Voluntary Action Camden e-bulletin 12th October 2018

Council tenants and leaseholders Survey

What level of influence do you think you should have in the delivery and running of the Council’s housing services? Your views will contribute to the development of the Resident Participation Strategy 2019 -2022.
You can access our online survey via Camden Council’s online Consultation Hub by going to Camden.gov.uk/getinvolved
You can also read about our current approach by clicking this link.
If you would prefer a hard copy or would like assistance in completing the survey, please email tp@camden.gov.uk

Employing a personal assistant

Organised by Camden Disability Action
How to safely recruit PA’s; Setting the boundaries; Keeping control; How to manage staff on a day to day basis; What to do if things go wrong; Keeping everything safe and legal
At Charlie Ratchford Resource Centre, Belmont Street, NW1 8HF
Wednesday – 17th October
Wednesday – 24th October
Friday – 9th November
The sessions run from 10.30 am – 1.30 pm and then a hour for lunch.
Contact Nital Patel to book a place or for more info nita.patel@psic.org.uk

An evening with Antony Gormley, 7pm 7 November 2018

Antony Gormley, one of Britain’s great living artists, will be joined by anthropologist Hugh Brody and psychoanalyst Margot Waddell for this evening of discussion and film at Belsize Square Synagogue. Included will be a special screening of “Inside Australia”, Hugh Brody’s 52-minute documentary about Antony Gormley’s stunning 51-sculptue installation on Lake Ballard in Western Australia. All proceeds will fund Camden Psychotherapy Unit’s provision of low cost psychotherapy for Londoners in need. For more information and tickets visit insideaustralia.eventbrite.co.uk or call CPU on 0207 284 6558.

Monthly Health Walks with West Euston Partnership

West Euston Partnership will be holding a monthly health walk on Wednesday, 17 October. Participants will be meeting at 9:45am in the One Stop Shop, located at 29-31 Hampstead Road, then continuing on to Regent’s Park. Health walks are a great way to fit in a bit of light exercise while also admiring the beautiful autumn colours and sharing some lovely conversation. Please call 020 7388 7932 or email chuks@westeuston.org.

Volunteer with VAC and develop experience and skills in public health

VAC can provide training, and sessional work opportunities for committed volunteers. Benefits include free Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH) training to volunteer Health Advocates for Community Links, part of a new Care Navigation and Social Prescribing service in Camden. See Jobs and Volunteers section below for full details.

Board Games Afternoon at the H-Pod

Tuesday, 23 October, WEP will be holding a board games afternoon. We will be playing games and enjoying light refreshments while we chat with you about Healthtrain. We are looking for fresh thoughts to  help us to improve our services. rsvp 020 7388 7932 email: chuks@westeuston.org

Camden Intergenerational Network

Find out more, read the latest newsletter and join up here.

Tame Anxiety

Tuesday 16th October (11am – 1pm)
Come along to a FREE and fun workshop. Our experienced and qualified coach will provide learn simple tips and techniques for reducing anxiety.
Live with more joy and happiness every day.
Interested? Please called David Hermanstein on 020 7388 7932 or at david.hermanstein@camden.gov.uk

Our Kind of Town – Livingmaps Network Autumn Lecture

Greenery and Greed: the Loss of Natural London
Wed 21 November 2018, 18:00 – 20:00 at UCL, Gower St, WC1
The greenery of London, its parks and gardens, its woods and wild places and its wonderful collection of street trees, is one of the city’s most valuable and distinctive attributes. But it did not happen by chance. Nearly every open space has, at some time in its history, been campaigned for, argued over or fought for, sometime literally, whilst many of its street trees were the result of a radical, and sometimes controversial, civic movement. Book at Eventbrite.

Camden Disability Action

Catch up with the latest news from Camden Disability Action.

See the Funding pages on VAC’s website for all the latest information.

London Early Years Campaign.

The Mayor is offering a total of £150,000 to improve awareness of free early education for 2-year-olds and increase take up of places by eligible families.
City Hall will award a maximum of 30 grants of between £5,000 and £15,000 each to local projects. The proposals must target areas of low take up and evidence how they will effectively engage families and communities who are currently missing out on this vital offer.
Interested bidders should have excellent links with local communities and understanding of barriers to take up of early education specific to those communities. We expect the applicants to have strong partnerships with their respective local authorities in order to understand their local childcare market, and with their local early years providers in order to provide families with access to a childcare place.
Delivery is expected to take place between January 2019 and September 2019. Full details here.

