Carers, and those dependent upon them, face many additional difficulties and obstacles during the pandemic. Specialist support organisations across Norfolk have responded to the need as follows. Please help spread the word as appropriate.
Over the weekend of the 14th March 2020, we saw several hundred Norfolk communities create new Mutual Aid Groups in response to the pandemic's effect on their communities.
This was our community spirit at its best. A process of forming groups that would normally take several months was accelerated into days. People were coming forward to help, who had never volunteered before. Whatever the legacy of the practical support that was delivered, the simple truth is “you can’t un-meet your neighbour” and this is hugely positive for our communities.
Everyone in the VCSE community should[JC1] [SN2] be aware of the need for vigilance and protecting the vulnerable – and understand the requirements and implications of safeguarding. Every VCSE organisation delivering charitable activities has a duty to safeguard volunteers, staff, hirers, adults, children and young people, participants and donors.
It’s now been twelve months since the pandemic hit. As people needed more help and support the local voluntary community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector responded rapidly and in diverse ways. Overnight the creation of hundreds of community responses alongside huge efforts by established organisations to adapt what they do to meet the changing needs of their community. People innovated, people coordinated, but most of all people went above and beyond to help.
This covers a vast range of activity but as examples we estimate:
Knowing the difference you make is absolutely critical for voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations of all types. ‘Feature - benefit’ statements can be a helpful way to communicate it.
For charities, using your resources in the best way possible to help your beneficiaries is a core governance requirement. Understanding how you are benefiting them, and the scale of that benefit is a key component of doing this.
Village and community halls everywhere have felt keenly the impact of COVID-19 on their ability to provide social and recreational events. For many the ongoing lack of income has presented a tangible financial crisis. How much more so then, for a brand-new community hall, whose planned launch coincided with the first pandemic lockdown in March 2020?
We’re delivering just three more of our popular FREE online training sessions for frontline staff and volunteers working with the most vulnerable residents in our communities.
Your elected representatives should take an interest in what is going on in your community and the issues you are facing.
Making elected representatives aware of your activities and the issues you and your beneficiaries face, is an important part of your overall approach to communications.