Download the Neighbourhood Action Plan 
National Updates
New government guidance and updates to existing ones
- Children and Young People
- Schools
- Travel
- Funerals
Funding
- The very latest information on the £750 million promised by the chancellor and how it will be allocated (source: NCVO).
- Other funding opportunities for charities | A list of the key national and regional funds open for applications from charities (source: NCVO).
- The Frontline Network (National Team) have launched the Vicar’s Relief Fund (VRF) – Emergency Fund in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Furlough
- The government's Portal to claim for furloughed employees opened today
- Furloughing: What it is, how it works, who is eligible. (source: NCVO)
- Charities propose sector job-retention scheme and 50% Gift Aid
Food
- V for Life has developed some resources around shopping guides and grocery box suggestions for those older people following special diets, but which can also be applied more widely. Other organisations have found them useful when developing their volunteer shoppers schemes and inclusive food bank provision.
Shopping
- Available from today, Sainsbury’s has launched Volunteer Shopping Cards – enabling others to shop on behalf of the elderly, disabled and vulnerable among other customers who can’t shop for themselves.
Faith
- ‘Supporting Muslim colleagues during Ramadan’ - this information is reproduced from Sandy Adirondack’s free legal update emails for voluntary organisations. To subscribe to the updates, send details to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Volunteering
- Your organisation and coronavirus - NCVO's main practical advice pages with information to help you protect your team and beneficiaries, and manage the operational impacts of the pandemic.
- 250,000 have volunteered to help community organisations, says Navca
Adur & Worthing and Brighton & Hove Updates
Local Infection Rate: There are now 292 confirmed cases as of 20 April within Brighton & Hove, 433 in East Sussex and 820 in West Sussex. These figures should be viewed with caution as there is no testing being undertaken until people are admitted to hospital.
Community Works calls for action:
How you can help with PPE (Personal protective equipment)
- Recording the need for PPE Equipment in the areas we cover is being centrally coordinated so that we can ensure we're providing the right information, please help us gather information.
Connect with us on social media
- It’s brilliant to see how many of you are sharing vital information on social media. Please tag us in your posts so that we can share/retweet them. Use @bh_cw on Twitter, and @bhcommunityworks on Facebook.
Share your good news stories
- You’re all doing such amazing work to keep our local areas functioning during times of crisis. Please, share your good news stories with us so we can help spread some positivity! Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or tag us on social media.
Thank you!
Finance/HR
- Latest COVID-19 update from Chariot House including furlough recap. Some of the subjects that have more detail include:
- Self employed support estimated dates announced
- Furlough – key point recap
- Pensions still need to be paid
Transport
- Cycles for key workers - Sustrans has developed an interactive map just for key workers, showing them offers and discounts that they’re able to access at bike shops, to help keep them moving at the moment. The map shares details about:
- offers on cycles and equipment
- free and discounted repair and maintenance services
- free and discounted bike-sharing schemes
- bike stores that remain open in a key worker’s local area.
Volunteering
- Over the past few weeks Spacehive , the crowdfunding platform for local ideas and initiatives, has been having conversations with Mutual Aid groups up and down the country about the work they are doing, and crucially, been prevented from doing, as a result of resources which are starting to run dry, so they have developed a response about How to effectively fund Mutual Aid groups.
Scams affecting local residents
- As we all adjust to the many changes brought about by tackling Coronavirus, East Sussex County Council (ESCC) are warning people to look out and report anything that appears suspicious. This could range from unexpected callers to your door, emails or phone calls. Whilst at this time there are many people in the community willing and able to support others, sadly there is a small criminal element that wish to exploit others. Please contact ESCC through the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 or by completing our online reporting form. Report to Trading Standards
Adur & Worthing Updates
- West Sussex County Council update | Volunteering
- Adur and Worthing Council update | Coronavirus COVID-19: Community support | Volunteering
'Thank you’ to the care workers
- People working in care are doing an amazing job at this particularly difficult time and West Sussex County Council want to say a huge ‘thank you’ to each and every person caring for our vulnerable and elderly residents. Now more than ever the care sector needs more people to work in care, so if you feel you have the skills and values to take on this challenging but enormously rewarding role please search for local jobs or contact the Proud to Care team. People from all sorts of backgrounds can be perfect for a job in care - read about Brendan who worked in Hotel Management for 25 years until he changed careers to work in care and hasn’t looked back.
Urgent appeal for specialist equipment
- People in West Sussex who are no longer using key items of specialist community equipment are being asked to return them as soon as possible to help the NHS during the coronavirus crisis. Items urgently needed include; specialist hospital-style beds, mattresses, hoists, commodes. Any unused equipment currently on loan can be returned if no longer needed. To arrange a collection please phone NRS Healthcare on 0345 127 2931 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Members’ and other services updates
- Carers Support West Sussex
- Could you benefit from emotional support, guidance and a listening ear? If so, Carers Support West Sussex are on hand to help during these uncertain times. They are available via email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), phone (0300 028 8888) or online where they can offer you a friendly and informal chat. You do not need to be in a caring role to benefit from this service. Response line opening times: Mon, Tue, Thur & Fri 9.00am - 5.00pm, Wed 9.00am-7.00pm, Sat 10.00am-12.oo noon.
Brighton & Hove Updates
Health
- Amex converted into drive-in COVID-19 testing centre
- Hospital Discharge Well-being Service - Description for patient
- Local Healthwatch has produced a guide for people who volunteer to collect a prescription for a friend, family member or neighbour.
Homelessness
- The only available on-street food is at 8.oopm at the Lift on Marine Parade organised by Sussex Homeless Support for the remaining street community. Breakfast on Saturday is also available from 8.30am at the The Arch on Morley Street.
- Rough Sleeping and Supported Accommodation Service Update
Travel
- Free Travel Help, if Looking for Work or Starting New Job, for residents in Portslade, Hove or central / east Brighton. Up to £300-worth to:
- Fix your bike or help you to buy one
- Pay for bus or train in your first month of paid work
Members’ and other services updates
- Grow
- The Grow service is suspended until at least 31st May. Emails will be checked once a week and anything urgent will be replied to. Look forward to reconnecting with you on the other side
- Macmillan Horizon Centre
- The Macmillan Horizon Centre Schedule for the rest of April and for May 2020 has details of the phone and virtual support we are currently able to provide to people affected by cancer which includes:
- Phone support: 01273 468770
- Counselling
- Welfare Benefits Advice
- Information and support – both calls to us and call back/check in calls from our information & support volunteers
- Virtual Support sessions: Delivered via MSTeams – we will send instructions of how to join when people book.
- Horizon Connect – virtual support group session – on Monday-Wednesday – Friday at 10:30
- Managing Anxiety
- Eat Well Feel Better Cookery session
- Breathing Workshop
- Yoga Nidra
- Pilates
- Accupressure
- Phone support: 01273 468770
- The Macmillan Horizon Centre Schedule for the rest of April and for May 2020 has details of the phone and virtual support we are currently able to provide to people affected by cancer which includes:
