Voluntary Action Camden e-Bulletin 4th September 2015

Camden50: Exceptional Volunteers Sought for Volunteering Awards; Get Fit With Arsenal; September Lunchtime Volunteering Fair; Outcome’s, Islington Mind LGBT service, annual Open Day; Health and Safety for Marginalized Communities; Writing Better and Effective Funding Applications; Camden Physical Disabilities Forum; Camden Ageing Network Meeting; ‘Introduction to Marketing’ workshops; + jobs, volunteers, events, training, offers and resources.

Camden50: Exceptional Volunteers Sought for Volunteering Awards
Camden celebrates its 50th birthday as a borough this year. As part of the celebrations Camden are looking for ten exceptional volunteers to receive a certificate and thanks from the Mayor on behalf of the vast number of people who give their time every day to help others. There are ten categories for nominations
• Young person (under 18)
• Older person (60 plus)
• Trustee
• New volunteer (started volunteering within the last year)
• Long standing volunteer (more than five years)
• Volunteer who has overcome a personal challenge to volunteer (perhaps a disability or speaking English as a second language)
• Volunteer who has transformed lives
• Online/ remote or helpline volunteer
• Employee volunteer who volunteers through their workplace
• Group of volunteers who have made an exceptional contribution
There is also a special award for the most exceptional person who has volunteered in the borough of Camden for 50 years.
The nomination form is here: http://camden50.co.uk/camden50-exceptional-volunteers-sought-for-volunteers-awards
Any individual or organisation can nominate a volunteer and it is a quick and simple process. The awards are open to anyone who volunteers in Camden, except for Camden staff who may not enter. The judging will be done by an independent panel. The awards ceremony will be on Thursday 19 November 2015 at 6.00pm Camden Town Hall, Judd Street, WC1H 9JE. All are welcome to attend.
Please download and complete the nomination form and email it to volunteering@camden.gov.uk. Call or email for further information: 0207 974 6457.
The closing date for nominations is 5pm on Wednesday 21 October 2015.

Get Fit With Arsenal
Arsenal in the Community are recruiting local men aged 30-65 to take part in a 12 week fitness project.
If you are working with any men who fall into this age category want to get fitter at the new Arsenal Hub at Emirates Stadium, they can find out more online.

September Lunchtime Volunteering Fair
September is one of the most popular times of the year for people wanting to start volunteering.
Wednesday 30th September 12-2pm @ The Swiss Cottage LIbrary
To book your place and to find our more information have a look at Eventbrite

Outcome’s, Islington Mind LGBT service, annual Open Day
29th of September 11:00 – 15:30.
This is an opportunity to visit the service that we offer every Tuesday to our LGBT community.
Our guests will be offered tasters from our activities and therapies (such as art and animation workshops, ear acupuncture and head massage and open doors to our counsellor and to ‘Mind Scape’, LGBT paranoia and beliefs support group, facilitators) and MSH Wellbeing – will also offer taster therapies on this event.
Information about Outcome and the services that we offer will be available all day.
We will serve the most popular best curry (known as Outcome Curry) in town (for £3) at 1:00 in our dining area and at 14:30 will close the day with raffles.
Please RSVP to sigal.avni@islington.mind.org.uk

Kentish Town Community Centre September Programme
You can view the full list of activities at KTCC online.

Health and Safety for Marginalized Communities
Thursday, 17 September 10:00 am – 1:00 pm | Free
It is targeted in particular at migrant workers, unpaid carers, cleaners and people working in the hospitality industry. Some of the most marginalised people – probably working long hours, in dangerous conditions and on low pay.
See VAC Events section below for more information and how to book.

Writing Better and Effective Funding Applications 22 September 2015
This training aims to increase refugee and migrant community organisations’ chances of making their funding applications more appealing through tried and tested in-classroom simulations followed by practical support in completing funding applications.
This training session will focus on writing better applications and will be followed by another session (15/10/2015) for participants to have the opportunity for their draft funding applications to be reviewed or completed. Therefore, in order to get more out of this training session, participants are advised (if possible) to bring a draft funding application or a A4 description of the project they want to fundraise for.
Lido Centre, 63 Mattock Ln, London W13 9NZ (Ealing)
Lunch will be provided and travel expenses will be reimbursed for participants from Migrant and Refugee Community Organisations (copy of your receipt required).
To book a place and to confirm your attendance please use the online booking facilities here or contact Ezechias Ngendahayo by phone on 02073461163, or by email at ezechias.ngendahayo@refugeecouncil.org.uk

