Halton and St Helens VCA
If you need a contact for our volunteering portal and volunteering during the Covid-19 response across both Boroughs it’s Claire Redford-Kerr
credford-kerr@haltonsthelensvca.org.uk
If you need a contact for the Covid-19 response in St Helens it’s Annie Lawrenson alawrenson@haltonsthelensvca.org.uk
If you need a contact for the Covid-19 response in Halton it’s Matthew Roberts
Mroberts@haltonsthelensvca.org.uk
You can also contact Sally Yeoman our Chief Officer for issues in both Boroughs. She will also be picking up LCR work with VS6 colleagues
syeoman@haltonsthelensvca.org.uk
For comms/website and information queries contact
dmorris@haltonsthelensvca.org.uk or ldaffern@haltonsthelensvca.org.uk
Our phones will be temporarily redirected and you will be able to contact us by using our usual numbers 01744 457100 / 01928 592405
To access all resources relating to volunteering, involving volunteers, funding or local/national news click on our homepage www.haltonsthelensvca.org.uk
Below is the latest news / updates for VCSE organisations in Halton and St Helens
iCAN Warning: Rogue Traders Operating In Halton
Rogue traders are operating in Halton Borough this week. They are cold calling by knocking on peoples doors asking residents if they want work done on their houses and gardens. Do not answer the door; there is the risk you will get ripped off and also the risk of catching Coronavirus. There is nothing wrong with not answering the door in the current circumstances. Protect yourself and your loved ones.
If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam or fraud please contact one of the specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.
If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 0808 223 1133
New 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Number
North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has launched the crisis line to provide support 24 hours a day, seven days a week to people of all ages, including children and young people, who need urgent mental health support. More details are below.
What to do if you need urgent help for your mental health:
If you are in a mental health crisis and you need urgent help, please call the new crisis line on 01925 275 309 and NHS staff will support you to get the help you need.
The crisis line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is open to people of all ages, including children and young people.
The crisis line is now the first port of call for Halton residents experiencing a mental health crisis. The line is operated by people in the local area who will know how best to support you. If you call NHS 111 you may have to wait longer for help and will be redirected to this local service.
Please note, A&E and 999 are not the best places to get help for the majority of mental health problems. Call the crisis line, to be directed to the best local service to support you.
You should still call 999 or go to A&E if you have a life-threatening emergency and need immediate help for your mental or physical health.
Details of the crisis line and other sources of help available, including how to look after your mental health generally and during the covid-19 pandemic can be found:
Halton’s Mental health Info point www.halton.gov.uk/mhinfopoint
St Helens It's Ok to Ask http://www.oktoaskcampaign.co.uk/covid-19/
Migrant Help latest Newsletter
To access the AIRE Newsletter from 14th April containing lots of useful links to resources and service updates click here
Corona Virus Information In Different Languages On YouTube
A small task and finish group within Leeds City Council have been working to provide translated and audio materials in 11 different languages: Polish, Romanian, Urdu, Arabic, Czech, Punjabi, Tigrinya, Farsi, Slovak, Kurdish Sorani and Bengali.
There are three different videos which focus on:
Spot the signs - This short film contains information to help people spot the signs of coronavirus and gives advice for households with possible coronavirus infection.
Handwashing advice - This short film contains information about how you can help stop the spread of viruses, like coronavirus, by practising good respiratory and hand hygiene.
Essential advice - This short film contains information for households with possible coronavirus infection. Please be aware that this is an evolving situation and public advice may change.
Please find the link for the videos playlist
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLggQFjpTLgpIq0r7-nFO9mT6j8Yk2vKBt
Free Webinars from ACAS
ACAS have updated their guidance on Furlough and qualifying start dates, following HMRC publishing new details this week. View Acas guidance
Furlough leave – the HMRC Job Retention Scheme
- Tuesday 28 April 2020, 10:30am to 11:30am
- Thursday 30 April 2020, 2pm to 3pm
About this webinar: This webinar explains the temporary HMRC Job Retention Scheme being made available to businesses across the UK. The webinar is designed for employers who have furloughed workers, or who are planning to furlough workers within their organisation.
View details or register your place click here
Covid-19: where to get help and how to avoid being scammed
Halton Trading Standards have produced a comprehensive document giving guidance on where to get help and avoid being scammed click here to access the document.
The guidance contains information on:
- how to get help – promotes the new council hotline and the Halton and St. Helen’s VCA portal for volunteers
- how to avoid being scammed
- Covid-19 scams that we are already aware of
- advice on looking after your mental well-being
- national and local advice and support organisations.
If you know anyone who is not online please share the information with them.
Latest information from Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership
Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership who represent all community safety partners across Merseyside have released guidance on Domestic Violence click here to find out more.
If you have volunteering requirements please register them here
https://volunteering.haltonsthelensvca.org.uk/vk/providers/registration_provider.htm
and also encourage people wanting to help out to do that safely by registering here
https://volunteering.haltonsthelensvca.org.uk/vk/volunteers/registration.htm
Service Status Updates From Our Member Organisations
We have been sent a number of service status updates from our member organisations to let us know their current working practices during Covid-19. The link to Halton Organisations is here and the link to St Helens organisations is here. If you have a service update that you would like to tell us about, please email info@haltonsthelensvca.org.uk and we will add your organisations details to our lists.
If you'd like to sign up for your own copy of the daily update, please follow the link below and sign up for our ebulletin:
