Voluntary Action Camden e-Bulletin - 1st July 2022

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VAC Weekly Newsletter
1st July 2022

VAC Membership

Become a VAC member and help us connect and amplify the many voices of the Voluntary and Community Sector in Camden.
Membership is free, including our practical help, which can be accessed here.

Click on the link box above, join us today and add your voice to ours.

Highlights

This week we spotlight the Community Safeguarding Partnership Service which seeks to support, encourage and assist organisations delivering services to children in Camden to be confident in their ability to keep them safe.

We also have news about the upcoming Camden Advice fair, the Camden Mela call out for volunteers and other event and opportunities from around the Camden area.

Community Safeguarding Partnership Service (CSPS)

All children have the right to live their lives free from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.

Funded by the London Borough of Camden since 2006, the Community Safeguarding Partnership Service (CSPS) aims to support, encourage and assist all voluntary, supplementary schools and faith groups, delivering services to children in Camden to be confident in their ability to keep them safe.

By offering a tailored approach to child protective challenges, the service works alongside organisations and groups to reinforce good practice and embed safeguarding culture within service delivery.

Learn more and get in contact here

Camden Summer Advice Fair from Camden Advice Network, Camden Council and VAC
21st July: 11am to 5pm, at the London Irish Centre, NW1 9XBThis is an opportunity for residents to receive on the spot advice on a range of issues and to find out about employment opportunities, mental health support, financial help, benefits advice and more, so that you can make sure you’re accessing all the support that you’re entitled to.
Local residents can just turn up on the day and drop in at a time that works for you.If you’re not free but want some help or advice, please get in touch. Call us on 020 7974 4444 (option 9), visit camden.gov.uk/advice or call Camden Advice Network on 0808 278 7855. Whatever is happening, please don’t suffer in silence – help is available.

The morning network session is co-facilitated by VAC and hosted by the team at the Irish Centre. It is an opportunity for the local VCS to network and discover more about the wide range of support available from other organisations in Camden.

Camden Mela: A celebration and a call for volunteers and materials
The Camden Mela is a family friendly festival celebrating Bangladeshi culture is taking place in Coram Fields 17th July 2022, the theme this year centres around cohesion, and diversity of Camden’s communities.
The festival organisers are looking for volunteers to assist in the parade, help with stall holders and clearing.

They’re also looking for large posters, signage, banners for individuals and groups of 3-4 people and include wording like “Camden Mela”or “My Camden”. The flags, drawings and wordings should also represent the makers heritage.
Colours for materials including paint and paper can be red, green, orange, black, gold and tigers also welcome! The bigger the better!
Any kind of fabric that can be waved and anything that can be shaken!
All drop offs can be made at Old Diorama Arts Centre, 201 Drummond Street, Regent’s Place, London, NW1 3FE.

For further information please contact Mariam Hassan, at mariam@olddiorama.com
If you would like to apply for a stall, please email nasim.ali@kcbna.org.uk

New Emotional Wellbeing Service for Camden
Bupa Health Clinic – Nr Kings Cross, 300 Grays Inn Rd, London Wc1X 8DU

Camden Beam is now open: A free, open access emotional health and well-being drop in for 18-21 year old in Camden. Provided by The Children’s Society with support from Bupa Foundation, the service is open every Thursday between 6-8:30pm, delivered by a specialist team of well-being practitioners.

You do not need an appointment or referral to access the service. You will be able to drop-in and talk to one of the specialist team and access advice and support.

For more information, contact the team at: Camdenbeam@childrenssociety.org.uk or click here

Managing your community building
Camden Council is hosting a series of free lunchtime seminars for voluntary and community sector building managers

Getting the Best from Your Building’s Lease with the Ethical Property Foundation:
12 July 12-2pm
Understand different occupational agreements, legal jargon, fundamentals of what a building lease should cover and how to prepare for a new lease.

Managing Access & Inclusion at Community Buildings with the Centre for Accessible Environment:
20 July 12-2pm
How to ensure your building is fully accessible to people with different needs. This includes information on undertaking an accessibility audit.

