Walsall for All continues to closely monitor the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and government guidance on a daily basis.
Currently, our face-to-face activities have been postponed until further notice. Our priorities are to:
Focus work with groups who are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19.
Work with partners to look at alternative ways of working to mitigate the suspension of some or all Walsall for All activities that include social contact.
Ensure those who access our projects are informed about the situation and continue to be supported by our projects across the partnership.
Our team is working from home until further notice. However, we have been working hard to engage with our partners to develop new ways of working and support local groups within the community in response to COVID-19.
We would like to update you on some of the work related to our projects:
The Deaf Support Project has been temporarily re-profiled to provide outreach support to those who are Deaf or hard of hearing during the crisis. This is essential as many within these communities are isolated and do not have the means to keep in contact with others. This project originally involved face-to-face activities.
We are working with The Faith and Belief Forum, who have adapted their delivery model to respond to the COVID-19 situation, utilising their Community Dialogue stream of work to improve connectivity. Read more on The Faith and Belief Forum website.
Our ESOL Intelligence Unit is working with providers to develop an online learning platform, benefiting them and their learners.
Our Community Researchers programme will continue to do their research in different parts of Walsall remotely, as much as possible.
Walsall Creative Factory is maintaining contact with service users on a regular basis through online groups and regular support. They recently supported volunteers from Caldmore Community Garden to make cotton string bags for staff at Walsall Manor Hospital.
Walsall Community Transport has been delivering food parcels and shopping to those isolated within the community, working alongside Bloxwich Community Partnership.
We are maintaining contact with the voluntary and community sector to identify any issues arising from the COVID-19 situation.
You may have also noticed that our communications have changed to reflect the current health situation. We are sharing a variety of things to engage with our audiences, such as government and health advice and information to access local help and support.
We have also been inspired by individuals, communities and organisations across Walsall coming together to support each other more than ever before. We would like to thank everyone who is working hard to support vulnerable residents and families and the wider COVID-19 response. You can see some of the stories we have shared on our Facebook and Twitter pages and visit our Twitter moment.
We have also developed a resource page dedicated to translated and accessible guidance on Coronavirus. https://www.walsallforall.co.uk/post/covid-19-translatedguidance
It is important that you keep up to date with the latest Government advice by going to www.gov.uk/coronavirus.
You can also visit the Walsall Council website for the latest news: http://go.walsall.gov.uk/covid-19_information
We are still available by email. If you have any questions or you require information in another format, please email walsallforall@walsall.gov.uk and we will do our best to help you.
From the Walsall for All team.