The Weekly Surveillance report collates published national data to describe COVID-19 cases in East Sussex, how they change over time, and how this compares to other areas. It is available online together with the East Sussex COVID-19 Outbreak Control Plan. 

Acas, the government, and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) have published guidance to help employers handle employment law and data protection issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, including how to deal with employees who do not want to get vaccinated.

This report explores the value and contribution of the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in East Sussex – including how the sector responded to Covid-19 and how people see the sector’s future. As well as a detailed look at the positive contribution organisations are making in East Sussex specifically, the report offers an interesting perspective on how to present the value of the voluntary sector in a way that goes beyond traditional ‘impact’ or economic metrics; and explores how funders, the public sector and VCSEs can best support each other in the future.

NPC recently hosted an online seminar, in partnership with the Clothworkers’ Company, on how trustees can help charities harness digital technology through and beyond the Covid-19 pandemic. Several speakers shared their insights into making the most of digital and NPC has just posted a blog about it.

The Staying Well Space is an out-of-hours mental health crisis prevention service provided at Eastbourne/Hastings Wellbeing Centres. It is open 7 nights a week from 4:00 pm on weekdays, 3:00 pm on weekends and closing at 10:30 pm every night. Support includes proactively contacting clients who have been referred or self-referred to the service to build crisis plans together, increasing resilience and coping skills. 

Please note due to Covid-19 restrictions, the service is primarily providing phone support, but has resumed some face-to-face support with clients where essential and in a socially-distanced safe way.

Please contact Team Manager Judy Pearson at judy.pearson@southdown.org if you want any further information on the Staying Well service or click below to learn more and download a referral form.

MindOut is excited to offer a limited number of bursaries for Black and trans/QTIPOC counsellors to undertake training. MindOut is offering these bursaries in partnership with the University of Brighton for students to join their Humanistic or Psychodynamic PGDip courses.

Stay Up Late and Gig Buddies love having ambassadors and participants writing blogs for their website. They have had more and more people volunteering to write blogs for them, so Stay Up Late Ambassadors thought it would be useful to put together an easy read guide to writing blogs which they are very happy to share.

Eastbourne-based business Cobb PR has a selection of office equipment to give away to local charities. The list includes:

10 good-quality desks
5 sets of matching cabinet drawers
5 office chairs
4 x storage cupboards
3 x HP laserjet printers (1 colour)
2 x tall metal filing cabinets (4 drawers)
1 x TV Samsung wall mounted (probably about 46” screen)

Tim Cobb will host a viewing day on Wednesday 24 March and Friday 26 March. Call him on 07899 803 744 to fix a time for a socially distanced office visit at 2 Langney Road (between Blacks and The Curzon). Face masks to be worn, please. You will need to carry + collect.

Let the talented students at East Sussex College help!

East Sussex College has students with a wealth of talent studying subjects like Media, Business, AAT and Digital Technology. We would like to support 3VA members through doing short projects for you which can be done online.
Here are some ideas for projects ESCG students could do:
Plan and develop marketing ideas for events, including using social media
 - Deliver online events, such as creative arts sessions
 - Create a new logo or business identity
 - Advise about social media and computing skills
 - Storyboard and edit short pieces of film
 - Give accounting and spreadsheet advice.

Like to know more? They would love to hear from you! 

Love your wild verge? Love your wild front garden? Put a blue heart in the ground made out of recycled materials to show that you care for nature. A blue heart symbol, made out of recycled materials, is staked in the ground over the area being rewilded. This communicates to neighbours and friends that rewilding is in process (and that it is not just the owner or council being lazy!). The campaign is now partnered with Keep Britain Tidy and Eco-Schools England and, locally, Greenhavens has been supporting the campaign for a some time. The campaign promotes the rewilding of our gardens, parks, road verges and school grounds. It suggests that a part of this ground is set aside and left to grow through the summer.

The census took place on Sunday 21st March, but it is not too late to complete it and it can be done online.

If you or service users need support to fill in the census, you can find help online, including guidance on how to do your census online or on paper, when to complete it, and completing for someone else. There is also guidance available in other languages and accessible formats, including large print, easy read and accessible videos with BSL and audio.

