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Loneliness Awareness Week
Loneliness Awareness Week takes place from 10th – 16th June, and we are marking it with a VAC forum (find out more below), a spotlight on local resources in today’s newsletter, and by sharing information on other groups doing fantastic work to combat loneliness and social isolation.
Meet people and make new friends with Camden’s amazing voluntary sector
The voluntary sector in Camden works hard to support residents in all sorts of ways, but running through many activities and services is an increasing emphasis on enabling people to socialise and build friendships. Consequently, Camden has an excellent selection of social activities and opportunities provided by voluntary and community sector organisations. If you do not know where to start to find out about the hundreds of organisations and groups in this borough you can head to VAC’s directories on our website. You can search by area, community, activity, organisation type or name. Here are some of the some of the things you might find….
Search for community centres in your area to find different activities and social opportunities under one roof. Often these spaces will have access to welfare and cost of living support as well as art and craft groups, health and wellbeing programmes, exercise classes, cooking, coffee mornings, outings…… all the centres will have different things on offer so keep looking until you find what you need!
There is an entire world of small organisations in Camden’s neighbourhoods, often specialised and running activities like support schools, training, environmental projects, sports, community-run theatre, museum, library, or arts project. Some might have their own buildings whilst others are based in community centres or shared community space. These groups will have different opportunities to get involved and attend events and activities.
Many organisations and groups also support specific communities and address equalities in the borough. You should be able to find groups who speak your language, share your culture, or share a common cause or interest. Some of these groups may be resident-led where you can help to run the group or join campaigns, activities, events or volunteering roles.
For residents who may not be able to join a group or activity, there are befriending or ‘community connecting’ initiatives. Some of these operate remotely through phone calls or online groups, others are face to face. These initiatives usually depend on volunteers so you could also volunteer to befriend others.
Community gardens (and a city farm) are dotted around the borough if you like the outdoors and fancy gardening, food growing or just hanging out with other people in a relaxing green space. Try the Green Social Prescribing Directory to find other outdoor activities and walks in parks and on Hampstead Heath. Walking groups are supported by different organisations and are a popular and informal way for people to meet and chat. There are walks for different abilities and that will appeal to different interests like history or wildlife.
Volunteering is another great way to get to know people or reconnect with local community. Volunteer Centre Camden have information about opportunities on their website, or you can contact individual organisations to see if they have volunteer roles that need filling. For example, many food projects depend on volunteers to help run them. This may be as a reciprocal arrangement where you become a member of a food club, cooperative or social supermarket.
This is just a snapshot of what you might find on VAC directories, but there is a lot more, and things do change and develop. You can enhance your search by going to the websites of organisations you like the sound of and signing up for email updates and newsletters. There are also links to other local voluntary sector newsletters included in VAC newsletters. Happy searching!
Upcoming Training
More details in the Events and Training section
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Re-engage
Re-engage were set up in 1965 – a charity with teams across the country that aims to end loneliness among those aged 75 and over. They tackle social isolation by increasing connections and fostering community spirit, and drive awareness of some of the risks and dangers that older people are more vulnerable to, such as fraudulence and scams.
Re-engage provide a number of services, including call companions, tea parties and group activities delivered by their volunteers, ranging from dancing to tai chi.
They are now appealing for volunteers in Camden who can drive older people to and from a new activity group.
The monthly, Sunday sessions are being held from this month (June) at the Hampstead Court Care Home in Boundary Road, NW8.
Ruth Carter, an Engagement Officer at the charity, said: “Most of the older people who take part in the groups say they are more physically active, feel happier and are part of the community. They love to come along to socialise, have fun and make new friends.
“By volunteering to drive the older people you will help brighten their lives and ensure they have something they can look forward to and treasure.”
If you’d like to volunteer please contact: ruth.carter@reengage.org.uk.
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| Small charities underfunded & overlooked, report says
A new report from the Centre for Social Justice shows that small charities (under £1 million income) account for 97 per cent of charity closures in the last 10 years, and are most at risk of closure. The report aims to give a balanced look at the varying roles of success for smaller to larger charities in the UK, and also analyses how the public perceive differently sized charities.
