First response to the Coronavirus Pandemic

Physical – but NOT social, emotional, legal and/or political - interaction should be at a minimum from now until the virus threat has passed.
 
We need to lead and act to protect all our Members, especially those with compromised immunities for any reason, older Members, volunteer Members who regularly interact with one another, paid Members and anyone else that we, as RAPAR Members, may be in contact with.
 
 
1.  Casework

This is the heart of our work.  From now on RAPAR members doing Casework will aim to do as much of that work remotely, using the phone and internet to communicate.  As we know, all our casework files are on Mothership and our best practice is to store our data, exclusively, within the Mothership intranet which is not accessible remotely.  However, in these current circumstances, with our commitment to minimising physical interaction and in order to continue casework, our Casework Leads will be taking full copies of casefiles on specific cases off site as needed, and distributing that work remotely, as necessary, with Members and Volunteers.  The overwhelming majority of our Members have phones/smartphones/i-pads and/or even access to computers so that joint casework may take place.  See section 3. Groupwork for step by step on how to set yourself up on zoom. 

Caseworkers may need to go to the office, periodically, See section 4. Using the Office Protocol to download/upload casework files so that they can access the information from home and maintain our Casework e-file in an up-to date form. 
 
2.  Members Supporting ‘Vulnerable’ Members and Their Networks

Do not come to the office unless it is essential. Accessing health care is already very difficult for people seeking asylum and destitute people with underlying health conditions are most at risk from the coronavirus. 
 
Do you, or any of your friends who are destitute, have any of the following?

• HEART problems that have caused you to see a doctor at any point in your life
• LUNG OR BREATHING problems, such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, pleural effusion. (Existing lung problems can complicate your response to coronavirus.)
• Diabetes
• High Blood Pressure
• Cancer
• ANY conditions that involve your immune system, such as Crohns disease, HIV/AIDS or Lupus
• ANY conditions that involve the blood
• Mobility issues. Walking short distances, using stairs or leaving the house.
• Mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, agoraphobia, anorexia, bi-polar disorder, psychosis or schizophrenia (any mental health condition not listed)

Do you want to explore how we can work together to activate local support, where you are?

If yes, in the first instance, EMAIL rhetta.moran(at)rapar.org.uk or text 07776264646 (do not phone to speak with someone, text) with a short message saying:

• I want to support people locally
• I need support locally
• What the specific condition/problem is
• What local area you are usually based in/around
• If you/your friend/s have no access to shelter
• If you/your friends/s have no access to food
• Access to shelter but unsure how long for (e.g. staying on a friend’s sofa?)
• Access to food but unsure of how long for

This information will be shared with a group of experienced RAPAR members dedicating themselves to working out, together with you, how to delegate and access appropriate and local support with both our most Vulnerable Members and destitute/undocumented Members and Networks.
 
3.  Group Work

Individual Members, small and even larger RAPAR groups may not be able to meet physically but we can use whatsapp, facetime and zoom so that we can continue to see each other and be able to talk while seeing each other:

1. Download the zoom app onto your phone or go onto the zoom website on a laptop.

2. Sign up - you will need an email address and a name (you can use anyname). It will ask you to create a password.

3.  When you log in with your new account you will see several options:

'Schedule meeting' creates a link which you can share via whatsapp if you are planning a meeting in the future. For example you can schedule 'casework co-learning' zoom for 1pm Wednesday. It will create a link you can share via whatsapp or email.  The people who receive this link will be able to join your meeting. 
4. If you receive a link from someone else just click - 'join meeting'.
 
5.  In a Zoom meeting you can see a grid with everyone’s faces and you should be able to hear everyone. Sometimes this takes a bit of time and you need good wifi or mobile date connection. It is then possible to have a meeting as you would in person. It is useful to have a facilitator and to ask people to raise their hands when they want to speak because if two people speak at once it is very difficult to hear.  Happy Zooming!
 
4. Using the Office

Wherever possible, work should be done from home and meetings and group work conducted via WhatsApp or Zoom or by Phone. We do however need to check the post regularly.  The office will remain accessible to people who really need to use it, but we all need to follow some simple public health procedures.

​The office surfaces have been deep cleaned this morning (16th March).
From now on please follow these procedures:
​

1. When you enter the building immediately go to the toilet - on your right in the entrance corridor - and wash your hands thoroughly using hot water and soap BEFORE entering the RAPAR office.
2. Use the sets of gloves and cleaning and disinfecting equipment that are at the entrance as you enter main office, near the kettle and in the little office. 
3. Make sure that door handles, light switches, keyboards, phones and ALL SURFACES USED, including the outside buzzer plate and outside door handles and locks  - have been both cleaned AND disinfected BEFORE YOU LEAVE, EVERYTIME.
4. Clean the kettle, teapot and utensils used and wipe down the chair arms with disinfectant.
5. The cups need washing thoroughly in water boiled from the kettle, before and after use, or people can take in their own.
6. Spray down the computers, keyboards, printer/scanner and mouse BEFORE YOU LEAVE, EVERYTIME.
7. Be extra careful in the toilet as it is used by other people as well as us and they may have been exposed to the virus.
8. The fridge has been cleaned and turned off.   Any milk for tea and coffee you bring in - take it home.

 
 
ON TUESDAY 17TH MARCH 2020, RAPAR WILL BE ISSUING A PUBLIC STATEMENT ABOUT WHAT WE CONSIDER TO BE THE BEST WAY TO REACT TO THE CORONAVIRUS SO THAT OUR MEMBERS AND THEIR NETWORKS CAN BE SAFE AND WELL.   

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