You’ll find information and advice related to Coronavirus on things like volunteering, funding, trustees and governance, and health and wellbeing.
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On this page we’ve collated all of our Covid-19 guidance and resources for voluntary organisations in Wales
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Funding
- An initial £13m of the funds raised through the Big Night In appeal has been allocated to charities
- More details are now available on the £10,000 grant for small charities operating in the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors
- The Ministry of Justice has launched £20m of Covid-19 Extraordinary Funding for organisations that are supporting victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence
- Institute of Fundraising are trying to understand the current & future financial impact of coronavirus on the charity sector – fill out this survey by 25 May
- The 2.6 Challenge has now raised over £10 million, with the funds going to 3,961 charities
- Home-Start Cymru are among the first recipients of grants from the Voluntary Services Emergency Fund. Read how they’re adapting their services to the coronavirus pandemic
- Barclays are making 100 donations of £100,000 each to UK charities working to support vulnerable communities impacted by COVID-19
- 14 voluntary organisations working on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus have received funding in the first round of the Voluntary Services Emergency Fund
- We’ve passed the £2m mark in funding applications to the Third Sector Resilience Fund for Wales – if you’re a voluntary organisation who needs help with cashflow during the pandemic, find out more
- Coronavirus funding: which should I apply for? new blog from Alison Pritchard, Sustainable Funding Manager at WCVA
- With the London Marathon due to have been taking place this weekend, the #TwoPointSixChallenge is giving charities across the UK an alternative fundraising opportunity
- UPDATED: this page on funding.wales brings together funds that are directly supporting the sector in this time of need
- Welsh Government have released guidance for voluntary organisations receiving coronavirus funding
- 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
- Advice for charities on how to enhance their online fundraising presence
- Charity Tax Group – hub of advice and guidance for charities
- How to claim for wage costs through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
- WCVA Emergency fast-track loans – for voluntary sector organisations in Wales to help see them through the effects of coronavirus and recent flooding
- We’ve collated a list of various funders’ responses to the virus
- Coronavirus: advice for corporate fundraisers (English only)
- Information for fundraisers about coronavirus (English only)
- NET is launching an appeal to raise funds for local charities and grassroots organisations
- Lauren Swain, Wales Development Manager for Localgiving, highlights some of the fundraising activities that organisations in Wales are proactively undertaking at this difficult time
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Volunteering
- Cardiff’s Coronavirus Relief Project marked Ramadan with a fantastic community response, sending out 500 food parcels and collecting over £5,000 in generous donations, with over 100 volunteers signing up to help. Read their story
- E-gift cards for volunteers – updated guidance from Welsh Government on supermarkets schemes to help volunteers shop for the vulnerable (English only)
- The first week of June is Volunteers Week – a great excuse to say a huge thank you to the floods of people who’ve volunteered their time during the pandemic. We’ve got ideas and resources on our website
- This list of free resources will help you to equip volunteers for new roles, or for roles that they will be carrying out under different circumstances at this time
- You can now find or register volunteering opportunities for coronavirus support on Volunteering Wales
- If you are unable to get support from friends and family and need support from volunteers, please contact your local council
- Watch our Volunteer Manager Felicitie Walls in conversation with Victoria Wood of TalentBe where they talk all things volunteering and COVID-19
- Emma Morgan, Volunteer at WCVA, explains why you should consider creating volunteer virtual fundraising roles for your organisation during the pandemic
- Felicitie Walls, Volunteer Manager at WCVA, asks would-be volunteers who’ve signed up to help fight against coronavirus to be patient while the sector gets its bearings at this strange time
- WLGA has a hub of resources and useful information on volunteering available on their website
- 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
- Here is some guidance for volunteering in social care settings for staff who are or likely to manage volunteers within social care
- Read Jane Hutt’s thanks and guidance to volunteers in Wales
- Guidance for staff who manage volunteers within the NHS in Wales, in primary or secondary care – NHS Volunteers and response to COVID-19
- Looking Out for Each Other – a new Welsh Government campaign about how to help people who are staying at home because of coronavirus
- Discussions on volunteering positions to help the NHS directly in Wales are ongoing
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Trustees and governance
- Short-term homeworking solutions could be costing charities more. Jonathan Levy, Managing Director of Class Networks, explains why it’s time to set up longer term solutions and business continuity plans
- Following phenomenal uptake of its temporary free translation offer, the Welsh Language Commissioner’s office is switching back to offering free proofreading of 1000 words to voluntary organisations
- The Charity Retail Association has released a draft Reopening Pack for when charity shops can re-open, and provides some suggestions of things to think about in the meantime
- Lloyds Bank are offering free facilitated sessions to charities as part of their Charity Response Forum. The forum will include experts from across their organisation – not just in finance but other areas too such as HR and Comms. Book your place here
- Here’s guidance on the support available from the CIC Regulator and FAQ for CICs during the pandemic
- Acas is offering free webinars for employers around COVID-19. Upcoming sessions include Furlough Leave and the job retention scheme and mental health
- Guidance from the Charity Commission for trustees on how to manage financial difficulties caused by coronavirus
