VCSE COVID Recovery Fund reopening for applications January 2021

The Department for Communities are reopening the Voluntary, Community and Social Economy (VCSE) COVID Recovery Fund for applications on 18 January 2021.

The scheme which closed on 11 December 2020, will reopen for applications under Theme 3 of the Fund (Future PPE and Sundry Equipment needs) for a period of two weeks from 18 January 2021 to 29 January 2021.

Importantly to help ensure that VCSE organisations have the PPE required to continue service delivery, the maximum award from this part of the Fund which was previously capped at £2,000, will rise to £5,000. Organisations who were previously successful in applying to this element of the fund can reapply to receive up to £5k (e.g. if an organisation was awarded £2k from the 1st round of applications, they can apply for a further £3k).

This opportunity for groups to make new or additional applications will help provide the Sector with the opportunity to plan ahead and ensure their premises are ready to deliver services as soon as Covid restrictions are relaxed.

As before, the Fund will be distributed by Co-operation Ireland in partnership with Rural Community Network.

see more here

Community Wellbeing and Resilience Programme

Community Wellbeing and Resilience Programme

The Community Wellbeing and Resilience Programme has been designed for staff and volunteers working in the community sector who have been involved on the frontline of the Covid-19 pandemic response.

The project is a partnership between Inspire Wellbeing, who will deliver the sessions and NICVA who will provide the administrative support for accessing the pre-recorded and live webinars.  It is funded by the Department for Communities.

This FREE Programme allows participants to access a range of wellbeing sessions.

Tier 1, Wellbeing in Your World, is a series of six Pre-recorded Webinars suitable for all levels of staff and volunteers. The Pre-recorded Webinars will be available from Friday 18 December until Friday 19 February 2021, so participants can re-visit them at any point up until then.  

Tier 2 offers three Live Webinars which will focus on building and maintaining positive mental health.  Each Live Webinar will last 2 hours on 12th, 18th and 29th January. Tier 2 also offers a six week course of Live Webinars –  Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Programme beginning on 11th February.

Lastly, Tier 3 comprises Resources which offer specific services and resources designed to support ongoing mental health and wellbeing.

Please register using the links below.  

Pre-recorded Webinars – Wellbeing in Your World

Topic Date Available Time
Stress and Anxiety 18/12/20 – 19/2/21 30 mins
Getting a Good Night’s Sleep 18/12/20 – 19/2/21 30 mins
Alcohol, Other Drugs and Coping with Covid-19 18/12/20 – 19/2/21 1.5 hours
Anti-Stigma and Mental Health Awareness 18/12/20 – 19/2/21 1 hour
Mental Health and Stigma Awareness for Managers 18/12/20- 19/2/21 30 mins
Burnout 18/12/20 – 19/2/21 10 mins

 

Live Webinars – Building and Maintaining Positive Mental Health

Topic Date Time Facilitator
Introduction to Mindfulness (2 hours) Tuesday 12 January 2021 2pm – 4pm Frank Liddy
Positive Mental Health (2 hours) Monday 18 January 2021 10am – 12noon Julie Hill
Managers Promoting Positive Mental Health (2 hours) Friday 29 January 2021 10am – 12noon Julie Hill

 

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Programme (6 week course of Live Webinars)

Session Date Time
Session One Thursday 11 February 2pm – 3pm
Session Two Tuesday 16 February 2pm – 3pm
Session Three Thursday 25 February 2pm – 3pm
Session Four Tuesday 2 March 2pm – 3pm
Session Five Tuesday 9 March 2pm – 3pm
Session Six Tuesday 16 March 2pm – 3pm

Facilitator: Frank Liddy

Resources

Inspire Support Hub

Participants will be given access to the Inspire Support Hub for one year to allow for more on-going mental health, resilience and wellbeing support. With just a few simple steps you can create your personal profile and start using the support hub. Just follow the steps detailed here to get started.

TQUK Level 1 Award in Mental Health Awareness (RQF)

NICVA is delighted to be able to offer accreditation for anyone working in mental health or wanting to learn more about what is mental health and well being. This is an opportunity to gain recognition of existing skills and understanding of mental health but also for anyone that wants an introductory level of understanding in Mental Health Awareness. Learners will research what mental health means, the effects mental health can have on individuals and on society, the current responses to mental health and the relationship between cultural diversity and mental health issues.

The pre-recorded and live webinars included in the Community Wellbeing and Resilience Programme will help the learner to meet some of the requirements of the level 1 qualification.

This course is available for self study anytime that suits you, so register today. The closing date for completion of the accreditation booklet is 26 February 2021.

Covid Wellbeing Northern Ireland Online Hub

The website offers a comprehensive range of information, self-help guides and ways to access help to support your mental health and wellbeing. It was created by CovidWellBeingNI a partnership of 15 leading mental health and wellbeing charities and the Healthy Living Centre Alliance representing 28 Healthy Living Centres alongside the Public Health Agency, Department of Health and the Department for Communities. The focus is on promoting positive mental health and wellbeing during and after the Covid19 pandemic.

A useful guide to Mental and emotional wellbeing resources

This website from the Health and Social Care Board offers a useful guide to mental and emotional wellbeing resources.  It also offers access to a Psychological First Aid Course.

Youth Restart & Recent Executive Announcements-26 November 2020

Youth Restart & Recent Executive Announcements

An update from Paul Deighan | Head of Regional Youth Services (Interim)

With reference to recent announcements regarding restrictions by the Northern Ireland Executive in relation to Covid-19, I write to confirm that as part of these announcements Educational Settings are exempt. Guidance issued within the Youth Restart and New School Day documents remains the current practice and procedures when working with children and young people in educational settings (i.e. youth settings). Guidance relating to Education Visits (activities or trips away from your normal delivery location) remains the same which are currently on pause at this time.

Outlined below is the current stage relevant to the Youth Work Setting for your reference.

If a change in restrictions is introduced which directly impacts the delivery of Youth Services, I will write to you again outlining any potential change.

Yours Sincerely,

Paul Deighan | Head of Regional Youth Services (Interim)

Youth Service |Children and Young People’s Service

 

Youth Work Setting Commencement Present Status
Generic Youth

Provision

1st October 2020 Operational
Centre Based Youth Provision (Part Time & Full Time) 1st October 2020 Operational
Area Based Project

Provision

1st October 2020 Operational
Specialist Provision

(Including Individual Work)

March 2020 Online Only Online
Online & Remote Access Provision March 2020 Operational
International Youth Work March 2020 Online Only Online
Outreach Work Stood Down Not Operational
Detached Provision April 2020 – Only as part of an agreed response plan to support vulnerable Children and young people led by EA Only as part of an agreed response plan to support vulnerable children and young people led by EA
Residential Work Stood Down Not Operational
Staff Development & Training April 2020 Online Only Online
Training for Young People April 2020 Online Only Online