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VAC Case Studies
This week we’re re-visiting the opening of the great Rock ‘N’ Roll Rescue Charity Shop in Camden Town. We spent some time with the shop’s founder, Ian M Carnochan, way back in 2015, to talk about the support he got from VAC, challenges facing a new organisation in starting up, and the state of the charity sector in general. You can read that interview here. 

NEW – Safeguarding Training 

• Dementia, Mental Capacity, and Adult Safeguarding 21st March, 10am – 11am
• Budgeting and Financial Planning 30th April, 9.30am – 4pm

More details in the Events and Training section

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 Giving Equality Fund 2024
Camden Giving set-up a community-first fund called the Equality Fund towards the end of 2020, to ensure that Camden communities are still able to access vital services that may not be replaced if not urgently funded. As with previous years, a panel of Camden residents will award 2-year grants of £30,000. 

VCFSE Small Grant Programme
North London Forensic Collaborative is offering grants to Voluntary Community Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) organisations based in North London, as part of its Small Grant Programme. The Grant Programme is open to VCFSE organisations who currently work with individuals accessing mental health forensic inpatient or community services, as well as organisations that are delivering health and wellbeing initiatives in local communities that with additional investment, could extend this offer to individuals accessing mental health forensic services.

COF Accepting Expressions of Interest
The Government has announced that ahead of the launch of the fourth and final round of the £150 million Community Ownership Fund (COF), it has published a new Expression of Interest (EOI) form. Proposals will need to prove the value of the asset to local people and that the asset can run sustainably for the long-term benefit of the community. 

Learning Through Landscapes Nature Grants Programme
Learning Through Landscapes is offering outdoor learning training sessions and nature equipment for nurseries, schools, and other early learning providers to promote outdoor learning for children. The Local School Nature Grants Scheme will provide a two-hour outdoor learning training session, along with an assortment of equipment up to the value of £500.

7Stars Foundation opens second round of applications 
7Stars Foundation is offering grants of up to £2,500 for registered charities with an annual turnover of less than £1.5 million across the UK to deliver projects and activities that support young people aged 16 years and under across the priority themes of abuse, addiction, child carers, and homelessness.

DfE’s Trust Capacity Fund 2023-25 Accepting Applications
The Department for Educations (DfE) is accepting applications for funding to help multi-academy trusts develop their capacity and take on underperforming schools, particularly in education investment areas. Local Academy Trust and local authority-maintained schools forming a multi-academy trust (MAT) can apply now for grants ranging from £50,000 to £100,000. 

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, Mental Capacity, and Adult Safeguarding 21st March, 10am – 11am
Budgeting and Financial Planning 30th April, 9.30am – 4pm

OTHER EVENTS

Survivors Can Shine Ambassadors for Change Event
Taking place on Hampstead Heath on Saturday 25th May, the Ambassadors for Change Community Event is bringing children, young people and the wider community together in collective strength in a positive movement for change. The day will be filmed as part of the documentary, and will include musical performances, food, games, activities and prizes. Register here and contact Lily if you want to volunteer or host a stall.

CAWH
Community coffee with PCSO
An opportunity to meet your local police community support officer and a chance to ask questions about the safety in your area. All are welcome!
Tuesday 12th March from 11am to 12:30pm, free of Charge 
Music and art for the mind
A time to create and sing and enjoy the present moment together.
13th & 20th March
Contact Beatrice by email or on 0207 794 3729 for information on both events, which take place at West Hampstead Community Centre , 17 Dornfell Street, NW6 1QN.

London Repair week and events in Camden 
Want to save money, gain skills and help the planet? Repair Week is taking place from 11 March and the next two Camden Fix and Do events will happen then – on 14 and 18 March. Find out more about these events and register interest here. Find more events and learn new skills for free in London.

Girls and young women invited to celebrate International Women’s Day
Girls and young women aged 11 to 18 (up to 25 with special educational needs or disabilities) are invited to a free day of activities to celebrate International Women’s Day 2024. The event is hosted by Camden’s Integrated Youth Support Service and lunch will be provided. Free activities on the day will include clay modelling, jewellery making, hair braiding, self-defence, baking, T-shirt printing, Chinese calligraphy, steel pans and more… To book your place for this free event, please fill in the online registration form.
Saturday 9 March, Somers Town Youth Centre, 134 Chalton Street, NW1 1RX

Litter picking and the Great British Spring Clean 
Help keep Camden clean by taking part in Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean from 15 March to 31 March 2024. If you’re organising a community litter pick then Camden Veolia can provide litter picking equipment. Find out more and request equipment.

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). 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Free hip hop & street dance classes for ages 5-16
Remix Dance is a community dance project, which runs free weekly after-school hip hop and street dance classes – as well as offering performance opportunities – to children and young people aged 5 to 16 from the Regent’s Park Estate and across Camden borough. This year’s Wednesday after-school classes, which take place at Old Diorama Arts Centre (ODAC), 201 Drummond Street NW1, during term-time are now enrolling. For more information, email mariam@olddiorama.com.

Local VCS Newsletters

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