What community organisations are telling us about their Covid-19 responses
/We’ve been asking community groups and organisations to let us know what they’re experiencing as the coronavirus outbreak continues.
We’ve summarised the results we’ve received below. We’re sharing them to help us all understand the pressures groups are facing - as well potential solutions.
What are some of the big issues community groups are coming up against?
Issues with how we work: Community organisations worry about the transition from office working, to working from home – adding extra costs, issues with transferring calls and not having the tools/knowledge or funds to create a new working structure.
Staffing and paying wages/ rent: Community organisations highlighted their concerns about paying staff/ rent and looking after staff/ volunteer’s health and safely. With potential of staff needing to self-isolate, organisations worry the demand will increase and create more stress on workers (especially organisation who delivery food/ essentials within the community). More volunteers needed to fill this gap.
Issues with the communities we work with: At least every response mentioned the risk of social isolation among their groups and communities especially ones who already experience this. Community members are expressing a worry of leaving the house and community organisations are uncertain of how best to support and release some of these worries.
Community groups worry about how to provide food and essentials as well as befriending services. How to access vulnerable community members due to current precautions and limited staff.
Mental health was mentioned throughout. Most organisations are face to face and worry online will not have the same impact.
Community groups worry about the extent of the overall impact COVID-19 has on their community and the long-term food insecurities it may cause. Many fear the aftermath of our current situation. Some mentioned community events being postponed or cancelled - resulting in a loss of income for them groups and social interaction.
Due to restrictions self isolation it’s extremely hard for certain groups to function and continue their service, such as community allotment groups. These groups mentioned the need for support and guidance for staff and volunteers to continue providing their services.
Issues with funding: Although funding was mentioned throughout many highlighted fears of securing funding and following deadlines with uncertain time-frames. Some mentioned no income due to closure of café, workshops and open spaces. New groups fear the funding process, unaware of how to approach it or/and uncertain of what to ask for.
Other issues: Finding it hard to contact community members due to not having flexible phone contracts or excess to the internet. Families unable to find food/basics with a low budget.
What kind of funding support would be helpful right now?
Most community and voluntary organisations in our survey require immediate funding. Only two responses state that no funding is required, but these are from statutory organisations.
Funding for supplies and community support: Community organisations require funding to pay for supplies to vulnerable people. This is mainly for food but other supplies include general household items, fuel, sleeping bags for homeless people, phones and other digital devices, blackboards and other learning materials, musical instruments, art and crafts, exercise and play equipment.
Some community organisations required funding for gloves, hand soap and gels for volunteers and staff members. While if possible supply to their community member as well. Some mentioned the need for better technology and support with that.
Organisational running costs: Nearly half of responses require immediate funding to cover organisational costs including rent and staff. Where specified, the amount required for organisational costs appears to be quite significant.
Increasing capacity: Community organisations have identified that they require funding to increase their capacity in order to address needs arising from coronavirus. This includes funding for more staff and also transport costs and for other resources.
What, other than funding, would help to resolve these issues?
Communication with community members - particularly those who may not be online: Community organisations need support in the form of tools, guidance, equipment and skills to use online communication methods so that they can maintain contact with their members.
They note that this is difficult as many of the most vulnerable people do not have the technology, skills or financial resource (data etc) to do this, and are just not used to using social media etc.
Moving what we do online: Community organisations need guidance, support for volunteers/ staff and the technology to move their activities online where this is possible. They also need adequate equipment that is accessible for members so that provision is inclusive.
Specific services/ resources needed: Counselling and mental wellbeing support (including for volunteers/ staff), transport for deliveries of meals etc, free postal service. Some are receiving in-kind support from other local organisations already.
Community organisations mentioned the need for clearer information on providing community support. Groups need clarity on who can/cannot support community responses, consistent protocols for keeping workers and local people safe when supporting them
Need for more volunteers/ donations: Community groups rely heavily on their limited staff and volunteers. They are concerned about the impact of increased self-isolation on covering their activities. Childcare is one barrier to increasing volunteers. Guidance is needed on how to protect volunteers. Groups also require support to increase food donations.
Information sharing: Sharing of information across community settings, e.g. local authority, social enterprise, & 3rd Sector. Relaxing of GDPR to allow information sharing and referrals was mentioned.
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