Navigate to:

Spotlight  |   Features, News and Policy  |   Funding   |   Events and Training   |
Jobs and Volunteering   |   Surveys, Resources and Opportunities

Upcoming Training & Events

• Camden Carers Service face to face session: Who Cares for the Carer? Voluntary Action Camden, 8-12 Camden High St, NW1 0JH, 13th November, 10:00 am – 11:30 am
• Virtual Workshop: Introduction to Tender – Building a society based on care, kindness and respect, 14th November, 10:00 am – 11:00 am
• Face-to-face: Understanding Safeguarding & Culture in Black and Ethnic Families. (In partnership with AFRUCA) Crowndale Centre 3rd Floor, Training Room 3, 218 Eversholt St, NW1 1BD, 27th November, 10:00 am – 11:45 am

Fallout continues from last week’s budget announcement regarding the rise in National Insurance Contributions for employers, as umbrella bodies NCVO and ACEVO published an open letter that has since been signed by over 1000 charities. Sector leaders have called for exemptions or allowances for charities considering the financial strain many are facing, amid the projection that the policy will cost charities an additional £1.4bn per year.

Trustee vacancies causing skills and governance crisis

Two new reports were published this week revealing the scale of trustee vacancies and the effect this has on charity governance and operations. The reports by NCVO and PBE, show that 4 out of 5 charities in England and Wales now have at least one vacancy on their boards, leading to skills gaps and underrepresentation, especially for smaller charities. Despite this, research shows that satisfaction is high in trustee roles, with 8 in 10 saying they were likely or very likely to recommend their role to others.

Government targets charity tax loopholes

The Government has published a consultation on charities tax compliance, which contains new plans to restrict tax reliefs “in ways that aren’t intended”. The changes intend to prevent misuse of charitable investment rules, among others, and protect the sector’s integrity. They will claim £125m back for the state by 2029-30. 

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!

• John Lyon’s Charity has a number of grants for projects to support and benefit children & young people up to the age of 25 through education in the broadest sense (youth clubs, Arts projects, emotional wellbeing initiatives, supplementary schools etc…). 
• Landsec Futures Community Grants intended to support local not-for-profit organisations with their daily activities to help accelerate their work within local communities located near a participating Landsec site.
• The Govia Thameslink Railway Your Station Your Community improvement fund will support local groups, charities, customers, and the communities on the GTR network.
• The North London Community Fund supports waste prevention initiatives in the north London area. With Q&A webinars on the 14th and 27th November.
• Youth Endowment Fund for delivery organisations in England & Wales that work to reduce young people’s involvement in violence.
• Theatres Trust’s Small Grants programme for essential works to not-for-profit theatres in the UK that will enable them to be viable and thrive in the future.

Participate in a Climate Strategy Room 

Camden Council invites you to join a Strategy Room at the Swiss Cottage Community Centre on November 23rd to help inform Camden’s next Climate Action Plan. In the space of 90 minutes, you will discuss different policies on food and energy. Camden are looking for 12 residents aged 18 and over to participate, and you do not need any specialist skills or knowledge to participate. Each participant will receive a £20 voucher for their time. Please register here by Thursday 21st November. Please email greencamden@camden.gov.uk for any questions. 

Castlehaven’s 2024 Annual General Meeting

Join Castlehaven Community Association on Wednesday, November 27th, from 6 – 8 pm in their Community Hub for the 2024 Annual General Meeting to celebrate their achievements, discuss future plans, and address upcoming challenges. Refreshments will be available, as well as a chance to connect with other members. Everyone is welcome! For more information, please email info@castlehaven.org.uk or call 020 7485 3386.

Children Hope Forever – HUB SUPPORT CLASS

Children Hope Forever are inviting you to join their ESOL CLASS to improve your Language skills and gain more opportunity working in the community and getting online learning. Starting on the 19th November, from 9:30 am-12:30PM, every Tuesday for 6 months. To join, email info@childrenhopeforever.co.uk or visit at 8-12 Camden High Street NW1 0JH. Phone contact: 02031691639.