Camden Physical Disabilities Forum
Tuesday 29th September 2015, from 6 to 7:30 pm at Charlie Ratchford Resource Centre, Belmont St, London NW1 8HF.
Former and new forum participants are invited to help shape the agenda for the meeting. Do you have any suggestions of topics for discussion, information or decision for the coming meeting? If so, please let Valeria know no later than Friday 4th September. email Valeria.CarrizoCollie@camden.gov.uk

Camden Ageing Network Meeting
Councillor Larraine Revah Camden’s Champion for Older people invites you to attend the Camden Ageing Network 2-4pm on 9th September 2015 in The Council Chamber, Camden Town Hall, Judd Street, WC1
The meeting provides an opportunity for you to hear and ask questions about many new projects and initiatives
The meeting will include update from
• Camden’s older peoples commissioner
• Age UK Camden on new projects and initiatives in Camden for older citizens
• Kilburn Older Voices Exchange presents what KOVE is currently doing with Ageing Better Camden and to show their new film A Nice Cup of Tea.
• Community Programmes: provision for local adults at the British Museum
Plus more to be confirmed. Please call: 0207 974 1459 for more information

‘Introduction to Marketing’ workshops
In partnership with Time&Talents – One Westminster. These workshops provide a fantastic introduction to a topic many of us find overwhelming.
Wednesday 9 September 9.30am – 1.00pm Lunch provided
45 Mortimer St, London W1W 8HJ (near Oxford Street)
FREE for charities and community organisations
To attend please email Davide Marullo d.marullo@onewestminster.org.uk with your contact details and the name of the organisation.

Free training, outings and events for unpaid carers in Camden
For a full list of events of carers in Camden please visit the Camden Carers website.

Camden and Islington Public Health
The latest edition of the newsletter is available online.

Healthwatch Camden
Latest Information DIgest is on the Healthwatch Camden website.
Catch up with the latest Camden news and what’s happening on Our Blog

The Camden Capacity Building Bulletin is produced monthly, targeting the community and voluntary sector in Camden. It provides up to date/recently live information and news on funding and training. To access the latest information please follow the Link www.camden.gov.uk/cbbulletin

Kingsgate Workshops Trust, The Calthorpe Project, BTEG, One Housing, Sobus, Kentish Town Community Centre, VAC and Camden PA are recruiting. See Jobs and Volunteers section below.

Camden Shares. The website for exchanges in Camden. www.camdenshares.org.uk

You can join in on Facebook. Like us if you like us.

Follow all the Camden Voluntary Sector news on OneCamden on Twitter.

You can read more about all of these stories on our news page at www.vac.org.uk/new

‘Those who decry charity campaigning today are demonstrating a huge deficit of historical understanding’
Former Charity Commissioner Andrew Purkis has hit back at the governments lack of understandinf of the role of campaigning in shaping society in a recent Cass Business School lecture. In an interview with Third Sector magazine he says that politicians hostility to the sector is due to their perception that charity campaigning was undermining their cuts strategy.
For an example of the more extreme charity bashing articles, try reading this article from the Telegraph.

Stop grovelling and stand up for yourself
An article in the Guardian says that “charities have been receiving a monstering of late – justifiably in part – but they need to show some spine and remind people why they matter.”

See the Funding pages on VAC’s website for all the latest information.

The Edge Fund
The Edge Fund support work run by and for communities facing discrimination and injustice. We fund work carried out by individuals and grassroots groups in Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England that find it difficult to get funding elsewhere. Specifically, we fund work that challenges abuses of power and aims to change society by bringing an end to the systems that cause injustice. While applicants may be working on short term reforms, ​we are looking for applicants that ultimately aim to end or replace these systems with a just alternative, rather than trying to improve or reform them.
To apply for a grant of up to £3,000 you need to answer 5 questions in no more than 2 pages. The deadline for applications is 5pm Sunday 25 October. Read more.

