Coronavirus: community resources

Work has been carried out by Denbighshire County Council officers with input from County Councillors and City, Town and Community Councils to pull together and map out resources available during the Covid-19 outbreak across Denbighshire.

The community resource pack contains information about local emerging groups and businesses across Denbighshire offering support, including information about food deliveries, grocery services and support services.  It also contains links to a variety of support agencies and networks which operate locally, regionally and nationally.

The Covid-19 emergency relief grants pack contains information about grant funding available for charitable groups supporting their local communities and individuals facing financial hardship.

Please share this widely with your friends, relatives, neighbours and community.

This information will be updated on a regular basis. If you have any information or links that you feel would be useful to residents please email communitydevelopment@denbighshire.gov.uk.

Community resource packs

Covid-19 community response guidance

This section collates key sources of guidance and information for those responding to the Covid-19 pandemic through voluntary and community action.

Guidance on Safe and Effective Practice

A guidance document from the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) has been produced to help both volunteers and community volunteer co-ordinators responding to Covid-19.

The document includes information on: safeguarding, managing volunteers, suggested volunteer roles, DBS checks, and tips for starting new community action.

Visit wcva.cymru (external website)

Registering as a volunteer in Denbighshire

Those interested in volunteering as part of the Covid-19 response in Denbighshire can register with Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council (DVSC) in order to be matched to an appropriate opportunity. This is a free and easy process which helps to provide relevant safeguarding structures and helps to simplify volunteer co-ordination.

Volunteers can register online at the Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council (DVSC) website.

Online registration is the preferred option, but if unable to access the online registration, please email details to covid19@dvsc.co.uk or call DVSC on 01824 702441.

Registering your group/organisation with Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council (DVSC)

It is recommended that all voluntary and community groups responding to Covid-19 in Denbighshire join DVSC. DVSC can support with volunteer recruitment, DBS checks and guidance on things such as funding and governance.

To register with DVSC, groups need to visit DVSC’s membership joining page online here.

If you are an organisation that does not qualify as a DVSC Member, but are interested in supporting DVSC, volunteers, volunteering and the third sector in Denbighshire, you are invited to become a Partner.  Please complete this application form. You will then be contacted when your partnership is live.

DVSC members’ fee structure

Organisation’s Annual Income

Prices for 2019-2020

£0 - £50,000

Free

£50,001 - £250,000

£30.00

£250,001 - £1million

£60.00

Over £1million

£90.00

Food Safety for Community Cooking and Foodbanks

The Food Standards Agency have provided food safety information and guidance for individuals or groups wishing to prepare meals at home for their community. This can include preparing or donating meals for:

  • those in self-isolation due to coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms
  • vulnerable groups who are being shielded (Opens in a new window)
  • community groups and local organisations
  • NHS staff.

To view the guidance please visit: https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/food-safety-for-community-cooking-and-food-banks

Additional guidance is available from Denbighshire County Council’s Food Safety Team. Please contact the team on 01824 706405 or email food.safety@denbighshire.gov.uk

Getting Supplies to Households in Isolation

One of the big challenges facing those in isolation is getting household supplies, e.g. grocery shopping. Where possible people are encouraged to ask trusted family, friends or neighbours to help. Where this isn’t possible volunteers have offered help. However, for your financial safety (or the financial safety of your loved ones), please follow these tips to guard against financial abuse, theft, etc.

  1. Payments (whether they be upfront or reimbursements) should be made through electronic exchange systems wherever possible (e.g. bank transfers, card payments made over the phone etc.), so that they are traceable and separate from the act of delivery.
  2. Cash exchange should be avoided at all costs (to reduce opportunity for theft and also infection).
  3. Avoid giving someone your bank card and PIN, in order to protect both yourself and the volunteer supporting you.
  4. Volunteers should take photographs on mobile phones to share with the household (or the organisation they’re volunteering with) to create evidence of the purchases, costs and delivery.
  5. If the householder suffers from confusion or issues with phones, a nominated family member could receive texts with photos attached to safeguard against financial risks. Where the householder isn’t able to make electronic payments, perhaps a nominated family member could do so on their behalf.

You may be able to phone a local shop to place an order and pay over the phone. Many smaller shops are able to take electronic payments. Local volunteers can then just pick up the shopping and deliver. Denbighshire has created a list of community resources, which includes local businesses that are able to carry out over-the-phone transactions or deliver. 

Guidance for Community Centres reopening in Wales
How to get advice from Citizens Advice Denbighshire

To lower the risk to staff, volunteers and the people who come for help, here is where to get advice at the moment.

For general advice:

For help claiming Universal Credit:

  • Phone: 0800 024 1220
  • Textphone: 18001 0800 024 1220

Support resources