Voluntary Action Camden e-bulletin 28th October 2016

‘A Festival of Light’ in Somers Town; Ben Uri Gallery Photo Competition; Local Offer; Debt Advice Service; All Change at West Hampstead; Healthwatch Camden has move; LocalGiving Offer for Camden Groups; Heritage Lottery Young Roots; + funding jobs, volunteers, events, training, offers and resources.

The St. Pancras & Somers Town Living Centre
Featuring workshops from the British Library and others and sharing festivities and tastes of foods from around the world
Announcement of Competition Winners on the day
The Festival of Lights Programme will include Dance/Drama performances
Activities – focusing on Autumn celebrations, such as Diwali, Eid, Halloween, Jewish festivities,Black History, Etc, which will include:
~ Dance/ Drama performances – From Josie Lord’s All Stars Dance group
~ Show & Tell from British Library – Emma Morgan/Community Engagement Manager·
~ Card Making, Rogoli & henna designs and more…From Marcia Gladwin from Working Men’s College/coordinator for Get Into Learning Project
~ Free Festive Food
Somers Town Community Association, 150 Ossulston Street, London NW1

Local Offer
The Local Offer sets out information about support for children and young people (aged 0-25) with special educational needs and disabilities, and their families. During November 2016, we will be seeking your feedback on the Local Offer to see what you think about the Local Offer as a whole, as well as the website. What’s good, what’s not so good and how can it be improved.
If you’re a parent or carer, you can send your feedback online here.
If you’re a young person, you can send your feedback online here.
If you would like a paper version, a version in another format or for more information, you can email localoffer@camden.gov.uk or call 020 7974 6345. Visit www.localoffer.camden.gov.uk to find out more.

Healthwatch Camden has moved
The new address is Healthwatch Camden, 150 Ossulston Street, Somers Town, London, NW1 1EE
Telephone – 020 3771 3930 email info@healthwatchcamden.co.uk

Ben Uri Gallery Photo Competition
Win a photography course worth £285 courtesy of The Mango Lab.
The Ben Uri Gallery & Museum is running a photography competition addressing themes of: DIVISION, INFLUENCE or UNITY inspired by our current exhibition Yalta 1945.
We are inviting you to think, look and photograph the world today, exploring these themes yourself. Winning entries will be of high quality, good composition and contain strong imagery.
Categories: 13-18 year olds and adults (18+) Format: square or cropped to square
To submit: you must email ONE photograph to learning@benuri.org along with your full name, age (if under 18) and the theme you have chosen.
Adult entrants: please donate £5 to our Learning Programme at justgiving.com/benuri.
Entries can be made using any camera, including phones, always using the highest quality setting on your device.
Closing date: Friday 2nd December 2016 The winner and five runners up will have their work displayed in the Ben Uri Gallery and on our website. The winner will receive a complementary photography course at The Mango Lab.
For more information on image formatting email info@themangolab.co.uk For more information on the competition email learning@benuri.org

Debt Advice Service Seeks VCS Partners
Society seems happy to talk about subjects such as politics, sex and religion openly but debt and money (especially money problems) are still very much a taboo topic, and with 17% of London estimated as being indebted (1,500,000+) but only 16% of those seeking help, it is a real issue and one which affects not just the persons financial health but also their physical and mental wellbeing (A picture of Over-Indebtedness: The Money Advice Service (MAS)).
Within Camden the report estimates as many as 39,000 are struggling with money and bills.
Capitalise is a London wide free debt advice network of voluntary organisations which for the last 10 years has been delivering free face-to-face advice which is independent, accredited, non-judgmental.
We have a central Hub which anyone can ring to locate their nearest advice centre – Freephone 0808 164 2480 – and begin their journey to being debt free.
We are eager to work with the voluntary groups in Camden and identify how we can help any of your service users (or staff/volunteers) who may be struggling with money and bills.
To find out more about Capitalise we currently have some pages on the Toynbee Hall website (http://www.toynbeehall.org.uk/our-partners ) whilst our new site is being finalised (www.capitalise.org.uk) – If you would like discuss Capitalise, how we can work together or would like to have some posters sent to you please contact michael.dunlop@toynbeehall.org.uk

Margaret Hepburn 1921-2016: An inspirational woman and mainstay of Age UK Camden
Sadly Age UK Camden Honorary President Margaret Hepburn died on 19 October 2016, aged 95.
Margaret’s involvement with Camden Old People’s Welfare Association began in the 1960s. Following a long period as a trustee, she became Chair from 1982 to 1991 and then Honorary Life President. She was also a former trustee of Hampstead, Wells and Campden Trust.
The funeral is on Friday 4th November, 4pm at Golders Green Crematorium (West Chapel) and the family has kindly said “No flowers, donations to Age UK Camden”

All Change at West Hampstead
Local film maker Anna Bowman has made a couple of short films about the developments happening in West Hampstead. You can view them on Vimeo.

