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Apply Now: Funding for Creative Ideas to Tackle Vaccine Hesitancy

18th March 2021

Up to £1000 Available for Community Groups in Kirklees to Encourage Vaccine Uptake & Community Testing in their Area

***This fund is still open and accepting applications***


Download an application form now

Are you a community group providing support or activities in your community?

Could you support local people with any questions or concerns about the Covid vaccine?

TSL is working with Kirklees Council to offer community groups an exciting opportunity to play an important part in the Covid vaccine rollout.  Grant funding is available to help people overcome any barriers to getting the vaccine, such as:

  • access to transport, technology or childcare
  • poverty
  • language barriers
  • health concerns
  • lack of confidence, knowledge or understanding
  • tackling misinformation and making sure that people have the right information and messages

Charities, community groups and sports clubs can apply for the grant of up to £1,000 to deliver activities or come up with their own ideas to support uptake of the Covid vaccine.

If you want to discuss your ideas, please contact Bridget Hughes bridget@tslkirklees.org.uk.

Some examples of how the funding could be used:

·   Delivering activities – e.g., health, wellbeing, fitness, or family activity – and including some information and discussion about vaccinations

·  Adding some discussions or information about the vaccine to an existing group or activity

·  Producing videos, posters, flyers or social media campaigns for your community to address their worries and answer their questions

·  Holding a competition that helps raise awareness

·  Talking to people in local community or religious settings

The funding is particularly aimed at those parts of Kirklees that have been hardest hit by Covid 19, and making sure that those most at risk from the disease (such as BAME communities, people with disabilities, people on low incomes or unpaid carers) are protected.

Funded activities need to start as soon as possible, and the money needs to be spent within 3 months of the funding being approved. Groups can apply for more than £1000 in exceptional circumstances.  We have £40,000 available in total and so are hoping to fund a number of different projects, across Kirklees.

How to Apply

Download an application form and return the completed form to comms@tslkirklees.org.uk. 

(You can also email us to get a copy of the form sent to you.)

You will need to include:

  • how your project will meet the aims of the programme, and which communities you’ll be working with
  • when and where your project will take place
  • a brief summary of your costs
  • details of your previous experience of this kind of work, plus the name and address of a referee who can verify this.
  • details of any partners you’ll be working with

Read the criteria and how to apply for the Community Champions Scheme funding

Download a flyer about this funding


Download the application form


Read NCVO’s blog ‘Barriers to mass vaccination and the role of charities and volunteers’

Case Study: "And all because......Kirklees Welcomes"

8th March 2021

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Lockdown Easing Summary

24th February 2021

What Does It Mean for the Third Sector?

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on Monday of the plan for easing lockdown, here’s a summary of the key dates and measures, as they may affect our sector.  (We don’t have any further detail or advice for our sector from Kirklees Council and will let you know as and when we do.  You can read the latest information on their website here)

Lateral Flow Testing

As part of the plan, the Government wants to encourage businesses and organisations to make use of regular Covid testing.  Businesses with more than 50 employees (who cannot work from home) can register (by 31st March) to receive lateral flow tests. Find out more…

Smaller organisations can make use of the local mass testing centres (again if workers and volunteers can’t work or volunteer from home).  Find out more…

Obviously more workers and volunteers won’t be working from home and will be eligible for testing as more places re-open.

Step 1: 8th March and 29th March

Step 1 includes a couple of key changes for the third sector:

  • From 8th March, when schools and colleges re-open, wraparound childcare is allowed, including before and after school clubs, sports and activities (that allow parents or carers time to work, find work, attend a course, get medial help or go to a support group).
  • And even though the key message is that people should still stay at home (i.e. in lockdown), you can now meet 1 person from another household outside for recreation or exercise (i.e. you can have a chat and a coffee or some food.
  • From 29th March, the rule of 6 (or 2 households) returns for meeting outdoors (including in private gardens), which may allow for things like a group walk, an allotment session, or outdoor volunteering.
  • Plus, outdoor sport and leisure facilities are allowed to open and organised outdoor sport is allowed for both adults and children (with no limit on numbers), which is good news for sports clubs and parks, and Easter activities.  Please check the national guidelines and advice from your sport’s governing body.
  • And parent and child groups with up to 15 people over the age of 5 (under 5s aren’t counted in the total numbers) can meet, allowing for parent and toddler groups and other parent support groups to potentially go ahead.
  • At this point though, we still need to stay local and minimise unecessary travel.

 

Step 2: No Earlier than 12th April

If the 4 criteria set by the Government are met.  These will be reviewed the week before.  These are:

  1. Successful vaccine deployment
  2. Vaccines are having the required effect on reducing hospitalisations and deaths
  3. Infection rated do not surge and put pressure on the NHS
  4. The risk does not change due to new variants

This is when:

  • Indoor leisure can re-open, including libraries and community centres, and children’s activities, and parent and child groups (with up to 15 people over the age of 5) will be able to take place indoors (but household mixing still isn’t allowed).
  • Charity shops will be able to open and cafes will be able to operate outside (if people order, eat and drink whilst seated).
  • Everyone should continue to work from home where possible and should minimise travel.

