For guidance on how to help safely please visit:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-how-to-help-safely--2/coronavirus-how-to-help-safely

If you are an organiser of a local volunteering group could you please take the time to complete the form on the link below. This will allow Essex Coronavirus Action Group to direct people in your neighbourhood to the right place and offer support to you as group leaders:

 http://eca-info.org/forms 

A Facebook group called ‘Essex Coronavirus Action Support' has been set up as a collaboration between Essex County Council and the Essex Public Health Team and local Facebook groups to support the community in helping one other during the Coronavirus outbreak. This can be accessed here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/essexcoronavirusactionsupport/

Individuals Volunteer Sign Up Form Link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScp4BvEj8Y3fMg2CvpHaRrL3OVMMPBJxJFk7J0CTNRM5hSWvA/viewform

Business Volunteer Sign up Form Link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfgpEZAL4lLFXH9W8qjNBxyq9tU4hf_UrSjjBe4WMvg60Hojw/viewform

Not on Facebook? But still looking to get involved? Visit the link to sign up to volunteer and find out how you could make a difference and support your community: bit.ly/ecaformgroups

More Information on Essex Coronavirus Action

Essex Coronavirus Action looks to carry out 3 core objectives - Prevent, Inform and Assist.

Prevent - latest NHS approved advice about how to avoid exposing yourself to Covid-19 and passing it on to others.

Key messages will include:

Consider your actions

Basic hygiene advice

Think of others and be "United in Kindness"

Think of people who may be social distancing and isolated, connect and reach out to them safely.

Inform - latest information to debunk the many viral myths on social media about Covid-19.

Key messages will include:

Get your information from Essex Coronavirus Action

Make the most of online groups

Keep up to date with official sources of information.

Assist

Local authority backed mobilisation of local Facebook groups to ensure that the most vulnerable and their carers get the urgent help they need, both practically and emotionally.

Key messages will include:

Share accurate, information and advice

Support anyone who may be anxious and signpost to Essex Coronavirus Action for up to date information

Sign up as a volunteer to help people in your community with daily tasks such as

Helping with:

Shopping

Transport

Being a phone buddy

Being a Facebook buddy

Posting mail

Urgent supplies

Feeding

Hydration

Carer support

 Services & Information

Want to Donate to Foodbanks 

Essex Coronavirus Action are raising funds to provide immediate payments to foodbanks around Essex for the purchase of food and supplies.

Local dad blogger Simon Harris AKA Man Behaving Dadly has run an additional fundraiser for the foodbank appeal to help boost the donations received so far to this fund.

Foodbanks can apply for up to £1,000 to help purchase food, toiletries, storage, PPE for staff and volunteers, promotion and volunteer recruitment and volunteer expenses.

The EALC aim to complete each application within 48 hours.

Link to Flyer

Link to Application Form

If you wish to donate to this Go Fund Me page, please find the link below.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/ecafoodbankappeal

Rochford District Community Response Hub

Faith, community and partner organisations have come together to set up a ‘Rochford District Community Response Hub' helpline, to ensure everyone can access help and support throughout the Coronavirus pandemic.

People from across the Rochford District have already been pulling together to support family, friends and neighbours at this time, delivering food shopping to doorsteps and keeping an eye out for the elderly in their communities but

to ensure that no one slips through the net, the new ‘Rochford District Community Hub helpline' will be available on 01268 779999.

This will offer support to those who do not have friends or family nearby, or local support networks.

This initiative has been set up by the MegaCentre, churches, Rayleigh, Rochford and District Association for Voluntary Service (RRAVS), Rochford District Council and a number of local volunteers from across the district, who have all signed up to support where they can, any resident that needs to talk.

A flyer with all the relevant information will be distributed to households across the district.

Revd Scott Williamson, CEO of the Megacentre, said: "The Rochford District Community Hub is a collaboration between our faith, community and partner organisations right across the district who are here to provide you with support.

"If your friends and family are not nearby or able to help, and you have no local support from the community, then please call us.

"Perhaps you need help with tasks like grocery shopping or are feeling isolated during this time? You are not alone and if you do need us, we are here."

Rochford District Council's Portfolio Holder for Community, Cllr Mike Webb, said: "I am incredibly proud of the community spirit we have in the Rochford District and it has never been more evident than in the last week, since vital social distancing measures came into place.

"I've heard countless examples of neighbours helping those in need, ensuring our most vulnerable residents get their supplies and continue to feel connected, and I would like to thank every one of you for your efforts.

"The Rochford District Community Hub has been established to ensure that no one slips through the net, and I would like to thank our wonderful faith and community groups and volunteers who have been working hard to bring this initiative to fruition in such a short space of time.

"A team of volunteers is now on hand to answer your questions, or help you get the support you need, whether it's a few essentials from the shop, or someone who cares that can call you regularly for a chat, to make sure you're alright.

"Please don't worry about this virus on your own, and importantly, please follow Government guidance on self-isolating, hand washing, what to do if you have symptoms and staying at home wherever possible."

Victoria Marzouki, of RRAVS, said: "If you feel like you've got nowhere to turn, please be assured that our team of volunteers will be here to answer your call. We will be here to provide you with support and advice, and signpost you to services that can offer help at this difficult time."

You can sign up to volunteer by contactinghubvolunteer@rochford.gov.uk

 Rayleigh, Rochford and District Association for Voluntary Service

Are asking for your help.

You may already be aware that a volunteer network is being set up across the district to help deliver food and medication to people isolating from Coronavirus, but we need more help in Rochford, Hullbridge and Wakering. If people can help or want more information we would like them to email rravs@rravs.org.uk with their best contact number. It also useful to know if they have a current DBS certificate.

Main activities are:-

• Doing shopping/picking up prescriptions in the immediate area to where they live
• Delivering leaflets to every home across the district so everyonehas a local helpline number to call if needed. Information and guidance on keeping safe will be given.

East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust

Due to unprecedented demands caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the East of England Ambulance Service is urgently recruiting 1,000 temporary workers and volunteers in all kinds of paid and volunteer roles across the region.

Apply now at eastamb.nhs.uk/covid19

They are looking for people with:

• medical experience as a paramedic, nurse, healthcare support worker or even recent first-aid training to work in a variety of clinical and clinical support roles
• C1 driving licences who would be interested dispatchers (band 3)
• A willingness to fulfil other support roles such as ambulance cleaning, general cleaning, and administration (bands 2-4). 
• Roles are available across the region immediately and all training will be provided.in driving patient transport vehicles or moving vehicles between sites (band 2 or 3). 

• Five GCSEs at grades A-C to work as call handlers/

NHS Volunteer Army

This recruitment drive has been temporarliy paused to allow the initial applications to be processed, if the link does not work please search nhs volunteers coronavirus on your browser. 

https://www.england.nhs.uk/2020/03/your-nhs-needs-you-nhs-call-for-volunteer army/  

British Red Cross 

Updated 04/05/20