Voluntary Action Camden e-Bulletin 30th October 2015

Cycling Workplaces; Camden Council and Camden’s Voluntary and Community Sector Consultation Update; Trustees’ Week Event: ‘Piggy in the Middle – Can Trustees Please Everyone?’; Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA); The Essentials of Inducting and Training Your Volunteers; CQC Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust; Office with Consulting Rooms to Let; Silk Moth; Castlehaven AGM – Housing in Camden, The Challenges Ahead; + jobs, volunteers, events, training, offers and resources.

Cycling Workplaces
As an employer in London, you are entitled to free support and services to help you promote cycling in your workplace.
If you have five or more employees, you could benefit from:
1. Free cycle stands*
A wide range of cycle parking to suit the space you have available, including toast rack stands, shelters and folding bike lockers.
2. Free cycle safety checks and bike marking
A mechanic provides bike checks at your workplace to ensure your employees’ bikes are roadworthy.
Plus, staff can have their bikes security marked, to aid recovery in the event of theft.
3. Free cycle safety seminar
A seminar at your workplace on commuter cycling, safety and how London is changing for cyclists.
4. Free commuter cycle skills sessions
121 on-bike cycling sessions for beginner, intermediate and experienced cyclists.
Available as a taster day at your workplace or as individual sessions.
* Stands are provided free of charge. The business is responsible for installation costs.
Register at tfl.gov.uk/cyclingworkplaces
 

Camden Council and Camden’s Voluntary and Community Sector Consultation Update
The closing date for the consultation is 4th November so don’t delay as this will be your last chance. The LB Camden consultation can be found here. The proposals can be found in a downloadable document here. You can give your views directly to the council via an online questionnaire.

Trustees’ Week Event: ‘Piggy in the Middle – Can Trustees Please Everyone?’
Wednesday, 4th November 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
This round table discussion raises the issue of the multiple pressures that Trustees feel
The staff, users and funders all seem to have strong views on how trustees should be doing their job. Add to this a recent increase in interest from the press and the public and many trustees are left feeling like piggy-in-the-middle. Can you keep everyone happy? Should you by trying to keep everyone happy? VAC invite you to come along on Wednesday 4th November from 6.00 to 7.30pm to share your experiences of the competing pressures on charity trustees. The evening will start with a brief presentation from Kevin Nunan (VAC) looking at the recent interest in the sector from the public, criticisms from the regulator and how trustees have attempted to deal with it.
Cost: Free More information and to book at the VAC website.
Contact: Kevin knunan@vac.org.uk

Places are available on VAC’s next Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training course.
This will take place over two full days on Thursday 12th November and Thursday 19th November (9.30am to 5pm both days).
This internationally recognised course will be of interest to parents, youth workers, teachers, those who support young people, or anyone who wants to learn more about mental health.
The YMHFA course will teach you to:
• Spot the early signs of a mental health problem in a young person
• Feel confident helping a young person experiencing a problem
• Provide help on a first aid basis
• Help protect a young person who might be at risk of harm
• Help prevent a mental illness from getting worse
• Help a young person recover faster
• Guide a young person towards the right support
• Reduce the stigma of mental health problems
Participants will receive a copy of the YMHFA manual and certificate on completion of the course. Please see the attached flyer for more information.
This training is highly subsidised at only £25 per person. To book your place and pay by card via Eventbrite please go to: https://vac.org.uk/events/category/health-mental-health/.
Please note that VAC can only accept bookings from Camden-based BMER groups or organisations based in Camden working with BMER communities.
If you have any questions please contact the Mental Health Team on: mentalhealthteam@vac.org.uk or call 020 7284 6550.

Learn The Essentials of Inducting and Training Your Volunteers
This introductory-level training will give you all you need to know about inducting and training your volunteers well – giving them the best start with you for a great volunteering experience.
And helping you to avoid many problems down the line!
The Essentials of Inducting and Training Your Volunteers
Tuesday 24th November 2-5pm, @ West Euston Partnership in Euston, Free
To book your place and to find out more information have a look at Eventbrite.

