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.

Colleagues

You are absolutely amazing!  You have responded not just to the needs of the people you were already in contact with, but to the wider community. 
 
There has been much publicity about funds to support your incredible work. I have been working (and shouting and arguing) to get this promised funding released as quickly as possible so you can keep going. I know you are living on promises and goodwill, and that’s not good enough. 

Wellbeing Fund
There is a Wellbeing Fund (£50 million nationally with approx. £3million for Edinburgh) sitting somewhere, while national organisations and civil servants create a system. This is a piece of nonsense – you know and I know that EVOC has the systems in place. We’re already working with many of you and we know how to make the best possible use of this fund. There is a Supporting Communities Fund – £40 million nationally which is promised “soon”. To put it mildly, my blood boils. It isn’t good enough.

I promise I will continue to shout and scream at people who have decided that creating a bureaucratic system is more important than getting the resources to the people who will make best use of them.

COVID-19 Sector Survey
Thank you to everyone who has completed the survey – the response has been absolutely fantastic and is already helping to shape the support we’re providing here at EVOC.

The survey is helping us to co-ordinate and understand the city-wide picture. It’s helping us make sure that the statutory sector is connected in as much as possible and we’re also looking for extra resources to support you from the Scottish Government and local sources. The next step is a more thorough analysis of what organisations need across different localities and thematic areas, and to share it with other strategic partners providing support. 

Resilience Groups
EVOC continues to advocate for and raise the profile of the voluntary sector through participation in:

Edinburgh Resilience Partnership
This group is supported and administered by CEC and has representatives of all statutory sectors, interfaith groups, the voluntary sector, transport, Forth Ports and Chamber of Commerce.  Regular updates on what each organisation is doing and looking at common issues e.g. HR. EVOC has highlighted the directory of voluntary sector responses and emerging issues, including funding to sustain the level of activity. Initially there has been a significant focus on people who are homeless and supported.

Lothian and Borders Caring For People Group
This group is supported and administered by Scottish Government and is similar to the above but covers a larger geographical area. Considers emerging issues e.g. protocols for shielding were high on the agenda, sharing data etc.  Issues re PPE, adult protection, public messaging, compliance with “stay at home” and “social distancing” etc are all discussed.

Edinburgh Caring For People Group
Bringing together the NHS, Health & Social Care Partnership and voluntary sector to work out how to support vulnerable people locally in Edinburgh in a co-ordinated way, and tapping into the national recruitment of local people wishing to volunteer.

Online Local Sector Forums
Finally, one of the key actions we’ve taken is to move all Local Sector Forums online through Slack. Find out more below and please join in, now more than ever we need to collaborate and stay connected.

Best wishes and good luck.

Ella Simpson, Chief Officer

NETWORKS AND FORUMS ARE NOW ON SLACK 

EVOC has launched a Slack Workspace for Edinburgh’s voluntary sector to share information, updates, offers and needs.
 
Slack is an online space that allows us to organise conversations and replace communications that might otherwise be scattered across 100’s of emails, texts and meetings.
 
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

ORGANISATIONAL SUPPORT

HR & COVID-19 Webinar | Thursday 9 April | 12:30 – 13:30 
Morag Hutchison of Burness Paull will be offering guidance on managing HR covering the latest guidance, including furlough, and you’ll be able to submit questions beforehand once you’ve registered.

Register here

EDINBURGH AND LOTHIAN TRUST FUND (ELTF)

The ELTF team is processing applications remotely and is welcoming applications for the following funds.

General Fund grants for individuals: Applications are still being accepted but please note that only applications where the grant can reach the service user will be progressed. If you are able to complete an online shop on behalf of the client, please add this in the ‘Purpose for which grant is needed’ field in the online form.

Grants for Voluntary Organisations: The deadline for applications is 28th April 2020

Edinburgh Fire Fund: Applications will be progressed on receipt.

Edinburgh Police Fund for Children: Please note that only applications where the grant can reach the service user and the children concerned are still attending school e.g. children of key workers, will be progressed. If you are able to complete an online shop on behalf of the client, please add this in the ‘How much is the grant for’ field in the online form.

Questions and queries: grants@eltf.org.uk  |  Website: www.eltf.org.uk

EVOC + LAW AT WORK MEMBERSHIP DEAL

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 also a complete template staff handbook to download and you’ll also be able to see what legislation is changing soon.

Voluntary Organisation Membership Fees for 2020 
Income below £25,000, full membership is FREE
Income between £25,000 and £500,000, full membership is £35 annually
Income above £500,000, full membership is £55 annually

Associate membership: £55 per year for organisations and £10 per year for individuals wishing to support the aims of EVOC.

Find out more

COVID-19 FUNDING AND SUPPORT

Funding (funds open at time of publishing)
Standard Life Covid-19 Fast-track Funding  >>>
Family Recovery Initiative Fund  >>>
Youth Scotland Covid-19 Action Fund  >>> 
Faith in Community Covid-19 Rapid Response Fund   >>>   
Foundation Scotland Covid-19 Resilience Fund  >>>
Creative Scotland Emergency Funding >>>
Rural Response Emergency Grant >>>

Support & Resources
EVOC Covid-19 Resources >>>
Charity Bank Emergency Funding Database  >>>
City Region Deal launches Covid-19 Job Support  >>>
Law at Work Covid-19 Resources and Checklists  >>>
Inspiring Scotland Emergency Funding Summary >>>
SCVO Funder Database   >>>

EVOC have started to put together a Directory of local groups/projects who are offering support during the current COVID-19 pandemic. This directory can be can be used to help connect people with the support and services they need and bring groups and organisations together.

The directory is both online and a downloadable .pdf which will be updated twice a week – keep an eye on the version number at the bottom of the document.

If you know of any other local groups that are working to support people during this time, please submit the information to add their details to the directory. We will try to keep this information as up to date as possible.

ONLINE DIRECTORY CLICK HERE

If you are not currently volunteering and want to help out please visit our partner organisation Volunteer Edinburgh who have live information about how to take action.

Link to Volunteering FAQs

And for offers to NHS Lothian of supplies, materials, transport, accommodation for staff etc., please email ELHF@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk