What next People and groups are starting to consider what is next as they return to work and activities. Communities have connected and supported one another through this difficult time and some are considering what their communities now need, while others are trying to get back to the services they provided before, all be it in a new way. Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise are helping start this conversation (see below).

Keep sending your stories on what you are up to. We hope you find the Bulletin useful and if there is anything you would like covered, please get in touch through your Local Co-ordination Team or by emailing us at communitysupport@stirling.gov.uk

Originally set up for Community Response Groups, this Bulletin is now available to the wider public to share important information.

Issue 11

Schools

Free School Meals

From Monday 29 June, there will be a weekly delivery of groceries to homes of children who are entitled to free school meals.

Each delivery will take place on a Monday and will contain a week’s work of groceries to produce packed lunches. The last delivery will be on 3 August.

Since lockdown began on 23 March, Council staff have delivered more than 124,000 packed lunches to pupils entitled to free school meals.

Families who opted out of the current scheme will be automatically reinstated for the summer deliveries unless they fill out a form to opt out.

School Returning

This week the Scottish Government have said that schools will, if Scotland continues to make progress on suppressing Covid 19, return as normal in August without the need for social distancing measures.

Schools will be contacting their parents with more information.

Moving Forward

The response to the pandemic has dramatically changed how services have been delivered in the third sector. As we move towards the next phase, Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise (SVE) are facilitating another series of community calls. These calls provide practical support on how third sector organisations and community groups can prepare to return to their ‘new normal’, potentially reopen a limited service, or move to a new model of service provision now that the initial crisis has passed as well as ensuring resilience for a potential second wave.

There are 3 Community Calls taking place

Tuesday 30th June 10.30am-11.30am This call is aimed at established third sector organisations and will cover topics such as Scenario Planning, the practical aspects of returning to the workplace such as costs for PPE, signage, staffing, funding etc. Read the full details and book your place here.

Wednesday 1st July 10.30am-11.30am This call is aimed at Community Groups who have set up in response to COVID-19 and are starting to think about their next steps as we move into a recovery phase. This is an opportunity to connect with other similar groups to network and share ideas. Read the full details and book your place here.

Wednesday 8th July 10.30am-11.30am This call is a repeat of call number 1 for those who couldn’t attend the first one. We also welcome along Craig Anderson, Bureau Manager, from Citizen Advice Bureau who has faced several issues whilst planning to return his staff and organisation to the workplace. He will discuss how he has managed to overcome some of these issues and what strategies he has put in place. Book your place here.

For more information and to book use the links above.

Funding

Heritage Emergency Fund

The Heritage Fund is providing a package of support for the heritage sector as a response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. This includes the Heritage Emergency Fund.

The Fund is accepting applications for two grant levels to cover emergency costs during this difficult time.

Emergency grants of £3,000 to £50,000 is for essential costs for the next 4 months to help organisations deal with immediate risks and become more stable. This level of funding may also include some costs that help organisations look towards longer-term recovery.

For further information on the package of support available or the grants visit Heritage Fund.

Deadline: 31st July 2020

Useful Contacts

Ready Scotland Advice for community groups.

NHS Inform – Latest information and guidance about COVID-19 available in different formats and languages.

Scottish Government website for latest updates on guidance and restrictions -

Guidance on Covid 19 Symptoms

Guidance on Testing

Guidance self isolating

Crime Groups Target Vulnerable During Covid

Scotland’s Serious Organised Crime Taskforce have found criminals are exploiting the pandemic and playing on the fears of businesses and the public. Organised crime groups are now focusing on targeting those most vulnerable at home and in the care sector, including:

a care home in the Forth Valley area was left without a PPE order after the supplier claimed they had not received the £10,000 payment, despite it being sent. A police investigation showed that the payment had been moved from the bank account it was paid into and they believe organised criminals were behind it

a number of reports of people knocking doors and offering to disinfect the householder’s driveway to rid it of any COVID-19 for a fee

businesses emailed by scammers urging them to click on an official-looking link for a £25,000 grant. The link leads to a fake ‘UK Government’-branded website asking for business and banking details

£10,000 fraud intercepted by Scottish Borders Council when an application for a business support grant was hacked by criminals who requested the redirection of the payment to a different bank account. Due to the checks in place the council were alert to the scam and the money was not paid out

Keep yourself and others safe by keeping up-to-date with scams. Visit Police Scotland or the National Cyber Security Centre have a wealth of information and up-to-date warnings. The Scottish Community Safety Network have information on this and other safety issues on their website.

More Scam information and advice was in our Issue 3 Bulletin.

Examples from the Scottish Community Safety Network

Test & Protect

Households are being sent information explaining how the Test and Protect system works and setting out what to do if someone develops coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms.

NHS Test and Protect is being delivered by NHS Scotland to reduce the risk of the virus spreading. People with symptoms are urged to get tested straight away, with positive cases then referred to contact tracers.

The information is available online in 16 languages, large print and audio files.

News From You

We’re eager to find out what is

happening in your community. Send

us your good news stories; good

practice examples to help others;

online resources you have found

which helped you; or anything you

think others might be interested in

or which might help them.

Over the last few weeks we have

managed to feature a variety of

organisations large and small. Every

person who has helped and

whatever contribution you have all

made, the Local Co-ordination

Teams think you are all amazing.

To contribute email us at

communitysupport@stirling.gov.uk

Ladies of the Rock

A group of local business owners have been working together with members of the community in Bannockburn and Whins of Milton to assist those shielding or self isolation during these last few months.

Local Fran Nicol leafleted the areas before lockdown offering assistance with shopping and picking up essentials. Soon members of the community and

local business owners came forward and Ladies of the Rock was formed.

As businesses and the community donated non perishable items, the group were able to make up emergency food parcels for those unable to reach help from family members or friends. Volunteers, Dorothy Morrow, her husband Alan

and some other members also made soups with other ingredients donated. Most popular soups are Tomato and Basil, Scotch Broth, Lentil and Vegetable,

and for afters rice pudding with caramelised apples (if and when available).

Ladies of the Rock started by providing a nutritional lunch pack twice a week to those shielding and in isolation but soon branched into providing the emergency food parcels. However the group now also offer a Community Larder facility within the Bannockburn Community Centre every Wednesday evening and have worked in partnership with the Recyke a Bike kitchen, who have been supporting them in the last 6 weeks, making lunch packs available to the areas of Raploch, Causewayhead, Bridge of Allan and the Top of Town area.

Continuing to support those affected by Covid-19, the group help with isolation through befriending, support those awaiting referrals from elsewhere and those looking for additional food assistance. They don't have an age group but focus on preventing food deprivation.

At Bannockburn Community Centre, every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, Ladies of the Rock continue to appeal for ingredients and non-perishable items towards their soup making and their larder.

What’s Happening With You

See what else the group are up to on their Facebook page or email them for more information, to show an interest in volunteering or to donate non perishable items.

They have a referral form on our Facebook page for anyone needing support.