Covid-19 Information and Resources

Plans to Lift Lockdown

BVSC has compiled some guidance about the Government's plans to lift the lockdown. Downoad the guide (pdf)
Covid-19 Restrictions - Step 2 of the Roadmap, valid From 12 April 2021 (BVSC) Download the guide (Part 2) (pdf)

Vaccination: Covid-19

Covid-19 Vaccination Programme: Information and Resources (BVSC): View here

Covid-19 Rapid tests

From Friday 9 April, everyone in England is eligible for free rapid COVID-19 tests, twice a week (DHSC). Download the guide

General information and advice: Coronavirus/Covid-19

What you can and can't do (Cabinet Office): Read more
Latest Information about Coronavirus (NHS): Read more
New coronavirus restrictions in Birmingham (from 15 Sept) – frequently asked questions (Birmingham City Council): Read more
Local restrictions in West Midlands (Dept of Health & Social Care): Read more
Test and Trace (Birmingham City Council) Read more
NHS COVID-19 App and NHS QR Codes for venues (NHS Test & Trace): Read more
Coronavirus Cases in the UK - Daily updates (Dept of Health & Social Care and Public Health England): Read more
Self-isolation and treating Coronavirus Symptons (NHS): Read more
Guidance for health and social care settings, other non-clinical settings, and for the general public. (Public Health England): Read more

Food provision

Map of food providers in Birmingham (The active Wellbeing Society): Read more

Health and wellbeing

Physical health

Flu vaccination programme for adults (NHS): Read more
Daily permitted exercise: Tips and ideas for people who want to conduct their daily permitted exercise outdoors safely (West Midlands Cycle & Walk): Read more
Activities and advice to keep you stay stay physically active and maintain good mental health (Sport Birmingham) Read more

Mental health

Support for children & young people, adults and key workers (Birmingham & Solihull CCG) Read more
Telephone counselling: Birmingham Mind's Helpline is open 7 days a week from 9 am - 11 pm. Tel: 0121 262 3555. Or email [email protected].
Kooth: Online mental health support for young people (aged 11 to 25) - A new free, safe and anonymous service to support young people’s emotional and mental health in Birmingham. www.kooth.com
Looking after your mental health during the Coronavirus outbreak (Mental Health Foundation): Read more
Covid-19 and the VCSE Mental Health Sector (Association of Mental Health Providers): Read more

Health Conditions

Alzheimer's: Caring for people with demential during Covid-19. (Alzheimer's Society). Read more

Domestic Violence

Reporting domestic violence and where to go to seek help (West Midlands Combined Authority) Read more
Safety Advice for Survivors (Women's Aid) Read more
#NoExcluseforAbuse: Multi-agency WM campaign aimed at providing victims of domestic abuse with the right information on how to get help and end the abuse they are suffering. (WMPCC): Read more
'Rail to Refuge' - free train travel for women fleeing domestic abuse (Women's Aid): Read more

Disability

Support and guidance for people with disabilities is being provided online and by telephone by DRC (Disability Resource Centre): Read more
Registering for help as a vulnerable person. Disabled citizens who haven't been listed on the NHS vulnerable list can register themselves online in order to access essential services. Read more

Substance Misuse

Information and advice about drugs and alcohol, and the different ways support is being offered from CGL (Change Grow Live): Read More

Carers

Guidance for those who provide unpaid care to friends or family (Dept of Health & Social Care) Read more
Information and advice for Carers - this dedicated Covid-19 Web page contains relevant information for carers including local support and advice about writing a 'What IF' plan (Forward Carers): Read more
Direct Payments: Advice for people who buy care and support through a direct payment (DHSC): Read more

End of life and bereavement

Bereavement Support Helpline available five days a week in Birmingham and Solihull (Birmingham & Solihull CCG) Read more
"Hoping for the Best and Planning for the Worst" - Advice for people, families and communities planning for the end of life care and bereavement support (St Mary's Hospice/BVSC): Read more
Six short films about end of life and dying issues from the Muslim perspective (John Taylor Hospice/BIMA) Read more
Coronavirus: Easy Read Factsheets (Cruse Bereavement Care). Read more
Free booklets for children, young peolple and their carers (Cruse Bereavement Care) Read more
Understanding bereavement (short film) (Cruse Bereavement Care) Read more
Co-op Funeralcare Hardship Fund - The Co-op Funeralcare Hardship Fund can help with funeral costs. Read more (opens as pdf)

Leading your charity or organisation

Business and charity support

Free financial Resilience support for charities and social enterprises (BVSC): Read more
Guidance and resources to support charities, voluntary organisations and volunteers: (NCVO): Read more
Guidance for the charity sector (Charity Commission): Read more
Unoccupied premises: Advice for looking after premises (Charity Times blog: 7/4/20). Read more
Social Enterprise support: iSE has set up a free telephone Helpline for social enterprises who want to chat about any issues or concerns. Call: 0121 771 1411
Business support: What Government help is available and who is eligible? (HM Government Business Support): Read more
Pro Bono support: By calling out to businesses Volunteering Matters can connect your organisation to the right people, skills and resources to support your response to COVID-19 Read more

Employment & HR

Employment Law: Key points including keeping your staff safe; should they come to work; pay; managing home working; furlough leave and maintaining core services. (Elizabeth Scholes, Employment Law and HR Services). Download the guide (opens in Word)
Employment and benefits support (DWP): Read more
Guiding and mentoring individuals into employment, education or training (The PURE project) Read more
Support for employers and jobseekers (Birmingham City Council) Read more
Employment, training and eduction support for under 30s (Birmingham and Solihull Youth Promise Plus) Read more

