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:

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

In lieu of Item 7.1 of the Finance and Resource Committee on the 5th March in relation to Edinburgh’s Community Centres. EVOC has submitted a note to Committees Members regarding our concerns and recommendations in relation to the conditions review for community centres.

You can read the letter in full here:

Letter from EVOC_item 7.1

EVOC’s role to support voluntary organisations in the city working with children, young people and families continues. We are here to listen and help people make connections to come together to achieve the best results for our communities by addressing the issues that the grants programme has presented.

The conversations are ongoing, and our contacts to discuss next steps are:

mark.merrell@evoc.org.uk 0131 555 9121

Please get in touch if there is something specific you wish to work on with other organisations – we are here to help.

The next CYP&F Network meeting is Thursday 5th March 2020 at 09:45 at EVOC’s office.

The next two Older People’s Forum meetings are: 

• Wednesday 19^th February – 10-12pm, in the boardroom at EVOC
• Tuesday 24^th March – 10-12pm, in the boardroom at EVOC

If you are interested in coming along, please contact Stef Milenkovic.

EVOC closes at 11.45am on Christmas Eve and re-opens at 9am on Friday 3 January 2020.

Season’s Greetings to all our members and readers.