Cycling Grants for London
Cycling Grants London is a community grants programme offering grants of up to £10,000 – over 3 years – to fund projects that engage communities across London in safe, enjoyable and inclusive cycling activities.
London is fast becoming a world class cycling city and Cycling Grants London aims to make sure all Londoners benefit from the joys of cycling.
Grants are available for community groups, charities and social enterprises for cycling activities that are tailored to local communities. Examples of activities that can be funded include: guided rides, mechanics training, cycle training and bike hire schemes. The grants can be used to buy equipment, train staff or volunteers and cover running costs.
The deadline to apply is Monday 21 September at 10am.
To find out further information on the funding available, who can apply, how to apply, useful tips and resources to plan your project, visit our website.

The Jack Petchey Foundation small grants for youth programmes
The Small Grants Fund allows those organisations who are running the Achievement Award Scheme well, to apply for a small grant of up to £750 to enhance their work with young people.
Please note that you must already be running the Achievement Award in your school or club, AND you must have recently nominated a Leader Award winner too. For more information on this see How to Apply.

Crowdfunding?
Don’t forget that there is a dedicated page on Spacehive just for Camden projects. And set up costs are free to Camden groups. Find out more at Spacehive Camden.

Don’t forget to sign up to Funding Central for free email funding alerts. Go to www.fundingcentral.org.uk/

Health and Safety for Marginalized Communities
Thursday, 17 September 10:00 am – 1:00 pm | Free
It is targeted in particular at migrant workers, unpaid carers, cleaners and people working in the hospitality industry. Some of the most marginalised people – probably working long hours, in dangerous conditions and on low pay.
Too many people are working in dangerous and unhealthy conditions – and often working long hours for low pay. Job insecurity pushes people to keep their heads down and just get on with the job, even if it’s risking their health. Lots of people may not have the help and support of a trade union. If this sounds like you, then make that change. Attend the VAC/London Hazards Centre training and have some fun learning about your rights and how to enforce them. More information and bookings on the VAC website.

VAC’s Mental Health Training Programme for BMER groups
Are you a BMER group or do you work with BMER communities? If so, then our Mental Health Training Programme is for you! Our next courses are as follows:
• Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 22nd and 29th October)
• Stigma and Mental Health (half-day workshop: 2nd November)
• Youth Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 12th and 19th November)
• Introduction to Mental Health Awareness (one day workshop: 9th December)
• Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 9th and 16th February 2016)
For more information about our any of our courses, please go to https://vac.org.uk/events/category/health-mental-health/. Click on the course you are interested in and follow the instructions to book your place and pay by card (if applicable). The charge for our Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid training courses is heavily subsidised at only £25 per person. All other mental health workshops are free.
Please note that VAC can only accept bookings from organisations working with BMER communities based in Camden, or which serve Camden BMER residents. Places are limited on each course to a maximum of two people per organisation. If you have any queries, please contact us on our team email address: mentalhealthteam@vac.org.uk

VAC has a full programme of courses coming up: Click here to find out more. All courses are £25 for members (unless otherwise stated).

Free Events from Economic Change CIC
Contract Readiness Event – Jointly run with Bidright UK – Part of a series of events esp for socially motived orgs. http://www.economicchange.co.uk/economic-exchange-event-series
Free Funding Workshops – Run in a Monthly basis: http://www.economicchange.co.uk/fundingworkshops
Measuring social Impact Masterclasses: http://www.economicchange.co.uk/training-workshops
Economic Change CIC work with charities, educational bodies, public sector organisations, social enterprises, ethical businesses, and csr departments.

Urban Harvest
Saturday 26th September 11am – 4pm at Kentish town health centre NW5 2BX
A wonderful Urban Harvest Festival celebrating local food and local growers as well as giving you the chance to take part in a huge range of events: building a wormary, making tea from plants in the garden, creating plant based dyes, sing away about food and press apples to name but a few.
All of this will be taking place in our Well-Beeing Garden
Everyone is welcome and all activities are free
The event is run by Kentish Town Transition and Kentish Town Improvement Fund
See more at: www.projectdirt.com

St Pancras Community Open Day and Family Fun Day
Sunday 13 September, in St Pancras Gardens. There’s going to be lots of free activities for all the family.

West Euston Community Festival
Saturday 12th September, Hpod and Cumberland Market. Free entertainment, family fun and health activities. Contact 020 7388 7932 www.westeustonpartnership.co.uk

Royal Albert Hall Friendship Matinee 9th October 3pm
The Music of Bond with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Tickets only £5 for members and users of voluntary and community groups and carers. Book online at www.royalalberthall.com or tel: 020 7589 8212.

