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  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination information for the voluntary sector

    Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination information for the voluntary sector

    As trusted voices in our local communities, voluntary organisations can support the roll out of the vaccine by sharing information about the vaccine and the vaccination programme. You can also help by getting vaccinated if you have been invited to do so or have contact with priority groups.

    Get the facts on the vaccine

    The coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine is safe and effective. It gives you the best protection against coronavirus. Find out more about the vaccine on the NHS website.

    There is also an FAQs about the Covid -19 vaccine on the Sussex Health and Care Partnership (SHCP) website. If your questions cannot be answered on the SHCP website please do send the CCG an email to this address: Sxccg.vaccineenquiries@nhs.net.

    Get a vaccination

    The phased roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is continuing across Sussex. As vaccines are rolled out, people are reminded of 3 things:

    • The NHS will contact you when it’s your turn, so please do not contact your GP or the NHS beforehand.
    • Please act on your invite when it comes.
    • Remember Hands, Face, Space. It will save lives and help the NHS.

    However, the NHS has now opened up access to the COVID vaccine to staff and volunteers within the voluntary, community & social enterprise (VCSE) sector currently directly working or having contact with people in the priority groups outlined. This includes:

    • homecare workers
    • those working to support the homeless population in centres or temporary accommodation
    • those involved in the direct supply of food and other goods
    • those supporting older people and those with long term health issues
    • those supporting vulnerable children and young people

    This list is not exclusive. Organisations are being asked to consider where the need is greatest at first. The vaccine is being delivered for health and care workers from hospital sites across Sussex. You can select the venue nearest to you.

    Please click here to book the vaccine.

    Note that the sites are very busy, but please do keep trying as new slots are opening frequently.

    Support local public health campaigns

    The Sussex COVID-19 vaccination programme has launched a local public information campaign to help people understand when they will get their jab.

    The campaign – called “When will I get my jab?” – aims to give people clear and simple information on when and where they can expect to be vaccinated.

    Since the vaccination programme began to be rolled out before Christmas, there has been a huge amount of interest and people are understandably asking when it will be their turn.

    A large amount of different communications will be going out to the public, included targeted messages through local community networks. There will also be a new weekly recorded public broadcast that will involve senior NHS leaders providing updated information and answering frequently asked questions from the public.

    All relevant information as part of the campaign on when local people will get their vaccination can be found on Sussex Health and Care Partnership website and this will be constantly updated as the roll out of the programme is increasingly stepped up.

    Volunteer to support the vaccination programme

    As it becomes a national emergency to support a mass roll out of the Covid-19 vaccine, there is an unprecedented demand for everyone to help as much as they can. As part of this effort, Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust is looking for Vaccination Volunteer Coordinators and Vaccination Stewards. Full training support and PPE will be provided.

    If you are unable to support these roles at this time, the NHS is also recruiting Volunteer Responders. NHS Volunteer Responders are the national programme for local recruitment of volunteers and a place for people to request assistance. If you are new to NHS Volunteer Responders please visit the website as there is a wealth of information that will help to explain the programme.

  • We’re recruiting a new Chief Executive

    We’re recruiting a new Chief Executive

    3VA is proud to be the Voluntary Action organisation for the three districts of Wealden, Eastbourne and Lewes in East Sussex. In our work, we support and develop our local voluntary groups and organisations in these three districts that do so much to strengthen and build resilience in our communities.

    We are also proud to be part of a national movement of social and voluntary action. The communities we serve have elements of both rurality and urbanisation, can be both wealthy and economically challenged and have the widest range of ages. Our work and our planning reflect this diversity and our belief in working with and strengthening the assets in each of our local communities.

    Following the departure of our Chief Executive in December 2020, we are now looking for a permanent Chief Executive to join us and take our strategic plan and vision for the future forward. Find out more…

  • Reopening services safely during the Covid-19 pandemic

    Reopening services safely during the Covid-19 pandemic

    As of 26 December 2020, Tier 4 Covid restrictions have been extended across the whole of East Sussex.

    Where to get support and advice

    Public Health East Sussex is available for you to enquire about your individual group or organisation’s circumstances and seek advice. We recommend speaking to them for a detailed and nuanced response which will cover what’s legal and safe. Please email Public Health East Sussex at Publichealthenquiries@eastsussex.gov.uk.

    Please don’t hesitate to contact us at 3VA if you are struggling to find the right information you need to run your group. We may be able to provide support, make connections or offer training. We are here Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

    Get in touch via:

    The six people socially meeting rule

    Only six people are permitted to meet together socially now (appropriately socially distanced). This is now the law and you can be fined for breaching it. Exceptions to the 6 people rule include:

    • Work or provision of voluntary or charitable services (so more than six people can be in a building to organise food parcels, but they must do so in a Covid-19 secure way).
    • Organised outdoor exercise classes, organised sport or physical activity.
    • Childcare and various activities for children.
    • Supervised sporting activity indoors and outdoors for under 18s.
    • Indoor organised team sports for disabled people.
    • Support groups – up to 15 participants. This means organised groups to provide mutual aid, therapy and support. Those who are working or volunteering as part of those groups are not counted as part of the 15 limit.
    • Covid-19 secure venues can host more than 6 people in total, but no-one should mix in a group greater than 6.

    Please familiarise yourself with the full guidance:

    • Face covering rules: Passengers in private hire vehicles (from 23 September), customers in hospitality venues (except when seated at a table to eat or drink) and staff in hospitality and retail will now have to wear face coverings (from 24 September).
    • The wearing of face masks in close contact services is now law.

    Working from home

    Office workers who can work from home are now being encouraged to do so over the winter. Extra consideration should be given to those most vulnerable to the virus and who cannot work from home.

    Business restrictions

    • Leisure and hospitality venues must close between 10:00 pm and 5:00 am.
    • Table service only permitted in places selling food and drink and customers.
    • Venues will need to display the official NHS QR code posters for customers to check in as an alternative to providing their contact details.
    • Businesses must remind people to wear face coverings where mandated.

    21 September 2020: The new NHS app – urgent action needed by businesses and venues

    From Thursday, 24 September, businesses and venues are required by law to print and display a scan-able QR code, issued by Government, to help trace and restrict the spread of coronavirus in our communities. This will allow anyone with the app to scan the poster on their mobile phone as they enter the premises to record their contact details.

    This applies to services provided in community centres and village halls, hospitality venues (including pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes), amusement arcades, attractions, libraries and museums and close physical contact services (such as hairdressers, barbers, nail bars).

    Planning for reopening

    Community groups offer a vital lifeline to so many people. Reopening in the time of a pandemic can seem daunting and the amount of information can be overwhelming. 

    Many organisations and groups are wondering if they can safely reopen, particularly if they have among their service users people who fall into the vulnerable category for Covid-19 infection.

    The answer to this question is to assess the risk and follow the guidance. There exist a huge number of guidance documents on the government website. We’ve also compiled a list of helpful reopening safely links where you can find out more.

    This page attempts to draw attention to the most relevant resources for voluntary & community sector groups and organisations. If you cannot find the answer to your question here, please do get in touch with us at info@3va.org.uk.

    Public Health East Sussex suggest you consider your reopening plans within the context of where we are on the alert level for coronavirus.

    The implications of this are that your group or organisation may have a different plan for reopening, depending on the level of alert. For example, if you are planning an event in October, you might decide to go ahead if the alert level is at 2, but not if it is at 3.

    Overall, Public Health East Sussex are advising caution about going ahead. The most important thing is to stay safe. Open when you are prepared and ready.

    Care providers

    The Social Care Institute for Excellence has provided some guidance on how to approach reopening day care services, giving thoughts about issues to consider, communication , risk assessments and some practice examples. King’s College London have also produced a guide to ‘unlock lockdown’.

    Community spaces (including village halls)

    From 4 July, managers of community facilities have had discretion over when they consider it safe to open for any activity permitted by legislation and may decide to remain closed if they are not able to safely follow the advice in the relevant guidance, to make the space Covid-19 secure.