NPC argue for gift aid by region
Charity think tank New Philanthropy Capital has recommended a list of policies for the government to improve the relationship with the charity sector, including varying gift aid. The move would boost the impact of donations in deprived areas and help redistribute charitable momentum to where it is most needed, argues the consultancy.
Muscular Dystrophy garden wins at Chelsea Flower Show
This year’s Chelsea flower show rewarded the Muscular Dystrophy UK Forest Bathing Garden, designed by Ula Maria, as Best in Show. Grant-making charity Project Giving Back funded 15 charity gardens at this year’s show, all designed around a variety of charitable and humanitarian causes, and the Best in Show winner celebrates the concept of ‘forest bathing’, offering a place of refuge, solace and reflection for people affected by a muscle-wasting condition. You can take a look at the winning garden here. |
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Every week VAC checks various sources for the latest funding opportunities relevant for Camden groups.
You can visit our website for a round up of the latest opportunities added this week: Search for Funding – Voluntary Action Camden (vac.org.uk).
We’ve included a selection of the latest funds below but check out our new funding portal for many more opportunities.
If you need help sourcing or applying for funds, get in touch with our consultancy service, free for all Camden groups!
- Last chance for the Camden VCS Resilience Fund 2024 – accepting applications until 19th June! The fund aims to support Camden’s VCS organisations to address immediate risks and to make changes that will increase organisational sustainability and resilience in the medium to longer term. YCF are hosting a webinar with Camden council on 11th June, to answer questions on the fund.
- LandAid – London Youth Homelessness Support Fund for charities in London to support young people between the ages of 16-25 who are at risk of homelessness.
- YCF Heads Up! Mental Health Fund 2024, designed to address the mental health crisis among children and young people (YCF are also hosting a webinar to provide more information on the fund and answer questions – see link above).
- Resuscitation Council UK is offering small grants as part of its ‘Restart a Heart’ 2024 campaign to help educate people about cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and how to use a defibrillator with the aim of saving lives
- The Parkinson’s UK Physical Activity Grants Programme supports activity providers, national governing bodies, Parkinson’s groups and branches, and sports and healthcare professional who are based and operating within the UK.
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VAC UPCOMING TRAINING
Find out more here: https://vac.org.uk/news-and-events/events/
Open to VAC Members only
If you are a voluntary service or group delivering services in Camden and are not a member of VAC, please join here: https://vac.org.uk/get-involved/membership
OTHER EVENTS
NSPCC Open Day
NSPCC are celebrating Childhood Day by welcoming professionals to their London and South East hub on June 10th. Attendees will get the opportunity to learn about the direct services NSPCC delivers, speak with practitioners, see therapy rooms and connect with different teams across the organisation to explore avenues to work together. Register your interest here, or contact Amy.CampoMcEvoy@nspcc.org.uk to find out more information.
Where: Alexandra Ciardi House, 7-8 Greenland Place, NW10AP
People’s Museum host panel discussion on social housing
On Friday 7th June, Somers Town People’s Museum are hosting “Housing is not enough / not enough housing“, a discussion featuring a number of speakers including John Broughton, author of Municipal Dreams, Ellen Peirson, Levitt Bernstein Architects and Dr Elizabeth Darling. This London Festival of Architecture event will look at the legacy of the utopian St Pancras Housing Society in the light of today’s social housing issues. Book your tickets here.
Music & Art for the Mind + others at CAWH
Community Association for West Hampstead have a series of events coming up in June:
1. Wellbeing Coffee morning, 11th June – An opportunity to meet new people, information on healthy diet and a group walk on 25th June. Open to anyone.
2. Music for the Mind, 12th June, & Art for the Mind, 19th June – a free service for over 60s. Sandwiches, Biscuits and Tea provided.
3. Basis Sewing Group Every Monday in June – An opportunity to meet new people, learning basic sewing skills (mend your socks, sew a button on, patch trousers). Open to anyone.
All events take place at 17 Dornfell Street, NW6 1QN. Contact Beatrice on beatrice@cawh.org.uk or 0207 794 3729 for more information.
