The 'No Going Back' report from Macc brings together the experiences of 22 local voluntary sector leaders who shine a light on the critical role that the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector has played during the response to the Covid-19 crisis.

As well as reflecting on the lessons learned during the crisis, the leaders make the case for change going forward and highlight the unique opportunity society has to make things better in the future.

People will be required by law to self-isolate from 28 September, supported by payment of £500 for those on lower incomes who cannot work from home and have lost income as a result. New fines for those breaching self-isolation rules will start at £1,000 – bringing this in line with the penalty for breaking quarantine after international travel - but could increase to up to £10,000 for repeat offences and for the most egregious breaches, including for those preventing others from self-isolating.

We have a whole host of resources aimed at older people and organisations providing services to older people during the COVID-19 pandemic on our website. This includes guidance on keeping well at home, virtual fitness classes, guidance on malnutrition and 'Keep On Keep Up' fall reducing app for Greater Manchester.

The latest edition to our webpage features details of a wide range of online activities from Tech and Tea. Including virtual 'Walk and Talk' sessions and 'Brew and Chat' Tuesdays.

10GM in partnership with Flourish CIC are working on a commission for the Greater Manchester Combiner Authority learning more about women’s experiences of accessing support, women’s centres or other services at a time of difficulty or crisis. This information will be used to support future approaches regarding the re-commissioning of Women’s Services and Centres.

There are several ways you can involved including being part of a focus group, requesting a one to one interview, taking part in the anonymous survey or joining a rountable discussion.

The Caribbean and African Health Network (CAHN) will be launching Black History Month for Greater Manchester 2020, Learning from the Past, Navigating the Future, Transforming the Future. This will be hosted by Mike Shaft and will take place on virtual platforms on Wednesday 30th September 6.15 pm till 8.30 pm.

There will be entertainment, live performances, and special guests include Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, The Dean of Manchester. There will be inspirational stories of Black people in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

Inspiring Impact has an ambitious vision to make impact practice the norm within the charity sector.

The Inspiring Impact team are working in a number of ways to deliver support, resources and network activities during these challenging times for the charity sector.  These activities include an Online Regional Workshop Series.

Social Value UK are working with regional roadshow partners to deliver a series of regionally focused online workshops. The North West sessions will take place on 8th October. 3rd November and 1st December 2020. 

The NHS COVID-19 App launched today (24th September). The app enables customers and visitors in England to check-in on entry to venues with their phone instead of filling out a check-in book or tool specific to a business. This will allow NHS Test and Trace to contact customers with public health advice should there be a COVID-19 outbreak. There is a large print guide on how to download the app available here and guidance on how it works here.

Many venues in England, including some youth and community centres, are now legally required display NHS QR code posters for use with the NHS COVID-19 app. This is in addition to requirements to to enforce the rule of 6 and 
keep a record of customer contact details. You can create a QR code poster here.

Public Health England’s 28-day Stoptober challenge is back. In Greater Manchester free quit support available for smokers including a Smoke Free app and free quit kits. You can support the campaign using #Stoptober and signposting people to the You Can GM website to access support.

The 1st October is the International Day for Older Persons. As we can't hold our usual celebration event we will be running a virtual afternoon cream tea via Zoom. Any older person is welcome to come along - get in touch with us for more information. We will also be delivering afternoon tea boxes to older people across Salford. Follow us on twitter @SalfordCVS we will be sharing our Older People's Day virtual celebrations.

Through the Covid-19 Digital Response Fund Salford CVS will awarding grants of up to £2,500 for Salford-based VCSE organisations who are supporting beneficiaries most affected by Covid-19. The priorities for funding are:

Organisational IT hardware, software, training and connectivity
Can include IT hardware for beneficiaries

The Green Recovery Challenge Fund is a short-term competitive fund to kick-start environmental renewal whilst creating and retaining a range of jobs.

It is open to environmental charities and their partners to deliver projects in England.

Fund closes soon - apply by 2nd October 2020.

The Access to Emergency Investment Fund is a new investment fund being managed by GMCVO in partnership with Access, the Foundation for Social Investment and Greater Manchester Combined Authority. Loans of between £50,000 to £250,000 are available.

Apply by 7th December.