Navigate to:

– Spotlight
– What’s New
– News and Policy
– Funding
– Events and Training
– Jobs and Volunteering
– Surveys, Resources and Opportunities

VAC Training for Members

• CAMDEN NEW GROUPS NETWORK  peer support meeting

See details and book a place in our Events and Training section

CONNECT  LEARN  SHARE

VAC NEW GROUPS NETWORK 

This is a Network for all the new groups that VAC have provided with consultancy support recently and for any community group or individual considering starting a charity, social enterprise or community group. The Network will be discussing the common challenges and requirements that you face when starting a new charity, social enterprise, or community group. You will have the opportunity to share experiences with others and seek the advice and support of your peers. If you want to join email Vania at vguetova@vac.org.uk

Training Opportunities for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Immigrant Artists
WE RESTART is a Charity that connects asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrant artists with educational and skills training opportunities, offering free advice sessions, and facilitating access to free AEB courses, (especially ESOL, English and numeracy).
Our team is accessible via email in Arabic, Ukrainian, and English. To learn more about how you can be a part of this initiative, please reach out to contact@werest.art. The project is supported by Mayor of London.

Craft research and evaluation ideas at UCL’s Research Consultation Clinic
Join the UCL Community Research Initiative (CRIS@ucl.ac.uk) for a tailored consultation to develop a research or evaluation project brief aligning with your organization’s goals. Depart with your project brief(s), ready for posting on the virtual Community Noticeboard, reaching hundreds of research students eager to contribute to your work! Register for the event on Thursday, 25th January 2024 at Eventbrite.

Interested in working in the NHS? 
If you are a resident of Camden, Islington, Haringey, Barnet or Enfield and are either unemployed, underemployed and/or have barriers into employment – you are eligible for this free programme. You will be enrolled onto two week pre-employment training, which will match you to entry level roles in primary care.

If you think this might be for you, come and have an informal chat at Training Link, 54-56 Phoenix Road, NW1 1ES.
Email: operations@traininglink.org.uk Phone: 020 73835405

Talks and Research from Camden Historical Society
Camden Historical Society have a collection of historical publications, including articles on how Camden got its name and other Camdens around the world, as well as a series of upcoming talks and events on local history. 

Chef Manager: Kentish Town Social Enterprise Café 
Unity Works are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic individual to manage a social enterprise café in Kentish Town. The Cafe Manager will support and train people with a learning disability, whilst being responsible for the overall management and performance of the cafe. This role will include training catering tasks such as barista skills, customer service and culinary skills, and working in a dynamic team to provide a professional service delivering high quality food and drinks to the local community.

Prize winning opportunities in Easyfundraising’s Advent Calendar 
Open the Advent windows from 1 – 24 December for daily chances to win £100 for your organisation, charity, or CIC. Plus, every window opened is an automatic entry to win the big Christmas Day prize of £5,000! To take part, sign your organisation up here.
Through Easyfundraising, 8000 retailers including eBay, John Lewis, Tesco, M&S, Trainline and many more will donate money to your organisation when your supporters shop with them.

Introducing our new Communications Officer
The newest member of our team is Communications Officer, Duncan Cordy, who will be responsible for our newsletter and other communications channels. You can contact Duncan with submissions for the newsletter and any other communications enquiries at social@vac.org.uk. 

Please send any information (approximately 50-75 words long) that you would like included in our weekly newsletter to social@vac.org.uk by no later than 12pm on Wednesday for inclusion in the Friday newsletter. 

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:  https://vac.org.uk/our-services/fundraising/current-funding-opportunities/

If you need help sourcing or applying for funds, get in touch with our consultancy service, free for all Camden groups!

Funding to Support Youth-Led Social Action Across the UK
Co-op Foundation, in partnership with Co-op and the #iwill Fund, is offering grants of up to £20,000 for groups to support young activists, campaigners, disrupters, co-operates, and social entrepreneurs to lead social action to improve their communities and build upon Co-op’s vision of ‘Co-operating for a Fairer World’.

Application Deadline: 19 December 2023.

