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Consultancy Service
At VAC we intend to be a channel for new groups and projects to find the resources they need to succeed. That’s why our consultancy service is one of the most important elements of our work, as it connects us directly to people and organisations who are looking for support. Get in touch with us if this applies to you! We can help with information on recruiting and managing volunteers and mental health support, but we also have a vast network of resources that we can point you to if we know someone else who is better placed to help. Contact us by email on info@vac.org.uk or fill out one of our consultancy forms.
NEW – Safeguarding Training
More details in the Events and Training section
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Impact report on London’s local infrastructure
The London CVS Network have produced a new report along with London plus, on the relationship between local infrastructure organisations and the London voluntary sector. Tony Wong, Chair of the network, said of the report’s findings: “This report serves as a wake-up call, emphasising the indispensable role CVSs play and the urgent need for meaningful investment to ensure they can continue to provide comprehensive support to London’s most marginalised communities“.
Organise conversations on AI, say sector leaders
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Charities and Volunteering have heard from VCS leaders about the need for a sector-wide discourse on how to respond to AI. Charity infrastructure bodies and grantmakers should open up conversations about how charities are using AI and the challenges faced in doing so, according to the key charity leaders and founders who were consulted.
Council budgets buckling from spending on homelessness
Massive increases in rates of homelessness in London boroughs have put council budgets under severe strain, new data has revealed. Spending reached £90 million a month in London boroughs alone last year, a rise of almost 40%, as the city struggles to cope with the need for more temporary accommodation and the devastating impact of homelessness.
Food bank charity chief exec aiming for dissolution
A new podcast from the Third Sector discusses the ongoing food bank crisis, and takes a look at what the VCS landscape might look like in a society able to eliminate food poverty. The podcast features an interview with the chief executive from the Trussell Trust, Emma Revie, in which she takes an existential look at how some cause-driven groups are, by their nature, striving for a scenario in which they are no longer needed. |
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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!
The Fore funding programme for small charities
The Fore offers unrestricted funding to small charities across the UK that are making a big impact and who want to significantly grow, strengthen, become more efficient or resilient. The national funding programme is open to any sector and region within the UK with particular interest in grassroots organisations working with underserved communities. Applications for core costs must show how the funding will move the organisation forward rather than enabling ‘business as usual’.
Mayor of London’s Shared Endeavour Fund
Registered charities, constituted community groups and other not-for-organisations working to tackle intolerance and extremism in all its forms can now apply for the fifth call of the Shared Endeavour Fund, provided by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC). It aims to provide the opportunity for creative, innovative, pioneering and sustainable work to grassroots organisations who can work with London’s diverse communities.
Youth Music Energiser Arts funding programme
Funding is available to arts organisations in England to support the delivery of projects which celebrate and energise creative practice with children, across a range of art forms. The funding is intended to foster change in early years creativity by promoting excitement, deeper understanding, and greater equity for marginalised and underestimated age groups; specifically, the co-design and participation in creative activities for 2-4-year-olds.
St Andrews Prize for the Environment
The St Andrews Prize for the Environment is a significant global initiative that identifies and champions innovative and inspiring responses to environmental challenges, including the climate crisis. Applications are now invited from individuals, multi-disciplinary teams, or community groups for the 2024 Prize. The 2023 Prize was awarded to Alianza Ceibo, for their Indigenous-led model for the sustainable protection of the Upper Amazon Rainforest.
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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 Awareness Workshop 25th April, 10.30am – 12pm
Budgeting and Financial Planning 30th April, 9.30am – 4pm
OTHER EVENTS
Charity Meetup in April
Everyone is welcome at this friendly facilitated networking and skills-sharing event, “The Market for Something to Believe in is Infinite”. Meet like-minded people, share challenges and connect, and learn new practical skills and tactics to help further your professional development. There will be a mixing game, two talks and small group activities. Book tickets here – including a special discounted ticket for small charities.
Fri 12 Apr 2024, Impact Hub London Euston, NW1 3DX
ROUTES/ROOTS – a community art exhibition
Through sculpture, print, digital art and textiles, 100 community members have collaborated with Holborn Community Association and a range of exciting visual artists to ask: Where have you been? Where are you now? Where do you want to go?
Open: 4 – 10th April, 3-6pm (closed Sunday)
Family activities: 6th April & 9th April 3-5pm
Venue: The Bomb Factory, 103 Kingsway, London WC2B 6QX
Citizens Advice free First Aid training
Advice First Aid is a free training programme from Citizens Advice to help you support people with benefits, housing, debt and cost of living problems. There is introductory level training for staff and volunteers in community organisations and faith groups, with an in person event at Kentish Town Community Centre on 23rd of April, after which, you will be able to access free online short courses on benefits, housing, employment rights and other issues. Register here, and contact londonafa@cawandsworth.org with any questions.
Free & low-cost Easter activities for children
The Easter holiday is almost here and there’s lots for children and young people to do. The Camden Holiday Activities and Food Easter programme, which runs from 2-12 April, is open for children and young people aged 5-16 who live in Camden and are eligible for free school meals. There are also Easter holiday sport and physical activities taking place from the 1 – 12 April. You can find a holiday play schemes for children aged 4 to 12 here, and older children and young people’s holiday activities here.
Free Zen In Mind Community Festival
The Zen Project and Mind in Camden bring to you another of their 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 activities to help create some calm and ease anxiety. With something for everyone, there is no need to book – just turn up. More information here.
Thursday March 28th, Likewise Community Centre, NW6 3SG
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).
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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.
Chair at Flourishing Lives
Flourishing Lives is the only London-wide body dedicated to older people, the arts and wellbeing. The organisation helps transform older people’s lives, by promoting community, expression, access and lifelong learning through engagement with the arts. They are looking for an enthusiastic Chair to help take their work forward. Full job description here.
Application deadline: 14th April
HCA Door Stop Help Project Co-ordinator
Holborn Community Association are recruiting a Door Stop Help Coordinator to help vulnerable older people and build a network of volunteers to support them. This new role offers the chance to make a real difference for vulnerable older adults and help them build meaningful relationships with others across the community, helping them long term.
Application deadline: 4th April
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: 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.
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.
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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.
Local VCS Newsletters
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
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| Got an item for the e-bulletin? |
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| Send your item to social@vac.org.uk by noon on Wednesday for publication in the following Friday’s edition. 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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