To book a place for either training, please register here

Young person’s video-making competition at Camden New Town Community Festival
Deadline for submissions: 8th July 2022

Open to young people with a connection to Camden.
Make a video, under 2 minutes in length on the theme: ‘The Everyday Fantastic’ and submit to: info@cutmoose.com.
3 x £50 prizes to win! Categories 10-12 years; 13-16 years and group entry.
Screenings will take place at the Camden New Town Community Festival on 17th July.
The competition is funded by We Make Camden, for more information, please click here

Camden Coproduction Network Meeting
Thursday 7 July 2022: 10am – 11.30am

The Camden Coproduction Network aims to improve how people with a learning disability are supported.
We will hear from colleagues in Camden working on the Living a Good Life project.
This project was developed with people with learning disabilities & family carers when day services had to close due to lockdown.

The meeting will take place on Zoom, if you would like to join, please contact Michael Bond at Participation@Camden.gov.uk

Sadler’s Wells ticket offer: Wed 6th July at 7.30pm
Sadler’s Wells have allocated £9 tickets for Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Don Quixote
Please note that these tickets are only for the performance on Wed 6th July at 7.30pm.

To access the £9 tickets please click here and use promocode DONQ9

Free 6 Weeks Digital Media Training at the SKY TV Campus, West London from MAMA Youth Project
Deadline: Monday the 8th of August

Calling all young creatives living in London aged 18-30 with a passion for creating compelling content and a desire for a career in media.
Apply now for 6 weeks of free intensive digital media training with BAFTA winning company, Licklemor Productions. Lunch and travel expenses provided.

For more information and to apply, please click here

Pascal Theatre Company Vacancy: Communications & Marketing Manager for a Camden Women’s Heritage Project (part-time)
Deadline: 20 July 2022

We are looking for an experienced, freelance Communications & Marketing Manager to work part-time over two years. The appointee will create a marketing strategy to support the two-year project and design publicity campaigns, newsletters and social media posts etc to reach new and existing audiences. Close collaboration with the Director and Film Director is essential as is the direction and supervision of the Social Media Officer.

Much of the work will be remote but the candidate must be able to attend occasional meetings and events in Central London.

For further information, please contact Sally: sally@pascal-theatre.com

Nafsiyat Vacancy: Clinical Administration Manager
Deadline: 5pm Monday 11th July

Nafsiyat Intercultural Therapy Centre are looking for a proactive person with a friendly, can-do attitude to become responsible for the management of Nafsiyat’s small clinical admin team, and the timely and smooth delivery of services provided by therapists.

To learn more and apply, please click here

Royal Free Charity Vacancies:
Welfare Rights Supervisor (part time)
Application deadline: 8th July at 12 noon
For all the information and to apply, please click here

Volunteer Team Manager for Barnet & Chase Farm Hospitals (full time)
Application deadline: 12th July at 12 noon
For all the information and to apply, please click here

Unity works vacancy: Social Enterprise Manager – Mill Lane Garden Centre (Full time)
Deadline: 10th July

We are seeking a dynamic individual to manage our Social Enterprise Garden Centre in West Hampstead. We’re looking for someone with a background in horticulture, confident dealing with customers as well as championing a real commitment to improving the lives of adults with a learning disability.

For more information contact Helen Smith at helen.smith@unityworks.org.uk

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

Russell Cooke Charity bulletin: The Charities Act
In their last newsletter, the Russell Cooke Charity bulletin summarised the key changes that would be brought in by the Charities Act 2022.
The Government has now published an implementation plan explaining when the changes made by the Act will be legally effective. The first changes are expected in Autumn 2022, with the rest taking effect in Spring or Autumn 2023.To keep up to date or learn more about regulatory and legal updates for charities, visit their website hereLocal Newsletters:

SHAK
Latin American House
Creative Lives
Healthwatch Camden
Young Camden Foundation
AWN
West Euston Project (WEP)
London S port (sign up)
Forum+
Charity Tax Group
Dragon Hall Newsletter

Updated VAC administered Google Grants
VAC has been funded by Google to help small organisations get back into the “real world” training / meeting environment and the requirements to access the grant have recently been updatedThe income threshold for applicant groups has been increased to allow a wider variety of VCS groups to apply, the use of space now includes Hot Desking and VAC support to get you going is stronger than ever!VAC is administering the scheme. Our intention is to keep the process as simple as possible to minimise any administrative burden on the groups, VAC and the organisations providing space.
Not all venues are part of the scheme so please do check out our room hire directory here
For more information and to see if your group is eligible visit our website here or contact Ricky at rsingh@vac.org.uk

Applications Invited for Next Round of the Building Strong Communities Fund
Application deadline: 1pm on Monday 8 August 2022

London’s communities have been hard hit by COVID-19. Some communities have been disproportionally affected, many of whom already experience long term inequality and disadvantage in areas such as health, employment, housing and access to green spaces.