Disability Justice Fund 
Trust for London want to fund organisations fighting for the rights of Disabled people, and work that contributes to growing, broadening and diversifying the Disability movement.. This includes work that strengthens the ability of DDPOs to engage in campaigning, policy, advocacy and to push for change. Or projects that enable DDPOs to do behind the scenes work so that they can be better run. 

Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund
The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) will upgrade a significant amount of the social housing stock currently below Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band C up to that standard. It will support the installation of energy performance measures in social homes in England. Find out more.

Grants4Schools Funding Guide
This funding guide specifically for UK schools has been updated for 2024, providing information on the types of grants available as well as guidance on how to successfully apply for funding. 

Camden 4 Community – Funding alerts and news for the VCSE 
 https://funding.idoxopen4community.co.uk/camdencommunity 

More funding news and information on VAC website at 
https://vac.org.uk/guides-and-resources/fundraising/funders
                                                                   

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

CAMDEN NEW GROUPS NETWORK
Monday 18th December, 12:30 
VAC is inviting you to participate in the Network’s online meeting on Monday, 18^th of  December 2023 from 12:30 to 13:30. You will be meeting like-minded people and discuss the challenges they have met with and ways to deal with them. This is a closed group for peer support for anyone VAC have supported over the past year and for starting up groups and individuals that have contacted VAC recently or are thinking of contacting VAC for support in choosing how to register and what legal structures to choose from.
Those of you who have  missed the first meeting of the New Groups Network, please register for the event on Eventbrite to receive the next meeting’s link:
https://vac.org.uk/event/camden-new-groups-network-vac-exciting-new-project-3/
For more information contact Vania Guetova at vguetova@vac.org.uk 

BOLO Business Podcast Live Panel  

Camden Town Hall 1st December Free –  Black Owned London (BOLO) bring you this business podcast, the live final episode of a series looking at inspiring individuals seizing opportunities. It will be an interactive panel discussion inviting audience engagement – a great opportunity to celebrate Black businesses, leadership, and the vibrant culture of Camden.  Full information

Camden’s Disability Oversight Panel
Invites all disabled residents, carers and supporting VSC organisations to attend its forthcoming public engagement session ‘The Housing Allocations Journey – hearing from you’.* This is taking place on Tuesday 5 December 2023 at The Crowndale Centre, 218 Eversholt Street .
With BSL Interpreters and Caption/ Speech to Text Support. You can contact disabilityoversight@camden.gov.uk or call 0207 9743 578 to register, and for transport help.

Cost of living community workshops announced
The council are organising a series of community workshops to identify ways in which voluntary sector organisations, community and faith groups, public services and active citizens can work together to provide support to residents most impacted by the rising cost of living. This community response project will be making small grants of between £5,000 and £25,000 available to organisations to develop long-term partnerships that support and improve outcomes for those most impacted by poverty and economic exclusion. There are a number of workshops being held from Monday 4^th December – Wednesday 13^th December. To see details and find out more about the Cost of Living Fund, register your interest HERE.

Alternative COP Climate Conference for Londoners 
The Camden New Journal and Islington Tribune newspapers are hosting a COP climate conference at the London Irish Centre on Saturday, December 9, 2023. There will be panel discussions throughout the day as well as an eco Christmas market. Speakers include Mariana Mazzucato, Anna Minton, Kwajo Tweneboa and Roger Hallam. Entry is free. 

Find out more about Census 2021 Outputs
Camden Council is putting on a briefing on the Census 2021 outputs. Come and find out more about the outputs of the 2021 and have your say on how to improve access and usability. Register your interest on Eventbrite.

Age UK launches Warm Heart Camden Campaign 
Almost 1 in 4 older Londoners are now living in poverty and the number of Londoners over the age of 50 living in poverty has increased by 5% over the past decade. With many older residents in the borough now skipping meals and going without heating to save money, Age UK Camden is asking individuals and businesses to get involved and donate. All donations welcome, big or small. For example, if you are eligible for the winter fuel allowance, but don’t need it yourself, you could choose to donate the amount to help those who need it this winter.  All donations will be used within the borough of Camden to help deliver Age UK Camden’s vital services to older people.

Community snow clearing 
Every winter Camden council grit key roads and footpaths in Camden. If you’re able to, you can also help keep your local pavements clear from snow and ice for your community.
Camden residents and community groups can be provided with snow shovels and bags of grit salt for this. Find out more about this offer, our library stall giveaways and request free snow shovels and grit here.

