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In response to Covid-19, we are working with the local voluntary and community sector to support as many people as we can.
If you're worried you may have Covid-19, please follow the advice from the NHS, which you can find here. If you want to know more about what the government is doing to tackle Covid-19, take a look at Public Health England's advice here.
Please note that we have temporarily closed our activities, events and buildings with immediate effect in order to contain and control the virus and protect those who are most vulnerable. Our team is working remotely.
You can contact us at
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or call 01255 425692 (Clacton) or 01255 554115 (Harwich)
26 March 2020 - Essex Welfare Service
Essex County Council has set up a new service to help vulnerable people in our community who are staying at home and in need of support during the coronavirus period. The Essex Welfare Service is for people who are unable to access the support they need at this time.
Essex Welfare Service is specifically for those people who are not able to get any support from either family or friends or from their local district area support groups.
Web: https://essexwelfareservice.org/
Call: 0300 303 9988
Email:
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25 March 2020 - Funding Update
19 March 2020 - Update from Sharon Alexander, Chief Officer CVS Tendring.
COVID-19 and the Tendring Voluntary and Community Sector
We are facing an unprecedented situation; it is extremely challenging times for our communities. It is already impacting upon us all and the Third Sector has a key role to play in supporting people and communities to deal with the consequences. A meeting of key voluntary and community sector organisations met this week to form a co-ordinated response to the needs of the community in Tendring. We shared our plans, knowledge and expertise and highlighted concerns. For example, CVST can take referrals from VCS and statutory sector partners and process via our Social Prescribing Team. Essex Carers Support is maintaining support for carers, Age Concern is safeguarding vulnerable older people through information and guidance and Tendring Community Transport is offering safe transport. We will share information with our public sector partners – our role in supporting people and communities has never been more important. More voluntary organisations will join the virtual group in the coming days and weeks.
These are extra-ordinary times, and we are working with our public sector colleagues. We are re-deploying staff and volunteers to focus on this work, telephoning around, encouraging everyone to join a social media group of interest to ensure as many people as possible stay connected in our network. Normal tasks and duties have been put aside whilst the crisis lasts. We are working closely with the Integrated Care System exchanging knowledge and sharing resources so that we can be prepared as the situation escalates.
The overall message is that we can respond at different levels. If we are to make the most effective use of the resources available to us, we all need to respond in a coordinated way.
Essex County Council Coronavirus Action Group
For information on how individuals and local businesses can volunteer to support the county’s response, find out more here https://www.facebook.com/essexcoronavirusaction/. Facebook groups that have been set up in response to Coronavirus can also register HERE to ensure a co-ordinated approach across Essex.
Information and advice
Information will be regularly updated on the Government website over the coming days and weeks https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response
For up to date advice from the NHS for individuals who are concerned about their own health, please visit: https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19
The consequences of Covid-19 will be broad – please keep referring to the regularly updated government advice:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance
COVID-19: residential care, supported living and home care guidance
COVID-19: guidance for employees, employers and businesses
Guidance on social distancing for everyone in the UK and protecting older people and vulnerable adults
Turn to Us is a national charity and provides financial support in times of difficulty and there is information and support about the coronavirus https://www.turn2us.org.uk/
In the Third Sector many of us will find ways of diverting our energies to the consequences of this crisis, from supporting our staff, many of who will be working part-time and may have caring responsibilities, to joining with the efforts of other agencies. Major funders such as the National Lottery Community Fund and the Home | Essex Community Foundation have already announced that they will be showing flexibility and supporting funded organisations to re-deploy resources to respond to Covid-19.
The reality is that for many individuals, especially those on low incomes, Covid-19 is already hitting hard. Food-banks are seeing reduction in donations of food, and we could be strengthening the messages out there for everyone to resist hoarding. It is at times like this that our collective responsibilities, not just for our families, but for our neighbours and our communities come to the forefront. It is in times of crisis that third sector organisations can show their flexibility, and show what can be done.
What is in place:
- A focal point for voluntary organisations to contact for support, information and practical help via CVST https://en-gb.facebook.com/CVSTendring/
- Guidance on how best to support neighbourly action in a safe way (for both parties) www.cvstendring.org.uk
- A countywide platform for people to register their interest in volunteering https://www.volunteeressex.org/
- A Coronavirus Community Action Group countywide facebook page https://www.facebook.com/essexcoronavirusaction/
- Identified local partners to support teams of volunteers working within a ward / neighbourhood working closely with local Councillors
Key actions to progress:
- Provision of a 7 day contact centre - tbc
- Partner communications pack to support communication
- DBS checking process fast tracked
- Online induction for volunteers
- Neighbourly action pack
- Ward landing pages
- Neighbourhood level coordination and deployment through local trusted organisations
The VCS Covid-19 group will meet again next week and will continue to be proactive.
Sharon Alexander
Chief Officer
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