The Government has put together some guidance specifically for the charity sector on running your charity during this challenging time. This can be found at:
www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-the-charity-sector?utm_source=ebc08c43-72e1-493d-a1dd-9cd5dab8d973&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=daily
For the most up-to-date coronavirus news, please visit:
www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response
These websites are updated daily with the latest government guidance and should be your first port of call for coronavirus information over the coming weeks. The BBC also offers a good overview of the latest developments at www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers.
Self-isolation of the over-70s
The
government has announced that those over 70 years of age and those with
underlying health conditions should self-isolate for the next 12 weeks. We
recognise that this could have a significant impact on you and your residents
and we have put together some guidance on things to consider during this
period:
- You should consider only carrying out essential
maintenance and repairs to properties to limit the amount of contact residents
have with contractors. Before arriving, contractors should be reminded not to
attend if they or someone they live with feels unwell and to wash their hands
thoroughly when entering the property.
- You should review any resident events and
outings over the coming months and carry out a thorough risk assessment. You
may need to cancel or postpone any planned events.
- You should risk assess resident communal rooms
and close them if you feel it necessary. If you choose to keep your communal
rooms open, you should remind residents of good hygiene practices. You should
provide hand soap and paper towels for resident to use in these areas.
- If you or a member of staff regularly check-in
on residents, you may wish to consider contacting them by phone instead. This
will allow you to check that they’re ok but limit your contact with them. If
you have concerns about the resident after your call, you can always check in
on them in person.
- Friends and relatives of your residents should
be following government advice around social distancing and self-isolation. You
should consider placing notices up around your almshouses to remind visitors of
the government advice. Realistically you will not be able to stop your
residents from receiving visitors and it may not be in their best interests to
do so.
- Anecdotally we have heard that it is very
difficult at the moment to have supermarket shopping delivered with some
supermarkets not accepting new online customers and others not having delivery
slots available for the next 2-3 weeks. If this continues, you will need to
look at how your elderly residents get access to food and other essential
supplies. Is there a friend or relative who can drop off food and other
supplies or will trustees and wardens need to help with this?
- If any of your residents receive support from
carers, you should consider checking what contingency plans they have in place
and remind them that these care services are necessary and should continue as
normal as far as possible. Care agencies
should have infection control procedures in place for their staff. If any of
your residents feel that their safety is being compromised, they should let the
care agency or charity know so that action can be taken.
If you have any questions about coronavirus and what other almshouses are doing, we encourage you to visit our members forum. Our members greatly value hearing from others on what has worked well for them and it’s a good opportunity to share best practice.
Other information
The Charity Commission has advised that charities that are due to submit their annual return over the coming weeks but are unable to do so can request an extension.
More information can be found at www.gov.uk/government/news/filing-charity-annual-returns-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic.
The
government and the BBC have confirmed that the proposed changes to free TV
licenses for over-75s due to come into force on 1 June will now be postponed
until 1 August 2020.
www.gov.uk/government/news/bbc-and-governments-joint-statement-on-delaying-the-tv-licence-fee-for-over-75s. You should make your residents aware of this change.
Helpful Resources
Age UK has published advice for individuals concerned about contracting coronavirus, which may be helpful to share with your residents.
Visit www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/conditions-illnesses/coronavirus/.
The mental
health charity, Mind, has developed
some tips and guidance to help keep healthy during periods of self-isolation.
These can be accessed at:
www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/
NCVO have provided useful guidance for charities on how to support their staff and volunteers, whilst also keeping your charity running well.
This information can be found at www.ncvo.org.uk/practical-support/information/coronavirus.
Getting your local community involved
We’re seeing
a lot of community-led initiatives whereby people are offering to help
vulnerable people in their local community with basic tasks, such as shopping.
Covid-19 Mutual Aid Local Groups is one such initiative and their website lists local groups across the UK. If you feel you need some help looking after your residents, you may wish to contact the group to see if they would be willing to help. You should explain what your charity does, the type of people you support and why their help is needed.
covidmutualaid.org/
Please note: Many of these groups have
been set up on Facebook and you will need a Facebook account to make contact
with them. As far as we’re aware, none of the volunteers are DBS checked so you
should limit their interaction with your residents and any exchange of money
should be handled by staff or trustees at the charity.
updated 20th Mar 2020