Category: Covid

Covid 19 –—– Safer Community Centres

Posted on by Julie

Helping Community Centres and Village Halls Re-open Safely

Community centres and village halls are places that help to support and sustain public life across the country.  They are hugely valued by their communities for playing a multi-purpose role, serving as a social centre, arts centre, sports centre and in some cases providing education, health, or retail services.

The Covid-19 Safer Spaces guide has been published to assist staff and volunteers to ensure their centres are safe to re-open as the different phases of lockdown come to an end.

Developed by Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) in partnership with architects IF_DO, and Clarion Futures, this free-to-use guide sets out clear stages of how to safely re-open community centres and village halls across the UK.  Visual diagrams illustrate the spatial adaptations required for hiring and other essential services to recommence as safely as possible.

covid-19-safer-community-centres

ACRE also produce timely updated information sheets on their website along with example risk assessments and other useful information.  Please keep checking these as theses are updated as and when required

New information to help village halls reopen – ACRE | Action with Communities in Rural England

Tees Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust – Mental Health Resilience Funding Opportunity

Posted on by Julie

TEWV- Mental Health Resilience Funding Opportunity

The impact of the COVID pandemic on our mental health and emotional well-being is becoming increasingly evident.  Across the lifespan, we are seeing heightened rates of anxiety and low mood amongst the population.  Many people have been living in fear of contracting the virus; and feelings of anxiety surrounding re-engaging with community life are understandable and very normal.  For those who have been significantly unwell as a result of contracting COVID themselves or have lost a loved one to the virus, we may see specific trauma responses.  Loneliness, social isolation and the lack of freedom and meaningful activity that the lockdowns have caused has posed challenges to our emotional well-being.  Those amongst us who experienced pre-existing mental or physical health difficulties may have found that these have been exacerbated due to the pandemic; with those who have significant vulnerability, multiple disadvantage or living in abusive environments perhaps most at risk.

The pandemic has caused many of us to reflect on our own emotional well-being and what helps us to maintain this.  Services have, as a result of the restrictions, had to become more creative and flexible in how they operate and meet the needs of the local population.  There is a recognition that it is now crucial we learn from these experiences and put into place robust support for people as they navigate their own journey to a place of greater well-being.  ‘Resilience’ funding has become available through Tees Esk and Wear Valley, (TEWV) in order to enhance existing VCSE service provision in the Tees Valley to meet this need.  We would therefore like to invite bids for grants which will have a specific focus on recovery from the pandemic and which are designed to meet the particular needs of the local population; considering any gaps in existing services.

This fund is now open for applications, see below.  It is a simple application process and our Darlington groups can apply for a minimum of £2,000 up to a maximum of £10,000.  (Please note if you are an organisation operating in one of the other local authority areas of the Tees Valley this minimum and maximum level may be different or not exist at all.  Contact details for the other areas are at the end of this brief.)

Applicants must consider the criteria outlined in the attached pdf document, ‘Resilience Funding Tees Valley Overview’. Resilience Funding Tees Valley overview FINAL 10062021

The deadline for receiving applications is by using the application form attached and returning via email to info@teesvalleyruralaction.co.uk or by post to TVRA’s office address by Wednesday 21st July 2021 at 5pm

Darlington TEWV Application Form

It is anticipated that the decision panel will meet on 26th July 2021 to consider applications received.

Please circulate to your networks If you have any queries please contact our office on (01642) 213852 where you will go straight to voicemail but please leave a message and either myself or Janice McColm will get back to you.

For further information on other areas the contacts are the following:
Stockton Catalyst: Karen.grundy@catalyststockton.org
Redcar RCVDA: mike@rcvda.org.uk
Middlesbrough VDA: mark.davis@mvdauk.org.uk
Hartlepool: Leigh.Keeble@hartlepool.gov.uk
Darlington: info@teesvalleyruralaction.co.uk

East Cleveland Mutual Aid Groups Initial Research Findings

Posted on by Julie
As you will be aware that we have been involved in a piece of research with Teesside University looking at the impact of community groups during the pandemic. This has been with our friends and colleagues from East Cleveland Good Neighbours and Saltburn Community Response.
We wanted to provide you with an update as to how it was going and some of our initial findings.
You can get involved in participating in interviews or an upcoming focus group for people who have helped out in April by contacting Claire O’Malley at the University, or take 5 to fill in our questionnaires here:

Loftus No Symptom COVID Test Centre Moving Location

Posted on by Julie

From March 25, the test site will move to Loftus Fire Station, Coronation Rd, Loftus, TS13 4SW on the following days:

Monday: 8am – 12pm

Tuesday: 8am – 12pm

Thursday: 2pm – 6pm

Saturday: 9am – 1pm

Anyone over the age of 18 who does not have symptoms can take a quick and easy test to see if they have the virus. Most results are returned within 30 minutes.

Anyone wanting a test should book at www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk or ring 01642 774774. Walk-in slots are also available.

Anyone displaying the following Coronavirus symptoms should not come to the site for a test:

  • a new, continuous cough
  • a high temperature; or
  • a loss of, or change, in your sense of smell or taste.

If you have any of the symptoms listed above, you should follow the guidance online on how to book a test – https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test – or call 119. Lines are open 7am to 11pm. You will also need to need to stay at home and self-isolate.

Covid-19 Impact Survey for Tees Valley Area

Posted on by Julie

Residents across the region are being urged to complete a Covid-19 impact survey to help get region wide insight into the impact of the pandemic.
We recognise how difficult it has been for people to cope with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Please complete our survey to help us understand more about how your day-to-day life has been affected, including health and wellbeing, work, household finances, shopping, social and leisure activities. We are keen to hear your views on vaccination, the economy and the easing of lockdown restrictions and social distancing.
More info – Gateshead Council Consultations

Update on current advice/situation for village halls 8th March 2021

Posted on by Julie

ACRE has issued new information to help village halls prepare for reopening. Our assessment is that contrary to the government’s announcement on 22 February, village halls will not be able to reopen after Easter, except for a small number of permitted activities. Most will have to wait until 17 May before they can be hired out for many functions including exercise classes, coffee mornings, performances and celebrations.

The update, should be read alongside previous advice and information issued by the charity which provided a detailed commentary on how village halls could previously reopen following the government’s Covid Secure rules

village hall closed sign

The Prince’s Countryside Fund

Posted on by Julie

The Prince’s Countryside Fund is now accepting applications from locally-focussed, legally-constituted not-for-profit organisations who are working to create resilient rural communities across the UK in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Grants of up to £10,000 are available for up to one year. Projects must be completed within one year of their start date and no later than 31 March 2022. Some match funding is required.
The grants will cover revenue costs that are directly associated with projects that are helping rural communities deal with the negative effects of the pandemic.
To date the funding has been used to address and combat issues such as isolation, financial pressures, and issues with physical and mental health.
Groups are advised to apply early as a large number of applications are expected and the fund may close earlier than the published deadline.
Application Deadline: 3rd November 2020.

The Prince’s Trust Countryside Fund