Free HR Courses for Camden Organisations
The Communities and Third Sector team at Camden Council are offering Camden voluntary and community groups a series of HR training workshops. See Other Events section below for full details.

Kings Cross Vacancies, Being Human Festival, Living Centre Partnership, Somers Town Job Hub, Simon Community, Age UK Camden and Camden PA are recruiting. See Jobs and Volunteers section below.

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

The Independent Living Fund, one year on
The report, One year on: Evaluating the impact of the closure of the Independent Living Fund, was launched in Parliament with the help of Green Party co-leader Jonathan Bartley and Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell. It looks at what has happened, particularly in the 33 London boroughs, since the Independent Living Fund was closed in 2015.

A Good Society Without Poverty
Creating the world we want to see. A Webb Memorial Trust supplement in this weeks New Statesman. Read the supplement here.

“You Should be More Business-Like!”
The hoariest chestnut in the larder of anti-government conservatives is that government should be run like a business. This assertion is typically just a stalking horse for policies that narrowly benefit conservative patrons — lower taxes on corporations and the wealthy, less regulation, the contraction of social programs … you know the list. President Obama gets it all the time – and here he gently, but firmly sets them straight.

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

Localgiving Offering Free Membership and Match Funding
You can join Localgiving and take advantage of;
· One year’s free membership of Localgiving
· £300 ring-fenced Match Funding
· Access to a London development fundraising expert
· Dedicated tech and processing support from the Holborn HQ
· A tailored online fundraising training programme
In addition to the £300 pounds match funding through the London Development Programme, groups are also eligible to take part in the ”Grow Your Tenner” campaign we launched on October 18th. You can join Localgiving here using the promo code ”LONDON75” and there is more information about the Grow Your Tenner campaign here.

Heritage Lottery Young Roots
Grants from £10,000 to £50,000
Apply for a grant of £10,000-£50,000 to help young people aged 11 to 25 to explore their heritage, from green spaces, museums, and historic sites to language, local memories and youth culture. Full details at https://www.hlf.org.uk/looking-funding/our-grant-programmes/young-roots

GALAXY Hot Chocolate Fund opens on 7th November
Through the Fund, Galaxy will be donating seventy awards of £300 to warm hearted community projects and people. The fund is open from 7 November to 26th February. For information go to www.galaxyhotchocolate.com

Comic Relief – Tech for Good Open to Applications – Deadline Soon
Comic Relief, working together with the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, developed the Tech for Good programme to provide the opportunity for not-for-profit organisations that already have some technological capacity to take their digital innovation projects forward to create social change by delivering new ideas or more effective services.
The funding is for projects that use software and digital technology as a part of a solution to addressing any of the Comic Relief’s UK Main Fund themes of Empowering Women and Girls, Investing in Children and Young People, Building Stronger Communities, Improving Health and Wellbeing.
A wide range of digital initiatives that could lead to social change will be considered for the programme, but the aim is to fund projects that:
~ Are focused on specific user needs.
~ Make best use of web, mobile apps or internet based technologies to deliver a service.
~ Scale effectively (have economies of scale).
~ Challenge existing ways of delivering services.
Projects should be able to make a significant digital step forward within four months and be able to demonstrate digital innovation for the benefit of society or the specific service users the organisation is targeting.
Grants of between £15,000 and £46,500 are available over four months, plus an additional £3,500 to enable access to expert support.
The deadline for applications is 1 November 2016 (3pm). Full details here.

Bright Ideas Fund is open
The Community Business Bright Ideas Fund aims to give your community group the support and tools to start setting up your community business. It will also give your group the early stage finance that you need need to carry out consultation with local people and feasibility studies to develop a community business idea the community wants and needs.
A programme of support and grants of up to £20,000 is available to develop your community business idea. See full details at the Locality website.

