Council supports Coronavirus Community Fund

City of York Council is urging anyone who wants to offer financial support to others affected by Covid 19, to support the Coronavirus Community Fund, set up by Two Ridings Community Foundation

The fund has been set up to offer local charitable or community organisations emergency funding to deal with emerging issues as a result of the continuing threat of Coronavirus.

Any funds received will be used to help local charitable and  community organisations support the people who need it the most. It will also work to assist people and organisations where there are no current suitable services, in order to maintain some level of viability through these uncertain times.

Cllr Keith Aspden, Leader of City of York Council, said:

“In such unprecedented times, I am encouraged by the incredible response from our communities to support those most in need, whether that is through formal volunteering opportunities, or simply by helping their immediate friends and neighbours.

“Many people have asked how they might be able to support others at a time when so many are faced with great financial uncertainty. In response, the council has worked closely with the Two Ridings Community Foundation, who in the past have supported the city’s response to flooding, and I’m pleased that they have set up the Coronavirus Community Fund to support those most in need.

“I would strongly encourage anyone who is interested in donating, or any group who feel they may be eligible for support, to find out more online.”

To donate please visit: https://www.tworidingscf.org.uk/coronavirus-community-fund/ and to apply to the fund please, visit https://www.tworidingscf.org.uk/fund/coronavirus-community-fund/.

Jan Garrill, Chief Executive of Two Ridings Community Fund, said: “We will work to make sure the fund reaches the communities that need the most support. We are in touch with local charity umbrella bodies and front-line organisations to see what’s needed and how funds can be spent.

“From our 20 years’ plus experience, we know a lot of these organisations and so will quickly be able to assist them. We expect the first wave of funding will go to organisations working with older and vulnerable people who are likely to be most seriously affected by social isolation and illness caused by the virus.”

For more information on how to volunteer in York visit www.york.gov.uk/COVIDVolunteering

email: volunteering@york.gov.uk

or phone: 01904 551550.

If you do not have any support, but need it because of the impact of COVID-19, we may be able to help you through this difficult time.  To get help, please contact us by:

Email: covid19help@york.gov.uk

Phone: 01904 551550

Corona virus update – 24th March 2020

York Wheels/Dial a Ride stopping

York wheels/dial and ride will close on Friday

“We haven’t taken the decision lightly but with elderly drivers (over 30 volunteers) we have to respect their decision to isolate. Carrying elderly on the bus for shopping at dial and ride is important but going everyday is not good for elderly this is not how to isolate.

If required we have 3 mini buses and volunteers who can help any groups who need buses. 

York hospital visiting stopped

Hospital visiting cancelled York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust sites. This includes York, Scarborough, Malton, Bridlington, St Monica’s Easingwold, and Selby hospitals, as well as St Helen’s and White Cross Court rehabilitation units.

BT caps call charges from landlines

BT is telling its land line customers that they will not have to pay more than £5 a month for calls to other UK landlines or mobiles.

York Minster services on line

Stations of the Cross 2020

This year’s Stations of the Cross will be coming to you online.

Join us through Lent for prayer & meditations written by Canon Chris Collingwood, based on Jerry Scott’s Stations of the Cross drawings. The services are led by Canons Chris Collingwood and Maggie McLean, with music performed by Ben Morris.

A new Station will be uploaded daily (excluding Sundays) and will be available as text, audio, or as a video with the visual aid of the relevant Station (recommended)

DOWNLOAD THE FULL STATIONS OF THE CROSS BOOKLET HERE

The First Station: Jesus is Condemned to Death
Biblical Reading: Mark 15:15
Music: Herzliebster Jesu, Op 122 No 2 – Johannes Brahms

Updated daily as video & audio links via >> yorkminster.org/whats-on/event

York RSPCA appeal for funds

As a result of the Coronavirus, from Tuesday the 24th March the animal home will close to the public and all rehoming activity will stop.

Front line animal staff will still be working in the home to look after our current residents and accepting animals brought in by the RSPCA inspectors. During this time we will be reducing the number of staff working at the branch so will be unable to respond to general queries regarding fostering, adoptions or volunteering.

