The Department of Health and Social Care has made £5 million available to support voluntary and community sector (VCS) mental health providers which are experiencing an increase in demand for their services due to coronavirus. Through the Coronavirus Mental Health Response Fund, small and large grants of between £5,000 and £50,000 are available to help increase mental support for people with and at risk of developing mental health problems. This might include befriending support, support or advice workers, peer support, and practical help including support whilst in self-isolation. Funding can cover costs such as core and capital costs, and direct project costs such as staff and volunteer training. Applications can be made at any time and will be assessed every two weeks for an anticipated eight to ten weeks. Click here
The OneFamily Foundation is inviting its customers to nominate a local charity, group or cause for a Community Grant of up to £2,500 to help them to continue providing support to those affected by the coronavirus, or who themselves are struggling to maintain their usual services. Examples for nominations might include foodbanks, support groups or homeless charities. The Foundation has already helped more than two hundred good causes deliver projects such as helping disability charities invest in their resources, and community groups tackle isolation amongst the older generation. Nominations for this round close on the 12th May 2020. Click here
The UK Government in collaboration with the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has launched phase 2 of its Emergency Surplus Food Grant. The aim of the £1 million grant scheme is to provide support to small and micro-sized not-for-profit food redistributors who can redistribute surplus food from retailers, wholesalers and food manufacturers to vulnerable people and those in need who are affected by the coronavirus. Grants of between £5,000 and £10,000 are available to help with capital and revenue costs such as costs for transporting the surplus food or any increased demand and capacity issues. The deadline for applications is 1pm on the 4th June 2020 but may close early if the budget is fully allocated. Click here
Since COVID-19 hit, we have been providing free support to charities through our fundraising helpline click here and articles on fundraising during the pandemic click here
We are now running a free webinar on COVID-19 emergency fundraising communications on Friday, 24th April at 10am click here
BWB have a charity helpline for you to discuss any charity or social enterprise related concerns that you may have relating to the current pandemic and your organisation. Find out more.
Several Parliamentary Committees currently taking evidence on the impact of COVID19 that will be relevant to charities. The Women and Equalities is accepting evidence on the impact on people with protected characteristics up until 30 April. The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee is accepting evidence on the impact on homelessness and the private rented sector until 1 May.
The Chancellor announced last week that the so-called ‘furlough’ scheme has been extended until the end of June. The process for submitting claims also opened on Monday, allowing organisations currently furloughing staff to be reimbursed for 80% of staff costs. According to the Government, 5000 HMRC staff have been allocated to operate the scheme. Find out more.
This may be a difficult and stressful time for many. Mind have created a great advice page full of wellbeing tips and advice. Find out more.
Find out about changes to help charities process refunds, collect donations and claim Gift Aid for events cancelled due to coronavirus. Find out more.
Ramadan is a month-long Muslim observance which this year begins on the evening of Thursday 23 April and ends at sunset Saturday 23 May, and during which most Muslims fast from dawn until dusk. Employers are not required to make adjustments or arrangements for employees or volunteers who are fasting during Ramadan or other holidays when people of specific religious groups are required to fast, but considerate employers will try to do so. Read more
sobus
20 Dawes Road, London, SW6 7EN
Telephone 020 7952 1230
Email info@sobus.org.uk
Registered Charity No.1071089
and Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in England No.03471416
Sobus is a new Community Development Agency for Hammersmith & Fulham. It has been created through the merger of the Community and Voluntary Sector Association Hammersmith & Fulham (CaVSA) and the Fulham Community Partnership Trust (FCPT). Building on the strengths of both organisations, sobus aims to provide a wider range of support services for local charities, community groups, social enterprises and start up businesses.