COVID-19 Response and Information
/Updated: June 18, 2020
A Message from Supporting Communities
Colm McDaid
Communities all over the world are now dealing with an unprecedented health emergency the likes of which we have not seen in our lifetimes.
At Supporting Communities, we want to do everything in our power to continue to support and assist our members to respond effectively to this crisis.
Groups everywhere are ramping up their efforts to reach out to the most vulnerable amongst us, devising creative ways to stay in touch and provide essential services. Our mission remains unchanged – we will continue to support and empower communities and we will be there to help you face this challenge.
We believe in working together, supporting each other, and advocating for those who need our help. We are working with our key stakeholders the Housing Executive, the Department for Communities, Housing Associations, and other third sector organisations to pull together a unified response and a central point of practical information.
We will focus on the positive actions we can take to help everyone get through this situation. What this COVID-19 virus has certainly shown is that we are all connected and must support each other.
- Colm McDaid, Chief Executive
Support by Area
Check the resources our CDO’s have linked to in each of their areas.
See the new section of our website here.
Food Delivery
Register for Priority Online Food Delivery
If you have been advised by your GP to shield (avoid all face-to-face contact for 12 weeks) because you have a medical condition which makes you extremely vulnerable to Coronavirus (COVID-19) you can register for support with securing an online shopping delivery from one of the large supermarkets.
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/register-priority-online-food-delivery
Who is Delivering in My Area?
To find local businesses offering a delivery service, a crowd sourced map of services has been created by the Facebook group ‘Who is Delivering Northern Ireland’. Click here to find shops and services in your area that will deliver to your home: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=4753480abc69495e8a23f24febd69967
Department for Communities
Covid-19 guidance for social housing landlords and tenants
The Department produced a guidance document to support tenants and landlords in the social housing rented sector during the Covid-19 outbreak. The guidance includes what to do if you/your tenant is struggling with paying rent, health and safety advice for both tenants and workers when carrying out emergency repairs, and the latest information on house moves and eviction proceedings.
Read more here: https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/publications/covid-19-guidance-social-housing-landlords-and-tenants
COVID -19 Community Helpline
The Department has launched a new COVID -19 Community Helpline through Advice NI. The freephone provides help to those in vulnerable groups to access information, advice and guidance in relation to COVID-19.Help them to identify the most vulnerable in our communities so they can deliver a new weekly food parcel service aiming to deliver 10,000 parcels.
Contact: The Freephone COVID-19 Community Helpline
phone: 0808 802 0020
email: covid19@adviceni.net
text: ACTION to 81025.
It is available 7 days a week, 9am to 5pm.
Please see their website for the latest news: https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/landing-pages/covid-19-service-updates
Helplines NI
All of the helplines listed on this website are still operational unless otherwise stated and are continuing to provide information, advice and guidance on a wide-range of health and wellbeing needs. Please use the search box below to find a helpline and to speak to someone today.
A number of new helplines have been established in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic and are providing topic specific information and advice in relation to COVID-19
Third Sector Advice on Managing the Impact of Coronavirus
The voluntary and community sector is mobilising in response to COVID-19 pandemic and the many challenges facing people, communities, and our health and care services. NICVA has converted CommunityNI to enable organisations to list their support efforts in a centralised and structured database that can be used by anyone looking for support, and to help in the coordination of interventions across Northern Ireland. The data on COVID-19 services is available for download for other organisations to support and simplify the process of identifying and sharing information on support services.
https://www.communityni.org/help
NICVA has also produced an excellent resource page signposting to authoritative sources of information that they are updating regularly. Rather than reinvent the wheel, we encourage our members to read the information here: https://www.nicva.org/covid19
Charity Commission Guidance
The Charity Commission assures charities that their approach to regulation during this period will be as flexible and supportive as possible.
