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Coronavirus | News from Devon County Council 30/03/2020

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The latest updates from Devon County Council regarding support for communities during the coronavirus pandemic.

To keep up-to-date with the latest Coronavirus information and local support, please visit the Devon County Council website.


Prompt Action Fund

Devon County Council has launched the COVID-19 Prompt Action Fund to provide flexible resources to organisations working with communities who are disproportionately impacted by coronavirus. There are grants available of under £500 for community-led schemes who are dealing with things like:

  • Safe deliveries of essential goods and services to those who are vulnerable
  • Support for accessing online information and services
  • Virtual support groups to help people stay connected and informed
  • Transport related initiatives supporting safe community responses

Town and parish councils can apply or can act as guarantors for other non-constituted groups. All information and application forms are on the Devon County Council website.


Shielding Hubs

network of ‘shielding hubs’ coordinated by local authorities is being set up across Devon to immediately help those most at risk from coronavirus with urgent food, medicine and care supplies.

Devon County Council is working with the local district and city councils in response to the government’s announcement that 1.5 million of the UK’s most vulnerable people are being asked to shield in self isolation for at least 12 weeks.

Details of the hubs and the process for receiving support over the coming weeks are still being agreed. It is likely that following the initial contact from the NHS, the individual will be contacted by a member of staff from Devon County Council to find out what support they need and how they will be best supported. The district and city councils will work locally to manage the delivery of this support within their communities. Please follow the link for more information.


Community Support Groups

Devon County Council is collating details of community support groups around Devon who are tackling the effects of coronavirus on their communities. Please complete this short survey so that they can add your details to their COVID-19 pages.


Sources of Funding

There are a range of funding opportunities listed on Devon Funding News including Covid-19 support from the Heart of the South West Growth Hub, details of government measures, Facebook small business grants and the Sylvia Adams Charitable Trust for disadvantaged children aged 0-3.