Charities routinely obtain personal information from clients or service users, often given in confidence and relating to very sensitive matters. Most charities have privacy and data protection processes in place to avoid unauthorised access to such personal information, and to assure clients that their information will be kept secure. But what happens if a charity needs to share personal information with a third party in order to protect someone’s welfare? This article from Russell-Cooke Solicitors considers a recent court case where this question was considered. Read more
Connecting Choices Virtual Hub was set up in response to COVID-19 in early April 2020. The Virtual Hub is an ESF-funded project that is part of the Building Better Opportunities (BBO) project that started at the end of 2016 described as offering Holistic support for disadvantaged people across Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme and the Staffordshire Moorlands. The website contains useful links to posts that include articles such as “What is Ramadan?” and a link to online training, “Free Online Digital Skills Training for Everyone” and more. Current virtual offerings are weekly activities include Art & Craft and Creative Writing. More activities are in development. The programme is managed by Ixion a not-for-profit group of companies, delivering government funded provision that is a subsidiary of The Shaw Trust ( http://www.ixionholdings.com/). For more information visit https://connectingchoices.co.uk/
Following the Labour Party leadership election Rachel Maskell MP has been appointed Shadow Charities Minister, and she says she will be doing weekly surgeries for the Voluntary and Community Sector starting today! What better time to tell her about your experience of the current crisis, and what support your charity needs to continue to provide critical services for people? Do the government’s existing schemes work for you, and what more do you need? What policy changes might help most? Find out more and how to book your slot here.
Connection Coalition key part of UK Government’s major effort to tackle loneliness and social isolation during the coronavirus outbreak The group will explore ways to bring people together to build strong community spirit, with a focus on groups at particular risk of loneliness. Why now? Since the start of Covid-19, many people have reached out and are supporting their neighbours and communities in creative and inspiring ways. For many people this is nothing new, but for some this is a new and deep experience of community connectedness. More than ever we are seeing that reciprocal relationships build solidarity, belonging and the belief that we have more in common than that which divides us. Britain will be a changed country as a result of Covid-19, but it will have changed for the better if people are ready to build and strengthen the connections within society that bind us together. Link
Free, expert advice and support is available over the phone. Crosslight is a specialist debt and money advice charity that has been supporting the local community in Hammersmith & Fulham for 18 years. We are open, and our experienced debt advisers are ready to provide you with support and advice over the phone. Website Flyer
For NCVO members, Smartdesc offers free IT advice and guidance to talk you through any questions or challenges you currently have with your IT at this challenging time. Email NCVO@smartdesc.co.uk to arrange a time to speak to a Charity IT Specialist. Smartdesc also run regular online Charity IT clinics. Read more