Winter Holiday Activities and Food programme

The Camden Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Winter programme will run from 27 December 2023 to 5 January 2024 and is open for children and young people aged 5 to 16 who live in Camden and are eligible for free school meals.
The programme offers free, fun activities and nutritional education – from learning to make healthy meals, to creative activities, including photography, drama, arts and crafts, and sports such as football and basketball. A free hot meal is included as part of each day’s activities. The Camden HAF programme is co-ordinated by Young Camden Foundation on behalf of Camden Council, with funding from the Department for Education.
To find out more and book your places, visit haf.youngcamdenfoundation.org.uk, or if you have any questions please email info@youngcamdenfoundation.org.uk

Rethink Advocacy service is currently running a drop in advocacy session at the Greenwood Centre, 37 Greenwood Place, London, NW5 1LB for people with Learning Disabilities. Please come along on 19^th December at 2pm.  Please call Sian Phillips 07483 332490 for more information.

Join us at ODAC on Tuesday 12th December to toast the end of the year with ODAC and Camden Giving.
2023 has been another great year at ODAC, with thousands of people from our vibrant community utilising our spaces weekly for creative endeavours, gatherings, and collaborative projects. And it has been for Camden Giving too, as they continue to ensure Camden’s wealth benefits citizens and grassroots charities.
Expect nibbles, entertainment and stalls and the opportunity to revel in the festive spirit!
RSVP by filling by clicking the invite above and filling in the form. If you RSVP, you’ll get your first drink free!

Voluntary Maths and English Tutoring
Children from lower-income families are less likely to achieve academically than their better-off peers. We are looking for volunteers to support pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds in maths or English. As a volunteer, you’ll:
●        Work with 1-3 pupils to improve their English and maths, in-person or online
●        Commit to 10-20 weeks, for just one hour a week
●        Support either primary or secondary school-aged pupils
●        Use our workbooks to shape your weekly sessions
Sign up today

Becoming a school governor
Could you make a positive impact on a school in Camden? School governors are one of the largest groups of volunteers in the country. It’s a great opportunity to use your life experience and skills to make a real difference.

Camden Learning want to ensure that our school governing bodies reflect the diverse communities they serve. Find out more.

Mind in Camden Is Recruiting
There is a vacancy for a Mental Health Link Worker at Mind in Camden, which is a part-time fixed term position with a probable extension. The closing date for applications is 13.00 on Tuesday 5th December 2023. You can find out more information here. 

Impact Hub Community Engagement Manager Vacancy
The job advert for Impact Hub’s  Community Engagement Manager is now live – this role will be shared by Impact Hub  and Knowledge Quarter , and will be responsible for leading community engagement and outreach activities related to their  new space on Regent’s Place which opens in January 2024.
They are particularly interested in hiring someone with a local connection or lived experience.
All the details can be found on their website including details on how to apply.

Volunteer Centre Camden:

VCC Xmas volunteering roles 
Does your organisation have Christmas, Hanukkah or New Year’s volunteering roles? We’re currently gathering a list for people who are looking for volunteering for Christmas. Got something? Email sheila@volunteercentrecamden.org.uk 

Make a difference in your community – join Castlehaven’s Board of Trustees! 

Castlehaven Community Association are recruiting trustees with finance, IT, environment, equality, diversity, and inclusion skills who can offer their expertise and share their vision. Applications from all backgrounds are encouraged, especially those who live and work in Camden. Email ernie@castlehaven.org.uk to request an application pack and help shape CCA’s future.

Local VCS Newsletters:

SHAK
Young Camden Foundation (Funding Newsletter)
Young Camden Foundation (Events and Training Newsletter)
AWN (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)
UCL Volunteering Service Newsletter (sign up)
Latin American House
London Irish Centre (sign up)
Castlehaven Community Association (sign up)
Heath Hands
Age UK (sign up)

If you would like your Camden VCS newsletter added to this list, please email social@vac.org.uk

Looking for a previous newsletter entry? Find it in our archive here

Find presentations, recordings and resources from past forums here

Our mailing address is:
Greenwood Centre, Greenwood Place, London, NW5 1LB

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.