Multi-agency empowering information sharing workshop

Camden Safeguarding Children Partnership bring you an in-person workshop on 14th November, aimed at providing professionals with the legal framework around information sharing, increasing professional confidence on when and when not to share information, and supporting multi-agency working and understanding of challenges, and more. If you are interested in attending please email Jerrie.Andrews@camden.gov.uk. 

Property Webinar with Ethical Property Foundation

Managing Risks in Charity Buildings: Safeguarding Your Property, People, and Reputation
Join EPF for a live, interdisciplinary seminar where an employment lawyer, building surveyor, and chartered surveyor share their expert insights on managing the risks that come with running a charity building. If you’re a charity manager or leader responsible for staff, volunteers, service users, or the public, this seminar is designed for you. 13th November

COP 29 2-week Series @ STCA

The Somers Town Community Association (STCA) is hosting two weeks worth of free, open-to-all workshops / activities / sessions in partnership with different individuals and organisations to inspire and encourage ideas, conversations and hope around community and climate. Light snacks and drinks to be provided. You can find the list of events that will be running and register for them and more information here. 11-22 Nov.

COP 29: An evening exhibition

The Somers Town Community Association is holding a free evening evening photo exhibition on Nov 20, with food and drinks to showcase its journey (so far) as a community centre working on the Future Neighbourhood 2030 programme. It will also be a space and opportunity for individuals and organisations to meet and create meaningful connections and conversations. Register here. 

Google Q4 Community Training Day

This is a regular opportunity for local organisations to get together at Google’s King’s Cross office for a networking lunch, skills training and a chance to share lessons learned from our community leaders. The Community Leaders Panel will explore how charities can leverage accessible tech for fundraising, operations, and outreach, while the training session will introduce learners to cutting-edge AI tools that are already available from Google and others, to show some of the smartest ways digital-age workers and small businesses can use them to save time at work and on tasks. RSVP here.
14th November, 6 Pancras Square, London N1C 4AG

Brave Café : working together to address domestic abuse

Invitation to Camden residents, business and interested community partners to the following Brave Cafe sessions in Camden;
– Do the LGBTQ+ community feel safe? 12th November
– Understanding refugees, migrants and asylum seekers 13th November
These sessions are for Camden residents and organisations, and are run by Camden Council, Forum+, the Naz & Matt foundation, Hopscotch, and 7PK. They will take place at the Crowndale Centre, NW1 1BD. RSVP to equalities@camden.gov.uk to express your interest in attending. 

Hearing Voices Service Manager (Mind in Camden)

Mind in Camden have an exciting opportunity for a motivated individual to join their Hearing Voices Team as a Service Manager. They are looking for a motivated and experienced individual to help sustain and develop the hearing voices projects. You will have experience of supervising or mentoring staff/volunteers, and have the skills necessary to build a strong and effective team.
Closing Date: 27th November 
 

Collingham Gardens Nursery Manager

Collingham Gardens Nursery, a small, not-for-profit community nurse in Central London is looking for a leader with a heart for adventure and a commitment to nurturing young minds to join their team. Find out more information and how to apply here. 

HCA Doortstep Help – Volunteers Needed

Holborn Community Association’s Doorstep Help Project aims to reduce loneliness and isolation, while empowering older adults to continue living independently, through meaningful, fun and engaging befriending matches, with local volunteers. If this sounds like it could be of interest and you would like to find out more, please get in touch!
You can email on felia@holborncommunity.co.uk or call 07484036879 or 02074052370 (option 2). 

After School Club and Holiday Play Scheme: Play Worker

Not a morning person?! Are you looking for work after school and during school holidays? Do you have experience of supporting primary aged children? The Winch are looking for Play Workers and would love to hear from you! Working from our facilities in Swiss Cottage, Camden, you will join a supportive and experienced team of play workers providing daily after-school and holiday activities.

