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Upcoming Training & Events

Newly announced this week, our next VAC Trustees Network event: Fundraising Tips for Trustees.

The event, which will be co-hosted with Volunteer Centre Camden, will consist of three parts: we’ll be starting with some expert guest speakers from All Ways Network, following up with a Q&A facilitated session and then finally an opportunity to network with fellow attendees. To find out more, and book your tickets, visit our website.

• Understanding online gaming and gambling harms 27th June, 1pm-2pm
• Fundraising Tips for Trustees 12th July, 6pm-7pm.

More details in the Events and Training section

Charity Governance Code launches public consultation
Established to support charities and trustees by providing guidance and developing high standards of governance, the Charity Governance Code are inviting charities across the sector to take part in a new survey. The consultation is aimed at learning about the relationships different charities have with the governance code, whether or not they currently use it. The deadline to complete the survey is 11th August. 

Door-to-door fundraising received negatively by majority
A survey from the Fundraising Regulator on public attitudes to different fundraising methods, has revealed that 62% of people rated their most recent experience of door-to-door fundraising negatively. The survey also analysed public opinion on public and online fundraising.

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!

• North London Community Fund – Projects must either be intervention-based with a behaviour change focus, or aim to reach communities not currently participating in pro-environmental behaviours.
• Young Camden Foundation Summer Opportunities Fund for activities that will help keep children and young people engaged, active, and supported, promoting their mental and physical wellbeing.
• Lloyds Bank Foundation invites Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations to apply for unrestricted grants of up to £75,000 over a three year period.
• City Bridge Foundation Suicide Prevention funding programme to support strategic projects that achieve systemic change in suicide prevention across London.
• Skinners’ Charity Foundation supporting programmes of work where young people receive a vocational qualification as part of their employment progression.

VAC UPCOMING TRAINING

• Understanding online gaming and gambling harms 27th June, 1pm – 2pm
• Fundraising Tips for Trustees 10th July, 6pm-7pm

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

Hopscotch Women’s Centre events for Refugee Week
Hopscotch Women’s Centre are holding two upcoming community arts events for Refugee Week. On 17th – 21st June, in collaboration with the British Library, creative works and stories by refugee women and girls will be showcased at the Last Word community space. Then from 17th June – mid July, additional creative artworks and case studies will be displayed at Old Diorama Arts Centre, where Hopscotch has been working from to deliver English classes and wellbeing sessions for refugee women throughout this year. 

Heath Hands 25th Birthday + Community Fun Day
Heath Hands, the conservation and community charity for Hampstead Heath turns 25 this year and to celebrate, they’ve made a short film about their activities – view it here! You can also join them for the Hampstead Heath Community Fun Day at the Parliament Hill Bandstand from 1-5pm on Sunday 23rd June. Including hula hooping, South Asian dancing, live music, face painting, henna, nature activities, art activities, Bike MOTs and more! More information here.

Camden New Town Community Festival 2024 
Bringing our community together: 20 July,  Jazz, poetry & “open mike” in Camden Square Gardens NW1, 21 July, Family Day in Camden Square Gardens NW1.
Festival parade – 6 metre high Climbing Tower – Arts and Crafts – Children’s activities – Dance performances – Dr Bike – Face painting – food & refreshments – Green Corner – Healthy Living tent – local history – live music – • chess challenge – restart & sewing workshops – • Film Tent – stalls and information 
To book a stall, volunteer or make a donation please contact the Festival Office on 020 7485 6827 or email festival.mlcc@yahoo.co.uk.

Zen in Mind – Free Community Festival
The Zen Project and Mind in Camden bring to you one of a series of monthly festivals to celebrate mental health and support the local Camden community. Open to all and all activities are free. Free food, massage, mindfulness sessions and more. Climb on board the big yellow American school bus and take part in one of many activities to help create some calm and ease anxiety. Something for everyone. No need to book – just turn up. More information here.
Thursday 27th June, 12pm-4pm, Swiss Cottage, 8 Fairhazel Gardens, NW6 3SG 

People’s Museum of Somers Town – Various Events
People’s Museum Day of Walks – This Saturday 15th June, 12-4pm
For the London Festival of Architecture choose from 4 walks around landmark estates in Somers Town to celebrate the centenary of St Pancras Housing.
‘Rough City’ – Exhibition Opening 20th June 5-9pm
BA Interior Architecture final year student work from Middlesex University focusing on the effect of the homogenisation of the built environment through design intervention in the Coal Drops Yard development in Kings Cross. The exhibitions will also be open 21st & 22nd June.
Retro Vinyl Night – Thursday 27th June, 6pm
People’s Museum retro vinyl club, led by DJ Flytowhitneysmoon. Bring your own vinyls with you, or just come along and hear what others have to share.
All events are taking place at People’s Museum, 52 Phoenix Rd, NW1 1ES

Queen Square Community Picnic
Holborn Community has partnered up with SGTM Church, Love Camden and The October Gallery to host a community picnic. There will be free snacks/drinks, games and art activities. More info here.
Saturday 6th July – 12.30pm – 3pm, Queen Square, Bloomsbury.

CAWH Healthy Morning Walk
Free of Charge ( Pay for your drinks and snacks). Contact: Beatrice on 0207 794 3729 or by email beatrice@cawh.org.uk. An opportunity to meet at the centre and go for a healthy morning walk together to encourage each other and meet new people. Anyone can join! (over 18).Meet at the West Hampstead Community centre. 25th June  from 11am to 12:30pm, West Hampstead Community Centre, 17 Dornfell Street, NW6 1QN.

Kurdish Community meeting
The next Kurdish Community meeting in London is on Sunday 23rd June from 2.00 – 6.00 pm at 24 Haverstock Hill, Chalk Farm, NW3 2BQ. The meetings are run on a monthly basis by Kurdish volunteers in order to help the community get together, celebrate ethnic identity, share knowledge in a sociable, cultural, educational and family friendly setting.  All ethnicities are welcome. 

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.

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

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 14^th 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 16^th 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 16^th 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 17^th 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. 

Camden Summer University
Young people aged 13 to 19 who live in Camden, go to a Camden state school, attend a Camden youth centre or have a Camden social worker can choose from nearly 70 free courses in arts, media, fashion, sport, cookery, work and life skills with Camden Summer University. The programme runs at venues across the borough from Thursday 25 July to Friday 23 August 2024. Check the website to view courses – bookings open on 17 June.

Understanding Mental Health – Paid Opportunity
This new initiative aims to understand experiences and challenges faced by residents (18 and above) with mental health conditions in Camden. Your insights will shape initiatives and strategies for the community. The project involves:
•    Group meetings with individuals with lived experiences.
•    Discussions will cover various mental health topics.
•    Permission to audio record conversations for accuracy (no identifying information will be used in reporting).
If you would like to join, please contact Priyanka on Priyanka.patil@camden.gov.uk.

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.

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. 

Random Acts of Connection – Loneliness Awareness Week
Marmalade Trust’s Loneliness Awareness Week celebrates ‘Random Acts of Connection’ this year. It is being held between 10-16th June and the theme encourages everyone to have more of those simple everyday interactions which can reduce feelings of social isolation and loneliness. Good Practice Mentors are celebrating Loneliness Awareness Week by hosting some special online sessions, and sharing the learning and resources from the Ageing Better programme which aimed to reduce loneliness and social isolation amongst the over 50s. 

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