The Mayor of London is offering funding for London equity-led voluntary and community sector organisations to enable communities to shape their recovery from COVID-19, through community-led projects.

To learn more about the details and outcomes, please click here

Untold Stories: grants by the Commission for Diversity in Public Realm (round 2)
Application deadline: 4pm on Wednesday, 5th October 2022

The Mayor of London is offering community-led organisations funding and support to make a change in our public spaces.
Whether this is creating something new, highlighting something missing or hidden, or presenting a different story to what already exists, we want to hear from you. You can apply for grants from £1,000 to £25,000 and we have a programme of workshops and extra support to help you apply.

Learn more and apply here

The Weavers’ Company Fund
Application deadline: 14th July

Small registered charities can apply for grants of up to £15,000 for projects working with young offenders; prisoners and ex-prisoners as well as young disadvantaged people at risk of criminal involvement.

Priority will be given to smaller organisations which offer direct services with an income of not more than about £250,000. Funding is available for those helping disadvantaged young people, those from 5 to 30 years of age and groups supporting offenders and ex-offenders, particularly those under 30 years of age

To learn more, please click here

Launch of Government’s VCSE Health and Wellbeing Fund 2022-25
Application Deadline 5 August 2022: 9am

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), and NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSEI) are seeking applications from VCSE sector organisations for the next round of the Health and Wellbeing Fund.
The system partners value the significant contribution that the VCSE sector makes towards improving health and care. The VCSE sector is a key partner in delivering strategic priorities and improving health and wellbeing across England.

To support this, the system partners are jointly releasing the VCSE Health and Wellbeing Fund 2022 to 2025 to support projects and programmes led by VCSE organisations.
The theme of the 2022 to 2025 fund is women’s reproductive wellbeing in the workplace.

For more details, please click here

Trust for London Local Action Poverty Fund
“Trust for London has once again teamed up with Crowdfunder to launch the Local Action Poverty Fund.
Using the power of the crowd, we’ll be helping projects to find the funding and support they need to turn their ideas into a reality.”

Learn more here

Other available funders include:

Community Safeguarding Partnership’s upcoming session
It’s not too late to grab your free ticket for the Community Safeguarding Partnership’s upcoming session.
Free for VAC members, organisations and groups delivering services to under 18’s in Camden:Virtual Introduction to Safer Recruitment: for small orgs and community groups.
Monday July 11th 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Learn more and get your ticket hereFocus on Organisational Development this Summer with Link UP!
Link UP London provides access to bespoke skilled support for charities, social enterprises and community groups for free.

Link UP Volunteers have industry specific knowledge in areas of crucial importance to any charitable organisation’s development such as finance, legal, human resources, communications, data analysis, social media, and much more.

Book a chat here
Or sign up directly here

Camden New Town Community Festival
Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th July in Camden Square Gardens NW1

Saturday, 4pm-8pm includes Jazz, poetry and ‘open mike’
Sunday, 12pm-6pm is a day for Families.

To book a stall (Sunday only), volunteer or make a donation please contact the Festival team on 020 7485 6827 or email: festival.mlcc@yahoo.co.uk

Camden Safer Neighbourhood Board (SNB) AGM
12th July.

The meeting will start at 6.30 with the formal AGM. It will be followed from 7.15/30 with a discussion around the subject of `Building trust and confidence in policing’. Speakers will include Sophie Linden the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime.

To join, please email camdensnb@somerstown.org.uk

Scholarships for the Black community – Imperial College London
As part of Imperial College London’s investment in their drive to increase Black inclusivity amongst their student body and promote the uptake of STEM subjects in the Black community, including 50 scholarships available over the next 5 years, Imperial are hosting a number of exciting upcoming opportunities for Black students.

To learn more, please 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

VAC paid Internship: Communications (15 hours per week)
VAC is seeking a Communications Intern to assist the VAC team for a 4 month period. This position will work with the Communications Lead and IT manager on our communications channels, including the weekly newsletter and social media presence, to promote VAC opportunities and our overall profile.

The role would suit someone looking to gain experience in work-based communications and an interest in developing a career in communications based roles.