- This blog from the ICO clarifies some of the basics of data protection for community groups
- Inspiring Impact has created a webpage to support organisations with measuring their impact during the crisis
- Free business support is available for charities from Cranfield Trust during the crisis
- The Charity Commission has issued an alert for charities about fraud and cybercrime
- The eligibility cut-off date for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (Furlough scheme) has been extended from 28 February to 19 March
- The ICO have shared a guide on working from home for organisations
- Furloughing Employees and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – read our guidance for the voluntary sector
- The Charity Commission has provided guidance on running your charity during the coronavirus crisis
- Statement reminding charities that coronavirus could cause serious incidents that need to be reported to the Commission (English only)
- Filing charity returns during the coronavirus pandemic (English only)
- Statement reminding charities that coronavirus could cause serious incidents that need to be reported to the Commission (English only)
- French Duncan have provided free templates for organisations that need to furlough staff
- ICSA has produced an update on holding charity AGMs during the pandemic
- Filing charity returns during the coronavirus pandemic (English only)
- Charities that need an extension on their annual return can ask the Charity Commission. Find out how on their website
- 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
- The coronavirus pandemic has raised serious issues for trustees of all charities, meaning that risk management and effective decision-making are more important than ever. Read our guide for trustees
- NCVO – Coronavirus and governance: what trustees need to think about (English only)
- Russell Cooke Solicitors have released a briefing for charities on a number of legal points relating to COVID-19 with links to other sources of information
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Health and wellbeing
- The Minister for Health and Social Services has issued a Written Statement Test, Trace, Protect
- Welsh Government have produced FAQs for the voluntary sector on providing support for people that are shielding
- Social Care Heroes is a social media initiative developed by a partnership of agencies and individuals who want to raise awareness of the social care workforce in Wales
- Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services Julie Morgan has published a written statement about coronavirus and older people’s rights
- Updated discharge guidance for health, social care, third and independent sector partners in Wales has been published
- If you’re experiencing coronavirus symptoms, you can now apply for a home test. Find out more here
- British Red Cross has set up a coronavirus support line to provide a listening ear and help to people affected by the pandemic
- To mark VE Day Carers Wales, in partnership with Age Cymru’s Project 3600, has produced a guide on entitlements and support for veteran carers and people caring for veterans
- Our Risk, Procurement and Governance Manager Emma Waldron talks to CIPS about difficulties with PPE provision to the voluntary sector
- The Health Minister has announced new arrangements to ensure people who are shielding or self-isolating can continue to get their prescription medicines through delivery
- Housing, health, social care and support settings: Examples to inform implementation of the updated Infection Prevention and Control guidance from Public Health Wales
- Wales Carers Alliance has sent a letter to Welsh Government on the impact on unpaid carers
- 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 learning2.wales.nhs.uk/course/view.php?id=71
- Welsh Government have issued a written statement on the full extent of the actions our health service is taking, which can be viewed here: Welsh Government statement
- Letter from Albert Heaney to Care Providers – Distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Social Care Settings
- Read the Welsh Government’s statement on their ongoing provision of school for vulnerable children and children of key workers
- Welsh Government: guidance for social, residential and community care providers – for care workers who may have to work with potentially vulnerable people
- The Minister for Health and Social Services has issued a statement on Personal Protective Equipment
- UK Government – Latest information and advice
- Public Health Wales – their most recent statement, updated daily at 11am
- Public Health Wales – collected guidance
- Public Health Wales guidance for schools. They have also produced a series of infographics for organisations looking for social media-friendly ways of sharing advice, which can be downloaded here
- NHS hygiene advice
- Association of Charitable Foundations – Response to coronavirus (English only)
- The British Lung Foundation have guidance for people with pre-existing lung conditions (English only)
- Mind have provided guidance on mental health and wellbeing while dealing with the coronavirus (English only)
- People in Wales at a very high risk of severe illness from coronavirus will get a letter asking them to isolate for 12 weeks and advice on the support available
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OTHER GUIDANCE
- First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced that two households can meet outside in Wales from Monday 1 June
- This survey examines how the voluntary sector and communities in Wales might look when the Covid-19 crisis begins to lessen. Please take ten minutes to let us know what actions could be taken and what should be prioritised
- You can now book your place for our next #DifferentFuturesWales event – taking place on Thursday 4-5pm. This week we’ll be talking about how we influence policy, legislation and wider decision-making
- Lauren Pennycook, Senior Policy and Development Officer at Carnegie UK Trust, looks at how storytelling can help improve towns across Wales once the Covid-19 crisis has abated
- Housing and Local Government Minister Julie James has announced new funding of up to £20 million to help ensure that no-one in emergency shelter during the coronavirus crisis has to return to the streets or unsuitable accommodation
- The maximum fine for repeated breaches of the coronavirus lockdown rules in Wales will rise from £120 to £1,920 ahead of the bank holiday weekend – so stay safe, and stay home!
