Voluntary Action Camden e-bulletin 8th December 2017

Spotting Modern Slavery

Volunteering Opportunities in St James’s Gardens

Working with the Museum of London Archaeology, MOLA Headland Infrastructure (MHI), who are engaged in a very interesting excavation project in St James’s Gardens in Euston, and we are putting together a volunteer programme  for people who would like to get involved in recording and digitising Euston’s rich heritage.
1 Burial record digitisation programme
Based in the City of Westminster Archives, this project involves taking a trial sample from the burial records covering St James’s Gardens.
2 Euston History Engine
The Euston History Engine Project is a wide-ranging, multi-disciplinary survey based around the history and archaeology of the Euston area. Using written descriptions, audio and visual recordings and digital recording techniques including photogrammetry and a high frequency scanning laser, the volunteers on this project will:
~ create a unique record of the sights and sounds of Euston;
~ investigate how the area has changed and what factors have influenced that development;
~ and develop a multi-media virtual tour of the historic hot spots of Euston.
Contact: Aigul Kalioldina, Community Relations Officer email: Aigul.Kalioldina@csjv.co.uk

Are you affected by the HS2 route?

The Guardian would like to hear from you if you, your community or your business is affected by the planned route of HS2. Click here to find out more.

Wild Bunch Club ‘A club night run by people with learning difficulties for everyone’

Wednesday 20th December will be anything but a silent night as Wild Bunch Club returns to its spiritual home, Electrowerkz. Doors open at 7pm!
For further info contact berni.simons@elfrida.com  or ring the Elfrida Society on 020 7359 7443.

Museum of Happiness

The Museum of Happiness in Camden Town is a nonprofit organisation that provides an experiential adventure, where people of all ages and backgrounds can learn more about the essence of happiness and well-being. By using a series of interactive exhibitions, workshops and events, we offer science-based techniques that people can implement into their everyday lives. The museum offers courses and room hire.
Email: smile@museumofhappiness.org  Web: http://www.museumofhappiness.org/

Camden Patient and Public Engagement Group (CPPEG) open meeting

Monday 11 December 2017 Time: 2pm – 4pm
Conference room, St Pancras Hospital, 4 St Pancras Way NW1 0PE
Chair: Hilary Lance, Adelaide General Practice PPG member
Camden CCG update:
~ NHS England Assurance Rating: New patient & community engagement rating
Presenters: Kathy Elliott, Vice Chair and Lay Governing Body Member responsible for patient engagement
~ Long Term Conditions Strategy update: what patients have told us to date:
Presenter: Martin Emery, Deputy Head of Patient Engagement
~ Acute Day Units Mental Health Consultation update:
Presenter: Nick McClelland, Senior Communications and Engagement Manager
Do you subscribe to our monthly newsletter? Our PPG newsletter shares all our latest news and opportunities for patients and the public to be involved in our work. Please email engagement@camdenccg.nhs.uk to subscribe.

Camden 20205 Focus Group for d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing People

We want to make Camden a better place for everyone to live in by 2025 Now is your chance to tell us to how we all need do things in the future.
Come and share your thoughts at a focus group for 12 d/Deaf and hard of hearing Camden residents
13 December 2017, 2.30-5pm in Committee Room 3A Camden Town Hall, Judd Street WC1H 9DB
If you want to be one of the 12 to attend, please let Michael Bond by email: Michael.Bond@Camden.gov.uk

Community Led Housing Celebrates £300M Housing Fund

The annual Community-Led Housing Conference, hosted by the National Community Land Trust Network and UK Cohousing the community housing movement was given a huge boost with the announcement of the £300M Community Housing Fund.  Read more here.

Charities and councils being at loggerheads won’t help local people

Good relationships between voluntary bodies and local government should be at the heart of building great communities. Both sides need to work harder
“Across the country, relationships between the councils and charities seem strained or even, in places, broken beyond repair. Councils and charities are stuck in an adversarial relationship
Some commentators attribute this depressing picture to the impact of austerity, as well as the spread of neoliberal politics and a fixation with competitive tendering.” Read more of John Tizard’s article in the Guardian.

Even Awareness Raising Too Much for Government

The government announced this week that a new round of funding was available for women’s charities, with a total £15m available through grants of at least £1m each.
The guidance said charities must demonstrate how they align with and support the delivery of the violence against women and girls strategy, including by promoting public awareness of the VAWG strategy.
But somehow must do that without campaigning or awareness-raising work due to the government’s continued use of a ‘gagging’ clause in contracts.  Read more in Civil Society and Third Sector.
NB Tampon Tax Fund application form and guidance for applicants (for the 2018/19 round of funding). However the minimum grant is £1M.

