Voluntary Action Camden

Voluntary Action Camden e-bulletin – 2nd December 2022



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VAC Weekly Newsletter
2nd December 2022
 

Become a Member


VAC Membership
Join VAC as a member and become part of a network committed to connecting and amplifying the voice of the Voluntary and Community Sector in Camden. 

Membership is free, click on the link box above and sign up today


Highlights


This week we spotlight VAC’s cross-sector Cost of Living Forum, which highlighted the severe impact of the current crisis on the local VCS sector. 

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


VAC Cost-of-Living Forum 

VAC would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who participated in and attended our Cost of Living Forum on Tuesday 29th November. The meeting brought together voices from Camden Council and the local VCS sector to discuss the challenges and potential solutions of the current crisis. 

The forum included eye-opening accounts of the intense strain felt by voluntary and community groups, and highlighted the importance of cross-sector unity and collaboration during these difficult times. VAC also presented the findings from our Members Cost of Living Survey, which revealed the increased demand in services that VCS organisations are facing as a result of the crisis. 

A special thanks to John Muir and Sarah Sedley from Camden Council, Farrah Rainfly from Life After Hummus and Hannah Norgate from London Plus for their enlightening presentations. 

Watch the full forum here 


Healthy Start Pre-Paid Card and Free Vitamins 

Do you receive income support? Are you pregnant or do you have any children under the age of four? You may be eligible for a Healthy Start prepaid card. The Healthy Start payments can be used to buy milk, fruit, vegetables, and infant formula.  

Learn more and apply here  

Camden’s Evening and Night Time: Citizens’ Assembly 

18th and 25th Feb and 4th March 2023 

Camden Council is inviting residents to join a Citizens’ Assembly about Camden’s Evening and Night Time. Participants will develop a vision for the future of Camden’s evening and night time and make recommendations about how the Council, businesses and Camden’s communities could achieve this vision. 

Learn more here

SMK National Campaigner Awards 

Nominations for the SMK National Campaigner Awards are now open. Each year, SMK celebrates the best campaigns and campaigners. What all nominees have in common is the determination to secure a specific change that will make things better. 

Learn more here

Queen’s Crescent Community Funday 

Saturday 3rd Dec: 11am – 3pm at 45 Ashdown Crescent Gospel Oak, London, NW5 4QE 

Queen’s Crescent Community Association is hosting a community funday, including family activities, food stalls, a vaccine bus and more. 

Free Arthritis Action Clinic 

Monday 5th Dec at Central YMCA Club, 112 Great Russell Street 

Central YMCA Club have partnered with Arthritis Action to offer a free open clinic to people living with arthritis. The open clinic provides practical advice on how to reduce the pain of arthritis through self-management and lifestyle choices. 

Book your free, 15-minute session with dietitian Martin Lau here 

Maths on Toast: 24 Days of Christmaths 

If you’re looking for free family activities to do at home during December, the family maths charity Maths on Toast has the answer. They are revealing a different creative maths activity each day on their social media channels @mathsontoast, beginning on 1st December.  

To download a free, festive maths pack, click here  

Regent’s Place Community Space Open Day and Workshop 

Thursday 8th and Tuesday 13th December 

Regent’s Place Community Space is currently vacant and looking for new occupant(s). The upcoming workshops will help British Land get to know organisations that are interested in the space and understand the type of spaces that local organisations are in need of. 

Register for the 8th Dec event here and the 13th Dec event here  

London Ambulance Service NHS Trust Survey 

Healthwatch Camden are conducting research on behalf of London Ambulance Service NHS Trust (LAS) for the development of their new strategy. This strategy will describe the LAS vision and goals for the next five years, including how they will improve urgent and emergency care. 

To complete the survey, click here 

Mind in Camden Vacancy: Mental Health Welfare Rights Development Worker 

Closing date: Monday 19th Dec at 1pm 

Mind in Camden are seeking a Mental Health Welfare Rights Development Worker to join a new Core Team within Camden. You’ll be responsible for maintaining up-to-date welfare rights information, supporting colleagues with challenging welfare cases and ensuring that the team is equipped to support people with welfare rights issues and linked up with other welfare rights providers. 