    While the community facility may be allowed to reopen, there are still some activities which are prohibited. These will change depending on the alert level, so check the government website.

    The main issues you need to consider are:

    • Social distancing and capacity
    • Mask wearing  (Everyone must now wear a mask in public spaces, including community centres)
    • Cleaning
    • Hygiene and face coverings
    • Vulnerable people
    • Toilets
    • Noise
    • Track and Trace
    • Travel and parking – do you need more parking spaces, how can people travel to your venue safely?

    Public Health advise that if you cannot control the activity, then don’t do it.

    Premises with more than one organisation operating from them

    Questions to consider include those around managing risk, agreeing safely measures, the responsibility of landlords, management committees and staff.

    The Government has produced guidance for the safe use of multi-purpose community facilities. Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) has also produced some specific guidance for village halls, including some useful checklists. Contact Action in rural Sussex for further information.

    Employees and volunteers

    Workplaces and those responsible for premises should also be aware of their responsibilities as employers and their duty of care towards volunteers to ensure as far as reasonably practicable they are not exposed to risks to their health and safety. Volunteers should be afforded the same level of protection as employees and the self-employed. Government guidance is here.

    Risk assessments

    The Health and Safety Executive have extensive advice on producing a risk assessment, including a template and specific advice around coronavirus. You download guides and resources from their website.

    3VA also has staff trained in doing risk assessments, so if you would like to talk through yours, please contact us.

    Social distancing and capacity

    Measures (mitigation) should be in place to ensure all users of community facilities follow the guidelines on social distancing, including strict adherence to social distancing of 2 metres or  at least 1 metre with additional measures such as masks or screens, where 2 metres is not possible.  You should set out the measures you will introduce in your risk assessment.

    The size and circumstance of the premises will decide the maximum number of people that can be accommodated while also facilitating social distancing. You need to take account of, not just the total floorspace, but also likely pinch points and busy areas

    Sport, fitness and dance

    Indoor sport, fitness and dance can no longer take place except for under 18s and disabled people.

    Therapy services

    Close contact services, such as massage and reflexology, are now allowed with strict protective measures in place. However, professional bodies are advising that therapy services within the high risk transmission area of the face should not be undertaken. Anyone providing therapy services should be able to get advice on a safe return to delivering services from their professional body. Government guidance on this is here.

    Training

    We have put together a short interactive course on reopening safely, ‘Don’t Pass it On’.  For details click here.

    East Sussex County Council have kindly given us access to their set of slides around infection control:

    Please note: these slides are aimed at care homes and therefore are extremely risk-averse. So, for example, in a school it would be ok to use a fan, but in a healthcare setting a fan could spread the virus more easily. So critically appraise the suggested measures.

    Contact us if you are looking for training in a particular area and we will see if we can help you find something suitable.

    Transport

    The Community Transport Association have produced detailed guidance on restarting transport schemes and keeping passengers, staff and volunteers as safe as possible.

    Further advice and support

    East Sussex County Council

    Includes national and local support for businesses, self-employed and sole traders.

    3VA

    Support and advice for voluntary and community groups about all aspects of their organisation, including support around risk assessment and planning for reopening services.

    UK government

    Information about managing return to delivering services across all sectors.

    We would like to thank Public Health East Sussex, and Ross Boseley, in particular, for providing much of the above information and for supporting the sector as it moves towards reopening services.

  • Season’s Greetings

    Season’s Greetings

    All of us at 3VA would like to wish you a happy Christmas and a healthy start to 2021.

    A big THANK YOU to all of our members, funders, friends and partners for everything you have accomplished in spite of all the challenges we have faced this year.

    Our office will be closed from Thursday afternoon, 24 December, until 9:00 am on Monday, 4 January 2021. We look forward to working with you again in the New Year!

  • 3VA’s CEO heads to new role with Seaford Town Council

    3VA’s CEO heads to new role with Seaford Town Council

    Adam Chugg, 3VA’s Chief Executive Officer, will be leaving the charity in December to take up a new role as Town Clerk at Seaford Town Council.