Census support centres are also available available locally at Crossland and Dudson Training and Seaside Community Hub in Eastbourne, Ethel Wood Community Centre in Pevensey, Havens Community Hub in Newhaven, RVA in Bexhill and Victoria Pavilion Support Centre in Uckfield. The support centres are here to help and can assist people in the completion of the census. Find contact details for these support centres.

If anyone is struggling to get through to the main Census Number to get a paper record please give this number, 0800 876 6276. Its a direct automated service to order a paper census. All the householder needs is their unique access code.

Sussex residents who have no means to get to their COVID-19 vaccination appointment are now able to book a free return journey to help them attend.

To book free travel please book your vaccination appointment first and then call:
01444 275 008 for West Sussex residents
07871 603 235 for East Sussex residents
to speak to a travel coordinator. The booking service is available between 10:00-13:00 and 14:00-17:00 Monday to Friday.

Once you are through to a travel coordinator you will be asked the following questions:
 - Do you have access to transport to attend your vaccine       appointment?
 - Do you have a family member, friend or carer who can          help with transport? They do not have to be in your              bubble as per government guidelines.
If both of these options are not available the travel coordinator will arrange transport for you, including any additional needs such as wheelchair-friendly vehicles.

All transport providers have signed up to a COVID-19 safety policy to ensure that all precautions are in place for a safe journey.

In July 2020, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the £2 billion Kickstart Scheme which provides six months of funding to employers to create job placements for 16 to 24-year-olds receiving Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment.

The Havens Community Hub, in conjunction with the Sussex Chamber of Commerce, was one of the first organisations in Sussex to sign up to the scheme when it opened for applications in September 2020. Having already filled their first role since the positions were advertised at the start of March, they are encouraging more potential applicants to come forward via the Jobcentre Plus to apply for other Kickstart placements available in the Lewes District.

As well as getting at least 25 hours of employment per week at national minimum wage or higher, young people taking part will receive on-the-job training, skills development, and mentoring.

Upcoming online meetings of Wealden Dementia Action Alliance forums include:

Uckfield Dementia Forum: 25 March 2021 at 2:00 pm 2pm (Please contact Holly at Uckfield Town Council to join this meeting: townclerk@uckfieldtc.gov.uk)

Hailsham Dementia Forum: 15 April 2021 at 10:00 am

Wealden Dementia Action Alliance Meeting: 8 July 2021 at 10:00 am (location to be confirmed)

Please contact communitydevelopment@wealden.gov.uk if you would like to attend any of the above forums.

Online | 25 March 2021 from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm

A space for Eastbourne-based charities, community groups and leaders from all sectors to meet monthly to discuss key issues, share practice, help each other and access information. It’s a great place to hear directly from Eastbourne Borough Council leaders and elected representatives, too. No topic is off limits, no question is too small or too big to raise.

The meeting takes place every fourth Thursday of the month from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm on Zoom.

Online | 25 March 2021 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Calling all youth club leaders, youth workers, practitioners working with young people and managers! Sussex Clubs for Young People wants youth club leaders and youth workers, those directly working with young people, to join them at their pan-Sussex conference as we explore together how we can emerge from lockdown and build a universal youth service which is a coalition of voluntary and community sector partners to support young people.

Online | 22-26 March 2021

Association of Carers is holding activities on Zoom (support is available If the participant has not used Zoom before). The sessions will be fun, friendly and informal! If you are a carer in East Sussex and would like to attend any of the activities then please email Jane in advance by emailing jane@associationofcarers.org.uk or calling 01424 722 309. Or if there’s an activity you’d like to host then feel free to suggest it! Association of Carers volunteers are welcome to attend too.

Online  24 March 2021 2-4pm

In January carers in Sussex shared their experiences of health and care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Find out more about carers views and the carer-led recommendations that will be presented and discussed on a webinar (online and by phone).  

You will also be able to ask questions of the panel.

Online  24 March 2021 7pm

Amanda Millar, who runs the Bat Hospital in Hurstpierpoint will be talking about her passion for bats, and how we can help them in our gardens. Her bats might join the webinar depending on how sleepy they are!
The talk will include a brief look at their amazing biology, the ones which come into her care and things we can do in our gardens to benefit them and other wildlife.

Online | 30 March 2021 from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm

This webinar is for small and local charities in England and Wales with an income of between £25,000 and £1 million a year that are helping people overcome complex social issues who are considering applying to this fund.