 

Step 3: If Step 2 Goes Ahead on 12th April, Step 3 Will Be No Later Than 17th May

(Depending again on meeting the 4 criteria and subject to a Government review the week before.)

If everything goes to plan, at this stage:

  • 30 people will be able to meet outdoors and the rule of 6 (or 2 households) will be able to meet indoors
  • Indoor, organised sport for adults (including group sport and exercise classes) will be allowed, and indoor hospitality, plus all remaining indoor entertainment, and accommodation
  • Some large events, including conferences and performances will be allowed with maximum numbers and capacity.
  • People should still work from home if they can.

 

Step 4: No Earlier than 21st June (if the previous 2 steps go ahead as planned and subject to the Government review)

  • The remaining limits on social contact will be removed (subject to new guidance on minimising the risk of transmission).
  • Any remaining settings can open
  • And there will be no limits on life events (weddings, funerals, christenings etc)

Read the full Covid-19 Response Plan

NHS Volunteer Responders programme: Help us with the Kirklees Evaluation

17th February 2021

Third Sector Leaders Kirklees has been commissioned to undertake an evaluation of the national NHS Responders Programme in Kirklees and explore how it can be integrated at a local level.

We will be undertaking interviews with volunteers, beneficiaries, referrers and local delivery organisations (who have been offering similar support during the pandemic) in the Kirklees area.  We want to hear from:

  • People who registered to be an NHS Volunteer (even if they didn’t become one)
  • People who chose not to register or chose to volunteer in some other way
  • People or groups who referred people for help from an NHS Volunteer (or other local support services offering things like shopping, prescription deliver, patient transport, befriending and phone call services)
  • Groups who have been offering similar support services.

The information we collect, along with analysis of local data, will be summarised in an evaluation report which will be shared with NHS England and NHS Improvement.

If you have been involved in the scheme in the Kirklees area, or have some views about it that you’d like to share (via a quick phone or video call), we would be keen to hear from you!   (We can offer a high street voucher as a thank you to individuals taking part, if necessary.)

Please contact Becky Bracey, becky@tslkirklees.org.uk before the end of February.

Vaccinations Update for Organisations in Kirklees

10th February 2021

***Vaccinations Update w/c 22nd Feb 2021***

  • Until Thursday 25th Feb, frontline health and social care workers can use the National Booking Service (or phone 119) to book jabs at:
    • John Smith’s Stadium
    • Boots in Huddersfield
    • Honley Village Hall (Medicare Chemists)
    • The Old Salvation Army Hall, Birstall (Knights Pharmacy)
    • or centres in Calderdale, Wakefield, Bradford, Leeds or Manchester

Find out more

Check eligibility

  • Alternatively you can continue to book using the system below, but everyone will need proof of identity and eligibility, such as:
    • photo ID for the organisation they work/volunteer for
    • a recent payslip
    • a recent letter confirming that they are employed or volunteer and are eligible. (Please speak to us if you need help with this.)
    • AND another form of photo ID, such as a driving licence, passport or travel pass.

Check Eligibility

  • Please remember to update the vaccination team when staff or volunteers have been vaccinated using the online form below
  • For any queries about vaccinations, please contact the vaccinations team on Vaccinations.C19@kirklees.gov.uk.

 

  • Frontline staff & volunteers are eligible for jabs – register now

  • Organisations who’ve already registered to update on outcomes asap

  • Encourage over-70s who you work with to book a jab asap

The vaccination programme is going very well in Kirklees and is on track to meet (and possibly exceed) the Government’s target set for 15th February (for the top 4 groups to have all had their first jab). There are established GP vaccination centres in both North and South Kirklees, plus both Calderdale and Huddersfield hospitals, some pharmacies across Kirklees and at the John Smith’s Stadium (or you can choose to go to a mass vaccination centre in Wakefield or Manchester).

 

 

There are however, a couple of changes that we need to let you know about:

Getting vaccinations for your staff or volunteers

Third sector organisations, including charities, mutual aid, voluntary and community groups that are offering frontline care and support in the community, working with vulnerable people can register their staff and volunteers for vaccinations. This is because, like more traditional health and social care workers, they and those they are supporting are more at risk from Covid.

The Kirklees vaccination team have seen a great response to this offer but want to make sure the as many eligible people are vaccinated as soon as possible

A named lead in each organisation must register their workforce and (if they are eligible and vaccines are available) the organisation will be contacted with instructions and a booking link.

Ideally, one person in the organisation should collect everyone’s details (including NHS number) and book all the appointments on their behalf at either Calderdale Royal Hospital or Acre Mill (opposite Huddersfield Royal Infirmary). There are 5 minute slots available for about 7.30 am to 8.30pm, with some available the same day and a few days in advance. Additional dates are released as more vaccine becomes available, but this is a time-limited offer and groups are encouraged to register and book as soon as possible.

Anyone attending the vaccination centre must wear a mask, follow the one-way system and have ID (ideally a work ID badge) available.

