Welcome to our Coronavirus Information Hub
With information and advice notes being released daily from various governing bodies, we understand that it can be time-consuming to track down the latest information and guidance.
That’s why the team at Solace are working hard to keep our Coronavirus Information Hub up-to-date with important information and updates from trusted sources – so you can access all the essential information you need, in one place.
We’ve also created an area for resilience, remote working and wellbeing, which we’re updating with blogs, articles, videos and top tips to help support you and your workforce throughout the pandemic.
We are keen to share positive examples of the innovative approaches local authorities and their teams are taking in response to the crisis. If you have something to share with a view to this being published on our website or future publications, please do get in touch by emailing us.
Solace Statements & Press Releases
Solace is in contact with Public Health England (PHE), the Department for Health and Social Care and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government regarding the emerging situation with the outbreak of the Coronavirus. Local authority Directors of Public Health are in close contact with PHE.
To view our latest statements and press releases on COVID-19 you can either visit our Solace News section of the website or click on the links below to be taken directly to each article.
Shielding the most medically vulnerable - Local support system guidance update
This is a short update on the ‘Shielding’ work MHCLG are working on with Government and LRFs to protect the most medically vulnerable.
This document includes links to download both the Guide for Local Authorities and Local Resilience Forums on the system to support those who are clinically extremely vulnerable to COVID-19.
and
The Emergency Storage Facility Proforma
Connecting People
This is an unprecedented situation and we want to try and help you deal with the problems you are facing. If you have a particular issue – either directly or indirectly related to the coronavirus – that you’d like to discuss with other Solace members, let us know by sending an email to policy@solace.org.uk. We will float these issues, anonymously, with a view to creating networks to share thoughts and approaches.
Talking to Government
If you have any questions or concerns you would like Solace to raise with Government, through our established channels, please email in confidence.
We cannot promise to get answers to every request but we will do our best to flag the issues facing the sector and, where we can get clarification from relevant Departmental officials with a view to sharing any information and insight.
Emergency Coaching & Mentoring Support
Solace, in partnership with the LGA, are pleased to announce a programme of national coaching and mentoring for those leading the response to the COVID-19 Pandemic across English Local Government. This program is specifically aimed at Chief Executives, Directors, and professional leads working directly on managing the response to COVID-19.
This funded support over the next three months is aimed at leaders, in the midst of the crisis, as they start to prepare and implement recovery plans.
For more information on the programme or to apply for support, visit our dedicated page.
Sharing Stories
Documenting lessons learned is a key component of crisis management. We're keen to hear from individuals in the sector who would like to share their experience throughout the pandemic.
We're interested in everything from personal reflections to working practices, or a new skill you've acquired. We'd like to capture a range of stories and experiences, and are keen to show the impact, both positive and negative, this has had on us not only as public sector professionals, but also as humans.
If you’re interested in sharing your story, or know anyone who might be, feel free to send your blogs, photos, videos, audio clips, artwork, and any questions to us via email, and help us document living history for future generations.
Solace HR Community
We have developed an HR community for HR professionals working within the public sector. The group is intended to be a place where participants share what's happening in their authorities and organisations, discover what (and how) others are managing change, as well as a hub to share documents, knowledge and general advice.
If you'd like to be added to the group, please drop us an email.
COVID-19 Policy Briefing
Twice a week, our Policy team pull together a COVID-19 brief which is full of the latest intelligence, news, and advice from reliable sources and is delivered directly to your inbox.
We recognise that in times like this, it's important that we look after our communities, so whether you're a Solace member or not, we want to keep you updated on these unprecedented times.
Click the link below to subscribe to our COVID-19 Policy Briefing mailer.
If you're already a member of Solace, you should already be receiving these mailers. If you haven't, drop us an email at marketing.admin@solace.org.uk and we'll look into it for you.
Global Perspectives
Solace is continuing to work with our international sister organisations to pool knowledge and resources as we all work to respond to the outbreak.
Resilience, remote working and wellbeing
We are going through unprecedented times and understand that over the past months, many of us have transitioned to new ways of working at short notice.
In order to help support each other through these challenges and changes, we’ve pulled together some resources fro trusted sources on resilience, remote working, mental health, and wellbeing, alongside some sharable resources to help support you and your teams during this period.
We’ll be updating the information on this page on a regular basis, so please feel free to get in touch if you have any resources such as blogs, videos, or infographics you’d like to share.
Click here to visit our Advice, Articles, and Guidance page.
Advice Notes from the Government and Public Health England
Both the Government and PHE have published a series of advice notes to assist various organisations in providing advice on coronavirus, preventing the spread of respiratory infections, managing suspected or confirmed cases, providing advice to individuals who have travelled to specific areas, and action to take if people come into contact with someone who is self-isolating or a possible or confirmed case of COVID-19.
Click the blocks below to view all advice notes in each category.
Full guidance on staying at home and away from others
Published 23/03/2020
The single most important action we can all take, in fighting coronavirus, is to stay at home in order to protect the NHS and save lives.
Guidance from religious groups
Guidance from the Church of England
Read guidance on COVID:19 from the Church of England.
Advice from the Catholic Church
Read advice on COVID:19 from the Catholic Church.
Guidance from the Muslim Council of Britain
Read advice on COVID:19 from the Muslim Council of Britain.