The Social Issue 2: COVID SUPPORT SPECIAL EDITION

E n h a n c e Social Enterprise Network

D e v o n & S O M ERSET The Heart of the South West Enhance Social Enterprise Programme is receiving funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural & Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014 - 2020

the social issue 2: covid support special edition We hope you, your staff and volunteers are well. In our role to support the social enterprise sector we want to make sure you have all the help and information you need. However, there is a huge amount of information being shared right now and we’ve tried to identify the most important ones for social enterprises in Somerset & Devon.

LATEST INFORMATION AND ADVICE Find out the number of cases and risk level in the UK, what to do if you’re a returning traveller, and what the government is doing about the virus.

See www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public Guidance, advice, support packages and information are being released and updated on a daily basis.

You can check for the latest Government information here www.gov.uk/coronavirus, and you can Sign up to get emails when the Governments changes any coronavirus information on GOV.UK For further more sepcific business information and advice please visit the website below where the latest advice and support will be posted as it emerges. https://www.heartofswgrowthhub.co.uk/covid-19-guidance-for-business/

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E n h an ce Social Enterprise Network

Devon & SO ME R S E T The Heart of the South West Enhance Social Enterprise Programme is receiving funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural & Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014 - 2020

www.enhancesocialenterprise.org.uk

CURRENT ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR EMPLOYERS AND BUSINESSES This guidance will assist employers and businesses in providing advice to staff on: • the novel coronavirus, COVID-19 • how to help prevent spread of all respiratory infections including COVID-19 • what to do if someone suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 has been in a workplace setting • what advice to give to individuals who have travelled to specific areas • actions to take if staff come into contact with someone who is self-isolating or is a possible or confirmed case of COVID-19

SEE GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE HERE https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-aboutcovid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses

SEE ACAS ADVICE FOR EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES HERE https://www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus

SUPPORT FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY COVID The Budget has announced a plan to provide support for public services, individuals and businesses affected

by Covid-19.

The Chancellor has set out a £12 billion package of temporary and targeted measures to support public services, individuals and businesses through the economic disruption caused by COVID-19. Further announcements have been made since the budget and the situation is fluid.

This publication gives further detail on the measures announced by the Chancellor.

See https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businessesabout-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses

CORONAVIRUS JOB RETENTION SCHEME Under this scheme, all UK employers will be able to access support to continue paying part of their employees’ salary for those employees that would otherwise have been laid off during this crisis. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-aboutcovid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses#support-for-businesses-through-the-coronavirusjob-retention-scheme

E nh a n ce Social Enterprise Network

Devon & SO ME R S E T The Heart of the South West Enhance Social Enterprise Programme is receiving funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural & Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014 - 2020

www.enhancesocialenterprise.org.uk DEFERRING VAT AND INCOME TAX PAYMENTS The Government will support businesses by deferring Valued Added Tax (VAT) payments for 3 months. If you’re self-employed, Income Tax payments due in July 2020 under the Self-Assessment system will be deferred to January 2021. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-aboutcovid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses#support-for-businesses-through-deferring-vatand-income-tax-payments

A STATUTORY SICK PAY RELIEF PACKAGE FOR SMES The Government will bring forward legislation to allow small-and medium-sized businesses and employers to reclaim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) paid for sickness absence due to COVID-19. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-aboutcovid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses#support-for-businesses-who-are-paying-sick-payto-employees

12 MONTH BUSINESS RATES HOLIDAY FOR ALL RETAIL, RETAIL, HOSPITALITY HOSPITALITY,, LEISURE AND NURSERY BUSINESSES IN ENGLAND The Government will introduce a business rates holiday for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England for the 2020 to 2021 tax year.

