Voluntary Action Camden Newsletter - 17th February 2023

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VAC Weekly Newsletter
17th February 2023

VAC Membership
VAC represents local organisations in conversations with local government and funders, we advise on local issues and we inform, support and train local charities depending on their needs

Membership is free, click on the link box above and join us today

Highlights

This week we spotlight a date for your diary – on the 8th March the Community Links team will be holding a pop up event at Swiss Cottage Library where you can learn about social prescribing and what is on offer in your area.

We also have information on a range of other local events and opportunities from around the Camden area.

VAC Consultancy Service
Contact us today if you need advice or support to develop any aspect of your established or aspiring voluntary and community sector organisation.

Learn more here

Pop-up Social Prescribing!
8th March: 11am to 1pm at Swiss Cottage Library, 88 Avenue Road, NW3

Come along and have a chat with the Community Links team from Camden’s Care Navigation and Social Prescribing Service and find out more about:

• Community activities and support in your local area

• What’s on offer at the library (And join up!)

• What social prescribing is, and how it works in Camden

Or perhaps you’d like to volunteer with us? Find out about Community Links volunteers and opportunities to join our scheme to support volunteers into social prescribing careers.

The team are looking forward to meeting you – don’t forget some ID and proof of address if you’d like to join the library!

For more information please email Donna at dturnbull@vac.org.uk

Community Festival Grant
Application deadline: 28th February

Camden Council have opened up their community festival funding applications for 2023.
This funding is for community organisations in Camden that are planning community events this year. The Fund welcomes applications from partnerships between multiple groups that demonstrate a commitment to community cohesion and improving inter-community relationships.

Applications are welcome for grants of £200 to £2,000
For any queries and for the application form, please contact the Camden Events Service at events@camden.gov.uk

Young people’s mental health survey launched
Camden Youth Council want to find out more about the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people in Camden, as well as local mental health services and support that young people rely on.
Children and young people aged 12 to 19 – or those aged up to 25 with a special educational need or disability – who live or go to school in Camden are invited to respond to this survey before 28th April. It is anonymous and confidential. There’s also an optional prize draw to win £20. Please share this survey with young people that your organisation works with.

Camden Childhood Immunisations Survey
please respond before 28 February

Camden Council and our NHS partners would like to understand more about how parents make decisions around childhood vaccinations, regardless of whether they have chosen to have their children vaccinated or not, or if they are just unsure.
The views of our communities are important to us and will help us to improve our services for parents and carers throughout Camden, and provide relevant, key public health information for our communities, especially around specific issues that impact on childhood vaccination.

This survey is for Camden residents with children aged 0 to 5. Please share with families that your organisations works with.
If you have any questions, please email CIPHAdmin@islington.gov.uk

Youth Safety Multimedia Competition
Deadline for funded entries: 5pm on 10th March

Camden’s Youth Safety Multimedia Competition aims to raise awareness of the issues affecting the safety of young people in Camden. There is funding for up to 10 local organisations to use a maximum of £500 each to develop their multimedia project. We’re inviting creative or multimedia projects, based on the theme ‘Keeping children and young people in Camden safe’.
See previous examples here.

We encourage organisations to make joint applications – in particular, larger organisations working with smaller groups. Please complete and submit a short (downloadable form) – Expression of Interest Form – and email the form to youthsafety@camden.gov.uk
If you don’t need funding for your project, you have until 5th June 2023 to enter the competition

Could you foster a Camden child?
Do you have space in your home and heart to foster a Camden child? We need more people who are willing to provide our vulnerable children with care, stability and consistency. Camden residents who foster are exempt from paying council tax, as well as receiving generous financial support, specialist training and an allocated social worker.

Watch our short animated video, visit camden.gov.uk/fostering, email fostering@camden.gov.uk, call 020 7974 6783 or 0800 028 1436 (freephone) to find out more.

Volunteer Managers’ Forum
Tuesday 28th Feb at 2pm: Online

Volunteer Centre Camden is hosting a Volunteer Managers’ Forum. Participants will benefit from peer support and networking and can choose the topics to discuss.

Henna Asian Women’s Group
We provide a platform for people to connect through our hybrid services whether it’s exercise, music & singing, ESOL, Art & Craft, Traditional Games Session, Henna Support Group, Chai with Henna, Befriending, Counselling, Advocacy & Signpost and the Wellbeing Hub.
A hot meal and warm space are provided on Mon & Wed to support local residents in Kilburn and beyond during cost of living crisis.
Call on 0207 372 9860 or email Info@hennaorg.co.uk to learn more

Santé Refugee Mental Health Access Project Vacancies
Santé Refugee Mental Health Access Project is a small local NGO. We support refugees & asylum seekers.