Food for London
In 2016/17 the Fund will shine a light on the disconnect between the high levels of food poverty that exist in London and the tonnes of surplus food that is thrown away, sent to anaerobic digestion or is fed to animals. Food for London will provide support to groups and charities who are using creative ways to repurpose surplus food or provide solutions to address hunger and food waste in London. Grants of between £1,000 and £20,000 are available to support work where there is clear evidence of benefit to those experiencing food poverty, disadvantage or isolation in London.
Full details and how to apply are available on the London Community Foundation website.

Bringing people together
Origin Housing is a charitable housing and care provider, founded in the 1920’s as a slum clearance organisation but with a belief that “housing is not enough”.
Crowdfunder is working with Origin Housing to bring people together and build stronger communities in the north London and Hertfordshire area.
We have £13,500 of extra funding to distribute to projects that make those neighbourhoods a great place to live.
Add your idea to Crowdfunder and gather support to prove its potential impact.
When you hit 25% of your target, you could get up to 50% of your total fundraising target – up to £1,000. And once you hit your target, you can make your idea happen and make a difference.Find out more at http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/plus/origin/origin-housing

VAC’s Mental Health Training Programme for BMER groups
Are you a BMER group or do you work with BMER communities?
For more information about our any of our courses, please go to https://vac.org.uk/events/category/health-mental-health/. Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid training courses are 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. Contact mentalhealthteam@vac.org.uk

Roundhouse Invention Bootcamp
Tuesdays, 7-9pm, 1st – 22nd Nov & Saturday 26th Nov, 11am – 3pm
Are you interested in digital and want to use your ideas, experience and skills to go further, helping to hack the obstacles young people face around the issues of mental health? Then follow on and join the Invention Bootcamp, where you’ll work in teams and with experts to create incredible digital and social media projects from scratch, whilst learning new skills.
Mentored by experts at AnalogFolk, a global digital creative agency, you’ll learn how to generate ideas, develop these into digital prototypes, discover more about digital marketing and the media industry as a career, work collaboratively with experts and fellow young creatives, get pitching experience, and more!
For more information, please contact Eve on emundy@mindincamden.org.uk / 020 7241 8978

Camden adult social care is launching a new online marketplace: Camden Care Choices
Provider event Tuesday 29th November. You can attend one of the three sessions being held: 10am-11.30am, 11.30-1pm or 1.30-3pm. Come and find out more
Register for tickets at Eventbrite
If your organisation has not registered on the new Camden Care Choices yet, please kindly do so to ensure you are listed in the directory of services. The marketplace will allow users including resident and professionals to find the care and support services you are offering. You will be required to describe your service, complete some steps and where applicable you will be able to upload images and descriptions of services or products offered i.e. handrails, walking stick etc. This will enable people to find local services they want to help them live independently, with the benefit of a potential increase in the number of people using your service.
Please use the link below to register (and click the word “register” at the top of the tool bar). After registering you will need to validate your email within 7 days.
http://camden.assistdirect.co.uk/
If you have any enquiries please email ccc@camden.gov.uk

Trustees’ Week
This year’s Trustees’ Week is 7-13 November. If you are planning an activity for Trustees’ Week you can list it on the Trustees’ Week website here. If you would like help from VAC or have an idea for a Trustee event in Camden then please get in touch with Kevin; knunan@vac.org.uk.

Mental Health Working: Employment Support Day
Tuesday 15th November 2016
Employment opportunities and speed interviews available on the day!
Hear success stories from people who have got into work and guest speakers from:
Working can have a positive effect on your mental health wellbeing. With the right support in the right job, you can enjoy a fulfilling and lasting career
Free advice, information on training, in work support, volunteering, employment options and benefits.
Guest speakers from; Volunteer Centre Islington; The Recovery College; Welfare Benefit Information and Other support agencies.
Conference Hall, St Pancras Hospital, 4 St Pancras Way, London NW1 0PE 10am to 3pm
Refreshments provided. Contact Details: 0300 456 8206 or mhworking@remploy.co.uk

Do You Need Health and Safety Training?
VAC and London Hazards are planning health and safety training for community groups in Camden. We want to target those who may not have had such training before. Do you have staff, volunteers or users who could benefit from this training? The course could cover areas such as: The main UK health and safety laws; Who is responsible for health and safety at work; Who enforces health and safety; Basic risk assessment; Sources of information and support.
The training is free. To find out more contact Kevin – knunan@vac.org.uk

Camden Air Quality Conference 2016
On Wednesday 2 November (6 – 8.30pm), Camden Council invite local residents, students, businesses, public services and community organisations to come together at our free air quality conference and take action to improve the air we breathe.
Air pollution has a major impact on all of us. Nearly 9,500 people die every year in London as a result of poor air quality and action must be taken to change this. Full details and booking at Eventbrite

House of Memories dementia awareness
Workshops for family carers are being held at The British Museum on Thursday 1 December 2016. Run by National Museums Liverpool and commissioned by the Department of Health, workshops will take place twice-daily from 9:30am – 12:30pm and 1:30pm – 4:30pm.
Free places can be booked by emailing learning@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk or calling 0151 478 4240.