Learn more and apply here

CAWH Vacancy: Keeping Well Together Project Organiser 

Closing date: Thursday 8th Dec at 5pm 

Interview date: Friday 16th Dec 

CAWH is an exciting community organisation which has been awarded funding to support local older people in keeping well and active. They are looking for a motivated and proactive worker with experience of setting up and delivering projects to develop and manage the programme. 

Learn more and apply 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 navigate through the crisis. To find out more, click here

Camden Infrastructure Alliance: Cost-of-Living Crisis Joint Statement 

The Camden Infrastructure Alliance – Voluntary Action Camden, C4 and Volunteer Centre Camden – have published a joint statement urgently calling for targeted financial government support for the Voluntary and Community Sector in the face of the cost-of-living crisis. 

We are deeply concerned about the additional pressures of a cold winter on Camden’s already overstretched community services. 

To read the full statement, please click here 

Cost-of-Living Support in Camden 

Everyone is likely to need a bit of help this winter, so if you’re struggling, please reach out for help. Camden Council offers support with debt, mental health, food, rising energy bills, finding a job and more. 

Learn more here or call Camden Council on 020 7974 4444 (Option 9).

The Children’s Society Report: Young People with SEND Experiences of School Exclusions
The Children’s Society has published A Report on Young People with SEND Experiences of School Exclusions. The report is informed by young people with SEND who have experienced exclusions and concludes with recommendations for schools, local authorities and government.
You can read the report here

London’s Borough Poverty Profile 2022 

Trust for London has published an analysis of borough-level poverty in London, with new figures covering five years of data up to 2019/20. The report reveals that the impact of housing costs to poverty rates is acutely apparent within London at borough level. 

Camden is among the top 10 boroughs where housing costs are having the biggest impact on poverty rates. 

Read more here

Community Infrastructure Levy Funds 

Closing date: Monday 19th Dec 2022 

When new building projects take place in Camden, the developers are usually charged a fee known as the Community Infrastructure Levy. Camden Council is asking for your views and ideas to make sure local CIL funds are spent on the things most important to you. 

Have your say here 

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

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

London Marathon Charitable Trust: Active Spaces Fund 

The Active Spaces Fund aims to distribute grants up to £50,000 for projects that will improve and activate spaces, places and facilities that will help children and young people and marginalised groups and communities to lead active and healthy lives. 

The first round of applications is open until December 16th. Future application rounds will close on 10th March, 7th July, and 8th September. 

Learn more here 

BBC Children in Need: Emergency Essentials 

The BBC Children in Need Emergency Essentials Programme grants items to vulnerable children and young people facing a crisis, such as a bed to sleep in, or a cooker to provide a hot meal. In response to the cost-of-living crisis, the programme has introduced new items to form an individual package of support, tailored to each household’s needs. The new items include small kitchen appliances and items to help keep the individual warm.  

Learn more here 

BBC Children in Need Core Costs Grant
BBC Children in Need is offering core cost grants to support essential organisational and administrative spending. Core costs include key expenses required to keep your organisation running. This funding stream has no application deadline – you can apply at any time.

Learn more here

Lloyd’s of London Foundation Grant

Closing date: 11th December 2022
Applications are now open for the Lloyd’s of London Foundation’s 2023 charity partnerships – this is an opportunity for charities to apply for a grant to support projects in the areas of employability, social mobility, mental health, climate and disaster avoidance and relief.
Learn more here

The Hampstead Wells and Campden Trust 

The principal objectives of The Hampstead Wells and Campden Trust are the alleviation of poverty and the advancement of health in the Trust’s area of benefit. They make grants to organisations, individuals and families. 

Learn more here

North London Community Fund 

Closing date: 11pm on 16th December 2022 

NLWA has established the North London Community Fund to support waste prevention initiatives in the north London area. This fund provides community-based (non-profit making) organisations with funding to develop new approaches to reduce waste and/or extend the reach and impact of existing waste prevention activity in north London. 

Learn more here

Camden Childcare Grant 

If you’re a lone parent in Camden and you’re interested in looking for a new job, to re-enter employment, or want to expand your skillset by attending training or education sessions, you may be eligible for a grant worth up to £1,500 to cover childcare costs while attending job interviews, training or education sessions. 

