In the context of the current COVID-19 alert, the work of the Galway City Community Network Team has been focused on supporting responses to the crisis as follows:
GCCN is a member of the Galway City Community Response Forum. The Forum has been meeting regularly to develop and implement responses to the COVID-19 crisis. While, correctly, there was an initial emphasis on older people, GCCN and others have managed to ensure that the supports of the Forum are made available to all those made 'vulnerable' by COVID-19.
Galway City Council COVID-19 Helpline
GCCN was tasked with developing the referral pathways that was developed into a ‘script’ for the operators of the Galway City COVID-19 Community Support Helpline. This was an intensive piece of work that is regularly revised, verified and re-issued. GCCN is also supporting the more complex referrals in conjunction with the Galway City Partnership Team.
Galway City Map of COVID-19 Supports & Services
GCCN is collecting the information and data for Map of services and supports active in Galway City during the COVID-19 crisis. In this regard, a GCCN communications campaign was led on Social Media, Website, emails and phone. Significant work is going into collecting and cleaning the data before it is submitted to Galway City Council. The data is regularly updated and submitted to the map that is now publicly available here.
NGO COVID-19 Response Group
GCCN has been convening an NGO COVID-19 Response Group of civil society organisations, including Galway City Partnership, COPE Galway, Vincent de Paul, Volunteer Galway, Galway Traveller Movement and Westside Age Inclusion. As well as the collective meetings, GCCN has been working with each organisation individually on an ongoing basis.
Communications
Public Participation Networks (PPNs) are currently seen by the government as an important conduit of information and have been tasked with circulating official information. Communication is being sent out to all GCCN member organisations on a regular basis. This is either by newsletters, COVID-19 related information, emails to members in relation to specific information and regular communication through phone contact.
Conscious that not everyone who needs this information is a GCCN member, GCCN launched a communication campaign aimed at creating a new public database for anyone to receive the COVID-19 related information sent by HSE, DRCD and others. The new database started receiving COVID-19 newsletters and emails since March 24th.
Also, a new COVID-19 related website page was created and anchored on the GCCN home page. The page is updated regularly with the latest COVID-19 related information.
GCCN Remote Working Arrangements
While all GCCN meetings are currently postponed, GCCN staff are continuing to work (at least) their normal hours and remain contactable:
