• The roll-out of Covid-19 vaccinations is well under way. You will be contacted by the NHS when it is your turn. For information on the vaccine, who is eligible and how it is given, view the NHS webpage.
• People most at risk from the complications of Covid-19 are being offered the vaccine first.  There is a process, but sometimes you may have to wait a while.
• There are some useful guides about the vaccine for older adults here.

The 4 January Lockdown has implications for volunteering in England. In summary, the guidance is as follows;

Volunteering from home/outside the home

• People must volunteer from home, unless it is not reasonably possible for them to do so.
• If they cannot volunteer from home, people can volunteer outside their home, provided they do not need to self-isolate for any reason, and follow social distancing guidance, or COVID-secure guidance if volunteering in a workplace.
• This also applies to clinically vulnerable people.

Clinically extremely vulnerable people

• Clinically extremely vulnerable people should be supported to volunteer from home, and should not volunteer outside their home.

Travelling to volunteer or while volunteering

Where they are unable to volunteer from home, people can travel to volunteer or while volunteering in England. While travelling, they should

• where possible, stay local – meaning avoiding travelling outside of their village, town or the part of a city where their live, unless absolutely necessary
• walk or cycle if they can – where that is not possible, use public transport or drive
• plan ahead and avoid the busiest routes, as well as busy times
• follow the safer travel guidance

Volunteering in groups

• While volunteering, people can meet in groups of any size, indoors or outdoors.
• Formal support groups are exempt from gathering restrictions up to a limit of 15 participants (aged 5 and older), however there is no limit on the number of volunteers. For, example, 10 volunteers could support a group of 15 participants.

Volunteers in critical roles who can access schools or educational settings

• Volunteers classified as being in critical worker roles are allowed to send their children to school or other educational settings.

Accommodation

• Accommodation such as hotels, B&Bs, campsites, holiday lets and guest houses, which are otherwise ordered to close, are permitted to open for people who need to stay for volunteering purposes.

For detailed guidance check GOV.UK guidance on how volunteering can be done safely and effectively. This will soon be updated in line with the national lockdown restrictions. It includes guidance for ‘formal’ and ‘informal’ volunteers, and for volunteer-involving organisations and groups.

Enabling safe and effective volunteering during coronavirus: government coronavirus volunteering guidance for volunteer involving organisations (updated 30 November).

Working safely during coronavirus: volunteer involving organisations must ensure their workplaces meet coronavirus safety standards (updated 13 December).

Coronavirus – how to help safely: government guidance for volunteers (updated 30 November).

How can I support my local community: please read our ‘how to’ guide for guidance on volunteering in your local community.

For further information on supporting volunteering

• Community Support North Yorkshire: information on how our service can supporting volunteer involving organisations during coronavirus
• Visit our Community Gateway for safeguarding and supporting volunteers resources
• North Yorkshire County Council advice and information on help for residents and organisations during coronavirus

For further support and information please contact our volunteer support team volunteersupport@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk or 01904 704177

• Government guidance: support for business (updated 10 December 2020).
• NHS test and trace guidance for workplaces (updated 2 December 2020).
• Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: how to reclaim wages (updated 10 December 2020).
• Our employment support advisors have produced the following guides to support employers during coronavirus:
  • Job Retention Scheme guidance: how the scheme will work and eligibility criteria.
  • Statutory Sick pay (SSP) guidance in relation to self-isolation.
  • Holiday: calculating entitlement for furloughed employees.
  • Advice for staff: an overview of coronavirus and the implications for the workplace.
  • Extension to the furlough scheme: changes from December 2020

• Coronavirus guidance for the charity sector: produced by the Charity Commission (updated 6 November 2020).
• National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) have updated guidance and resources to support charities, voluntary organisations and volunteers during the Coronavirus.
• Community Interest Companies (CICs): government advice includes continuing to deliver community benefit, filing accounts and annual reports and business support.
• North Yorkshire County Council’s Workplace Wellbeing website has a wealth of Covid-19 related guidance for the workplace.
• ACAS has information and webinars on subjects such as managing mental health and furloughing.
• CIPD also have a range of webinars available for employers including guidance on returning to the workplace and how to lead through a crisis.

• January national lockdown: download our guide to permissible activities for community buildings and village halls here.
• Reopening: see our up to date guidance, information and resources for preparing to reopen your hall after lockdown.
• Further useful information can be found in our funding and financial advice section.

If you have a specific query please contact communitybuildings@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk

• The Coronavirus Act, which the government introduced on 19 March 2020, postponed any elections that were due to be held in May 2020 until 6 May 2021. Any other electoral events, such as the council or parliamentary by-elections, will also be postponed until May 2021.
• Councils have been given new powers to hold meetings remotely (updated 30 April 2020).

For more information on coronavirus issues affecting local councils, please visit the National Association of Local Councils and Yorkshire Local Council Association.

• Clinically Extremely Vulnerable: North Yorkshire County Council has Guidance for people who are Clinically Extremely Vulnerable from Covid-19
• Protecting the person you care for: Carers UK have useful information on protecting the person you care for and making contingency plans.
• Specific Health conditions: Healthwatch North Yorkshire have information relating to specific health conditions.
• Supermarket shopping: RNIB has listed what additional support and measures the main supermarkets are putting in place for people who are blind or partially sighted with during coronavirus.
• Hidden Disability Lanyard: the Sunflower Lanyard acts as a discreet sign that the wearer (or somebody who is with them) has a hidden disability and requires additional assistance.
• Public Health England toolkit: people who cannot wear face masks due to a disability or health condition can download free resources which explain they are exempt. The kit includes posters, imagery and animations for social media, badges and cards for mobile phone display or for printing.

• North Yorkshire County Council have a range of easy read and communication packs in different languages available here.
• North Yorkshire Partnership have gathered together a wide range of easy read and accessible documents and resources here.