Supporting communities

The COVID-19 crisis is putting increasing pressure on our community and voluntary organisations to find new ways of supporting people and maintaining services.

At Developing Healthy Communities, we have gathered useful advice for the community and voluntary sector including access to funding, governance, support in the community and welfare benefits. Community & voluntary groups also provide access to crisis and mental health support.

Guidance for groups providing support

Access NI checks - North West Volunteer Centre, Omagh Volunteer Centre
Befriend hub - Strabane, Omagh, Fermanagh
Connect Fermanagh - New telephone service
DCSDC - Volunteers assisting deliveries advice and Advice for Community Support volunteers
Dinners to your door - Destined and Derry Taxis
Pharmacy collections - CDHN need your help
NI Direct - Advice for vulnerable people
Volunteer Now - Advice for groups involving volunteers

Support in the community

Age NI - Community Support
Causeway Coast & Glens - Community Response & Support
Communities NI - Register what's happening in your area
Derry City & Strabane DC - Community Support
Enniskillen area - Community assistance
Fermanagh & Omagh DC - Info, advice and support
Foyle Women's Information Network - Community support
Omagh Volunteer Centre - Register as a volunteer
Rural Support -Community Support in your area
Volunteer Now - Let's #HelpEachOther
Shops - Who's delivering in Northern Ireland

Governance guidance

Charity Commission NI
Companies House - 3 months extension period to file accounts
Information Commissioners Office - Data protection and coronavirus
NICVA - Supporting the Voluntary and Community Sector through the COVID-19 pandemic
Volunteer Now - Free Safeguarding courses online

Funding news

Community Fund funding during Covid-19 - Most popular is Awards for All (turnaround time 1-2 weeks)
Charities Aid Foundation - Emergency Fund
Dept. for Communities
- £15.5m Covid-19 Charities Fund
- Additional £10.8m for Covid-19 Charities Fund available from October
- How to apply to Covid-19 Charities Fund (TNL Community Fund is managing this)
- £3.2m to Councils to support C&V sector
Community Foundation NI - Coronavirus Community Fund
Dept. for Communities - £500k Hardship Fund for sports clubs and sporting organisations
DCSDC - Additional £50,000 funding for C&V groups
Help Musicians - Coronavirus Financial Hardship Fund
Housing Executive - COVID-19 Community Support Fund
Live Here Love Here small grants
National Emergencies Trust
Neighbourly Community Fund
NICVA - Fundraising advice and resources
NWCN - Ebulletin -info on funding and other support
Supporting Communities - Funding bulletin
Tesco Bags of Help COVID-19 Communities Fund Accepting UK Applications
VocTech Now - grant enabling those in work or training to continue engaging with their vocational learning programme
Free supplies through Giving World
Advice North West - Coronavirus: Benefit Entitlement / Frequently Asked Questions
Advice NI - moving to online training
Communities NI - @CommunitiesNI

Latest

Three key mental health messages from recent Clear Forum event

Catch up on the most important points made at the recent Reach, Remit, Referral event at the Omagh Enterprise Centre
Clear Project Training Outcomes

Here you will information on the Clear Project's training outcomes.
Seeking your expertise: Establishing diabetes wellbeing hubs in the north west

In the Western Trust area there a 17,500 people living with diabetes. A further 10,500 are living with prediabetes. Join community leaders to discuss planning and design of a local community-based Wellbeing Hub with Diabetes UK
Clear Forum event: Reach, Remit and Referral

Reach, Remit Referral - Focussing on mental health emotional wellbeing and suicide prevention within in the Western Area The aim of the event is to highlight support and services available through the Protect Life 2 Strategy

Obesity significantly increases chances of severe outcomes for COVID-19 patients

Learn more about how obesity can significantly increase the chances of severe outcomes for patients with coronavirus disease.
WHO Report: Pandemic fatigue - Reinvigorating the public to prevent COVID-19

This framework document provides key considerations for the planning and implementation of strategies to reinvigorate public support to prevent COVID-19.
Flu vaccination programme to be expanded

This article outlines how the Dept. of Health will expand the flu vaccination programme this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic
Useful Covid-19 Test Trace Protect resources for workplaces

This article describes free new resources to protect workplace staff against the spread of Covid-19.
Get the StopCOVID NI contact tracing app

This article highlights the launch of the new Covid track and trace app in Northern Ireland and gives info on how to download it.
Guidance on reopening facilities and resuming activities

This page features guidance and resources for community and voluntary groups who are re-opening facilities or resuming activities after COVID-19 lockdown.
Keeping up to date

Useful information sources and ways of explaining coronavirus in different languages including sign language
Supporting changing workplaces

Our workplaces are changing unrecognisably and at a rapid pace. To help you through, here are employer support schemes, working from home tips and support on adjusting to new routines and ways of working.
Support for families

Self-isolation is disrupting our usual family routines and preventing access to those we love. Access more information on how you can stay connected through this difficult period.
Western HSC Trust Services Reset Plan - Stage One

The Western Health and Social Care Trust has announced plans to resume services that were curtailed in response to the Covid-19 pandemic while retaining the ability to deal with any future waves of the disease.