News from around the country on charities during the crisis #NeverMoreNeeded
£500k distributed to vulnerable families
Children’s charities Barnardo’s Scotland and Action for Children have distributed more than £500,000 of support to vulnerable families during the coronavirus crisis over the last 10 weeks. Over the lockdown period the charities have helped children, young people and families through their community-based services, preventing a great number from falling into crisis.
Money allocated to the charities from the Scottish Government’s Wellbeing Fund has been used to provide vital support across the country which ranges from food shopping; payment of fuel bills; emergency cash payments, and providing digital equipment enabling children to take part in school work and stay connected with the charities. In total, the two leading children’s charities have distributed £550,850 through frontline staff to families across Scotland who have been hit hardest during this pandemic.
Martin Crewe, director of Barnardo’s Scotland, said: "Coronavirus is hitting the most vulnerable in our communities the hardest. We were shocked by the immediate and devastating impact of the pandemic across Scotland. Our frontline staff have identified families and young people most in need and we have processed allocation of payments within 24 hours. All administration costs covered by the charities to ensure every pound goes to those in dire need of our support.”
Paul Carberry, Action for Children director for Scotland, said: “Across Scotland, staff from our projects work in some of the country’s most disadvantaged communities and have witnessed first-hand the effect of this pandemic. Working in partnership with Barnardo’s Scotland, our collective reach means that we have been able to distribute immediate support to those who need it most. This investment from the Scottish Government has been a lifeline helping those most affected by the pandemic.”
Support for charity helpline
The Morrisons Foundation has provided domestic abuse charity Refuge with a grant of £24,724.
The much-needed funds will help fund the charity’s National Domestic Helpline to support vulnerable women and children throughout the coronavirus outbreak and beyond.
Charly Meehan, head of corporate partnerships at Refuge, said “The Covid-19 Pandemic has presented extraordinary challenges for Refuge and for the women and children we support.
“Since 13 April, our 24-hour helpline has seen around a 50% increase in demand, compared to before lockdown. The support from The Morrisons Foundation means we can continue to be a lifeline for women and children who are experiencing domestic abuse at this challenging time, and keep our services operating around the clock.”
David Scott, Morrisons Foundation trustee, said: “Morrisons is committed to helping the most vulnerable in our society. We know that people who already rely on the vital work by Refuge are at even greater risk during the coronavirus lock down and I'm very proud that the Morrisons Foundation has been able to help."
The Morrisons Foundation was set up by Morrisons supermarket in 2015 and awards grants for charity projects which help improve people’s lives. Since launching over £29 million has been donated to hundreds of charities across England, Scotland and Wales.
Local charities are encouraged to visit the website to find out how to apply for a grant.
Scottish charities working together to help people living with Scotland’s biggest killers during the pandemic
Two Scottish charities have teamed up to help some of the most vulnerable people in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Fife who are struggling to cope during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland and Macmillan Cancer Support are working together to provide a buddying service and practical support to people living with cancer, chest, heart and stroke conditions.
The charities say many people with these conditions who are shielding or trying to stay away from people in fear of the virus, are feeling isolated, lonely and finding it difficult to undertake basic tasks like going shopping.
Jane-Claire Judson, chief executive of Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, said: “Many people living with chest, heart and stroke conditions, including Covid-19 and cancer are amongst the most vulnerable and are still being advised to shield.
“That is why more people than ever before are in desperate need for our help, and working with Macmillan will make sure that together, we can help to reduce isolation and loneliness and to keep people safe and well in their homes during Covid-19 and beyond.
“This partnership will allow us to give people the help and support they need, when they need it most and to make sure that no one is left to fight coronavirus alone.”
Macmillan’s Telephone Buddies support service was set up after the virus hit, allowing its existing volunteers, many themselves classed as vulnerable to the virus, to continue providing support to people with cancer. Anyone with cancer can ask for a regular call from a “buddy” who will check in on them regularly to chat and listen with the aim of reducing feelings of isolation.
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland has recruited and trained over 5000 Kindness Volunteers to support people across Scotland in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The aim of this project is to keep people safe and well in their own homes.
Through this partnership between Macmillan and Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, volunteers can offer practical help and emotional support for those who are isolated, helping them with everyday tasks like collecting medication, collecting shopping, walking the dog or just having a chat over the phone.
Janice Malone, from Macmillan Cancer Support said: “We know many people with cancer are feeling very isolated right now, while many are struggling with having their practical needs met.
“We are delighted to be working with Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland to set up a new service that means anyone who comes to us for emotional support will be referred to them for practical help and vice versa.
“It makes sense to work together in such a difficult time, particularly as many people with cancer will have other health conditions such as heart problems.”
To access and find out more about the Macmillan Telephone Buddies service please visit www.macmillan.org.uk/telephonebuddies. Or you can call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 (seven days a week, 8am-8pm)
To get help from Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Kindness Project call the Advice Line on 0808 801 0899 or visit: https://www.chss.org.uk/coronavirus/i-need-help/
Alcohol counselling continues remotely
The Scottish Alcohol Counselling Consortium has been continuing to provide vital addiction support.
The consortium is made up of local voluntary agencies and its members provide alcohol counselling and one to one and group support for hundreds of people across Scotland.
When the Covid -19 lockdown was announced, within a day, workers and volunteers were confined to working from home and all face to face counselling and support services were stopped.
All SACC member organisations have offered telephone support during the emergency and continue to provide confidential advice and information to individuals who are concerned about their own or a loved one's drinking.
Ongoing counselling sessions for individuals affected by alcohol-related problems are being provided mainly via telephone - occasionally Skype - along with crisis counselling, suicide prevention interventions and relapse prevention support.
Counsellors are continuing to carry full caseloads and agencies are continuing to take new referrals and assessing need over the phone.
However, although the majority of people have chosen to receive regular telephone support from counsellors, not all clients feel comfortable with telephone sessions and their counselling sessions will not resume until they can again be offered face-to-face support.
This leaves some people vulnerable to relapse - in an environment where it appears anecdotally that people are drinking more to help cope with lockdown.
