Westminster Covid-19 update

By 17th March 2020Uncategorised

YWF is working with Westminster City Council, One Westminster, BME Health Forum and wider Voluntary Sector in Westminster during the coronavirus outbreak.

We are following the government guidance of social distancing in order to delay the spread of the virus and protect vulnerable people.

This means:

  • The YWF Membership event on Weds 18th March will be postponed. We’ll continue to update our Members via our monthly newsletter. Sign up to the newsletter here.
  • The best place to get accurate and up-to-date health advice is from the NHS here
  • UK government advice is available here. Guidance on social distancing for everyone in the UK and protecting older people and vulnerable adults is available here.
  • You may finds facts reassuring during this time and there’s some great infographics about coronavirus here.
  • We’re working with WCC to stay up-to-date on national advice for schools. See below for the latest guidance that has been sent to schools and will continue to update you as this changes.
  • YWF has joined an alliance of funders from across sectors that has come together to sign a joint statement pledging to offer support to civil society groups affected by the coronavirus outbreak. You can read the statement here.
  • YWF, One Westminster & the BME Health Forum wish to support our network as best we can. If you are concerned about your service users at serious risk or the functioning of your organisation in the event of self-isolation, please contact us and we will do our best to signpost you to additional support/expert advice. YWF’s phone number is 07426 217044
  • The Westminster Covid-19 Mutual Aid Group can be accessed here, with more information here for groups across the country. Mutual Aid are organising locally to support the most vulnerable people in communities.

If you want to understand more about how the spread of coronavirus might affect your organisation, NCVO has put together information that is specifically for voluntary sector organisations here.

The coronavirus will have a significant impact on vulnerable people, and not just those that are at highest risk of serious infection. In tough times, the way communities step up to work together is central to how far-reaching the outcomes can be. Consider how you and your organisations might be able to help; for example through volunteering, reaching out to vulnerable or isolated individuals or donations to food banks.

Click here to download COVID-19 Schools Briefing