Everyone was out in my and neighbouring roads last night, clapping, cheering, waving flags, to show our appreciation of the NHS staff and other front line services and key workers. We are all very grateful to them for their service. My colleagues in the Police Station, are still out an about dealing with whatever is phoned in.
This has come in from Councillor Carole Da Costa for residents in Dedworth:
“The West Windsor Hub is being coordinated by two coordinators daily, from All Saints Church, in Dedworth’.
The workload is phoned out, call takes and phone a friend are also working remotely.
Kind regards
Carole
Councillor Carole Da Costa
Clewer & Dedworth East
I have had this in from Leo – to confirm the West Windsor Hub is up and running and working well !!
Hi Jeff
I’m currently volunteering for the west Windsor hub delivering shopping and acting in a mental health 1st aided capacity.
,
Many Thanks
Leo
Many thanks Leo for doing your bit !
AND: From Cllr. Jon Davey
Hi Jeff,
I have created a list of the local groups I am aware of and posted on page with the shortcut domain
https://ilovewindsor.co.uk/rbwm-community-facebook-groups-emergency-liaison-group/
I also have a list of contacts for the groups, most with phone and email
I saw a story in paper saying you were after details
What email should I send data to, GDPR and all that… you don’t want your collar felt 😉
Thank you.
Cllr Jon Davey
Clewer & Dedworth West
West Windsor Residents Association
Cllr.Davey@rbwm.gov.uk
07717 820823
NEXT: From Sandy
These organisations can help at this time:
Coronavirus
A number of Community Foundations and other organisations have launched funding programmes to assist local organisations in responding to the challenges of the Coronavirus Pandemic. Below you will find a list of organisations and the types of funding they have made available.
Berkshire Community Foundation – Emergency Fund
Funds allocated to Berkshire through the National Emergency Trust Appeal for Coronavirus, together with the support we have received for our Vital for Berkshire – Coronavirus Appeal, are available for grants to be allocated to local charities, community and voluntary groups working to help people affected by the crisis.
Grants may be made for charitable purposes to relieve hardship caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.
https://www.berkshirecf.org/available-funding/coronavirus-fund/
Greenham Trust
The Trust has put in place £250,000 of emergency Coronavirus funding which is available to benefit local charitable and voluntary organisations who are supporting the elderly and vulnerable people through this crisis in West Berkshire and north Hampshire. Greenham Trust has also launched a public appeal on its charitable funding platform https://greenhamtrust.com/our-funding/
CAF Coronavirus Emergency Fund
This Fund is to help smaller charitable organisations in the UK affected by the impact of Covid-19. Grants of up to £10,000 are available and for those selected the money will be made available in 14 days.
https://www.cafonline.org/charities/grantmaking/caf-coronavirus-emergency-fund
SPORT ENGLAND Emergency Fund
We’re making up to £195 million of funding available to help the sport and physical activity sector through the ongoing coronavirus crisis. One part of this, our £20m Community Emergency Fund, is now open to applications from organisations experiencing short term financial hardship or the ceasing of operations. There are also three other funds.
https://www.sportengland.org/news/195-million-package-help-sport-and-physical-activity-through-coronavirus
Sylvia Adams Charitable Trust
Small Grants to Support Children’s Charities Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic
Registered charities working with early years disadvantaged children in England and Wales can apply for small sums of unrestricted funding to assist them during this difficult period.
In response to the current pandemic, this funder has changed the application guidelines and processes for its spring application round with the aim of supporting small and medium-sized charities, which may need extra assistance at this time. http://sylvia-adams.org.uk/what-we-will-fund/
The Leathersellers’ Company Small Grants Scheme – for emergency’s
Supporting UK registered charities particularly working with homeless people, victims of domestic violence, nursing care to vulnerable people, and provision of food and essential supplies. Funding is for small projects or to cover unexpected costs upto £3000.
https://leathersellers.co.uk/small-grants-programme/
COSARAF Hardship Funding – COVID19 Response
Applications will only be accepted from recognised social organisations such as charities, housing associations, schools and social services acting on behalf of a family or individual in need.