To apply, please send a CV and cover letter to info@vac.org.uk

North London Cares vacancy: Programme Coordinator (Social Clubs)
Deadline: 11.59pm 4th July 2022

North London Cares seeks to bring together people across Camden and Islington to tackle loneliness, increase connections and reduce isolation.
One of our wonderful Social Clubs Coordinators is off on her travels from September, so we are looking for a new full time Programme Coordinator to start in August.

For more details or to apply, please click here

C4WS Women’s Group vacancy: Voluntary Facilitator
Deadline: Friday 8th July
Hours: Estimated 5-6 hours fortnightly

The C4WS Women’s Group prides itself on being a peer-led space for women in the C4WS network.
The group meets fortnightly and connect over a variety of activities including painting, crochet, card-making, workshops, spa experiences, and events/day trips.
We are looking for somebody who will coordinate the group and facilitate its sessions going forward. The position is voluntary only (expenses reimbursed).

To apply please send your CV and a cover letter (no more than two A4 sides) to jobs@c4wshomelessproject.org
NB: The position requires an enhanced DBS check. Training around processes and policies will be provided.

Pascal Theatre Company: Vacancy for Heritage Project Manager
Deadline: 13 July 2022

Pascal Theatre Company are looking for an experienced, freelance Project Manager to work part-time on a two year Women’s Heritage programme. The appointee will oversee all strands of the project. These include managing community workshops, events, film, research and the development of website resources. Close collaboration with the Director is required to realise the main aims, outcomes and outputs. Work will be hybrid and hours are flexible.

For further information, please contact Sally: sally@pascal-theatre.com

The Royal Free Charity vacancy: Volunteer Team Database Administrator.
This is a part-time role, 22.5 hours per week over 3 days in the office. Maternity Cover, initially 9 months with a possible extension to 12 months

The main task of the role is to manage the volunteer database and communicate with the volunteers.
To apply please submit a CV, equal opportunity form and supporting statement addressing how you meet the criteria set out in the job description and person specification.

To view the full job description and apply please click this link or email your request to peopleteam@royalfreecharity.org

Umoja Health Forum looking to recruit Volunteer Organisers
Umoja Health Forum is a voluntary organisation which leads thirteen small African organisations from Sub – Saharan Africa, providing health and social care, addressing both physical and mental health.
We are looking to recruit Volunteer Organisers for different projects, which involve planning a variety of weekly activities for local residents.
All volunteer travel and expenses paid.
Interested candidates should email Umoja at: umojahealthforum54@gmail.com or call Chikwaba Oduka on 07970418893, to express their interest or find out more.

TfL bus service review
Available until 12th JulyTfL are looking for your feedback in their bus review consultation
Following a review of London’s bus network, TfL has launched a public consultation proposing changes to bus routes, including some in Hammersmith and Fulham borough.Find out which bus routes are included and take TfL’s survey here

Birmingham University & Camden adult social care survey
Birmingham University is working with Camden Council to find out how adult social care may be helping to make people’s lives better, what works well and what is not working.
The research includes 2 confidential interviews, one at the start and another approximately six months later. These interviews would ask about your life, how things may be changing for you, and what you may (or may not) have found helpful. Lasting 30-45 minutes the interviews will take place either over the phone or via zoom, depending on preference.
To thank participants there is a £20 shopping voucher available for the first interview, and an additional £30 voucher for the second

If you are interested or would like to know more about the research please contact Philip Kinghorn on p.kinghorn@bham.ac.uk or on 07754 708 202

Camden Council has a partnership with LabTech to provide pop-up market stall space.
July – August 2022

These market stalls will be situated on Buck Street and Camden Market between July and August 2022, in the heart of Camden and London.
The offer includes a market stall, a funding contribution to purchase initial stall equipment and access to enterprise support training.

To arrange a call to find out more, please email economicdevelopment@camden.gov.uk
or visit the website here

VAC Training Resources
VAC deliver regular training for Camden voluntary and community groups. We also run seminars on topical policy issues and themes, and host regular events aimed at the specific needs of the local community.

To view our on-demand resources, please click here

Civic Futures 2022: Open for applications and nominations
Deadline: Monday 4 July 2022

Civic Futures 2022 is open for nominations and applications and welcome you to apply or nominate someone you think would make a great addition to this year’s programme.
Civic Futures is a Fellowship Programme facilitated by Koreo, Dark Matter Labs and The Young Foundation, in partnership with the Greater London Authority (GLA)

If you want to take part in Civic Futures then you can express your interest here
Or to nominate someone else, please do so 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.