Please note: this page has been archived, and a new COVID-19 page is available (linked for your convenience).
As a result of the current COVID-19 situation, CVS Falkirk has pulled together different guidance, resources, and amazing efforts by our local communities to support each other, in order to make them as widely available as possible.
We also have a page focusing on health and wellbeing during these times, how to help our local communities look after each other, and resources available: “Spring Forward”.
A full list of resources and local responses is available in the table below:
The free app from NHS Scotland’s Test and Protect is now available to download through the Test and Protect website, and via the App Store and Google Play.
The free Protect Scotland App has been designed to help keep Scotland safe from COVID-19. As we see the rate of infection increase, it’s important that we all download and use the Protect Scotland app. The more of us using the app, the better it will be.
For further information, please view the full web article.
On Tuesday 16th March, Scottish Government announced their timeline for further easing of lockdown restrictions, in light of of decreasing COVID-19 numbers and increasing vaccinations, with further announcements on Tuesday 13th April. (Additional changes are available on the Scottish Government website.) Key points are listed below (and in this useful graphic):
- Friday 26th March: places of worship in Level 4 can reopen, with gatherings of up to 50 people, (where there is space for physical social distancing)
- Friday 2nd April: “Stay Home” rule replaced by “Stay Local” (your own local authority area)
- Monday 5th April (Easter Monday): outdoor contact sports for 12 – 17 year olds, click and collect for non-essential items, mobility shops and (non-mobile) hairdressers and barbers are permitted, amongst others, along with phased returns to college
- Monday 12thApril – Monday 19thApril: all pupils return to school full-time
- Friday 16thApril: 6 people from 6 households can meet outdoors, and travel within Scotland for outdoor socialising, recreation and exercise will be allowed; people must continue to “Stay Local” for other purposes (such as non-essential shopping), and public transport capacity will continue to be limited.
- Monday 26th April: (amongst others) a maximum of 6 people from up to 3 households can meet; travel within mainland Scotland permitted; all shops, gyms, libraries, museums and galleries open; hospitality and tourist accommodation open (with restrictions); weddings and funerals permitted up to 50 people.
- Monday 17th May: in-home socialising with up to 4 people from 2 households permitted; cinemas open; further in-person support services available
These dates all rely on COVID-19 numbers continuing to fall, and people adhering to current guidelines until these points.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:
“It is not possible to provide specific dates or details for coming out of lockdown beyond 17 May – that will depend on what impact there is from the changes already made – however my hope and ambition is that from early June, all of Scotland will effectively be in level 1 of the levels system, allowing for a further easing of restrictions – and possibly moving to level 0 in late June.”
Further information is available on the 5 local protection levels, or “Tiers”, and a postcode checker to help people find the current restrictions in their area. These protection levels replace all previous restrictions and guidelines, with 0 being the lowest level of restriction, and Tier 4 the strictest, with law preventing travel in or out of Level 3 and 4 local authority areas, except for essential reasons. (Exceptions include: travelling to or from work, or to provide voluntary or charitable services, but only where that cannot be done from your home; travel to school; travel for essential shopping, for yourself or on behalf of a vulnerable person.)
Stay up to date with all COVID-19 restrictions via:
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- Scottish Government’s COVID-19 page, protection levels page, Twitter and Facebook
- NHS Inform Scotland’s COVID-19 page
Health Protection Scotland and NHS National Services Scotland have released a series of guidance documents, including for use in non-healthcare settings.
The documents are available to view or download on the Health Protection Scotland website, and will be updated as and when required depending on the situation.
Guidance is also available for those travelling, educational facilities and the general public, amongst others, on the main COVID-19 page, which includes background on the virus and travel advice.
For further information, please visit the Health Protection Scotland website.
- COVID-19 Patient Guidance Translations
Doctors of the World has released translations of COVID-19 guidance for patients in over 40 languages, produced in partnership with the British Red Cross, Migrant Help and Clear Voice.
The guidance is based on the NHS and UK Government’s latest advice and health information. Doctors of the World is keen for these translations to reach migrant and asylum-seeking communities across the UK.
Languages currently available include Arabic, Dari, Farsi, Pashto, Spanish, Turkish, and Vietnamese, amongst others.
To view or download any of the guidance documents, please visit the Doctors of the World website.
- Scottish Government Diabetes Guidance
Diabetes UK has released guidance from Scottish Government around COVID-19 for those with diabetes.
The guidance covers how COVID-19 may affect people with diabetes, support resources (including around shielding, and mental health), and additional steps people can take to ensure they remain well.
Should people need to call the health services for any reason, whether they are suffering from worsened diabetes symptoms or from COVID-19, the guidance stresses that they should tell the call-taker about their diabetes.
