Hello Everyone

In “normal times” next week would be the start of school holidays and we would all be looking forward to well-earned breaks.  I know that my team are feeling the strain and getting tired and I’m sure you will be seeing the effects of the pressures on yourself and your colleagues.  I have therefore taken the unprecedented decision to close EVOC for a week from Monday 29^th June.  We need to make sure we are looking after ourselves to be able to continue at this pace for the longer term.  We will be in touch with everyone re any work which was planned for next week to let you know how we are going to ensure we are continuing to support you and your amazing work.

Looking forward there are a number of things which COVID-19 has brought into sharp focus for us all but fundamentally we know that at the wellbeing of people must be at the heart of every decision.  EVOC is a member of a national network of Third Sector Interfaces (TSI) and across Scotland we have just completed a questionnaire.  The full details will be published by the end of this week.  It won’t be a surprise to you to hear that the concerns we hear in our networks and forums are being echoed nationally.

• Sustainability of the voluntary sector: the short-term crisis funding has supported incredible work in communities but it all comes to a grinding halt early autumn.  We are increasingly hearing about the longer-term issues of statutory funds and how these have been depleted during the last 4 months – what of the future planning?
• People: there are growing concerns for mental health and wellbeing of a large number of people who were already vulnerable pre-COVID-19
• Poverty: the greatest economic impact of COVID-19 will be felt by people who were in jobs which were already unstable.  This will only increase the levels of poverty in our communities.
• Partnership: all the statutory bodies have praised and thanked communities and the voluntary sector for their incredible work over the last few months.  How can we ensure this new found understanding of the power and reach of the voluntary sector translates into a partnership approach going forward.

All big questions which we will be discussing at the various networks and forums and Third Sector Strategy Group over the next couple of months.  Please join us for these meetings – it is important that our collective voice is heard as recovery/refresh/review work forges ahead within the statutory sector.

Finally – please take time for yourselves.  This is a marathon and there will always be urgent, important and vital work to be done but unless we look after ourselves, we really won’t be able to have either the headspace or the energy to best serve our communities.

Ella Simpson
Chief Executive, EVOC

 

UPDATES FROM SCVO AND OSCR ON THE IMPACT OF CORONAVIRUS ON THE SCOTTISH VOLUNTARY SECTOR AND CHARITIES.

SCVO and OSCR have both published their results from their respective surveys on the impact that COVID – 19 has had on the Voluntary Sector and Charities. The survey results outline how voluntary organisations and charities have had to adapt through the crisis in order to continue to provide support.

Various themes emerge from both surveys:

Finance and Income: OSCR’s research showed that 51% of charities had lost fundraising income and taken action financially, 25% had applied for emergency funding of some kind.
Both OSCR and SCVO reported financial stability being of concern: 20% of charities foresaw decrease in income within next 6 – 12 months, (strongest for charities with an income over £25K (OSCR)) and SCVO reporting that income drops and reduction of funding meaning that over 50% of charities will run out of funds within 6 months fearing closure.

Adaptation of services: Both reports showed that charities have had to adapt the way they provide services.
OSCR reported that the most common reaction from charities was to change the way in which they deliver services (84%), whilst SCVO stated that many leaders are looking at ways to ‘build back better’ to make the most of new ways of working and delivering services.

Methods of Support:
OSCR reported that guidance on funding, making funding applications and processes easier were considered to be the most beneficial methods of support by those responding to the survey. With SCVO reporting the importance of transitional funding that will help charities impacted by closures and loss of revenue being highlighted across a number of surveys.
SCVO are continuing to collect surveys, briefings, case studies or blogs on the impact of coronavirus on voluntary organisations. All research and insights shared will be collated in their searchable Evidence Library.
Email research@scvo.org.uk if you have any that you would like to share.

You can get more information on the survey results from: 
SCVO on the sector response to COVID here
OSCR: COVID – 19 Impact on charities here

The national Third Sector Interface (TSI) survey that many of you will have completed is also published shortly and we will analyse the Edinburgh results in our next newsletter.

 

INSPIRING CHANGE: VOLUNTARY SECTOR RESPONSE TO COVID-19

“Thanks for still being there for me.”