CQC Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust
CQC the independent regulator of health, mental health and adult social care in England will be inspecting Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust on the week of the 25th January 2016. We would like to hear your feedback on the mental health services before the inspection. There are a number of ways people can feedback their views (we are interested in experiences from the last 12 months only) you can e-mail enquiries@cqc.org.uk telephone 03000 616161 or visit our website and complete the ‘share your experience form’ at http://www.cqc.org.uk/share-your-experience-finder

Office with Consulting Rooms to Let – Good Price, Great Location
VAC has a medium size office to let that would suit a small organisation needing space for approximately 4 or 5 desks. Unusually, we are able to offer a up to 4 private consulting rooms as well. Conveniently located in Kentish Town will all usual mod cons. Contact Kevin at VAC knunan@vac.org.uk

Silk Moth
Join us on Sunday 1st November for a special preview of Silk Moth, a one woman opera about “honour” killing.
Silk Moth places onstage a mother. We are guests at her home. Through music, gastronomy and text, this performance raises powerful questions: what is her role in this horrific ‘tradition’? Is she a victim, submissive, or coldly complicit? Based on a series of workshops and interviews conducted in partnership with IKWRO, this new work tackles a controversial and sensitive issue, created by a team of internationally renowned artists and performers.
Thanks to the Arts Council and Nour Festival. Click here for tickets.

Castlehaven AGM – Housing in Camden, The Challenges Ahead
Housing In Camden – The Challenges Ahead
with Kier Starmer MP & Cllr Patricia Callaghan on Weds 18th Nov 2015, From 7.30pm-9pm
With networking and nibbles until 9.30pm. For more information contact: Shay Thripp on 020 7 485 3386. Castlehaven Community Association, 21 Castlehaven Rd, London, NW1 8RU
Email on: shay@castlehaven.org.uk web: www.castlehaven.org.uk

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.

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

Ransackers, British Postal Museum, AWLPA, Homestart Camden, MOPAC, VAC, Age UK Camden 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

When breaking up is not an option – leasing from local authorities – Legal Briefing
Voluntary sector organisations provide valuable and often innovative services to their local community. A local or public authority will often be prepared to grant the long lease of a building or open space to such an organisation, potentially enabling a strategic approach to the property, and in particular, the possibility for capital investment. This Russell-Cooke legal briefing looks at some of the pit falls and says “The most dangerous type of provision that local authorities propose in this type of negotiation is the landlord’s break right. The nature of landlord’s break rights (as opposed to tenant’s break rights) are relatively unusual in the commercial world except in the case of some very short-term occupation arrangements in what are sometimes termed ‘serviced’ premises. Download the briefing here.

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

Opportunity for capital funding for VCS organisations in Camden Town with Primrose Hill Ward
The Council is in receipt of money arising from a property development in Camden Town with Primrose Hill Ward, as a result of Section 106 (S106) obligations on property developers, under Camden’s Planning Guidance.
This opportunity relates only to money provided to improve community facilities, it does not relate to S106 money received for other purposes, such as infrastructure and parks and open spaces.
The community building or facility must be one of the following:
• Owned by the organisation
• Occupied on a long-term lease
• Owned by the council
If your voluntary & community sector organisation would like to make a proposal for S106 capital money for community facilities, and your premises and service provision fits these criteria, please contact jeff.hopwood@camden.gov.uk or adam.demosthenous@camden.gov.uk.
A proposal form will be supplied, to easily enable response to the following:
• A brief description of the proposal, including how much money you are seeking – an estimate is fine at this stage
• Any relevant deadlines
The form will also ask for information about:
• How an allocation would ensure that the recipient’s facilities / services are available for the local community
• Whether the organisation or facility has received S106 Community Facilities funding before
• Whether the capital project has any match funding or pledges of match funding
• How the proposal will address Camden Plan priorities and the Council’s investment tests:
www.camden.gov.uk/camdenplan
www.camden.gov.uk/ccm/content/council-and-democracy/publications-and-finances/twocolumn/camden-financial-challenge-.en?page=3.
Proposal forms will need to be returned by the 6th November 2015, officers intend to consider the proposals during November, and discuss with ward members and relevant Cabinet Members. Decisions are expected to be made by the beginning of December. Further information please contact the named officers above.