To view or download the guidance, please visit the main COVID-19 Health Information and Guidance page.
- Asthma UK Guidance
Asthma UK has provided online guidance around COVID-19 for people with asthma, including how to reduce the risk of catching the virus, who should shield, and what to do if you do develop COVID-19 symptoms. Their main COVID-19 page is being updated regularly.
Their helpline is open Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm, where people can speak to an asthma expert nurse: 0300 222 5800.
The guidance also provides information on how to manage your asthma well to reduce the risk from COVID-19.
To view or download the guidance, please visit the main COVID-19 Health Information and Guidance page.
If you’re looking to help out in your local communities during this time, please complete the Community Response Volunteers (COVID-19) online form. We will then be in touch with yourselves, along with groups and organisations, to help match up your offer with their needs.
You can also check out our dedicated page on volunteering during the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes links to other resources like Ready Scotland’s page.
On behalf of the Falkirk third sector, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in volunteering and helping out during this time.
CVS Falkirk has launched VOLUNTEER FALKIRK, a new local volunteering partnership providing you with up to date and relevant information about volunteering locally in the Falkirk and District area during this time. 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 help out in your local communities during this time, please get in touch by:
- completing the Community Response Volunteers (COVID-19) online form
- visiting the Volunteer Falkirk opportunities page
Alternatively, for further information, contact CVS Falkirk by email: info@cvsfalkirk.org.uk
Please find below lists of local support and resources available throughout Falkirk communities, divided by area, and available to view or download:
- Airth
- Bainsford and Langlees
- Banknock
- Bantaskin
- Bo’ness and Blackness
- Bonnybridge
- Braes
- Camelon
- Denny and Dunipace
- Falkirk (central)
- Falkirk (district wide)
- Grangemouth
- Hallglen
- Larbert
- Laurieston
- Slamannan
- Stenhousemuir
- Tamfourhill
You can also visit our Twitter and Facebook pages where we will be sharing everything we are aware of.
If you would like to help us build this list or make us aware of anything your group is doing during this time, please contact us by email: info@cvsfalkirk.org.uk
We will use this information to build a more complete picture of what is going on in Falkirk, and to help match volunteers to where they are needed.
Our team at CVS Falkirk has also set up an online TapaTalk group to discuss third sector responses and offers for help, which anyone can join and feed into after reading the guidance document. To join, or for further information, please visit the TapaTalk page.
Alternatively, contact Scott Malcolm by email: Scott.Malcolm@cvsfalkirk.org.uk
We have compiled a page dedicated to providing resources for your organisation during this time, including materials around business resilience and our own Home Working Assessment Template, which we have provided to help you ensure your staff are as safe and comfortable as possible while complying with government guidance to work from home.
The page also has information on Scottish Government’s planned support for businesses (including social enterprises) during COVID-19, and Volunteer Scotland’s general guidance on managing volunteers at this time.
Visit the dedicated Organisation Support, Business Resilience and HR Guidance page for further information.
A range of funding support specifically designed to minimise the impact of the COVID-19 situation can be found on the designated page, including:
- Scottish Government Emergency Funding to Help Communities
On Wednesday 18th March, the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government, Aileen Campbell MSP, announced an additional £350 million of emergency funding for those most affected by the COVID-19 situation.
The funding will be made available to councils, third sector groups and charities, businesses and community groups, and is designed to be flexible, enabling them to respond swiftly and according to local need for people impacted economically or through reduced contact with society, including anyone struggling to access food.
The emergency funding package will include:
- a £70 million Food Fund
- a £50 million Wellbeing Fund
- a £40 million Supporting Communities Fund
- £50 million towards meeting an anticipated increase in applications for the existing Council Tax Reduction Scheme and Scottish social security benefits
- a £20 million Third Sector Resilience Fund
For further information, please read the full web article.
There has been an amazing response from across our Falkirk communities to the COVID-19 pandemic, with everything from individuals checking on their neighbours or volunteering to help the local third sector continue its essential work, to local shops offering free delivery and supplies to older or vulnerable people, to community groups providing free meals for children during this time.
We at CVS Falkirk have compiled a list of community support and resources available in Falkirk and District, available on our website – and at the top of that list, how you can get involved locally to help out.
We are also hosting a COVID-19 online forum every two weeks, using Zoom: the COVID-19 Third Sector Response Forum. The next forum meeting takes place on Thursday 28th May, 1 – 3pm, and be accessed via the Zoom link, or with the meeting ID: 443 342 097.
Further COVID-19 Third Sector Response Forums are scheduled until the end of May.
For further information (including a full list of forum dates and minutes of previous meetings), visit the COVID-19 Third Sector Response Forum page.
