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Please send any further information that you would like posted to pulse@ocva.org.uk If you need to contact OCVA for other information/support, see the update on our service here.
Volunteering: https://ocva.org.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-looking-to-volunteer-to-help-in-your-local-area/
FAQs on volunteering issues for volunteers and organisations can be found here: Volunteering Questions
Funding for groups: Funding sources for groups during coronavirus pandemic
Volunteer Link Up have also produced a useful advice summary for groups and volunteers including safeguarding and data protection advice Volunteer Link Up – advice
Oxfordshire County Council have advice on how volunteers can stay safe and keep others safe: Covid-19 Volunteering
Latest restrictions: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november.
Govt advice on volunteering (8/01/21) https://www.gov.uk/guidance/enabling-safe-and-effective-volunteering-during-coronavirus-covid-19
Migrant Help: Coronavirus advice in different languages
ESOL learning for people who will be unable to attend their normal classes ESOL during Covid19 Technology list
Information on COVID-19 translated into 43 languages
Back To School After Lockdown – Tips From An NHS Psychologist
Interview with NHS Senior Clinical Psychologist, Dr Shreena Ghelani, who shares tips and advice for parents on preparing in advance for school reopening, managing worry and anxiety, how to speak to children about the impact of Coronavirus, and links to further important resources
Banburyshire Advice Centre has recently produced the following information sheets in response to the Covid situation:
If you know of any clients who require one please contact on this email: helpdeskbancp@yahoo.com We can send out the information sheets by email or by post if we have the clients details.
Oxfordshire CCG – a guide to local and national bereavement services Some of these bereavement services are working in different ways but are still there to listen and support anyone who may have lost someone close during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please click the following link to see the Covid information about an increase in figures in East Oxford.
Oxfordshire Family Support Network (OxFSN) who support family carers who have a family member with a learning disability and autism are working with key statutory organisations to get quick answers to questions raised by Family Carers about the impact that Coronavirus is having on their caring role. They have run a number of online interactive sessions with both professionals and family carers on Hospital Admission during COVID-19 and Direct payments which provide many answers and can be found on their website. https://www.oxfsn.org.uk
As family carers themselves they know the added burden that lockdown is creating for many families and urge family carers to get in contact for help or advice by either telephoning 07891 734 987 or 07821 987080 or emailing info@oxfsn.org.uk Monday – Friday 9-6pm
National Careers Service
Offering support for local businesses and unemployed.
Oxfordshire County Council – Practitioner Toolkit.
The Practitioner Toolkit contains information and tools for issues arising in work with children, young people and families. This page contains resources on concerns which might arise while helping a child or family, organised by topics, linked to searches for local organisations which can support work around that topic. Links to national services, helplines and information resources are also included.
Thames Valley Police. Cyber Protect
April 2020 Thames Valley Police Cyber Protect COVID-19 Newsletter
Guideposts
Stay Connected Helpline for those in self-isolation
Age UK Oxfordshire – advice, information and support for older people about coronavirus
SOFEA’s commitment to supply food to those in need – needs your help
MIND
Information on coronavirus and your wellbeing
OSCB
Temporary Guidance on Safeguarding Training
Dementia Oxfordshire is aiming to provide an enhanced telephone service, keeping in regular contact with more vulnerable Clients and Carers. The Team are continuing to offer support for persons with dementia and their carers who may be anxious about how they are going to cope, possibly feeling very isolated and alone. Carers may have concerns about their own personal health and who will care if they are ill?
Advice can be given about food shopping, collecting medication prescriptions and perhaps coping strategies. The Dementia Oxfordshire Support Line is also available and a single point of contact for any dementia related concerns, anyone may call the Team of Dementia Advisers who are available for just a listening ear along with local advice and practical support. Call: 01865 410210 Monday – Friday 9-6pm
Oxford – Support for those renting housing
Yarnton
Local Community Support – Services provided – Grocery Shopping, Medical Supply Collection, Dog Walking, Friendly Phone Calls, Post / Collection of Mail, General Help to all Residents Yarnton Help Hub Poster v1
Facebook page – Yarnton Community Facebook Page Help Hub telephone number – 01865 378 118
Oxford
Launch of new single point of contact and Locality Resource Hubs to help vulnerable residents. Oxford City Council and Oxford Hub have opened a city-wide series of Local Response Hubs to ensure the needs of people are met during the coronavirus crisis, particularly the most vulnerable residents. To make sure the City Council can respond to needs, all residents that require this extra support are urged to:
The new services through the Contact Centre and the Hubs have been set up to help those most in need:
More information is available here.
Abingdon
Local information and support
Chilton
Mutual aid group, support group set up by local community Members Information Gathering – Chilton Mutual Aid Info
Kidlington
Facebook group for help
Piddington – Village Support Network. A group of Piddington residents, with the support of the Parish Council, have come together to organise a community support network. More information
Didcot – Great Western Park Residents’ Association The practically help those that are “at risk” from Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) due to age or underlying conditions, we have set up a Community Support Group for Great Western Park residents, run by GWP residents. Volunteers will help distribute food and supplies to those in COVID19 self isolation and need our support. This is achieved in the form of a register and dedicated WhatsApp group. If you wish to join the group of 30+ wonderful volunteers, then please email: chairperson@gwpra.org.uk with your name and mobile phone number.
Bicester – Coronavirus Helpers
Looking for volunteers who can help support the elderly and vulnerable in Bicester and surrounding areas
Oxford City
Oxford Together- this is an Oxford City coordinated community response. We have over 2000 volunteers signed up and people can request support via the webpage here. They can request either a phone link to call them daily or practical support.
Blewbury – Good Neighbours
Run by the post master, looking for volunteers who can help. Those who need assistance can call the Post Office. If you want to be involved, call the Post Office on 01235 851777.
Carterton
We have closed the Family Centre in Carterton in response to yesterday’s announcement. The Family Centre phone number is in the public domain and we are offering support in any way we can to families. Whether be just a chat or delivering shopping etc. The number is 07973 043 903. There is a Facebook support group that has been set up in Carterton and it seems pretty well organised with the town being broken down into sections and people being the ‘lead’ for each section. They have also sorted guidance etc for people helping.
Witney
Witney Land Army have just gone ‘live’ with a sign up form online to build a central bank of volunteers – obtaining basic contact and availability information (and permissions). Also hoping to ‘map’ out what really local support (street level) is in place already. The aim is to try and take the pressure off some of the existing volunteer groups – so if they need support they can just come to us and we can allocate appropriate people out. We are working with facebook groups which have recently been set up – as we are a Community Action Group already it makes sense for us to step in and be used as a central ‘managing’ and ‘enabling’ vehicle – and through facebook (and later Instagram) we are hopeful we will be able to mobilise groups that aren’t at risk. Contact: Luci Ashbourne luci.ashbourne@westoxon.gov.uk or hq@witneylandarmy.org
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