Voluntary Action Calderdale ensures that there will still be support for "the most vulnerable people in our communities"

Earlier this week, the PM Boris Johnson told the general public to avoid pubs, clubs, the office, and all unnecessary social contact and travel.

Consequently, groups and organisations across the region have altered or suspended their meetings and services.

Dipika Kaushal CEO of Voluntary Action Calderdale said: "The Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) in Calderdale is resilient and will always find new ways of ensuring their work continues to support the most vulnerable people in our communities.

"Many are having to close operations temporarily due to a lack of capacity, howeve rwhere possible, many are continuing to provide services by phone, digital means and care packages.

"These are unprecedented times for our communities and there is no doubt that, due to the increased demand, our sector will face challenges and impact from the current corona virus pandemic.

"It is important that the work and role of the sector is reinforced by ensuring organisations are supported during this time and beyond so they do not fall into crisis. Plans are in progress to develop a virtual hub for community volunteers.

" VAC is working closely with the local council and NHS organisations to ensure a unified response and plan around coronavirus and its impact for our sector."

Our Place - Centre is closed until further notice. The team will be providing telephone contact with guests and their families to support them in any way they can, to chat and make sure they are safe and well and to signpost if anything is needed in an emergency.

Verd De Gris Arts - All group sessional work on the following participatory projects are cancelled: Realtimetalk, What Remains, Everything Changes, Behind the Mask and One Voice.

Women's Activity Centre - Day care services are suspended as of tomorrow (18/3/20). They hope to open again mid June as per the 12 week guidelines. Staff are working from home.

Memory Lane Cafe - Suspended until further notice. They are contacting all of our members to let them know and also will be offering support until normal service resumes.

The Hive - Postponed open day scheduled for 1.4.20.

The Young at Heart Club - Postponed until further notice.

Halifax Wheelchair Rugby League - Cancelled until review on 3rd April.

Halifax Heritage Lunch clubs - Cancelled with a review at the end of April.

The Archway Project - Closed until further notice, all of their groups and drop-ins will be at a halt until it’s safe to open again.

Andy's Man Club - All groups cancelled for the next three weeks.

The Society For Neurodiversity - Upcoming moots have been postponed.

Unmasked Mental Health - Hubs will be closing for 3 weeks and then will assess the situation.

Calderdale and Kirklees WomenCentre - Taken the decision to postpone events in the current circumstances so the session on the 24th March will not go ahead.

The Space at Field Lane - Taking the next step to protect the safety of our community by closing The Space at Field Lane Community Centre.

Wheelchair Enabling Society - All activities are suspended.

Wheelchair Kurling - All activities are suspended.

Disability Support Calderdale - No drop in meetings at Todmorden Health Centre and the Upper Valley Hub at Hebden Bridge until further notice.

Halifax Opportunities Trust - Suspending all groups in Central and upper Calderdale until further notice.

North Halifax Staying Well - The team are in the process of moving to a telephone service to ensure we can still offer some support to the most vulnerable people and those facing isolation.

Tuesday 2 o'clock club - Club is cancelled until further notice. Will be helping out in terms of provisions and social contact via phone and email.

Oak Todmorden - All classes cancelled until further notice.

Barkisland Active Together - All classes cancelled until further notice.

Noah's Ark - No face-to-face services. Clients will be contacted by the team.

Unique Ways - All meetings cancelled until further notice.

HEARTBEAT - All events and meetings are cancelled until further notice.

St Columba's Community Hall - All activities cancelled until review on April 3.

X-PERT HEALTH - 2020 Conference has been cancelled.

Maurice Jagger Centre - Full closure until further notice.

Calderdale Industrial Museum - Museum closed until further notice.

Life Changes Women’s Support Group - Group postponed for two weeks.

Upper Valley Community Hub - Closed until further notice.

The Old Library - Closed until further notice.

St Augustines Centre - Cafe is closed, but the team are looking into starting a delivery service.

Chit Chat Group - All meetings suspended until further notice.

Pellon High Five - All classes cancelled until further notice.

Square Chapel Arts Centre - Closed until further notice.

Gig Buddies - All upcoming socials have been cancelled.

Disability Partnership Calderdale - Open meeting on March 24 has been postponed.

Imagineer - All customer related activity, Beat It Night and Beat It sessions have been cancelled.

Daisy Cafe - All upcoming monthly cafe sessions have been cancelled.

Wheelchair Basketball - All sessions have been cancelled until further notice.

YODA Halifax - All meetings have been cancelled. Support will be offered via telephone, email and 1 to 1 meetings.

The Brunswick Centre - All appointments have been suspended. Phone support is available.

Calderdale Lighthouse - All donations have been suspended until further notice.

Halifax & Calder Valley MS Support Group - All activities cancelled for the foreseeable future.

Integrated 4 Solutions - All sessions cancelled for the foreseeable future.

Calderdale Friends of Dorothy - All meetings and activities have been suspended.

Centre for Folklore Myth and Magic - Events have been suspended until a later date.

Light Up BAHC - Weekly meetings have been cancelled.

Lost Coin Community - Sunday food provision is cancelled for the foreseeable future.

Halifax Street Angels - Friday and Saturday night work has been cancelled until further notice.