restricted funds to help my charity through the crisis?
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What do I need to report to the Charity Commission?
For other questions and updates, please see: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-the-charity-sector
Advice from National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)
NCVO has published information intended to help organisations decide what actions that they may need to take in light of the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
The guidance also offers advice on how to protect staff, volunteers and visitors, as well as how to support beneficiaries and hold events.
NCVO has updated the advice on sick leave in line with the government’s current recommendations. The guidance also has a section on immediate actions to be taken in relation to managing finances, and a section on how insurance will be impacted.
See website: https://www.ncvo.org.uk/practical-support/information/coronavirus
See the full list of resources.
Blog: Community groups and COVID-19: what you need to know about data protection from ICO
Read the blog here
NAVCA website resources
The Resource Hub has useful links and resources for VCSE organisations, stored under four headings:
- Operational and remote working resources
- Guidance on working with different sectors of the community
- Safeguarding
- Governance
They are updating their guidance and information regularly – https://navca.org.uk/news-and-views
Updated statement from The National Lottery Community Fund: COVID-19
The attached statement was issued 17 March 2020 by Dawn Austwick, CEO, The National Lottery Community Fund.
They have since stated that:
- they will honour their existing commitments to grant holders and offer them flexibility so that they can focus on supporting their communities.
- all the funding decisions they make for the next six months (up to £300m of National Lottery funding) will be devoted to addressing the current crisis.
- accelerate the cash part of this funding as much as they can.
- faster payments for existing grant holders and applicants using the following criteria:
- Activities specifically geared to supporting communities through this crisis
- Helping organisations overcome any liquidity issues caused by COVID-19
Should they get through this initial tranche of support with some funding left or circumstances change, they will move to set new priorities. They know that this means some groups will not be able to access their funding over the coming months and they will endeavour to return to their broader support as soon as they can.
For all the latest updates, please visit their dedicated COVID-19 page.
Information for fundraisers
Information for fundraisers to help everyone in the fundraising community.
See website: https://www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk/news/information-for-fundraisers-about-coronavirus/
Funders
More than 70 grantmakers have signed a statement promising to support charities during the coronavirus emergency. They said that they would be understanding of difficulties and be flexible on reporting requirements and how funding is used.
Other organisations in the sector have also separately pledged support and are reportedly considering further ways of helping.
Charities are advised to contact funders directly with any concerns. Further details can be found here.
Safeguarding Factsheet: Community volunteers during COVID-19 outbreak
This factsheet is designed to address specific concerns that people involved in supporting their community may have at this time.
Home working: preparing your organisation and staff
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has published guidance to help organisations and individuals prepare to work from home during the coronavirus crisis.
As organisations will be encouraging more of their staff to work from home, new cyber security challenges are arising. This includes using new software, logging into online collaboration tools and the risks arising from lost devices, as well as phishing emails relating to coronavirus.
You can read this guidance here. The Directory of Social Change (DSC) has also very kindly shared its guidance for home workers, which you can find here
Finally, check out this useful list of online tools compiled by Charity Digital News, which could really help you and your teams work remotely.
NSPCC Learning’s Current awareness for policy, practice and research (CASPAR)
This document contains lots of useful information about safeguarding vulnerable children:
http://email.nspcc.org.uk/q/141sk62Qcg4hBj1ZGNp7V/wv
page updated 20-5-21
West Lancs Together: Helping you if you are vulnerable
West Lancashire Borough Council, in conjunction with all local health and community partners supporting West Lancashire, have launched a new Local Support System, West Lancs Together which will offer support to those most vulnerable within the borough.
If you have received a letter from the NHS categorising you as at risk and you are unable to rely on family or friends for adequate practical support whilst self-isolating
OR
if you are feeling at all vulnerable at this time and cannot rely on friends, family or neighbours for adequate practical support whilst self-isolating
Register to request support through their online form or call free-phone helpline 0800 616 667.
Opening hours: Monday – Friday 9am-5pm
This offers help and support to those who have been identified by the NHS as being at risk of severe illness if they contract COVID-19 and have been asked to isolate themselves (referred to nationally as ‘shielding’) for a period of at least 12 weeks.
