The situation with corona virus is fast moving and advice, guidance and resources are changing all the time. This page has been set up to bring together all the latest information in one place.
The Camden Covid-19 Community Directory is here: http://vac.secure.nonprofitsoapbox.com/covid-19
Please update the directory using this online form: https://www.tfaforms.com/4811729
Covid-19 Update page is here: https://vac.org.uk/corona-virus-covid-19-update/
Local Support Directories
- VAC COVID-19 directory of community organisations and their assistance during COVID-19.
- Camden Council directory for getting help and support at home during COVID-19
Bereavement
Data Protection
Employees and HR
- ACAS: guidance for supporting employees and HR
- ACAS : webinar for employers
- NCVO: Protecting staff, volunteers and beneficiaries
- Croner are offering unlimited free access to their HR and Employment Law helpline
- EScholes HR model Domestic Abuse Policy
Furloughing Staff (Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme)
- HMRC Guidance on furloughed staff and Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
- Hempsons legal advice on Charities and Job Retention Scheme
- Ramon Lee guidance on the Coronavirus Job Retention (Furlough) Scheme
- Bates Wells Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and Volunteering
- ACAS sample Furlough Agreement Letter
- VAC Furlough Scheme Webinar Presentation
- VAC Furlough Scheme Webinar Handout
Finance
- Government support for businesses
- HMRC: guidance on VAT and deferment
- NCVO: Contingency Planning and Financial Planning
- Charity Tax Group Coronavirus information hub for charity tax and finance professionals.
Finance (personal)
- New DWP Employment and Benefits website bringing all the information into one place.
- Camden announces £3million hardship fund to support residents through coronavirus crisis
- A list of emergency grants for individuals
- The DWP has stopped recovery action associated with benefit overpayments, tax credits debt, and social fund loans due to the coronavirus outbreak. ‘we are stopping recovery action associated to benefits overpayments, tax credits debt being managed by DWP, and social fund loans’ (awaiting official confirmation).
- The FCA proposes temporary financial relief for bank and credit card customers impacted by coronavirus.
- There is good advice on personal financial help and rights at the Money Saving Expert website and on the council website.
- Banks Launch Over 70s Helplines
- Contact Camden Citizens Advice for support and advice including universal credit
Food
- There are 7 foodbanks in Camden on the Covid-19 Community Directory
- The GLA have collated a list of food banks in London.
- This grant is for surplus food redistributors
- London Plus have collated a list of resources around FSM and COVID-19
- Sustain alliance have complied resources, blogs and guides about securing food
Funding
- London or Camden specific funding support for COVID-19
- National Lottery Awards for All £300 to £10,000 – prioritising the current crisis
- Small Charities Coalition: a list of UK-Wide funders and their response / support during COVID-19
- CAF list of Coronavirus Funding for Charities
- LinkedIn update on funders supporting coronavirus.
- Insurance issues in the current situation
- Financial support that individuals can access
General Support Resources for Charities
- Charity Commission guidance on managing COVID-19
- NCVO COVID-19 resource hub: a variety of resources, advice and guidance tailored for charities and nfps.
- Good Finance: a variety of resources for charities from remote working, to talking with funders, managing finances etc.
- Charity Bank: a compilation of resources from government support schemes, protecting staff and employees and support for charities
- ICO: official guidance on data protection during coronavirus
- Camden Council response and information for residents.
- NCVO Guide to Business Continuity Planning
- NAVCA Guidance on claiming Covid-19 Rates Grant
- Useful resources for organisations from NAVCA
- Covid-19 BAME resource hub from Spark & Co
- Our Front Line is a new hub of resources dedicated to supporting front line workers
- Guidance for households with grandparents, parents and children living together
Helping Neighbours
- NCVO: Guidance on supporting vulnerable neighbours
- VAC COVID-19 directory of community organisations and their assistance during COVID-19.
