Community and voluntary organisations have played a major part in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic throughout the city, for example managing the network of food banks and food distribution outlets, providing their support services online, reaching out to communities and individuals who became isolated and fearful during the lockdown.
Help is available to community and voluntary organisations so they can continue to support the city’s residents.
What can re-open, and when
Public buildings, like community halls and centres, and libraries can open from 12 April.
Outdoor and indoor gatherings or events, organised by a charity or similar organisation, subject to Covid-secure conditions can happen no earlier than 17 May. This includes:
- taking reasonable steps to limit the risk of transmission
- completing a risk assessment
- making sure that people do not mix beyond what is allowed by the social contact limits
Find out what your group is allowed to do as restrictions are gradually lifted.
Work safely with current restrictions
Testing
There is now a community testing programme for people who need to leave the home to work or volunteer.
Volunteers
Find out how to safely and effectively involve volunteers during the pandemic.
Vaccinations
The NHS is offering the COVID-19 vaccine to people most at risk from coronavirus and those who work closest with them. Find out more about the vaccination programme in Sussex from the Sussex Health and Care Partnership and when you are likely to receive a vaccination.
Practical guidance and advice
The government has produced guidance about the safe use of community facilities.
Check the government guidance for people working in, visiting or delivering to other people's homes.
There is also government guidance to help with running your charity during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Find more support from the National Council for Voluntary Organisations.
Local organisations which provide community support
Community Works
Community Works is the local service funded by Brighton & Hove City Council to provide advice and support, learning and networking opportunities and the Volunteer Centre.
They offer:
- training on a range of topics including HR, fundraising and volunteer coordination
- one to one email, telephone or virtual advice
- access to trusted and experienced consultants and Pro Bono expertise, enabling senior leaders to set aside time for planning reflection and managing risk
- a range of networks to support organisations in sharing best practice and partnership working
- volunteer brokerage and good practice guidance in volunteer coordination
For more information please visit the Community Works website or send an email to info@bhcommunityworks.org.uk.
The Resource Centre
The Resource Centre provides a range of services for community groups and voluntary sector organisations including:
- low cost printing - email your artwork and collect your printing from the doorstep
- general enquiry line open 4 mornings a week for any local group
Information for groups on a wide range of issues, including:
- COVID-19 regulations for community groups
- organising online activities and events
- video and telephone meeting tools
- managing funds for short-lived crisis-response groups
- emergency grant funding for groups responding to the COVID-19 crisis
Advice and support for Resource Centre member groups, including:
- help with fundraising
- examinations of accounts
- flexible support with planning projects, developing policies, computer skills, and many other issues
For more information go to the Resource Centre website, send an email to info@resourcecentre.org.uk or phone 01273 606 160.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10am to 1pm. Please leave a message outside these hours and someone will get back to you.
Find more community support
Find information about the local community response to COVID-19 from the Trust for Developing Communities.
Search for local organisations that can provide support with everything from food and shopping to money advice and loneliness.
Guidance on faith settings and places of worship
From 12 April you can attend places of worship for a service.
Get the latest guidance for the safe use of places of worship on GOV.UK.
Translations have now been added into:
- Arabic
- Bengali
- simplified Chinese
- traditional Chinese
- French
- Gujarati
- Polish
- Portugese
- Punjabi
- Romanian
- Somali
- Urdu
Find out more from:
- The Muslim Council of Britain for guidance for mosques, madrasas and Umrah pilgrims
- The Methodist Church for advice on attending church
- The Church of England for guidance for churches
- The Catholic Church for guidance for parishes
Community Engagement and Tenant and Leaseholder meetings
Community Engagement and Tenant and Leaseholder meetings are beginning to start up again.
Most of these will be online meetings and will be advertised though the website and the Community Engagement Facebook page.
How to report a hate incident
There have been some reports of discrimination directed against our international communities. We will never accept discrimination in any form against one community or another.
Hate incidents can be reported to the Community Safety Team at Brighton & Hove City Council:
- email CommunitySafety.Casework@brighton-hove.gov.uk
- phone 01273 292 735 (in an emergency always call the police on 999)
- complete our online anti-social behaviour and hate incident reporting form
Hate incidents can also be reported to the police. Visit the Sussex Police website for details or call 101 (or 999 in an emergency).