Community Groups demonstrate remarkable resilience; still need targeted information, digital and funding support

In a follow up to an earlier survey conducted at the beginning of lockdown in March, Supporting Communities has recently contacted 132 community groups in Northern Ireland to check in with them about how they are coping with conducting business online and the changing rules around meeting in person. 

This survey was conducted in September 2020 prior to the latest restrictions. 

At the time of the survey, over half of the 132 groups had returned to their community bases in some capacity. 17% remained closed, but of those, over 14% intended to reopen soon. (35 groups surveyed do not have a public building.)  

Groups cited a variety of concerns about returning to their premises ranging from a lack of PPE and other practical measures like sanitizer and social distancing signs to a lack of volunteers. The biggest concern, however, was fear and confusion about staying up to date and complying correctly with the latest public health advice.  

Supporting Communities is addressing this issue by holding information sessions about “Returning to Community Bases & Activities”. We will update these sessions with new information as it becomes available. 

All of Supporting Communities’ services, from training to funding advice and CDO support, have gone online. We are concerned that this leaves out a minority of people who cannot meet online. We asked what barriers groups face in terms of participating in online meetings and events. 

Just over half the groups said they had no problems meeting online, but for the others, there was a range of barriers preventing them from taking part. Almost a quarter of the groups reported that low levels of digital skills was an issue for them. Lack of a device to use, connectivity issues, and accessibility issues were also problems for a significant minority of groups.  

Since March, the importance of getting everyone online has become even more acute, and we have increased our training support in this area. Our digital inclusion officer, Martin Quinn, has been working around the clock helping groups and individuals to become familiar with using Zoom and supporting them to do other online tasks that have become essential to lockdown life. Our training team and community development team have also been working with groups to support them to complete tasks online from submitting coursework on Google Classroom to conducting virtual estate inspections.   

The vast majority of our regular Housing Community Network meetings have also gone online, with a largely positive response. 

80% of our survey respondents said they had participated in at least one online meeting. 82% said they felt confident contributing their views in an online meeting, and 84% said that online meetings were useful. We received many positive comments regarding meeting online, although most are longing to meet in person again. Many see the benefits of combining both in-person and online meetings in the longer term. Online meetings are saving people travel time and, we find, keeps the actual meeting on time too! Overall attendance at HCN meetings has improved since going online.  

We have also heard from respondents that others in their group are not comfortable using Zoom or lack the digital skills and confidence to participate online. We would encourage these people to take the first step and ask for support from fellow group members, friends and family, or indeed to avail of our training. We offer phone support to get Zoom set up on your smartphone or your computer. Sadly, it seems we may all need to keep meeting online for some time to come, so now is the time to make sure everyone has the skills they need.  

Finally, we asked what support groups need most now.  

The number one support need was “consulting with residents during COVID-19”. Anita Doonan, Funding and Social Value Officer, has been running a “Back to Basics” series of funding surgeries that have focused on establishing your community's needs.  Our CDO’s are also working closely with their groups to support them to conduct local surveys. 

Fundraising was the second most cited need, and indeed it has been one of our busiest areas of work this year. Anita reports that we have helped HCN groups to access £499,035.69 between April and September! 

Governance issues such as holding AGMs online, managing charity finances, Charity Commission annual returns, and changing constitutions to adapt your charitable aims are also high on the list of support needs. 

We have listened to the needs of the HCN Groups and have created a training calendar of short, free, entry-level sessions addressing many of these needs and will be adding to it as we go. 

Follow us on social media and subscribe to our E-zine to keep up with all the opportunities to take part in online information and awareness sessions. Your Area CDO is here to help and will be able to signpost you to further resources as well.