NYA: Youth sector guidance

The National Youth Agency (NYA) have published guidance (updated 8^th August) with Public Health England and the Health and Safety Executive on managing youth sector activities and spaces during COVID-19.

You can read the guidance here or our summary here.

NYA: Readiness Toolkit

The National Youth Agency (NYA) have published a COVID-19 readiness framework, which outlines how the youth sector can operate at different readiness levels. The guidance for each readiness level should be read alongside this Readiness Toolkit. Find out more here

NYA: COVID-19 Readiness Level Red

The National Youth Agency (NYA) have published a COVID-19 readiness framework, which outlines how the youth sector can operate at different readiness levels. The guidance should be read alongside this Readiness Toolkit, which you can read here.

The current NYA COVID-19 Readiness Level is Red. You can read the Red Readiness Level guidance here or our summary here.

London Community Response Fund

The central portal for COVID-19 emergency funding in London, coordinated by London Funders and supported by major funders in London.

Apply now: Wave 5 funding

• Renewal grants up to £50,000
• Crisis response grants up to £10,000

Find out more here 

National Lottery Community Fund

The National Lottery Community Fund is focusing on COVID-19 support funding, including distributing the £200 million Coronavirus Community Support Fund: 

• COVID-19 Funding under £10,000: £300 – £10,000 grants to support people and communities affected by COVID-19 and organisations overcome acute financial difficulties.
• COVID-19 Funding over £10,000: Grants of £10,000 – £100,000 for up to six months of expenditure to support people affected by COVID-19 or to fund organisations that are affected.
• Local Connections Fund: (Deadline: 26 January 2021) Grants of £300 to £2,500 to help small local charities and grassroots groups in England to reduce loneliness. Projects completed by 31 March 2021.
• Some pre-existing funding remains open, but TNL warns that applications may be delayed.

Find out more here 

Youth Futures Foundation

Applications are now open for the Rolling Grants Programme (6-12 month planning period with delivery from January 2021) 

• Development Grants: £30,000 – £100,000 pa over 1-2 years. Supporting over 50 young people per year towards employment. 
• Impact Grants: c. £100,000 – £800,000 pa for 1-5 years. Supporting over 150 young people per year towards employment. 

Youth Covid-19 Support Fund

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) have announced a £16.5 million relief fund for the youth sector over during winter to mitigate the impact of lost income due to COVID and ensure services providing vital support can remain open. It will be open to grassroots youth clubs, uniformed youth groups, and national youth and umbrella organisations. More details will be announced shortly.

• Apply here (closes 12 February)

Find out more here.

GLA: Community-Led Recovery Programme

The Mayor of London has launched new funding for communities most deeply affected by COVID-19 to be involved in the city’s recovery from the pandemic.

• Community-Led Action Grant: Grants of £2,000 – £9,000 to initiate social action projects which gather new insights.
• London Community Story Grant: Grants of £500 – £1,500 to organisations with existing projects which capture Londoner’s experience of COVID-19, supporting them to be presented and shared with a wide audience.

Find out more here

Guidance for the safe use of multi-purpose community facilities

The Government have issued official guidance on safely operating community centres, village halls, and other multi-use community facilities. Find out more here

Youth provision is referenced briefly in this guidance and it may prove useful for some of our members. For more specific youth sector context, we recommend reading NYA’s youth sector guidance also on this page.

Guidelines for the provision of charitable lunches over the festive period

Click to find out more.

Summary of Government Financial Support

Please find all Government financial support available to the charity sector here: COVID-19 Financial Support for VCSE Organisations

Please find all Government guidance for charities here:  Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance for the Charity Sector.  

Please find all Government advice on COVID-19 here: Coronavirus (COVID‑19) Guidance and Support. 

Please find all Government advice for businesses and employers (including charities) here: Support for Businesses. 

The Government is providing a £750 million financial support package for the charity sector, including £370 million for smaller charities, through bodies like the National Lottery Community Fund and funding from Government departments. Find out more here 

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Employers, including charities, are able to furlough staff and HMRC will reimburse employers some of their wage costs until 31 March 2021. Find out more here.

Statutory Sick Pay Relief

All employers are eligible to be reimbursed up to 2 weeks’ Statutory Sick Pay per eligible employee who has been off work because of COVID-19. Find out more here.