Welfare Rights Service
Information about Lancashire County Council’s Welfare Rights Service – read the update
Patients advised how to access medicines
Patients are being urged to order prescriptions in the usual way they did pre-pandemic, which includes online apps such as MyGP or Patient Access. For patients who used to order their repeat prescriptions using a paper script, all prescriptions will now be issued electronically to your nominated pharmacy, if you do not have a nominated pharmacy you will be asked to select one. Paper prescriptions will only be issued in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of your GP practice.
Update on local health services
Please remember that you must book an appointment before attending the walk-in centre and the urgent treatment centre. Call 01695 402 180 to make an appointment.
or see 
.
NHS guidance for parents
When your child is ill or injured it is very difficult to decide if/when to call your child’s GP, NHS 111 or go the A&E. During the current COVID-19 pandemic and while the government is asking everyone to stay at home, it can be confusing to know what to do.
The enclosed guidance provides information on what services to use for your child and when.
North West Ambulance Service support for deaf and hard of hearing communities
North West Ambulance Service provides support to deaf and hard of hearing communities. All of the services are free of charge to use:
If you cannot make voice calls, you can now contact the 999 emergency services by SMS text from your mobile phone.
The Emergency SMS service lets deaf, hard of hearing and speech-impaired people in the UK send a SMS text message to the UK 999 service where it will be passed to the police, ambulance, fire rescue, or coastguard. You need to register before you can use it. All information on how to register for the service can be found here.
Rally Round is now free
Rally Round is now free for anyone to use worldwide and helps families, friends and communities to co-ordinate practical support for people they care about.
Rally Round can help people who are self-isolating: the elderly, vulnerable or people considered ‘at risk’ during the current Coronavirus pandemic.
See website: https://rallyroundme.com/
Contracts with local authorities, CCG, PCC, NHS Foundation Trusts
If you hold a contract for services with your local authority, CCG, PCC or NHS Foundation Trust, a Procurement Policy Notice, issued on Friday, requires all contracting authorities to:
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Reassure ‘at risk’ service providers that they will continue to be paid as normal until the end of June – even if service delivery is disrupted or suspended
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Ensure invoices from ‘at risk’ service providers are paid immediately on receipt
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Consider payment in advance or interim payments
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If your contract involves ‘payment by results’ then payment should be on the basis of average payments over the previous three months.
If this applies to you, you should contact your commissioner to make them aware of any issues you may face if payments are delayed. To qualify for immediate payments, you’ll need to agree to establish an ‘open book’ accounting system and make cost data available to the commissioner. You’ll also need to evidence that you are continuing to pay employees, any subcontractors, any delivery partners and any sub-grantees that you may have.
Covid training resources
Freely available to all. https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/. Additional content being added frequently. For all staff across H&SC – NHS & non-NHS organisations. Please share as widely as you can.
Covid Symptom tracker
An app has been created to allow people to track the symptoms of Covid-19 and help fight the spread of coronavirus.
See website: https://covid.joinzoe.com/
Virgin Care – Update on the delivery of adult community services during COVID-19 pandemic
West Lancashire’s adult community services teams remain committed to providing as much support as they can to people in the district. In line with the latest Government guidance, for the immediate future their core service offer will be as outlined below:
In line with the latest Government guidance:
– Patients are advised that they will be screened prior to attending any adult community service clinics and, where possible, in advance of health professionals carrying out home visits.
– All non-essential podiatry appointments have been cancelled until further notice, with the exception of high risk and dressing clinics. All new referrals will be triaged and seen if urgent. Non-urgent referrals will be moved to an assessment waiting list until further notice.
– Adult community services teams are only making urgent, essential visits to patients to help keep them in their preferred place of care. All other contact is taking place on the telephone.
Please contact the Single Point of Access with any queries: vcl.westlancs-spa@nhs.net / 0300 241 0011.
HMRC
Updated guidance for employers, businesses and employees is available at:
Be aware of scams
Read more from Lancashire County Council
West Lancs Borough Council
They are currently using their staff to support their essential services. As a result their Customer Services Point at the main Council building, Derby Street, Ormskirk is now closed until further notice. Read more.