Learn more here

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

Other available funders include:


Free Childrens Yoga Classes for Camden residents aged 5-11
Saturday 3rd,10th and 17th December: 11am-12pm at Old Diorama Arts Centre NW1 3FE

These classes give children the opportunity to explore yoga through breathing exercises, poses, partner work, games and meditation. Please wear comfortable clothing and bring a bottle of water. Yoga mats will be provided.

To book a place, please email cherylreynald@yahoo.co.uk or message 07838214534.

A meeting for d/Deaf and hard of hearing people in the community  
Monday 5th December: 5:30 – 7:30pm at The Greenwood Centre, 37 Greenwood Place, NW5 1LB 
 
University College London Hospital (UCLH) Transformation and Patient Experience teams have arranged a meeting for d/Deaf and hard of hearing people who use the hospital.  
It’s an opportunity to share insights about the experience of using UCLH services and discussing any improvements that can be made.
 
Numbers are limited and priority will be for d/Deaf and hard of hearing community members. Hearing members of the community will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please email uclh.ppi@nhs.net with details of what communication support you may need to attend.

Inclusive Education: Unheard Voices Panel 
Tuesday 6th Dec at the Greenwood Centre: 5:30 – 8pm 

Inclusive Education: Unheard Voices is an event for SEN/education professionals and social care workers, organised by young people with learning disabilities and concerning their experience in education. The panel will feature young people, SEN specialists and an audience discussion.  
Register your free place here

St Pancras Community Association Christmas Fayre 

Saturday 10th Dec at 67 Plender Street: 11am – 4pm 

SPCA is excited to announce their first ever Christmas Fayre. Bring your family and enjoy a whole host of festivities, including stalls, music, food, drinks and Santa’s Grotto.  

Learn more here

Castlehaven Community Association: WinterFest Returns  

Friday 9th Dec: 3:30 – 7pm 

Castlehaven Community Association’s festive extravaganza, WinterFest, is returning! Come along for a jam-packed afternoon of festive fun, stalls, performances and a mince pie or two. 

If you’re a local business, organisation or community group that would like to run a stall, perform or volunteer at WinterFest, please contact info@castlehaven.co.uk


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. 

The Royal Free Charity is looking for musicians
The Royal Free Charity is looking for musicians to play at a Christmas party for hospital volunteers. Whether it’s with festive tunes or classical accompaniment, they would love to say thank you to the volunteers who work so hard to support the hospital patients and staff.

The party is on Tuesday 13th December, 2-4pm, at the Pears Building (NW3).  
If you are available, please contact Rebecca.McMahon@royalfreecharity.org 

Calling all local performers, choirs and community groups
Castlehaven Community Association is looking for performers to showcase their talents at their annual winter festival, WinterFest, on the 9th of December.
The performance can be anything from dance, music, magic or theatre – as long as it’s family-friendly.

If you’re interested in participating, please email scott@castlehaven.org.uk

Castlehaven Community Association Vacancies 

Closing date: 5th December 

Environmental Project Assistant (FT – £24k) 

Health Haven Community Health Worker (FT – £27k)

Health Haven Project Manager (FT –  £33k)
Learn more and apply here

VoiceAbility: Peer Mentors Needed 

VoiceAbility is urgently seeking volunteers to support people who are struggling with their mental health in Camden. Are you a good listener, non-judgemental, empathetic & understanding? Do you have lived experience of mental health challenges? If so, you could volunteer as a Peer Mentor. 

Learn more here or contact volunteering@voiceability.org
 


Long Covid survey
The Community Links team at VAC are working with the University of Southampton to facilitate a study into Long Covid. If you had, or think you had, Covid 3 or more months ago and yet continue to experience symptoms that are not explained by any other health conditions the study would like to talk to you about your experiences.

Symptoms can include, but are not limited to: exhaustion, memory or concentrations issues, breathlessness, persistent headaches and muscle aches, chest tightness, palpitations, dizziness and sleep disturbance.
As a token of appreciation there is a £15 shopping voucher available for participation.

The Community Links team at VAC can also assist Camden residents with access to the long covid clinic at UCLH.
For further information please contact Nasrin at nrashid@vac.org.uk or Donna Clutterbuck at LongCovid@soton.ac.uk or call/text  “Long Covid Research’’ on 07721520243.

Henna Asian Womens Group
Henna Asian Womens Group provides a range of ways to connect with other people. Their services include exercise, music & singing, ESOL, Art & Craft, Henna Support Group, Chai with Henna and the Wellbeing Hub. It is also a place to get information and support.