Falkirk Council has provided a series of support options for those living within its boundaries, including:
- Resources for Those in Financial Difficulty Due to COVID-19
- Education
- Funding and Support for Local Businesses
- Bin and Recycling Collection
For the full list, or for further information, please visit our dedicated Falkirk Council Support page.
The safety of everyone in our communities throughout Falkirk is paramount to the CVS Falkirk team and our partners, which is why we have compiled a list of guidance on how to stay safe during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, including:
- Scottish Government guidelines
- health guidance
- Police Scotland enforcement powers (and how they relate to volunteering during COVID-19)
- financial harm and scams
- cyber security
- mental health resources
- Falkirk adult and child protection services
To view the full list, please visit the dedicated Keeping Yourself Safe During COVID-19 page.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a variety of information and resources has been produced for families adapting to lockdown, social distancing and other matters at this time. These range from ways to keep children of all ages entertained and engaged while schools are closed, to support and healthcare resources while normal appointments and groups are suspended.
Our team at CVS Falkirk has worked to compile a list of information and resources available, which will be updated regularly, and includes:
- antenatal support
- breastfeeding support
- Facebook groups
- cyber security and online safety
To view the full list of resources, please visit the dedicated COVID-19 Information for Families page.
If you would like to help us build this list or make us aware of anything you know, please contact us by email: info@cvsfalkirk.org.uk
Alternatively, unpaid carers in the Falkirk and Clackmannanshire areas who are looking for support can contact the Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers Centre:
- by phone: Falkirk – 01324 611510; Clackmannanshire: 01259 226839
- by email: centre@centralcarers.co.uk
- online
- via Twitter or Facebook
They also have teams dedicated to young carers and young adult carers, who both have social media accounts:
As part of our work to keep Falkirk’s communities informed, our team at CVS Falkirk has gathered a range of different general resources, activities and useful information for use during the current COVID-19 pandemic, including those from Falkirk Council, and a variety of useful Facebook groups.
For further information, please visit the General Information and Resources on COVID-19 page.
- Age Scotland Free Helpline: 0800 12 44 222
Age Scotland offers a FREE confidential helpline, Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm, for older people, their carers and families.
They have received funding to increase the amount of calls they can facilitate during the COVID-19 pandemic, and can provide general information on the virus, and how it relates to older people.
The free helpline is available on: 0800 12 44 222.
- Minuteman Falkirk: Free Support Postcard Available
MinuteMan Falkirk has uploaded a template postcard from Virtual Kindness which can be printed off and posted through the door to elderly, vulnerable or otherwise isolated neighbours during the COVID-19 situation.
The postcard aims to reduce social isolation and access to essentials. Those sending it to their neighbours are encouraged to wash their hands first.
MinuteMan Falkirk also has a supply of these postcards available for free, for anyone who does not have access to a printer. Their front office is currently closed to the public, and those looking for postcards will have to call in advance to make collection arrangements.
To arrange postcards, or for further information, please contact Keith Cohen by phone: 01324 613636.
- Home Energy Scotland COVID-19 Support
Home Energy Scotland is a free, impartial energy advice service from Scottish Government. They are keen to help householders whose home heating and energy use will be affected by staying home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Advisers are available to help with any questions people may have around staying warm and saving energy whilst self-isolating.
Their energy advice service is open as usual, operating by phone Monday – Friday, 8am – 8pm, and Saturdays 9am – 5pm.
For further information, please contact an adviser for free by phone: 0808 808 2282, or visit the full web article.
- Friends at the End (FATE) COVID-19 Extended Support
In response to COVID-19, Friends at the End (FATE) has been awarded funding to help people to put their end of life care plans in place.
Formed in 2000 and awarded charitable status in 2018, FATE is based in Glasgow and work with people throughout Scotland, with membership across the UK. They plan to use this funding to help support more people (especially those in need due to age, ill health, and other disadvantages) to document their end-of-life wishes, by assisting with the preparation of Powers of Attorney, Advance Directives, and Advance Statements, amongst others.
These services are already offered to members (via a telephone advice line, video conferencing and newsletters), and FATE also covers the associated legal and registration fees for those who otherwise could not afford it. This funding allows them to provide these services to a wider audience, especially during the current pandemic, where people may suddenly have to consider these matters with little warning.
For further information, including how to access FATE’s services, please visit their COVID-19 webpage.
- Guide to Attending CVS Falkirk Zoom Meetings
Our team here at CVS Falkirk has put together a short and simple guide to using Zoom for meetings with ourselves and anyone else.
We appreciate that a lot of organisations already use Zoom, however, we know this is not always the case. We want to ensure everyone has access to our meetings, and the ability to keep in touch with people, as much as possible during these times, and decided to create this guide as a way of helping that. We will include this guide with invitations we send going forward.
To view or download the guide as a pdf document, please visit the CVS Falkirk website.