From West Lancs CCG:
Read their latest update here. It is for stakeholders and partner organisations to support West Lancashire community.
Stop Loan Sharks
The England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) recognise that this period may be one of increased financial pressure for some people. The Team is fully committed to ensuring that illegal money lenders (loan sharks) do not take advantage and profit from other people’s hardship.
The Stop Loan Sharks helpline service (0300 555 2222) remains open and fully operational during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more.
Covid-19 guidance translations
Guidance on social distancing and for vulnerable people
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people translated into Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese, Mandarin, French, Gujarati, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Urdu, Welsh
Stay at home guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance translated into Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese, Mandarin, French, Gujarati, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Urdu, Welsh
page last updated 8-7-2020
Contact us
via email – for general enquiries: enquiries@wlcvs.org / or call: 01695 733737
via Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wlcvs/
Via Twitter – @westlancscvs
Eric Wright Small Grant Fund
This local small fund of up to £500 is still available for groups (with an income of below £30,000). See guidelines and application form. Please contact Vicky Attwood if you have any questions.
National Lottery Community Fund
The funding is still supporting projects and organisations helping communities through the COVID-19 pandemic but other funding is also available.
See website: https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/
Hardship funds and support
Available here – NB some may now be out of date.
Other funds
There is a list of funds available here and Grants Online have developed a dedicated webpage of funding that is available during the pandemic. See website: https://www.grantsonline.org.uk/coronavirus.html
If your organisation needs support (with funding or other types of support), please remember we are here to help. Contact the CVS on 01695 733737 or via enquiries@wlcvs.org
Free supplies through Giving World
Giving World will provide free of charge clothing, food Items, toiletries, cleaning and household products so the most vulnerable people in our communities can stay safe and well.
If you are not already registered with them to access free of charge business surplus stock, you can do so here: https://www.givingworld.org.uk/charity/
Browse the available products here: https://products.givingworld.org.uk/product-categories
Any queries contact them by email: admin@givingworld.org.uk
page last updated: 22-9-2021
Police (Non-Emergency) – 101
NHS (Non-Emergency) – 111
Test and Trace – 119
West Lancashire Borough Council – 01695 577177 / www.wlbc.gov.uk
Lancashire County Council – 0300 123 6701 / https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/council/get- involved/contact/
Social Care – 0300 123 6720
West Lancs CCG – 01695 588000
Find out more by
- Phoning or emailing Janice@wlcvs.org at the CVS Volunteer Centre on 07598552945 for a chat or to arrange a telephone appointment
- Going to https://doit.life/ to register online and look at current volunteering opportunities. Due to the current COVID-19 crisis some of these opportunities will not be available at present.
Cystic Fibrosis
Read their update.
National Eczema Society
The National Eczema Society has offered advice on handwashing techniques for people with eczema and other skin conditions.
Young Minds
Young Minds has issued advice for anyone feeling anxious about the virus.
Mind has also offered information on what to do if you are worried about your wellbeing.
Carers UK
Carers UK has issued recommendations for carers.
Cancer Charities
Cancer charities have worked together to produce information on Covid-19 for anyone affected by cancer.
Diabetes UK
Diabetes UK has provided an updated information page for people living with diabetes.
Age UK
Age UK has also provided advice on how to stop the spread of the virus, and actions to take.
Asthma UK
Asthma UK has released a blog post with advice for people with asthma.
Alzheimer’s Society
If you or someone you care for are worried about coronavirus and need support and advice, call the Dementia Connect support line on 0333 150 3456. Read more
page updated 27-3-2020
Coronavirus job retention scheme (furloughing)
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) gives employers access to support from HMRC to continue paying wages and avoid laying off staff or making them redundant due to the covid-19 pandemic.
- The government has developed guidance explaining the scheme.
- The furlough scheme has been extended to March 2021.
- From 1 November to 31 January 2021, the CJRS will reimburse 80% of salary to a cap of £2,500 per month.
- Employers will be required to cover National Insurance contributions and employer pension contributions.
- Employers can choose to top up salaries to 100%.
