Grant #172382 to COVID-19 Mutual Aid Ferry Ward

Our group’s aim is to support neighbours with basic provisions and essentials for living, helping them to enjoy a good quality of life during the coronavirus outbreak and beyond.

We want to make sure that the money we have goes to where it is needed most. Our values are transparency and practical support that is non-judgemental, confidential and safe.

This is a live document and may change as the group grows and the needs of our communities alter. This expenses policy sets out our current policy on how we approve (or not) expenses submitted.

Admins’ details:

Rebecca Beaton Vicky Haines Emma Abbott ([email protected])

Expenses pertaining to volunteering activities & healthcare:

Covid-19 Mutual Aid Ferry strongly recommend that volunteers do not accept cash for goods purchased on behalf of a neighbour. We also discourage the sharing of bank details or handing over of cheques. The handing over of credit or debit cards is not permitted by our group.

We realise this makes it very difficult to know how best to help our neighbours when we need to buy provisions or services on their behalf.

This fund has been set up to help overcome this problem.

Household expenses (Helping our neighbours in need):

At this unusual and difficult time we understand that many residents in Ferry Ward will be struggling to find ways to pay for the goods and essential provisions they need to live well. They may also struggle with everyday bills relating to the running of their households.

Paying for goods and services is particularly a problem for those who are self-isolating and do not have access to online banking facilities, cash or cheque books and are unable to find help quickly online.

The Admins will approve expenses for the following:

• Food and non-food goods (essential household supplies) from a known supermarket/retailer, local shop or outlet to the value of £30.

• The Admins may use their discretion in cases where the total amount exceeds this amount.

• Some household bills, or a contribution to household bills, that cannot be paid due to lack of funds, through no fault of the claimant, to the value of £60.

• Proof(s) of purchase (receipt/invoice/other) will need to be submitted in all instances. A photo or scan of the original receipt/invoice will be accepted.

Admins will approve expenses relating to specific voluntary activities. These are:

• Printing supplies for the printing of leaflets, posters and other awareness raising materials used within Ferry ward and to raise awareness of our Mutual Aid group. 
 • A contribution towards fuel for those travelling regularly by vehicle to help their neighbours or raise awareness of the group’s aims.
 • The purchase of hygiene-related products, such as hand-sanitiser, soaps and non-food goods. • Items purchased in support of key workers. • The purchase of medical or personal protection equipment (PPE) for use at home, outside of the home or at work.

Supporting local charities:

Our fund fully supports local enterprises and charities and will work together to ensure they can continue operating throughout and/or after the coronavirus outbreak and during the official UK lockdown period.

Admins will approve expenses to the value of £150 that are deemed essential to the running of small to medium-sized organisation in Ferry ward. These expenses will need to be agreed by all three Admins upon submission of evidence of expense.

Who can claim expenses?

Anyone who is in need of additional financial support during the Coronavirus outbreak period and UK official lockdown, including registered charities and other registered organisations living or based in Ferry Ward.

Volunteers who have helped neighbours in Ferry Ward through the group and can not or do not wish to claim back from the neighbour they have assisted.

We reserve the right to refuse multiple expenses submissions made, as well as those that do not adhere to this policy.

The Admins may not submit expenses through the system, they may only approve them.

If you have any questions and would like to discuss an expense claim, or a contribution, please don't hesitate to get in touch.