The Hardship Fund provides grants between £500-£1,000. Applications are assessed every six weeks and you can expect a response within eight weeks of your application.
https://www.cosaraf.org/apply-for-funding/hardship-grants-application-guide/
Arts Council England Launch £160m Covid-19 Emergency Funding
Arts Council England are making £160 million of emergency funding available to support organisations and individuals during the coronavirus pandemic.
https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/covid19
Make A Difference Trust – MAD Trust Hardship Fund – Coronavirus COVID-19
Small pockets of financial assistance to those in theatre experiencing unexpected financial hardship due to theatre closures as a direct result of Government advice aimed at containing the spread of Coronavirus.
https://www.madtrust.org.uk/project/make-a-difference-coronavirus-covid-19-hardship-fund/
Support for Theatre Professionals during Coronavirus
Collection of funds and sources of advice or support for those in the theatre industry. Funds are available from institution specific funders and from those that support the wider industry.
https://theatresupport.info/
PRS for Music Launches Coronavirus Emergency Relief Fund
The PRS Emergency Relief Fund has been set up to provide immediate financial support to Performing Right Society (PRS) members during the coronavirus pandemic. Funding is being offered to songwriters and composers from around the world who are facing significant financial pressure as the global battle against the virus continues.
https://www.prsformusic.com/c/emergency-relief-fund
Help Musicians (UK) – Coronavirus Financial Hardship Fund
Today Help Musicians has launched the Coronavirus Financial Hardship Fund, a new offering specifically created to alleviate some of the immediate financial pressures that many professional musicians may currently be facing.
https://www.helpmusicians.org.uk/news/latest-news/help-musicians-launches-5m-coronavirus-financial-hardship-fu?fbclid=IwAR2U6ED9ZZ9MtjfVeHODR4ZEr2SbrK87oScTeF_Gpt-Ktqka5F5jBp7N5uU
Authors Emergency Fund
The Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society, the Royal Literary Fund, English PEN with the T S Eliot Foundation, and Amazon UK join forces with the Society of Authors to support authors affected financially by Coronavirus.
https://www.societyofauthors.org/News/News/2020/March/Authors-Emergency-Fund-announcement
Government Launches Guidance for £500 million Hardship Fund
Government has launched a £500 million Hardship Fund to provide council tax relief to help those affected most by coronavirus. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/council-tax-covid-19-hardship-fund-2020-to-2021-guidance
John Lewis Partnership – Community Support Fund
A £1m Community Support Fund will be available to communities across the UK to help those in need in their local communities. Teams in each shop will work together with their communities to choose the best way to use the fund. Help could include setting up additional local delivery services to support the self-isolating, the vulnerable, the elderly and those looking after them; delivering boxes of staples to local care homes and community groups, and donating products to create care packages for customers to share with vulnerable neighbours.
https://waitrose.pressarea.com/pressrelease/details/78/NEWS_13/12169
Coronavirus Business Relief Support Schemes Now Open
Businesses across the UK are now able to access government support to keep operating in the face of the global economic emergency brought on by coronavirus.
https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/ourpartners/coronavirus-business-interruption-loan-scheme-cbils-2/current-accredited-lenders-and-partners/
Guidance Released for Covid-19 Business Support Grants in England
Business grant funding and business rates holidays are being provided for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-business-support-grant-funding
If you would like any further information about these funding opportunities, or would like any help in applying for or finding appropriate funding, please get in touch with our Funding Advisor:
jackie.leslie@involve.community
Thanks Sandy, I am sure there are many people out there who will appreciate this.
NEXT: From Pam:
Dear Jeff,
Thanks for your latest update.
I have emailed Lynda to volunteer to help with the ‘scrubs’ since I can work a sewing machine.
I was one of the volunteer mentors on the ‘Fashion Upcycling Project’ with ‘Give and Take Care’,.
You asked about other volunteering people are doing – I work as a crisis volunteer for ‘Shout’, a textline, for people who are struggling to cope and need immediate help.
Our aim is to help them from crisis to calm, we are open 24/7 for all ages and we are very busy at the moment with the heightened anxiety people are experiencing with the COVID19 pandemic and the stress of the lock down.
To contact a trained volunteer text SHOUT to 85258 day or night
NEXT: From RBWM Trading Standards for Ascot Residents
Hi Jeff
I read your last alert and it was very good – nice and positive with all the good things that are taking place.
