Page last updated on 24.11.2020
Update from CEO

We are working hard to bring information relevant to the Third Sector on Coronavirus into one area on our website. You'll find links to trusted sites like Scottish Government, DWP, West Lothian Council, NHS as well as information about volunteering during the crisis, funding and health and wellbeing resources.

We'll continue to add appropriate links as regularly as possible. If you think there are links to sites that others in the Sector would find useful, please just get in touch and we’ll update this page.

Alan McCloskey
CEO
VSGWL COVID-19
VSGWL are working to form our response to COVID-19 and are in contact with our local partners to ensure that the needs of the third sector and local community are taken into account in considering ways to mitigate the impact of this unprecedented situation. We will be updating this page regularly, for even more current information, please check our Facebook or Twitter.
Please contact us directly should you or your organisation need any support.
Telephone: 07712 521850
Office Email: vsg@vsgwl.org
General Notice
From Tuesday 17th March, all of the VSGWL team will move to remote working at the advice of the UK Government to implement social distancing practices. 
During this period we would encourage you to get in touch with us direct should you or your organisation need any support.
​Telephone: 07712 521850
Office Email: vsg@vsgwl.org

​LATEST NEWS

Kidzeco update on current services
Asda to donate 1 million meals before Christmas
Blackburn Community Choices Launches Today

VSGWL's Response

WL Council recognition of work of VSGWL and volunteers
Third Sector COVID-19 Recovery Summit - Video of Highlights
Third Sector COVID-19 Recovery Summit Report
COVID-19 Third Sector Impact Survey
COVID-19 Statement
TSI Scotland Network Letter
TSI follow up Letter to Cabinet Secretary
Effectiveness of Third Sector Resilience Fund survey results

General Updates

TSI Network Scotland – Manifesto for Change
Coronavirus (COVID-19): supporting people and communities - call for ideas
Health and Social Care Reflections on COVID-19
Provision of Personal Protective Equiptment (PPE) to Unpaid Carers and Personal Assistants (PAs) In West Lothian
COVID-19 Testing - Expanding key workers
COVID-19 Framework for Decision Making
COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPE)
UK Government Updates
Scottish Government Updates
West Lothian Council Updates
NHS Lothian Updates
NHS Inform
Local News - West Lothian Courier
VSGWL Updates
Home Energy Scotland - Still here to help
Small Business Support Fund and access for charities with premises
​Coronavirus (COVID-19): local advice and measures
Health and Wellbeing/Anti-Poverty Survey
West Lothian United to Prevent Suicide

Member Resource Bank

SCVO Information Hub
OSCR Guidance
Scottish Government Third Sector Unit Statement
NCVO Statement
Volunteer Scotland
Volunteering
Ready Scotland
DWP
Young Scot
Business Support
Business Gateway
Joint Forum of Community Councils in West Lothian
​LLTTF for Young People
Test and Protect - Update for community Volunteers
Scottish Rural Action report​
Leaving lockdown - useful SCVO guidance
Updated Guidance for volunteers in NHS setting
Covid-19 Age
Health and Social Care Report November 2020

Funding

There will be questions around funding for many of our groups at this time. We will be updating this section as and when we have more information on funding from The Scottish Government to support charities and community groups in delivering key services.
​
Important Funding news - Advance Notice
Helping Communities Affected by COVID-19 – The Scottish Government
Funding for Organisations
Foundation Scotland – Response, Recovery and Resilience Fund – updated guidance
Analysis of Wellbeing applications and awards
Job Centre Plus grant funding opportunity​
Update from National Lottery regarding a number of their Funding Programmes
​£25m Community and Third Sector Recovery Programme now open for application
​Robertson Trust Launches New Strategy
£15k VSGWL Covid-19 Response Fund – Phase 2

Keeping Informed

​As we move to a period of remote working, we have asked our communications team to be more active on social media, keeping you up-to-date with relevant third sector news, information, and more. 

You can follow us on twitter @VSGWL or like our Facebook page.

Wellbeing

The health and wellbeing of the people in West Lothian is of course paramount during this time. Below is a list of resources which may be useful to you for general well-being, mental health, and more.
Coronavirus & Your Wellbeing
Coping Calendar
Keeping Well & Finding Support
Tips for Managing Mental Health while Self-Isolating
​Mental Health and Suicide - Awareness raising animations​
West Lothian United to Prevent Suicide

Advice on Working from home

Remote Work Survival Kit
Cyber Alert – Coronavirus Scams and Home Working
Cyber Resilience COVID-19 Bulletin
Cyber Alert - Scam NHS Test and Protect message

Helplines

Domestic Abuse Helplines
West Lothian Locator
Parentline Scotland - 08000 28 22 33
New website from Child Protection Scotland

​NHS Non-Urgent Helpline – 111
Age Scotland – 0800 12 44 222
Action on Elder Abuse – 080 8808 8141
Samaritans – 116 123
Royal Voluntary Service – 0845 608 0122