For more information, click here or call 0207 372 9860. 

Could you foster a Camden child?
Have you got space in your heart and home to foster a Camden child? Camden needs 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.  
Visit camden.gov.uk/fostering, email fostering@camden.gov.uk, call 020 7974 1283 or 0800 028 1436 (freephone) to find out more.

London Community Foundation: Community Heroes  

The London Community Foundation is calling for community groups to celebrate their staff and volunteers. To get involved, share a photograph of your nominated staff member with a few words about the person and why they are a hero. Use the hashtag #HeroesOfLondon and tag @London_cf on Twitter.

Learn more here

Health and Wellbeing Benefits of Outdoor Interventions 

Natural England is leading a cross-government research project to understand how practitioners, policy makers and providers evaluate the health and wellbeing benefits of outdoor interventions. This work aims to better understand current approaches to evaluations, and how data on the health and wellbeing benefits can be collected more effectively and consistently to support decision-making. 

Share your thoughts in a survey here

WAVE in a Box Resource 

WAVE in a Box is a resource created by WAVE for Change that offers support to those who want to create activities for people with and without learning disabilities to socialise together. This includes online resources packed with learning, downloadable assets and practical guidance. You will receive membership to WAVEmaker Forum, where you can meet like-minded people who want to see more vibrant, mixed-ability activities in their communities. 

Learn more here  

‘Warm Welcome’ Spaces in Camden 

To help everyone stay warm this winter, ‘warm welcome’ spaces are available across Camden. You’ll find them in libraries, children’s centres and other community buildings across the borough. Everyone is invited to come in, relax and meet up with others in a safe and warm place. 

Find a warm space here

Single Parent of Biracial Children Support Group 
IamIrish welcomes single parents of biracial children of Irish descent to join an online support group. Groups take place once a week and are free and child-friendly. 
To sign up, contact Murray at community@iamirish.org 
 

Past Voluntary Action Forums: Resources

You can find presentations, recordings and resources from past forums here.


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Voluntary Action Camden E-Bulletin – 11th November 2022

 


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VAC Weekly Newsletter
11th November 2022

Become a Member

VAC Membership
Join VAC as a member and become part of a network committed to connecting and amplifying the voice of the Voluntary and Community Sector in Camden.Membership is free, click on the link box above and sign up today

Highlights

This week we spotlight the success of our Charity Trustees Appreciation and Networking Event, hosted on Monday 7th November by VAC and Volunteer Centre Camden.

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

Charity Trustees Appreciation and Networking Event
VAC would like to extend our gratitude to everyone who joined us in celebrating Camden Trustees this week at our Charity Trustees Appreciation and Networking Event, hosted by VAC and Volunteer Centre Camden.

It was a wonderful evening, and a fantastic way to mark this year’s Trustees Week. A special thank you to the Mayor of Camden, Councillor Nadia Shah, and Sophia Moreau from Getting on Board for their inspiring words.

Lastly, we would like to say a big thank you to VAC’s Trustees, and to all Trustees across the borough, for everything that you do for Camden.

Community Vaccine Champions Project: Round 2 

Voluntary Action Camden, in partnership with the London Borough of Camden, is pleased to announce the launch of a new round of funding to help tackle vaccine misinformation and encourage vaccine take up in Camden.

We have a particular focus on unvaccinated populations in the following groups:

· People from Caribbean & Black African communities

· Adults living in the most deprived areas

· Adults in insecure employment or un/under documented immigration status

Further details will be available in due course. Please email Ricky at rsingh@vac.org.uk to express interest in taking up this grant.

London’s Borough Poverty Profile 2022 

Trust for London has published an analysis of borough-level poverty in London, with new figures covering five years of data up to 2019/20. The report reveals that the impact of housing costs to poverty rates is acutely apparent within London at borough level.

Camden is among the top 10 boroughs where housing costs are having the biggest impact on poverty rates.

Read more here

‘Warm Welcome’ Spaces in Camden 

To help everyone stay warm this winter, ‘warm welcome’ spaces are available across Camden. You’ll find them in libraries, children’s centres and other community buildings across the borough. Everyone is invited to come in, relax and meet up with others in a safe and warm place.

Find a warm space here

VoiceAbility: Peer Mentors Needed 

VoiceAbility is urgently seeking volunteers to support people who are struggling with their mental health in Camden. Are you a good listener, non-judgemental, empathetic & understanding? Do you have lived experience of mental health challenges? If so, you could volunteer as a Peer Mentor.

Learn more here or contact volunteering@voiceability.org

Student Volunteering at UCL Exhibition 

A new exhibition celebrating the twentieth anniversary of Students’ Union UCL’s Volunteering Service will be showcased at University College London. The exhibition is open to everyone, and highlights the partnership between UCL students and the voluntary and community sector within Camden and across London.

Learn more here

Maths on Toast: Autumn Community Join-In 

Take part in Maths on Toast’s Autumn Join-In: Snowflakes. Create a maths-inspired piece of artwork and send a picture for their online gallery. The Join-In runs for the whole of the Autumn Term, so it’s not too late to get started. This opportunity is open to everyone: community groups, uniformed groups, schools, libraries and families.

Learn more here

Single Parent of Biracial Children Support Group 
IamIrish welcomes single parents of biracial children of Irish descent to join an online support group. Groups take place once a week and are free and child-friendly.
To sign up, contact Murray at community@iamirish.org

St Pancras Community Association Christmas Fayre 

Saturday 10th Dec at 67 Plender Street: 11am – 4pm

SPCA is excited to announce their first ever Christmas Fayre. Bring your family and enjoy a whole host of festivities, including stalls, music, food, drinks and Santa’s Grotto.

Learn more here

Castlehaven Community Association: WinterFest Returns  

Friday 9th Dec: 3:30 – 7pm

Castlehaven Community Association’s festive extravaganza, WinterFest, is returning! Come along for a jam-packed afternoon of festive fun, stalls, performances and a mince pie or two.

If you’re a local business, organisation or community group that would like to run a stall, perform or volunteer at WinterFest, please contact info@castlehaven.co.uk

Community Infrastructure Levy Funds

Closing date: Monday 19th Dec 2022

When new building projects take place in Camden, the developers are usually charged a fee known as the Community Infrastructure Levy. Camden Council is asking for your views and ideas to make sure local CIL funds are spent on the things most important to you.

Have your say here

Camden Estate Parking Changes 

Camden Council wants to hear your views on proposed changes to how parking is managed on Camden Council’s housing estates. The current system means it’s difficult to control parking on estates, and permit holders find it increasingly difficult to find a parking space.

Have your say on proposed changes here

Hampstead Wells and Campden Trust: Trustee Vacancy 

Closing date: 24th November

HWCT is seeking up to three new Trustees to share responsibility for governance and oversight of the Trust. The new Trustees will advise on either decision-making around poverty alleviation and/or addressing mental health, financial experience or commercial expertise in HR or legal matters.

Find out more and apply 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 navigate through the crisis. To find out more, click here

Camden Infrastructure Alliance: Cost-of-Living Crisis Joint Statement 

The Camden Infrastructure Alliance – Voluntary Action Camden, C4 and Volunteer Centre Camden – have published a joint statement urgently calling for targeted financial government support for the Voluntary and Community Sector in the face of the cost-of-living crisis.

We are deeply concerned about the additional pressures of a cold winter on Camden’s already overstretched community services.

To read the full statement, please click here

Camden Local Plan Review 

Work has started on reviewing the Camden Local Plan 2017, which provides the framework for managing development in the borough. This is your opportunity to shape the future of Camden.

The engagement on the Local Plan Review is open from the 4th November 2022 to the 13th January 2023. This will inform the preparation of a draft Local Plan to be published in 2023.

Click here to have your say.

Charity Commission Guidelines: Political Activity

The Charity Commission has released a new ‘five-minute statement’ to advise charities of the rules around supporting, or opposing, a change in government policy or the law.

Read it here

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)

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

The Hampstead Wells and Campden Trust 

The principal objectives of The Hampstead Wells and Campden Trust are the alleviation of poverty and the advancement of health in the Trust’s area of benefit. They make grants to organisations, individuals and families.

Learn more here

North London Community Fund 

Closing date: 11pm on 16th December 2022

NLWA has established the North London Community Fund to support waste prevention initiatives in the north London area. This fund provides community-based (non-profit making) organisations with funding to develop new approaches to reduce waste and/or extend the reach and impact of existing waste prevention activity in north London.

Learn more here

NatWest Social & Community Capital  

NatWest Social & Community Capital offers support to social ventures looking to scale, through loans with flexible terms and business support. They offer alternative funding to business charities and social enterprises who don’t qualify for mainstream loans. Their community business loans offer funding from £30,000 to £750,000, with flexible terms and repayment holidays, including access to sector experts.

To learn more, click here or contact bertie.herrtage@natwest.com

Camden Childcare Grant 

If you’re a lone parent in Camden and you’re interested in looking for a new job, to re-enter employment, or want to expand your skillset by attending training or education sessions, you may be eligible for a grant worth up to £1,500 to cover childcare costs while attending job interviews, training or education sessions.

Learn more here

Propel Funding
Propel is a new fund launched by London Funders to enable organisations to explore, develop and lead collaborative approaches to tackle some of London’s biggest challenges. It has three priorities: A New Deal for Young People; Building Strong Communities and Robust Safety Net.
Learn more here

ASDA Foundation Grants  

The Asda Foundation supports small, grassroots organisations in several ways throughout the year. Current funding available includes a Cost-of-Living Grant and an Empowering Local Communities Grant.

Learn more here

GLA Funding: Warmer Homes Programme
With energy bills continuing to rise, the Mayor is urging Londoners, local authorities, and community organisations to raise awareness of the Warmer Homes programme with anyone who may be eligible.
The scheme offers free energy efficiency grants of up to £25,000 to households with a residual income of up to £20,000 per year after rent/mortgage and council tax.
Learn more here

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

Other available funders include:

Green and Energy Efficient Buildings Seminar 

Wednesday 16th Nov: 12 – 2pm

Do you want to make your premises greener and more energy efficient? The Ethical Property Foundation is hosting a free seminar for organisations leasing buildings from Camden Council. This will look at understanding energy performance certificate (EPCs), eco initiatives and pay back periods, green habits, environmental jargon and lots more.

Register your place here

KOVE Annual Free Concert 

Monday 21st Nov at the Kiln Cinema: 1.30pm

KOVE is hosting a free community classical show, with a variety of entertainment provided by local people. Booking is not required.

Flash Consulting: Strategy & Planning 

Thursday 17th Nov at Scratch Hub, Battersea Arts Centre: 6 – 8pm

Join Link Up London for a free Flash Consulting session and tap into the expertise of London’s top strategy talent! You will be matched with a consultant to get support in creating a new strategy for your organisation, refining your existing strategy for 2023, or developing your current strategy into an Operational Plan.

Register your place here

Camden and Islington Trustees Recruitment Fair 

Thursday 17th Nov: 7 – 8:30pm

Recruiting trustees or looking to become a trustee? Meet potential trustees or find out about trustee roles available locally at Volunteer Centre Camden’s online recruitment fair.

To sign up as a volunteer, click here

If you’re looking to recruit a trustee, contact Shafia at shafia@volunteercentrecamden.org.uk

Volunteers & The Law Workshop

Thursday 17th Nov: 10am – 12pm

Volunteer Centre Camden is hosting an online workshop for volunteer managers based everywhere. The session will cover volunteer roles and the law, the Equality Act, duty of care and more.

To register your place, click here

Camden Interfaith Week Workshop
Wednesday 16th Nov: 3 – 4pm

Camden Council are working with The Faith & Belief Forum to develop a one-year, action-oriented working plan for 2023-24 for Camden Faith Leaders Forum.

This interactive group workshop will explore key questions to understand what is needed in Camden, and how different stakeholders can work together to have an impact. Anyone who lives, works, or worships in Camden is welcome.

To learn more, click here

Free Legal Clinic: SPCA 

Wednesday 16th Nov: 5 – 7.30pm

In partnership with the University of Westminster Legal Advice Clinic, St Pancras Community Association will be hosting a free Housing Law Information and Advice Session. This will be an opportunity to learn more about your rights as a tenant, or gain advice on a housing issue you cannot resolve.

For more information, click here

We Were Here Talk 

Friday 11th Nov at West Hampstead Community Centre: 7:30pm

To celebrate Black History Month, Community Association West Hampstead is hosting a talk by Emily Momoh (Camden Black British History Lead). ‘We Were Here’ is a collection of eight biographies of significant individuals of African and Caribbean heritage who lived, worked or studied in Camden.

To register your place, click here

Volunteering with VAC! Join our Community Links Team
Are you able to commit to at least 2 hours per week and interested in supporting people in your community to access health and wellbeing services?

Community Links Volunteers are a part of the Care Navigation and Social Prescribing Service in Camden. They support social prescribing in a variety of ways including signposting residents to community-based activities, helping with referrals, motivating users to connect with new interests and activities, accompanying residents to appointments and introducing them to a range of different opportunities in Camden.

For more info and to apply, please click here
Or contact Mandira Manandhar on mmanandhar@vac.org.uk or 020 7284 6573

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.

North London Cares Vacancy: Programme Coordinator 

Closing date: 14th November

North London Cares is looking for a creative, confident and versatile Programme Coordinator to join their team and lead their Social Clubs programme, working across Camden and Islington.

To learn more and apply, click here

Compost Newham Vacancies 

Compost Newham is recruiting two roles to lead its Compost Newham project, a bespoke programme of working to support Newham’s Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector to grow and thrive. The work aims to offer a programme of development support including: capacity building, network development, events and training and building cross-sector relationships.

For more information, click here or contact mailto:anne@compostlondon.org.uk

Healthwatch Camden Vacancy: Research & Administrative Officer (PT) 

Healthwatch Camden is hiring a part-time Research & Administrative Officer to work on providing an information service for Healthwatch Camden, helping to ensure that it is readily accessible, and effectively directing people to the support or advice they need.

To apply, email your CV to info@healthwatchcamden.co.uk

SPCA Vacancy: Community Cafe Manager (PT) 

SPCA are seeking someone to manage and run their Community Café and team of volunteers. The manager will also promote the café in the community by arranging activities in the café setting.

To learn more and apply, click here

Royal Free Charity: Volunteer Piano Tuner

The Royal Free Charity is in need of a piano tuner to help fix the hospital piano at Barnet Hospital. They have a number of volunteer musicians who would love to make use of the piano to brighten up the days of patients and staff in the hospital.
If you can help, please contact rebecca.mcmahon@royalfreecharity.org

Long Covid survey
The Community Links team at VAC are working with the University of Southampton to facilitate a study into Long Covid. If you had, or think you had, Covid 3 or more months ago and yet continue to experience symptoms that are not explained by any other health conditions the study would like to talk to you about your experiences.Symptoms can include, but are not limited to: exhaustion, memory or concentrations issues, breathlessness, persistent headaches and muscle aches, chest tightness, palpitations, dizziness and sleep disturbance.
As a token of appreciation there is a £15 shopping voucher available for participation.

The Community Links team at VAC can also assist Camden residents with access to the long covid clinic at UCLH.
For further information please contact Nasrin at nrashid@vac.org.uk or Donna Clutterbuck at LongCovid@soton.ac.uk or call/text  “Long Covid Research’’ on 07721520243.

Community Kitchen & Warm Space  

SPCA are proud to announce the opening of their new Community Kitchen & Warm Space at St Pancras Community Association, 67 Plender Street. Come alone or with your family to get a free meal and join in with activities.

To learn more, click here

SPCA Boutique: Winter Warmers 

Free winter clothes are available at a new boutique on the ground floor of St Pancras Community Association, 67 Plender Street.

Donations of clean winter clothes and blankets are welcomed.

To learn more, click here

Startup School for Seniors: Green Economy Business 

Are you seeking to start a business with people, purpose or planet in mind? Startup School for Seniors is launching a new online course for entrepreneurs with a social conscience. Starting on 21st November, the full-time, two-week programme will equip you with the skills to turn your idea into a business or increase the trading income of an existing business. This programme is fully-funded for Londoners of any age.

To learn more, click here

Winter Wellness Project 

The Elizabeth House Winter Wellness Project supports older council tenants to keep warm and well during the winter. From October 2022, if you are over 65, Elizabeth House can help you access grants and support to keep your home warm, access flu jabs, learn about local activities and more.

For more information, click here

Past Voluntary Action Forums: Resources

You can find presentations, recordings and resources from past forums here.

Got an item for the e-bulletin?

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.

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