Camden CCG’s Annual General Meeting
Wednesday 16 September 2015
Camden CCG Agenda:
12:40pm-1:20pm Lunch/Networking
1:30pm-1:45pm Welcome- Chair of Camden CCG
1:45pm-2:30pm Presentations of:
• 2014/15 accounts
• Key Camden CCG success stories
• Public and patient perspective
2:30pm-2:45pm Open Q&A session – with Chair, speakers and supplementary panel members (incl. Governing Body members)
2:45pm-3:35pm Interactive session-table top discussions on key CCG priorities, with refreshments available
To book your place and for further details, please go to http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/camden-clinical-commissioning-groups-ccg-annual-general-meeting-registration-17793562023

Dementia Carers Training
For carers who are supporting someone with dementia
Session 1- Monday 7th September
Session 2 – Monday 14th September
Session 3 – Monday 21st September
(Arrival 9.45 am) 10.00am – 12.30 pm
Light Refreshments will be provided on the day
For general information or to book a place, please call Camden Carers Centre on 0207 428 8950 Or alternatively email Zakeera

Streets of London Music Project
For people with mental health issues
Autumn 2015 – Spring 2016 Band Workshops
Wednesdays 12-2pm at Fitzrovia Centre Foley Street W1W 6DN
– Guided Walk on London’s rich music history and eclectic community for inspiration
– Performance opportunities
– Recording studio experience
No previous experience is required
All Welcome
For enrolment / referrals forms – please email: lucia@upbeatmusic.org
Or text/call Lucia at: 07762151783 http://www.upbeatmusic.org

Breathing and Empowerment Workshop for Women
Saturday 19th September 2015 3pm – 5pm
The Venue, 02 Centre, 255 Finchley Road, London NW3 6LU
Women who want to feel more relaxed, confident and inspired to change their lives. Those ready to believe that they can start making those changes!
About workshop: This two hour workshop will introduce you to the benefits of breathing exercises for relaxation, confidence and fitness.
£45.00 Refreshments included.
To reserve your place please book online: http://www.wegottickets.com/event/330497
For any queries do call Heather on 07956 880103 or Catherine on 07980 659169. Email takeamoment2@gmail.com

What makes life good for people with long term health conditions
Come to this workshop and turn your ideas into plans!
Friday 18 september 2015, 1.30pm – 3.00pm (refreshments from 1.00pm)
Kingsgate resource Centre, 208 Webheath, Netherwood Street, London NW6 2JU
To learn more and to book your place, contact Frank Dove, LB Camden by Friday 11 September
020 7974 4435 frank.dove@camden.gov.uk

A celebration for World Mental Health Day
October 9th at St Pancras Hospital
VoiceAbility and VAC are supporting the Camden Borough User Group (CBUG) to hold an event to celebrate World Mental Health Day. It will be at the conference Hall, St Pancras Hospital on the 9th October between 11am and 4pm.
If you or anyone you support would be interested in attending, then please print off the attached flyer and spread the word. The event will have a social focus with hot food, music, speakers, performance, stalls and more.
We are also holding a photography competition and all entries will be displayed on the day, there is a flyer attached about this too.
For any further details please contact us at by email or by phone on:
camdenuserinvolvement@voiceability.org Telephone: 020 3355 7113

Deaf Awareness Event
A new initiative to encourage more staff and volunteers to take up Deaf Awareness is now available in Camden.
Signs4Life have set up an introductory workshop in Deaf Awareness to help staff to communicate and engage with their deaf & hard of hearing colleagues, service users, students, and patients in Camden. The Deaf Awareness event will be taking place on Tuesday 22nd September 2015 at Camden Cypriot Women’s Organisation, 2c Falkland Road, London, (NW5 2PT) from 10:30am – 12:30pm. This local initiative is to help identify barriers that deaf people face and explore their culture and community but also to encourage inclusion of all people with sensory, physical or learning disabilities in Camden. Attendance is strictly by booking only (limited places). For further information please contact Sara on info@signs4life.org

Volunteer Management Training
VCC’s Measuring The Impact of Your Volunteering Programme training course will give you practical, user-friendly tools to help you do just that.
Measuring The Impact Of Your Volunteering Programme For Beginners
Thursday 1st October 10am-1pm @ The Wellcome Trust in Euston
You will receive a copy of the NCVO measuring impact toolkit (£35) to take away. With that in mind, free places will be £35+booking fee and the rest will be £94+booking fee.
To book your place and to find our more information have a look at Eventbrite.

