News & Developments

To reduce social contact, the government has ordered certain businesses and venues to close: with the stricter government advice on the coronavirus being in force, halls should now be closed until further notice.

The exceptions affecting village and community halls are stated as:

"For the purpose of hosting essential voluntary or public services, such as food banks, homeless services, and blood donation sessions. Public venues that host blood donation sessions can continue to open temporarily for these services only. A distance of two metres should be maintained as per Public Health England guidelines".  

Halls may host a variety of other essential voluntary or public services, such as community shops, Post Office services, medical surgeries, market stalls which offer essential grocery and food. If you are uncertain about what is classed as an essential service, please contact RAD for further advice.

If your hall is being used to deliver essential services, then managers need to ensure that they have followed all the necessary precautionary measures and are confident that service providers also adhere to the latest government advice. 

ACRE recommends that halls should conduct a thorough risk assessment when deciding whether to close or to offer limited access for essential services. Management decisions should be kept under constant review and properly recorded in the minutes.  

www.ruralactionderbyshire.org.uk/coronavirus-and-village-halls

With the current COVID-19 pandemic having a huge effect on everyone’s way of life it is vital we all come together to support each other and ensure that everyone is safe during this period.

As you may be aware, Derbyshire County Council have established the Community Response Unit (CRU) to respond to the growing needs of the local community. Those that need additional support during this period of isolation. For more information about the CRU and to register your details follow the link below:

derbyshire.gov.uk/social-health/health-and-wellbeing/health-protection/disease-control/coronavirus/community-response-unit/if-you-need-help/if-you-need-help.aspx 

As part of the High Peak CVS commitment to supporting the local community we have agreed to act as the link between the CRU, those that need support and the services and organisations that are working hard to meet the needs. This is where we need your help. In order to ensure that every single person gets the help they need we are putting together a comprehensive list of local services and community groups that are offering their time, expertise and resources to support the most vulnerable across the High Peak. The link for this database is here:

highpeakcvs.org.uk/directory.asp 

We are already receiving a high number of requests for support and we need to ensure that we have all the relevant information and contact details available to refer people as quickly as possible. So, we are asking any organisation or group that is offering support during this time to check the directory and if your details aren’t on there to get in touch and we can get you on there. All we need is:

• Contact Name and contact details
• The Area your group covers
• What services you offer

Please do get in touch and let us know what you’re up to. Whether you’re a local business offering delivery of essentials or a group of volunteers that have offered to help with shopping. Let us know and we can add you to this essential list of amazing people that are doing their best to help those that need it the most. 

On behalf of High Peak CVS, Derbyshire County Council and everyone involved, thank you so much for your support. Together we can beat this.

To get in touch or to update your details on the directory please contact Donna Wren at donna@highpeakcvs.org.uk or call 01663 735350.

Without this Glossopdale Furniture Project, as the only charity its type in the High Peak, would not be able to provide its vital service to individuals and families on low or no incomes.

As premises are not ideal, they do not have a fundraising team for income generation and the small team goes above and beyond in their dedication to the cause. With an annual income of possibly less than your average Premier League footballer’s weekly wage, the margins are very finely balanced. As they are not a frontline health charity, or essential in the immediate crisis, Glossopdale Furniture Project have been advised to cease operations. However, the services they provide as a charity will be in serious demand once we begin to emerge from the current restrictions.

Since Glossopdale Furniture Project are no longer able to operate in their usual way they have a significant drop in income on which they rely. While we understand the difficulties everyone is experiencing, a small donation to the Project 20/5K appeal could make all the difference in helping them to continue.

glossopdalefurniture.co.uk

Grants of up to £10,000.

www.cafonline.org/charities/grantmaking/caf-coronavirus-emergency-fund

Adherence to these guidelines will reduce the risk of further spread of the virus.  DCC staff should ensure that they are following the relevant DCC Infection Prevention and Control and Personal and Protective Equipment policies.

The virus that causes COVID 19 is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person, either

• between people who are in close contact with one another, or
• through droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
• It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes. Early research suggests that COVID19 can remain ‘active’ on: plastic for up to 72 hours, stainless steel for 48 hours and up to 8 hours on copper. It is unknown how long it would last on paper or cardboard but not thought as long as metals.

Useful and up to date information can be found here:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public  

To reduce the risk of becoming infected, or passing an infection on to others, volunteers:

MUST NOT volunteer if they, or anyone in their house, has any symptoms of COVID-19 (a new continuous cough, or a high temperature)

MUST observe social distancing guidelines at all times.  This includes remaining at least 2 meters from other people at all times, including when working in the distribution centre, avoiding using public transport wherever possible

MUST follow advice on good hand hygiene - wash your hands often, using soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser that is 60% alcohol based.

People should wash their hands:

• between each task
• before leaving home
• after using the toilet
• after breaks and sporting activities
• before food preparation
• before eating any food, including snacks
• on return to your home
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
• put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
• avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth

Surfaces and regularly touched objects (such as door handles, work surfaces, light switches) should be cleaned regularly with normal household disinfectant.

Handling Produce

If possible, items should be unpacked and placed into distribution packages then left for the following time limits before being sent onwards: 

• 72 hours for items in plastic packaging
• 48 hours for items in stainless steel packaging

As above handwashing should take place before and after handling produce and moving to another task eg. between packing a food parcel and then writing/typing a list of addresses. Volunteers should avoid touching their face.

If is not possible to quarantine food items for this period of time, those receiving the food should be advised to leave it for the length of time above and practice good hand hygiene before and after touching it

For more information on COVID-19, including details on what you can do to look after your own health, please visit:  www.derbyshire.gov.uk/coronavirus

To help better support their most vulnerable carers Derbyshire Carers Association are offering a supportive service to connect Carers to vital support services within their community. 

derbyshirecarers.co.uk/blog/dca-corona-virus-response-update

www.highpeakcvs.org.uk/directory.asp

• Employment / Business
• Foodbanks
• Health
• Isolating Support
• Mental Health
• Parcel Couriers
• Recreation
• Shop Delivery
• Transport
• Volunteer Centres

Working with Derbyshire police, trading standards officers are urging people to be wary of possible new coronavirus-related scams being used by doorstep callers and online fraudsters.

www.derbyshire.gov.uk/council/news-events/news-updates/news/staying-safe-from-scammers-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak.aspx

NHSX is calling on all innovators who can support the elderly, vulnerable and self-isolating during COVID-19 to apply for government funding of up to £25,000 to test their solution. 

If there are local initiatives that you think can help, please share!

techforce19.uk

The foodbank needs to be a registered charity and one foodbank per store is eligible.

Email foodbank@bmstores.co.uk with details of your foodbank, stating the registered charity number, the registered address and the full name of the representative authorised to collect the donation. State your preferred nearby B&M branch that you wish to visit.