How to access voluntary sector support in Devon during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
A list of resources and support provided by local authorities and voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay
8 April 2020
www.TogetherForDevon.uk County-wide
NHS Volunteer Responders NHS Volunteer Responders provide volunteer support to the 1.5 million most at risk from coronavirus who have been asked to isolate themselves for 12 weeks.
People can access support through:
• GPs/social prescribing link workers /practice nurses relating to at-risk or vulnerable people in self-isolation • Hospital discharge teams • Community pharmacists • NHS 111 and ambulance trusts • Health trusts supporting patients leaving hospital • Local authorities (County, district and parish)
Four volunteer roles are available:
1. Collecting and delivering shopping, medication or other essential supplies 2. Transporting patients back home from hospital and settling them in safely. 3. Transporting equipment, supplies and/or medication between NHS services and sites; possibly helping pharmacists with medication delivery 4. Providing telephone support to individuals at risk of loneliness.
The NHS Responder scheme is an additional offer to the valuable and substantial community help and support already happening locally via voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations, town and parish councils and others. It is not designed to replace or divert resources from existing local help and support, but to expand coverage, particularly for those deemed clinically most at risk.
NHS and local authority staff can make requests for NHS Volunteer Responders via NHS.net or Gov.uk email accounts on the website.
Plymouth City Council area
Plymouth City Council has created a Good Neighbour service as part of the wider Caring for Plymouth Support Hub to co-ordinate volunteers on a citywide basis. They are linked into Plymouth Octopus Project (POP), VCSE services and other key voluntary sector agencies across the city.
Information about organisations that can help is available on the Plymouth Online Directory COVID-19 pages.
2 | www.TogetherForDevon.uk Devon County Council area
Devon County Council's Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice page features the latest guidance and information in Devon.
The council is also regularly updating a list of community groups.
Pinpoint lists thousands of services and community groups across Devon, including town and parish council schemes. Many services are changing how they operate in response to the virus – please contact them directly for further information. Many have local volunteer schemes to ensure people receive essential support.
A COVID-19 community resilience helpline is available for Town and Parish Councils and Devon Village Hall Network: • 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday • Call 0808 1963390 or 01392 248919 • Email Devon Communities Together
Devon Voluntary Action (DeVA) is coordinating volunteers.
East Devon East Devon District Council has a list of community contacts and a community hotline to link people to services and support.
Westbank is coordinating volunteering via email and has a webpage of COVID-19 information.
Exeter Wellbeing Exeter links individuals to community groups where support is needed, is recruiting volunteers and coordinating offers of help.
Exeter Community Wellbeing is coordinating volunteers.
Mid Devon Mid Devon District Council opening hours have reduced and people are encouraged to call for signposting and directing to VCSE organisations, including Involve Voluntary Action Mid Devon (CVS), for help and support.
A list of community organisations that can assist is available on the council’s website.
North Devon North Devon District Council has launched a community support hub to support the most vulnerable residents, working in partnership with town and parish councils, One Northern Devon and North Devon Voluntary Service.
3 | www.TogetherForDevon.uk South Hams South Hams District Council’s community response teams are working with volunteers and South Hams CVS and have an online request form linking services to volunteers.
Teignbridge Teignbridge District Council has a web page linking people needing support to local community groups. The service is provided by Teignbridge CVS.
Torridge Torridge District Council has an online resource and list of community contacts, working with One Northern Devon and Torridge CVS
West Devon West Devon Borough Council’s community response teams are working with volunteers, with an online request form linking services to volunteers. The service is provided by West Devon CVS.
Torbay Council area
Torbay Council is working with the VCSE COVID-19 Hub to link and deliver services to vulnerable people.
Torbay COVID-19 Help Hub and Hotlines is a VCSE partnership, including Torbay Community Development Trust, Healthwatch Torbay, Age UK Torbay and Brixham Does Care.
Together for Devon is a partnership of health and social care organisations working together with local communities across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay to improve people’s health, wellbeing and care
4 | www.TogetherForDevon.uk