Volunteers and Volunteering

Volunteer Guidelines (Birmingham City Council Public Health Division and BVSC) (22/05/2020) Read more
Infection Protection and Control (Birmingham & Solihull CCG) Read more
Safeguarding adults with Care and Support Needs (Birmingham City Council) Read more
Safeguarding and DBS Factsheet: FAQs (Disclosure and Barring Service) Read more
DBS Applications and Fast-track Barred List check service (Disclosure and Barring Service): Read more
Safeguarding responsibilities. Follow the guidance from Birmingham Safeguarding Adults Board: Download BSAB Advice (opens in pdf).
How to Help Safely (Cabinet Office): Read more

Funding

UK Government Coronavirus Community Support Fund - This £200,000 fund aimed at small and medium sized charities opens Friday 22 May at 10 am. Read more
Barclays: The 100x100 UK COVID-19 Community Relief Programme is giving 100 donations of £100,000 to charities working to support vulnerable communities impacted by COVID-19: Read more
Heart of England Community Foundation: Coronavirus Resilience Fund - available for constituted groups providing services such as food banks, social eating projects, emergency food parcel deliveries, and those engaging in outreach activities; all vital for various constituencies within the West Midlands. Read more
The National Community Lottery Fund will be prioritising funding Covid-19 related applications over the next six months. Read more
Community Initiatives Fund (West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner) £200,000 fund to help voluntary and community organisations overcome social effects of Coronavirus isolation. Read more
Grants of up to £150 for young people facing financial hardship (Matt Kendall Foundation). Read more
Financial Support for Care providers (Birmingham City Council) - £5m package focused on supporting hospital discharge and to recognise the additional costs providers are incurring due to the pandemic. Read more
Severn Trent Community Fund: £1m fund to support non-profits and charities. Read more
National Lottery – Heritage Emergency Fund - £50 million fund to support the heritage sector as an immediate response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Read more
Sport England Community Emergency Fund - Awards of between £300 and £10,000 for community sport and physical activity organizations in financial hardship: Read more
Co-op Funeralcare Hardship Fund - The Co-op Funeralcare Hardship Fund can help with funeral costs. Read more
Arts Council England: £160 m fund to be available for organisations and individuals during the Covid-19 pandemic. Read more

Support and Guidance

Multilingual resources

Multilingual Covid-19 Resources and Guidance (West Midlands Strategic Migration Partnership): Read more
Health Information translated into 44 languages (Doctors of the World): Read more
Covid-19 information information videos in a range of languages (Leeds City Council) Read more

Asylum and immigration

Free online wellbeing and cultural resources (Migrant Help) Read more
Language interpretation: migrant health guide (Public Health England): Read more

Crime, Personal Safety and Scams

Advice to avoid latest scams: Follow the advice of Action Fraud and West Midlands Police in taking the right action to keep themselves safe online and with scammers going door-to-door.

Free goods

End of line and discontinued stock from major suppliers (Giving World): Read more

Latest

HR and Payroll Administrator

Acacia Family Support, Closing date: Monday 7 June 2021
Neighbourhood Watch Scheme Set up for Lozells

Community Foundation has set up a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme covering most of the Lozells Area. All residents of the area can become a member of the scheme, and help in making sure that the area is strong, clean, and a safe place to live.
Free Full-time nursery places for all children from next term

Nursery places
Fast-Track Cities Community Engagement Third Sector Partner Call Out

Enigma are seeking third sector partners working across Birmingham to support the Fast-Track Cities call for change vision and conduct community engagement. We want to speak to organisations that are passionate about improving services for people with HIV, Hepatitis and TB to learn about the support they need.

Updated guidance and FAQs for Voluntary, Community Faith and Social Enterprises

BVSC has updated guidance and FAQs to help VCFSE sector organisations to understand what is permissible under the current current national lockdown restrictions which came into force on 5 January 2021.
Stitchers and embroiderers invited to get involved in 2022 Commonwealth Games project

If you enjoy stitching and embroidery, get involved in the Threads Together project and be part of the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
BVSC launches new employment and training network

BVSC are establishing a network for members across Birmingham who have an interest in employment and training.
Ageing Better Birmingham: Community Development Practice Hub development

As part of Ageing Better in Birmingham’s legacy, BVSC is creating a citywide Community Development Practice Hub rooted in the programme’s ethos and values. Please help us with the hub's development by completing a short survey.
Support for Reopening Community Buildings

BVSC and Acivico are holding a free workshop on 13 May 10.00-12.00 to provide support to organisations through a challenging period of reopening. We are pleased that Birmingham City Council has now provided some additional funding to ensure more organisations across Birmingham can be supported. Voluntary sector organisations can also book in for one to one support around risk assessments for the building.
Campaign launched to get older Brummies to reconnect after a year of social restrictions

The Ageing Better in Birmingham programme has launched a campaign to encourage people over 50 to take part in activities following the government’s decision to lift coronavirus restrictions.
BVSC Lunchtime Business Development Webinars: Series Two

A series of weekly networking and learning opportunities focussed on securing new business for your organisation.
A new programme of strategic support and development for the VCFSE sector

Whilst responding to the Covid-19 pandemic, the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector has come together with a spirit of collaboration to support citizens and communities through a period of unprecedented challenge.
Call out to stand in solidarity around the real causes of England's housing emergency

Baobab Women’s Project and Shelter Birmingham have come together to develop a statement of solidarity which puts the record straight about the causes of the housing emergency.
Veg advocates sought for the Food Foundation's Peas Please initiative

Peas Please is about making it easier for people to eat more veg both for a healthy body and a healthy planet. By working with farmers, high street food chains, restaurants, supermarkets, governments and people like YOU, all at the same time, we can make sure everyone can eat enough veg.