- Camden Council directory for getting help and support at home during COVID-19
- A guide to dealing with cash and payments for volunteers
Health and Well-Being
- Ideas to keep your mind busy
- Mind: Coronavirus and your well-being
- Good Thinking: tools to help mental health
- Ideas to keep active
- Ageing Better in Camden offline activities ideas
Mental Health
- Good Thinking have produced a digital tool which signposts individuals to anxiety, stress, and mood related resources
- Mind has provided practical tips and advice and a checklist for staying at home
- Mindfulness Initiative have curated a list of free mindfulness resources
- Bipolar UK have provided a list of apps for varying mental health and stress related needs
- Mayor of London mental health webpage
Planning for the Future #BuildBackBetter
- The Camden Voluntary Action Forum on Wed 17th June at 11am will be an initial opportunity to look at planning for the future
- Risk Assessment. You can adapt these risk assessment templates here and here shared by our sister CVS organisations.
- There are useful risk assessment tools from Gov.uk, the NHS Employers, and one specifically for the VCS from Camden Council.
- Guidance for the safe use of multi-purpose community facilities
- The risk assessment frameworks are based on the governments ‘Working Safely…‘ guidelines. There is an offices and contact centres version.
- Background reading: 6 characteristics of a resilient charity; A short guide to resilience for NGOs;
- Recovery tools from Acevo and Voluntary Action Leeds and a website of tools from Charities Aid Foundation
Rates and Business Support
- Camden’s Discretionary Grant Fund is now open: Full details and FAQ + Guidance.
- Detailed guidance for Charities with premises on accessing support grants
Remote Working and Tech Support
- National Cyber Security Centre: Preparing your organisation and staff for remote working, and ensuring you are safe from hacking, cyber attacks etc.
- Guidance from HSE on remote working and keeping employees safe.
- Online tools for remote working e.g. video-conferencing and collaboration using Trello, Slack etc.
- CAST have put together a number of useful materials to support charities during COVID-19:
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- How to work remotely in a time of coronavirus: CAST blog exploring technical solutions and cultural adaptations
- Practical Guide to Remote Meetings: our internal guide to holding productive remote meetings, which we’ve made available to all
- How to stay connected while working remotely: quick guide to checking in personally and professionally while working remotely
- Catalyst How to articles and practical guidance: simple steps for how to use video conferencing tools like Zoom, Skype and Google Hangouts.
- Digital Candle: a free consultation with a digital expert
- Design Hop workshops: explore the fundamentals of digital and service design for charities
- London Plus – Digital Support Providers:
- A group of volunteer PR practitioners have launched an initiative to provide free communications support to charities and public sector organisations that are struggling against the background of coronavirus, lockdown and staff on furlough.
- Catalyst are working to actively support the sector with digital skills throughout the pandemic. You can view their list of support resources here.
- Superhighways have released a series of blogs to help you get to grips with technology to help you communicate better whilst working from home.
- Lightful have collated a really useful list of free resources for charities during the Coronavirus – this is mainly comms/digital related support. The have also created a spreadsheet of upcoming webinars which you can access here.
Safeguarding – General
Safeguarding – Adult
- Camden’s Safeguarding Adults Partnership Board: https://www.camden.gov.uk/safeguarding-adults#section-4
- Age UK Camden: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/camden/our-services/coronavirus-covid19/
- Action On Elder Abuse: https://wearehourglass.org/
- Gov’s – Disclosure and Barring services: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service
- True Vision Hate Crime: https://www.report-it.org.uk/home
- Silver line – The Helpline for older People: https://www.thesilverline.org.uk/
Safeguarding – Children
- Camden Children’s Safeguarding Board: https://cscp.org.uk/
- National Society Protection for Children: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/
- Childline: https://www.childline.org.uk/
- Family Line: https://www.familylives.org.uk/
Templates
- NAVCA Coronavirus risk assessment template
- Home working data protection sample agreement
- Working from home file management template
- Working from home policy template
- GDPR Consent Form for collecting and sharing resident’s support needs.