This is for the Pfizer vaccine only.

For queries about the process you can phone the dedicated vaccination booking line 01484 416467 between 9am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.

Find out more

Download key information

Complete the frontline worker vaccination booking form

 

Updating the Vaccination Team on Uptake

If you’ve already registered and your frontline team has been invited for vaccination, the Kirklees Vaccination Team would like to know what sort of uptake you’ve had, how many eligible staff and volunteers are still to be vaccinated and if you’ve experienced any barriers or hesistancy in your organisation.

Please complete this online form when your staff or volunteers have been vaccinated (or significant numbers have).

If you need any help in completing the form please phone 01484 221000 ext 71518 (Rachel) or ext 71127 (Karen)

 

New vaccination guidance for over-70s

If you are working with (or have team members) who are over-70, please make sure that they know that they can now contact the NHS National Booking service to make an appointment for their first jab, without having been contacted by the NHS or a GP. This is to make sure that all eligible people have been vaccinated by the Government’s deadline of February 15th.

Find out more

FAQs

Give Us Your Feedback on the NHS Volunteering Scheme

3rd February 2021

And receive a high street voucher as a thank you!

We have been commissioned to carry out an evaluation of the NHS Responder Programme in Kirklees, and we need to hear from as many local people as possible about their views and experiences:

  • Did you register to be an NHS volunteer during the first lockdown (or any time since then)?
  • Did you become an NHS volunteer?
  • Did you choose not to volunteer?
  • Did you volunteer in your community in some other way?
  • Do you know anyone who had help from an NHS volunteer? (shopping, prescription delivery, check in and chat phone call or patient transport)?
  • Did you refer anyone for help from an NHS volunteer (or other volunteering service)?

If you’re happy to tell us more, we can call you by phone or video for a quick chat, and in return you will receive a voucher for a high street store.

Please email Becky Bracey becky@tslkirklees.org.uk with the subject heading ‘NHS Volunteering’ or telephone/text/WhatsApp 07776 588 691BEFORE the end of February.

Safe Volunteering in Lockdown

2nd February 2021

Can I Still Volunteer?

The Government guidance on volunteering says:

You can only volunteer outside your home if:

If you do need to volunteer outside your home, you should:

  • not enter other people’s homes unless it is absolutely necessary
  • where possible, stay local – meaning avoiding travelling outside of their village, town or the part of a city where they live, unless absolutely necessary and follow the safer travel guidance
  • wear face coverings as required by law
  • make sure that wherever you are volunteering is COVID-secure in line with Government guidance for workplaces
  • that you are kept safe and are insured for any volunteering activities

You can:

  • volunteer while you are furloughed from your main job
  • get coronavirus testing if you are volunteering as an essential worker. (For example, if your role is part of the local coronavirus response, in health or education.)
  • send your children to school if your volunteering role is essential

I Want to Volunteer from Home

We only have a few opportunities for volunteering from home on our website at the moment, but more will be added over the coming weeks. To see what’s available go to the I Want to Volunteer page and tick Volunteer from Home under the Location heading on the right hand side of the page.

You might also want to look for charity trustee roles or Covid19 roles (again, tick the correct box on the right hand side of the page).


See the opportunities we have now

I Need Help

If you need some help with finding and applying for volunteering roles, or aren’t sure what you can or can’t do at the moment, please speak to our Volunteer Development Manager, Becky – becky@tslkirklees.org.uk.

You can text/phone/WhatsApp her on 07776 588691.

 

#GiveLocal in 2021

2nd February 2021

Local Charities and Community Groups Need Your Help to Support People in Lockdown

Following on from our successful #GiveLocal This Winter campaign over the festive period, we’ve decided to continue the theme with #GiveLocal in 2021 and give you some ideas of how you can support local charities, community groups and mutual aid groups, whilst staying at home and safe during lockdown.

You can still donate money, food, toiletries and other items to your local foodbank, baby bank, mutual aid group or other community group.  Some are collecting stationery and old, unused devices (phones, tablets and laptops) to give to children who are homeschooling.

You could follow a local charity on social media and support a particular campaign or fundraising appeal, take part in a raffle or lottery or buy something from their online shop.

If you are donating food, toiletries, clothes or other items, please check where your nearest donation points are and whether the organisation is open and accepting donations at the moment.  Please don’t just turn up or leave things outside their building.  Many have collection bins in local shops and supermarkets, or outside their premises.  Please also remember that, during lockdown, you should limit the number of journeys you make and shouldn’t be going out without a good reason.

Most groups are accepting donations of money online as well, or they may have an Amazon Wish List of things they need buying. Alternatively, you could choose to donate to them when you spend via Amazon (using Amazon Smile) or find a charity that you want to support via Paypal Giving and make a donation or set them as your ‘favourite’ and donate at the checkout every time you pay with PayPal.

Here are some suggestions:

  • Community and Mutual Aid Groups 

  • Arts & Crafts 

    • MHA – If you can knit or crochet could you make a fidget blanket for a resident living with dementia.
    • Westend Community Champions – Knitters are wanted to make wool bonnets for tiny premature babies.