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

The Community Shares Booster programme reopens today

£3 million funding is available for local people wanting to put business into community hands.
If you’re a local group needing an extra boost to set up or grow a community business, you can access up to £10,000 to help launch your community share offer and up to £100,000 match funding when the share offer goes live. Find out more at locality.org.uk

Ageing Better in Camden Current Funding Opportunities

Community Activities Programme
Ageing Better in Camden are pleased to announce a Community Activities Programme which will award 2 year funding contracts for organisations working to reduce social isolation and loneliness for those aged over 60 through the delivery of supportive accessible activities. Up to 5 contracts will be awarded and each will be worth £20,000 over 2 years. The deadline is 18th December 2017.
Age UK Camden’s Action Grants Scheme
Ageing Better in Camden are also pleased to announce that once again they will be supporting Age UK Camden’s Annual Action Grants scheme. These are small grants of up to £200 but with a majority being for £100 and are for organisations with an income of £30,000 or less. The application form is short and simple. The deadline is 9am on 11th December 2017.
Click here for further information and documents

Camden Giving

Camden Giving have published the timetable for the various grants programmes they will be offering over the coming 12 months. There are 6 programmes in total. You can view the full timetable here.

Healthy Minds Programme with Mind in Camden

There is a full programme of activities taking place at the Living Centre as part of the Healthy Minds programme. Full details on the VAC training calendar.

More details on the VAC website: https://vac.org.uk/events/

 Fundraising gig at Centre 404

There will be a line up of three fantastic acts: Singer songwriter, Lydia Richards, our Centre 404 resident band The 404 Stormers and headlining we have the world’s number one Johnny Cash tribute band, Cash!
Tickets are only £5 if you book in advance, and £7 on the door so make sure to get in touch with either myself or Bryn to buy your tickets!
There will be a fully licenced bar and music taking place from 7pm-10pm.
All the money raised will be going towards our music group, equipment and the production of their new album.
For more information please contact either myself fbevans@centre404.org.uk or Bryn on Brynt@centre404.org.uk.

Bake and Brew

Christmas Baking, 13th December, 2-4pm at Castlehaven Community Centre.
Come along to cook up a festive feast with pro-bakers from University College London! All welcome. No prior baking experience necessary, but Mary Berrys also very welcome!
We’ll be baking some Christmas treats, before taking time to enjoy our handiwork over a cup of tea and a chat.  All welcome.
Contact Rosa Walden or Jo Hynes 07907 597936 for more info.

Headway North London Christmas Party

Wednesday 20 December, 7 – 9pm at Crossfield Centre, 8 Fairhazel Gardens, NW6 3SG
We really hope as many of you as possible can make it and as always the event is open to friends and family too.
There is a small of just £6 per person to help us cover the costs of this event.

Black Women, Womanist learning and Higher Education: the Politics of Representation and Community Activism

13th February 2018 free
This conference led by Dr Jan Etienne through Birkbeck’s Institute for Social Research will examine the role of the black woman in promoting learning development and community activism. It brings together the work of researchers, academics and activists in the fields of gender, ‘race’, education and community development to explore womanism and the influence of education for building stronger, local communities.
For more details and to sign up, follow the link below:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/black-women-womanist-learning-and-higher-education-the-politics-of-representation-and-community-tickets-40151089991

Calthorpe Project Christmas Market

Friday 15th December noon – 8pm
Free mulled wine, carol singing,
258 – 274 Grays Inn Road, WC1

West Euston Partnership seeks Volunteer Co-Ordinator

Do you like to help in your free time?
Do you have good communication skills over the phone and in person?
Are you able to work in a diverse environment?
Are you organised?
Do you have a positive and “can do” attitude?
Some basic IT skills?
If you do, or you don’t, we are currently recruiting for the role of volunteer co-ordinator.
You will be the first point of contact for managing the volunteers working on our reception desk.  We have 8-12 receptionists at any one time, all of whom need ongoing support.  This will be a large part of your role alongside being responsible for interviewing and recruiting new receptionists as needed.  As well, you will be showing new receptionists the ropes and making sure they have a full induction.
We ask for a commitment of 2 days a week for 6 months, although we do understand you may be seeking paid employment and cannot make a guaranteed undertaking for that length of time.
Get in touch with Diana Young, 020 7388 7932, diana@westeuston.org
or pop into our One Stop Shop to find out more.
If not, check out our other volunteer opportunities on the WEP website.

