Coronavirus

Government funding for charities
Applications for the government’s new coronavirus community support fund opened on Friday 22 May. For more information see the funding section of our coronavirus guidance.

Our guidance and resources to support charities, voluntary organisations and volunteers during the covid-19 pandemic.

If you have any specific questions related to covid-19 please email NCVO at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  

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Guidance for your organisation

Our Knowhow section on coronavirus contains information to help you decide what steps you and your organisation need to take. It covers the following topics.

Supporting staff, volunteers and beneficiaries and keeping safe

• Preventing and social distancing
• Risk assessment
• Returning to work safely
• Supporting NHS Test and Trace
• Continuing your operation
• Cleaning, handwashing and hygiene procedures
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Supporting beneficiaries/service users
• Supporting staff and volunteers to work from home
• Employees' rights and sick leave entitlements
• Annual leave and furlough
• Supporting members of communities facing discrimination
• Taking an inclusive approach
• Guidance for trustees
• Webinars on supporting staff, volunteers and beneficiaries and keeping safe

Contingency planning and financial implications

• Developing a contingency plan and your insurance 
• Financial management and solvency
• Consider merger and collaboration
• Coronavirus job retention scheme (furloughing)
• The Job Support Scheme (if your organisation is facing reduced demand)
• The Job Support Scheme (if your premises are legally required to close)
• Coronavirus business interruption loan scheme (CBILS)
• Bounce back loan
• Charity funding from government
• Other funding opportunities for charities
• Webinars on contingency planning and finance

How charities are helping

Involving volunteers

• Volunteering and local covid alerts
• How volunteers can make a difference
• Redirecting volunteers if you cannot take on any more
• Volunteers in key worker roles
• Coronavirus testing for volunteers
• Furlough and volunteering
• Insurance and volunteering
• Volunteer expenses
• Paying for goods or services
• Safeguarding for volunteer managers
• Safeguarding for informal volunteer-led groups
• DBS checks and volunteers
• Data protection
• Recognising and reporting scams
• Additional help finding and supporting volunteers
• Webinars on involving volunteers

Further information and resources

• Key up-to-date information from the government
• Sector-specific guidance
• Risk management
• Travel advice

Webinars

We are running a series of webinars to help organisations during the pandemic. You can view recordings of previous webinars on the Knowhow guidance pages.

Upcoming webinars

Details of upcoming webinars will appear here. For more informaiton see our training page.

Previous webinars

Volunteering in a pandemic: Lessons from volunteering organisations

UK Civil Society Almanac 2020: What the latest data tells us about charities' challenges now and in the future

Easing of lockdown – practical considerations for managing and supporting staff

Board leadership: Supporting your charity through the next phase of the coronavirus pandemic

Financial management and accessing government funding 

Financial management during covid-19 – top tips and scenario planning

Assessing health and safety risk in uncertain times

How to involve and safeguard volunteers during coronavirus

Involving volunteers during the pandemic – what you need to know

Governing during a pandemic: What are the key things trustees need to be focused on?

Further support

We have removed the paywall from our Knowhow resources to help support charities seeking help and guidance. 

The HR consultancy Croner, an NCVO Trusted Supplier, are specialists in HR and employment law. In response to covid-19, they are now offering unlimited access to their HR and Employment Law helpline to all voluntary sector organisations, free of charge.

Get in touch with Bates Wells, an NCVO Trusted Supplier, who are offering a free 30 minute legal advice consultation with one of their charity specialists. 

Volunteering

We have published new guidance for people who want to help out during the pandemic. It includes which organisations to approach and tips on staying safe when supporting others.

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