If you are referring a client through statutory services, please use the link below to fill out the appropriate information needed for us to help.
Referrals from Adult Social Care and Health Professionals, will be prioritised.
If you need to talk to contact us outside of these forms, you can email us at covidhelp@communitybarnet.org.uk
or call us: on the helpline 020 8016 0016
If you are resident in the London Borough of Barnet and need help because you are shielding or self-Isolating and are having difficulty with shopping or prescription collection.
If you are struggling and do not know who to talk to
Sometimes, it is just about talking to another person and we are on hand to talk to you.
If you are:
How to reach us:
Our telephone lines are open 9am until 5pm every day. Though we will operate the befriending call line outside these times.
If you are in need of medical assistance, please contact either 111, or in an emergency please call 999.
We will regularly update this page with funding opportunities:
1) Please read our COVD-19 Funding newsletter here
2) London’s funders are working together to provide coordinated funding to support groups responding to the needs of communities affected by the covid-19 pandemic. Read more and apply for up to £5,000 of Civil Society Support funding here
Covid-19 Volunteer Handbook
Our pared down Volunteer Handbook is fairly generic but can be used by volunteers to support eachother in roles such as shopping, collecting prescriptions, gardening, telephone befriending and more. Download the Handbook here
We have also produced a short animation on volunteering for organisations, which can be viewed here.
Covid-19 Volunteer Risk Assessment
Different charities and groups are involving volunteers during Covid-19. This is a great community response, however sometimes there are concerns about the different risks involved. Here is an example of a Volunteer Risk Assessment that gives groups an idea about the potential risks volunteers may be involved with during Covid-19. Organisations can download this and adapt it to suit your own organisational needs Click here to download
New Disclosure and Service Barring (DBS) Checks Information
On 19 March 2020, the DBS updated how they are currently accepting new DBS checks. This is to make the process easier, as volunteers now do not have to physically meet Volunteer Managers with proof of ID & Documentation. They can do this via Video Online and scanning documents. See full details here
If you need a DBS check, we can carry that out for you, please contact Sian: sian.avery@communitybarnet.org.uk (link sends e-mail)(link sends e-mail)
or call 020 8364 8400 (office hours) and we will take you through the process.
Safeguarding
Everyone has the right to live in safety and free from abuse and neglect. Watch our Safeguarding video to help you understand the role you play in safeguarding others here on our YouTube Channel
Online Volunteer Training
Health Education England e-Learning for Healthcare (HEE e-LfH)
This programme has been created by Health Education England e-Learning for Healthcare (HEE e-LfH) in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic. The programme includes key materials to help the health and care workforce respond to Coronavirus. This may be useful to share with your volunteers (formal or informal groups) and can be found here
Covid-19 Volunteer Handbook
Our pared down Volunteer Handbook is fairly generic but can be used by volunteers to support eachother in roles such as shopping, collecting prescriptions, gardening, telephone befriending and more. Download the Handbook here
Informal Groups working with volunteers
CommUNITY Barnet has produced some basic Volunteer Guidelines that you can use to share with volunteers who may be helping neighbours informally, or through community-organised groups. There are many Facebook groups being set up across Barnet for grassroots neighbour support, so we hope these Volunteer Guidelines will be useful. Please feel free to use and share them as needed.
Please download the Volunteer Guidelines here
You can also watch our animination on Tips for Staying Safe While Volunteering here
Watch our Telephone Befriending Top Tips here
Mutual Support Covid-19 Resources and Volunteer Information
Some useful national resources and information has been produced for Informal Groups of Volunteers. Check out the information here
Safeguarding
Everyone has the right to live in safety and free from abuse and neglect. Watch our Safeguarding video to help you understand the role you play in safeguarding others here on our YouTube Channel
Online Volunteer Training
Health Education England e-Learning for Healthcare (HEE e-LfH)
This programme has been created by Health Education England e-Learning for Healthcare (HEE e-LfH) in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic. The programme includes key materials to help the health and care workforce respond to Coronavirus. This may be useful to share with your volunteers (formal or informal groups) and can be found here
CommUNITY Barnet Basic guidelines to protect volunteers
It’s fantastic to see volunteers offering to help, but volunteers also need to protect themselves during Covid 19.
Before volunteering wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds. Take sanitiser gel with you, and use when appropriate and/or when you don’t have access to soap and water washing facilities.
Always wash your hands when you get home from volunteering.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze, and put used tissues in the nearest bin immediately - then wash your hands.
Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.
When helping neighbours please only offer to help for the tasks you feel comfortable doing and are able to do. Volunteers helping local neighbours need to make sure that if they become unwell themselves they MUST not volunteer. Volunteers need to protect themselves and not put other people at risk.
Think of others, consider your actions & be kind: People in every community will face the challenges of Covid-19 in some way – from needing basic provisions to help while they are unwell.
Connect and reach out to your neighbours: as self-isolation increases, we need to find new ways to stay connected and check in on one another for our physical and mental wellbeing. Share phone numbers and stay in touch.
Make the most of local online groups: Keep up to date, share information and be a positive part of your local community conversations using platforms like Nextdoor.
Support vulnerable or isolated people: different groups in our communities are at increased risk, and social isolation and loneliness are key concerns for all ages. There are things you can do like volunteering for local phone support services or donating to food banks to help.
Share accurate information and advice: Support anyone who may be anxious about Covid-19. Sign post them to the correct advice from Public Health England and encourage people to follow the correct hygiene practices.
Lastly, thank you all again for being so amazing.
