Voscur - Safeguarding https://www.voscur.org/core-categories/safeguarding en Nearly two-thirds of youth organisations in England are at risk of closure https://www.voscur.org/insight/news/nearly-two-thirds-youth-organisations-england-are-risk-closure <div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><h2>Nearly two-thirds of youth organisations in England are at risk of closure</h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="https://www.voscur.org/sites/default/files/styles/node_image/public/Closed%20Business.jpg?itok=pBvHTsv4" width="510" height="350" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date-provision-is-due-to-b field-type-date field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">5 January, 2021</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> </p> <p><span><span><span>Almost two-thirds of England’s youth organisations are at risk of closure, according to new research from the charity <a href="https://www.ukyouth.org/" target="_blank">UK Youth</a>. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Whilst the coronavirus pandemic has left 1.5 million vulnerable young people in need of vital help, many of the groups that support them are at risk themselves. What’s more, 31% of youth organisations surveyed with an income of less than £250,000 said they might have to shut in the next six months.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Writing for the Guardian, journalist Amelia Hill highlighted ‘a backdrop of of years of chronic underfunding’ as a contributing factor, and warned of another set of ‘major cuts to local authority youth services’ in the future.  </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>UK Youth’s research, based on responses from 1,759 youth organisations, will feed into a larger report due to be published later this year. The charity’s UK Youth Fund (COVID relief) distributed £2 million to support small youth organisations, and used the funding questionnaire as an opportunity to learn about the impact of COVID-19 on these organisations and the challenges they face.  </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Back in November, Leigh Middleton, the CEO of the National Youth Agency (NYA), had already emphasised the growing threat to youth work. He said:</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>‘We need urgent funding for frontline youth services and additional funding for youth charities to secure their capacity to support young people into the New Year.’ </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>The NYA, which is the national body for youth work, called for early release of youth investment funds, more funding for youth charities, strengthened guidance and ring-fenced funding, and the inclusion of young people in decision-making and responses to COVID-19. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><b>Help for local youth organisations from Voscur</b></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>If your organisation supports Bristol’s young people aged 8-19 (either you are based here, or some of your services are), you could be eligible for the <a href="https://www.voscur.org/yssf" target="_blank">Youth Sector Support Fund</a> from Quartet Community Foundation and Bristol City Council. 90% of funding is for youth services; the remaining 10% is for play services. There are rolling deadlines, and the next deadline is Tuesday 12 January 2021.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Voscur can offer support before, during and after your funding application – even if you’re undecided, this could just involve a brief chat about whether this is the right grant for you. Due to coronavirus safety measures, support takes place by video call, phone call or email. We also hold an annual conference for the CYP sector. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Do you need support in other areas of your organisation, such as governance, volunteer management or forming partnerships? Voscur may be able to help. <a href="https://www.voscur.org/record-enquiry-external" target="_blank">Fill in our online form</a> and tell us what you need; a member of the Development Team will be in touch. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-core-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Core Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/core-categories/children-and-young-people">Children and young people</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/core-categories/coronavirus">Coronavirus</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/core-categories/safeguarding">Safeguarding</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/core-categories/social-value">Social value</a></div></div></div> Tue, 05 Jan 2021 16:14:30 +0000 pollya 98546 at https://www.voscur.org Government issues updated guidance on volunteering in the pandemic https://www.voscur.org/insight/news/government-issues-updated-guidance-volunteering-pandemic <div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><h2>Government issues updated guidance on volunteering in the pandemic</h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="https://www.voscur.org/sites/default/files/styles/node_image/public/Community%20Is%20Strength%20Credit%20John%20Cameron%20via%20Unsplash.jpg?itok=iB4jN43t" width="510" height="347" alt="Community is strength word-based poster on fence " /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-image-credit field-type-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Image Credit:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">John Cameron via Unsplash</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date-provision-is-due-to-b field-type-date field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">16 November, 2020</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>Following an initial update from the Office for Civil Society in early November, the government has issued <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/enabling-safe-and-effective-volunteering-during-coronavirus-covid-19" target="_blank">new and detailed guidance on safe and effective volunteering in England during the coronavirus pandemic</a>. </p> <p>The guidance, from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media &amp; Sport, is aimed at VCSE organisations and groups that work with volunteers. It covers different volunteering scenarios and precautions, including the rules around group volunteering, coronavirus testing, and volunteering from home. </p> <p>Please read the guidance fully to be aware of best practice. Here are the main points we've summarised:</p> <ul> <li>Volunteers should work from home if possible. They can volunteer outside the home, including in a workplace, if they are unable to do so from home, they do not need to <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/when-to-self-isolate-and-what-to-do/" target="_blank">self-isolate</a>, they are not Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV), and they follow social distancing guidance. They must not volunteer outside the home if they, or somebody they live with, show coronavirus symptoms or test positive for coronavirus. If volunteering in a workplace, they must follow COVID-secure workplace guidance, and that workplace must not have been <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november#businesses-and-venues" target="_blank">ordered to close</a>. </li> <li>Volunteers can meet in groups of any size, indoors and outdoors, whilst volunteering. They must obey social distancing guidelines and the 'HANDS, FACE, SPACE' government advice.</li> <li>Face coverings must be worn by volunteers, unless they are medically exempt, in: an enclosed public space, a situation where social distancing of 1 metre plus isn't possible, and a place where they come into contact with people they do not usually meet. Volunteering in retail, hospitality and leisure industries also involves wearing a face covering.