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Working for Environmental Justice
This week we’re highlight work we carried out looking at the impact of some high profile national infrastructure projects on local communities. Take a look at our Environmental Justice page to find out more about this and discover resources for anyone seeking support in neighbourhood planning and developing green and communal spaces.

NEW – Safeguarding Training 

• Dementia, Mental Capacity, and Adult Safeguarding 21st March, 10am – 11am
• Dementia Awareness 25th April, 10.30am – 11.30am
• Budgeting and Financial Planning 30th April, 9.30am – 4pm

More details in the Events and Training section

Volunteering generates at least £4.6 billion per year to UK economy
The Royal Voluntary Service has released a report in conjunction with Pro Bono Economics, which looks at the role volunteering plays in relation to national productivity and the general economic picture. In what is pretty encouraging news for the VCS, the report analysed that the economy overall, as well as business and employees, benefit greatly from the contributions of the sector. 

Report finds general improvement on diversity in grant-making foundations
A 3 year report from the Foundation Practice Rating project, which was set up to analyse 3 key practices of charitable grant-making foundations, has found an increase in diversity, although it remains the weakest area. The report, which you can read here, also measures accountability and transparency in UK charitable foundations. 

Easyfundraising online egg hunt
Between 15th – 31st March, easyfundraising are donating £100 each day to good causes in their online Egg Hunt. Every day, the egg will be hiding in a new spot on the easyfundraising website – crack the clues for a chance to win £100 donation each day and an entry to win a further £5,000 donation too. You will need to register first with easyfundraising. 

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!

Skills Transition Fund
The Skills Transition Fund recognises a skills gap as the UK balances the challenges of securing energy and delivering its 2050 net zero target. Shell UK has created the Skills Transition Fund, which aims to invest in initiatives led by community organisations that could help people with the skills they need to get into employment. The funding put forward will go directly to UK-based non-profit projects that aim to drive tangible action and create measurable impact in local communities.

MOPAC Funding for Community Projects related to Policing and Crime Plan Priorities
Camden Safer Neighbourhood Board (CSNB) invites other Camden Community Organisations to work with them to apply for funding from MOPAC. They have around £10,000 available for between 2 and 3 projects in Camden that are related to the Police & Crime priorities.  Please see the information here.  This includes details of these Priorities and some examples of the sort of projects MOPAC funded last year. CSNB are only asking for expressions of interest at this stage.
 
Black & global majority-led groups resilience fund
Do it Now Now, in collaboration with City Bridge Foundation, is offering grants of up to £12,000 for Black and Global Majority-led organisations across Greater London to support groups to build financial resilience and operational readiness. The Innovate Now programme will support enterprise projects that can solve a problem experienced within Black and Global Majority communities, whilst bringing in trading income for the organisation that helps increase their chances of raising social investment and helps to create a sustainable future for the organisation.

Baring Foundation fund for collaborative legal action
Civil society organisations in the UK can apply now for grants of up to £150,000 over three years to use legal action collaboratively to achieve positive social change. The unrestricted grants can support hub activities which use legal action in all its forms, whether that is to empower individuals and groups, persuade public and private bodies, challenge government, or a mix of all three. The funding can be used for any costs related to the hub work, such as covering lawyers’ fees, towards the salaries of admin staff supporting hub work, or towards management costs to oversee the work.

VAC UPCOMING TRAINING:
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

Upcoming safeguarding training 
For all VCS organisations, supplementary, faith schools and groups delivering services to under 18’s in the borough.
In partnership with Camden’s Safeguarding Children’s Partnership:

Dementia, Mental Capacity, and Adult Safeguarding 21st March, 10am – 11am
Dementia Awareness Workshop 25th April, 10.30am – 12pm
Budgeting and Financial Planning 30th April, 9.30am – 4pm

OTHER EVENTS

People’s Museum Events Saturday 16th March
Typewriter Art Workshop 11am–1pm
A one-off artclub with Professor Esther Leslie and Barrie Tullett. Get to make your own typewriter art – paper, typewriters and ink provided!

