As the community sector looks to re-open, each organisations must look at their own unique situation and develop and implement their own roadmap to re-opening but here we have tried to pull together information from a range of sources that might support you. If you do have any queries that you want to discuss, please feel free to make contact with the PPN office ppn@sligococo.ie
Official Guidance
OFFICIAL GUIDANCE FROM DRCD AND POBAL WITH REGARD TO COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTARY GROUP RE-OPENING CLICK HERE
Local Research & Supports
In Sligo the PPN undertook a survey of member groups to try and find out their main conerns. We are now working with Sligo County Council, Sligo Leader Partnership Co and Sligo Volunteer Centre to try and put in place a suite of responses that will hopefully give groups the confidence to begin the process of starting up their invaluable services again.
To read the full summary report and the phase 1 action plan CLICK HERE
Funding: Existing local funding streams that might support you include the Emergency Response Fund and Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) administered by Sligo County Council (SCC) and SICAP grants administered by Sligo Leader Partnership (SLPCo). These organisations are working hard to ensure that these grants are organised in a way to most meet your needs in re-opening and we expect to have news on them soon. Keep an eye out on our alerts and the websites of SCC and SLPCo for more information. Anything else we hear about we will be letting you know.
Sample Templates & Documents
To read our PPN colleagues “Guide for Community Re-opening” CLICK HERE
To look at our SAMPLE Risk Assessment table for Community Centres CLICK HERE
We encourage you to download this Business Continuity Planning spreadsheet to help guide you on the most important aspects of planning for your organisation throughout the life cycle of this COVID-19 pandemic.The practical guidance the document below will give you an excellent route for navigating through this unprecedented crisis.
To read our SAMPLE return to work form for completion by Community Staff CLICK HERE
Sligo Volunteer Centre have pulled together all the signage you should need in one place. To download for free go to https://volunteersligo.ie/hse-and-hsa-posters-covid-19-signs-and-resources/
OTHER NATIONAL SUPPORTS
Return To Work Protocol
The Return to Work Protocol is a good starting point for the Community Centres to consider in terms of what services they can provide in line with the health guidelines.The Return to Work Safely Protocol, is the result of a collaborative effort by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), the Health Services Executive (HSE) and the Department of Health. It is designed to support employers and workers to put measures in place that will prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace, when the economy begins to slowly open up, following the temporary closure of most businesses during the worst phase of the current pandemic.
As the advice issued by NPHET continues to evolve, this protocol and the measures employers and workers need to address may also change.
Failte Ireland
Failte Ireland have produced a series of guidelines for various sectors of the hospitality sector including visitor attractions and activity providers. While they are not written for the community sector there might be useful advice for some community groups. Find them here Failte Ireland Resources
Volunteer Ireland Risk Assessment
In times of emergencies, it is vital that organisations do not put their volunteers or service users at risk. This is particularly true in relation to COVID-19. Risk is different in each organisation, but VI have created a basic template to risk assess volunteer roles during COVID-19. It is important to make sure the level of risk assigned aligns with the risk/hazard. This can be downloaded and adapted to the needs of your organisation. You can find the VI Risk Assessment Template by clicking HERE
The Wheel
The Wheel has advice and supports for the reopening of the community sector and its work. Find them by clicking HERE
Carmichael Centre
If you did not register for the local SLPCo driven training course for centres to re-open, then the Carmichael Centre are organising an online course with the same trainor – Ready and Able post COVID-19. starts 15th July 2020. The target audience is Anyone responsible for the re-opening of their non-profit post COVID-19.
Click HERE to find out more.