Explore this section to access Government and guidance from the charity and social enterprise sector, as well as support for those who are self employed.
Government Support
Our plan to rebuild: The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy
Read the Government’s roadmap for how and when the UK will adjust its response to the COVID-19 crisis.
A new government-backed loan scheme launches (on 6 April) 2021 to provide additional finance to those businesses that need it.
Furlough Scheme
- Changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme from July 2021
- The UK’s coronavirus furlough scheme, explained by experts
- ACAS: Guidance on using furlough, starting and ending furlough, pay during furlough and claiming through HMRC's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
- Lexology: Furlough Extension - how does it work?
- Federation of Small Businesses: Furlough Extension - What you need to know
Business Support Tool
The Government has released a comprehensive tool to see what financial support businesses may be entitled to. If you're self-employed or a business owner and wondering what financial support you might be entitled to then the new tool can help. By filling out a simple online questionnaire you will then be directed to a list of all the financial support you may be eligible for. Try it now.
- NCVO Guide: Your organisation and Coronavirus
- Social Enterprise UK: Access the most recent support, webinars and information for social enterprises here.
- School for Social Entrepreneurs: read the blog post on how charities and social enterprises can prepare. It's packed with useful links and articles!
- Advice for Co-ops: Find practical guidance for co‑ops developed by Co-op UK on their website.
- UnLtd: Guidance for social entrepreneurs: Explore their online learning area for expert insight and guides
- The UnLtd Guide for social entrepreneurs navigating Covid-19 can be found here
- Plunkett Foundation: This is Plunkett’s regularly updated page for advice and guidance for all community businesses.
- NPC's team of charity experts work directly with individuals and organisations in the charity sector to improve the impact they have on their chosen causes. Shifting your funding practices during Covid-19 - explores what shifts in funding practice they've seen, what shifts they think valuable, and what else funders could be doing. Find more details here.
- Updated toolkit for charities - pulls together all the information they think will be useful in a charity’s response to Covid-19. It shares new advice and links to resources on service delivery, strategy and mission. Find more details here.
- Wales Co-operative Centre: Access resources and support from the Wales Co-operative Centre here.
- The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO): Access the SCVO's third sector information hub here.
- Civil Society: Where charities should look for Covid-19 advice
Startups and the Self Employed
- Enterprise Nation: Enterprise Nation is building a network of trusted business support. Find advisers, learn from in-depth content and go to local events.
- Escape the City: Join a community of 500k+ ambitious professionals and get access to the best curated opportunities, events & resources.
- IPSE: IPSE is the UK's only not-for-profit, membership-run association that exclusively assists the self-employed with developing, supporting, and sustaining their careers.
- The Federation of Small Businesses: Advice and guidance for small businesses and the self-employed can be found here.
- Sifted: The ultimate guide to support measures for startups affected by coronavirus. Find it here.
- Business Debtline: Factsheet for sole traders and businesses here.