Safe Volunteering and Helping Out During COVID-19

Want to help out during COVID-19? Click this link to register!

As a result of the incredible response from our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, CVS Falkirk has launched VOLUNTEER FALKIRK, a new local volunteering phoneline providing you with up to date and relevant information about volunteering locally in the Falkirk and District area during this time. So whether you live in Banknock or Bo’ness, we can put you in touch with local COVID-19 volunteering initiatives.

So if you are looking to volunteer locally during COVID-19, please get in touch by:

• completing the Community Response Volunteers (COVID-19) online form
• calling the COVID-19 volunteering information phoneline: 0300 311 9700

The phoneline will initially be open 9am – 5pm.

Alternatively, for further information, contact CVS Falkirk by email: info@cvsfalkirk.org.uk

Ready Scotland, Scottish Government’s Resilience Division, has released guidance on helping out safely on their dedicated website.

The guidance explains the importance of taking care of ourselves and others during this challenging time, no matter where you live – from a flat in a city to a croft on an island – and how you can provide essential support safely, along with where to find additional support, advice for community groups, and on shopping responsibly so everyone can buy what they need.

For further information, please visit the Ready Scotland COVID-19 page.

At CVS Falkirk, we’ve also put together this handy “Being A Good Neighbour” resource for everyone, with information on how to introduce yourself to your neighbours, maintaining boundaries and personal safety, and what to do if you’re concerned about any of your neighbours.

To view or download the “Being A Good Neighbour” resource, please visit the CVS Falkirk website.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is particularly important to safeguard adults with care and support needs. They may be more vulnerable to abuse and neglect as others mightseek to exploit disadvantages due to age, disability, mental or physical impairment or illness.

These groups may be targeted because of a number of factors. There is also evidence that social isolation increases the likelihood of abuse.

Vulnerable and at risk adults are those who:

• have care and support needs
• are experiencing, or at risk of abuse or neglect and
• are unable to protect themselves because of their care and support needs

If you are volunteering with any adults who are vulnerable, or you suspect are dealing with abuse of any kind, the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) has produced a page of useful information, including who is likely to be targeted, the support available, and what to do if you suspect someone is dealing with abuse.

They also have information on volunteering and working with those who are or may be experiencing domestic abuse, children and families, and a specific page for faith-based organisations.

• Local Resources

Falkirk Council is continuing their adult and child protection services, adapted for the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown; they are committed to their legal duty to protect and support adults and children at risk of harm, and will respond to every concern reported to them.

Anyone who is worried about a child’s safety is encouraged to contact social work services by phone:

• Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm: 01324 506070
• Monday – Friday from 5pm, and at weekends: 01786 470500

Those concerned about a vulnerable adult’s safety should contact the adult protection team:

• by phone, Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm: 01324 506070
• by email: asp@falkirk.gov.uk

Further information is also available on the Falkirk Council webpages for adult protection and child protection, and on their new postcards issued as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic:

• adult protection
• child protection

If you are concerned that anyone is at immediate risk of harm contact Police Scotland as soon as possible by phone: 999.

The COVID-19 Falkirk Volunteer Expenses Fund has been set up to support community groups and voluntary organisations which operate in Falkirk and District, and whose volunteers provide support through community activities during COVID-19 (from Wednesday 1^st April – Saturday 30^th May 2020). CVS Falkirk will be administering the fund.

Expenses will be reimbursed directly to volunteers in order to reduce organisational time and resources required to administer additional or increased volunteer activity.

All COVID-19-related volunteer-involving groups and organisations are eligible to use the fund. For the full eligibility criteria and details on what can be reimbursed, please view or download the guidance document before registering.

To register, groups and organisations should download and complete the registration form.

For further information, please contact CVS Falkirk by phone 07872464215, or email: volunteer@cvsfalkirk.org.uk

Volunteer Scotland has compiled a series of general guidance documents for organisation supporting volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic, including:

• Practical Guidance for Organisations Managing Volunteers during COVID-19
  • “Please note: only services which are essential should be provided in communities. Volunteers should be encouraged to look out for their neighbours.”
• PVG and Coronavirus (COVID-19)

For further information, please view the full web article.

Alternatively, for specific and local support around managing or recruiting your volunteers, or PVG applications and membership during this time, please contact CVS Falkirk by email: info@cvsfalkirk.org.uk

Volunteer Scotland has also provided an FAQ around the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme, and notes that applicants do not need to wait until they receive their certificate, and can be placed in roles while waiting. (Organisations should consider the risk involved in starting people before the PVG is received and look at whether any additional safeguarding is an option, such as closer supervision. )

VSDS has also noted that they are processing applications for essential care, welfare and support roles as a priority during the pandemic.

For specific and local support around managing or recruiting your volunteers, or PVG applications and membership during this time, please contact CVS Falkirk by email: info@cvsfalkirk.org.uk

Alternatively, download the PVG guidance and FAQ from the CVS Falkirk website.

In addition to their Coronavirus Third Sector Information Hub, the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) has launched the “Coronavirus Community Assistance Directory“, for people to find and offer help within their communities. The Directory includes a page on volunteering, which features a useful graphic on 5 things you can do to make a positive difference in your community (as can be seen below) from the Eden Project.

(Image caption: Community Action Response graphic from the Eden Project, with 5 things people can do to make a positive difference in their communities, split into different coloured columns: think of others, consider your actions and be kind; connect and reach out to your neighbours; make the most of local online groups; support vulnerable or isolated people; share accurate information and advice.)