See here for guidance issued by the Information Commissioners Office about how to handle people’s data safely. https://ico.org.uk/about-the-ico/news-and-events/news-and-blogs/2020/03/community-groups-and-covid-19/
Covid-19 Resource Hub for Charities – provided by Charitybank
The Charitybank 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 • Fundraising Link here: https://charitybank.org/news/covid-19-resource-hub
Government advice on how to help others and volunteer safely
The single most important action we can all take, in fighting coronavirus, is to stay at home in order to protect the NHS and save lives. You should only leave the house for one of four reasons, and one of these is to provide care or to help a vulnerable person. This is a role that some volunteers will be …
DBS and Safeguarding Factsheet – issued by Government 25 March 2020
If your community or voluntary organisation is concerned about safeguarding issues, as your staff or volunteers are working with vulnerable people, then please read this Government Guidance on this issue. Click here for the link to the Government website Most community organisations are unlikely to require DBS checks. However, if you do, then VARB can process these for you. Please …
Funding available to community and voluntary organisations for Coronavirus response
Community Foundation for Surrey have opened their emergency grant fund to support community and voluntary organisations who are responding to the Coronavirus covid-19 crisis. Fund Aim and Priorities To support community and voluntary groups assisting in the relief effort, in easing the immediate difficulties communities are facing and to support their recovery over the coming weeks and months. Priority will …
Help VARB help others – tell us about any community support you are offering
The response from residents and businesses to support others in their community has been outstanding so far; but a coordinated effort is important to ensure the most vulnerable people get help. If you are providing (or planning to provide) a community support service in Reigate and Banstead, or you know of such a service, please complete this online form. PLEASE …
Temporary changes to DBS requirements – COVID 19
The Government has announced that it is relaxing the ID checking requirements for DBS checks – allowing electronic verification with ID checked in person on the first volunteer day. The aim is to speed up DBS checks. For details see here
Advice for Covid 19 Community Support Groups
It is heartening to see so many people responding to the Covid 19 situation by organising into support groups and offering help to people in need. However, many members of the community will be particularly vulnerable at this time and there may be people who seek to take advantage of this. VARB has put together some advice for informal and small …
Community Foundation for Surrey offering flexibility in response to Covid 19
Local funder, Community Foundation for Surrey, has issued this helpful message to the many voluntary organisations that it supports through grant funding: “We want to reassure organisations funded by the Community Foundation for Surrey that we are keen to support you through this uncertain time and to be flexible in the face of the challenges we will all face. We …
Keeping in touch from a distance!
Over the coming weeks/months working from home will become increasingly common due to the impact of COVID 19. Here are a few of the tools available to stay in touch with colleagues and others: Telephone – sometimes simplest works best! If there are more than two people involved then try Conference Call WhatsApp – as long as people have smartphones …