New Evelyn Oldfield Unit Research for Action and Influence Course 2015-16
Accredited London Region Open College Network, Level 3
Are you interested in working towards a qualification whilst gaining some useful and practical skills in research and presentation skills? Then this course is for you.
Starting from October, we will run 22 half-day sessions spread over 9 months. We will support RMCO representatives to gain the skills and confidence to be able to research issues of refugee and migrant communities including education, training and employment, welfare and social concerns.
The training is free. Participants will benefit from mentor support, tutorials and one to one support from the tutor.
Eligibility and how to apply:
This is a course for refugees and migrants only. Applicants must be active in a refugee or migrant community organisation working in London (this can be paid or voluntary). English levels have to be sufficient to manage independent report writing.
Please contact Alexandra, EOU administrator on 020 7697 4100 / Alexandra@evelynoldfield.co.uk for further information and/ or to request an application form.

Prince’s Trust Team Programme
The next Prince’s Trust TEAM Programme at Canalside Activity Centre is starting on 21/09/15.
For 16-25 years old; Unemployed or not in education or training; Available to attend a 12 week course full time
Team is a 12-week personal development course that will help you to develop your employability skills and to move into education, employment or training.
· Get a nationally recognised qualification: “Certificate in Employment, TEAMWORK AND Community Skills”( Entry Level 3, Level 1 or 2)
For information, please do not hesitate to contact Mustapha Elmsioui mustapha.elmsioui@epiccic.org.uk

Made of Money
Tues 22nd & Wed 23rd September 2015
Award-winning financial education project, offered as two day facilitator training
We’ll equip you to deliver flexible content around savings, credit, debt, communication,
coping with consumer culture, and children & money
Sliding costs from £100 to £350; in-house trainings also available
100% of trained facilitators would recommend Made of Money to other organisations
Made of Money is a project of Quaker Social Action (QSA) www.quakersocialaction.org.uk/madeofmoney

London for All
London for All / LVSC have a full programme of courses available for the voluntary sector. Go to the London for All website for full details.

Camden Carers’ Service
Has a full range of events and activities for unpaid carers in Camden. Find out more on the Camden Carers’ Service website www.camdencs.org.uk/activities

Don’t forget that Camden TDS run a full programme of course which are subsidised or free for voluntary sector partner organisations. There is a link to a list of partner organisations on the home page.

Find more Training Opportunities at www.vac.org.uk

Kingsgate Workshops Trust Volunteer Opportunity
We have an opportunity to offer some work, to possibly a retired person, involving handyman type work. We are keen to consider someone that perhaps had to retire when maybe they didn’t want to, or someone who might be isolated after retirement, or even someone younger who might be struggling to find work. Ideally we are looking for someone who has a breadth of knowledge, who would be able to do small jobs across the board such as plumbing, carpentry, general DIY.
Kingsgate Workshops Trust, 110 – 116 Kingsgate Road, London, NW6 2JG Tel: 020 7328 7878 www.kingsgateworkshops.org.uk
email: rowena@kingsgateworkshops.org.uk

Calthorpe Project seeks Sports Development Manager
The Calthorpe Project is a vibrant community center and garden working to improve the health and wellbeing of residents in and around Kings Cross.
We are looking for an exceptional person to develop and manage a day to day progamme of sporting activities based on our 5-a-side sports pitch. You will engage community groups, young people and the corporate sector and implement a sustainable income maximization strategy.
Salary £29,838 gross annually for flexible 35 hour week.
Download an application pack from our website: www.calthorpeproject.org.uk
Or request a pack by emailing info@calthorpeproject.org.uk
Completed applications can be returned by post or email:
Louise Gates, Calthorpe Project, 258-274 Grays Inn Rd, WC1X 8LH
Deadline for completed applications-12noon Friday September 25th 2015
Interviews – Friday October 9th

