Supporting our communities flyer

We have created a flyer, which includes vital contact numbers, email addresses and web addresses to help you access a variety of support easily and quickly. You can view this here and print it out for yourself or for anyone you think would benefit from it.

pdf icon Supporting your local communities guide - Coronavirus (COVID-19) [672kb]

Looking out for your neighbour

It is more important than ever that we reach out to the people around us, and so we have launched a help your neighbour campaign. The aim is to encourage residents in the Chichester District to look out for their neighbours. This could include:

  • offering to pick up shopping or medication;
  • checking in with a friendly phone call; or,
  • making sure they can access the help that they need.

You can find out more here: help your neighbour campaign. We have made available a downloadable flyer which you can print off and post through the doors of neighbours to offer support and to give advice on safe ways to accept help.

COVID recovery grants

Following the recent agreement of Chichester District Council's recovery plan, COVID-19 recovery grants are now available to assist local businesses, and other organisations.

A total of £500,000 was allocated by the council for this purpose. More information can be found on our COVID-19 recovery grants page

Volunteering

The volunteer hub, which is being managed by West Sussex County Council, is now up and running. This will co-ordinate support for vulnerable people without any support networks and those wanting to volunteer. West Sussex County Council  have created an electronic form on their website www.westsussex.gov.uk/leisure-recreation-and-community/supporting-local-communities/community-hub-covid-19/#overview or people can call 033022 27980. Only those that need support should register. Those who have support networks in place - such as friends, family and neighbours should continue using the support they have. This means that we can focus our efforts on those most in need.

Advice and support for charities and community organisations

Support is available for local community groups and organisations from local charity Voluntary Action Arun and Chichester (VAAC) . They continue to offer 1-1 support to member organisations remotely during this period and are also producing a range of helpful, tailored local information.

There are many national sources of information and advice that might be helpful depending on the type of organisation you are. Some of the more generalist sources include:

The Government has provided advice for charities  who are struggling to provide their services as a result of the coronavirus. There is also funding information  The  Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme  may also be relevant to some charities.

Support with fundraising

Listed below are some examples of funding opportunities (accurate at the time collating) that indicate the range of sources that might be available to support local organisations. Some funders have changed the focus of their support in response to the current issues that communities are facing. Voluntary Action Arun and Chichester (VAAC) are continuing to provide local groups with fundraising advice and their regular funding news bulletin which will include the most up to date information. They will endeavour to keep up-to-date with developments including when there are more details of the recently announced national funding support for frontline charities.

Funding for community groups

The discretionary grants pot for 2019/20 is already fully allocated.  While grants will be available again from April, we anticipate that community led responses will focus on coordinating local volunteers and will not require significant financial assistance. 

We will continue to communicate with parish councils about the process for New Homes Bonus. While applications won't be considered until September, the months ahead remain a significant period for considering suitable projects and developing proposals.

Staying safe online during the coronavirus pandemic

The Government has published new advice to help people, particularly children, stay safe online during the coronavirus outbreak. 

The guidance gives information about reviewing security and safety settings, checking facts, guarding against disinformation, being vigilant against fraud and scams, and managing the amount of time spent online. 

This advice can be found at: www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-staying-safe-online

Applying for EU Settled Status

While EU Settled Status applications continue to be processed, during this challenging time they will take longer than usual. In addition, in line with the latest Public Health England advice some of our support services and application routes have temporarily changed. Please find an outline of these changes below:

  • The Settlement Resolution Centre will no longer be answering telephone calls.  It will, however, continue to respond to email enquiries and provide a call back function when required. Email enquiries can be made via the online contact form: https://eu-settled-status-enquiries.service.gov.uk/start. Emails from support organisations will be prioritised where possible.  

  • ID document scanner locations are following all the latest Public Health England advice to protect staff and the decision has been made to suspend them at this time.  

  • The postal route for submitting Identity evidence is currently suspended. Documents cannot be accepted by post at this time, but all documents already sent will be returned as quickly as possible. Applications can still be made online using the EU Exit ID Document check app

  • 57 grant funded voluntary and community sector organisations — some services have been suspended but organisations are seeking to provide support in other ways, in line with social distancing guidance, for example via telephone and online. Please check individual organisations for further details: www.gov.uk/help-eu-settlement-scheme

For the latest information on the scheme please visit www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families