Here you can find information and resources for VCF sector organisations returning to work following the COVID-19 pandemic- including risk assessment tools, the latest Government advice and guidance for supporting staff and volunteers.
For ongoing COVID-19 Funding Opportunities, please click here to visit the Merseyside Funding Information Portal (MFIP) COVID-19 Funding Page
- COVID-19: Guidance for the safe use of multi-purpose community facilities
- Working safely in Offices during coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can’t do after 4 July
- Public Health England guidance for employers and businesses
- Public Health England guidance on cleaning non-healthcare settings
- Public Health England guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection
- COVID-19: infection prevention and control (guidance on using PPE)
- Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can’t do
- Face coverings: when to wear one, and how to make your own
- NHS Test and Trace workplace guidance
- Parking passes for health and care workers and volunteers (a useful reminder)
National Youth Agency (NYA) – Managing youth sector activities and spaces during COVID-19 (4th November 2020)
Everyone should read the guidance document below and follow the recommended actions and requirements. This guidance is intended for use in England. (Version 3) Click on the image below to view the guidance document.
** Following the recent government announcement (31st October 2020), we can confirm that the youth sector moves into RED on the readiness framework. Please read the new Red Readiness Fact Sheet below.**
Additional tools and resources to support this guidance can be found here
Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for Faith Organisations & Places of Worship
Whilst Government guidance has been revised to allow certain activities to take place in places of worship, it is still vital that the necessary hygiene and social distancing precautions are kept in place in order to protect the NHS and save lives.
Click here for Faith Community Organisations’ Guidance
The Church of England have prepared a number of resources and guidance available here, and some examples of further resources are included below:
- Church reopening poster (Word | PDF)
- Risk assessment template for contractors and construction workers
- Risk assessment template for reopening church buildings
- Test and Trace consent form template
- Test and Trace online privacy notice template
- Test and Trace privacy notice template
Click here for a full range of resources, templates and guidance from the Church Of England
Information and resources for other faiths:
- Baptist Church
- Buddhism
- Catholic Church of England & Wales
- Hindu Council UK
- Liberal Judaism
- Methodist Church
- Muslim Council of Britain
- Quakers in Britain
- Sikh Council UK
- United Reformed Church
- United Reformed Church Zoom & Social Media guidance
Example risk assessments
These typical examples show how other businesses have managed risks. You can use them as a guide to think about:
- some of the hazards in your business
- the steps you need to take to manage the risks
Do not just copy an example and put your company name to it as that would not satisfy the law and would not protect your employees. You must think about the specific hazards and controls your business needs.
- Office-based business (PDF)– Portable Document Format
- Local shop/newsagent (PDF)– Portable Document Format
- Food preparation and service (PDF)– Portable Document Format
- Motor vehicle repair shop (PDF)– Portable Document Format
- Factory maintenance work (PDF)– Portable Document Format
- Warehouse (PDF)
Supporting staff, volunteers and beneficiaries and keeping safe
Information on protecting and supporting the people working in your charity or voluntary organisation, and those who use your services during the coronavirus outbreak.
- Prevention and social distancing
- Risk assessment
- Returning to work safely
- Continuing your operation
- Cleaning, handwashing and hygiene procedures
- Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Supporting beneficiaries/service users
- Supporting staff and volunteers to work from home
- Employees rights and sick leave entitlement
- Supporting members of communities facing discrimination
- Taking an inclusive approach to covid-19
- Guidance for trustees
- Webinars on protecting staff, volunteers and beneficiaries
Contingency planning and financial implications
What you need to do to prepare for the potential impacts of coronavirus on your charity or voluntary organisation’s operations and finances.
- Developing a contingency plan and your insurance
- Financial management and solvency
- Coronavirus job retention scheme (furloughing)
- Coronavirus business interruption loan scheme (CBILS)
- Bounce back loan
- Charity funding from government
- Other funding opportunities for charities
- Webinars on contingency planning and finance
NCVO KnowHow Assessment
Whether you are a chief executive or a team leader, this free toolkit will help you identify potential risks to your organisation. Based on your answers to the self-assessment questions, the toolkit will highlight areas where you may have weaknesses and provide practical advice on getting to grips with the problem.
NCVO Webinars & Videos
NCVO provide a number of video guides, webinars and tutorials for VCF sector groups via their YouTube channel. Please click here to browse the latest videos
‘Building organisational resilience: Things for small charities to consider’
Webinar delivered by NCVO in partnership with CAF
British Safety Council – Free COVID-19 Recovery Resources
Free resources and webinars to help employers and employees during coronavirus
The BEC have published a return to work guide across all sectors. The framework should enable organisations around the world to develop robust protocols and arrangements, designed to effectively manage the risk of transmission of COVID-19 as far as is reasonably possible within their workplace.
As part of our continued commitment to supporting third sector organisations such as Sefton Council for Voluntary Service throughout this difficult period, our Health & Safety specialists have produced the following cornerstone resources to help you stay COVID-secure:
Download now with no details required
Free risk assessment tool and advice
COVID-19 is impacting organisations across the country. Recent government guidance states how organisations can ensure they work safely during this fast-moving situation. Use the St John Ambulance free online tool to find out how this impacts your business.
Click here to access the online assessment tool
Charity Retail have published version 4 of their Reopening Pack, available for download. The pack consists of helpful guidance to prepare for reopening from 15th June.
Charity Retail – Reopening Pack
Please note: The link on Page 4, section 1.1.1. has changed, you can find the poster at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5eb97021d3bf7f5d43765cbf/staying-covid-19-secure-accessible.pdf
MIND: Coronavirus and Work – Resources and Advice
- MIND tips for working from home
- How to support your team remotely
- Supporting staff caring for children
- Wellness Action Plan for home workers
- Coping with redundancy
- MIND Returning to work Toolkit
- Information and support for key workers
- Tips from Mind: Supporting your team’s mental health whilst homeworking