Deadline for responses: 29 March 2021

This survey has been developed to help gauge how the Covid-19 crisis has affected low carbon lifestyles and attitudes to climate change in Wealden, and what the longer-term implications might be for when we 'return to normal'.

Deadline for responses: 31 March 2021

Healthwatch is the public watchdog for those using health and social care services in East Sussex. It is keen to hear about the experiences of anyone in East Sussex who has been discharged [as an inpatient] from hospital between December 2020 and March 2021.

Deadline for responses: 31 March 2021

As the COVID-19 Vaccination programme is underway in East Sussex, Healthwatch is keen to hear your views on the vaccine and vaccinations for COVID-19 and your personal experiences of the COVID-19 vaccination process.

As national lockdown starts to ease and voluntary organisations embark on opening up premises and resuming services or activities in line with the government’s road map, we’d like to hear from you about the issues/concerns organisations you have and what NCVO can do to offer further support.

Please take 5-10 minutes to complete this short survey.

Deadline for applications: There are no deadlines. Applications can be made at any time from now until the end of 2021.

Charities with an income of between £25,000 and £1 million that are tackling complex social issues such as mental health, homelessness, trafficking and domestic abuse, addiction and dependency can apply. Applicants will need to have a proven track record of helping people achieve positive change in their local communities. At least 25% of all funding this year will be allocated to charities led by and for Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities.

On Tuesday 30 March, there will be a live Q&A panel with the Lloyds Bank Foundation's grants team to talk through and answer questions about the 2021 funding. Register.

Deadline for applications: 26 March 2021

The Rampion Fund supports projects in a specific area that benefit the broad community of Sussex, in particular those with links to the environment and ecology, climate change and energy. This specific area locally includes the coastal strip from Telscombe and Peacehaven to Seaford and East Dean. Grants are between £1,000 and £10,000, with higher grants available in exceptional circumstances.

Deadline for applications: 8 April 2021 at 5:00 pm

The Climate Action Fund (CAF) is supporting communities across the UK to take action on climate change. These communities will demonstrate what’s possible when people lead in this work. With National Lottery funding, they’ll work together, share their learning and be active participants in a broader movement of change. 

At this initial application stage, The National Lottery Community Fund is interested in hearing about your project, the long-term vision and aims, and how your community has been involved in shaping and deciding what you’ll do.

Deadline for applications: 9 April 2021

The Covid Winter Support Fund continues to be open for applications from East and West Sussex. This has been operating on a rolling basis, with applications assessed weekly and decisions made each fortnight. However, to meet the spending deadline set by the government, the final deadline for applications is 9 April. Please submit your application as early as possible, as funding will need to be spent by the end of May.

Deadline for applications: 12 April 2021 at noon

A further three rounds of the Force for Change programme have been announced for projects that reduce social isolation and promote integration of Forces communities.

Deadline for applications: 7 May 2021 at 5:00 pm

The next general awards deadline is 7 May. Sussex Community Foundation's grants programme is made up of a range of funds which help to address disadvantage and deprivation and build resilience in Sussex communities. This includes for core organisation and staff costs. Sussex Community Foundation is particularly keen to support grassroots community groups and small-to-medium sized voluntary organisations.

Deadline for applications: 7 May 2021

Applications are welcome from any voluntary or community organisation that is based, or works in, the Hall & Woodhouse trading area across the south of England. Grants or funds raised could be used to support the following: youth work and activities, pre-schools and extracurricular school activities, elderly and people with disabilities, health and social care, local arts and culture and conservation and the environment. Groups can apply for grants or fundraising support ranging from £400 and £4,000 to help achieve their aims.

Find out more about 3VA's high-quality, evidence-based free and low-cost learning opportunities. 

Online | 24 March 2021 from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm

This course is now fully booked. If you would like to be added to the waiting list, please email Martina Taylor at martina.taylor@3va.org.uk.

This free MHFA England half day online course is an introductory 4-hour session aiming to raise awareness of mental health. It's specifically for staff and volunteers in voluntary and community groups working, volunteering or engaging with others on a regular basis.

Online | 29 March 2021 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

There is an understandable level of confusion and anxiety about reopening community services and what you can and cannot do. This three hour online session will look at what the issues are for your team and clients and will help to allay your fears as to how to risk assess so that you can confidently reopen.

