The Voluntary and Community Sector Emergencies Partnership is a partnership of local and national voluntary and community sector organisations, formed in response to learnings from several national crises in 2017. It was recognised that a more coordinated response amongst the voluntary and community sector was needed when responding to an emergency and the Emergencies Partnership is supporting the sector to make this a reality. Read on to find out more about NAVCA's involvement in the partnership.
The Voluntary and Community Sector Emergencies Partnership is made up of a range of organisations within the sector with the aim of improving coordination at national and local levels before, during and after emergencies.
Bringing together local, national and global expertise from the sector, the Emergencies Partnership aims to help people prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies, so that they can rebuild their lives.
It also has an influencing role and gives a voice to those at risk of or affected by disasters and emergencies in the UK, so that they are at the heart of any response.
A national crisis like coronavirus is the kind of emergency for which the Emergencies Partnership was formed.
Our members are directly involved in the planning and delivery of a UK-wide response, including delivering food and medicine and providing emotional support over the phone.
The Emergencies Partnership is also pooling evidence on unmet need to supplement insights from the NHS and local authorities. As well as sharing these insights with government and statutory agencies, our members are also using this information to allocate resource to the most vulnerable people who are not being supported elsewhere and whose needs would otherwise go unmet.
In order to more effectively coordinate the voluntary and community sector’s response to Covid-19 and to ensure that the most vulnerable people are getting the support they need, the British Red Cross is establishing eight co-ordination groups across the UK. These groups will include experts from members of the Emergencies Partnership and will link into local and national government.
Take a look at the LRF Liaison Leads and find who your local lead is.
Read the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research (CRESR) at Sheffield Hallam University's report on the role of VCS EP in the sector's response during the pandemic
British Red Cross, who co-chair the Emergencies Partnership, is helping the NHS with its coronavirus response by supporting clinical staff in emergency departments, helping patients to return home promptly and safely following a hospital stay, and providing patient transport and ambulance support. Its volunteers are also embedded in communities across the UK, working alongside other charities and organisations to support the most vulnerable people in need with food, medicines, welfare checks and cash.
Business in the Community have launched a National Business Response Network to identify community needs across the UK and match them to the right business support.
Muslim Aid are part of the Muslim Charities Forum (MCF), a group of leading Muslim organisations who are part of a collective response to coronavirus. The MCF are providing grants for those facing financial strife during this period, as well as supporting local organisations to provide an effective response.
NCVO are producing guidance and resources to support charities, voluntary organisations and volunteers during the covid-19 pandemic.
Salvation Army are supporting its network of 650 churches to support the most vulnerable and isolated people affected by coronavirus.
St John Ambulance have deployed ambulances and highly trained crews to the NHS, including at the Nightingale Hospital. The charity is also calling for more people with clinical skills, including first aid, to support their work with the NHS.
The National Emergencies Trust, in partnership with British Red Cross, has launched an appeal to raise funds for local charities and grassroots organisations providing support to those affected by this crisis. You can donate by visiting www.redcross.org.uk/net or texting APPEAL to 70141 to donate £10
UK Community Foundations are working alongside the National Emergencies Trust to help distribute money raised through its appeal to local community foundations across the country, to ensure the money reaches those who need it most.
Victim Support are providing information and advice on how to stay safe during social distancing or self-isolation. The charity also operates a 24/7 support line offering emotional and practical support for anyone who has been a victim of crime or a witness who needs support or information.
Volunteering Matters are providing information and advice to help people organising community volunteering efforts to stay safe, and ensure others are safe too.
NAVCA (National association for voluntary and community action), The circle, 33 Rockingham Lane, Sheffield, S1 4FW
https://what3words.com/impose.cook.fallen
0114 278 6636.
Charity number 1001635. Company limited by guarantee number 2575206.
Copyright © 2023 NAVCA - all rights reserved
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.