{"id":381,"date":"2020-05-10T12:09:26","date_gmt":"2020-05-10T11:09:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.brixtonneighbourhoodforum.org\/?p=381"},"modified":"2020-05-10T12:51:52","modified_gmt":"2020-05-10T11:51:52","slug":"bulletin-may-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.brixtonneighbourhoodforum.org\/?p=381","title":{"rendered":"Bulletin may 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Latest info about coping with the Coronavirus epidemic<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Precautions for Volunteers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lambeth Council has updated its health precautions guidance notes for volunteers working in various different roles.  This includes those assisting vulnerable people, those involved in food distribution, either at food banks\/ hubs or actually delivering to people’s homes, and those working on community gardening projects. These notes and other information can be found at www.lambeth.gov.uk\/coronavirus<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lambeth Food Hub<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This has been a joint effort between Lambeth Food Partnership, Incredible Edible Lambeth and the Healthy Living Platform, led by Sue Sheehan. Using the bowling green in the basement of the Brixton Rec., volunteers have been sorting donated groceries and packing lots of food boxes to send out to vulnerable households, mostly delivered by bike. 7000 boxes had gone out as of a week ago.For a good summary of the various food and food-growing initiatives in and around Lambeth, see the website www.lambethfoodpartnership.org.uk<\/u><\/a> and follow the links to Covid 19-related services.  Enquiries to lambethfood@gmail.com<\/a><\/u> The Healthy Living Platform is about to put out a call for more volunteers – see their website, www.healthylivingplatform.org<\/u><\/a>  or e-mail to incredibleedibleleap@gmail.com<\/u><\/a> or phone 07 701 365 551.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mutual Aid and WhatsApp groups – update<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We listed 16 groups around the wider Brixton area in the previous e-bulletin, based on information from the Brixton Buzz website, www.brixtonbuzz.com<\/a><\/u> There is a generic phone number for contacting the Mutual Aid groups, 0800  009 6504 (but not for the WhatsApp groups). We have also been told about another WhatsApp group, this one covering streets on the east side of Brixton Hill, including Beechdale and Fairmount Roads, Raleigh Gardens and Cherry Laurel and Virginia Walks:  https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/L65godsbvBIArau6PwJLF5<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delivering Services Equally<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Black Thrive are collecting information on how the pandemic and the lockdown are affecting people’s lives, with the aim of improving services now and in the future.  They would also like to hear if you have any ideas or suggestions for how public bodies and voluntary organisations can deliver their services equally and equitably.  They would particularly like to hear voices from Lambeth’s Black communities.  There’s a short questionnaire which should take no more than 10 minutes, at https:\/\/lse.eu.qualtrics.com\/jfe\/form\/SV_2ulnR5ZFMEnP8Xz<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Support for Portuguese speakers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A new Portuguese-language helpline has been set up by the Lambeth Portuguese Wellbeing Partnership.  They can be contacted on (020) 3143 4060<\/strong>. They are also looking for more Portuguese speaking volunteers to help run the helpline.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Life after Lockdown<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There’s a lot of speculation at present about how and when the present restrictions will be eased.  We are all trying to plan ahead, despite much uncertainty, though some activities and businesses will be affected more than others.  Several umbrella organisations are organising webinars or “virtual briefings” to help their members make the best of the present situation and prepare for recovery. We still have Saturday 26 September in the Forum diary for our Community Showcase event on Windrush Square, but cannot make firmer plans yet.  If there are other things your Forum should be doing as well, or instead, let’s hear from you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Funding, Training and other support<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Lambeth Fund for VCS organisations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In case you haven’t heard, Lambeth Council are providing one-off payments of up to \u00a310k to help voluntary and community organisations.  This is being funded from part of the Community Infrastructure Levy collected on new building developments.  The aim is to make communities more resilient both during the crisis and in the recovery period that should follow.  