COVID-19 updates and guidance

Last updated 9 April 2020

Read Public Health Wales’ daily statement here.

COVID-19 DAILY UPDATES

If you’d like a daily (Mon – Fri) update on the latest COVID-19 news for the voluntary sector in Wales, please sign up here.

LATEST UPDATES

• The Third sector resilience fund for Wales is officially open! The fund will provide cash flow support for voluntary organisations in Wales during the current Covid-19 crisis. Find out more & apply.
• We’ve been helping 30 voluntary organisations in Wales on the front line get the personal protective equipment (PPE) they need through Welsh Government supply chains. We know there are more of you out there that need supplies for your vital work, please get in touch to tell us what equipment you need.
• The UK Government announced yesterday £750m for charities across the UK, targeted at smaller local charities and those on the frontline.
• French Duncan have provided free templates for organisations that need to furlough staff.
• The Violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence team have made online training accessible to all for free during the coronavirus outbreak, to help people recognise the signs of abuse and how they can safely help to help combat the increased risk of some people stuck in abusive relationships during lockdown – you can access it through guest log on at https://learning2.wales.nhs.uk/course/view.php?id=71
• We’ve been helping 30 voluntary organisations in Wales on the front line get the personal protective equipment (PPE) they need through Welsh Government supply chains. We know there are more of you out there that need supplies for your vital work, please get in touch to tell us what you equipment you need.
• The Voluntary Services Emergency Fund is a new grant scheme to enable voluntary organisations providing vital support during the Coronavirus crisis to continue and expand their work. Apply today
• Parking concessions are available for NHS volunteers using council run car parks and street bays. Please see here for locations of free parking. Passes are available to volunteers registered with Volunteering Wales, visit volunteering-wales.net to login in or register
• French Duncan have provided free templates for organisations that need to furlough staff
• Social Business Wales is hosting a range of webinars in response to common issues arising for social businesses
• ICSA has produced an update on holding charity AGMs during the pandemic
• Furloughing Employees and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – read our guidance for the voluntary sector
• Lauren Swain, Wales Development Manager for Localgiving, highlights some of the fundraising activities that organisations in Wales are proactively undertaking at this difficult time
• We’ve launched guidance on the ‘ease’ of rules surrounding DBS checks during the pandemic
• Due to the coronavirus pandemic charities in Wales are losing income as fundraising events are cancelled and individual donations decrease. Alison Pritchard, Sustainable Funding Manager at WCVA, has some advice for charities on how to enhance their online fundraising presence

OTHER NEWS

• Charity Tax Group has created a hub of advice and guidance for charities
• Welsh Government has announced £24m in funding to support the voluntary sector
• There are now eight coronavirus related funding opportunities on funding.cymru – find out how to apply here
• We need to know your requirements for personal protective equipment (face masks, gloves, cleaning products etc) to help suppliers work out demand – and help vital voluntary organisations remain stocked. Let us know what you need
• We have produced a new set of guidance for staff who manage volunteers within the NHS in Wales, in primary or secondary care – NHS Volunteers and response to COVID-19
• Please view this twitter thread for information on volunteering & coronavirus in Wales
• Guidance from UK Government for employers on the coronavirus (COVID-19) Job Retention Scheme

COVID-19 GUIDANCE AND RESOURCES

We’ve collated all of our guidance and resources for voluntary organisations in Wales onto this Covid-19 guidance page. Here you’ll find information and advice related to Coronavirus on things like volunteering, funding, trustees and governance, and health and wellbeing.

BLOGS AND VIEWS

• The national networks from across the voluntary sector have met to discuss COVID-19 and how the voluntary sector can contribute to supporting those most vulnerable at this time. Ben Lloyd, WCVA Head of Policy, reports from that meeting
• We’ve collated a list of various funders’ responses to the virus
• Our Chief Executive Ruth Marks outlines the role of WCVA and the current focus of our work to support voluntary organisations during this difficult time.
• How can charities keep doing social good during social distancing? Judith Stone, our Assistant Director of Sector Development, makes a return from secondment to talk about what charities can do to continue their vital work

GOOD NEWS NEEDED

There hasn’t been a lot of positive news lately – between COVID-19 and the recent devastating floods across Wales, the mood seems pretty sombre across the nation.

What we haven’t been lacking in is stories of resilient communities coming together – for example the news that groups such as Coronavirus Support Blaenau Gwent have been assembling volunteers to help people in need.

We’ll be sharing good news stories and examples of good practise as part of this newsletter. If you know of any other positive stories like this of communities pulling together to cope with COVID-19 then please let us know!

OUR STANCE ON THE CONTINUING PUBLIC HEALTH DEVELOPMENTS

Ruth Marks has written a piece on the role of WCVA and the current focus of our work to support voluntary organisations.

As part of the ongoing response to the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19), WCVA is paying close attention to advice provided by UK Government as well as guidance from Public Health Wales.

We would recommend that everyone follow NHS hygiene advice.

Due to the current advice on the Coronavirus we’ve taken the decision to close our offices. However, all of our staff have been equipped to work from home and we’re still here doing everything we can to support voluntary organisations during this difficult time.

We’re currently suspending all face-to-face training and events, but will continue to deliver online learning where possible.

We will continue to monitor any developments and will inform the voluntary sector of any further action we take as things change.