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.
Please note: This guidance was first published on 24 March 2020. We will be updating it as and when government advice changes or when we find new resources that could help your charity over the coming months.
Shielding, Self-isolation and Social Distancing
The government has now announced a complete lock down with severe limits to people’s day-to-day activities. You are now only allowed to leave your home:
- To purchase essential supplies. This should be done as infrequently as possible
- For medical reasons or to support a vulnerable person
- For one form of exercise a day (this must be alone or with one other member of your household)
- To travel to and from work but only if this is absolutely necessary
Non-essential
shops have been closed and the police now have the power to disperse gatherings
of more than two people and impose fines on those flouting these rules. These
measures will apply initially for a period of three weeks (23 March to 13
April) but this could be extended.
Stricter measures are still advised in the following categories.:
Shielding
Shielding is
for those who are at very high risk of severe illness from coronavirus (Covid-19)
because of an underlying health condition, regardless of their age. This
includes:
- Solid organ transplant recipients
- People with specific cancers, e.g. lung cancer,
leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma (please check government guidance for more
details)
- People with severe respiratory conditions
including cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and severe COPD.
- People with rare diseases and inborn errors of
metabolism that significantly increase the risk of infections (such as SCID,
homozygous sickle cell).
- People on immunosuppression therapies sufficient
to significantly increase risk of infection.
- Women who are pregnant with significant heart
disease, congenital or acquired.
People who
fall into this categories will be contacted by their GP by letter no later than
29 March 2020. They are strongly advised to stay at home at all times and avoid
any face-to-face contact for a period of at least 12 weeks from the day they
receive their letter.
Self-isolation
If one of
your residents or someone in their household has symptoms of the coronavirus –
a dry cough and/or a high temperature – then the Government requires everyone
in that household to self-isolate
at home. This means avoiding all social contact, remaining at home and only
allowing essential visitors, such as NHS or care workers. If your resident need
to have something delivered or if family and friends are bringing shopping or
other essentials, then they should drop them to the doorstep.
The current advice is to self-isolate at home for 7 days for
anyone who is displaying symptom or 14 days if it is another member of the household.
Key Workers (statement from The Almshouse Association as at 25 March 2020)
We have been asked by members to give an interpretation of the government guidance on the status of almshouse staff and volunteers as key workers.
Following recent guidance from the Government to registered providers, we have interpreted the definition of key worker in relations to almshouse staff as follows:
Almshouses provide accommodation for residents to live independently in individual units of accommodation. There would not normally be a consistent and continuous need for a staff member to provide front line support and care for residents. Therefore, almshouse staff and trustees are unlikely to meet the current guidance and description of key worker as now set by Government.
If the organisation or individual has a role that differs from that above and/or the role of warden as stated in Standards of Almshouse Management (Ch2.) then the definition of key worker would need assessing on its own merit. For example, a care home or dedicated CQC staff team where residents may be under greater risk from communal living and the carer is front line. In these circumstances the definition as key worker may be appropriate.
We have asked the Government for clarity and will amend this guidance if necessary.
What Almshouse Charities should be doing
These measures
will have a significant impact on you and your residents. We have put together
some guidance on things to consider during this period:
- Almshouse staff may continue to go to work if they fit with the definition of a key worker (see statement above). .
- You should avoid holding any resident events or
outings and close any common rooms. You may wish to keep communal gardens open
but remind residents to keep at least 2 metres apart when in it.
- If you or a member of staff regularly check-in on residents, you should consider contacting them by phone instead. This will allow you to check that they’re ok but limit your contact with them.
- 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.
- 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, particularly those who are shielding or
self-isolating, 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 member 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.
Supporting your residents
Whether you
are a trustee or clerk, you will be worried about keeping in regular telephone
contact with your residents and the feedback that we have had is that a quick
call every day makes the world of difference to them. To many, this regular
contact will be what sees them through this difficult time.
We have
already heard from a number of members whose residents have been made redundant
or had their working hours cut as a result of coronavirus. This will have
implications on how or if they are able to pay their weekly maintenance
contribution over the coming months. We have put together a dedicated article
on this topic.
CLICK HERE TO LINK TO ALMSHOUSE ASSOCIATION WMC NEWS ARTICLE
UK Government has announced measures to support vulnerable people with their energy supplies over the coming months. Information about the measures can be found at:
www.gov.uk/government/news/government-agrees-measures-with-energy-industry-to-support-vulnerable-people-through-covid-19
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. You should make your residents aware of this change.
www.gov.uk/government/news/bbc-and-governments-joint-statement-on-delaying-the-tv-licence-fee-for-over-75s.
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute is issuing regular warnings on different Covid-19 related scams. It is worth keeping an eye on their website and informing your residents of any scams you think they may be vulnerable to.
www.tradingstandards.uk/news-policy/news-room
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 charity also offers an advice helpline, which is open from 8am to 7pm each day. The number for this is 0800 169 6565.
[added to post 1 April 20]
AGE UK have also put together a helpful leaflet for elderly people, which explains the virus and action people should be taken to contain it. This can be printed off and distributed to your residents. You can download a copy at:
www.ageuk.org.uk/globalassets/age-uk/documents/information-guides/ageukig59_coronavirus_inf.pdf
The mental health charity, Mind, has developed some tips and guidance to help keep healthy during periods of shielding, self-isolation and social distancing. You may wish to share these resources with your residents. They can be accessed at:
www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/.
A number of
community-led initiatives, whereby people are offering to help vulnerable
people in their local community with basic tasks, are being set up.
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/
Other Local Community Support group details have been collated into a downloadable document and can be accessed by clicking in the link below:
Community Support
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.
Running your Charity
The Charity Commission has published guidance on how to run your charity during the Covid-19 pandemic. This includes information in paying your staff, using reserves and restricted funds, and holding meetings remotely.
www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-the-charity-sector
The Charity Commission has also 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.
[added to post 1 April 2020]
The Charity Commission has advised that serious incidents should continue to be reported as usual under their existing guidance. No changes to their serious incident reporting guidance has been made as yet as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Charities are urged to keep an eye on the Charity Commission’s coronavirus guidance to see if this changes.
[added to post 2 April 2020]
The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) has launched a coronavirus emergency fund to help smaller charities that have been affected by the pandemic. Grants of up to £10,000 are available and details on how to apply can be found at:
www.cafonline.org/charities/grantmaking/caf-coronavirus-emergency-fund.
If you need help in applying for a grant, please contact Sue Van Leest at susanvanleest@almshouses.org.
NHS England has developed guidance on the supply and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at:
www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/publication/guidance-supply-use-of-ppe/
[added to post 1 April 2020]
The Regulator of Social Housing is providing regular guidance to registered providers on their obligations during the Covid-19 pandemic. These updates can be found at:
www.gov.uk/government/news/rsh-statement-on-coronavirus.
[added to post 2 April 2020]
The National Housing Federation is publishing regular updates on its websites on a variety of issues affecting the housing sector during the Cobid-19 outbreak. They are also holding webinars. To find out more, visit their website at:
www.housing.org.uk/news-and-blogs/
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.
EROSH (the national consortium for older people’s housing) has put together a briefing note on supporting residents and staff through Covid-19. This can be downloaded at:
https://erosh.co.uk/supporting-older-people-staff-through-coronavirus/
[added to post 1 April 2020]
Our Panel of Consultants remain active and some are providing coronavirus advice via their websites. If you need any professional advice, you can search for professionals with experience of dealing with almshouse charities at:
www.almshouses.org/panel-of-consultants/.
Posted 24 Mar 2020
last updated 2nd April 2020 13:15