Virus Advice
AND Council Latest News
c19

Updated 20th June 2020

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.

Advice on the virus can be accessed here

Ards & North Down Borough Council Distribution Service to Support Vulnerable Residents

Particularly vulnerable residents in who are required to self-isolate and have no means to obtain basic food supplies are being provided with vital support by the Council through a free weekly food distribution service.

For full details click here

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.

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

 

 

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