Camden SAPB safeguarding adults conference
Working together towards lives free from abuse – 30 November 2016
This year’s conference will focus on how we can work together more efficiently and share information to keep Camden residents safe.
The conference will be an excellent opportunity for front-facing practitioners working with Camden communities to get together and share their experiences, as well as learn from each other’s practice.
A detailed conference programme will be circulated closer to the date. The event is free to attend for anyone working or volunteering with Camden adults, but we strongly advise booking your place early to avoid missing out.
The details of the event are as follows:
Wednesday, 30th November 2016
Holiday Inn Bloomsbury, Coram Street, London WC1N 1HT
09:00-17:00. Please arrive promptly, registration starts at 9am.
Book your place HERE.

Free HR training workshops for Camden voluntary and community groups
Free and will take place between 9.45 and 1pm at the Town Hall Judd Street.
The workshops are for managers and trustees of voluntary and community groups based in Camden.
Managing Misconduct Wednesday 16th November 2016
This workshop will focus on managing employees who are underperforming due to misconduct
The training will reflect the ACAS Code of Practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/managing-misconduct-registration-27067000126
Handling Workplace Investigations Wednesday 7th December 2016
There are many occasions when an employer may wish to undertake an internal investigation including as part of the disciplinary and grievance process
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/handling-workplace-investigations-registration-27067050276
Staff Appraisals Thursday 12th January 2017
Appraisal is a two-way process of looking backwards to analyse past job performance, and looking forward into the future with a view to improving future performance.
The overall objective of an effective appraisal scheme should be to help each employee to maximise his or her job performance for the joint benefit of the employee and the organisation.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/staff-appraisals-registration-27067569830
Managing Sickness Absence Thursday 9th February 2017
The aim of this workshop is to increase managers’ confidence and ability to manage staff absence.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/managing-sickness-absence-registration-27067617974
Managing Restructure Wednesday 15th March 2017
Many voluntary and community organisations are considering some kind of restructuring in response to the current economic climate. This might include closing a team, amalgamating core functions, general downsizing or some sort of relocation.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/managing-a-restructure-registration-27067674142
Managing Difficult Conversations at Work Wednesday 12th April 2017
Most of us dislike confrontation; we sometimes avoid it which can often lead to even more difficulty, misunderstandings and possible conflict.
In the current climate of continued economic uncertainty, we may find ourselves working with reduced budgets, constant organisational change and ongoing performance issues, as people try to make sense of all this.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/managing-difficult-conversations-at-work-registration-27067711253
The workshops will be run by Shirley Briggs. Shirley is an independent HR consultant. Her background is in social housing where she worked as a HR manager for a number of large housing associations. She managed the PEACe (HR) service at LVSC from 2006-2016 supporting many hundreds of voluntary and community organisations with HR and employment law advice, consultancy and training. She is also a trained workplace mediator.

‘Made of Money’ is running a 2 day Facilitator Training in London on 7th & 8th December
We also offer ‘in house’ trainings for any organisation or group of organisations to suit you.
‘Made of Money’ is an award winning financial literacy resource, developed by anti-poverty charity Quaker Social Action. It aims to help groups talk about money and its impact on their lives, as well as learn vital money management skills. It is ideal to help front line workers offer support to those on low income, particularly in the run up to the introduction of Universal Credit, and welfare benefit changes.
The cost per person for the 2-day training, (incl lunch), depending on the size of your organisation (£100 for small organisations).
You will also need a set of workshop resources, charged at a subsidised rate of £115. This gives you everything you need to run Made of with groups and 1:1 sessions. (These can be shared within the organisation or between groups of organisations)
Contact mompartner@qsa.org.uk

