Last updated - 2 April 2020
As the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak continues, it is clear that the next few months will be extremely challenging for neurological charities, as well as for the people we support in Scotland.
Issues like fundraising, the health and wellbeing of staff and volunteers, and finding new ways to continue to provide our services are some of the concerns that neurological charities will be facing in the coming weeks and months. At the same time, we will be responding to the huge pressures that coronavirus will place on all the other vital services that people with neurological conditions and their families need.
The Neurological Alliance of Scotland wants to bring neurological charities together so that we can share information and support each other in these rapidly changing times.
Useful information
Please see our general coronavirus information page for people with neurological conditions and carers.
This includes advice on handwashing for people with conditions that can make it more difficult as well as links to condition specific resources. Please email us if you would like to suggest a link to condition-specific information we have not included.
The Scottish Government published new information for people with a neurological condition on 2 April 2020.
The Association of British Neurologists has published guidance on COVID-19 and neurological conditions.
Where to find the latest coronavirus information:
- Scottish Government
- Health Protection Scotland
- NHS Inform
- Free Coronavirus (COVID-19) helpline for people without symptoms who want general information 0800 028 2816 Opening hours: Monday - Friday, 8.00am - 10.00pm Saturday and Sunday, 9.00am to 5.00pm
The Scottish Government has said that it is working on guidance for specific groups.
Emergency funding
There are a number of new funding streams designed to help charities to continue our vital work and support vulnerable people at this time. This includes a £20m Third Sector Resilience Fund, an emergency fund for charities, community groups, social enterprises and voluntary organisations working in Scotland. Please see the SCVO Coronavirus Funding Page for more details of all the schemes and how to apply.
Other information for charities
SCVO has a helpful COVID-19 page for charities including a Community Assistance Directory.
OSCR also has information on COVID-19.
The Scottish Parliament Information Centre has curated a list of helpful local support.
Our friends at the Neurological Alliance in England have set up a Neuro COVID-19 response forum, to enable organisations to share experiences, suggest collective action and align messaging across the neurological third sector.
Tell us how we can help!
We would love to hear from you about the impact that the coronavirus outbreak is having on your charity and the people you support. Please email us to tell us about the challenges you’re facing, things that are helping your organisation, and your ideas about how we can facilitate neurological charities to work together at this challenging time.
Online meetings for neurological charities
We held an online meeting for our members on Thurs 2 Apr, 2020 at 12 noon via Zoom. Thank you to everyone who joined us. We'll share notes when they are available.
We will have another meeting soon, and will post details and joining instructions.
In the meantime, please email us to suggest any items for future discussion.