  • Fundraising

    • Kirkwood Hospice – Organise your own ‘Bunny Hop’ event to raise money. Suitable for all ages!  
    • Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team – Walk, run, bike, ride or canoe 200K in this challenge to raise vital funds.

  • Trustee Roles

Updated Lockdown Guidance

19th January 2021

Rates are still rising in Kirklees and the council is urging us to be extremely careful.

We are now 2 weeks into the new national lockdown, and we can confirm that Covid infection rates are still going up in Kirklees (but that the rise in infection rate is slowing), and that 50% of new cases are now due to the new strain and these cases are doubling every week. We are therefore at a crucial point locally, and the situation could go either way.

The Council would like us to consider this when we’re planning any activity, and would like us to adhere to the national lockdown rules and make sure that people are staying at home as much as possible, are staying local and are reducing journeys to the absolute minimum.

The key question to ask, when consider whether a support group or service is essential, is whether participants would be at more risk of harm if they stayed at home than if they attended a group or activity.

If you do still need to have people working or volunteering, and still need to run services or activities, you must do risk assessments for each activity and location, and put in place appropriate measures to minimise the risk of transmission and infection.

The Key National Lockdown Rules

The rules say that people should not leave their homes unless they absolutely have to, and apart from for specific reasons, which include to:

  • provide voluntary or charitable services
  • provide care for disabled or vulnerable people
  • attend a support group (of up to 15 people)

If we do have to travel for any reason, we should try and stay local and minimise the number of journeys we’re making.

Outside of our homes, we can only meet with 1 other person from another household (in a public outside space in our local area) for exercise, once a day, apart from:

  • To provide voluntary or charitable services, where it is unreasonable to do so from home
  • For registered childcare, or for supervised activities for children where this enables a parent to work, seek work, attend education or training, or for respite care
  • For formal education or training
  • To provide emergency assistance, to avoid injury or illness, or to escape a risk of harm (including domestic abuse)

Rules for Support Groups

with additional guidance from Kirklees Council (This is pretty much the same as it was in Tier 3, although we need to be more mindful of the risk of transmission with the new variant of Covid.)

A support group of up to 15 participants can still meet if:

  • They must be formally organised groups
  • They can provide mutual aid, therapy or any other form of support, where they have to take place in person
  • They can’t meet in private houses

The maximum number of 15 people does not include any workers or volunteers who are running or facilitating the group, and doesn’t include children under 5.

Kirklees Council says that face-to face support should only take place when it would be more harmful for participants to stay at home than physically go to a group. When deciding on whether to continue running a group you must consider:

  • Can you meet your outcomes or deliver your service or activities online? This remains the safest way to operate services and classes.
  • If you can’t deliver online – can you run some, or all of your activities, outside?
  • Is it necessary that you meet face to face during this time?

If you open, you must also consider:

  • Take all the usual precautions like social distancing, hand washing or sanitising and wearing face coverings.
  • It is not advisable to share equipment of any kind.
  • You must not provide or sell communal refreshments – although people can bring their own.
  • Cafe facilities must remain closed or offer take away (off site) only.

Please remember, reducing social contact with people from outside of our households and support bubbles is key to protecting ourselves, our loved ones and the wider community.

Rules for Community Buildings and Venues

Obviously, because this is a full national lockdown, more buildings, office spaces and community venues have to be closed, than in Tier 3, including community centres and halls, shops, cafes and social clubs. However, as in Tier 3 they can stay open if they provide:

  • provide education and training – for schools to use sports, leisure and community facilities if that is part of their normal provision
  • provide childcare and supervised activities for children
  • host blood donation sessions and food banks
  • provide medical treatment
  • allow elite sports persons to train and compete (in indoor and outdoor sports facilities)
  • allow professional dancers and choreographers to work (in fitness and dance studios)
  • allow training and rehearsal without an audience (in theatres and concert halls)
  • allow film and TV filming.

In summary then, the council says that community buildings can still be used for:

  • the purposes of formal education or training
  • support groups
  • registered childcare or supervised activities for children
  • wedding ceremonies, funerals and wakes (numerical limits must be adhered to)

Rules for Leafleting

Leafleting should not go ahead during a national lockdown unless it is deemed to be essential.

There is a local election planned for May 2021, but at present political groups cannot go out canvassing and campaigning.

Work and Volunteering

Work

Work from home if you can do.

  • You can only leave home to work if it is unreasonable for you to do your job from home
  • Public sector employees working in essential services, including education settings, should continue to go into work where necessary
  • If it is necessary for to work in other people’s homes – for example, nannies, cleaners or tradespeople – you can do.

Volunteering

Volunteers are subject to the same rules and guidance as workers and they should only volunteer outside their home if:

And people volunteering outside their home can meet in groups of any size, indoors or outdoors, BUT the volunteering activity must not include meeting as part of a social activity.

Extremely clinically vulnerable people should ONLY volunteer from home during this lockdown.

