From the Funding, Community and Voluntary Sector cell of the London Covid-19 Strategic Coordinating Group. This weeks bulletin includes funding opportunities for people who have no recourse to public funds, a call for evidence from the committee on public services and lockdown easing advice.

Covid-19 Report on Risks and Outcomes

Public Health England published its report on Disparities in the Risks and Outcomes of Covid-19. The report’s analysis includes the differing effects of the pandemic according to age, sex, geography, ethnicity, health and occupation.

Funding

The British Red Cross (BRC) with Aviva and the Aviva Foundation have launched a financial initiative called the Hardship Fund. It is for people who are not in employment or receiving financial assistance from statutory/voluntary services due to having either no recourse to public funds or delays in receiving benefits. BRC have identified people using food banks, particularly new users, to be likely viable candidates for this initiative. The fund provides short term help for people that can’t afford the essentials such as food, somewhere safe to sleep and fuel. People will receive £120 as a one off payment or up to £1,080 over three months for families with children or other dependents.

Communications Resources

The Media Trust has collated 15 free digital communications resources for charities to use during the Covid-19 pandemic. It addresses some of the challenges of remote working and social isolation experienced by charities and the need to leverage digital communications, in order to reach target audiences. They have grouped the resources into four main topics: Digital Fundraising, Digital Marketing, Digital Leadership and Remote Working.

Domestic Abuse

A national campaign led by The Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA), Women’s Aid Federation of England, National Housing Federation and the Chartered Institute of Housing aims to bring the housing sector and refuges together to get survivors who are ready for ‘move on’ into a safe home.

Some housing providers are advising that they have a number of homes that are currently empty because nominations and lettings procedures were paused during the early part of the coronavirus pandemic. They want to ensure they are playing their part in providing homes for people who are particularly vulnerable, including survivors of domestic abuse.

Lock-down Easing Advice

Perkins&Will have produced a ‘road map for return’, which goes through the stages of analysis and planning through to the implementation needed in the resumption of office-based staffing during Covid-19.

Parliamentary Inquiry: Voluntary Sector and Public Services

A parliamentary inquiry into ‘the impact of COVID-19 on education and children’s services’ is calling for evidence until Tuesday 21 July 2020.  There is an opportunity for local authorities, early years settings, schools and partners to provide feedback on the extent to which the free school meals system is supporting all families experiencing food insecurity, including the most vulnerable children and those with No Recourse to Public Funds.

Committee on Public Services: Call for Evidence

The House of Lords Select Committee on Public Services is calling for evidence from voluntary sector organisations for its inquiry. One of the four key areas the inquiry will focus on the role of civil society during the pandemic. It will examine questions including the lessons that might be learnt from the crisis about the role of charities, volunteers and the community sector in providing public services and how the voluntary sector could be better integrated into local systems in future. Those interested can submit evidence here.

London Councils: Community Webpage

The ‘By the boroughs for the community’ webpage has now gone live. London Councils is ensuring the boroughs’ work to support communities in response to Covid-19 is recorded and celebrated. They are asking for examples of what your borough has been doing whether through images, press releases, videos or articles to covid19comms@londoncouncils.gov.uk.

Heatwave Plan for England

New resources and a slide pack outlining the risks of Covid-19 and hot weather have been published on GOV.UK. It recommends a series of steps to reduce the risks to health from prolonged exposure to severe heat for local authorities and social care. The plan also includes ‘Beat the heat: keeping care home residents safe and well’ a guide for care home staff.