As COVID-19 restrictions change, we at CVS Falkirk are focusing on recovery and how we can best support our Falkirk third sector going forward. “Review, Revive and Thrive” is a chance to evaluate and adapt as we plan how to make the “new normal” even better than what came before.
(Image caption: against a green background, the words “Review, Revive and Thrive” in large black letters; underneath reads “How we can move forward together”, in smaller black letters, with the silhouette of a stylised black plant on the right.)
Please note: this page will be updated regularly with additional resources and guidance as they become available.
Our theme for this period is “Review, Revive and Thrive”: a chance to evaluate and adapt as we plan how best to go forward, how to make the “new normal” even better than what came before.
Through our local connections, our team has pulled together different information, guidance, and resources, in order to make them as widely available as possible. Where possible, we have highlighted local third sector organisations, businesses and opportunities.
A full list of available resources and local responses (including training, guides and local PPE providers) is available in the table below. We will also be highlighting this information in our weekly e-bulletin, and on our News pages.
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.
- Scottish Government COVID-19 framework
- available to view or download as a pdf via the CVS Falkirk website
- Strategic Framework for Re-Opening Schools, Early Learning and Childcare Provision
Rebuilding our local sector to be stronger and more capable than ever is incredibly important to our team at CVS Falkirk. To help with these efforts, we have put together this page containing information, guidance and resources around COVID-19 recovery that we hope will be useful to our local third sector, including:
- training
- guides on reopening your premises to staff, volunteers and the public
- scenario planning
- local, national or third sector suppliers of PPE and other safety equipment (which also has its own page)
To view the full list, please visit the dedicated Recovery Resources for Our Third Sector page.
A message on volunteering in recovery, and support available for Falkirk’s local sector, from a member of our Volunteering Team, Lynsey:
“As lockdown restrictions ease and more of our local third sector groups and organisations take steps to renew their valued services and activities, involving volunteers in a safe and appropriate way is a hot topic.
The challenging circumstances of COVID-19 have led to many local people letting us know that they are ready, willing and able to volunteer to help. We want to provide them with the information they need to choose a volunteer opportunity that’s a good fit for them.
We know that volunteers will be needed more than ever during recovery and reconnecting, and we’d like you to tell us how this will look for your organisation.
Our whole team at CVS Falkirk is committed to continuing to support local groups and organisations throughout this period, by engaging with interested volunteers regularly to let them know about which opportunities are available and how they can get involved, as well as providing support to find the right opportunity to those who need it.
Please get in touch to let us know which volunteer opportunities are essential for you to provide your services and activities in this phase of eased lockdown. If you need help to create these opportunities, we can support you with that too.”
Please contact Lynsey Hansford by phone: 07917006943, or email: lynsey.hansford@cvsfalkirk.org.uk
Alternatively, email: info@volunteerfalkirk.org.uk
- HPS Workforce Educational Resources
In addition to the PPE posters, HPS has a number of resources available for use in a range of settings during the COVID-19 pandemic, including their Workforce Educational Resources.
The page features videos on hand hygiene (both using alcohol-based hand rub, and using soap and water) and the correct way to put on, remove and dispose of PPE, and links to further NHS Education Scotland (NES) resources for all health and social care staff and volunteers deployed to support clinic services.
For further information (including links to other HPS pages), please visit the HPS website.
A range of Health and Safety support and guidance has been developed specifically to support those going back to their premises as lockdown restrictions ease; a number of these can be found on our designated page, including:
- Scottish Government’s guidance on returning to work safely
- an example Social Distancing Policy created by Community Focus Scotland CIC
- a FREE Risk Assessment Training session, available at any time
- safety advice and guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
- PPE for Early Learning and Childcare Services
To offer a route to buying Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for private, voluntary and independent early learning and childcare services (including childminders and out-of-school care), Scottish Government has set up a framework agreement with third-party supplier Lyreco.
The products offered via the framework include face masks, aprons, gloves, visors, hand sanitiser, goggles and safety glasses. All products are subject to availability and prices are updated regularly on the Lyreco website.
Please note that this is a “pay for” service, and the childcare provider will be responsible for paying for any products purchased from Lyreco under this agreement.
For further information, including how to open an account with Lyrceo, please visit the Care Inspectorate website.
- Local Safety Equipment: MinuteMan Press Falkirk Clear Banners
As mentioned above, part of our focus on the recovery phase means we are highlighting local Falkirk providers of PPE and other safety equipment.
MinuteMan Press in Falkirk has launched new Clear Protective Roll Up Banners. The banners stand at 800mm wide and 2 metres high, costing £48 + VAT each (with a free carry bag as standard).
The banners are designed for a range of sectors, environments and businesses, including offices, industrial or retail environments, mobile setups, salons, nail bars and barbers.
Fitting is not required; the banners are designed to be lightweight and easy to set up, move and take down, and can be relocated as required.
For further information, please contact MinuteMan Press by phone: 01324 613636, or email: info@minutemanfalkirk.co.uk
Many social distancing guidelines are different for children, a number of whom have now returned to school in Scotland.
Our dedicated “Children, Young People and Education” page includes useful links to these guidelines, along with information and resources for those at school, school leavers and their families.
- Children’s Social Distancing Guidance Changes in Phase 3
At the start of July, the First Minister announced changes to requirements for physical distancing amongst young children who are not shielding.
As Scotland is now in Phase 3 of recovery, children under 12 years old can now play with their friends without having to social distance, or keep 2 metres apart. They also do not need to keep 2 metres apart from older children or adults outside of their household (unless these people are in the increased risk category).
Children can now meet up to 15 friends from up to 4 households outdoors, or up to 8 friends from up to 2 households indoors.
Children over 12 years old still need to socially distance at this time.
For further information on how Phase 3 guidance and restrictions affect children and families, please visit the Parent Club page (which is updated regularly).
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
- activities for families and children
- 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:
We have compiled a list of information, guidance and resources around COVID-19 provided by the NHS, Health Protection Scotland and other trusted sources (including Scottish Government and the World Health Organisation), alongside rolling updates from the World Health Organisation (WHO), patient guidance translations, and guidance for people with specific medical conditions.
MECOPP (Minority Ethnic Carers of Older People Project) Carers Centre has also produced the Test and Protect process video in three other languages:
To view the full list of resources, please visit the dedicated COVID-19 Health Information and Guidance page.
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 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.
You can also visit our COVID-19 Community Responses, Resources and Guidance page for information on support available during this time.
