The DBS has put temporary measures in place to fast-track emergency checks free of charge. More details here.
The Charity Commission has produced updated guidance for charities on dealing with the COVID-19 crisis. More details here.
Now that the government’s Covid-19 business support packages are live, we are gathering feedback on how they are being utilised and how best to help businesses to access the support.
As such, HMRC are delivering a programme of webinars to support employers, employees and the self-employed through this period of disruption. You can watch the first recorded webinar and register for future webinars using this link: bit.ly/HMRCWebinar
Details of the existing business support packages, are summarised in the key links below.
Key links
- Business Support: https://bit.ly/BizSupportSite
- FAQs for business:https://bit.ly/FAQsStayHome
- Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: https://bit.ly/2wJrnJ9
- Self-employment Income Support Scheme: ly/SelfEmployedSupport
- FAQs https://bit.ly/SelfEmployedFAQs
- Support from businesses for Covid-19 response: https://bit.ly/3bzOfcDFAQs: https://bit.ly/3aoIAWV
- Mental Health support: http://ly/emm-ldnse
- Public health advice: http://bit.ly/coronavirusnhs
The London Growth Hub have launched a new portal to support London-based businesses and employers manage and mitigate their exposure to COVID-19 (coronavirus).
Supported by the Mayor of London, the portal is now freely available to all London businesses and brings together essential free resources to help them keep up to date with the latest developments, support offerings and all relevant COVID-19 information, including:
- Access to book a free 1-2-1 meeting with an expert business adviser (subject to availability)
- Checklists, factsheets and guides for businesses and employers
- Information on Government and sector-specific support
- Information about financial support, grants and schemes
- Access to COVID-19 webinars, virtual events and external resources
- The latest news and updates
- A feedback survey to help us, and our partners, understand the changing needs of businesses
The guide offers lots of helpful information such as:
- A practical guide for parents on how to keep teens safe online, including useful summaries of popular internet apps as well as the types of threats teens could be exposed to online.
- Safety tips for using apps such as Instagram, TikTok (which has gathered 1 billion users in only two years), YouTube, Snapchat, Twitter and Whatsapp. We also cover advice and safety tips for teens playing online multiplayer video games.
- Other online safety topics and advice such as sharing personal information, socialising online, cyberbullying, harmful content, influencers, body image and mental health for teens online.
- Links to additional internet safety resources for parents from well-respected sources such as the NSPCC and the UK government’s own guidelines.
Good news for trustees worried about trading insolvently during the COVID-19 crisis. Read on.
Special clinics dedicated to people concerned about coronavirus symptoms are being set up in boroughs across West London.
NHS Hammersmith & Fulham Clinical Commissioning Group, the organisation which plans our healthcare services, announced the launch saying: ” We are setting up special GP-run clinics in Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster for patients who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and need to see a doctor. Read on
How charities can support beneficiaries with digital during Coronavirus
Charities are embracing technological solutions during this period of social distancing, letting people know they have their backs in a crisis. Learn more
How digital can help you manage the impact of Coronavirus
Join us for a webinar on 9th April hosted by members of the Charity Digital team as we chat through the digital tools, resources and strategies charities can put place to help manage the impact of COVID-19. Join for free
Coronavirus: Best practice for communication and outreach
We examine best practice for clear and calm communication in the midst of a pandemic. Learn more
Coronavirus: Charity guide to virtual onboarding
Over the coming weeks and months, some charities may need to hire new staff. How do you do this when your staff is working remotely? We examine successful onboarding practices from organisations with a history of remote working. Learn more
H&F CAN is the volunteer community aid network launched by Hammersmith & Fulham Council to support vulnerable residents during the coronavirus pandemic.
Working with the voluntary and charity sector, and alongside the ward and street-level mutual aid groups, H&F CAN offers support to residents who don’t have friends or family close by to help them. Our taskforce of volunteers will help those most in need at the time of their greatest need.
Do you need urgent support with food, medicines, loneliness and isolation?
Or are you worried about a friend, neighbour or relative?
Freephone: 0800 1456095 (9am to 7pm)
Email: can@lbhf.gov.uk
Volunteering will be crucial in the response to coronavirus and people have not been stopped from doing this. However, volunteering that requires going out of the house is now only permitted in certain circumstances.
Please check this latest government guidance on what you can and cannot do at the moment (section 7 in particular) – Guidance on volunteering
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.