This is where we’ll post third sector news and important updates that are useful for your organisation.
Content from Rainbow Services
The Government has launched the Bounce Back Loan scheme, which aims to help small and medium-sized businesses to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000. The Government will guarantee 100% of the loan and there won’t be any fees or interest to pay for the first 12 months.
Content from CVS Tendring
LawWorks has received many queries about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on small charities and other not-for-profits. In response, the charity has collaborated with its members to produce tailored briefs relevant specifically to small not-for-profit organisations. You can find the resources on this website:
www.lawworks.org.uk/legal-advice-not-profits/covid-19-faqs-and-resources-not-profits
Measures announced over recent weeks to deal with coronavirus (COVID-19) have seen our day-to-day life drastically changed – we are spending more time at home and online. Unfortunately, criminals will use every opportunity they can to scam innocent people and their businesses.
This guidance explains simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your business against fraud and cyber crime and where to get help.
Is your organisation registered on TheGivingMachine?
TheGivingMachine is a unique registered charity that enables shoppers to generate sales commissions with every online purchase. The commissions are converted into free donations for schools, charities and other community organisations.
To help foundations and nonprofits navigate the challenging time that COVID-19 has presented, Socialsuite has launched a free COVID-19 Social Impact Assessment tool. This innovative impact monitoring technology enables organisations of all sizes to rapidly listen, understand and act to help their people during this constantly evolving health crisis.
So far, more than 400 charities and foundations around the world have been able to identify key insights from their beneficiaries and employees, such as:
Armed with information like this, you can be confident you’re making practical, evidence-based decisions to support your people through the pandemic. This will help you direct resources and funds where they’re needed most, at a time when every hour and penny counts.
Organisations register to access a secure portal where you can send a survey link to your people. After completing a baseline survey, participants will then receive follow-up surveys at regular intervals to track changes over time.
You can monitor results through your own private dashboard, as well as viewing broader trends through a global aggregated dashboard.
Content from CVS Tendring
Leading mental health charities are uniting for the first time to provide round the clock mental health support to those working on the frontline against the Coronavirus. Mind, Samaritans, Shout, Hospice UK and The Royal Foundation today launch Our Frontline, a combination of 1-2-1 support and online resources for NHS workers, carers, the Blue Light emergency services and key workers who are putting their mental health under pressure, while many of us do our bit by staying at home.
At a time when face to face contact is limited, Our Frontline brings together a number of services to provide important workers with round the clock 1-2-1 support. Frontline staff and keyworkers can call or text a trained volunteer and access specially developed online resources, toolkits and advice to support their mental health and emotional wellbeing through this challenging time.
Content originally from Mid and South Essex Health and Care Partnership
Significant Care, a free paper-based tool for carers, launched this week. It helps carers to spot the early signs of deterioration in the health of people they care for. Significant Care has been developed by UCLPartners, in partnership with Basildon and Brentwood CCG, NELFT and other organisations. You can find out more about Significant Care and download it free of charge at uclpartners.com/news-item/free-tool-to-help-carers-spot-deterioration-launched/
Essex County Council is appreciative of the ongoing commitment and support from their valued supply chain partners, to maintain services and supplies to the Council during the COVID-19 outbreak.
They want to remind you of a page on their website which is designed to support businesses during the current situation: www.essex.gov.uk/support-for-employers-and-businesses
Content originally by Antonia Swinson, Chief Executive of Ethical Property Foundation
Today’s new normal came upon us all Henny Penny fashion and everyone in the voluntary sector is still reeling for the realities and consequences.
The everyday work of the Ethical Property Foundation centres on supporting the UK voluntary sector with their property issues. Just a short time ago, many voluntary organisations had to face en masse, the sudden isolation of working from home while leaving behind empty properties. Not surprisingly numbers of enquiries to our free property advice have sky rocketed, but instead of the usual enquiries about negotiating a new lease or how to assess space required when moving we have been receiving calls about water hygiene, blocked loos and of course about those ever unwanted other tenants, rats and mice, with their penchant for chewing vital wires. Read more…
Content from CVS Tendring
The Charity Commission has issued new guidance about coronavirus (COVID-19) related financial difficulties in charities and how to work through them: www.gov.uk/guidance/manage-financial-difficulties-in-your-charity-caused-by-coronavirus