How can I help my community with the Covid-19 response?

This information is shared from The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

We know that Faith communities are continuing to look for ways to support the country in the weeks and months ahead. It is not an exhaustive list of activities, but it does summarise the simplest ways community leaders and members can get involved and target support where it is most needed.

Community Leaders:

HOW CAN I keep my place of worship safe?

Under the national lockdown, places of worship remain open for communal worship. This is now one of the very few legal exemptions that allow larger numbers of people to gather. It is therefore crucial that places of worship and those attending comply with both law and the COVID-19 Secure guidance.

It is essential that places of worship comply with the COVID-secure guidance in order to keep their communities safe and reduce transmission of the virus. This includes adhering to social distancing, wearing face coverings unless exempt and adapting some faith practices where necessary.

HOW CAN I make my place of worship available as a vaccination centre?

Information about volunteering to provide space as a vaccination centre can be found in the Annex – Vaccination Location Requirements, Information for Venue Owners. This includes information about the necessary criteria and how to go about suggesting a vaccination location.

HOW CAN I encourage my community to get vaccinated?

A widespread vaccination programme is one of the key ways we hope to be able to start allowing greater social activity in the coming months, but it is only possible if everyone gets vaccinated.

Many faith leaders have written urging people of faith to take the vaccine. You may wish to share these thoughts or distribute your own to encourage community members to take up the vaccine when it is offered to them.

If you are offered the vaccine, you could share your experience of getting vaccinated with your community to undermine some of the fearful and harmful false narratives circulating about the vaccine.

HOW CAN I answer questions community members have about the vaccine?

We know that there is a great deal of information out there about the vaccine, not all of it accurate or helpful.

For the most up to date, accurate information about the vaccine, go to https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/covid-19-vaccination-programme.

This includes information about vaccine ingredients, groups who are eligible to receive the vaccine, and answers some of the key questions communities have about the safety of the vaccine.

We also want to encourage you to get in touch with DHExternalAffairs@dhsc.gov.uk and MHCLG officials with any further questions, so that we can continue to support you as much as possible.

Some helpful links for further information include:

Daily data summary - https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/?_ga=2.218839707.329771229.1610380715-938063789.1606390656

Government vaccination programme information –

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/covid-19-vaccination-programme

Vaccination deployment plan - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-covid-19-vaccines-delivery-plan

Green book - Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination information for public health professionals- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-the-green-book-chapter-14a

Joint letter from four CMOs explaining the change in dosing intervals - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/letter-to-the-profession-from-the-uk-chief-medical-officers-on-the-uk-covid-19-vaccination-programmes/letter-to-the-profession-from-the-uk-chief-medical-officers-regarding-the-uk-covid-19-vaccination-programmes

HOW CAN I support the Government’s Test and Trace Programme?

Make sure your communities are signed up to the NHS COVID-19 app, and that your place of worship displays Test and Trace QR codes to facilitate contact tracing if there is a positive case of COVID.

You can use multiple QR codes for different sections of the building (e.g. prayer hall, library) and/or split larger rooms into smaller sections – this means that if there is a positive case in one of these areas, only those who sign into that area will be contacted.

Continue to explain the importance of self-isolating if a positive COVID test result is received and that this is a legally enforceable requirement with potential fines for non-compliance. If you have not done so already, consider setting up a volunteer service to provide support to those who are self-isolating and other vulnerable community members to prevent transmission of the virus.

HOW CAN I provide my place of worship to host a COVID testing unit?

If you are able to provide space to host a COVID testing unit, contact your local public health officials (such as the office of the Director of Public Health for your region). They will be able to progress your offer.

You will also need community members who are able to volunteer to administer COVID tests, who will be supported by the health officials.

Community Members:

HOW CAN I stay safe in my place of worship?

It is essential that you comply with the COVID-secure guidance in order to keep their communities safe and reduce transmission of the virus. This includes adhering to social distancing and not mixing with people outside of your household/support bubble, wearing face coverings unless exempt and maintaining good hand hygiene.

HOW CAN I volunteer to administer the vaccine?

St John Ambulance (SJA) is currently working through the charity’s existing networks to sign up vaccination volunteers – this route is now open to members of the public who have not previously volunteered with SJA.

NHS Volunteer Responder is signing up its existing network and the public for steward volunteer roles. These roles will largely be supporting the vaccination centres which are rolling out over the coming weeks as supplies allow.

HOW CAN I support the vaccine rollout?

The key way you can support the vaccine rollout is to get vaccinated when you are offered a vaccine by your local NHS Trust, and to encourage friends and family members to get vaccinated when they are eligible.

Members of the public who are able to support their neighbours and the NHS through a number of roles – including food or medication deliveries, lifts to medical appointments or ‘check-in and chat’ phone calls – can do so by signing up to the NHS Volunteer Responder programme.

HOW CAN I find out more about the vaccine?