Read the full National Lockdown Rules Read the Council Guidance Read the Government Guidance on Volunteering

From Asylum Seeker to Life Saver: Find out how our Migration Team helped an asylum seeker to use his medical skills in the UK.

14th December 2020

Before he left Syria, A was an ENT Surgeon.  He was keen to continue with his career but, with very limited funds and no support, he was finding it difficult to find a way to do this.  His problems came to light during his Initial Assessment with the This Way 4 English Team and subsequent ESOL Zoom lessons.  With a lot of support and reassurance he was finally able to get some sponsorship from Refuaid to allow him to take the necessary English for Healthcare Workers (OET) exams to allow him to practice in the UK.

However, he needed to have his certification attested by a notary.  Initially he was told this would cost him £120 which is way beyond his means.  His GP was unable to help him with attestation.  With a lot of effort and tenacity the team was able to find a solicitor who would attest his documents for him at a very reduced costs – though still a lot for an asylum seeker on very limited funds.

He undertook his exam on 11/10/20 and has been able to register as an ENT doctor under the new Covid-19 scheme.  It usually takes 2 weeks to get the results and if he passes, he will be able to work as an asylum seeker assistant doctor, which is brilliant! He is still attending Zoom sessions to improve his fluency.

Find out more about This Way for English Download the full case study Find out more about #KirkleesWelcomes

Case Studies: Find out how our Migration Team can support people with access to learning

14th December 2020

Gateway to Higher Education

The TSL Kirklees Migration This Way 4 English (TW4E) team started contacting Alyssia at the beginning of the first lockdown. On one of the weekly calls Alyssia said she was interested in pursuing more learning.   She was provided with information on S2R courses and she participated in some of their wellbeing courses. Alyssia contacted TW4E about access to more online courses but she was struggling to access courses on her phone. ​

​The team sourced and delivered a tablet and she started to study a translator course. Alyssia was interested in advancing her English skills.  After much consultation, discussion and support from the team a plan was formulated; she would try and enrol onto a GCSE English course at Kirklees College. So she gave it a go!  After a few bumps and lots of TW4E phone calls to Kirklees College and Mears, Alyssia started her GCSE course. She loves the course and finds it interesting. GCSE is a gateway qualification which will open-up Higher Education for her.​

Career Dream

When Ali first arrived in the UK he had a lack of language skills and confidence.  He had no understanding of English Language levels and so did not know how long each level would take.  

He was unfamiliar with the education system and how to look for or apply for a course.  He felt isolated and didn’t know where to start.

Since his initial assessment in June, Ali  has been attending  TW4E ESOL Zoom lessons and has been very dedicated to his studies.  He was assessed at E2 in November 2019, and due to his hard work and commitment, has progressed by 3 levels.

Outcomes and impact:

As a result of the lessons, online support and careers advice he has gained enough confidence to enrol at Bradford College for English level 2, Maths and Biology GCSE courses.  Hopefully, by next September he will have all his GCSE qualifications, so that he can progress onto a pet grooming or art and design course, working towards a BTech Higher National Certificate 

University Beckons

S.T’s existing qualification is BSc in Technology.  He started This Way 4 English Zoom sessions in July and has been attending regularly. He is very articulate and an enthusiastic learner, however, he lacks confidence and has no knowledge of the British education system. At first, he thought it would be impossible to fulfil his dreams, but with support from one of the team, he has drawn up an action plan.

Now, according to this plan, he has enrolled at Bradford College, where he is studying Entry 3 English and Level 1 Maths simultaneously. He has been given an ILT (International Language Tests) book to prepare from and has ongoing support whenever he needs it.  Refuaid has been contacted and they will fund his ILT programme and have supplied a list of universities that offer free Masters courses to Asylum Seekers.  A voluntary placement as an IT consultant has been found for him so that he can make sure that his knowledge is up-to-date when he goes for further study.  He is still attending the Zoom classes regularly. 

Once he passes ILT (with 5.6 points), which is the requirement for higher education, he will be able to join the Masters in Computer Programming at Liverpool University.  What an amazing outcome!

A Young Mum with Ambition

Zahara is young woman with a PhD in Maths and was a teacher before she came to the UK. She has a small child; he goes to the local nursery 5 mornings a week, and so has childcare needs. 

After assessment by the This Way 4 English team the plan was for her to start volunteer tutoring for asylum seekers’ (Primary and High School) children.  Everything was ready,  the room was booked in the library and the project was about to start when COVID struck!

Zahara is young woman with a PhD in Maths and was a teacher before she came to the UK. She has a small child; he goes to the local nursery 5 mornings a week, and so has childcare needs. 

After assessment by the This Way 4 English team the plan was for her to start volunteer tutoring for asylum seekers’ (Primary and High School) children.  Everything was ready,  the room was booked in the library and the project was about to start when COVID struck!

 

 

Find out more about This Way for English Find out more about #KirkleesWelcomes

New Government Funding to Tackle Loneliness

11th December 2020

£4 million to be spent by community groups on book clubs, walking groups & other projects that reduce isolation.

