Hello Everyone

As things change so quickly at the moment we’ll be sending out sector updates more frequently. Here’s some of what I’ve been working on over the last week:

PPE
I’ve raised this issue within the Edinburgh Resilience Partnership and the SE Scotland COVID-19 Caring for People Group. I have been assured that Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership are aware of this growing issue and I will hopefully have further info on this soon.

Scottish Emergency Funding Advisory Board
I have joined this board where the major funders provide information on the uptake of the various grants programmes and emerging issues. I am feeding back information from the forums and networks but if you have a strategic issue which you think should be fed into this group please don’t hesitate to contact me or any member of the team.

Vulnerable People
Building on the amazing humanitarian response by the voluntary sector we have now secured an agreement with CEC that support for delivering food will be funded.

Thank you for everything you’re doing.

Ella Simpson, Chief Officer

 

NETWORKS AND FORUMS ONLINE

The Slack workspace for networks and forums has got off to a great start with lots of information sharing, connecting and problem solving.

If you are an Edinburgh voluntary sector organisation please just get in touch with the forum leads and we’ll set you up:

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

EDINBURGH DIRECTORY & MAP OF COVID-19 SUPPORT SERVICES

There are over 100 support services now listed.
Search by area, type of support and by who support is for by using the filters at the top right of the map page.

Add your service to the Directory       Go to the map

 

VOLUNTARY SECTOR TOGETHER 

We’re on the lookout for your stories of collaboration and partnerships during the COVID-19 response

We’ll be sharing them on Twitter, with TSI Network Scotland, the Council and other statutory bodies.

Share your story with us 

Edinburgh’s COVID-19 Food Network and Support Response

EVOC has been working with the Council and voluntary organisations across the city to try to achieve a more co-ordinated approach to ensure that Edinburgh’s most vulnerable people have the food they need.

It’s been a complex challenge for everyone but we’re pleased to report that now, when people ring the Scottish Government freephone helpline, their requests for support will be directed toward all of the great local work that is already going on in local communities.

Alongside this and working with our colleagues at Volunteer Edinburgh we will also be able to process requests for dog walking, food collection/essential shopping and other help that might make life easier during this difficult time. 

Email FoodNetwork@evoc.org.uk for more information.

 

FUNDING NEWS

The Wellbeing Fund will open again for Expressions of Interest on 7 May.

Any organisation that has submitted an EOI by last Sunday will be sent an application form link if they have reached the next stage. 

Please keep an eye on the FAQ’s SCVO have produced on the application criteria. The system for assessments is quite rigid so if your application deviates from the criteria then your application will be rejected.

The Bank of Scotland Foundation REACH fund is opening up to applications monthly to help speed up the grants to charities responding to COVID-19.

 

VIEWS FROM THE SECTOR

Do you have a blog or article to share about the impact and response to COVID-19?

Here’s an impassioned article by Sebastian Fischer, Chief Executive of VOCAL (Voice of Carers Across Lothian).

The Police have asked for the sector’s views on safety and policing during the pandemic.

Please let them know your thoughts for your geographic area.