Educating Beyond Borders – volunteers needed + work experience program

Educating Beyond Borders is recruiting volunteers passionate about advancing inclusive, accessible, and impactful education for all. They empower people in Camden to design and implement innovative educational projects that address local needs. Various roles are available, including social media management, events planning, policy, research and those with a legal background. Interested persons can learn more about how to join their community-driven initiatives and make a real difference by contacting hello@educatingbeyondborders.co. Additionally, work experience opportunities are available on real world projects for young people aged 16+. Programs provide hands-on experience, mentorship, and networking opportunities to help students develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed.

Trustee at Camden Music Trust

Camden Music Trust seeks a trustee to become chair, in due course, of its dynamic and committed board of nine trustees. The well-respected local charity works to help children & young people living in Camden access music education regardless of any obstacles, financial or otherwise. It fundraises to support bursaries, Saturday centres, inclusive music programmes, activities that engage children with special educational needs, and more. The successful candidate will have a deep commitment to music and education, and ensuring that music education is accessible to all children and young people. S/he will work well in a team, and have leadership qualities. A connection with Camden is helpful but not essential. Contact chair@camdenmusictrust.org.

Volunteer for Home-Start Camden & Islington

Home-Start’s volunteers are trained and supported to give free, confidential help and practical assistance to local parents of children under 5 who are struggling. Interested? If you have parenting or childcare experience, they invite you to join their next training course in November. Please contact eleni@homestartcamden.org.

Positively UK recruiting new chair + trustees

Positively UK is a charity supporting people living with HIV. They are looking for a new Chair of the Board of Trustees, and three new trustees to join their board.

Become a SHAK trustee

SHAK is seeking 2-3 new trustees with skills and time to commit to fundraising.  They are particularly interested in recruiting people who live locally and increasing representation at board level from minority communities. You would be joining at an exciting time when SHAK are undertaking a strategic review and setting in place a new plan forward.
If you are interested in applying please click here.

London Vision & Action Plan for Volunteering

The London Vision & Action Plan for Volunteering is launching a series of targeted surveys to help engage volunteer stakeholders so you can have your say about how volunteering in London can be developed. The first survey produced is aimed at Volunteer Managers whose input into this plan is essential. It gives you a real opportunity to say what areas could be developed and your responses will feed directly into the plan’s recommendations.

Camden Deaf Advice Service – available 5 days a week!

The Service supports Camden residents who are aged 18+, D/deaf, deafened, deafblind, hard of hearing or family/carer acting on someone’s behalf. See Camden Council’s social media channels for more information:
• X
• Facebook
• YouTube
• NextDoor

Apply to join Camden Community Wealth Fund’s Youth Panel

Are you aged 16 to 25 – or up to 30 if you meet certain criteria? Do you want to make a difference in your community? Apply to join Camden Community Wealth Fund’s Youth Panel. Camden Community Wealth Fund is launching next year. It will provide repayable long-term finance to help people start or grow a business in Camden. Apply to join the Youth Panel today and help decide how to invest the first £1 million into local businesses that are on a mission to create economic opportunities for young people. Find out more and apply here or email CommunityWealthFund@camden.gov.uk. Applications close on 17 November.

Contribute to State of the Borough 2025
Camden Council has launched a Call for Evidence inviting VCS organisations across the borough to contribute to the annual State of the Borough report. The report is intended as a shared evidence base for the council, partners, communities, and residents. It describes how things are for people in Camden, focusing on outcomes for residents and communities, and using quantitative data, lived experiences, analysis across demographic factors, etc. If you are interested in contributing, you could respond to this expression of interest.  If you would like to know more or have questions, the council is also organising information sessions on 31st October and 6th November.

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

Our mailing address is:
Greenwood Centre, Greenwood Place, London, NW5 1LB

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.