The Community Development Association has been working to minimise the impact of coronavirus in our community and to ensure that help, support and advice is at hand. The information below is updated from time to time.
Tourism NI
Sectoral Guidelines – Visitor Attractions Webinar
Churches
All services have been suspended and church buildings closed until further notice.
Donaghadee Parish Church will have an online service at 9.30am on Sunday morning and has produced a Virtual Prayer Walk round our town http://donaghadee.down.anglican.org/
First Presbyterian are posting a devotional called ‘First Worship’ on their website www.firstdonaghadee.org.uk and Facebook group every weekend here
Shorestreet Presbyterian are running Sunday services online at 11 am at http://shorestreet.org/
St. Comgall’s R.C. Church: daily podcasts found at https://www.bangorparish.com/ and live masses at https://www.newtownardsandcomberparish.com/web-cameras/
Housing Executive advice here https://www.nihe.gov.uk/My-Housing-Executive/Advice-for-Housing-Executive-Tenants/Covid-19-(Coronavirus
Shore Street Foodbank
Wish to thank everyone for their continued support. We run in the hope to aid anyone in personal or financial crisis, we are available to contact via compassion@shorestreet.org or via Facebook at SST donaghadee
NI EXECUTIVE APPROACH TO DECISION-MAKING
See full article here https://www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/execoffice/execuitveour-approach-to-decision-making.pdf
Advice and Assistance
Helplines NI – 20 new helplines covering a range of topics (e.g. diabetes, community helpline, befriending, government grants, pregnancy) have been established specifically in response to coronavirus www.helplinesni.com
Community Advice Ards & North Down (CAAND) – In response to the current COVID-19 Crisis, they have extended the Advice Line opening hours to: Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm, Saturdays, 9am to 1pm 0300 123 9287 Advisers are ready to take your calls on ALL COVID19 related enquiries. If our lines are busy you can leave a voicemail or you can email an enquiry via website: www.caand.co.uk
The Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland has some helpful information here – link to https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/
NHS has some very helpful advice on mental health here – link to https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters
SE Mental Health and Emotional Well-being directory services Click here
Beware of Scams
Age UK has some helpful advice on how to protect yourself and stay safe on your doorstep https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/scams-fraud/doorstep-scams/
Check-in and Chat
Age NI, with the support of the Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland (COPNI), is offering a Check in and chat telephone service for everyone who is over 60 in Northern Ireland, who may feel isolated or lonely during this time. Contact the service by calling Age NI Advice on 0808 808 7575 or email info@ageni.org
Financial Assistance Package for Sports Clubs
The Department for Communities has announced a £500,000 Hardship Fund for the sports sector. The scheme is open to those sports clubs and sports organisations in the voluntary and community sector, which are unable to apply for other Government funded Covid-19 Emergency Schemes. Successful applications will receive a flat rate grant of £2,000 each and is intended to cover costs such as rent, essential utility bills and to assist with the cost of basic maintenance of outdoor sports facilities
The scheme is being administered by the Sports Council. Details can be obtained at http://www.sportni.net/funding/our-funding-programmes/sports-hardship-fund-2/
Support for Businesses
BakerTilly has some general information and advice on their website which will be relevant to businesses. This can be accessed here
They also have an articles on Home Working Expenses and Hardship Fund & Deadline Reminder
Microbusiness Hardship Fund Announced – A new fund aimed at microbusinesses which require financial support due to the impact of COVID-19 and which have not been able to access the existing government support schemes will be introduced. Read more here or see Economy-ni.gov.uk website
Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance to help employers, employees and the self-employed understand how to work safely during the coronavirus pandemic can be found here
Hospitality Ulster
Guidance On Coronavirus can be found at https://hospitalityulster.org/
Ards & North Down Borough Council
On 19 March 2020 Ards and North Down Borough Council agreed a series of measures to enable the Council to continue to deliver critical services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although Council buildings have been closed to the public, including the Signal Centre, the Council will still be providing much needed information, guidance and support to local businesses.
- The Economic Development and Regeneration Services can help keep you up to date on all the latest COVID-19 and business information ANDbusiness.co.uk
- You can also connect directly with an officer to discuss your specific business needs on (028) 9147 3788 or signaladmin@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
- Information on various support packages is available here https://www.andbusiness.co.uk/latest-news/coronavirus-covid-19-guide-businesses
- Local businesses are strongly advised to read the item here on the Coronavirus Business Support Scheme Grants which will probably apply to all local traders
Other general information on Council services can be found here https://www.ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk/about-the-council/covid19
AND Business Coronavirus: Webinars and Online Training for Businesses. HMRC, Health and Safety, Risk Management, Digital, Online Training and other information can be found here https://mailchi.mp/ardsandnorthdown/coronavirus-webinars-and-online-training-for-businesses?e=aee2aa6160
Covid-19 Business Impact Survey can be downloaded here
Covid-19 Business Impact Survey Dashboard can be downloaded here