Stepping Stones Fund
All interested charities and social enterprises in the Greater London area are invited to an information session about the Stepping Stones Fund, a £1m social investment readiness grant programme of City Bridge Trust and UBS.
The second round of the Fund is now open for applications. This programme provides grants and risk finance to enterprising organisations that wish to prepare themselves for social investment in order to improve their social outcomes. There are three strands you can consider:
1. obtain capacity building support that will help you better access social investment in the future
2. pilot new ways, ideas or business models aiming for better social outcomes
3. secure risk finance that can catalyse a social investment package.
The deadline for applications is 12 o’clock on 16th November, 2015.
For more information and to register for a place on:
29th October

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 26th November, am, free
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.
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. More information and booking at the VAC website.

Keeping it Human in a Digital Age?
10am – 4.30pm 25th November 2015
Ort House Conference Centre, London, NW1 7NE
This conference will consider what the challenges and opportunities are for VCSE organisations arising from the rapid growth of the use of digital technology.
The day will include:
~ Panel discussions with leaders from the funding, VCS and public sector worlds
~ Workshops and IT surgeries to support organisations make the best use of digital technology to improve their impact and reach
We will consider questions such as:
~ How can the use of digital technology support VCSE organisations to be able to communicate more clearly and effectively to funders, statutory, private sector and broader society?
~ How can VCSE organisations use technology to design and deliver services which meet the needs of the vulnerable and marginalised people they work with?
~ What are the capacity building needs of the sector and how can funders meet those needs?
~ The London picture on digital exclusion and how to address this issue?
~ How does digital change the way we connect and operate locally and across London?
The conference will be followed by the HEAR Network’s Accessibility Awards
The Access Awards will showcase examples of good practice in accessibility and inclusion by HEAR network members in service delivery, and how small changes can have a big impact!
To register for a place please book here

Mental health workshops for Camden-based BMER groups – Free
There are places available on the following two VAC workshops:
Mental Health and Stigma (half-day): Monday 2nd November (2-5pm)
Mental health affects all of us in one way or another throughout our lives, yet for many it remains a taboo subject, shrouded in myths and stigma. This half-day session is designed to open up a discussion about how we can explore and break down stigma in relation to mental illness. Using various techniques including film, case studies and discussion, there will be a particular reference to stigma in South Asian communities.
Introduction to Mental Health Awareness (full day): Wednesday 9th December (10am to 4.30pm)
This one-day interactive session looks at how we define mental health and mental illness. It offers the opportunity to explore the impact of stigmatisation and stereotyping on individuals and society. Focusing on two of the most common disorders – depression and anxiety – we will explore vulnerability, risk factors and the importance of early intervention to support recovery. We will also discuss what we can all do to look after our mental health.
Please note that due to requirements of our funding, we can only offer places to Camden-based BMER community groups or Camden voluntary sector organisations whose main focus is working with BMER groups. We can accept a maximum of two people from any one organisation.
To book your place, please go to our website and follow the instructions to book via Eventbrite:
https://vac.org.uk/events/category/health-mental-health/
If you have any questions, please contact the Mental Health Team on mentalhealthteam@vac.org.uk or call 020 7284 6550.

Trustees’ Week Event: ‘Piggy in the Middle – Can Trustees Please Everyone?’
Wednesday, 4th November 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
This round table discussion raises the issue of the multiple pressures that Trustees feel
The staff, users and funders all seem to have strong views on how trustees should be doing their job. Add to this a recent increase in interest from the press and the public and many trustees are left feeling like piggy-in-the-middle. Can you keep everyone happy? Should you by trying to keep everyone happy? VAC invite you to come along on Wednesday 4th November from 6.00 to 7.30pm to share your experiences of the competing pressures on charity trustees. The evening will start with a brief presentation from Kevin Nunan (VAC) looking at the recent interest in the sector from the public, criticisms from the regulator and how trustees have attempted to deal with it.
Cost: Free More information and to book at the VAC website.
Contact: Kevin knunan@vac.org.uk

Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training course.
This will take place over two full days on Thursday 12th November and Thursday 19th November (9.30am to 5pm both days).
This internationally recognised course will be of interest to parents, youth workers, teachers, those who support young people, or anyone who wants to learn more about mental health.
The YMHFA course will teach you to:
• Spot the early signs of a mental health problem in a young person
• Feel confident helping a young person experiencing a problem
• Provide help on a first aid basis
• Help protect a young person who might be at risk of harm
• Help prevent a mental illness from getting worse
• Help a young person recover faster
• Guide a young person towards the right support
• Reduce the stigma of mental health problems
Participants will receive a copy of the YMHFA manual and certificate on completion of the course. Please see the attached flyer for more information.
This training is highly subsidised at only £25 per person. To book your place and pay by card via Eventbrite please go to: https://vac.org.uk/events/category/health-mental-health/.
Please note that VAC can only accept bookings from Camden-based BMER groups or organisations based in Camden working with BMER communities.
If you have any questions please contact the Mental Health Team on: mentalhealthteam@vac.org.uk or call 020 7284 6550.