- Deaf Hub Wales is offering free training to help voluntary organisations support deaf people during the pandemic
- We have responded to the Welsh Affairs Committee’s consultation on the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the Welsh economy
- In this blog, Joseph Carter, Head of Devolved Nations for British Lung Foundation and Asthma UK, details the present concerns of both organisations, and how they’re supporting those with lung conditions through the pandemic
- We’ve drawn information we’ve gathered from the voluntary sector around coronavirus into a briefing which aims to highlight the key themes facing voluntary orgs of all sizes in Wales
- Following an announcement over the bank holiday weekend from Welsh Government, and a slightly different announcement from UK Government, Wales will continues lockdown with some minor adjustments and maximum caution. Please continue to follow Welsh Government’s guidance and stay home where possible
- As inquiries into the impact of COVID-19 have begun to emerge, we’re piloting a couple of new online engagement tools to help gather your thoughts and feedback
- This briefing from the Welsh NHS Confederation showcases how community groups, schools, businesses, charities and members of the public have come together to support the NHS and social care at this exceptional time
- Elen Notley, our Marketing and Communications Manager, urges the voluntary sector to shout about the incredible impact the sector is having during the pandemic
- Judith Stone provides some examples of how voluntary organisations in Wales are adapting and rising to the challenges of the pandemic
- Generous citizens across Wales have been more than willing to give up their time for others – we share some stories from voluntary sector staff
- S4C is offering free advertising airtime to charities that are based, or operate in Wales, and offer support to people during the crisis
- The sight loss sector in Wales has come together to produce an information resource for those with sight loss during the Coronavirus pandemic
- This weekly newsletter produced by CAST helps voluntary organisations with issues around digital skills, services and COVID-19 – sign up here
- The Deputy Minister Jane Hutt has praised the voluntary sector response to the coronavirus crisis as new inquiries launch
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Welsh Government have introduced new rules in Wales for businesses offering click & collect, clarifying exercise restrictions, and widening the definition of vulnerable people and the assistance for them
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Digital Resources for the third and youth sector in Wales from Promo Cymru
- An eye on the future in uncertain times: Anna Nicholl, our Director of Strategy and Sector Development, talks on the challenges of the present and the importance of looking forward past the current crisis
- Talbot Community Centre are showing that even in times of dire crisis, resilient communities can come together and help their most vulnerable. Read their story
- Rocio Cifuentes outlines key concerns which are emerging around the impact of Covid19 on BAME communities in Wales
- Stepping up: Ruth blogs about the resilience and commitment she’s seen in the voluntary sector during this time of need, and how we can carry this beyond the current crisis
- Is your charity facing financial difficulties because of the coronavirus crisis? Let us know the details now so we can help you with the problems that you are facing (and let governments know the challenges we’re facing too)
- We’re working with Welsh Government to ensure the continuity of supply of essential items for the voluntary sector to carry out their vital services. Please email Emma Waldron or The National Procurement Service’s corporate services team a list of supply shortages/concerns
- 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’re working with Volunteering Matters and other agencies across the UK to enable businesses to help voluntary organisations with their response to COVID-19. If your charity or organisation needs urgent help (skills, resources or logistical support) then complete an online form with your request
- A selection of charities across the UK are supporting the #EveryDayCounts campaign to encourage the UK Government to offer financial support to the sector, who are also being asked to support during this crisis. If you are experiencing financial difficulties due to the coronavirus pandemic, we would encourage you to write to your MP and AMs to let them know how important financial support for the sector will be. You can also tweet using the #EveryDayCounts hashtag
- Social Business Wales is hosting a range of webinars in response to common issues arising for social businesses
- The UK Government have released guidance for businesses on COVID-19 including information on payroll and VAT payment
- 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
- Here’s all the available support from Welsh Government for the third sector and charities during the disruption caused by COVID-19
- Our partners in England, NCVO, have prepared their own set of guidance which is useful for all charities – you can view this here