This might be of use for distribution to the Ascot area and The Sunnings (or all over if you think it would be of interest to other areas, to set up something similar)
Ascot People community facebook group
With my ‘other hat’ on I am admin of a very large and established FB group called Ascot People with 11.5k members.
As per Cllr Samantha Rayner’s advice in your previous alert, Ascot People are encouraging all residents who require help, and all volunteers who would like to offer assistance, to register with the RBWM Support Hub which is run jointly with WAM – Get Involved. Contact details 0203 514 8117. Info@wamgetinvolved.org.uk
Ascot People Directory of Resources
http://ascotcovidresources.org/?fbclid=IwAR21GnZbIVa_Tfiz9m6MBECbxuVTMmLBwYcfc1nLukBAmztP3pvtRIQvjFc
One of our lovely members, has designed this brilliant directory, as a one-stop shop for everything available at this time. All of the information is divided into useful sections;
Food & Meals – where takeaway and deliveries are available
I need help – where to go for assistance with food deliveries
Help for NHS staff – this has lots of free and discounted services being offered for the wonderful NHS
How can I help – places that need volunteers or assistance
Health & Wellbeing – online classes and courses such as yoga and fitness
Ascot People food and equipment collections and donations
This is another great initiative by a member of the group.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/885716498517098/
This lovely young lady is spending her days driving around the area collecting food donations, material, equipment and delivering to local hospitals and care homes. She sourced some PPE and has made great use of it. I spoke to BEN care home in Sunninghill yesterday and they said she was like an ‘angel’ who arrived just when they needed things.
£500 Community Grant awarded to Ascot People
Finally, Ascot People have been awarded a grant by RBWM to put to good use in the community during this time. We have some ideas in the pipeline but the top suggestion was to purchase some equipment for care homes that could be used for the residents to communicate with their family and friends who are unable to visit them at this time. I have started to look into this and am looking into suitable technology for this and the care homes in the area that could make use of this resource.
Keep safe and stay well.
Thanks Honor
NEXT: Befriending services:
There are several befriending services that connect with people in their homes and offer a friendly chat with a regular telephone call.
· Age Concern Slough and Berkshire East have set up ‘Hear for you’, a call service for the elderly which offers emotional support and practical help if needed 01753 497888.
· People 2 Places Time to Talk 01628 587921
· Age UK Call in Time 0800 678 1602
· The Silver Line 0800 4 70 80 90
The Silverline is a brillant service:
The Silver Line is the only confidential, free helpline for older people across the UK that’s open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year.
https://www.thesilverline.org.uk/
It was developed by Esther Rantzen:
Together, our ambition is to help more of the older people who most need The Silver Line’s vital loneliness services. Our helpline receives over 10,000 calls a week, and our befriending services support 2,000 older people, but demand is ever-increasing. Our charities combine our strengths to enable The Silver Line to reach more people and to raise the much needed donations on which we rely. Nothing changes today for our callers or the older people who use our services.
The Silverline needs volunteers to make the calls. You have to have internet access as the calls are made via a computer, which makes them free. People are matched through their interests and the system can organise group / conference type calls. You can offer as little as half an hour a week at a specific time to suit you. Please go online for more details. There are very lonely and isolated ;people out there, with almost no human, loving contact each week.
For those people now sitting at home, becoming a call maker, is the perfect way to make your time, most valuable.
For those unable to leave their homes shopping can be also be ordered over the telephone and delivered by People 2 Places – 01628 587921
NEXT: Could you be a first responder ???
Become a Community First Responder
Many people are probably unaware of a small number of community responders who volunteer in support of the ambulance service. They could really benefit from having a few more volunteers.
If you are interested please see the link for more information;
https://www.scas.nhs.uk/get-involved/community-first-responders/Become a Community First Responder
MEMBERS’ COMMENTS:
Something to cheer you up from Trevor !
Hi Jeff
Here’s a bit of doggerel, I thought up this morning
–
There’s a plus side to the corona virus;
It’s all those people who inspire us!
The members of the NHS,
Let’s cheer them every Thursday, YES!
The police force and the fire brigade
On hand at all times for our aid.
Those volunteers who without fail
Look after neighbours who are frail.
Before I go, I must be quick –
Let’s give three cheers for Jeffrey Pick!
It might raise a wry smile,
Trevor
It certainly does – many thanks for your support.
Eyes and ears …….. and brain
Jeffrey Pick