Staff will also be advised to wash their hands and to disinfect all hard surfaces, such as tills and counter tops, regularly. “To reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading on donated items, we are advising all staff to wait at least 72 hours before sorting through any new donations or putting them on the shop floor, and to use disposable gloves,” an Oxfam spokesperson said. You can get more detailed information on all these provisions from the Insolvency Service, The act also introduces new provisions about holding member meetings. Our guidance, Trustees, Trading and Tax (CC35) provides advice on your duties to help you make this decision (see sections 4.8, 4.12 and4.16). Manage financial difficulties in your charity caused by coronavirus. For more information, email [email protected] Due to Covid-19 restrictions, some or all of our shops may have to close temporarily. You can find, the wider and longer-term impacts of changing your charity’s objects including on your existing beneficiaries, your charity may be required to do this under its contract with the service-user, or because of, even if not under a legal obligation, your charity may want to reduce or return fees. Where decisions are likely to have a substantial impact, you should ensure the decision is recorded carefully so you can demonstrate your decision-making generally if required. Michael Palmer Eastern Reporter. Understandably, charities are concerned about what to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, so we have set out our response to the most commonly asked questions. Oxfam shops raised £17.3m in the year to 31 March 2019, contributing £1.4m a month to the charity. Our Ebay shop remains open and can be found here:. Updated information for charitable companies and CIOs on new laws affecting members’ meetings and insolvency. For other types of meetings, or for any other type of charity, trustees need to check if their charity’s governing document allows them to hold meetings online or by telephone. This pandemic is already giving rise to that spirit of charity and community that brings people together, and we appreciate and value that people will want to help others during the challenges we are all facing. All rights reserved. If you are planning to donate, please make sure that you add gift aid to boost the value of your donation by 25%. Guidance to help with running your charity during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Charities’ primary interest must be looking after the beneficiaries they serve. They … Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone. Out of all the thousands of donations a day only a small percentage is taken by the charity workers, so even if you lose out on one item through the theft in the store it's still worth giving to charity shops. Charity Retail Association warns on store closures as members face staffing issues from coronavirus. Barnardos said that while its shops were currently trading as normal, it was keeping the situation under close review. Objects that might already allow you to offer support include: Trustees of charities with other objects may also be able to adapt and respond to COVID-19 either directly or indirectly. Every item sold is helping fund our life-saving research. Donate now. Charitable companies and Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs) can hold AGMs and other members’ meetings online - this has been made possible by the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 and applies until 30 March 2021. Government guidance has been put in place to protect the health of staff, volunteers and the public. If there are no such rules, but you decide that this is still the best course of action for your charity in the current circumstances, you should record the reasons for this decision to demonstrate good governance of your charity. The section in the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 on holding meetings online has been extended from 30 September to 30 December 2020. Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription. Tips, guidance and blogs to support your organisation. We are also suggesting that staff display posters with advice on handwashing and recommend that customers pay using contactless.”. Your charity may also have a general object that allows you to act for any charitable purposes, or an object that allows you to support the general benefit of a local area. The latest on the Government’s plans to combat  the coronavirus, Travel advice, if you’ve booked a trip, or are planning one, Self-isolation: What you can and can’t do, and how to know if you should be in it, NatWest mulling return of switching offer, giving hope to M&S Bank customers, When hairdressers could open after lockdown restrictions are eased, Nurses dismiss 1% pay offer as 'totally inappropriate' as petition for 15% rise gathers pace, GameStop share price surges near $250 as Reddit's r/WallStreetBets members continue to hold, Royal family protocol which stopped Archie having a title, explained. These provisions apply until 31 March 2021, support for viable companies struggling with debt to restructure under a new procedure - these provisions do not apply to CIOs, the advancement of education or advancement in life of young people, whether there are other charities that may be better placed to respond than yours. This temporary amendment is in the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 and also applies to exempt charities that are community benefit or friendly societies.