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It’s completely free to sign up to be a member, and membership ensures you will be first to hear about all of the services we offer to the voluntary sector. 

We are launching a new feature in our newsletter, in which we spotlight the work of a particular charity we have been working with or that has been brought to our attention recently. This week, we want to celebrate Somers Town Museum.
In the words of our Health Transformation and Partnership Development Manager, Donna:

“Voluntary Action Camden has supported the development of the Somers Town Museum since its inception as a local History Club celebrating the radical history of the neighbourhood. We have also worked with the Museum to co-deliver a training session on setting up a Community Interest Company (CIC) and promote the Museum to residents looking for opportunities to get involved in community projects through social prescribing referrals.
Led, run, and developed by residents and other volunteers the project has grown into a successful Community Interest Company, and now has shop front premises on Phoenix Road in the heart of Somers Town. An astonishing range of activities and opportunities to get involved are on offer for residents – it is a tiny space with huge ambitions!”

There is so much to discover at the Somers Town Museum…  some of their recent work involved hunting down and bringing home some of the famous Gilbert Bayes sculptures that disappeared from St Pancras Housing estates (now Origin Housing). You can find out more about this and sign up to their newsletter and find out about events and more on the website: https://aspaceforus.club/  

Celebrating Trustees across Camden 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.

Using Statistics and Data Website Guide
If you need guidance on better using statistics and data to support your work and propel new projects forward, take a look at our free guide with tips on grant applications, writing informative articles and where to find up-to-date statistics and insight: Using statistics and data – Voluntary Action Camden (vac.org.uk)

Furniture needed!

We are looking for furniture donations to help with the move into our new office at 8-12 Camden Road. If you have chairs, desks, tables or cabinets that you no longer need, or you know anyone who might be able to help, please get in touch!

NEW – Safeguarding Training 

• Introduction to Safer Recruitment: for Small Orgs and Community Groups 1st Feb , 1- 2:30pm
• Online Safeguarding and Social Media Workshop 8th Feb, 10am – 12:30pm
• Women and Girls’ Personal Safety and Awareness 13th March, 10am – 12pm

More details in the Events and Training section

Labour outline vision for charity sector

At the Labour and Civil Society Summit, Keir Starmer pledged to reset the relationship between government and civil society if his party are elected. The speech called for a “society of service” and was received by charity leaders and shadow ministers. UK Fundraising has more information.

Do you know Camden’s next Youth MP?
Young people across Camden go to the polls from 15-26 April 2024 to elect a new Camden Youth MP and two Deputy Youth MPs. The roles will have a two-year term and be the voice for Camden young people, putting forward their views at a local level but also at a regional and national level through the UK Youth Parliament, run by the British Youth Council.
Young people aged 13 to 19 who wish to stand as candidates can apply before 5pm on Sunday, 25 February by filling in the form in this candidates pack.

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!

Love Camden Cultural Education Fund
This fund enables Camden-based cultural organisations to deliver cultural education and learning projects that promote engagement in free to access high-quality cultural experiences for young people in the borough, through grants of up to £25,000 per project.
Deadline: 2nd February

Disability Justice Fund 
DDPOs (Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations) are eligble to apply for the Disability Justice Fund, which aims to stimulate disability related campaigning or movement building. Two streams of funding are available for organisations that meet the relevant criteria. You can apply here.
Deadline: March 4, 5pm.

Flexible Finance Fund for Black & Racially Minoritised Groups
The Flexible Finance Fund intends to help groups grow or take on assets and become more resilient. It will provide £4 million of funding and support to 15-25 Black and Racially Minoritised charities and social enterprises based in England who are improving people’s lives, or the environment they live in. Find out more here.

New Grants Programme from British Ecological Society
Projects involved in delivering independent outreach, public engagement and science communication activities that engage public audiences with the excitement, importance and relevance of ecological science can apply for funding.
The lead applicant must have a BES membership.
Deadline for applications: 08/03/2024

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 New Groups Network

Next Network meeting: 29th of January

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. The next meeting is online on 29th of January. If you want to join email Vania at vguetova@vac.org.uk.

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:

Introduction to Safer Recruitment – Online
Thursday 1^st February 2024: 1pm – 2.30pm
Essential knowledge for managers, senior workers and leadership teams, permanent workers and volunteers who work with children and young people in the borough.
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

Online Safeguarding and Social Media’ Workshop (In partnership with Camden Prevent and Lightbulb Learners)
Thursday 8th February 2024: 10am – 12.30pm
Face-to-face at: Meeting Room 3.1, Third Floor, Crowndale Centre,
218 Eversholt Street NW1 1BD
Essential knowledge for all, but especially those currently working with children and young people in the borough. 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

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
Lighthouse Project Showcase
Come and celebrate Wipers 10th year at Earth in Hackney, with performances from young artists, rappers and singers, many of whom will be taking the stage for the first time as part of the Lighthouse Project Showcase. This event takes place on Tuesday 30th January, and you can book your tickets here.