Updated guidance for charities: https://www.charitycommissionni.org.uk/news/covid-19-guidance-for-charities/
Resources for Volunteers
Volunteer Now continue to encourage and support volunteering during this challenging time and have published lots of useful resources and advice. Volunteers can register here where they will receive dedicated COVID-19 roles and receive regular contact from Volunteer Now.
Volunteer Now have also published some information sheets for more guidance when involving volunteers and volunteering during the Coronavirus crisis.
Good Practice Considerations for Groups Involving Volunteers in Response to Covid-19
Good Practice Guidelines for Volunteers When Volunteering for a Covid-19 Opportunity
Informal Volunteering in Response to Covid-19 – Keeping Yourself and Others Safe
Keeping Children and Young People Safe from Online Sexual Abuse (COVID-19)
Community Support for Community Pharmacy Scheme
This scheme has been established to co-ordinate the community and voluntary sector support for community pharmacies across Northern Ireland. This support has two main elements:
Safe delivery of medication to people who cannot collect it themselves
Assistance with queue management within the pharmacy setting
Community groups who meet the required criteria can register with CDHN and will be matched with pharmacies for either or both of these functions.
Funding Support and Resources
Online Funding Clinics available to Housing Community Network (HCN) members
We can connect with you using Zoom, WhatsApp Video call, Messenger Video Call, Skype or simply a phone call - whatever suits you and your group’s needs.
As we pilot this online service, it will initially only be available for Housing Community Network members.
The Online Funding Clinics will start the week commencing April 20th and will be available on Tuesday’s and Friday’s from 9 am – 2 pm in pre-allocated slots of 45 mins each.
Book Your Appointment
To book a slot, please email anita@supportingcommunities.org
Latest Coronavirus/COVID-19 Funding Opportunities
Digital Inclusion Help: Get Connected, Stay Connected
Do you or anyone you know need help with digital skills such as shopping online, email, or keeping in touch with friends and family during this uncertain time?
Some basic digital skills support could be a lifeline for many who are isolated.
Online Resources
You can find Supporting Communities’ Digital Inclusion Resources here:
https://supportingcommunities.org/digital-inclusion-resources
More Online Digital Skills Resources
NI Direct’s Go ON NI (www.nidirect.gov.uk/go-on-ni) for information, e-learning and training guides on many topics covering how to stay safe online, shopping and staying in touch through Social Media.
Training guides are available here: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/learn-keep-touch-online-improve-digital-skills
BT Skills for Tomorrow - https://www.bt.com/skillsfortomorrow/
A digital learning hub from BT UK with short courses on how to use the internet in your daily life in partnership with Learn My Way.Learn My Way - https://www.learnmyway.com/
Become a Digital Champion with Learn My Way. Many people need help using the internet for essential activities like online banking, looking for a job and staying in touch with family and friends.
One to One Help
Martin Quinn
Our Digital Inclusion Officer, Martin Quinn, is available for phone consultations. If someone in your area needs someone to talk them through the basics of getting connected and using online communication tools, ask your CDO to refer them to Martin.
You can also contact him by email at martin@supportingcommunities.org or by phone at 077 4356 2027 during regular business hours.
Digital Assist Text Help
Business in the Community, in partnership with Go ON NI and NI Direct, is offering free digital help for anyone who needs it.
If you have a tablet, laptop or phone and need help to address a specific problem, our digital volunteers can help.
Simply text the word DIGITALHELP (one word) to 67300* with a brief description of what you require help with and a volunteer will phone you within 48 hours with free, helpful advice on many topics.
Coronavirus: How to Avoid Scams
The Consumer Council has compiled information regarding scams relating to COVID-19 (coronavirus) and how to avoid falling for them. Don’t get tricked!
Read about the different kinds of scams going around here:
https://www.consumercouncil.org.uk/coronavirus/scams
You can also follow Scamwise NI from the PSNI on facebook to get their latest advice: https://www.facebook.com/scamwiseni/
We are continuing to update our resources for groups online. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news