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).

Healthwatch Camden with Camden and Islington Public Health have organised a seminar on the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy on Monday 16th November 10am to1pm
Kentish Town Congregation Church, Kelly Street, London NW1
This is to get your feedback on the document so far; this will be a great way to influence your local health and social care service provision and policy,
At the seminar some of the discussion will be if you:
Agree that if they have identified the right focus for improvement under each priority?
Are there other areas of focus that should also be included, and if so, why?
Have the right measures to show improvement been selected?
Are there other ways to monitor and evaluate the outcomes that they should consider?
Are there any other comments that you would like to make?
The responses will be used to finalise the strategy before it goes to the Health and Wellbeing Board in January. Lunch is included.
Please let me know as soon as possible if you are coming. Telephone: 020 7284 6585 Email: shelly.khan@healthwatchcamden.co.uk

Ageing Better in Camden Launch 12th November 2015
This morning only event aims to answer all your questions about Ageing Better in Camden – what it is; what it offers; how you can get involved. It is open to all and is aimed particularly at older people and people and organisations working with older people. It will have workshops, information stalls and introductory speeches. Please register at ageingbetterincamden@ageukcamden.org.uk or telephone 02072390400.
Ageing Better in Camden has published the Invitation to Tender information for the St Pancras and Somerstown Community Action Project. Please fill in the form to register your interest in tendering (and you will receive emails of any questions and answers that other bidders post). Deadline back 19th November 2pm. http://www.ageuk.org.uk/camden/ageing-better-in-camden/

Training For New Volunteer Centre Online Matching Tool (and Database) Volunteer Connect
Volunteer Connect will replace our use of the Do-it website (as well as our back-end database, reporting and matching tool).
We are planning a launch to the public in early December.
And that means that from December we will only promote your volunteering to people who want to volunteer in Camden if you are on Volunteer Connect.
With that in mind, we will be running a number of free masterclasses on how to use Volunteer Connect to add, amend and delete your volunteering opportunities.
We will offer two masterclasses on:
Monday 23rd November10am-1pm or 2pm-5pm at our office in Kentish Town
We have allowed three hours for each one, but it should only take an hour or two of your time to get you started.
You can book in for any of the masterclasses on eventbrite here.
If you have any questions about this, contact Rupal by email or phone 020 7424 9990.

Dementia Cafe
A friendly and supportive monthly café for people with dementia and their carers. The Café runs on the 1st Wednesday of each month 11.00am – 1pm
Refreshments are provided. Upcoming dates:
4th November 2015
2nd December 2015
At Kentish Town Congregational Church, Kelly Street, London NW1 8PH
For further information call 0207 561 4820

An introduction to intergenerational working
An intensive one-day training session ideal for people who would like to organise activities or projects which bring together older and younger people, improve their intergenerational practice or make their organisation or service more age-inclusive.
The day will be of particular interest to staff, managers and volunteers in sheltered housing, resource centres, residential care, community work, youth work, education and teaching, early years settings, community arts, council departments and anyone else who would like to organise intergenerational events or improve their organisation’s intergenerational practice.
Tuesday 24 November 2015 at 9.45am – 4.45pm
Book soon. Free. For further information or to book a place, contact:
vanda.carter@camden.gov.uk / 020 7974 2810

Recovery College Courses Still Available October – December 2015
Being involved
Understanding Anxiety
Men and Masculinity and more.
Please email us if you want to be sent the new prospectus for courses starting in January 2016
4 St Pancras Way, London NW1 0PE
Tel: 020 3317 6904 email: recovery.college@candi.nhs.uk
Opening hours10.00am – 4.00pm