 

The idea behind the new Local Connections Fund is to help bring people and communities back together as the country starts to recover from coronavirus, with £2 million coming from the Government and £2 million coming from the National Lottery Community Fund.

Organisations will be able to apply for grants between £300 and £2500.

 

Minister for Civil Society, Baroness Barran, said:

A great way to reduce loneliness is to do something you already enjoy with like-minded people, whether that’s walking, volunteering or joining a book club. During the pandemic I’ve been so impressed with the way community groups have adapted their work to bring people together in new and innovative ways.

By investing directly in local charities and organisations, the £4 million Local Connections Fund will get support to where it’s needed quickly and help bring people together through shared interests, so that no one needs to feel isolated in the months ahead.

The Local Connections Fund will be split into two rounds of funding – each with its own application window, one opening on 5th January 2021 and one in the summer 2021.

Funding will be available to small charities and community groups in England with an annual income of £50,000 or less, that are working to reduce loneliness by helping people feel more connected.

Organisations should apply via The National Lottery Community Fund between 3th January and 26th January, and decisions will be made in early February. Grants from this first round must be spent by the end of the financial year (31st March 2021).

Find out more & apply (from 5th jan)

A Helping Hand: Find out how our Migration Team support new arrivals in Kirklees

11th December 2020

Our Welcome Mentors have been able to support the family in their own language, source gifts & donations & help them to start learning English.

Farqhar and her husband came to the UK with their 3 children this year to seek asylum. They were moved to North Kirklees only 2 weeks ago, and so needed a lot of support to help them settle in. 

Bahra, a Kurdish speaking Welcome Mentor, was allocated to the family.  She called them immediately and found that they were struggling.  They told her that they had no warm clothing or shoes, they were also short of household items that make a house a home, such as crockery and soft furnishings.

Throughout COVID the TSL Migration Team have stored donations at their homes. This meant that we could support the family with some of their requests.  Anita was able to deliver them some blankets and dishes. We also made a referral to Sanctuary Kirklees who have kindly arranged for the whole family to receive warm coats and shoes. 

We were also aware of a Christmas scheme where families could sign up for a food hamper and toys so, with their permission, we registered the family so that they could not only have something nice to look forward to, but to also make them feel supported and welcome in Kirklees.

Our Welcome Mentor has spoken to the family about starting some ESOL classes, the family are keen to start this once they have settled into their new home, learning English will help them to become more independent and active within their new community.  


Download the case study


Find out more & contact our welcome mentors

Apply Now for Funded Placements for Young People

9th December 2020

Organisations can apply for 1 or more placements via Kirklees Council

Other local ‘gateway’ organisations include Mid-Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses

The Government’s Kickstart Scheme, funding work placements for young people, is now open. The scheme is designed to create work experience for 16-25 year olds who are at particular risk of long-term unemployment due to the effects of coronavirus on the job market. 

Potential employers, including charities, community groups and social enterprises, can offer a fully-funded placement of at least 25 hours per week, for 6 months, paying at least National Minimum Wage.

Large employers have to commit to taking on at least 30 young people, and smaller ones can apply through a gateway organisation, like Kirklees Council.

Employers receive a package of support including a training allowance to provide specific ‘on-the-job’ training, and the young person themselves, receives wrap-around training and support to make sure they have  the skills they need to be successful in a placement, and maintain their wellbeing.

If you are interested you need to:

  • complete the council’s online expression of interest form (Click on Contact Kirklees Kickstart)
  • someone will call you back to discuss your needs
  • once the council have a batch of 30 placements they will send them in to the Government system
  • the whole process should take 6-8 weeks


Find out more & apply via Kirklees Council


Email Kirklees Kickstart


Read the council’s Kickstart guidance


REad the Government’s Kickstart guidance


Read the council’s FAQs


Presentation: Kickstart for Not for profits


Talk to us about other support with kickstart

Additional Tier 3 Guidance for Community Centres, Support Groups & Leafleting.

9th December 2020

More detail from Kirklees Council on what third sector organisations can and can’t do…

The key message for all is that:

reducing social contact with people from outside of our households and support bubbles is key to protecting ourselves, our loved ones and the wider community.

And so we still need to think carefully before putting on any community activities. 

The key messages for both community centres and support groups are that before, running services or classes they should consider:

  • running something online or outside
  • whether it’s essential to run the activity at the moment

and if an activity has to go ahead and has to be indoors, they have to:

  • complete a specific risk assessment for both the venue and activity
  • keep it onsite with a named, responsible person
  • take certain precautions to help prevent the spread of the virus
  • keep records for Test and Trace
  • Plus groups and venues can’t provide communal refreshments
  • and cafes must remain closed or only provide takeaway refreshments (for consumption off the premises).

Leafleting

The same key things need to be taken into consideration when leafleting, i.e.:

  • can it be done online?
  • does what you’re offering need to be done now/face to face?
  • and you must take precautions, do a risk assessment, and keep it with you at all times.