Moving on Up seeks Intern
Moving on Up is a joint initiative from Trust for London, the City of London’s charity, City Bridge Trust and the Black Training and Enterprise Group (BTEG). It aims to increase the employment rates of young black men in London over the next two years.
Moving on Up now wants to recruit a skilled and committed intern for six months who will be focused on developing and implementing a media and social media campaign which aims to encourage employers to ensure their job recruitment processes are free from negative stereotypes of young black men,
Salary: London living wage, currently £9.15 p/h Duration: six months
This post would suit someone with an interest in communications, media and social media. It would be ideal for someone who is studying for or has completed a degree in communications, media or similar subjects. Application pack online
Black Training and Enterprise Group: 020 7832 5840, Email: Jeremy@bteg.co.uk
The closing date for applications is 5 pm on 21 September 2015

Age UK Camden seeking Honorary Treasurer
Age UK Camden is recruiting to the volunteer role of Treasurer, to work closely with other trustees and the organisation’s Finance Manager and CEO. More details are on the NCVO website https://www.ncvo.org.uk/practical-support/governance/trustee-bank/vacancy-search/607?view=vacancy Age UK Camden’s CEO Gary Jones says “It’s an important role and we’re a complex organisation with a subsidiary charity and a £2mil+ turnover, and the lead role in the isolation-reduction programme Ageing Better in Camden. We also face cuts, tenders and a pension deficit, but have many strengths including strong financial management and staff, and a broad services offer and funding base”.

One Housing seeks:
Deputy Manager
£25,000 pa 37.5 hours a week 7 – day rota
Islington and Camden
One Housing are now looking for a Deputy Manager to manage a team of Care Assistants and lead high standards of person centered care and outcome based support services.
Closing date: 30th September 2015
Full details and how to apply available online.
Care Assistants
Full-time, part-time, flexible hours and night work
£15,370 pa pro rata
Islington and Camden
One Support is the housing, care and support arm of One Housing – one of the largest and fastest growing providers of housing, care and support services across London and the South East.
For more information, or to apply please visit the website.
Closing date: 30th September 2015
RECRUITMENT OPEN DAY
If you would like to talk to us directly, join us at our open morning on 24th September 2015 between 2pm and 5pm at our Roseberry Mansions Extra Care Service in Kings Cross. We will arrange to give you a tour of the building, meet our staff and customers and get a real feel for what we provide. We will also be able to offer initial interviews all afternoon. So please bring your CV with you. Please call 020 8821 4478 to book your visit.

Organisational Development Officer Job Opportunity
Sobus are looking for an Organisational Development Officer to deliver the new strategy to better support the voluntary sector in Hammersmith and Fulham. Someone who can pro-actively support the voluntary sector to grow, secure income, develop new meaningful partnerships and become better at evaluating its impact.
Salary: £31,460 – 34,120 per annum (depending on experience)
Hours: Full time 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent (subject to funding)
Closing date: Tuesday 22th September 2015 at 12noon
Interviews: Week Commencing 12th October 2015
To apply visit our website to download an application pack
Further information: email Shad.Haibatan@sobus.org.uk

Kentish Town Community Centre currently have 2 part time Youth worker vacancies
KTCC are looking for enthusiastic and experienced individuals to join the youth team, the roles are focused on 2 core youth projects, working with young people aged 11-19 in Kentish Town.
For more information or to apply please visit www.ktcc.org.uk
Closing date for applications is 21st September 2015.

Volunteer Role and VAC to Update Website and Database
This role is ideally suited to someone who wants to learn how to edit and update a website using WordPress. It is also suited to anyone looking to gain some experience of volunteering in an office environment with a view to finding or returning to employment. No prior experience is necessary or required as training will be given.
Role Title: Website and Data Entry Volunteer
Responsible to: ICT Training and Communications Support Worker
Salary Scale: Voluntary position
Hours: 1-2 days per week – max 14 hours/week (Tuesday & Wednesday)
Location: VAC, 293 – 299 Kentish Town Road, London NW5 2TJ.
Role Purpose
~ To keep the VAC website up-to-date with the latest funding opportunities as they relate to the local Camden Voluntary and Community Sector.
~ To update and maintain information on the organisation database, as and when required.
~ To provide other data-entry and administrative assistance to the ICT training and communication support worker and other staff, as and when required.
To apply please forward a CV and cover letter to alexcharles@vac.org.uk more details at www.vac.org.uk