We are looking for volunteers in the following roles:
. Treasurer/Bookkeeper
. Administrative assistant
. Befriender/caseworker/advocate

Further information is available on request: Call 020 7482 2903 or email Santeproject44@gmail.com
To learn more about the Santé project, please click here

Friends of University College London Hospitals volunteer role
The Friends of University College London Hospitals, a registered charity, need a volunteer to maintain and grow a membership/mailing list and carry out other administrative tasks, working mainly with the chair of the trustees in the first place.
A desk and work station is provided at the hospital. Time commitment is hard to estimate, but it is expected to be up to one day a week.
The role would suit someone with experience of work in healthcare. Good IT skills essential. Apply with brief CV to uclh.friendsofuclh@nhs.net.

SHAK Vacancy: Youth Centre Manager
SHAK is a resident led charity based on the Alexandra and Ainsworth estate in the Kilburn Ward of Camden, London, dedicated to supporting residents and young people living in an area of high deprivation.
We are looking for a talented and enthusiastic individual to manage and further develop the ARC youth club, coordinating youth activities and programmes based on and around the huge Alexandra & Ainsworth estate in NW London.

Learn more and apply here

Trustee Opportunity at HWCT
Deadline 20th March

The Hampstead Wells and Campden Trust (HWCT) makes grants benefiting people in the northwest of Camden. We are seeking Trustees to help the charity soundly navigate its future while providing as much help as we can to voluntary groups and services working locally and to people in need in our community.
For more information, please click here

One Kilburn Activators
‘SHAK (South Hampstead and Kilburn Partnership) are recruiting 3 new roles in Kilburn.
Know somebody local to Kilburn? Are they looking for a role to help and support their Community?
SHAK are looking for brilliant people for some brilliant roles.

For more info and to apply please click here

Newsletter Submissions
Please send any information (approximately 50-75 words long) that you would like included in our weekly newsletter to social@vac.org.uk

VAC Cost-of-Living Crisis Resource
VAC recognises that the cost-of-living crisis is a huge concern for families, businesses, and the Voluntary Community Sector.

We are collating information and resources to help community groups and residents in Camden keep up to date as they navigate through the crisis. To find out more, click here

Charity Commission’s social media guidance
You may have seen the draft Charity Commission social media guidance, which was published earlier this week. The aim of the guidance is to help trustees develop ‘appropriate shared understanding of the charity’s use of social media and the particular risks it can bring,’ and to encourage charities to, ‘adopt a policy on social media as a way to set their charity’s approach.’
This article is a response and contains all the information needed to learn more

Local Newsletters:

SHAK
Young Camden Foundation (Funding Newsletter)
Young Camden Foundation (Events and Training Newsletter)
AWN (sign up)
London Sport (sign up)
Fitzrovia Community Centre
Coram’s Field Community Newsletter (sign up)
CAWH Newsletter
St Pancras Community Association (sign up)
Castlehaven in Bloom (sign up)
Abbey Community Centre Newsletter
Heath Hands
UCL Volunteering Service Newsletter (sign up)

If you would like your Camden VCS newsletter added to this list, please email social@vac.org.uk

VAC administered Google Grants
The VAC administered Google Grants scheme is still ongoing.

VAC have been funded by Google to provide up to £300 per quarter for small organisations looking to book one-off spaces to work in or to hold community sessions and training, and up to £600 for the ongoing rent of office and hot desking space.

It is available to small voluntary or community sector organisation with income under £150,000 a year looking to book a venue in Camden.

To find out more, please click here
or get in contact with Ricky at Rsingh@vac.org.uk

Camden Community Vaccine Project: Round 2
VAC and the C4 Consortium are inviting community groups and organisations in Camden, including unincorporated associations, to design new and expand existing initiatives to encourage vaccine take-up in the borough. This includes tackling misinformation surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccine programmes.
*Please note: while this fund is officially closed, we are still happy to receive applications
If you are interested in applying for this funding, or would just like to find out more, please click here

Migrant Advice and Support Fund
Closing date: Monday 27 February at 9am
The Mayor of London is offering funding to frontline organisations providing specialist advice and/or holistic support to migrant Londoners.
Learn more here

Love Camden: Community Festival Funding

Closing date: 28th February 2023

Camden Council are delighted to announce that they are opening funding applications for local Community Festivals and Events. Applications are welcome for grants of £200 to £2,000.

