How Selnet are supporting Lancashire’s social enterprises through Covid-19: 

 

Selnet believe that social enterprise can transform lives and change the world for social good. Now more than ever, the skills, passion and expertise of social enterprises are needed to support our vulnerable and marginalised communities who are disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.

 

We are seeing Lancashire’s phenomenal social enterprises step up, innovate and collaborate to respond to need; whether that’s getting good food out to disadvantaged communities and maintaining critical services for marginalised people, to manufacturing masks for the NHS and providing advice and support for entrepreneurs.

The Selnet team are working hard to continue delivery of the social enterprise partnerships we lead and helping our amazing sector in Lancashire stay connected, up to date and supported:

 

The Covid-19 pandemic is presenting uncertainty and challenges to our organisations, teams and the communities we support. As your social enterprise network, Selnet are here to help you navigate through this uncharted territory. We will do everything we can to support you now and as we adapt to ‘the new normal’… So keep in touch!

  Liz and Team Selnet

 

 

Selnet Ltd – Business Continuation Plan (pdf) updated 14/05/20

Funding Updates

The National Lottery Community Fund

Lancashire COVID-19 Community Support Fund – As a result of the impact of the Coronavirus outbreak, particularly for those most vulnerable people within our communities, the Community Foundation for Lancashire has launched the Lancashire COVID-19 Community Support Fund for community and voluntary organisations on the frontline.

DEFRA Covid-19 Food Charity Grant Scheme – The grant aims to provide immediate support for a limited period of time to help to feed those most vulnerable due to the economic impacts of Covid-19. This ensures that they can access a continual supply of food in a time of increased demand. This will feed numerous economically vulnerable groups including the homeless, the elderly and those in rehabilitation.

DCMS Loneliness Covid-19 Grant Fund – As part of the Government’s plan to tackle loneliness during the coronavirus lockdown, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has launched a £5 million to fund national organisations working to tackle loneliness and build social connections.

Good Finance – information, resources and tools designed to support charities and social enterprises navigating COVID-19

Charity Bank – If you would like to receive our regular updates and newsletters please sign up here. Information about Charity Bank’s response to COVID-19 can be found here.

Institute of Fundraising – Information for fundraisers to help everyone in the fundraising community have the right information to guide any action you might need to take

Charity Finance Group– Coronavirus and your charity – What can you do to mitigate the impact of Coronavirus?

Council and Government Guidance

Boost Business Lancashire

  • Boost is Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub. The #AskForHelp service is available to all Lancashire business owners. Call 0800 488 0057 to discuss all business issues related to the coronavirus outbreak. Our team will advise where possible, as well as directing businesses to expert advisers across Lancashire.
  • We have also built a dedicated #AskForHelp hub with resilience guides, access to Government updates and partner advice as well information about webinars, virtual drop-in sessions and other support.
  • A Lancashire-wide relief efforthas been launched to support those in isolation by utilising the spare capacity of hospitality businesses during the coronavirus pandemic.
  • Coronavirus: Government advice for businesses

Local Authorities

  • Lancashire County Councilare continuing to work with colleagues in the NHS and Public Health England to do everything we can to delay the spread of coronavirus and ensure the people of Lancashire are protected.
  • Blackpool Council– Blackpool Council’s business support team is in the process of setting up a dedicated helpline to ensure that local businesses can access the support announced by the Chancellor. Details will be issued on this website shortly.
  • Blackburn with Darwen Council– includes guidance on building closures, prevention and business rates.

Government Guidance

Social Enterprise Guidance

Social Enterprise UK

NCVO

  • Information and guidance about coronavirus and what it means for voluntary organisations and volunteers.  This is to help you plan and access the latest up to date advice.
  • NCVO have also taken down all pay walls on the Knowhow website. This means that all online content is now free to all to use. So, whether it’s information about governance or online training for staff who are working from home unable to do their jobs, they hope this will provide that little bit of extra support.

Employment Related Services Association (ERSA)

School for Social Entrepreneurs

  • We want to do everything we can to help you, and the people you support, weather the storm. This blog shares links to resources you might find useful. We’ll update it as new resources become available or visible to us.

Pioneers Post 

  • The magazine and news source for social enterprises and the social-impact sector will be sharing news and updates specific to our sector on coronavirus (COVID-19)

Other resources:

  • Plunkett Foundation– Information about Community Business and Coronavirus
  • Charity Commission– Guidance for the charity sector
  • Institute of Fundraising– Information for fundraisers to help everyone in the fundraising community have the right information to guide any action you might need to take
  • Charity Finance Group– Coronavirus and your charity – What can you do to mitigate the impact of Coronavirus?
  • Good Finance – information, resources and tools designed to support charities and social enterprises navigating COVID-19
  • Charity Bank – If you would like to receive our regular updates and newsletters please sign up here. Information about Charity Bank’s response to COVID-19 can be found here.
  • Co-operatives UK have put together a guide on HR issues answering questions such as ‘how do we treat employees who follow guidance to self-isolate?’ and ‘what about parents who are off work because their child’s school has closed?’.
  • Shelter: Coronavirus housing advice and resources to support for helping those who are homeless during the coronavirus pandemic
  • Groundswell: Resources to support people experiencing homelessness during the pandemic. All developed together with people who have been homeless themselves.

National business and employer support

  • Chamber of Commerce As the situation surrounding coronavirus / COVID-19 continues to unfold the Chamber is working hard to keep you informed. With advice constantly changing and new support becoming available the Chamber will be sending regular updates to give you the information businesses need.
  • This Federation for Small Business (FSB) guide includes sections on if you have to close your organisation, business insurance, advice for employers and measures for the workplace. It’s aimed at small businesses but the advice is also relevant to small charities, social enterprises, community businesses and impact organisations.
  • Enterprise Nation– Support for small businesses during Coronavirus
  • ACAS– Advice for employers and employees
  • CIPD– Understand how to support your business and workforce through this global health emergency
  • Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)– Advice and guidance for small businesses and the self-employed
  • Charity Comms offers a free crisis communications planning template. The same page includes links to online advice guides.

Note:

These links are external and are provided for information only.

Selnet is not responsible for the accuracy of the information contained in these links.

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