Camden Council Community Health Event
Camden Council is running a Community Health Event in Talacre Gardens on Saturday 13th July. Help is needed with setting up stalls, directing residents, organising live entertainment, supporting sports activities, collecting feedback, managing queues and note taking. Volunteers are needed from 10am and are expected to stay for a minimum of 2 hours. All volunteers will be provided with free food. In case of bad weather, the event will be rearranged to take place on Saturday 20th July. Please contact
anita.khalil@camden.gov.uk for more information.
VCC Volunteering Fair + Volunteer Manager’s Forum
Want to volunteer in Camden and Islington? Volunteer Centre Camden are running a Summer 24 Volunteering Fair in person in at Abbey Community Centre, 172 Belsize Road, NW6 4BJ on 12th June. No need to book – just drop in to meet groups recruiting volunteers. Then on 2nd July, join online for networking and peer support in the company of volunteer managers from everywhere. Topics are decided by you on the day and booking is free.
Sounddelivery Media Festival of Learning
Join Sounddelivery Media for their Festival of Learning – Harnessing the insights of leaders with lived experience including Charity Meetup on 11th – 20th June 2024. A festival pass will give you access to 20+ online masterclasses, learning lunches, peer discussions, wellbeing sessions, and a keynote talk by award-winning broadcaster Ashley John-Baptiste. Create your own learning journey by picking & choosing from sessions on campaigning, pitching to the media, social media and more.
Endometriosis Support Session in Camden
Do you suffer from Endometriosis or experience symptoms like painful period, painful bowels, fatigue, pelvic pain, infertility? Endometriosis is an invisible condition affecting 1 in 8 women in the UK, and can have a huge impact on the physical, mental, and socio-economic health of women and girls. Healthwatch Camden invites you to join their support session on the 19th June, 10-11:30am, to hear from health professionals, and also to share your experiences with other women with the condition.
Where: St Pancras and Somers Town Living Centre, 2 Ossulston St, NW1 1DF
Sharing Spaces Sessions at Clarence Hall
Castlehaven Community Association has transformed Clarence Hall, nestled within the Clarence Way Estate (NW1 8RN), into a Sharing Space as part of a Think & Do Camden initiative to transform spaces into climate hubs. Throughout the summer, they will host a series of free and family-friendly workshops, talks and screenings on sustainable living, food growing, upcycling, energy usage, and more. Join them on Saturday, 8th of June, from 12pm for a free launch event and discover more about the workshops here.
Talk for Health ‘Conscious Dance’ – celebrating movement
This Mental Health Awareness Week in 2024, Talk for Health is embracing the theme of ‘Movement’ with great enthusiasm. To celebrate, they’ve launched a unique event, ‘Conscious Dance,’ designed to encourage community and personal well-being through the joy of movement. Join them on Thursday 13th June 6-8pm @ Old Diorama Arts Centre. Sign up here.
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Senior Manager – Reach Out Camden & Community Services
Would you like to take on an interesting and varied senior management role and be part of a community mental health charity? Mind in Camden are looking for someone with at least two years of management experience in mental health or related services who can lead and further develop Reach Out services. More information here.
Closing date: 10th June 2024
Age UK Camden Day Care Officer
Age UK Camden Day Care Centres are looking to recruit Day Care Officers to cover a range of hours and shifts across two Day Care Centres. The successful candidate will have shared responsibility in the team for the implementation of a comprehensive service of care and support for service users, act as a key worker for individual clients and deliver holistic and person centred wellbeing services which provide service users with social interaction and support to maintain their personal interests.
Closing date: 10th June 2024
Age UK Camden Day Care centre Kitchen Assistants
Age UK Camden Day Care Centres are looking to recruit two Kitchen Assistants across two Day Care Centres based in Kings Cross and Hampstead (staff are expected to be able to work at both locations as required).Their dedicated, specialist team supports people with care needs, including those living with mild – moderate dementia and complex needs. The specialist Day Care Centres care for older people with complex needs and provide a wide range of activities. You can find out more information and how to apply here.