Read the full guidance

Reminder of Tier 3 Restrictions

All businesses and venues that are open are expected to follow COVID-19 secure guidelines to protect customers, visitors and workers. In all tiers, the following businesses and venues can remain open:

  • essential and non-essential retail, including indoor and outdoor markets and car boot sales

  • certain leisure and sporting facilities such as gyms, sports courts and facilities, leisure centres, fitness and dance studios, golf courses, swimming pools, riding centres, outdoor playgrounds – subject to relevant social contact rules in each tier. Indoor group activities and classes should not take place at tier 3

  • personal care and close contact services such as hairdressers and barbers, beauty salons, tattoo parlours, nail salons, spas and beauty services, massage parlours and tanning salons

  • public buildings, such as libraries, community centres and halls. They should not host events for private hire, such as birthday parties or most other social activities in tier 3

  • allotments, recycling and waste centres, public toilets, car parks

  • essential public services such as the NHS and medical services, courts, and jobcentre plus sites

  • places of worship – communal worship can now resume, subject to relevant social contact rules in each tier

Everyone who can work from home should do so. Where people cannot do so – including, but not limited to, people who work in critical national infrastructure, construction, or manufacturing – they should continue to travel to their workplace. Public-sector employees working in essential services, including education settings, should continue to go into work where necessary.

Tier 3: Very High alert

This is for areas with a very high or very rapidly rising level of infections, where tighter restrictions are in place.

In Tier 3:

  • you must not meet socially indoors or in most outdoor places with anybody you do not live with, or who is not in your support bubble, this includes in any private garden or at most outdoor venues

  • you must not socialise in a group of more than 6 in some other outdoor public spaces, including parks, beaches, countryside accessible to the public, a public garden, grounds of a heritage site or castle, or a sports facility – this is called the ‘rule of 6’

  • hospitality settings, such as bars (including shisha venues), pubs, cafes and restaurants are closed – they are permitted to continue sales by takeaway, click-and-collect, drive-through or delivery services.

  • accommodation such as hotels, B&Bs, campsites, and guest houses must close. There are several exemptions, such as for those who use these venues as their main residence, and those requiring the venues where it is reasonably necessary for work or education and training 

  • indoor entertainment and tourist venues must close. This includes:

    • indoor play centres and areas, including trampolining parks and soft play

    • casinos

    • bingo halls

    • bowling alleys

    • skating rinks

    • amusement arcades and adult gaming centres

    • laser quests and escape rooms

    • cinemas, theatres and concert halls

    • snooker halls

  • indoor attractions at mostly outdoor entertainment venues must also close (indoor shops, through-ways and public toilets at such attractions can remain open). This includes indoor attractions within:

    • zoos, safari parks, and wildlife reserves

    • aquariums, visitor attractions at farms, and other animal attractions

    • model villages

    • museums, galleries and sculpture parks

    • botanical gardens, biomes or greenhouses

    • theme parks, circuses, fairgrounds and funfairs

    • visitor attractions at film studios, heritage sites such as castles and stately homes

    • landmarks including observation decks and viewing platforms

  • leisure and sports facilities may continue to stay open, but group exercise classes (including fitness and dance) should not go ahead.

  • there should be no public attendance at spectator sport or indoor performances and large business events should not be taking place. Elite sport events may continue to take place without spectators

  • large outdoor events (performances and shows) should not take place, with the exception of drive-in events

  • places of worship remain open, but you must not attend with or socialise with anyone outside of your household or support bubble while you are there, unless a legal exemption applies

  • weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on the number of attendees – 15 people can attend wedding ceremonies, wedding receptions are not allowed, 30 people can attend funeral ceremonies, 15 people can attend linked commemorative events

  • organised outdoor sport, and physical activity and exercise classes can continue, however higher-risk contact activity should not take place

  • organised indoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes cannot take place indoors. There are exceptions for indoor disability sport, sport for educational purposes and supervised sport and physical activity for under-18s

  • you can continue to travel to venues or amenities which are open, but should aim to reduce the number of journeys you make where possible

  • avoid travelling outside of your area, including for overnight stays other than where necessary, such as for work, education, youth services, to receive medical treatment, or because of caring responsibilities. You can travel through other areas as part of a longer journey

  • for international travel see the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office travel advice for your destination and the travel corridors list

Find out more about the measures that apply in Tier 3 areas

Exemptions from gatherings limits in all tiers

  • as part of a single household, or a support bubble

  • for work or providing voluntary or charitable services, including in other people’s homes

  • for childcare, education or training – meaning education and training provided as part of a formal curriculum

  • for supervised activities provided for children, including wraparound care (before and after-school childcare), groups and activities for under 18s, and children’s playgroups

  • for formal support groups, and parent and child groups – up to 15 people aged 5 and older

  • to allow contact between birth parents and children in care, as well as between siblings in care

  • for arrangements where children do not live in the same household as both their parents or guardians

  • for prospective adopting parents to meet a child or children who may be placed with them

  • for birth partners

  • to attend a funeral – with no more than 30 people present – or a commemorative event such as a wake for someone who has died – with no more than 15 people present

  • to see someone who is terminally ill or at the end of life

  • to attend a wedding or civil partnership – with no more than 15 people present

  • to provide emergency assistance

  • to avoid injury or illness, or to escape a risk of harm

  • to fulfil a legal obligation, such as attending court or jury service

  • to provide care or assistance to someone vulnerable or to provide respite for a carer

  • to facilitate moving home


read the full government guidance on tiers


Get in touch if you need support or have questions

Can Your Business Give Local This Winter?