Online | 13 April 2021 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

This online workshop is an overview of the steps required to establish and develop successful projects. It will outline what key areas need to be considered at the beginning, from testing the idea, choosing the most suitable legal structure, to building in evaluation systems, developing resilience and future development. You will be provided with resources, knowledge and positive choices to achieve your aims.

Online | 22 April 2021 from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm

This online course has been designed as a follow-up course to the Setting up a Community group or project course, which we are running on 13 April 2021. We advise that you attend that course prior to booking onto this one.

Choosing the Right Structure for Your Organisation is designed for those who are planning to set up a group to deliver activities and need to be informed about the choice of legal structure or are reviewing their existing structure to ensure that they have the most appropriate type to meet their aims and objectives.

This short video is designed for you if you have already made an informed choice about the type of legal structure you wish to set up for the delivery of your service and activities and need some guidance on the application process.

This video is supported by an online CIO Q&A session on 27 April 2021.

This video is designed for you if you have already made an informed choice about the type of legal structure you wish to set up for the delivery of your service and activities.

This video is supported by an online CIC Q&A session on 23 March or 29 April 2021.

More learning opportunities for voluntary and community groups and organisations.

Online | March 2021

The government is working with Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) and Combined Authorities (CAs) to help establish Local Digital Skills Partnerships (Local DSPs) across the country to tackle local digital skills challenges and build thriving and inclusive local economies.

Upcoming webinars with Google Digital Garage include Improve Your Digital Marketing Strategy, Setting Up Your Online Shop and Using Google Analytics.

Online | 24 March 2021 from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon

Mastering the art of presenting a video call will help you to persuade, influence and improve outcomes for your charity. Join Dominic Laurie, former journalist, presenter and reporter for the BBC for 12 years, to discover how to present video calls that have greater impact and drive results.

Online | 25 March 2021 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm

Interested in finding out more about crowdfunding? The Crowdfunder team will be running a live introductory session suitable for anyone who wants to find out more about this method of fundraising, the potential uses for all sorts of projects and the extra funding available in East Sussex.

Online | 29 March 2021 from 7:00 pm

The FA is hosting a free webinar as part of a new 'Women into Coaching' campaign, which celebrates the work of female grassroots coaches and aims to inspire more women to start coaching.

The webinar will be hosted by the local Coach Development Officer, giving you the opportunity to discuss the support and opportunities that are available in the local area. So, if you are or know of an aspiring female coach and want to know more about the support The FA provides, be sure to register.

Online | April to August 2021

Care for the Carers provides a free Think Carer programme of Carer Awareness Training as part of its Building Carer Friendly Communities initiative. The training sessions are for businesses, health and social care organisations and professionals and volunteers working with carers. Training content includes unpaid carers and the impact of caring, the importance of identifying and supporting carers, carers rights, support available – signposting – making a referral
and ‘Carer Friendly Community’ approach – why this is important and the role we can all play.

Deadline for applications: 25 March 2021 at 9:00 am

Deadline for applications: 26 March 2021 at 9:00 am

Deadline for applications: 1 April 2021

Deadline for applications: 9 April 2021

Deadline for applications: 31 March 2021 at 5:00 pm

The Kanji Project is looking for a dedicated Treasurer.

Deadline for applications: 31 March 2021 at 5:00 pm

The Kanji Project is looking for a dedicated volunteer fundraiser / trustee who can help a small team of friendly trustees to raise regular income, so that they can continue to support sister charities in Tamil Nadu, India.

Deadline for applications: 31 March 2021

Lewes District Churches HOMELINK is seeking to recruit a trustee who would act as the charity’s Honorary Treasurer.

Deadline for applications: 10 April 2021

FRow Friends is looking to work with an organised and methodical person who will play a supportive role to the committee (of which the treasurer is a member), ensuring financial processes are maintained and developed and assisting the committee to have a clear understanding of the financial status of the organisation.

Deadline for applications: 30 April 2021

Association of Carers is seeking new trustees to help ensure it is effectively managed, and to help develop and grow the charity, enabling it to reach even more carers and support them at a time when they often need it most.

Deadline for applications: 2 July 2021

The Trees Community Association (TCA) in Willingdon is currently looking for effective people to join its Board of Trustees in realising an ambitious goal to make a difference in our community. TCA Trustees are key to helping make this happen.

Deadline for applications: 31 December 2021

Could you spare a few hours each month helping East Sussex Hearing deliver vital countywide services to the deaf and hearing impaired?