Businesses that received the retail discount in the 2019 to 2020 tax year will be rebilled by their local authority as soon as possible. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businessesabout-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses#support-for-retail-hospitality-and-leisurebusinesses-that-pay-business-rates https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businessesabout-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses#support-for-nursery-businesses-that-paybusiness-rates

SMALL BUSINESS GRANT FUNDING OF £10,000 FOR ALL BUSINESS IN RECEIPT OF SMALL BUSINESS RATE RELIEF OR RURAL RATE RELIEF https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-aboutcovid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses#support-for-businesses-that-pay-little-or-nobusiness-rates

NEW LENDING FACILITY From the Bank of England to help support liquidity among larger firms, helping them bridge coronavirus disruption to their cash flows through loans

E n h an ce Social Enterprise Network

Devon & SO ME R S E T The Heart of the South West Enhance Social Enterprise Programme is receiving funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural & Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014 - 2020

www.enhancesocialenterprise.org.uk HMRC TIME TO PAY SCHEME All businesses and self-employed people in financial distress, and with outstanding tax liabilities, may be eligible to receive support with their tax affairs through HMRC’s Time To Pay service. These arrangements are agreed on a case-bycase basis and are tailored to individual circumstances and liabilities. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-forbusinesses#support-for-businesses-paying-tax-time-to-pay-service

CORONAVIRUS BUSINESS INTERRUPTION LOAN SCHEME this will temporarily replace the Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG); becoming available over the coming days. See the latest updates on the British Business Bank website here https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/ourpartners/supporting-business-loans-enterprisefinance-guarantee/

OTHER FINANCE OPTIONS A number of private lenders are also making funds available to small businesses impacted by COVID-19, including £2 billion from Lloyds Banking Group and £5 billion from NatWest. Businesses can also access a range of finance through the government-owned British Business Bank, visit the Bank’s Finance Hub for further information

HMRC COVID HELPLINE 0800 0159 559 To support businesses and self-employed people concerned about not being able to pay their tax due to Coronavirus. See also: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tax-helpline-to-supportbusinesses-affected-by-coronavirus-covid-19

ACCOUNTS FILING AT COMPANIES HOUSE Companies House guidance is available for limited companies and limited liability partnerships who may not be able to file their accounts by their normal filing deadlines because of Covid-19. For guidance on how to apply for an extension please click here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-more-time-to-fileyour-companys-accounts

OTHER SUPPORT AVAILABLE A toolkit for remote working has been developed by COSMIC which may be useful https://www.cosmic.org.uk/sites/default/files/users/HenrySmith/Remote%20Working%20 Advice%20Line%20Toolkit_HS.pdf There is Enhance Social Enterprise support for social enterprises already trading in Somerset & Devon, this is 12 hours of specialist business support and that can be accessed through

E nh a n ce Social Enterprise Network

Devon & SO ME R S E T The Heart of the South West Enhance Social Enterprise Programme is receiving funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural & Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014 - 2020

www.enhancesocialenterprise.org.uk https://www.devon.gov.uk/economy/business-support/enhance-social-enterprise/ There is also support from the Heart of South West Growth Hub https://www.heartofswgrowthhub.co.uk/start-grow-business/developing-growing-business/ where eligible businesses (including social enterprises) can get an initial 3 hour diagnostic (this is most likely to be over Skype) with the potential for further support subject to confirmation of ongoing funding for the Growth Support Programme.

SEN’s should also make themselves familiar with the Dartington courses, including the year-long start-up course which is recruiting now: https://www.the-sse.org/courses/lloyds-bank-and-bank-of-scotland-social-entrepreneursstart-up-programme/

CREO (CORONA RESPONSE FOR EVENT ORGANISERS) ORGANISERS) To try and help support anyone running an event in the next 6 months Guild have created a private group called “CREO” - Corona Response for Event Organisers.

It is only for event organisers, but if you qualify and would like to join you can see further information, including the joining link, in this article: CREO (Coronavirus Response for Event Organisers) set up to support event organisers.

This document is to capture the knowledge, insights, learnings and useful resources generated via that group to share with others for collective benefit. Feel free to share this document but do not alter it. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-uhTOFA0CmhDvRY-FsfLrxV1V5piu9z_rW27PlTQxeY/ edit?mc_cid=fb9fea2913&mc_eid=2c124ad2f0

BUSINESS CONTINUITY PLANNING John Eary of JEC Professional Services, in collaboration with Alan Trup of ADT Business Continuity, has kindly prepared a free, really helpful, simple pandemic business continuity action plan for charities which equally applies to social enterprises. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5814c6ab8419c25c3b483c44/t/5e73d37be88f8e6750 6bbe1d/1584649089166/Coronavirus+Pandemic+Business+Continuity+Action+Plan+.pdf Other sources of information on how to deal with the immediate consequences of the crisis (and in some cases on the likely longer term implications). These include: • Charity Commission • National Council for Voluntary Organisations.