‘Said by a young person who is being supported by The Junction, it was the shortest and simplest, but summed up the fact that in the toughest of times, local organisations have found a way to adapt, focus on people in need and make people feel heard and looked after.’

We’ve written a blog article to highlight how Edinburgh’s voluntary sector has collaborated to create new opportunities and meet the needs of the city’s most vulnerable.

People Know How, The Junction, Health Opportunities Team, The Yard and Go Beyond gave us their insights. It’s an article that looks to the future and inspires change – you can read the article here.

If you have an inspiring story to share, contact Tessa Williams (tessa.williams@evoc.org.uk).

 

UPDATES ON TRAINING

Training dates confirmed
Our popular Governance Four: Roles and Responsibilities training for Trustees will be running on the 14th July . 

We are also planning on holding a Writing Funding Applications workshop on the 21st July. 

Both sessions will be online sessions. 
To find out more or to book your place please visit the EVOC website here

 

EDINBURGH COVID – 19 SERVICES MAP

The map is continually being updated with information submitted to the Directory – please use and share it to promote what you’re doing. 

 

PARTNERSHIPS ‘WORK’

In the sector we talk a lot about ‘partnership working’ but we want to shine a light on the fact that ‘partnerships work’.

We’re collecting examples from across the city and across thematic areas to show Government, the statutory sector and the public that the voluntary sector rises to current challenges again and again, that we’ve done it quickly, effectively and together. 

Tell us your partnership stories

Please also share your partnership stories
with SCVO #nevermoreneeded campaign which is focused on how essential the voluntary sector is in society. 

 

CYBER RESILIENCE & COVID SCAMS: LATEST NEWS

As a result of the significant rise in COVID-19 related scams, over the next few months, the Scottish Government Cyber Resilience Unit will share important information. They aim to share these updates weekly.

Advice and information is changing daily as we navigate our way through the COVID-19 pandemic, so please ensure you only take information from trusted sources.

Get the Cyber Resilience Bulletin

 

FORUMS AND NETWORKS: CONTACTS

 Join us on Slack

If you haven’t already, you can now join all of our networks and forums online via Slack.

Slack is a very accessible and easy to use platform. We can provide guidance on how to get set up and use it well.

Please join if you are an Edinburgh voluntary sector organisation – it is where you’ll get the most up to date information, be able to share things quickly and stay connected.

How it works

When you join you’ll have access to a number of ‘public channels’ on topics such as community food, funding, legal regulation, offers of help and training.

Each network and forum will also have a more focused ‘private channel’ which members will be invited to join – both the geographic Voluntary Sector Forums and the various thematic networks and forums.

How to join

We’ll be supporting you all the way to get to grips with Slack – once you’ve got started it’s easy to use.

Please contact the forum leads for access to specific channels: please just get in touch:

Older People’s Forum		Roisin Hurst
Substance Use Network Edinburgh		Maria Arnold
Edinburgh Mental Health Forum		Christina Hinds
Edinburgh Disabilities Forum		Hugo Whitaker
Children, Young People and Families Forum		Katherine Anderson
Voluntary Sector Forums – across Edinburgh’s localities		Kate Barrett
Voluntary Sector Carers Forum		Maria Arnold

 

EVOC MEMBERSHIP + LAW AT WORK PARTNERSHIP

Full EVOC membership is open to all voluntary and community organisations.  Membership helps to support EVOC’s work and whilst membership is not necessary to be part of any of our networks or forums, membership does provide an established network of all kinds of voluntary and community organisations working in Edinburgh. 

All EVOC members can now benefit from our partnership with Law at Work. 

You’ll be able to access their exclusive online client area which contains their employment law and HR template letters, style policies and guidance notes. There’s a template staff handbook to download and you’ll also see legislation updates.

They also have a wide-ranging Covid-19 resource section with toolkits and checklists.

Find out about all the benefits of EVOC membership here

You can now join all of our networks and forums online via Slack.

Slack is a very accessible, easy to use platform and we can provide guidance on how to get set up and use it well.

Please join if you are an Edinburgh voluntary sector organisation – it is where you’ll get the most up to date information, be able to share things quickly and stay connected.

How it works

When you join you’ll have access to a number of ‘public channels’ on topics such as community food, funding, legal regulation, offers of help and training.

