COVID-19 Information and Guidance
Richmond's local Community Hub telephone helpline for residents needing advice or support - 020 8871 6555.
Funding for Organisations - see the latest information on crisis-related grants and other funding here.
Funding for Individuals - look at our information on grants and financial assistance here.
Helpline For local organisations: 07401 279771 - available 10am - 1pm on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday
Call us if you are concerned about your organisation's future or email us at any time.
We can be a listening ear and support you to apply for emergency charitable funding and local-specific funding, provide practical advice on implementing an emergency funding plan and connect you to further sources of expert advice and support.
Updated: Food and Essentials - August 2021
We have updated our information on local support to help individuals and families struggling with food poverty or access to other essential items.
Returning to Work Safely
Read our updated guide (30 July) to help organisations reopen to staff and the public safely.
Working from Home and Wellbeing
Mental health and wellbeing is so important as many of us continue to work from home for the foreseeable future. Take a look at our guide to help you look after yourself and your teams.
COVID-19 and HR for the Voluntary Sector
If you missed it, you can download our webinar presenation by expert Christine Williamson
New Resource to Support Trustees
We have created a comprehensive new resource to help any trustee board or management committee It offers guidance on key issues to be considered now, in order to prepare for the future.
Reporting Serious Incidents
Trustees are responsible for the reporting of serious incidents - this briefing provides a simple guide.
Groups and employers are responsible for implementing their own policies and plans and should communicate these effectively to all staff and volunteers.
The Charity Commission has advised that charities should check latest Public Health information and report serious incidents using the current guidelines and their own judgement.
Useful Sources of Information
Coronavirus Guidance - Mar 2020 - our brief guide to sources of information and guidance to inform your decision-making.
NHS Guidance - information on symptoms and how to reduce the risk for yourself and others.
Richmond Council - information and advice for local residents, businesses and organisations.
Achieving for Children Local Offer - for updates on services for families with young people with special educational needs or disabilities.
UK Government Response - including risk levels, NHS information and guidance on self-isolation and social distancing.
Health Service Journal - access their accurate and ongoing information on the Coronavirus for free.
Advice in community languages - Doctors of the World have shared advice, based on the government’s updated advice and health information, for patients in 20 languages. The guide has been produced in partnership with the Red Cross, Migrant Help and Clear Voice. Languages currently available are English, Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Dari, Farsi, French, Hindi, Kurdish Surani, Malayalam, Mandarin, Pashto, Portuguese, Somali, Spanish, Tigrinya, Turkish, Urdu and Vietnamese. To follow soon: Polish, Punjabi and Romanian.
Carers UK- information and links to advice and support for carers (but also useful for any individual).
Wellbeing Tips from Mind - including managing your mental health and practical tips for working from home and self-isolation.
Resource for Individuals - our guide on local and national funding and resources for individuals, including profession-specific support.
Charity Commission - Government - government guidance to help with running your charity.
NCVO: Your Organisation and Coronavirus - useful information for organisations, including immediate actions to manage your finances.
NCVO: Coronavirus and Governance - a blog on what trustees need to think about
ACAS Coronavirus Guidance - for employers and employees
Charity Finance Group: Coronavirus and Your Charity– considers issues such as insurance, liquidity/cashflow and other topics
Charity Commission: Guidance on Financial Difficulties - protect your charity and know what to do if the worst happens.
Fundraising Regulator - fundraising event advice including communications, cancellations and refunds.
Institute of Fundraising- advice for fundraisers
Government Support - find out about support announced for public services, individuals and businesses.
Charities Facilities Management Group - advice and access to the government's free Business Management Continuity toolkit.
HMRC Tax Helpline 0800 0159 559 - help and advice for businesses or the self-employed who are concerned about paying tax due to Coronavirus. Open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, Saturday 8am to 4pm (not Bank Holidays).
Association of Chairs - useful guidance for Chair people, with things you can do now and also general information on places to find support
Volunteering Opportunities
We are fortunate to have a fantastic community and strong volunteering ethic in Richmond. During this emergency period, many of us will informally help elderly, vulnerable or isolated individuals that we know. Unfortunately, scams have sprung up almost instantly and individuals have been taken advantage of. It remains crucial for volunteers and the individuals they support to remain safe.
If you are interested in formally volunteering, please register on our database and state COVID-19 Support in your personal volunteering profile to help maintain a safe and co-ordinated approach.
If you are already registered on the database, and want to offer further assistance, you can update your profile to include COVID-19 Support .
There is likely to be an extended need for help over the coming months so please bear this in mind when you register, as well as being patient if there is not an immediate opportunity whilst we collectively find the best way forward.
NEW GUIDES
Everybody Needs A Good Neighbour
An amazing response has grown out of this crisis but it's never been more important to keep everyone's safety in mind. Please take a look at our brief guide for anyone getting involved independently in the community. Click on the title below to download and view.
Everybody Needs a Good Neighbour - March 2020
Data Protection and Confidentiality for Community Groups and Charities
Our quick guide with useful resources collates various information and guidance on data protection and associated legislation. It is aimed at new organisations or informal groups that have set up in response to the Covid-19 crisis but is also a useful refresher for established organisations.
Data Protection and Confidentiality for Community Groups and Charities - April 2020
@RCVS_Richmond