• Institute of Fundraising • Chartered Governance Institute • Charity Finance Group • Law firms such as Bates Wells • Sector specific support charities such as NAVCA,

The Heritage Alliance and more

E n h a n ce Social Enterprise Network

Devon & SO ME R S E T The Heart of the South West Enhance Social Enterprise Programme is receiving funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural & Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014 - 2020

www.enhancesocialenterprise.org.uk

SOMERSET NEWS COVID VOLUNTEERS Spark Somerset have launched: https://www.corona-helpers.co.uk/ a free online platform on which COVID-19 support groups can recruit and manage volunteers, and individuals can pledge their support. If you need volunteers or have things you can offer this could be a way to do it.

SOMERSET VILLAGE AGENTS Here at CCS the amazing team of Somerset Village Agents are our colleagues, they support vulnerable and isolated people to access the services and support they need to improve their well-being, health and to stay safe.

At this time their services are needed more than ever. To request support for yourself or someone you know you can do this via this webpage https:// somersetagents.org/agent-call-back/ If you require further information or need any additional help we will do our best to be to be of assistance or point you to someone who can help.

Join the Somerset Social Enterprise Network (it’s completely free as we are funded by the ERDF) & we can offer more tailored, personal support online.

Call us on 01823 331 222 - calls are being diverted to our team’s mobile phones during this period as we are homeworking or email us (details on next page).

Jane Birch

DEVON NEWS LETS WALK CHALLENGE Our virtual team ‘ESSENCE & friends’ have walked 870 miles so far!

15 members diligently tracked and recorded their steps during the month of February to compete in Active Devon’s workplace challenge. We have been sharing suggestions, (technological) challenges and beautiful vistas on Facebook. By 26th February we recorded over 870 miles together, and by 29th February we were over the finish line and 50th on the leaderboard of over 200 fully fledged functioning teams. As a remote team that met for the first time virtually we have achieved so much. It was a really enjoyable month and everyone’s pictures were so motivating. We definitely moved more!

Ruth Dale will be on the look out for more challenges Well done all! www.facebook.com/groups/1080147439006042

MONEY MINDSET FOR SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS Money.... Asking for money.

Receiving money. Sharing money.

How do you deal with it? And how does your business? Coming soon with ESSENCE of EXETER Click here for eventbrite link

ARTS AND CULTURE FOCUS GROUP Monthly from Monday, 9th March, 2020 9.30am – 11.30pm

We have a Magnificent Seven organisations signed up for our Arts & Culture Focus Group for SEs working in Exeter and beyond. To access the online focus group you need to be Photo credit: Clive Chivers. and ESSENCE member. You do not, however, need to be directly working within the arts and/or cultural sector!

Email amerierose.essence@gmail.com for more details

E n h an ce Social Enterprise Network

Devon & SO ME R S E T The Heart of the South West Enhance Social Enterprise Programme is receiving funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural & Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014 - 2020

www.enhancesocialenterprise.org.uk

KEEP TALKING It’s important that we are all connected and talking to each other sharing ideas and offering support. JOIN the network and we can add you to the Facebook Forum where you can talk to others, inspire others and be inspired yourself.

To join you can email your local team below or click on this link: https://enhancesocialenterprise.org.uk/join-the-enhance-network/

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL TEAM

Rural Devon: Devon Communities Together: info@devoncommunities.org.uk www.devoncommunities.org.uk

Exeter: ESSENCE of Exeter CIC besocial@essenceofexeter.org.uk www.essenceofexeter.org.uk

Plymouth: Plymouth Social Enterprise Network gareth@plymsocent.org.uk jess@plymsocent.org.uk www.plymsocent.org.uk

Torbay: Local Spark: Torbay Community Supported Enterprise chris@localsparktorbay.org www.localsparktorbay.org

Somerset: Smart Communities Ltd (part of CCS) EnhanceSEN@somersetrcc.org.uk www.ccslovesomerset.org.uk

Members will be part of the wider Enhance network but will also be able to access area-specific support and programmes within their own local network. Membership fees may apply in particular locations; please see the website or contact your local network for details.