Stroud District Council has issued an update on the decisive action taken to safeguard critical services during the current Covid-19 lockdown. This, combined with the preparation that Ubico undertook to induct additional agency staff has meant that all waste services have been maintained, apart from the provision of bulky waste collection.
The Gloucestershire Rural Community Council has issued the third edition of Keeping in Touch.
You can download the newsletter here.
This edition contains information and links concerning Legionella, HM Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, Charity Commission guidance and more grants relating to Coronavirus:
The previous editions of Keeping in Touch can be found here on our Covid-19 support page. Please, also, don’t forget that the community development team at GRCC are here to help. Contact details for staff are on our website or email info@grcc.org.uk.
Dates for the planned road closure for resurfacing at Bradley Green have now changed.
The work is now planned to take place between the 14th and 21st May.
The planned closure is at 3/257 Bradley Green from 7.00am to 7.00pm for 6 days (excluding the weekends).
Dates for planned closures can change at short notice, the latest information can be found by visiting www.gloucestershire.gov.uk
Facebook: Gloucestershire Roads
Twitter: @GlosRoads
Please select this link to read the road closure notice.
The Leaders of Gloucester City Council and Gloucestershire County Council have expressed their thanks to everyone in voluntary and community organisations for all they are doing at the present time.
They say, “The last month has been an extremely difficult and challenging time for us all, both professionally and personally.
We are both extremely proud of how everyone in voluntary and community organisations in Gloucester and across Gloucestershire as a whole, have pulled together to do their bit to tackle the spread of Covid-19 and support our communities. We want to say a specific thank you to you and those working with you for providing vital support, in what are incredibly challenging circumstances, to those that need help now more than ever. These are unprecedented times and to be able to rely on you and other similar organisations to bolster the resilience of our services and of our communities as a whole is essential to our ability to tackle and overcome this worldwide emergency.
We know you and your staff and volunteers are working under challenging circumstances. We would urge you all to remain safe. Please don’t put yourselves in positions where you or your staff and volunteers don’t feel safe.”
You can read the letter in full on our website at http://www.glosvcsalliance.org.uk/thank-you-to-everyone-in-the-vcs/.
Urgent request for PPE to support the county response to Covid-19
Can you help NHS and social care colleagues in the county by offering stocks of PPE?
The items listed below are urgently needed to support NHS and social care staff delivering care to some of the most vulnerable in our county. In this time of great need, please consider how you might be able to help.
If you can help, please provide details of the items you have, including quantities and how quickly they could be made available to Covid19transporthub@glosfire.gov.uk.
Offers to make PPE
The NHSE/I CoVid19 team is asking any volunteers offering to make PPE for the COVID-19 response, to register at https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-support-from-business.
FUNDING
If your organisation would be interested in making a joint bid to this Fund, please get in touch with Matt Lennard at matt.lennard@glosvcsalliance.org.uk and the Alliance will coordinate.
Emergency Funding Bulletin
The VCS Alliance has compiled a list of emergency funds set up in response to the coronavirus emergency. It includes those highlighted above. You can find this on our website at http://www.glosvcsalliance.org.uk/external-funding-opportunities-bulletin/. We have already sent details to our funding bulletin subscribers. We will keep the list updated on the webpage, last amended on 23 April.
Helping to build local resilience and combat loneliness
The team at Creative Sustainability team is currently providing a number of activities. To find out more please call 01453 798363 or email anna@cscic.org.
Stroud Valleys Project launches new interactive wildlife spotting website
Stroud Valleys Project has developed www.wildclassrooms.org challenging participants to spot 60 different plants and animals in a year.
When individuals or groups register, they are given a virtual tree with bare branches. Each month they will be given five species to spot and when they are recorded on the site, a leaf will appear on their own tree. The more things they spot, the more leaves on their tree!
It is suitable for anyone of any age and it aims to celebrate the everyday wildlife that can be seen in our gardens and other local nearby green spaces. In our current isolated times, it is something we can do at home and will help us feel part of the wider community and kindle an interest for biodiversity, the environment and sustainability. www.wildclassrooms.org has been funded by a grant from the Summerfield Trust.
Funding Bulletin – 21 April 2020
The latest version of the main Funding Bulletin is available on the Gloucestershire VCS Alliance website at http://www.glosvcsalliance.org.uk/external-funding-opportunities-bulletin/.
Emergency Funding Bulletin
In light of the coronavirus we have launched a separate bulletin with emergency funds. This is updated regularly on our website at http://www.glosvcsalliance.org.uk/external-funding-opportunities-bulletin/.
Recent updates to the emergency bulletin include:
The main bulletin
Many funders are deferring deadlines or limiting funding to existing grantees. We have updated dates and details in the main bulletin for those we are aware of, but please check the latest news on funders’ websites before you make an application.
Key highlights:
Changes to deadlines
Please let us know if you are successful in receiving funding because of something you have seen listed in the bulletin. This is important in helping us to monitor the effectiveness of the funding bulletin – thank you.
About the VCS Alliance
The Gloucestershire VCS Alliance is the independent voice that informs, strengthens and develops the local voluntary and community sector. To learn more about what we do, please visit www.glosvcsalliance.org.uk.
Gloucestershire County Council has advised that they are planning to close Bradley Green, Wotton-under-Edge for resurfacing between Wednesday 13th May and Wednesday 20th May 2020.
The planned closure is at 3/257 Bradley Green from 7.00am to 7.00pm for 6 days (excluding the weekends).
Dates for planned closures can change at short notice, the latest information can be found by visiting www.gloucestershire.gov.uk
Facebook: Gloucestershire Roads
Twitter: @GlosRoads
Please select this link to read the road closure notice.
