|
Spotlighted Charity of the week – The Touch Project
Welcome to one of our Camden New Groups Network members – Touch Project, and its founder Kathy Breidenbach.
VAC has recently started the New Groups Network for support and peer mentoring, and we were delighted to meet Kathy and learn about her work and her organisation. Touch Project is a Not-for-Profit community interest company and is run by a team of experienced, qualified & caring volunteers.
Find out what Touch Project is about and what they do in Kathy’s own words and photos of her and her faithful assistant Joy:
“Our mission is to encourage learning, growing, and helping people connect to all aspects of themselves. If you want to reduce stress & improve relaxation, if you’d like to have fun while improving your wellbeing naturally and nurture more caring connection in your life, please come and join us as we co-create wellbeing workshops every Thursday evening and the last Sunday afternoon of the month.
 
Every week we joyfully explore connection, communication, boundaries, and enjoy home-made healthy goodies. Wellness skills nurture and improve your quality of your life! We have Joy the Labradoodle, so you can get some good puppy love at a fully accessible venue, the Old Diorama near Euston.”
Free female and helper tickets are available, please call Kathy on 07832737813.
https://www.touchproject.world/
NEW – Safeguarding Training
More details in the Events and Training section
|
|
Culture Secretary calls for automated gift aid
As part of a call for wider tax reform to benefit the charity sector, culture secretary Lucy Fraser has put forward plans to simplify the gift aid process. The treasury has heard how UK charities benefit less from gift aid than comparable countries and also receives fewer donations from wealthy donors. The proposed strategy would include automating gift aid to improve the situation.
Charity Retail Association reports online shopping boost
The annual report from the Charity Retail Association shows a significant growth in sales from online shopping. The period leading up to year end 2023 generated an increase of 19.4% in online income for charity shops, compared to the same period the previous year. The report also showed that holiday periods including Easter and Christmas continue to be lucrative for charity shop sales.
Lloyds Foundation CEO hails impact of small charities
Paul Streets, CEO of Lloyds Bank charitable foundation gave his thoughts on the importance of small charities and how vital they are in plugging the gaps that are so often missed by wider society. This article focuses on a Rochdale charity that treats addiction issues, giving a great insight into how smaller organisations operate and meet the needs of their communities. |
|
|
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!
Impetus Youth Endowment Fund
Funding is available for organisations in England and Wales to support themed interventions that aim to prevent children and young people from being affected by or becoming involved in violence. Applications can be made by any registered organisation including registered charities, companies, statutory bodies and community interest companies (CICs) supporting support children and young people in England and/or Wales.
Comic Relief fund to support young homeless people
This is a new funding opportunity for UK based not-for-profit organisations that specialise in providing holistic support to young people aged 16-25 in the UK, who are at risk of, or experiencing homelessness. Although not a requirement, there is interest in organisations who work to change public attitudes towards youth homelessness and/or reduce the stigma and discrimination that young people face.
Deadline of 7 May 2024
CBF fund for reducing suicide and isolation
City Bridge Foundation is offering grants for registered charities, community groups, community interest companies, and other not-for-profit organisations across Greater London, to deliver projects and activities that aim to reduce isolation and increase community connection among those at risk of suicide. Examples of the type of work that can be funded include peer support services, men’s sheds activities, crisis cafes, and creative activities such as film-making workshops or performing arts.
Trust for UK charities focused on disability
The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust offers grants of £5,000 for projects that are focused on disability, specifically employment and training for people living with disabilities to ensure better access. Applications will not be accepted from CICs or non-profit organisations. The funding cannot be used for capital projects, minibuses or other vehicles.
|
|
|
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:
Protecting Children in the Community 24th April, 10.00am – 12.30pm, & May 7th, 10:00am – 11.45 am
Dementia Awareness Workshop 25th April, 10.30am – 12pm
Budgeting and Financial Planning 30th April, 9.30am – 4pm
Voluntary sector organisational structures; what’s right for you? 15th May, 10.00am – 12.00pm
OTHER EVENTS
Camden’s ‘Small Grants Funding’ Training
In partnership with Camden Adult Community Learning (ACL), this upcoming training will provide you with the basic understanding and structure you will require in order to apply for external funding to support your organisation and activities. The training is open to all residents but there is availability for up to 14 participants on a first come first served basis. If you or someone on your Committee is interested in attending, please email tp@camden.gov.uk or robert.quaye@camden.gov.uk.
9th April, Crowndale Centre, 218 Eversholt Street, NW1 1BD
Camden Highline “Tracking the Heritage” Exhibition
As part of the new Camden Highline project, a new free exhibition is being held at Camden Collective to explore the heritage of Camden Town. Delving into the history of the route proposed for the highline, the exhibition aims to share with the public the transition of the area from green hills to transport hub to cultural epicentre. You can book your ticket here.
14th-17th April.
Webinars from the Ethical Property Foundation
Everyday premises management
The Ethical Property Foundation are hosting two free webinars to support the UK voluntary sector, with the first on 23rd April, featuring experienced surveyors and property advisers. Attendees will find out about the finances and risks of property management, looking after tenants and what makes a greener workplace, as well as understanding the principles of effective maintenance management. The webinar will also include an information pack with the opportunity to obtain free follow-up expert advice. You can sign up here.
Negotiating and Managing Your Lease
Their second webinar will take place on 30th May and is all about helping you better understand the terminology, principles and common problem areas around negotiating your lease.
Workshop for Mayor of London’s Shared Endeavour Fund
In a recent newsletter, we shared information about the Mayor of London’s Shared Endeavour Fund, which is for registered charities, constituted community groups and other not-for-organisations working to tackle intolerance and extremism. To learn more about the grant programme and how to apply, register for a free online workshop taking place on Thursday 18 April, 12-2 PM. If organisations would like to discuss their application ideas with Camden Council, contact Jane.Murphy@camden.gov.uk. The application deadline for the Shared Endeavour Fund is midnight on Sunday 5 May 2024.
|
|
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
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
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.
|
|
|
Guidance produced around political campaigning
A number of organisations have published guidance for charities on the rules around political campaigning which is especially relevant considering the high likelihood of a general election this year. NCVO, along with ACEVO, issued this in-depth report, while Lloyds Bank Foundation have also produced a guide specifically for small and local charities.
New tool for exploring local statistics
Those who need to gather statistics for use in projects or to prepare funding applications, may find this new service from the Office for National Statistics useful. You can search by local authority area and parliamentary constituency, and the data includes housing, household income and health and business information.
Volunteers needed to lead Camden reading group
The Reader is a project put together by Camden Libraries for the visually impaired, which brings people together by reading stories and poems aloud. They are looking for volunteers to lead the reading group in Pancras Square library. The volunteers will receive in-depth training and support from the community of reader leaders. Contact filizemre@thereader.org.uk to find out more.
SHP Peer Mentoring Team open recruitment
SHP Peer Mentoring Team are looking for volunteers to join their peer mentoring service in Camden, Islington and Westminster with lived experience of substance use, mental health support, homelessness and the criminal justice system and who are now a minimum 6 months abstinent, are stable in their recovery and want to volunteer their time to help others. Send applications and enquiries to peermentoring@shp.org.uk by 28th April 2024.
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
|
|
| Got an item for the e-bulletin? |
|
| 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. |
|
|
|