3rd December 2020

Local Charities & Community Groups Need Your Help More Than Ever to Support Local People Over the Festive Season

 

It has been a difficult year for lots of local community groups and charities who have struggled to deliver their services and activities in lockdown and even to raise vital funds to keep things running.  So this Winter, we’d like to encourage as many local businesses, groups and organisations as possible to ‘Give Local’.

There are still some opportunities for Covid-safe volunteering as a team to: 

  • wrap presents,
  • pack up Christmas meal boxes
  • deliver presents and meals
  • or collect Christmas trees for recycling

but you may also need to think about perhaps having an advent or Christmas hamper collection of goods or money that you can donate to a group that’s local to you, or a cause that’s close to your heart.

Lots of these groups are having to think creatively about how they offer festive support to those in need (so for example, groups that would normally be hosting a Christmas meal for people on their own, may be delivering meals to people in their homes), and groups may be asking for money to buy gifts, food and supplies, rather than donations to make sure that they can stay Covid-safe.  Plus, lots of small local community and mutual aid groups, and foodbanks are helping people in crisis or difficulty, and need urgent supplies.

On top of this, many groups are also desperately trying to fill their funding gaps, and are currently taking part in 2 local fundraising/crowdfunding schemes (One Community’s Match It Fund and Kirklees Council’s Growing Great Places).  Any money that you give them now can be doubled (up to a total of £5000 with Growing Great Places. So, if you can spare any cash – maybe because you won’t be having an office Christmas party or office Secret Santa, or you won’t be sending corporate gifts or cards this year – it would make a huge difference to a charity or group in your local community.  

And if you check out our full list of ways that you can:

DONATE
GIVE MONEY
NOMINATE
TAKE PART
OR VOLUNTEER

you’ll see that we’ve also included activities that teams could get involved in at home, perhaps with their families, and ways that you can nominate someone in your community to receive a gift or treat.

So – take a look at the full list on our volunteering website
or have a chat with our Business Volunteering Lead, Sharron Wilkinson who can help you find the right opportunity for you.
sharron.wilkinson@tslkirklees.org.uk, 07776588699


Email Sharron


go to our Give Local listings

Can Your Business Give Local This Winter?

3rd December 2020

Local Charities & Community Groups Need Your Help More Than Ever to Support Local People Over the Festive Season

It has been a difficult year for lots of local community groups and charities who have struggled to deliver their services and activities in lockdown and even to raise vital funds to keep things running.  So this Winter, we’d like to encourage as many local businesses, groups and organisations as possible to ‘Give Local’.

There are still some opportunities for Covid-safe volunteering as a team to: 

  • wrap presents,
  • pack up Christmas meal boxes
  • deliver presents and meals
  • or collect Christmas trees for recycling

but you may also need to think about perhaps having an advent or Christmas hamper collection of goods or money that you can donate to a group that’s local to you, or a cause that’s close to your heart.

Lots of these groups are having to think creatively about how they offer festive support to those in need (so for example, groups that would normally be hosting a Christmas meal for people on their own, may be delivering meals to people in their homes), and groups may be asking for money to buy gifts, food and supplies, rather than donations to make sure that they can stay Covid-safe.  Plus, lots of small local community and mutual aid groups, and foodbanks are helping people in crisis or difficulty, and need urgent supplies.

On top of this, many groups are also desperately trying to fill their funding gaps, and are currently taking part in 2 local fundraising/crowdfunding schemes (One Community’s Match It Fund and Kirklees Council’s Growing Great Places).  Any money that you give them now can be doubled (up to a total of £5000 with Growing Great Places. So, if you can spare any cash – maybe because you won’t be having an office Christmas party or office Secret Santa, or you won’t be sending corporate gifts or cards this year – it would make a huge difference to a charity or group in your local community.  

And if you check out our full list of ways that you can:

DONATE
GIVE MONEY
NOMINATE
TAKE PART
OR VOLUNTEER

you’ll see that we’ve also included activities that teams could get involved in at home, perhaps with their families, and ways that you can nominate someone in your community to receive a gift or treat.

So – take a look at the full list on our volunteering website or have a chat with our Business Volunteering Lead, Sharron Wilkinson who can help you find the right opportunity for you.

sharron.wilkinson@tslkirklees.org.uk, 07776588699


Go To the give local list

Meet Esmerelda, our new team member

19th November 2020

Meet our new Migration Team Member – Esmerelda???. Esmerelda is originally from Seahouses but will be accompanying members of the team on their travels (when they are allowed). She currently lives in the TSL Batley Office in Jo Cox House where you will be more than welcome to visit her lockdown permitting.

Follow us on Facebook to keep up with her adventures.


Follow the Migration Team on Facebook

By Agency For Good

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