The funding will provide support and training courses for people in the community who are currently unemployed. The main aim of the project is to connect communities and support communities to work together to respond to COVID-19 in Northumberland.Northumberland CVA will provide support to Mutual Aid type groups and other more established groups to ensure they are operating safely and legally during the response phase. Including safeguarding issues food safety etc. This will include purchasing items / training to overcome some of the issues that are preventing groups operating. For example covering the admin costs for DBS checks equipment for food storage small items of IT equipment and food hygiene training.The funding will increase the capacity of groups providing response support through short term contracting of community development workers they will be linked to trusted organisations such as Town / Parish Councils; Development Trusts; Community Centres etc.Key tasks:� Promotion of asset- based approaches within the local area� Collection of information to be used locally and added to an existing Community Response website including community groups and businesses providing support� Facilitate community engagement sessions/ activities: Identify local priorities related to the response phase and recovery post COVID-19� Identify capacity building and training needs of activists and volunteers and provide these through online sessions� Identify external funding or collaboration opportunities to deliver local priorities� Develop structured roles within groups utilising existing volunteering platforms (e.g. NCVA�s Volunteer Connect) to recruit and place volunteers and support volunteers to move to other volunteering in their locality� Identify individuals who would benefit from other support such as through the Bridge Project� Liaise network reflective practice with coordinators in other communities: sharing of case studies challenges joint training activities.