Free English classes to be run in partnership with Working Mens’ College at Conway House (based in Kilburn) and free ESOL classes run by Training Link
Improve your spelling, grammar and punctuation. Come along to the assessment session on:
Friday 6 November 2015, 12-3pm at
Conway House, 18-22 Quex Road, London, NW6 4PL
ESOL Entry 2
‘Funded by the Corporation of London’s charity City Bridge Trust’
Learn English
ESOL: English to Speakers of Other Languages
Level: Entry 2
At Conway House, 18-22 Quex Road, NW6 4PL (Kilburn)
FREE of charge, no registration fee. Every Wednesday 3pm-6pm
To book a place please email gosia.glinska@sih.org
For more information about Training Link and courses they offer please contact admin@traininglink.org.uk or 0207 383 5405

DSC Fundraising Fair 19 & 20 November
Two days of practical fundraising training and information for fundraisers at all levels.
Get inspired by 34 workshops covering a wide variety of key fundraising topics: from In-Memory Giving, Ethical Issues in Fundraising and Events Fundraising, through to Stress Management, Digital Fundraising, Telling Stories and Building Relationships. Whether you are just starting out or are an experienced fundraising director, there is a workshop just for you.
You’ll get the tools and techniques to help you raise more funds, to better serve those you help. You can find further information here. Resource Ctr, Holloway Road.

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

Volunteer Treasurer role at Ransackers
We need a treasurer for an exciting 1 year project (and beyond): We are a small not – for –profit run by volunteers : we promote serious education for older people
The role includes: Keeping all accounts and proof of income & spend during and after project end, plus participation in budget creation for funding bids
Contact: hfarnworth@gmail.com or annateresalefort7@gmail.com

The British Postal Museum and Archive seeks Volunteer & Training Coordinator
The Postal Museum, due to open in early 2017, is a major project being delivered by the BPMA to
open a new, national museum in Farringdon, central London.
Salary: BPMA Officer / Professional Grade: £25k – £28k p.a. plus project bonus
Full-time. 18 months fixed term in the first instance
The Volunteer and Training Coordinator is a new role supported by the Heritage Lottery
Fund. The post-holder will take a leading role within the HR Team in planning, development,
delivery and evaluation of opportunities and programmes for volunteers and trainees (e.g.
interns, apprentices, work experience placement students). The role will also involve
working with the wider HR Team in the coordination of a programme of training required to
up-skill staff as well as volunteers in advance of the opening of The Postal Museum.
To apply: Please complete the application form and monitoring form (both available online) and send (preferably via email) to: jobs@postalheritage.org.uk
Closing Date: Monday 16 November 2015, 9am
Interviews expected to take place between 23 November and 3rd December

Asian Women Lone Parents Association (AWLPA) are Recruiting
Asian Women Lone Parents Association (AWLPA) works to support Asian women
who are lone parents, and their children, by providing services that enables them
to improve their lives and wellbeing. Through active support we look to empower
women to participate in their social, economic, health and physical environment.
AWLPA are recruiting two posts:
Part-time administrator
The ideal candidate would be motivated, organised and empathetic to the
situations affecting single Asian mums in London today. They would have
experience of working in an office environment and helping with charity and
project administration and be able to complete tasks within deadlines.
They must be able to use Microsoft outlook, office and excel and have experience
of establishing and setting up electronic and filing systems. The role will require
updating and inputting service user information, monitoring and evaluation,
helping with project support and service delivery to organise events, activities,
workshops, crèche, childcare, writing update reports, answering the phone,
liaising with contractors and local partners and updating the charity website and
other communication.
Role: 7 hours a week at £10 per hour from December 2015(possibly sooner
subject to interview and satisfactory references).
If you are interested please email: director@awlpa.org for application details. For
further information or an informal chat please contact the office on 0207 833
8085 or visit our website www.awlpa.org
Deadline for applications: Monday 16th November 2015
Project Coordinator
The ideal candidate would be motivated, organised and empathetic to the
situations affecting single Asian mums in London today. They would be bilingual
preferably Bengali/Urdu speaking.
They would have experience of working with vulnerable women and working with
volunteers including support, management, recruitment and training of
volunteers. They must be able to organize and develop activities in relation to the
women’s needs including weekly activities and be able to review, monitor and
evaluate project and its outcomes. They must be committed, innovative,
organised, pro-active and be able to work with a range of partners and hold a
professional manner.
Role: 18 hours a week at £13 per hour from December 2015(possibly sooner
subject to interview and satisfactory references).
If you are interested please email: director@awlpa.org for application details. For
further information or an informal chat please contact the office on 0207 833
8085 or visit our website www.awlpa.org
Deadline for applications: Friday 20th November 2015