    Adam has been CEO of 3VA since April 2008. Over this period he has been fully committed to supporting the Trustees, the staff and members of 3VA and through his leadership and by working closely with our partners, and stakeholders, has improved the lives of others across our area by building the strength of the voluntary and community sector.

    During his tenure Adam has continued to build 3VA’s financial resilience and sustainability whilst developing our place in the communities of East Sussex, Lewes, Eastbourne and Wealden in a way that means that 3VA is in excellent shape going forward. More recently, Adam has been instrumental in supporting the delivery of the local response to the challenges of Covid at the same time managing the impact on 3VA.

    Adam said:

    “It has been an incredible honour to lead 3VA, and I think the fantastic response we have made to the challenges of Covid, and to support and work with our local sector, shows our strength, relevance, and connectedness that stands us in good stead for the future.”

    Gary Walsh, Chair of 3VA’s Board of Trustees said:

    “I would personally like to thank him for his resilience during these times. On behalf of myself and the 3VA Trustees I would like to congratulate Adam on his appointment to Seaford Town Clerk and to thank him for his 12 and a half years as Chief Executive of 3VA.”

    3VA’s Board of Trustees have approved that Jenny Watson and Miriam Wilkinson will jointly provide the Interim Chief Executive role for 3VA whilst the recruitment of a permanent appointment of Chief Executive is made. The Trustees have complete confidence in Jenny and Miriam that they will provide stability and continuity for the organisation in the interim.

  • The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the voluntary & community sector

    The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the voluntary & community sector

    3VA has undertaken local research on the impact of Covid-19 and the role of our local voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector in responding in each of the 3 districts we cover – Wealden, Lewes and Eastbourne.

    We spoke to dozens of grassroots VCSE groups and organisations in each of the 3 districts to capture more local, community feedback to inform our work as a Voluntary Action supporting our local sector and also to provide intelligence for our local VCSE and other key stakeholders.

    We found that demand has increased for foodbanks, support for debt, employment, housing, relationship breakdown. The greatest impact has been on those already made vulnerable by circumstances, for example carers, those with existing mental health issues, people with disabilities, members of BAME communities and children and families with extra support needs.

    Highlights for the voluntary & community sector

    We found that:

    1. The sector has delivered an amazing response, including a rapid response in the early stages to deliver essentials and provide phone and online support.
    2. There are challenges around vulnerable service users, governance, funding, reopening, volunteers, training and IT.
    3. The first six months of the pandemic has taken a huge toll on staff and volunteers.

    We continue to be here to help – get in touch if you need support, information, training, or simply someone with whom you can talk through your plans.

    Highlights for funders

    We found that:

    1. Funders of many groups have been very understanding about the need to divert activities towards relief and support.
    2. Those groups unable to open due to the pandemic are facing real difficulties around delivering any kind of service.
    3. There has been a lot of funding diverted to Covid-19 relief, leaving those groups not delivering Covid-19 services in some difficulty in finding sources of funding.
    4. Groups are asking for simple funding application processes.

    Highlights for statutory partners

    We found that:

    1. VCSE groups made a huge contribution towards the pandemic response using their local knowledge and contacts to rapidly start deliveries of essentials and telephone/online support.
    2. The first six months of the pandemic has taken a huge toll on staff and volunteers, particularly on small to medium sized organisations.
    3. Funding and changes needed to adapt to working in a pandemic are huge challenges being faced by organisations already stretched and stressed by the emergency.
    4. New volunteers need to be recruited and all volunteers need to be trained to work in new circumstances (e.g. safeguarding and supporting people with mental health needs).
    5. Groups need extensive support around planning for reopening services.

    In short, we learnt a lot about the crucial role of the local VCSE and lots that is valuable for the further challenges to come and for the long-term recovery and rebuilding we all wish to see.

    Read the reports in full

    The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the voluntary and community sector in Eastbourne
    The Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the voluntary and community sector in Lewes District
    The Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the voluntary and community sector in Wealden District
  • Introducing a new Climate Action Forum for Lewes District

    Introducing a new Climate Action Forum for Lewes District

    A new Climate Action Forum for Lewes District is being created and we would like to invite all those interested to the first meeting on Zoom on Wednesday, 7 October, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.  The forum is being hosted by 3VA and Sustainable Business Partnership CIC.