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

Vacancies in Kings Cross
Apply online at www.kingscross.co.uk/vacancies
Subscribe to Job Alerts https://kxrecruit.kingscross.co.uk/alerts
Housekeeping/ Cleaning Operative (Permanent)
Retail Team Leader (Permanent) Retail
Bench Security Officer (Permanent) Security
Waiters, Food & Drink Runners (Permanent) Hospitality/catering
Security Officer (Permanent)
Cafe Assistant (Permanent)
Part Time Centre Manager (Permanent) Office/admin/professional
Part Time Employment and Training Adviser (Fixed Term) Human Resources
Night Team Member (Permanent) Retail
Early Morning Retail Team Member (Permanent) Retail
Banqueting Assistant – Event Worker (Permanent)

MacMillan Seeks Lead Volunteer, Practical and Emotional Support Service
North Central London Buddies offer one to one practical and emotional support to people affected by cancer and their carers. Volunteers visit people in their homes or in a public place, providing a listening ear and a helping hand. You’ll be supporting the Macmillan staff with the coordination of support relationships between volunteers and people affected by cancer. This role involves working unsupervised in the community and visiting people in their homes. Support is available from local Macmillan staff and you’ll receive an induction and training, plus access to our lone worker system.
Ideally, you would give at least 5 hours a week between Monday-Friday, 9am-7.30pm lasting for one year or more. Individual times agreed between you and the person you’re supporting.
Contact Rachel 07860950922 or email rmiller@macmillan.org.uk and we’ll discuss the role in more detail, how to apply and answer any questions.

Senate House is University of London’s Hub for the Being Human Festival
We’re hosting an exciting and diverse programme of events, exhibitions and performances as part of the national festival of the humanities, so if you’re London based and interested in gaining public engagement experience there couldn’t be a better opportunity to get involved!
We are looking for volunteers for a number of different roles, including:
~ Welcoming visitors and audiences during the festival
~ Helping with the smooth running of events
~ Assisting with social media
~ Assisting with this year’s festival evaluation
The Festival runs from 17-25 November (except Sunday 20 and Tuesday 22) and we need volunteers during the day and early evening on all days.
For exact times, to find out more and to sign up, visit http://beinghumanfestival.org/volunteer/

Christmas Volunteering
Volunteer Centre Camden is looking for Christmas volunteering opportunities so that they can add them to their volunteering advent calendar. This could be anything for individuals or groups from one-off events to seasonal volunteering which can take place over a number of days in December or early January. If yes, contact Operations Manager Sheila with all of the details.

Employment and Training Adviser Somers Town Job Hub
20 hours per week. £29,120 p.a pro rata (£16,640 actual)
The Somers Town Job Hub is a physical centre based in the heart of the community where local people can come to receive employment advice on a one-to-one and group basis, find out about job vacancies, volunteering and benefits; join employability related clubs, activities and training courses; access support for application forms, CVs and interview techniques; find out about other support and advice services linked to their employment situation (e.g. healthcare, childcare, language); and meet and exchange experiences with people in similar circumstances.
Email: kazi@somerstown.org.uk or telephone 0207 388 6088 for an application pack.
Closing date: Midnight 7th November . Interviews week commencing 14th November

Simon Community seeks Volunteer Drivers
The Simon Community is looking for early morning driver volunteers to help drive our tea run van Monday – Friday 0:630-08:30 where serve London street homeless. Can you help?‎
Early morning Tea Runs go out on Monday to Friday 06:30-08:30 People can get some breakfast – a hot tea and coffee, sandwiches and pastries to start the day.
https://www.simoncommunity.org.uk/services.html
Volunteer Applications: https://www.simoncommunity.org.uk/volunteering.html

Volunteers are needed in GP practices!
Voluntary Action Camden (VAC) would like to hear from you! We are training volunteers to become Community Health Advocates in local GP practices.
• 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.
For more information, please contact:
Mandira Manandhar, Health Advocate Volunteer Co-ordinator (Mon, Tues and Thurs) 020 7284 6550/07930669417 or email: mmanandhar@vac.org.uk
Peter Simonson on 020 7284 6550 or email: projectsupport@vac.org.uk
Please note, we cannot book people on to the course without discussing the project with them first. The RSPH training is provided FREE by on the understanding that participants are available to volunteer for the project and able to attend the regular training and support sessions. After 2 months in placement Health Advocate Volunteers will have access to other VAC training free of charge subject to availability.

Are you looking to employ an assistant to help with your care needs? CamdenPAs can help
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 phone: 020 7278 4437

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

VAC has moved to Euston
Don’t forget, our new address is Voluntary Action Camden is 29- 31 Hampstead Rd, London NW1 3JA. Opening hours, email addresses and phone numbers all remain the same.

Camden Consultations
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.