Each network and forum will also have a more focused ‘private channel’ which members will be invited to join – both the geographic Voluntary Sector Forums and the various thematic networks and forums.

How to join

We’ll be supporting you all the way to get to grips with Slack – once you’ve got started it’s easy to use.

Please contact the forum leads for access to specific channels:

Older People’s Forum		Roisin Hurst
Substance Use Network Edinburgh		Maria Arnold
Edinburgh Mental Health Forum		Christina Hinds
Edinburgh Disabilities Forum		Hugo Whitaker
Children, Young People and Families Forum		Katherine Anderson
Voluntary Sector Forums – across Edinburgh’s localities		Kate Barrett

Hello Everyone

In what seems like another lifetime back in February, and after extensive consultation with all our stakeholders, team members and the Board, we agreed a new strategic plan for EVOC.

The headlines were leadership, development and advocacy.  

Who would ever have thought those values and principles would be tested so dramatically. Our role is to support the amazing collective leadership demonstrated in communities across Edinburgh, the rapid development of effective working partnerships and advocating at every opportunity for the sector – now, during whatever transition takes place and as a force to be taken seriously as the statutory sector re-assess how they engage with communities.

To help us with this can you please take 15 minutes from your really busy day and complete the survey in this newsletter.  We have worked with colleagues across Scotland and our aim is to collect information which we can then interrogate locally and thematically.

This will provide the hard evidence of the effort and work you have done in the last 2 months; alongside the amazing stories of the differences you have made we can and will work together to ensure the voluntary sector is central to future planning. 

Its particularly important that we have this evidence at this time as every strategic planning group is now considering the “transition and recovery” journey.

Take care and stay safe,

Ella Simpson
Chief Executive, EVOC

 

VOLUNTARY SECTOR TOGETHER: NATIONAL SURVEY

As the coronavirus pandemic continues it is important that we have a strong understanding of its impact on community groups, voluntary organisations and social enterprises, as well as the people and communities you support.  
 
Edinburgh TSI, which EVOC is part of, is a member of a network of Third Sector Interfaces (TSIs) covering every local authority area in Scotland.
 
We are asking you to complete a survey.  We know this is a busy time, but good quality information will help us provide better support to you and enable us to make the right asks of government and funders.  

Before you begin you should know: 

• This is a national survey with the results able to be used locally and nationally.  If your organisation covers more than one local authority area you may be asked to complete this more than once.  Ideally we would like a single response from your whole organisation covering the full area you cover.
• It would be helpful if the survey was completed by a senior person in your organisation.  Some of the questions are about the leadership and strategic challenges at this time.
• The survey contains 26 questions and will take between 10 and 15 minutes to complete.  Most of the questions are multiple choice. 
• The survey is confidential and no individual organisation information will be published. Your individual response will be shared with the TSIs where you operate.

Complete the survey here 

 

TOP TIPS IF YOU’RE APPLYING TO THE WELLBEING FUND

The Wellbeing Fund is open again for applications until noon, 22nd May.

EVOC, ESEN and Volunteer Edinburgh are supporting the assessment process so we’ve put together a list of top tips based on the applications we saw in the last round. 

Top Top Tip: The criteria is very strict – please read it carefully!

Download the Top Tips from the EVOC website

 

FUNDING NEWS

Funding Newsletter: Our colleagues at GCVS in Glasgow have created a funding newsletter which covers a lot of what’s happening nationally  >>>

The Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Fund: Open to third sector organisations so they can provide enhanced peer support, parenting support and perinatal counselling services during pregnancy and in the early stages of life  >>>

BBC Children in Need Emergency Essentials Programme: Supports children and young people who are facing exceptionally difficult circumstances   >>>

 

EDINBURGH COVID19 SERVICES MAP

The map is continually being updated with information submitted to the Directory – please use and share it to promote what you’re doing. 

Go to the map

 

PARTNERSHIPS ‘WORK’

In Edinburgh, thanks to the incredible hard work of over 20 organisations working together, over 17,000 meals have been delivered to people who need support in just one week.

In the sector we talk a lot about ‘partnership working’ but we want to shine a light on the fact that ‘partnerships work’.

We’re collecting examples from across the city and across thematic areas to show Government, the statutory sector and the public that the voluntary sector rises to current challenges again and again, that we’ve done it quickly, effectively and together. 