Talk Q&A: From Q—M: a history of typewriter art 2–3pm
An illustrated lecture by Barrie Tullett, author of Typewriter Art: A Modern Anthology and co-author of RUHUMAN: The Typewriter Art of Keith Armstrong.
52 Phoenix Road, NW1 1ES

VCC workshop & Spring 24 Volunteering Fair
April workshop
Book now for this essential training for volunteer managers, to help charity leaders and volunteer managers build volunteering in a strategic way that adds significant value to their mission. Exploring the societal, economic, and technological environment that affects volunteering and trends that should be taken into account. Wednesday 24th April, 10am online. Free to attend.
Camden and Islington Spring 24 Volunteering Fair
Recruiting Volunteers? Book now for Volunteer Centre Camden’s Spring 2024 volunteering fair. This fair will be in person in King’s Cross on Wednesday 17th April, 12-2pm.

Free event for parents & carers of children with special educational needs & disabilities
Parents and carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can come along to Swiss Cottage Library on Wednesday 20 March, from 10am to 1pm, to find information about support, activities and services for them and their family. Try out free wellbeing activities during taster sessions, find out about courses, workshops and activities, as well as local places that families of children with SEND can visit, especially at weekends and school holidays. This free event at Swiss Cottage Library, 88 Avenue Road, NW3, is jointly organised by Camden Adult Community Learning and Camden Libraries.

YPFI Social Action Project Launch
Young People for Inclusion are collaborating with Fitzrovia Youth in Action to deliver a social action project, supporting young people with learning difficulties and disabilities to shape their communities, boost their confidence and gain experience leading a project that delivers change around accessibility and inclusion in Camden. The project will be running every Friday evening out of Somers Town Community Association, 150 Ossulston Street, NW1 1EE, from this Friday 15th. Sessions include time for socialisation and games, before a structured activity. Contact Andy Forse make a referral and to discuss accessibility needs of young people.

Big Ideas and Pathways Workshop at Birkbeck University
‘Psychology of Spaceflight: What Happens to Human Brain and Behaviour in Space?’.
This talk is one of a series of free, thought-provoking lectures from Birkbeck. Professor Elisa Raffaella  Ferre will discuss how understanding the impact of spaceflight on the human body and brain has never been more important. Elisa will discuss her findings on how behaviour changes during spaceflight. March 18th, the Living Centre, 6.30pm.
Pathways workshop 
Want support with deciding what to do next and how to get there? Unsure of what job you’d be good at? Pathways offers free advice and training! Join this session for the enjoyable and interactive workshop which includes a free lunch.
March 20th, 10-13.30pm | Kentish Town Community Centre

NEW Health Walk on Hampstead Heath – Thursdays 11am
Heath Hands is expanding its programme of regular FREE Health Walks on Hampstead Heath, with a new walk meeting at 10.50 for an 11am start at the Parliament Hill Café every Thursday. No need to book, just turn up,  find friendly volunteer walk leaders in hi vis and join the walk! Suitable for all abilities, including those new to walking. Can’t make Thursdays? Check out Monday walks and nature or mindfulness walks throughout the year on the walking webpage.

CAWH Art for the mind
A time to create and enjoy the present moment together, hosted by the Community Association of West Hampstead.
20th March
Contact Beatrice by email or on 0207 794 3729 for information. Taking place at West Hampstead Community Centre , 17 Dornfell Street, NW6 1QN.

Talk for Health Free Taster Session 
This free taster session from Talk for Health is designed to explore the true connection that happens when we let go of our social masks and start being who we really are. Focusing on, among others, open and truthful talking and empathic listening, you can also learn more about the peer to peer counselling network run by TFH.

Wednesday 27th March 6-8pm (online). 

VAC – Freelance WordPress Technical Consultant 
We are hiring! VAC are looking for a technical consultant with a solid background of providing expert technical assistance on WordPress, who, ideally, is familiar working with charities. The position is freelance, on an ad-hoc basis and would probably require 1-3 days/month, depending on need. This will vary from month-month. Main responsibilities include helping the organisation with technical troubleshooting and routine maintenance jobs. Please send a copy of your CV including, your day rate to alexcharles@vac.org.uk. 