- Flexible furloughing will be allowed in addition to full-time furloughing. For hours worked, employees will be paid by their employer subject to their employment contract. For hours not worked by the employee, the government will pay 80% of wages up to a cap of £2,500.
- All employers with a UK bank account and UK PAYE schemes can claim the grant. Neither the employer nor the employee needs to have previously used the CJRS.
- To be eligible to be claimed for under this extension, employees must have been on an employer’s PAYE payroll by 23:59, 30 October 2020.
- For a detailed overview of what furloughing means for those who want to volunteer or take on volunteers, please read our blog on furloughing and volunteering.
- If only some employees are furloughed, consideration should be given to capacity and demand. You must be careful not to discriminate and to make furloughing decisions based on roles, not on personal characteristics. It may be appropriate to use a similar selection process as in a redundancy situation.
- Public sector organisations and organisations receiving public funding specifically for salary costs are expected to continue to use that funding for salary costs rather than furloughing staff.
Support for the bereaved
Support for the bereaved is a leaflet for the general public dealing with a bereavement and covers the following topics:
· What to expect
· Registering the death & preparing for the funeral
· Financial support
· Bereavement support
See website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/support-for-the-bereaved
Free health resources
• NHS Live Well: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/
• NHS Fitness Studio: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-fitness-studio/
• Joe Wicks’ daily P.E. videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/thebodycoach1/videos
• Sport England website: https://www.sportengland.org/stayinworkout#get_active_at_home
• Change 4 Life website: https://www.nhs.uk/change4life/recipes
Dedicated phone service for over customers aged 70 or over
A number of major banks have launched a telephone service dedicated to customers aged 70 or over.
- Bank of Scotland: 0800 0859179. Lines open from 8am to 6pm, 7 days a week.
- Halifax: 0800 0859137. Lines open from 8am to 6pm, 7 days a week.
- Lloyds Bank: 0800 056 0045. Lines open from 8am to 6pm, 7 days a week.
- NatWest: 0800 051 4176. Lines open from 8am to 6pm, 7 days a week.
- Royal Bank of Scotland: 0800 051 4177. Lines open from 8am to 6pm, 7 days a week.
Doctors of the World translated Covid-19 guidance
Doctors of the World have now translated essential Covid-19 guidance based on NHS and Government health advice and information in 48 languages available in written format. Video format of this guidance is available in 10 languages, and audio format with easy share button will be online soon. Please find them here: https://www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/coronavirus-information/
Government launches Coronavirus Information Service on WhatsApp
The new free to use service aims to provide official, trustworthy and timely information and advice about coronavirus (COVID-19) and will further reduce the burden on NHS services.
See website:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-launches-coronavirus-information-service-on-whatsapp
COVID-19 Information
There is a wealth of useful information on the Healthier Lancs and South Cumbria website:
https://www.healthierlsc.co.uk/coronavirus
page updated: 17-11-2020
Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
See their full list of services here including a 24 hour Mental Health Crisis Line staffed by trained mental health professionals who are able to provide assessment and referrals to appropriate services. Crisis Line: 0800 953 0110
And a Wellbeing helpline and texting service, where you can talk through any worries and anxieties you might be feeling, staffed by volunteers and those with lived experience that offer emotional support. You can ring it if you want to chat about your mental health or are feeling lonely. Wellbeing Line: 0800 915 4640 (call for emotional support or if you are feeling lonely or text ‘Hello’ to 07860 022846)
Resilience Hub
The Lancashire and South Cumbria Resilience Hub is intended as a support resources for all public sector workers and volunteers who have worked through the Covid-19 pandemic and their families.
This includes everyone from those who work in the NHS, local councils, ambulance service staff, care home workers, those working in social care and community workers. You can refer by going to the Resilience Hub website https://lscresiliencehub.nhs.uk/
New improved way of accessing talking therapies
Local residents needing to access mental health support will now benefit from a new pilot programme being rolled out across West Lancashire.
Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT), locally named Mindsmatter and provided by Lancashire and South Cumbria Foundation Trust (LSCFT) have changed how people can access talking therapies in the future.