Tell us your partnership stories

Please also also share your partnership stories with SCVO’s new campaign  #nevermoreneeded  

 

CYBER RESILIENCE & COVID SCAMS: LATEST NEWS

As a result of the significant rise in COVID-19 related scams, over the next few months, the Scottish Government Cyber Resilience Unit will share important information. They aim to share these updates weekly.

Advice and information is changing daily as we navigate our way through the COVID-19 pandemic, so please ensure you only take information from trusted sources.

Get the Cyber Resilience Bulletin 

 

FORUMS AND NETWORKS: CONTACTS

Any Edinburgh Voluntary Sector organisation can join these forums, please just get in touch:

Older People’s Forum		Roisin Hurst
Substance Use Network Edinburgh		Maria Arnold
Edinburgh Mental Health Forum		Christina Hinds
Edinburgh Disabilities Forum		Hugo Whitaker
Children, Young People and Families Forum		Katherine Anderson
Voluntary Sector Forums – across Edinburgh’s localities		Kate Barrett
Voluntary Sector Carers Forum		Maria Arnold

 

EVOC + LAW AT WORK PARTNERSHIP

All EVOC members can now benefit from our partnership with Law at Work. 

You’ll be able to access their exclusive online client area which contains their employment law and HR template letters, style policies and guidance notes. There’s a template staff handbook to download and you’ll also see legislation updates.

They also have a wide-ranging Covid-19 resource section with toolkits and checklists.

Find out about all the benefits of EVOC membership

 

 

The following are some hints and tips for organisations making funding applications to the Wellbeing fund and other emergency COVID-19 response/recovery funding.

We advise you read this alongside the main wellbeing fund guidance. 

The guidance below is based on the experience of assessors from across Scotland in relation to the Wellbeing Fund applications, however many can be universally applied to all types of funding applications.

You can also download the tips here.

1. Read through all the guidance once and then read it again, noting the key details – for example, you can apply for no more than 20% of income. Don’t let your application fail because of a technical detail.

2. You cannot apply for more than 20% of your previous year’s income. In some cases, your last set of accounts submitted to OSCR may show a lower income than a more recent set of accounts not yet submitted. You can submit a complete draft set of accounts for the most recent financial year if it is a more accurate reflection of your income. Ensure that you note that you are submitting draft accounts in the application and why.

3. If you’re not sure if your organisation meets the requirement to be ‘independently governed’ refer to SCVO’s eligibility guidance on its membership page this is the working definition that assessors are using.

4. If it’s possible, try not to work on it alone – get another colleague or trustee/board member to read the guidance and make sure you’ve understood it correctly and discuss what you plan to apply for. You can also access funding application support via City of Edinburgh Council by emailing supportforgrants@edinburgh.gov.uk

5. Read through what is and is not eligible for funding. Write down the activities that you are thinking of applying for and make sure all are eligible.

6. Be clear, detailed, and specific in the description of your activities and especially the budget.

7. Provide a concise description of your current situation, be very specific about what additional or modified services you plan to offer and clearly define your targeted vulnerable group.

8. If you’re including staff costs, explain why these costs are additional and not already covered by your existing funding and include timescales, number of staff and hours budgeted for. Many applications appear to be asking for staffing costs due to loss of income or which appear to be already be covered by other funders, this would make the request ineligible for the wellbeing fund but potentially eligible for the Third Sector Resilience Fund or the Recovery and Resilience funding from Foundation Scotland.

9. For any larger costs in your budget, give a detailed breakdown.

10. For equipment, particularly IT costs, try as best you can to provide realistic, researched pricing.

11. Read through the application from the perspective of an assessor – and, if possible, get someone else to also.

Finally, ask:

a. Does this meet all the technical criteria?

b. Are the activities that we’re applying for allowed in our governing document?

c. Do we have the correct supporting documents requested (most recent accounts, statement, and governing document?

d. Are all of the activities applied for eligible in this fund?

e. Have we described who we’re working with, why, and exactly what we’re doing clearly to someone outside our organisation?

f. Is our budget specific and detailed?

DOWNLOAD: Emergency Funding Application Tips

 

Hello Everyone

Here’s a quick update for this week:

Future Planning
While everyone is working flat out to respond to immediate needs it’s apparent that we will also need to think longer-term about how we continue to support our communities.

