How is your organisation dealing with the Coronavirus pandemic? If it has affected how you deliver your activities and programmes, what will be the impact on the local communities and people that you serve?
Has your organisation come up with any new or innovative solutions, within the guidelines laid down by Government? And what sources of best practice or funding advice have you found useful?
More than ever before, now is the time to come together and help each other – let’s demonstrate the value of the Sport for Development movement to the nation.
FORMULATING A SECTOR-WIDE RESPONSE
ConnectSport is the official media partner of the Sport for Development Coalition (SFDC), and we are working hard behind the scenes to collate your feedback and help guide the thinking of key decision-makers and policy-holders.
On Monday 30th March the SFDC staged its monthly Twitter takeover. Individuals and organisations from across the sector followed the hashtag #SportForDevelopmentCoalition between 8-9pm and answered the questions below – check out highlights from the online discussion here.
The SFDC will also be using this page to showcase how other organisations and individuals are responding to the challenges ahead.
So for example, CIMSPA (Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity) has been tasked by Sport England to fully understand the impact that this situation is having on the sector. Please complete this short survey.
BUSINESS SUPPORT
The Sport & Recreation Alliance has published ‘COVID-19 Business Support Measures FAQs’. This briefing outlines how these measures taken by the Chancellor can support the sport and recreation sector. The document will be updated as further information is provided by the Government.
Sport England has announced a three-month period of 'significant flexibility' for the organisations and programmes that it funds.
NPC (New Philanthropy Capital) has published a guide on how charities can respond to the pandemic. It includes hints and tips for Third Sector on short-term funding opportunities, and fundraising ‘in a crisis’.
Good Finance has made a downloadable guide available on its website here. This explains what to consider with current grants if you organisation has social investment.
Mary Harvey, CEO of the Centre for Sport and Human Rights, has published this blog advising sports organisations around the world on how to respond to the pandemic.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Martin Lewis, from Money Saving Expert, has made £1million available to fund urgent small-charity coronavirus poverty relief. Examples could include foodbanks, charities engaged in community aid, financial advice help and more.
The Steve Morgan Foundation has introduced an emergency hardship fund to support charities and not-for-profit companies in its remit area. The fund, of up to £1million per week, will be available for an initial 12 weeks.
Ian McLintock, founder of the free Charity Excellence Framework, is using his LinkedIn page to host a growing list of details and links to emergency funding for charities.
Banking group Barclays has launched a charity foundation to help tackle the impact of coronavirus and has committed £100m to it.
BEST PRACTICE
Check out this article on how Sport for Development organisations are responding to the pandemic with new and innovative solutions. Let us know what your organisation is responding by emailing hello@connectsport.co.uk or tagging @ConnectSport on Twitter.
ConnectSport's global partner, the International Platform on Sport and Development, is also hosting articles and sharing best practice. Visit sportanddev.org to find out more.
Laureus Sport for Good Foundation has launched a weekly 'online sharing community' where Sport for Development organisations can share hints and tips on best practice during a live Zoom session. You can access the community via this page, which also includes toolkits and resources.
Beyond Sport has launched a series of monthly chats online, which will focus on specific issues. Click here for more information.
Following school closures, Sport England and Youth Sport Trust have responded to the pressing need for physical activity opportunities for children and young people by launching a weekly virtual programme.
And Sport England has also provided a list of ways to stay active whilst at home on its website, and using is the hashtag #StayInWorkOut on social media.
HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED:
How you can use our platform during this challenging time:
- Tell us what you think should be highlighted in a sector-wide response.
- Add some useful advice or information to the list we have provided above, for example funding opportunities or business support.
- Tell us about your new ways of working, so we can publish articles highlighting your work.
- Add your organisation to the ConnectSport directory so we can promote it – it’s free to join!
Contact us at hello@connectsport.co.uk or follow @ConnectSport on Twitter.
OTHER USEFUL LINKS
Government advice on Coronavirus.