The one exclusion is for food-related projects, where the Council is making a separate funding contribution. Organisations must be Lambeth-based with an existing bank account and a written constitution.If you have not already received a notice with a link to the simple application form, contact eoin.heffernan@integrateagency.co.uk<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Coronavirus-related Grants<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Our friends at Age UK Lambeth recommend this web-page for a wide range of sources for community organisations, regularly updated: https:\/\/www.grantsonline.org.uk\/coronavirus.html<\/a><\/u> If you are in business, you ought to be checking the regular bulletins from the Brixton BID, but there’s a guide to applying for a Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan at www.knowyourmoney.co.uk<\/u><\/a>  DSC advise us that charities are also eligible for this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Support for Art studies<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another example of an established funder switching its priorities to respond to changing needs, the Paul Mellon Centre has made \u00a3200k available to fund both individuals and institutions, to sustain research and writing on British art and architecture. There are Research Continuity Grants of \u00a310k for institutions such as galleries or museums, and Research Continuity Fellowships of \u00a35k to enable individuals to continue research projects when other means of support may no longer be available.  Deadline for applications is noon on 19 May – apply online at grants.paul-mellon-centre.ac.uk<\/a><\/u> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Directory of Social Change<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Their books warehouse is operating again, so you can order grants directories and management handbooks with confidence they will arrive.Some of the most popular training courses have been adapted for delivery on-line as a selection of one-hour sessions.  These will be on fixed dates from 11 May onwards at \u00a320 a time for small non-profit organisations.  There are still some free sessions via their Training Online Platform. More information at www.dsc.org.uk<\/a><\/u> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Virtual College open for Council Tenants<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Selected on-line courses are free to residents of Lambeth Council estates. We reported this last time but did not have a local link for enquiries – e-mail to engagement@homesforlambeth.co.uk<\/a><\/u> <\/strong> more information at https:\/\/www.homesforlambeth.co.uk\/virtual_college_launch<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Helping the left-behind<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With so much of normal life having moved on-line, we need to remember that many people and organisations don’t have the skills or resources to keep up.  We were pleased to hear about one of the organisations trying to get devices to people who don’t have them.  Naturally the first step is encouraging people to donate spare kit (or the funds to buy it) and then to distribute it to people in need.  The DevicesDotNow<\/strong> campaign is asking businesses to donate tablets, laptops and smartphones, as well as connectivity in the form of sims, dongles, and access to mobile hotspots. It’s supported by the Department for Digital Culture, Media and Sport.  See the website for more information and FAQs: https:\/\/futuredotnow.uk\/<\/a><\/u> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if your group needs expert advice to help you keep up, can we remind you about access to skilled virtual volunteers through Link Up London, website link www.linkuplondon.org\/flash-support-virtual-volunteers-org-info\/<\/u><\/a> or e-mail your needs to hello@linkuplondon.org<\/a><\/u> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Health and Social Care<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Future of Lambeth Hospital, Landor Road<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A reminder that the closing date for comments on the service changes is 31 May.  Public consultation events are not possible but there are still a few ways in.  First, check out the proposals on-line at https:\/\/lambethtogether.net\/lambethhospital\/<\/a><\/u> You can complete a hard copy of the survey available on the website, or on-line at www.surveymonkey.co.uk\/r\/lambethhospitalconsultation<\/a><\/u> Or you can e-mail to lamccg.hospitalconsultation@nhs.net<\/u><\/a> or phone 0800 307 7650.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GPs still open for business<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It’s been a close-run thing at times, but the NHS has not been swamped by the Coronavirus epidemic, and capacity to deal with other health problems is gradually returning.  In particular, GPs are still operating, though they would prefer that you phone or contact them on-line first, rather than just turn up.  Their concern is that people have been staying away for fear that it was unsafe to visit, but health problems are easier to treat if picked up early.  Don’t get so fixated on Coronavirus that you get seriously ill from something else because you delayed seeking medical advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NHS Volunteer Responders<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For those who are vulnerable but not currently being supported, the NHS recently launched a Volunteer Responder Scheme<\/a>.  It offers help with shopping, prescription collection or a friendly chat to stave off loneliness, targeting these categories:<\/p>\n\n\n\n