Closing date: 10th June 2024
Age UK Camden Fundraising Manager
Age UK Camden are looking for a dynamic, experienced Fundraising Manager who will manage a portfolio of work that ranges from Fundraising, Income Generation in areas such as the Charity Retail Shop, Marketing and Communications and Community and Corporate Engagement. The role also involves working closely with the CEO and the external bid writer who focuses on funding from Trusts and Grants
Closing date: Friday 14th June 2024
Mind in Camden Community Mental Health Recovery Support Worker
Mind in Camden have two roles open for self-motivated, empathic, and dynamic Community Mental Health Recovery Support Workers to join their one-to-one mental health support service. You’ll be primarily responsible for supporting people to identify and meet their self-defined mental health needs and aspirations, to understand the range of options available to them, to support them emotionally, and to connect them with appropriate community resources and services. Find information for the 35 hour a week role here, and the 27.5 hour a week role here.
Closing date: Sunday 16th June 2024
Adult Early Help Pilot Lead & Worker
Camden is excited to be recruiting for the Adult Early Help Pilot team! They are looking for a team of person-centred professionals and someone to lead and support the team to test and develop an adult early help (AEH) offer for adults in the borough. This is an opportunity to work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders to create a new approach to working with adults in Camden. Pilot lead and worker.
Closing date: Sunday 16th June 2024
Chief Operating Officer (Deputy CEO) at Coram’s Fields
Coram’s Fields are pleased to be recruiting to the role of Chief Operating Officer. This is a new role within the charity and forms an integral part of the Senior Management Team (SMT), contributing to the strategic direction of the charity and leading some of its core business functions, namely human resources, finance and commercial. Applications should be returned to Lois Turnbull (Office Assistant) and are accepted by e-mail (Recruitment@coramsfields.org.uk) or in hard copy to Lois Turnbull, Coram’s Fields, 93 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1DN.
Closing date: Monday 17th June 2024
Hearing Voices Projects Development Worker
Also at Mind in Camden, this vacancy in the Hearing Voices Projects team involves supporting and developing innovative support services for people who hear voices, see visions, have other sensory experiences, altered states or unshared beliefs. Mind in Camden are looking for someone with knowledge of peer support and a range of perspectives on mental health. Job description and application details here.
Closing date: Sunday 30th June 2024
Volunteering Opportunities at Abbey Community Centre
ACC are looking for volunteer befrienders to help reduce isolation by regularly visiting individuals over 60s in their homes and help provide ad hoc support. If you’re passionate in Children’s Services and family support, you can volunteer in assisting running creative and fun activities for under 5s whilst building relationships with their parents and carers. Other volunteering opportunities available, please contact vol-opps@abbeycc-kilburn.org.uk with any questions. |
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Wipers Youth Work and Youth Justice training courses
Wipers Youth CIC is an award-winning social enterprise specialising in working with vulnerable and disadvantaged young people. In partnership with AB Charitable Trust, they are offering 3 exceptional CPD certified youth work & youth justice training courses, absolutely free. These sessions will be in-person at Voluntary Action Islington, 200A Pentonville Road, N1 9JP. Visit Wipers’ website to find out more and book your place.
Big Help Out celebrate volunteers week
From Friday 7th-Sunday 9th June, aligning with volunteers week, Big Help Out are running a promotion for their community network. The Big Help Out is a nationwide platform that promotes volunteering opportunities and raise awareness of volunteering. You can find local volunteering groups on their website, or let BHO know about your own initiative so they can connect with you and circulate information.
Somers Town People’s Museum Story Bike Project
Do you know someone who struggles to walk? Would you be interested in guided historical walks around Somers Town? Are you looking for volunteer opportunities? People’s Museum are excited to announce this new initiative: The Story Bike! It is an electric passenger bike to: transport people around Somers Town for free, accompany guided historical walks, and allow businesses or individuals to hire the bike for personal use. Additionally, the People’s Museum is looking for volunteers excited to drive the Story Bike! If you’re interested in volunteering, please fill out this form! For more information, please contact diana@aspaceforus.club.
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service
Each year, this award celebrates the work of voluntary groups across the UK and is the highest award given to local voluntary groups in the country. You can nominate groups for the award, look through volunteering opportunities and find out about previous winners on the website.
Local VCS Newsletters
If you would like your Camden VCS newsletter added to this list, please email social@vac.org.uk
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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| Got an item for the e-bulletin? |
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| Send your item to social@vac.org.uk by noon on Wednesday for publication in the following Friday’s edition. 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. |
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