Learn more here

Building Strong Communities Fund
Round Three of the Building Strong Communities Fund is now open to receive applications until 1pm on Monday 13 March 2023.

The total funding pot is £200,000 and is made up of microgrants of between £1k to £6k. Microgrants are available for equity led groups with an annual turnover of £0 to £50k to support communities most impacted by Covid-19.

To learn more and apply, please click here

To re-discover funding removed from this list, please see our newsletter archive here

Other available funders include:

VAC Free Safeguarding Training Courses

What better way to start the new year than refreshing your organisation’s essential safeguarding skills?

Safeguarding Advanced: Developing Knowledge and Understanding (in-person)

Wednesday 22nd March at Saint Pancras Community Association: 9:30am – 3:30pm

Aimed at increasing existing safeguarding knowledge for those who have had no safeguarding training in the last two years and need a refresher.

Designed for volunteers, supplementary schools, VCS groups and organisations delivering services to under 18’s and their families in Camden. Lunch and refreshments provided.

To register your place, or for more information, contact Dianne Carlton-Ogunyemi, VAC Community Safeguarding Lead at dogunyemi@vac.org.uk

Scams Prevention & Support Awareness from Age UK Camden
Age UK Camden are delivering Scams Prevention & Support Awareness across Camden through group presentations or one-to-one Scams Awareness Sessions.
They are able advise on different types of scams and offer tips on staying safe. The service is available to Camden residents aged 50+.
If this is of interest to you or your group please email:
ann-marie.carrol@ageukcamden.org.uk
and/or paul.webley@ageukcamden.org.uk to arrange a suitable date and time that works for you.

Introductory Networking Session
Locality are opening their Corsham Street office to community groups led by racialised people, with two sessions coming up in February and May. This will be an in-person, half-day offer to help increase the capacity for work around racial justice in London.
This session will be a chance to connect with others and find out what the London Spotlight programme has to offer.

Please consider coming along to this half-day in Old Street on 22nd February from 10am-1pm or contact liba.ravindran@locality.org.uk.

Salsa & DJ Party: SPCA Fundraising Event
Saturday 11th March: 7pm – 10.45pm at St Pancras Community Association
Join us for a night of Salsa dancing with Pat M’Bella E followed by DJ Chrystilize playing all your favourite dance tunes!
This fundraising is for our Community Kitchen & Warm Space, which is thriving and we need to keep it going. We can do this with your help!
There are limited tickets at the door, so book now!

Free 6 Week Media Training for young London residents at SKY TV Campus
Closing date: Tuesday 21st February
At MAMA Youth Program we are looking for younger people (18-30) interested in a career in the media industry. Through this 6-week intensive digital media training at Sky TV Campus, they will have lunch and travel expenses provided as well as lessons in production that grant instant industry connections.
To learn more and apply, please click here

Read about some of MAMA Youth Project’s success stories here

New Make Every Contact Count (MECC) Courses available
New dates have been added for the Cost of Living Crisis and MECC course, and the Good Conversations for MECC course throughout February and March, both of which will help you learn how to use day to day interactions to better support residents who may be struggling.

Courses are free to staff working in Camden and Islington, to book a place click here

Social Prescribers Innovators Programme
A new initiative is being delivered by the Camden Care Navigation and Social Prescribing Service, hosted by Age UK Camden (AUC) and Voluntary Action Camden.
The project aims to develop volunteering within the service as a way to help retain existing social prescribers and to support successful recruitment to new social prescriber roles.
Contact Mandira at mmanandhar@vac.org.uk if you are interested in volunteering on this new venture.

Let me know (LMK) is looking for a new Chief Executive
Closing date: 2nd March
Let Me Know (LMK) is a London-based education charity working with young people to prevent domestic violence, relationship abuse and sexual assault. We are led by survivors, parents and activists and we’re committed to creating a world where domestic violence, relationship abuse and sexual assault no longer exist, and where young people can build happy lives through healthy relationships.
This is an exciting opportunity to succeed our two co-founders and become LMK’s first Chief Executive.You’ll oversee our scaling-up journey, ensuring we’re in great shape for a strong future.

To learn more, please click here

Queen’s Crescent Community Association (QCCA) is recruiting a part-time food-bank co-ordinator.
Last year QCCA regularly supported around 100 people with our largely volunteer-led service. Due to increased demand because of the cost-of-living crisis, we now need someone to run it for larger numbers (and help us nurture the advice and guidance service that runs alongside). The role is for 16 hours a week, at £15 per hour.