Hopscotch Asian Women’s Centre is recruiting for Homecare Workers.

Homecare Worker
Flexible Hours £9.75 – £10.21 per hour
Closing date: on going
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact, Ruksana Begum, HR Administrator.
Tel: 020 7388 8198 E-mail: recruitment.homecare@hopscotchawc.org.uk
Web: www.hopscotchawc.org.uk  Please do not send CVs as they will not be considered.

Age UK Camden seeks Outreach Worker (18 hours per week)

Sc5 £24,134 to £26,131 pro rata for an 18 hour week
Ageing Better Camden is looking for an Outreach Worker to contribute to a new Outreach Service trialling innovative approaches to reaching and engaging with older people across Camden.
The Outreach Worker will proactively search for isolated people out in their communities by knocking on doors, visiting pubs, launderettes and community centres. They will help older people to make social connections and access local activities, working alongside volunteers to make this happen. They will have excellent communication skills, a genuine interest in people and a commitment to reduce social isolation for older people.
AUC offers a contributory pension, and a season ticket or bicycle loan facility.  The post is based at Tavis House, Tavistock Square with easy access via Euston and Kings Cross main lines or Russell Square tube.
For more details, all documents can be downloaded from our website www.ageukcamden.org.uk or email jobs@ageukcamden.org.uk.
Closing date  – Friday 5th January 2018 – 9 am Interviews –  Friday 12th January 2018

North Camden Zone Seeks New Steering Group Chair

We are looking for a Chair of the North Camden Zone Steering Group who is passionate about improving the life outcomes for children and young people living in Camden. You may be a community leader or senior professional with an in depth knowledge and /or experience of the issues that affect children and young people. You are interested in a collaborative approach involving the community and professionals, and implementing place based systems change.
If you would like to find out more please follow this link. The closing date is 5th January 2018, so you have plenty of time to get in an application over the Christmas break.

The Winch seeks Facilities and Operations Manager

£25,000-30,000 pro rata Full-time or part-time, (24-40 hours per week) Permanent
Location: 21 Winchester Road, London, NW3 3NR and the local area
The Winch has been at the heart of the community in Swiss Cottage since 1973. We are looking for a dedicated, enthusiastic and experienced person who can manage our facilities and operations. Whether part-time or full-time, we want someone who loves solving practical problems, as well as constantly improving the way things work for our staff, children and young people.
Go to http://thewinch.org/work-for-us/ for more information  – deadline 5th January 2018.

Hopscotch Asian Women’s Centre seeks BAMER Specialist Advocate
Hopscotch Asian Women’s Centre is recruiting for a BAMER Specialist Advocate for an innovative specialist project for women experiencing violence and multiple disadvantage.
Please see below for details:
BAMER Specialist Advocate
21 hrs per week – fixed term contract (1 year)
Salary: £28,500 incl. ILW
Closing date: 17th December 2017 at midnight
For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Isabelle Terrisson, Senior Operations Manager. For all other details and an application pack, please contact Ruksana Begum, HR Administrator: Tel: 020 7388 8198 E-mail: info@hopscotchawc.org.uk
Web: www.hopscotchawc.org.uk Please do not send CVs as they will not be considered.
Hopscotch recruitment is carried out in line with the safer recruitment practices.

Camden Clinical Commissioning Group consultation on mental health acute day units
We would like your views on how to best organise acute mental health day care services in Camden, to make cost savings while continuing to provide good patient care.
The NHS and local Government are facing increasing financial pressures nationally, with a gap in funding for both health and social care. In Camden, the money we receive from the government is reducing, while demand for local services is increasing. This means we need make sure every pound we spend has the maximum benefit for the health of, and the quality of care for, Camden patients. It has been essential to review our care provision, to check what is working well, but also to see if there are new ways of delivering high quality, cost-effective care within very tight budgets.
As a result, we have identified our local Mental Health Acute Day Units as an area where cost savings are possible, whilst still providing Camden residents with appropriate, timely and quality care. The reason these services have been identified is because they are being underused.
You can also participate by taking part in our survey on Citizens Space open to 10 January 2018 which can be done via our website https://feedback.camdenccg.nhs.uk/community-ownership/adu

Our mailing address is:
29 – 31 Hampstead Road, London, NW1 3JA

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