As we enter May FLSE continues to extend the scope of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to continuing our day-to-day provision of support for clients and progressing our systems change projects, we have focused our attention on increasing our contribution to the wider community response to COVID-19.

Practical responses include making reusable face masks, putting together wellbeing packs for people in temporary accommodation, donating sandwich packs, and offering our assistance to partners in Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings.

At a strategic level, FLSE have been closely involved with the wider charity and voluntary sector as we look to plans for life ‘post-lockdown’. Opportunities to influence lasting change with local authorities are emerging and we are looking to have a critical role in this process.

We also continue to research the impact of COVID-19 on our clients, staff and volunteers. This week saw the planning stage for a survey that will be shared with our Project Consultants and Volunteers (experts by experience of multiple and complex needs), and our Systems Change team. As well as looking at the impact of COVID-19 on wellbeing, we will be concentrating on how the current situation has impacted ‘co-production’ – the meaningful involvement of service users, or people with lived experience in all stages of service design and delivery.