Increasingly we will have to reflect on immediate learning and what further changes we will need to make. This will need to become part of the core discussions at the forums and networks, so please also keep an eye on the Slack channels.

Connect with me on Slack
We’ve added a new channel for #evoc_ceo_updates where I’ll be posting news and information from meetings and forums I attend. You can also ask me questions and let me know your thoughts on strategic issues arising.

There are also channels for funding, community food, offering help, legal issues, training and volunteering as well as the thematic and geographical networks we support.

Keep up the brilliant work,

Ella Simpson, Chief Officer

NEW: FORUM FOR ORGANISATIONS SUPPORTING CARERS

A new Edinburgh Forum for Organisations Supporting Carers has been set up to help support the steep rise in issues for carers arising from COVID-19.

The forum will be a place to:

• Share issues, knowledge and insights
• Provide mutual support
• Gather a full picture of the situation carers and organisations supporting carers are facing and identify potential solutions

The first meeting is on Tuesday 5 May

Contact Maria Arnold to join

VOLUNTARY SECTOR TOGETHER

Voluntary Sector Forums (VSFs)

VSFs are held regularly across the city using Zoom, bringing together third sector organisations responding to the challenges brought by COVID-19.

The forums are geographically based and are an opportunity to:

• Share what is working and what is proving challenging
• Create a space for organisations to explore new models to serve their community
• Enable resource sharing, increase partnership working and avoid duplication

Many of the forums have moved from a quarterly schedule to more frequent weekly or fortnightly meetings, so there are regular opportunities to check in with others delivering services in your area.

Forum members are also encouraged to stay connected through the online EVOC Slack Workspace (free to join and use).

Please get in touch if you’re interested in attending and would like to know what is available in your area.

Contact Kate Barrett

Working Together to Support Children, Young People and Families

This week online meetings started in all four Edinburgh localities bringing together staff from charities and the council who work with children, young people and families.

The aim is to respond quickly to the needs of children, young people and families as the emergency situation changes, and to make the best possible use of resources. The groups are called Locality Operational Groups and have been developed by the Children’s Services Task Force led by EVOC and City of Edinburgh Council.

The purpose of the Task Force is coordinate our shared efforts and resources to support our vulnerable children and their families in response to the impact of Covid-19.

We’ll keep you posted on the progress of the groups but you can also get in touch:

Contact Katherine Anderson

FUNDING NEWS

Support with Funding Applications

The Council has established a team of officers to support community projects and organisations who may need help to identify suitable funding and assist with bids.

Contact SupportForGrants

£50k Fund for Small Community Projects and Voluntary Organisations

This funding is available to community projects or organisations who have been unsuccessful in securing funding for their response to Covid-19 within the community. An initial £50k will be available from the Council to provide targeted support to smaller-scale community groups in their efforts to help vulnerable residents.

More information

BE AWARE:  FAKE CARERS 

Sadly we have heard reports of people posing as carers to gain access to the homes of vulnerable people.

One man was targeted multiple times by “very insistent people who were very organised”. When he challenged them and asked to speak to a manager they put him on the phone to someone who was also very insistent.

In this case they didn’t gain entry and the police were informed, however we would encourage all organisations providing food, support and care to consider how vulnerable people can be protected.

COVID-19 TESTING

Some voluntary sector workers are now eligible for Covid-19 testing.

What the changes mean for keyworkers in Scotland
Access to Covid testing in Scotland has been widened and will now be determined via a prioritisation matrix for key workers that includes a broader range of private sector workers and essential services.

Third Sector staff that can access testing:

• Staff involved in volunteering to provide support to vulnerable people and communities
• Staff working for third sector organisations supporting people and children who are vulnerable, including grant aided schools

More information about testing and eligibility

Working with the GIS people at City of Edinburgh Council, a series of maps is now available for anyone looking for services provided by the voluntary sector in response to the crisis. Filter the maps at the top right hand side of the page to reveal the different types of support and the geographies of groups’ activities.

https://bit.ly/EdinburghCV-19Maps

Please provide any feedback or further information to comms@evoc.org.uk

If you want your group to feature in the map and the directory please follow this link.