The service launched a year-long pilot scheme on the 2 November 2020 and will provide residents who are experiencing many common mental health problems, such as anxiety, sleep disorders, trauma and depression with different types of therapy to what has been provided previously. A new single-point of access has been developed that will act as a central point making access easier. It will significantly reduce waiting times for therapy as well as providing more choice with the types of therapy on offer.
Residents are encouraged to access the IAPT service by self-referral but can also be referred via a health professional such as a GP or practice nurse, but self-referral is the preferred option.
Once Mindsmatter receive the referral via phone or email, they will arrange a nationally recognised assessment prior to being offered a therapy to meet a person’s specific needs. The therapy may be provided by therapists from LSCFT or with therapists from the local voluntary, community and faith sector (VCFS) providers.
The Mindsmatter service is available Monday to Friday from 9am – 5pm by calling 01695 684 177 or online www.lscft.nhs.uk/Mindsmatter and self-referrals can be made online at www.lscft.nhs.uk/mindsmatter2-self-referral.
They continue to offer 24/7 access to digital platforms including Silvercloud and are working closely with Lancaster University who are offering Clinical Psychology student placements to support service delivery.
LCC Every Mind Matters link for mental health support
https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/your-health-and-wellbeing/mental-health/ is the LCC Every Mind Matters link for mental health support support. This LCC page is the landing page for the national Every Mind Matters campaign. If you add in your postcode when using the national App, it will bring you to this LCC page for local support.
Mental health resources
A list of resources has been collated by Healthier Lancs and South Cumbria. See website: https://www.healthierlsc.co.uk/MentalHealthSupport
Mind
Mind are offering advice around how to help your wellbeing if you are required to self-isolate or worried about the coronavirus and covers the following areas: Plan for staying at home or indoors/ take care of your mental health and wellbeing & a checklist to see if you are ready to stay at home for two weeks.
See website: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/
Young Minds
Young Minds has issued advice for anyone feeling anxious about the virus.
Mind has also offered information on what to do if you are worried about your wellbeing.
Guidance for the public on the mental health and wellbeing aspects of coronavirus (COVID-19)
COVID-19: guidance on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing
Advice for parents and carers on looking after the mental health and wellbeing of children or young people during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Page last updated 26-11-2020
Support for the bereaved
Support for the bereaved is a leaflet for the general public dealing with a bereavement and covers the following topics:
· What to expect
· Registering the death & preparing for the funeral
· Financial support
· Bereavement support
See website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/support-for-the-bereaved
Free health resources
• NHS Live Well: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/
• NHS Fitness Studio: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-fitness-studio/
• Joe Wicks’ daily P.E. videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/thebodycoach1/videos
• Sport England website: https://www.sportengland.org/stayinworkout#get_active_at_home
• Change 4 Life website: https://www.nhs.uk/change4life/recipes
Dedicated phone service for over customers aged 70 or over
A number of major banks have launched a telephone service dedicated to customers aged 70 or over.
- Bank of Scotland: 0800 0859179. Lines open from 8am to 6pm, 7 days a week.
- Halifax: 0800 0859137. Lines open from 8am to 6pm, 7 days a week.
- Lloyds Bank: 0800 056 0045. Lines open from 8am to 6pm, 7 days a week.
- NatWest: 0800 051 4176. Lines open from 8am to 6pm, 7 days a week.
- Royal Bank of Scotland: 0800 051 4177. Lines open from 8am to 6pm, 7 days a week.
Doctors of the World translated Covid-19 guidance
Doctors of the World have now translated essential Covid-19 guidance based on NHS and Government health advice and information in 48 languages available in written format. Video format of this guidance is available in 10 languages, and audio format with easy share button will be online soon. Please find them here: https://www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/coronavirus-information/
Government launches Coronavirus Information Service on WhatsApp
The new free to use service aims to provide official, trustworthy and timely information and advice about coronavirus (COVID-19) and will further reduce the burden on NHS services.
See website:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-launches-coronavirus-information-service-on-whatsapp
COVID-19 Information
There is a wealth of useful information on the Healthier Lancs and South Cumbria website:
https://www.healthierlsc.co.uk/coronavirus
page updated: 22-9-2021