</li> <li>Volunteers in key work or essential worker roles will be prioritised for coronavirus testing. As mentioned previously, people should not volunteer outside the home if they or someone in their household display coronavirus symptoms, or test positive for coronavirus.</li> <li>Volunteers can travel to volunteer or during their volunteering session, but they are advised to walk or cycle where possible, avoid busy times and routes on public transport, and plan their journey. </li> <li>Organisations and groups using volunteers must make sure they follow the <a href="https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/working-safely/index.htm" target="_blank">HSE guidance</a> on COVID-secure workplaces. Once they are clear on the guidance, they should <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5eb959f5e90e0708370f97f9/staying-covid-19-secure-accessible.pdf" target="_blank">sign, date and display the downloadable notice</a> in their workplace. </li> <li>Organisations and groups need to carry out risk assessments to make sure volunteers are safe and supported. The guidelines have links to relevant information, including changes to DBS checks, and safeguarding advice. </li> </ul> <p>Safeguarding volunteers, staff and the public remains vital, especially during a pandemic. We would urge all volunteer managers and group coordinators, whether you're part of a neighbourhood mutual aid group or an established organisation, to follow government guidance.</p> <p>However, well-intentioned it may be, volunteering without considering the health, wellbeing and safety of others (people in the community, staff and fellow volunteers) could do more harm than good.</p> <p>If you are unsure about anything in the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/enabling-safe-and-effective-volunteering-during-coronavirus-covid-19" target="_blank">government guidance</a> and how it applies to your group or organisation, please contact the Voscur development team by <a href="https://www.voscur.org/record-enquiry-external" target="_blank">filling out this online form</a>, or by calling 0117 909 9949. </p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-core-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Core Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/core-categories/coronavirus">Coronavirus</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/core-categories/governance">Governance</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/core-categories/safeguarding">Safeguarding</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/core-categories/volunteering">Volunteering</a></div></div></div> Mon, 16 Nov 2020 15:29:19 +0000 pollya 98343 at https://www.voscur.org Office for Civil Society issues new guidance on volunteering during lockdown https://www.voscur.org/insight/news/office-civil-society-issues-new-guidance-volunteering-during-lockdown <div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><h2>Office for Civil Society issues new guidance on volunteering during lockdown</h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="https://www.voscur.org/sites/default/files/styles/node_image/public/Lockdown%20Street%20Sign%20Credit%20Matt%20Seymour%20via%20Unsplash.jpg?itok=mXh8jFLZ" width="510" height="355" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-image-credit field-type-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Image Credit:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Matt Seymour via Unsplash</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date-provision-is-due-to-b field-type-date field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">3 November, 2020</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> </p> <p><span><span><span>The Office for Civil Society (part of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media &amp; Sport) has issued new guidance on volunteering during the second lockdown in England, which is set to last from Thursday 5 November until at least Wednesday 2 December 2020. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>New national restrictions will be in force across England, but voluntary and charitable activities are exempt from some of the restrictions, so it is vital that volunteer coordinators and managers can work out which of their projects and tasks will be allowed to continue in the weeks ahead. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>The guidance was issued to volunteer centre managers and VCSE sector umbrella organisations by the Policy Advisor of the Volunteering Team at the Office for Civil Society. </span></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span><span><span>Volunteer from home where possible. If a volunteer role cannot be done from home, you must obey social distancing guidance and make sure nobody in your household has coronavirus symptoms or has tested positive for coronavirus before volunteering. </span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span>Clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) people with serious health conditions are advised to only volunteer from home. In August 2020, the Office for National Statistics estimated there are 2.2 million CEV people in England.</span></span></span></li> <li>If a venue or site has <strong>not</strong> been told to close, and volunteering activities cannot be done from home, you are allowed to continue with volunteers on-site. However, managers of a venue or site may choose to close for lockdown or stand down volunteers even if not told to do so.</li> <li><span><span><span>Voluntary and charity activities are exempt from some of the new regulations on meeting others; volunteers are allowed to meet in groups of any size, indoors or outdoors, if volunteering outside the home. </span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span>Volunteers are allowed to travel to and from their volunteering role, and to travel during their volunteer shifts. </span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span>Volunteering must continue to be a personal choice, whether home-based or outside the home, and organisations or groups shouldn’t pressure volunteers to carry on.</span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span>Any organisation using volunteers must make sure their workplace fits <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19">coronavirus safety standards</a>.</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p><span><span><span>Updated guidance for volunteer-involving organisations will be published by the Office for Civil Society very soon.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>If you need support from Voscur connected to volunteering during the pandemic, don’t forget we have a <a href="https://www.voscur.org/insight/news/voscur-launches-online-peer-networks-vcse-sector">new online peer support network for COVID-19 response groups</a>, plus <a href="https://www.voscur.org/19volunteers">a range of resources</a> from lockdown earlier this year. Our Development Team is also on hand to answer any questions – <a href="https://www.voscur.org/record-enquiry-external">just fill out the online form</a> and we’ll get back to you. </span></span></span></p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-core-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Core Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/core-categories/coronavirus">Coronavirus</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/core-categories/safeguarding">Safeguarding</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/core-categories/volunteering">Volunteering</a></div></div></div> Tue, 03 Nov 2020 10:20:00 +0000 pollya 98289 at https://www.voscur.org