Email jobs@qcca.org.uk or find our more here

Vacancy: Treasurer for Gospel Oak Action Link Youth Club (GOAL YC)
GOAL YC is seeking to appoint a new Honorary Treasurer to play a key role in supporting our activities.
We are a volunteer-led charity providing a range of free activities for young people working in partnership with Queen’s Crescent Community Association.

This is a voluntary post and we especially welcome local applications so please contact (even for just an informal chat to see if it might suit you) our chair of Trustees Adrian Mars on adrian@adrianmars.com or Dinah Gallop, our current Treasurer on dinah.gallop@blueyonder.co.uk who can also provide more details about the position.

Single Homeless Project are recruiting peer mentors
Closing date: 22nd February
Single Homeless Project are recruiting peer mentors for projects in Camden, Islington and Westminster – lived experience of substance use, mental health, homelessness or an offending history is essential.

For further details and an application pack please contact peermentoring@shp.org.uk

Pilates Tutor Wanted to Inspire Local People
Castlehaven Community Association is looking for qualified tutors to deliver weekly Pilates and Creative Writing sessions to the local Camden community. Classes need to be delivered within work hours on weekdays. If you, or someone you know, is interested in empowering local people to reach their full potential, please email scott@castlehaven.org.uk

Holloway Neighbourhood Group vacancy: Chief Executive
Holloway Neighbourhood Group runs a well-established mental health service (the Stress Project) and a busy community centre (the Old Fire Station). We are seeking an experienced charity manager as our new Chief Executive to take responsibility for fundraising, financial management, strategic planning, and leading a committed and experienced team of staff and volunteers.

To learn more please click here

Guaranteed jobs in coffee through Well Grounded course
Well Grounded’s next free 8-week coffee traineeship has a guaranteed job for all those who complete the course. It includes technical barista skills and accreditation, employability training, and a paid work placement.

The course will begin on 21st February, with in-person training taking place at their East London Academy (but is open to Londoners from any borough).

Contact info@wellgroundedjobs.co.uk for more information or here

Vacancies at Mind in Camden:
Community Mental Health Recovery Support Worker
To find out more please click here or email recruitment@mindincamden.org.uk

Mental Health Link Worker
To find out more please click here or email recruitment@mindincamden.org.uk

Community Mental Health Welfare Rights Development Worker
To find out more please click here or email recruitment@mindincamden.org.uk

Warm space at Lauderdale House
Lauderdale House is opening its doors this winter to anyone in search of a warm space. There will be tables set up for studying, free wifi and a quiet craft area.
The sessions run until 28 March, and take place on Tuesdays (3.30pm – 7.30pm) and Saturdays (10am – 2pm). No need to book in advance!
Everyone is welcome, but please note under 15s must be accompanied by a parent or older sibling aged 18+

To learn more, please click here

New Warm Spaces Initiative
Castlehaven Community Association has teamed up with The Pirate Castle and the London Irish Centre to provide free hot soup, warm spaces, activities, and one-to-one advice sessions for the local community

To find out more, please click here

Warm Hub at West Hampstead Community Centre
West Hampstead Community Centre offers a free warm space and a hot bowl of soup to anyone who needs it.
They are located on 17 Dornfell Street, NW6 1QN. The Warm Hub is open Monday to Thursday between 12:00 and 14:00. Everyone is welcome.
The Warm Hub is sponsored by Camden Council and The Hampstead Wells & Campden Trust

Roj Emergency Relief Campaign
Roj Women’s Association are launching an Emergency Relief Campaign to support civil society organizations that are providing immediate help and support to the people affected by the earthquakes in Turkey.
To support those in need please send your contribution directly to the bank account: IBAN: GB32 BUKB 2044 8620 4203 87 SWIFTBIC BUKBGB22 or by using this PayPal link
To learn more about Roj Women’s Association, please click here

Free Whiteboard available
Elfrida Rathbone Camden has an unwanted, unopened 150 cm x 100 cm (WxH) Whiteboard Drywipe Magnetic with Pen Tray and Aluminium Trim, which costs £81.34 from Amazon. We are happy to give it away to free to a Camden charity that can collect it.
Please email info@elfridacamden.org.uk if you are interested.

Looking for a previous newsletter entry? Find it in our archive here

Find presentations, recordings and resources from past forums here

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Send your item to social@vac.org.uk by noon on Thursday for publication in the following day’s edition. The e-bulletin comes out every Friday. Submissions should be 50 – 75 words. Please send plain text or a format that can be copied (ie not embedded in an image). Send links to documents rather than attachments. Make sure to include contact details.