    This forum aims to achieve the following:

    • Maximise opportunities for feedback to Lewes District Council on their Climate Change and Sustainability Framework;
    • Support the creation of shared ideas for climate action;
    • Enable community involvement in climate action; and
    • Develop an ongoing group of interested stakeholders.

    We want to provide an opportunity to give voice to, support and develop assets and solutions that lie within our local communities. We recognise that many other organisations and projects are going on already. This forum is created to maximise opportunities for community voice and new collaborative action and we are clear we will not be duplicating what is already there!

    We hope people from all parts of our community including local residents, parish and town councils, voluntary & community organisations, businesses, educational establishments, nature groups, and bodies with an interest in agriculture food, health and transport will all feel included and want to get involved. This includes a specific focus on involving and hearing from local young people.

    To enable the forum to bring together people and projects, a website and social media presence is being developed to act as a focal point for action and to bring together groups, discussion and practical information. There will also be active recruitment of existing ‘offline’ community groups to reach this those less likely to participate in an online platform.

    Come to the first meeting

    If you have any queries and/or would like to receive an invitation to the first meeting and be added to the mailing list of people kept informed and involved, please send an email to info@3va.org.uk with ‘CLIMATE ACTION FORUM‘ as the subject. You will then receive the Zoom link and password and be kept informed from there. We hope to see many of you on Zoom very soon.

  • Eastbourne Borough Council’s Small Grants Programme – delayed

    Eastbourne Borough Council’s Small Grants Programme – delayed

    Given the challenging financial situation being experienced by the council as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and resultant economic downturn, it has been decided to delay the start of this year’s small grants to voluntary organisations programme.

    The uncertainty of the financial climate means that the council has decided to take time to review its position before any grant applications are requested.

    During this pause, the council will continue to provide its ongoing grant support to key organisations in the town such as CAB, Age Concern, Brighton Housing Trust, but will not be requesting any new applications.

    Further information will be issued in due course.

     

     

  • The popular physical activity game Beat the Street returns to Eastbourne

    The popular physical activity game Beat the Street returns to Eastbourne

    People of all ages are invited to ditch the car and get active as Beat the Street Eastbourne gets underway in the town on Wednesday 16 September.

    Beat the Street is a free, interactive game that encourages people of all ages to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives.

    The seven-week physical activity game will launch the Eastbourne Walking Festival (Friday, 18 September to Sunday 27 September).

    The game was previously played across the whole of East Sussex where players travelled more than 230,000 miles for each competition, but this is the first time that Eastbourne has exclusively enjoyed the game.

    Once again, beeping and flashing sensors called Beat Boxes will be placed on lampposts around the area for the duration of the game which will take place until Wednesday, 4 November.

    Primary school pupils will be provided with fobs while parents and teachers will receive a card from the school so they can accompany children.

    The wider community can pick up a contactless card from one of 10 distribution points which will be decided closer to the game’s launch.

    Players then walk, roll, scoot, cycle or run between the 72 Beat Boxes which are spaced half a mile apart, scoring points with their fobs or cards as they go. The further players travel, the more points they score for their community or school team. Each week is themed with different activities to help participants get the most out of their Beat the Street experience.

    As well as the chance to win prizes for your school or community team, the game has been adapted to reward players for their personal achievements. The Eastbourne game is also the first to enjoy the new sustainable and non-plastic Beat the Street cards.

    With lockdown being eased after the outbreak of Covid-19, communities are understandably cautious about getting out and about for physical activity and exercise. The game has been approved by Public Health England and adjusted to ensure that it is completely safe to play and so it complies with social distancing restrictions.

    The changes to the game mean that you do not need to touch a Beat Box, players can simply hover their card or fob near the sensor and it will register the swipe. Further measures such as frequent sanitisation of Beat Boxes and temporary pavement markings to help will also be put in place.

