In these uncertain times we will try and provide as much information as possible to help you, please bear with us as we sort through all the sources of information we have been sent.

Coronavirus support as an extremely vulnerable persons:  Information from GOV.UK

 https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable

Free Supplies through www.givingworld.org.uk

We are here to provide free of charge clothing, food Items, toiletries, cleaning and household products so the most vulnerable people in our communities can stay safe and well.

COVID-19 presents us with one of the greatest challenges we have seen during our lifetimes. However, during this difficult time we, at Giving World remain committed to supporting people in crisis by providing our service in the time of their greatest need.

We understand the need in our communities will grow. Please be assured that we will continue to service our partners and your beneficiaries’ needs, whilst following all the latest government guidelines for employee and volunteers’ safety.

If you are not already registered with us to access free of charge business surplus stock, you can do so here: https://www.givingworld.org.uk/charity/

Browse the available products here: https://products.givingworld.org.uk/product-categories

 https://www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk/article/505/beware_of_covid_19_scams

Some useful information with details of where you can find help during the coronsvirus crisis.

• COUNTYWIDE – Volunteer Cornwall now have an online referral form for their Coronavirus support service (for vulnerable people who need assistance during isolation) - https://www.volunteercornwall.org.uk/coronavirusvolunteer?fbclid=IwAR2xdn1uaO4x-2LTfmTQ9ccvTkmaanJlleeX_Vm8DIMxGC6XjDM3XFYYkYY .

• COUNTYWIDE – Benefits and Coronavirus; A handy guide from Cornwall Council https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/advice-and-benefits/benefits/benefits-and-coronavirus/ .  Keep an eye on this page as there is an announcement due about the governments Coronavirus crisis grant.

• COUNTYWIDE – The Growth Hub is offering advice to businesses affected by closure. Finds links to advice and their contact details here https://www.ciosgrowthhub.com

• COUNTYWIDE - Cornwall-wide Energy Advice Service Update from Community Energy Plus:

Community Energy Plus is a Cornish charity which provides energy advice and practical help for vulnerable householders in Cornwall to achieve warmer, healthier homes.

To keep people safe and to minimise the spread of COVID-19 we have suspended home visits. However we are continuing to provide advice over the phone to people living across all housing tenures in Cornwall. This includes:

-          Advice for pre-pay meter clients about topping up meters during COVID-19.

-          Help to understand energy bills, switch tariffs, manage energy debt and other issues with energy suppliers. We can advocacy support to help you speak to your energy supplier if needed.

-          Access to grants for heating repairs and upgrades, insulation and other energy efficiency measures.

-          Advice on saving energy and money.

-          Advice on reducing condensation and mould.

-          Links to services provided by other local and national organisations.

Call us on Freephone 0800 954 1956 or 01872 245566 or email advice@cep.org.uk

More useful information on coronavirus:

 NHS 111 online

 https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19

Public Health England

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

Cornwall Council

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/public-health-cornwall/information-about-coronavirus-covid-19/

Useful information and contacts for businesses, young people and those with disabilities.

30 minute emotional support interviews
https://www.facebook.com/groups/201797637774197/permalink/204898130797481/

Whyfield accountants’ summary of business support available
https://www.whyfield.co.uk/business-support-for-those-affected-by-coronavirus/

List of useful website for kids from Cornwall Libraries, but you may have this already - https://www.facebook.com/CornwallLibraries/posts/2449982361769118:0

Disability Cornwall  & Hayle RFC community kitchen - https://www.facebook.com/HAYLERFC/posts/2929644260426689

Daily play challenge from Gwealan Tops https://www.facebook.com/gwealantops/posts/1512079062286301

Message on the VSF Facebook
Good afternoon. My name is Steve Huntley from the National Careers Service (Education Development Trust). Whilst many are isolating, we are offering our free careers advice and guidance via telephone or Skype. We also have access to around 40 completely FREE Level 2 qualifications that people can do from home (aged 19 or over with some other basic T&C's such as lived in the EU for the last 3 years etc.) and we're really looking to support as many people as we can in this difficult time. Could we work together to put a post out to see what we can do to help?

shuntley@educationdevelopmenttrust.com

07467373077

Waste and recycling

Council Tax support

The Government has announced a further contribution to the Council Tax Hardship Fund so that we are able to give everyone of working age currently receiving Council Tax Support (22,000 households) an extra £150. This will happen automatically and those people who are currently in receipt of Council Tax Support will receive a reduced Council Tax bill shortly.

This will take a little bit of time to sort out so if people have difficulties in the mean time they should contact us to discuss their circumstances.

 https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/council-tax/council-tax-support-during-coronavirus-pandemic/

New advice to support mental health during coronavirus outbreak

 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-advice-to-support-mental-health-during-coronavirus-outbreak?utm_source=6030a355-bc47-42d5-acc5-8499a6f38573&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=daily

Registration of births, deaths and marriages

From Monday 30 March emergency legislation to register deaths by phone is being implemented. None of Cornwall’s Register Offices will be open except for pre-booked appointments to register a death. No more face to face death registration appointments will be made.  

From today, people will be able to make a request to register a death through an on-line form on the Cornwall Council website or by phoning 0300 1234 181 (Monday to Friday 8:30am to 6:00pm). 

The Council will contact the customer only once it receives all the necessary paperwork, which may be subject to understandable delays with the medical profession.

All other Register Office services are suspended until further notice.

The Council is contacting marriage/civil partnership couples who have booked with it to discuss their options, but with over 3,000 bookings there is a backlog. The Council is not taking any new bookings for marriages or CPs until it has rescheduled the displaced bookings. Please advise residents to email Cornwall Council on ceremonies@cornwall.gov.uk but please make them aware there will be a delay in the response.

Birth registrations are suspended for the time being. People who are not able to register the birth of their child because of coronavirus (COVID-19) can still make a claim to receive child benefit.

Holiday homes cancellations

Cornwall Council has received a steady stream of enquiries from members of the public concerning the cancellation of holidays booked here in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

So far we have found that it has simply been a case of holiday companies being swamped with enquiries from customers and accommodation owners and there has been no indication that they are deliberately trying to avoid offering a solution.

Where customers have registered a request for cancellation or rebooking those requests are being honoured, but it might take a bit longer than expected due to reduced staff and the volume of enquiries.

In fact, most holiday companies are very keen to rebook customers as they are hoping to recover business later in the season.

But these are very unusual circumstances and specific legislation may provide different rights and obligations. If anyone is unsure about what to do about a holiday booking in the first instance:

1. Check the small print on your booking – what does it say about cancellation due to Government intervention?
2. Check the small print on your travel insurance – will your booking be covered?
3. Register your concerns with your holiday provider – are they working to a timetable (ie most imminent bookings first)? What are they suggesting as a solution?
4. If you paid for your holiday by credit card you may have additional protection through the credit card provider.