Part-time Community Engagement Worker

Camden Federation of Private Tenants are looking for somebody who is enthusiastic, creative and likes working with a wide variety of people out in the community. This 3 day a week role involves working with the Origin Tenants’ Voices (OTV) project to actively engage with and listen to more local residents about their concerns relating to their housing and other changes taking place in the area.
Deadline for applications: Friday 5th April

Castlehaven out-of-hours caretaker
Are you a Camden resident looking for an out-of-hours role? Castlehaven are looking for a local out-of-hours caretaker (zero-hours contract) to manage early morning, evening, and weekend bookings. From opening and closing buildings to greeting hirers and setting up furniture, the ideal candidate will be flexible and adaptable, have previous experience working in a public-facing role and have knowledge of health and safety regulations. Applications close on the 31st of March.

Generalist Advisor at Camden Disability Action

Camden Disability Action is recruiting a new Generalist Advisor (Welfare Benefits) who is committed to learning more about the Social Model of Disability and you will share our vision for a radically inclusive world where people with differences are never Disabled by the society in which they live.
Deadline for applications is Monday 1st of April 2024.

Volunteer needed at Scotscare
Scotscare, the charity that supports Scots in need in London, is seeing a volunteer to cater for our popular choir.  This involves 2 hours a week, 4.30-6.30pm Mondays in term time, preparing and serving food to around 20 clients who sing in the choir. Training and expenses are provided. Contact volunteering@scotscare.com.

Chief Executive at Mind in Camden
Mind in Camden are undertaking ground-breaking partnership projects that work alongside people, organisations and communities to make positive changes in mental health. They are looking for a proven leader who will be experienced in all areas of the management, governance, strategy, fundraising and sustainability of an organisation. Diversity is valued at MIC and applications are welcome from all groups in the community. More details here.
Application deadline: 18th March.

Caretaker/ Cleaner at St Pancras Community Association 
The Caretaker/Cleaner at SPCA provides a staff presence in the Community Centre during the evenings and at the weekend, so that people feel welcome and safe, and the building is secure. To find out more please call 020 7380 1501 or visit their website.

Camden Council Active for Life campaign
Camden Council has launched Active for Life, a 12 week behaviour change campaign to support adults aged 60 and over to build more physical activity into their daily routines. The campaign will showcase the wide range of free and low cost physical activities for over 60s – from walking groups and gardening sessions to kayaking and team sports. The first 500 Camden residents over 60 to join will receive a free one-day pass to use at any of Camden’s Better Leisure Centres. 

New Camden Mental Health Core Teams Reference Group
Are you a current or previous service-user of the Camden Core Teams? Or the carer of someone who has accessed the service?  A new group for service-users and carers is launching, to work with staff and think about how to shape and improve the service! No previous experience needed! The group will run monthly, between March and October 2024. The first meeting will be online, on Monday 27th March at 10.30am. Reward and recognition payments are offered to anyone joining this group, £25 per meeting. You can find an expression of interest form here. Contact Jamie Brown by email or on 020 7241 8988  if you have any questions. 

Camden Faith & Belief Community Awards
Camden Council in partnership with The Faith & Belief Forum (F&BF) have announced their very first Camden Faith & Belief Community Awards. The awards will spotlight and celebrate the contribution of unsung faith and community projects, as well as individuals, who contribute selflessly to their local communities to foster understanding, unity and positive change. The awards seek to recognise those who have gone above and beyond in promoting these values, making a significant impact on the lives of local residents. Nominations are now open until Sunday 14 April, with the award ceremony is set to take on Thursday 23 May.

Nominations open for the Sally Joseph Award
Together with the Mayor of Camden, the Council is seeking nominations for the third annual Sally Joseph Award, which recognises an individual or team who have made an outstanding contribution to services for children looked after in the borough. The award is named after Sally, who was Camden Council’s Head of Service for Children’s Care Provision, and sadly passed away in 2021 after working for the Council for 37 years. The Sally Joseph Award, which includes a £1,000 grant to further the work for which the winner has been recognised, acknowledges excellent practice in how the Council and partners look after children in care. Nominations are open until 17 June.

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