Wisbech Town Council

Q: How are we reaching out to the most clinically vulnerable?

Regarding 'shielded' residents there will be a coordinated delivery of food parcels by the Red Cross across Cambridgeshire by Cambridgeshire County Council. https://www.cambstimes.co.uk/news/council-food-parcels-covid19-1-6588470 if you have concerns for any resident, groups are encouraged to make a referral to Fenland's covid19@fenland.gov.uk 01354 654321 and we can help refer them accordingly.

Q: Is there any financial help available to groups who are responding?

• Cambridge Community Foundation has set up a fund: https://www.cambscf.org.uk/cambridgeshire-coronavirus-community-fund.html for up to £5,000 for groups responding to Covid19. We are informed that turn around on grant decision is within 14 days.
• The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) has launched a £5 million rapid response Fund to help smaller charitable organisations affected by the impact of Covid-19. The funding aims to help them to continue to deliver much-needed support to communities across the UK. https://www.cafonline.org/charities/grantmaking/caf-coronavirus-emergency-fund
• The Princes Countryside Fund is inviting applications for emergency funding from farming and rural community support groups, who are providing assistance to counter the effects of isolation during the Coronavirus pandemic. Up to £2,500, deadline for applications is 12pm 15th April https://www.princescountrysidefund.org.uk/grant-giving-programme/grant-programme

Q: Is there any guidance for groups such as ours?

• Cambridge Council for Voluntary Services are developing specific resources for the voluntary sector http://www.cambridgecvs.org.uk/group-support In addition they are supporting existing and newly formed groups by telephone. Contact email enquiries@cambridgecvs.org.uk please leave a telephone number and name, organisation and a preferred contact time between 9am and 4pm.
• Government has issued guidance to volunteers regarding keeping themselves and others safe which is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-how-to-help-safely--2/coronavirus-how-to-help-safely

Q: Do we know of any offers of food donation our group can access?

• We have received information that Booker Wholesalers, with the closure of pubs/restaurants, are predicting over the coming week higher levels of food available for charities to collect. The email can be viewed here: https://mailchi.mp/fareshare/covid-19-update-from-fareshare-go-2740789?e=3ec601066a

It looks as though it is linked to the FareShare Scheme, which organisations who are interested can find out about here: https://fareshare.org.uk/getting-food/fareshare-go-support/

• We are also happy to put organisations in touch with one another. If you have a particular need be it for supplies, volunteers etc. or if you have an offer of support please contact me with as much information as possible and we will circulate this along with your organisation's contact details to the known groups and volunteers in Fenland.
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