UK Community Engagement Training Day
Register before Thursday 1st February for the upcoming day training which includes sessions on growing your business, how to apply for Google apprenticeships, and talks on a range of topics. The event takes place on Friday 9th February. Take a look at the agenda and reserve your place here.  

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 Friday 1 February. Find out more information here. 

Digital Information Skills Workshop
Birkbeck University are hosting an online workshop on the 8th of February, focusing on critical thinking when digesting news media. The approach will be relaxed and interactive, and you don’t have to have any prior experience to attend. Find out more information, and book your place here.

VCC Volunteer Manager’s Forum
On Wednesday 7th February, Volunteer Centre Camden are hosting an online, free to attend forum with opportunities for networking and peer support. Attendees can choose the topics to discuss. Find out more and book your place.

3 New roles at Hillside Clubhouse
Hillside Clubhouse are launching a brand new community café from Highgate East inpatients facility.  Aiming to make the café a warm, safe and supportive destination for the whole community, not just patients and visitors, this is an incredibly exciting opportunity to grow and develop a community café and tackle stigmas associated with mental ill health.  The team will be instrumental in the success of the café. The clubhouse are looking for people who feel confident and happy working under their own initiative as well as leading a small team, but most importantly, people who are passionate about coproduction, food and community!
Three roles are being recruited, the deadlines are 5th and 11th February respectively. Please click on the links below for job descriptions:

–    Full-Time Community Café Manager
–    Part-Time Front of House
–    Part-Time Cook

Community Development Lead – £33,000pa, Full Time

The Winch Community Development Lead will initiate and manage the day-to-day delivery of an exciting new initiative, the Good Neighbourhood Project, supporting residents in Swiss Cottage and Kilburn to imagine and realise a fairer and greener future for the place they call home. This is a new opportunity with huge potential for the successful candidate to shape the project and the role to obtain the best outcomes for residents. The Winch helps residents to build the communities we all deserve. Find out more here or via Charity Jobs                           
The deadline for applications is Sunday 28th January 2024.                                           
We will hold interviews on Wednesday 7th February 2024. 

Community Mental Health Recovery Support Worker

Mind in Camden are looking for looking for a self-motivated, empathic, and dynamic Community Mental Health Recovery Support Worker to join their one-to-one mental health support service.
Closing date:  13.00 on Monday 5th February 2024
Salary: £27,657
Contract: Permanent – fixed until end of March 2026 with probable extension
Hours: 35
Click here to find out more.

Community Champions Co-ordinator
Thanks to extended funding SHAK are looking for a dynamic, committed and organised individual with a passion for community development to lead the “Community Champion project” taking it to the next level. You will build on a successful project which has co-produced initiatives with residents/volunteers such as community gardens, walking, knitting, food-based, arts groups as well as warm spaces and community events/trips.
Click below for more info and to apply:
https://www.charityjob.co.uk/jobs/south-hampstead-and-kilburn-community-partnership/community-champions-coordinator/946752?tsId=36
Closing date: 8 February 2024

Part-time Project Support Worker
Henna Asian Women’s Group are looking for a female with a South Asian language, good administrative and social media skills; empathetic understanding of the issues experienced by and impacting women from the South Asian diaspora.

12-month contract (possibility of extension, depending on funding).
For more information, an application form, job description and personal specifications, please email info@hennaorg.co.uk 
Salary: £23,281.44 pa – (2 ½ days/17.5 hours per week pro rata)
Closing date: Monday 29th January 2024 at noon.

Have your say on the draft new Camden Local Plan 
Camden Council want to hear your views on the draft new Camden Local Plan – the Council’s main planning document, which provides the framework for managing development in the borough.
This is your opportunity to shape the future of Camden. To find out more and share your views go to Have Your Say Today – Draft New Camden Local Plan – Commonplace.
Consultation closes on the 13th March 2024.

Volunteering in Camden survey
VCC want to identify the latest volunteering trends and challenges in Camden. This anonymous survey will help VCC to focus their support in the areas that are needed the most. It will take approximately 2-4mins to complete: Survey.

Affordable, Convenient Office Space in the Heart of the Community

The Winch is a charity that has been working with young people in Camden and nearby areas since 1973. They are currently seeking new tenants for our two office spaces located in Swiss Cottage, with two well-lit, spacious rooms that can accommodate 2-8 people.  Email roomhire@thewinch.org or call 0207 586 8731 for more information.

Office furniture and fittings donation/ reuse opportunity:
An office building in central London (Green Park station) is planning full internal redesign, and offers used office furniture and fittings, which are all in good condition, to local non profit institutions such as schools, retirement homes, council, refugee centres, immigration offices, a designated charity, etc. The offer is on a  “First come first served basis”. Self collection and self dismount if needed.
Viewings 10am-16pm work days. 
Contact:
Alena Kereshun designprojectldn@gmail.com

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

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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