Home Start Camden seeks Volunteers
Are you a parent or do you have parenting experience? Would you like to enhance your skills to offer friendship and support to families with young children? Can you give 3-4 hours weekly, to visit a family with young children who may be going through a difficult time?
Family Support Volunteer
Next Preparation Course Starting 17th November to 10th December
Every Tuesday & Thursday in Kentish Town
Certificates awarded & expenses paid
For information pack ring 020 7424 1603 email: info@homestartcamden.org
www.homestartcamden.org.uk

The Mayor’s Office for Policing And Crime currently have some vacancies for Camden’s Independent Custody Visitors Scheme
Details about the role and how to apply are on the MOPAC website.
Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) are members of the local community who volunteer to visit police stations unannounced to check on the treatment and welfare of people held in police custody. Their recommendations can require the police to make improvements for the welfare of detainees. Working as part of a local panel, they play a valuable role in maintaining public confidence in this important area of policing.

Volunteer Vacancy at VAC
Do you live, work or volunteer in Camden? Would you like to support people in your community to improve their health and their access to services that will help them to maintain good health and wellbeing? Do you want to develop experience and skills in the field of public health? Can you commit at least 2 hours per week?
VAC is offering free Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH) Level 1 training to those who want to volunteer their time to become Community Health Advocates. The RSPH Level 1 training is a two days course, with a 20 question multiple choice test at the end of the second day of training. It could provide a useful skill set and experience for people who may be interested in following a health related career path in the future.
After completing the training, VAC will support local teams of volunteers to act as links between community based services and GPs. You may wish to take advantage of additional opportunities to increase your knowledge, for example smoking cessation, cancer awareness, diabetes etc.
In return for your commitment to the project for 2 hours a week we offer support, out of pocket expenses and other professional development opportunities. Details on the VAC website.
Mandira Manandhar (Mon, Tues and Thurs) 020 7284 6573 or email: mmanandhar@vac.org.uk
Peter Simonson (Mon and Thurs) 020 7284 6568 or email: projectsupport@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/

Needed: Service User representative on IAPT evaluation panel
‘Improving Access to Psychological Therapies’ (IAPT) is a national programme to improve access to talking therapy treatment. The current contract for providing this in Camden comes to an end 31 March 2017. We are in the process of redesigning the service to ask people to bid to provide it. We need to make sure that when bids are being scored, service user views are at the centre. We are therefore seeking two people to sit on the evaluation panel that scores each bid.
The role will involve reading various documents, individually assessing and scoring bids and actively participating in group discussions with commissioners, clinicians and other professional colleagues. You will be reimbursed and supported in the role. We are looking for people who:
– Have lived experience of common mental health problems, and accessing IAPT services in Camden
– Are willing to commit to a minimum of 3 months engagement with a procurement process
– Are willing to represent the views of people with common mental health conditions
– Have good communication skills and are able and willing to read, sometimes complex, documents.
Sound like you? Please email mhinvolvement@camdenccg.nhs.uk or call 0203 688 2084 to express an interest by Monday 9th November 2015.

North Central London Strategic Cancer Partnership Group
An exciting new initiative for Cancer services across North Central London. We will be establishing a partnership to improve the way services work together to meet the needs of patients.
An opportunity to explore shared priorities and concerns but also to challenge each other to build local capacity to provide outstanding support for cancer patients. We want to develop a consistent patient offer across the area that focuses on patient outcomes and their experience of services.
The proposed group would be supported by the Transforming Cancer Services Team (TCST) for London and we are inviting their Director to be a part of the group. We need patient representatives who have experience of cancer services themselves or as families or carers. The group would aim to meet no more than 4 times a year.
The first meeting will be in early November. If you would like to participate please contact helen.saunders@camdenccg.nhs.uk for an informal discussion. We have a rewards and recognition procedure in place to compensate you for your time.

Camden Consultations
Other consultations out at the moment include 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.