First of all - we think you're amazing. The tremendous community spirit of the people of Swansea at this truly difficult time is making us even more proud to support community effort in the County!

WE DO NOT want to stop you doing what you're doing - but - we do want to make sure you're able to do it safely, and to offer you as much support as we can.

There are new groups springing up across the whole of Swansea, helping those who are socially isolated, organising food deliveries and prescriptions; and meeting the unmet needs of those who really need help right now.

This, along with the existing groups and networks, means that we are really well placed as a County to make sure that we all thrive during these difficult times.

SCVS are mapping all of the different services available across the whole of Swansea on a local level, so that we can help to join you up to existing support, make sure you have the tools in place to protect you, and make sure that the fantastic network is best used. We can also help you with extra volunteers, or the practical things you might need to make the biggest impact you can.

So - please get in touch! We have split our team into 5 geographical areas, so you'll have a key person to contact, and they can link you up with other things that are happening locally to you:

We are using the GP ‘Cluster’ boundaries to help coordinate this work (see map) with key contacts and a team for each area:

• City Team - covers the City Centre, SA1 - Email: [email protected] - Danielle Lock (07946 535304)
• Cwmtawe Team – covers Clydach, Llansamlet and Morriston Email: [email protected] - Amy Meredith-Davies (07943 189233)
• Penderi Team – covers Brynhyfryd, Fforestfach, Manselton, Blaenymaes -Email: [email protected] - Danielle Lock (07946 535304)
• Llwchwr Team – covers Gowerton, Gorseinon, Penclawdd, Garnswllt and Pontarddulais -Email: [email protected] - Amy Meredith-Davies (07538 105287)
• Bay Team– covers Uplands, Sketty, West Cross, Mumbles, Killay, Gower and the University - Email: [email protected] - Emma Crocker (07943 189233)

If you'd like some specific advice around volunteers and volunteering for your new group, please contact: [email protected] 

We also have a 'Coronavirus mailing list' - while this is for updates for more formal third sector groups, there will be information in there that can help. If you'd like to be added, please tell us your name, and a working name for your group when you email us, as well as a little about what you're doing, and anything you're finding difficult.

THANK YOU!

---

Essential Resources for your new group

Community Response to Covid 19 - Guidance for new groups (updated 16/04/20)

NEW (9th April 2020) - 'Informal Volunteering - What you need to know'. A new SCVS created Information sheet for individuals taking part in informal volunteering, covering the basics of what they need to do to keep themselves, and the people they're supporting, healthy and safe. Click to download and share with your volunteers. (you can also download a plain text version here)

Guidance for food banks/Food Suppliers - Any new food supplies coming in should ideally be quarantined for 72hrs. A practical suggestion would be to have a bay for each day for donations so it's easier to rotate the stock. The main message is TO BE CONTACTLESS. So if you have a space like a porch or vestry, put the food there for people to collect. Keep all volunteers separate from the public to decrease cross contamination (if you're supplying food for the community, and haven't already made contact with SCVS, please email: [email protected] 

WCVA have produced guidance on safeguarding issues related to financial transactions during the coronavirus outbreak

We at SCVS have produced a very simple and straightforward overview of safeguarding and confidentially which is great for informal volunteers to make sure they understand their responsibilities and how to report concerns. Click here to download

(If you'd like to see the resources we've gathered for established groups so far, click here)

---

(Click to go back to the main Coronavirus page)