As a local Community Network, CDRCN wishes to provide community leaders with clear guidelines at this time who want to reach out and provide a Community Response to COVID-19 within local areas.
Plans are well advanced across Government in relation to the current emergency. A central coordinating hub, and Local Government (Council) Hubs are being created and will involve the Community and Voluntary and Sporting sectors in reaching those most affected by this crisis. We will all need to work together in new ways and with volunteer support.
See attached information which should be read and put into practice before commencing community response schemes locally:
- Involving-Volunteers-Covid-19
- Volunteer-Guidelines-When-Volunteering-Covid-19
- Informal-Volunteering-Covid-19
These guidelines have been compiled for all of NI by the recognised volunteering organisation, Volunteer Now, and they cover everything that you MUST consider when providing a community response to COVID – 19. It is essential that your organisation follows these guidelines to secure the safety of your volunteers and contain the spread of the virus and save lives.
There is also free online safeguarding training available from Volunteer Now, supported by the Department of Health. The course is only an introduction, however, at this time it will provide your volunteers with the basics. Please follow the link https://www.volunteernow.co.uk/organisations/safeguarding/safeguarding-courses-online/
Please advise CDRCN of any community response you are providing locally, as every effort counts regardless of how big or small. We are available to support your group at this time so please keep in contact with us on info@countydownrcn.com or by phone 07389 732749 (Mon/Wed/Fri) or 028 4483 1529 (Tues/Wed/Thurs).
Keep an eye on our website and social media platforms for ongoing updates.