You may have seen in the news some reports about the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine but we thought the links included here may be useful. This is an unfolding situation but the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is reassuring people that the benefits of vaccination continue to outweigh any risks – but asks people who are at higher risk of specific types of blood clots because of their medical condition to carefully consider whether to have that particular vaccine. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised that the benefits of the vaccine far outweigh the risk of adverse events for individuals 30 years of age and over and those who have underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease. But the JCVI has also advised that it is preferable for adults aged under 30 years without underlying health conditions to be offered an alternative COVID-19 vaccine, if available.
Shielding ends
From 1 April, clinically extremely vulnerable people in England are no longer advised to shield. Letters were sent to people on the shielded patient list with updated guidance last month, setting out practical steps people can follow to reduce their risk of catching the virus, including continuing to maintain strict social distancing and keeping their overall social contacts at low levels, such as through working from home where possible. Priority access to supermarket deliveries for clinically extremely vulnerable people will continue until at least 21 June. There is more information about support available on the County Council’s website.
How to safely provide support
The Government has released some guidance on how to safely provide support to people. This could be to pregnant women or elderly people who need some practical support out and about, or it could be someone who needs support because they have a visual impairment or learning disability, for instance. The idea is that if it is not possible to socially distance, there is guidance available to help neighbours or service staff, for example, to make these interactions as safe as possible.
No-one with any Covid symptoms should offer support to others. It’s important when offering support to:
- wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser
- avoid touching your face, particularly your eyes, nose and mouth
- catch any coughs or sneezes in a tissue or your elbow
- put used tissues immediately in the bin and wash your hands afterwards.
Guidance for people requiring support, especially people who may find it hard to communicate, is to write down what help is needed. They might also want to take this plan with them when they’re out, in case of an emergency.
Funding
In the wake of COVID and the impact on our local communities, funding towards recovery maybe of importance to your group. Cambridgeshire Community Foundation manages a growing number of funds, and details of some of the funds are listed below. Remember there are always fund alerts available too through the Support Cambridgeshire website.
1. Community ownership fund
The Government has launched a new £150 million Community Ownership Fund aimed at helping communities to support and continue benefiting from the local facilities, community assets and amenities most important to them. Bid for up to £250,000 matched-funding to help buy or take over local community assets at risk of being lost, to run as community-owned businesses.
We do not know at this stage if there is any link between this fund and assets that have already been registered as an Asset of Community Value – a process we administer. The first bidding round for the Community Ownership Fund will open by June 2021. At that point the Government has said that full bidding prospectus will be published.
2. Screwfix Foundation
The Screwfix Foundation is offering grants of up to £5,000 to non-profit organisations in order to fix, repair, maintain and improve properties and community facilities specifically for those in need. It will also fund decorating the homes of people living with illness and disability.
3. Arnold Clark Community Fund
From 1 March 2021, the Arnold Clark Community Fund will be open to all UK registered charities and local community groups who need financial assistance due to the coronavirus pandemic. At the end of each month, 500 applications will be granted. If your application is unsuccessful one month, they’ll keep you in the draw, which will roll over to the following month.
4. Innovate and Cultivate Fund
The next deadline for Cambridgeshire County Council’s ‘Cultivate’ fund is 1 May 2021. Grants of £2,000 to £15,000 are available to voluntary and community groups and public sector bodies, for projects that build community support networks for vulnerable people. The County Council has published guidance on applying for a range of projects including Timebanks, men’s sheds, community youth workers and good neighbour schemes.
5. CPSL Mind: Good Life Fund
Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire Mind (CPSL Mind) is offering £500 grants to help set up groups that connect people and promote wellbeing. Suggestions include book clubs, craft classes and activities that encourage people to learn new skills. The simple application process asks for at least four people who are willing to volunteer their time but does not require groups to be constituted.
6. Arm Cambridge Fund
Arm Cambridge Fund makes small grants available to support charitable projects across Cambridgeshire, particularly projects focused on Community Development and Engagement, Children Young People and Families, and Adults Facing Life Crisis.
7. Cambridgeshire Rural Fund
Grants of up to £5,000 for projects addressing issues in rural communities.
8. Cheffins Grassroots Endowed Fund
Small grants are available for local voluntary and community organisations working to help people in need in or around Cambridge, Ely, Newmarket, Haverhill or Saffron Walden.