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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.

VAC Member Benefits Report 2023
We held a survey last year to find out how our members are benefitting from their partnership with VAC, and ways in which we could improve. You can read the report here. Thanks to all who took part!

Community Action Research Evaluation
We’ve just published our report on community voices and participation and developing an integrated approach to health and care. Read more information on the process and impact of our research here.

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 

• 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

How Digital Funding is changing in 2024

The Catalyst have conducted an in-depth analysis on expectations around funding for digital costs over the coming year. The article is based on interviews with people working for UK grantmakers, and their thoughts on how digital funding continues to develop, the focus for funders and how some lack confidence in assessing funding applications.

Donations not reaching charities most in need 
Studies by think tank Centre for Cities show a mismatch between charitable giving and areas of greatest need. Their report investigates the geography of charitable giving in the UK, and whether charitable donations could be redistributed to better support areas most in need. 

Charity Interns pilot for over 50s
A new pilot scheme from Charity Interns is aimed at encouraging over 50s, who face barriers to finding VCS opportunities, to transition into the voluntary sector. Supported by a number of partners, including Age UK and the British Heart Foundation, paid internship positions have been created as a stepping stone for people aged over 50, or those who have taken a career break, to work for a charity.

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!

Free webinar on accessing funding
Does your community organisation need additional funds? A free webinar on February 22nd will show charitable organisations how they can receive free unrestricted funding in 2024 through the funding platform Easyfundraising. The webinar is suitable for anyone involved in fundraising for good causes of all shapes and sizes including voluntary groups, CICs, social enterprises, churches, schools, sports clubs and charities. You can register for the event here. 

GLL Sport Foundation Awards 2024 
Talented young athletes from 65 areas across the UK are invited to apply for a range of support, including financial help, access to sports facilities, physiotherapy, lifestyle mentoring and mental health aid. Now in its 15th year, the GLL Sport Foundation has so far contributed over £14m and distributed 26,000 awards to support young talented athletes on their sporting journey. Successful applicants will be given access to the 250 sport and leisure facilities across the UK operated by GLL under its ‘Better’ trading brand. Applications are open until 20 February 2024.

Barclays Community Football Fund Opens
Barclays Bank in partnership with the Sported Foundation is offering grants to not-for-profit organisations operating in an area of high deprivation to support delivery of their football activities to engage with young people (under the age of 25 years) from underrepresented groups. This is an access grant which aims to help improve access to football for all. 

Supplementary Education Fund Webinar
YCF and John Lyon’s Charity are delighted to announce that the Supplementary Education fund has returned for 2024! The application window has recently opened and closes on 23rd February. This webinar will help you to fully understand whether this grant is right for your organisation and you will be able to ask questions. For further information and guidance relating to this fund, please click here.

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:

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

Community Climate Action day 
Join Camden’s sustainability team on 2nd March to connect with residents and local organisations taking action on the climate crisis, and see how you can get involved. There are a range of iniatives and opportunities you can get get involved with and benefit from, including workshops on food redistribution and community engagement. This event is free to attend, please register here. 

Wellbeing Open Day at CAWH – 17th February
Everyone is welcome to try out a wide range of activites and fitness taster sessions for free, at the Community Association for West Hampstead. The event is open to everyone, both young and old, and no booking is required. Just come along on the day and have a go at some of the activities that CAWH offers at the centre. 

How to talk freely about your culture
Author, business mentor and trainer Sharon McLean will be reading from her book at Kilburn Library on 19th February. The event hopes to inspire and help people talk freely about their own culture and how to write their story with confidence.

Public engagement on loneliness & social isolation
Camden’s Disability Oversight Panel invites disabled residents, carers and supporting VSC organisations to attend its forthcoming public engagement session on 21st February, with information on how to build friendships and community connections. With BSL Interpreters and caption/speech to text support.
To register, contact disabilityoversightpanel@camden.gov.uk or call 0207 9743 578. 

Camden Talks Data 
Camden’s participation and partnerships team are hosting this open discussion about how data is collected and used ethically to improve services for Camden residents. You do not need any special knowledge about data or technology to take part. There will be presentations, panel discussions and breakout sessions about visualising data through maps. Check the link below or call +44 20 7974 5739 to book a place.
Date: Wednesday 6th March
More information.

St Pancras Housing Centenary Info Session
It’s 100 years of St Pancras housing! Come along to this meeting on 14th February to plan the celebrations and to protect St Mary’s Church, where it all began. Call out for artists, locals, and those interested in social housing to contribute. If you cannot make this meeting, come on Fridays between 3-5pm or email at info@aspaceforus.club.

Is University for Me? With study skills workshop
Hosted by Birkbeck’s Access and Engagement Department, this event is aimed at adults going to university for the first time and will offer practical advice and guidance for overcoming common challenges and concerns. With a Q&A session, a study skills workshop and a student finance talk, the aim is to help you decide if university is the right option for you. Sign up or learn more here.
Date: 17th February

Learning and Development Business Partner at LDN
Learning Disability Network have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Learning and Development Business Partner to join our friendly team. If you’re someone who is focused and innovative and drives staff learning and development, then LDN London would like to hear from you!
Closing Date: Monday 12th February

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.

Employability Programme for Autistic Adults
Camden Autism Pathways to Employment is a five week programme designed to revolutionise the employment landscape for autistic individuals, equipping them with the tools, knowledge, and confidence needed to pursue their career goals with competence and determination. Participants will receive hands-on guidance in crafting professional CVs and cover letters, ensuring they can effectively showcase their qualifications and skills. The inaugural program is scheduled to commence on 26th February. To find out more click here.

Youth Camden Foundation events and training
There are a series of events and training coming up from YCF over the next few months. Please find information on deaf awareness training, webinars on LGBTQ+ Awareness and getting youth work qualifications, and a forum on working with children and young people. 

February half-term activities for children and young people
Children, young people and their parents / carers can find free and low-cost February 2024 half-term sport, youth, play, creative arts and cultural activities in Camden on Camden Rise website.

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

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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