    Beat the Street is being delivered by Intelligent Health and funded by Sport England, Eastbourne Borough Council, East Sussex County Council Public Health, Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce and South Downs National Park.

    Antonia Lucas from Eastbourne Walking Festival said:

    “We are delighted Beat the Street is opening this year’s Walking Festival. Hugely popular, it playfully instils the timely message that the simple act of walking is beneficial to our mental and physical health and wellbeing. This year’s festival and Beat the Street provides a wonderful excuse for locals and visitors to explore areas of Eastbourne they don’t usually frequent – to discover its varied green environments be it our coastline, downs, marshes, local parks, gardens and allotments.”

    Miriam Wilkinson, Head of Development at 3VA, added:

    “We really want to engage the whole town – kids, families, schools, as well as adults and older residents, plus local groups, organisations and charities so everyone can enjoy walking, exploring local area and playing the game. The return of Beat the Street couldn’t be more timely – the act of walking has been widely endorsed as the most appropriate form of exercise by the government, public health and people and celebrities of influence.”

    David Tutt, Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council added:

    “We are incredibly excited to be bringing Beat the Street to Eastbourne. We think that the game is a really positive way to encourage people to get active in a safe, socially-distanced way, plus it helps us to achieve our sustainability and carbon neutral goals. It’s open to everyone of all ages, so please keep an eye out for more information including where you can pick up a free card. The first week of Beat the Street coincides with the Eastbourne Walking Festival so please keep an eye out for announcements on the walks and events we’ll be running.”

    Darrell Gale, Director of Public Health at East Sussex County Council, said:

    “It’s great that Eastbourne Walking Festival have been able to bring Beat the Street back to Eastbourne and I can’t wait to see how far everyone is able to walk, run, cycle and scoot as part of their daily exercise during the Beat the Street challenge. We know that some people will feel a little uneasy about getting back outside again while we are still living with Coronavirus. However, the-pandemic has shown us that now, more than ever, it is vitally important to ensure that we adopt healthy lifestyle habits around incorporating physical activity into our days and trying to travel in more active ways by walking or cycling.”

    Beat the Street was devised by GP Dr William Bird MBE in 2010 to get communities active and to make physical activity accessible to everyone. This year’s Beat the Street games are more important than ever as it’s vital that communities are fit, active and healthy to face the possibility of a second wave of Covid-19.

    More information will be available at www.beatthestreet.me/eastbourne and on social media @BTSEastbourne
    The Eastbourne Walking Festival takes place from Friday, 18th September to Sunday, 27th September and more information can be found here: www.visiteastbourne.com/walking-festival.

  • Launching the Older People’s Service Provider Network

    Launching the Older People’s Service Provider Network

    At the end of July, we held an online networking meeting for voluntary & community sector groups and organisations working with older people across Wealden. Due to its success, we would like extend an invitation to all those delivering services for older people throughout the 3VA area, including Lewes District and Eastbourne to join the network as well.

    The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 18 August 2020 at 11:00 am. It will explore the issue of reopening and things to keep in mind for your team and clients. The aim of the session is to help allay your fears as to how to risk assess so that you can confidently reopen.

    Jenny Watson, Head of Development at 3VA said:

    “It will come as no surprise that the topic for discussion at our first meeting was the challenges around reopening services during the pandemic. Having listened to the questions and concerns that participants had, we have asked Creative Force to develop a short course on reopening safely to try and help groups navigate the rules. We will be running the course at the next meeting.”

    The course, Don’t pass it on! Your step by step guide to risk assessing for safe opening of your services, will demystify current Covid-19 guidance and help you determine how it applies to your organisation, ultimately preparing you to reopen your services. Participants will go step-by-step through the process of risk assessing and learn how to create an environment that is as safe as possible for your team and your clients.

    We welcome as many groups as possible to attend the network, but because we will be doing training at the next meeting, places are limited to 12. This 90-minute course is delivered by Creative Force in association with 3VA and it is open to any community and voluntary group or organisation.

    Please contact us to find out more about the network.

    The risk assessment training course itself will also be offered again on 25 August and 8 September – book now.