Stroud District Council is continuing to receive reports of bonfires being lit across the District.
Please do not set fire to your waste.
Many people are currently self-isolating at their homes and cannot escape the smoke produced by these fires. Some will already be struggling with respiratory symptoms. Please do not make things worse for them.
Please store your waste for now, pending the recommencement of green waste collections and the re-opening of Waste Recycling Centres.
Please do your bit to help the situation and do not burn waste.
You can download Stroud District Council’s bonfire advice poster here.
Stroud District Council has produced a Community Information Pack containing help and advice for communities who are supporting residents during the Coronavirus Pandemic.
The pack contains health advice, information on key contacts and resources and details of the Gloucestershire County Council Community Hub.
Please select this link to download the Community Information Pack.
Coronavirus and Governance
The NCVO has issued a blog discussing some key questions for trustees to consider when thinking about how best to support their organisations. These include:
The blog includes some practical guidance on holding Board meetings remotely and advice on AGMs and general meetings. Find it here.
Involving Volunteers
NCVO has refreshed its volunteer section with advice on involving and managing volunteers during the coronavirus outbreak. https://knowhow.ncvo.org.uk/coronavirus/involving-volunteers. You can find its general coronavirus guidance at https://www.ncvo.org.uk/practical-support/information/coronavirus.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
The government has issued clarification following queries received, including:
You can find the latest updates at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-could-be-covered-by-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme and https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme.
Gloucestershire Funders
Gloucestershire Funders is a new collaboration between eight charitable foundations and organisations who can provide funding for charities, groups, people and activities, in Gloucestershire. After listening to charities to understand the impact of COVID-19 they are offering support in four ways.
1. Immediate responsive funding
2. Potential proactive funding
3: Mentoring and support to charity CEOs and Chairs
4. Longer-term recovery, redevelopment and support
The Gloucestershire Funders, in alphabetical order, are:
Read the full statement which sets out how you can apply for funds at http://www.glosvcsalliance.org.uk/gloucestershire-funders/.
Are you supporting vulnerable people?
The VCS Alliance is trying to gather intelligence on the sector and changes to service provision that you may have introduced. The sector is at the frontline of supporting vulnerable individuals and we are looking to collate information on what services are available. Please let us know what you are doing and who you are supporting by filling out a quick survey. We are particularly interested to hear from organisations that have reshaped their service to meet local need in the following areas.
If you are currently providing help in any of these areas, please complete this short survey at https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/ZG5B5F/
Remember if you wish to promote the services you are providing, the best way of doing this is to register with the help hub at https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/gloucestershires-community-help-hub/.
Free online workshops
The Growth Hub is offering a number of free online webinars with topics including marketing, social media, managing cash flow. Find out more at https://www.thegrowthhub.biz/events.
Information from The Alzheimer’s Society – Raising awareness of dementia
Being home alone whilst self-isolating could mean some people affected by dementia are more likely to be vulnerable to financial abuse.
Alzheimer’s Society have worked with National Trading Standards (Friends Against Scams) to develop a postcard which details different scams to look out for, as well as who to contact if you think you’ve been a victim. You can find it here. There is a blog with further information on what to look for, see it here.
You can ask your local shop to take four key actions to better support older people and those in vulnerable groups, including dementia, during this time:
Read more from The Alzheimer’s Society here.
Helen Vaughan is looking for stories and examples of specific actions supporting people affected by dementia to share and inspire others. Please contact Helen, Joint Commissioning Manager, Dementia, Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group at helen.vaughan1@nhs.net.
Support from Gloucestershire Carers Hub
The latest newsletter from Gloucestershire Carers Hub includes support and advice for carers, technology and exercise tips, virtual coffee mornings and online training. Find it at https://gloucestershirecarershub.co.uk/.
Young Gloucestershire needs your help
Young Gloucestershire is currently recruiting volunteers for their COVID-19 response projects. The team is working flat out and continuing to respect social distancing. But they could do with a few extra pairs of hands. If you are not in an ‘at risk’ category and have been thinking you would like to do more to help, then get involved.
You need to be over 18, willing to complete a fast DBS check and ideally have access to a vehicle with a clean driver’s license. You could be helping to deliver essentials and food parcels or maybe accompanying one of the Youth Workers while they head out and encourage people to stay at home. Email a brief CV to getinvolved@youngglos.org.uk and they will be in touch.
Child Friendly Gloucestershire
What would make Gloucestershire a better place to grow up? Young people across the county are being asked for their thoughts on how we can make the county a better place. Find out more and get involved at https://childfriendlygloucestershire.com/.
Vacancies at Victim Support
Victim Support is an independent charity for people affected by crime in England and Wales. We work towards a world where people affected by crime or traumatic events get the support they need and respect they deserve.
We are looking for two Independent Victim Advocates for our new Adult service, one is a 37.5 hour post and the other a 22.5 hour post, based in the Gloucester office. The main duties include:
Closing date for applications 9am on 28 April. Further details available at https://recruitment.victimsupport.org.uk/vacancy/independent-victim-advocate-adult-service-gloucester-416788.html
Due to the generosity of local donors, Wotton Area Mutual Aid is now able to deliver free grocery and toiletry essential boxes to anyone who is finding it difficult to make ends meet in this difficult time. There is no need for a referral.
The easiest way to apply is to fill in an online form which you can download here
You will be asked how many people are in your household, the age of any children and about any food preferences and allergies you may have.
If you don’t have internet access, please phone WAMA on 07545 042794 and leave a message giving your name and phone number.
Please select this link to download the WAMA flyer.
Or for more information visit www.wottonareamutualaid.co.uk