Are you looking to employ an assistant to help with your care needs? CamdenPAs can help you.
CamdenPAs.org.uk is a new service that makes it easy to find a personal assistant (PA) and puts you in control of your care and support.
If you have care needs, you can employ a PA to help you to live as independently as possible.
CamdenPAs features an online ‘marketplace’ for you to browse through a list of profiles of PAs in the borough. Profiles give details about the services they provide, their skills, experience and personal interests.
You can look through the list to find suitable matches and choose someone you like to help support you.
When you find a match you can contact the PA to arrange an interview and see how you get on. If you like them you can then work out contract details such as hours, duties and wages, and hire them.
If you do not find anyone suitable, you can set up your own a profile describing your requirements and interests, for PAs to look through and contact you.
You can employ a PA whether you receive a direct payment or fund your own care. If you receive direct payments you can get support with the employment from Personalised Support In Camden or AgeUK Camden.
Become a PA
If you’re a PA looking for work or are just starting out, CamdenPAs can help you. As well as helping you finding a job, the site features advice on looking for work, becoming a PA and where to get training.
Why not set up your profile today? Find out more, visit: camdenpas.org.uk or p hone: 020 7278 4437

Socially Responsible Recruiting
A new, award-winning skills matching service that connects employers with skilled and experienced people to do one-off or part-time jobs has launched in Camden, with a strong social benefit ethic.
“There is a very large number of people in Camden who are fantastically skilled and work-ready but are off the radar to employers because they’re not looking for full-time work and aren’t constantly scouring the job ads,” says Jonathan Collie, founder of Trading Times.
These people are highly skilled over 50s, and family carers. Trading Times brings them to you. It’s free to candidates. It costs you only £35, and only when you are connected to the perfect candidates.
Paul Fordham of Abbey Community Centre in Camden said: “”We posted our occasional job opportunity on Trading Times because we at the Abbey Community Centre recognise the value of the flexibility that can come with age. Trading Times offers a tailored means to directly target opportunities at an older group that the vast majority of other job sites simply do not seem to tap.”
Register at https://tradingtimes.org.uk/ and let Trading Times match you with the right local people for your needs.

Find Jobs and Volunteering opportunities at https://www.vac.org.uk/

Age UK Don’t Cut Care Petition
Older people should be able to live well, not just survive, and the right care and support can help them do this.
But ferocious cuts to home care and community services – like meals on wheels, home carers, and day centre care – mean that many older people are forced to sacrifice their dignity because they can’t get the support they need.
Age UK is calling on the Government to invest in care for older people.
Please show your support – sign our petition.

Help Us Help You – Complete the VAC Survey
VAC provides a range of services and support to the voluntary and community sector and social enterprises in Camden. With further cuts and policy changes anticipated in Camden the knock on effect to local organisations is going to be challenging.
We would appreciate it if you could complete our short questionnaire to help VAC understand what support or services you are likely to need from VAC over the next couple of years and how we can help best advocate on your behalf for the sector.
The survey consists of 13 short questions and shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes to complete. You can also opt to keep your responses anonymous if you prefer to do so.
You can complete the survey via the following Survey Monkey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5ZLH8M6
Or on our website, at: https://vac.org.uk/influence/surveys-and-polls/survey-what-support-do-you-need-from-vac/
All completed surveys will be entered into a prize draw for a £20.00 cash prize!

Camden Chinese Community Centre Nursery
The nursery is a well-established facility, which has been in Camden for nearly 30 years. The nursery service aims to provide a happy, healthy, caring and stimulating pre-school environment where children aged between 2 and 5 years old of all nationalities can develop their full potential. The nursery is OFSTED-inspected and rated as good.
Friendly fully qualified staff carefully planning a wide range of activities, including story-time, singing, role-play, cooking, creative activities, physical play, outdoor learning.
Places available please contact email us at nursery@camdenccc.co.uk or call on 020 7485 4156 for more information.
United Reform Church, Buck Street, Camden NW1 8NJ Telephone: 020 7485 4156
Service hours: Monday – Friday, 51 weeks of the year (closed 1 week for Christmas)
core hours: 9:30am – 3:30pm extended hours: 8am – 6pm.

Camden Consultations
Various consultations are out at the moment including a consultation on Camden Future Libraries and Camden VCS strategy and changes to early education and childcare and children’s centre services. You can find all Camden consultation on the Wearecamden consultation hub.

FREE VAC Membership for Unfunded Groups: Voluntary Action Camden Small organisations with no paid staff and a turnover of less than £1,500 can now join for FREE. To take advantage of this offer just fill in the membership on the online form here.