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Last call for our Trustee celebration on February 28th
Calling Camden’s charity and community group trustees! We’re honouring your hard work and support in our annual trustee event, hosted with Volunteer Centre Camden. This is your opportunity to meet other trustees and celebrate the year’s work over food and drink. Get your ticket here.

Guide to Financial Management
One of the many key resources available on our website, check out our financial management guide, with tips on setting up a management system, implementing budgets, and creating annual reports.

NEW – Safeguarding Training 

• Deconstructing Binary Gender and Understanding Labels 29th February, 10am – 11am
• Women and Girls’ Personal Safety and Awareness 13th March, 10am – 12pm
• Dementia, Mental Capacity, and Adult Safeguarding 21st March, 10am – 11am

More details in the Events and Training section

Report on UK Poverty in 2024

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation have released a new report which analyses poverty across the UK, as well as the outlook on the future picture. The report looks into which groups are most affected by high poverty levels, and suggests a number of ways in which the problem might be tackled.

Research indicates charities subsidise public spending to tune of £2.4bn a year
In a survey by New Philanthropy Capital, 62% of charity leaders said that their organisation had had to use alternative funding sources to deliver public services they are contracted for. The survey also revealed that a majority of the public (59%) want government to work in partnership with charities more.

New Age UK report on the health and care of over 50s
Encompassing the cost of living crisis, the impact of Covid-19 and a range of other ongoing health and care issues, this report from Age UK offers a sobering and comprehensive look at the challenges facing those aged 50 and over.

Croydon charity urgently seeking help finding a new home

 The Cassandra Centre, a charity offering counselling, education and support particularly to women who have been impacted by domestic violence, is now without a home for almost a year after losing their previous base. The enforced switch means support can now only be offered virtually or from public or temporary spaces, limiting the ways in which help can be given to those in need.

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!

Camden Community Infrastructure Levy
Used to re-distribute funds generated from new developments back into the community, this local levy is open to a wide range of projects related to social and physical infrastructure. For more information on how to apply, as well as assessment criteria, have a look at this helpful guide from the council.

The Community Ownership Fund
The Community Ownership Fund is a £150 million fund over 4 years to support community groups across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland to take ownership of assets which are at risk of being lost to the community.

Shell UK Skills Transition Fund 
This fund aims to invest in initiatives led by community organisations that could help people with the skills they need to get into employment, with a focus on the 2035 energy transition. The scheme will award grants between £5,000 – £10,000 per project. You can apply here, and there are also 2 drop in sessions which you can attend, on 28th February and 6th March.

Young Camden Foundation Supplementary Education fund
Dedicated to providing core cost support for supplementary schools and out-of-school settings associated with organisations actively delivering in Camden. Applications are invited from such organisations with a strong emphasis on providing core thematic learning experiences to children and young people.

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

CONNECT LEARN SHARE:  VAC Camden New Groups Network
Next Network meeting: 26th of February
Are you setting up a new non-profit in the area? Our next New Groups meeting is 26/02 – connect with likeminded people, share your experiences and learn other approaches to establishing a group in the VCS. Email vguetova@vac.org.uk if you’re interested!
New Groups Network

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:

Women and Girls’ Personal Safety and Awareness
(In partnership with The Safeguarding Foundation)
Wednesday 13 March 2024, 10.00am – 12.00pm
Face to face at Ludham & Waxham TRA Hall, Lismore Circus, Camden NW3
To find out more or to secure your place, please visit our website or email the VAC Safeguarding Lead Dianne Carlton-Ogunyemi on: dogunyemi@vac.org.uk

OTHER EVENTS

Volunteer Managers’ Forum – Peer Support and Networking 
Volunteer Centre Camden are hosting a free to attend online forum on Wednesday 6th March – you choose the topics to discuss! Based on all things related to volunteer management. Find out more information and book your place here.

FYA Masterclass on working with young people
This masterclass from Fitzrovia Youth in Action is free for professionals that work with young people who work within Camden, Westminster, and neighbouring NCL boroughs, and would like to gain a youth-led lens on a range of areas relating to encouraging youth participation and coproduction. The event presents a fantastic opportunity to network with other youth organisations, skill-share best practice and refresh expertise. Book your place here or email delicha.changa@fya.org.uk.
27th February 2024, the Warren Centre, W1T 5JU. 

“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, including food, massage, mindfulness sessions and more. With something for everyone, there’s no need to book – just turn up.
29th February, Swiss Cottage, 8 Fairhazel Gardens, NW6 3SG

Online Criminology Taste Course from Birkbeck University
This free 5 week course from Birkbeck University will introduce you to Criminology – the study of crime, those who commit it, and how we respond to it. Aimed at those with an interest in Criminology who would like to study that subject at university and designed for those who have had a break from education.
Starts: 6 March 2024, 18:00

SPCA Comedy & Curry night 
Join St. Pancras Community Association and seven comedians, including host Charlotte Evans, for comedy, curry and drinks. Book your tickets for just £15, which includes the entry fee, a delicious curry, and a chance to support a good cause. Tickets available here.
Friday, March 15th, 67 Plender Street, NW1 0LB

Full Talk for Health Peer Counselling Skills Programme
Talk for Health are hosting a number of events to introduce people to their counselling programme, which teaches the skills of authentic talking, empathic listening and managing a group. This enables graduates to go on and join or set up their own ongoing groups for connection and wellbeing. The course opens on Saturday 2nd March. Find out more information here. 

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.

Part time Guest Co-ordinator at Touch Project

The Touch Project are looking for a reliable, trustworthy, local person, ideally with a DBS, who would like one hours work on Thursday evenings at the Old Diorama Arts Centre, from 6-7pm each week. This person would ideally be female or non-binary, and would be responsible for room set up and welcoming guests. Please contact Kathy by text on 07932737813 if you would like to apply.

Workshop on the draft new Camden Local Plan 
On Thursday 7th March, the council are holding a workshop for disabled residents to discuss the draft new Camden Local Plan – the council’s main planning document, which provides the framework for managing development in the borough. BSL Interpreters and Captions/ Speech to Text support are being booked for this meeting at the Crowndale Centre, NW1 1BD. Email equalities@camden.gov.uk to book your place.  

NPC System Practice Toolkit
This new toolkit from New Philanthropy Capital offers a series of different tools to help charities approach and face problems with systematic thinking. You can also join their event on 24th April for a demonstration on using two of these tools. 

Combatting social isolation with Steps to Togetherness
Steps to Togetherness is an initiative that aims to build community connections, encourage workplace inclusivity, and recognise the political nature of building diverse social networks, and consequently decrease levels of loneliness and social isolation. They have also launched a manual with practical steps and ideas for individuals and community leaders to achieve these goals.

CharityComms AI Hub
Featuring tips, tools and resources for using AI effectively in the charity sector, this wide-ranging hub is a continually developing place for non-profits to visit to learn how to use AI to their advantage.

Apply to become a Love Camden Advisor
Camden council are looking for 10 new advisors on a new cultural programme to celebrate the borough. Aimed at bringing communities together, advisors will live or work in Camden who are passionate about developing and showcasing local identity. 

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 Camden (sign up)
Somers Town People’s Museum
Calthorpe Community Garden
Torriano Meeting House
Abbey Community Centre
Brandon Centre

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

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