During this time we will not be able to accept animals from the general public during this time, this includes injured wild animals. We will only be accepting donations of food, but ask that members of the public do not break lockdown to deliver these donations themselves.

In the last week we have seen 90% of our income disappear. We rely almost entirely on self generated income and unlike other businesses we cannot close down to save costs. The branch costs around £60,000 a month to operate and we are today launching an emergency appeal to try and secure some of the funding we need to run. We desperately need your support at this time.

Click here to donate >>

Job vacancies near York

Nigel Upson

If you know of anyone who is looking for work, please let them know that we are recruiting staff to help keep up with demand for our chicken as the Coronavirus crisis deepens.

We anticipate that we will temporarily lose up to 50% of our team as a result of Covid-19 self-isolation and are recruiting in all areas of the business to ensure continuity of supply.

Our Managing Director, Nigel Upson said: “Independent retailers in our area have done an amazing job of providing fresh produce to our communities when the supermarkets couldn’t. We have taken the decision to keep production at full tilt to continue to feed Yorkshire through this network of butchers and farm shops, but we need your help. At the peak of this crisis we anticipate that more than 50% of our staff will not be available for work so we need to boost numbers now to maintain throughput. 

“We seek some specialist skills like accounts staff, fork lift drivers, lorry drivers and also need a strong contingent of people willing to do whatever it takes including warehouse staff, packing boxes and cleaning the factory overnight.”

Please send an e mail to recruitment@soanespoultry.co.uk giving details of what work you normally do and what you are prepared to do. Everyone will have the opportunity to visit the site for a tour before committing but will have to agree to a screening for symptoms of illness before being allowed into the building.

Morrisons essentials delivered in a box

Confirmation of link to Morrisons essentials delivery boxes launched yesterday . Proving to be very popular. https://www.morrisons.com/food-boxes/how-it-works

Visit York list of takeaways

Visit York have published a list of 30 takeaways that are still operating. mostly city centre. https://t.co/i0xUjQClm1?amp=1

Freecycle suspended

Freecycle, the surplus goods exchange service, has suspended its operations

Newspaper deliveries stopping

Although newsagents are specifically exempted from the government instruction to close, we understand that several have decided – for the safety of their staff – to suspend home deliveries

Good time to take out an “on line” subscription maybe? (unless you only rad the sports results, then maybe not!)

York Market only open for fresh food sales now

Make it York say the market is now closed but special provision will be made for those traders supplying fresh food, with social distancing measures put in place.

Opening hours are set to be 10am until 5pm and any further updates will be shared on the Shambles Market Facebook and Twitter accounts.

All measures are under continuous review, and Make It York will follow the advice given from local and national government over the coming days.

Stay at home

Government instructions available via this link (click)

Many shops now closed

All non-essential shops are closing including clothes stores, department store chains, electronics and computer stores.

However, the list excludes food shops, pharmacies, corner shops, hardware stores, petrol stations, pet shops, post offices, banks, newsagents and shops inside hospitals.

Many parks will stay open, but gyms including outdoor gyms, play-parks and all places of worship, except for funerals, will close.

Jobs with the York Council

Times are tough at the moment for everyone and we want to help. If you need a job we could help you. We need HGV drivers and loaders. More at the links below or call Work With York.
https://www.workwithyork.co.uk/jobs/hgv-lgv-driver/

https://www.workwithyork.co.uk//hgv-lgv-driver-waste-recy…/

https://www.workwithyork.co.uk/jobs/waste-loader/

Image may contain: one or more people and outdoor, possible text that says 'YORK WE NEED YOU! Drivers and loaders wanted for waste services If you need a temporary job contact Work With Work 01904 554234'

Free parking for NHS staff

Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has announced that from today (Tuesday) , all staff car parking charges will be suspended with immediate effect at York, Bridlington and Scarborough hospitals until further notice, ‘in a move to support staff getting to and from work for the duration of the outbreak.’

It tweeted; “From 1 April payroll deductions for parking will be stopped, and pay and display machines will be switched off this evening. Staff with parking permits can park on any site for free.

“We hope these small gestures will enable to you stay healthy and feel supported during what are challenging and increasingly difficult times. Thank you.”