Power Up: resourcing women’s and girls’ movements for change

Fund opens 8th October 2018 and closes 7th December 2018
Up to £300K is available for single applicants, or up to £500k for partnerships
Find out more at the Comic Relief website.

Waitrose Community Matters

Launched in 2008, Waitrose Community Matters initiative donated over £14 million to local charities chosen by the public. Using tokens provided at the till, customers decide how much of a £1,000 monthly total (£500 in convenience shops) is given to the three charities or community groups, nominated by customers and selected by Partners.
Online, Waitrose.com also shares a donation of £25,000 between 3 national causes. After checkout, you will be asked to vote for one of the national causes we are supporting. Each cause will receive a share according to the number of votes – just as we do in our branches. Apply here.

The Feminist Review Trust

The Feminist Review Trust gives grants to projects in the UK and internationally that support women
In 2018 and 2019 we will particularly welcome applications that focus on campaigning and activism in the following areas:
~ Lesbian and transgender rights
~ Violence against women and girls
~ Disabled women and girls
~ Refugee women and girls
Find out more at Feminist Review Trust website.

The HS2 Camden Fund

The Camden Fund aims to strengthen the sense of place and alleviate the disruption of the development of HS2 Ltd. on local people by achieving one or more of the following aims:
1. A Happier and Healthier Camden
2. A Better Connected Camden
3. A Stronger Voluntary and Community Sector
We aim to inform applicants of the result of their application within 16 weeks. Applicants can submit applications at any point between midnight on the 15th May 2018 and midnight on the 14th May 2020. Full details at Camden Giving.

Healthy Minds Programme with Mind in Camden

The latest Healthy Minds community programme is now available.  A range of activities are available from VAC, Mary Ward, Mind in Camden, BWA, Good Gym, the Round House and more.  Find out what’s on and how to book.

Health and Safety Essentials – 21 November 2018

Wednesday, 21st November, 10:00am – 1:00pm
Do you have responsibilities for health and safety where you work? Do you want to know your rights when it comes to health and safety? And know how to enforce your rights? You get a certificate at the end of the course. Learn about:
~ The main UK health and safety laws
~ Who is responsible for health and safety at work
~ Who enforces health and safety
~ Basic risk assessment
~ Sources of information and support
The training is ideal for people new to health and safety or those wanting to refresh their knowledge. The course also covers all the requirements for running a community group safely. In particular, migrant workers or recent arrivals in the UK will gain important knowledge about their rights. Book here.

Creativity and Wellbeing Day

Tuesday 16th October, 10am – 2pm at Surma Centre, 1 Robert St, NW1
Join us as we celebrate our local achievements this October and launch our brand new programme.  Tea, lunch and a chat. Try your hand at some new activities. See what local organisations have to offer
RSVP: eroberts@mindincamden.org.uk

Need a Venue near Chalk Farm?

VAC now has 3 new rooms to hire out for Events/Training, etc. at our new base in the Charlie Ratchford Centre in Chalk Farm.
The Dining Room can hold up to 60 people, this can be useful for any large social events, AGMs, conferences, etc.
The Buffet Room can hold up to 20 people comfortably for training/workshops
The Lounge is a open area for anything that is not confidential and can hold up to 20 people
Rates and full details on the VAC website.

More details on the VAC website: https://vac.org.uk/events/

Camden Supplementary Schools Forum

Friday 19th October, 2:00pm – 4:00pm
5 Pancras Square, Kings Cross, London, N1C 4AG ( Room 11.12 Kingsgate)
The forum will be an opportunity to network and hear from Camden Learning about plans and support that is available to supplementary schools. You will also be hearing from guest speakers on topics such as mentoring, training, projects, accreditation and funding.
Please confirm your attendance by emailing suzie.yassin@camden.gov.uk with name(s) of attendee(s) and name of organisation.

Make Change Happen

Online Course from Oxam and the OU starting 15th October.
Understand how power dynamics, collaboration, opportunity and action can tackle injustice and bring positive change. This course will help you to understand the context of your situation, along with your existing sources of power and influence. You’ll be guided by examples of successful international movements and local community action – connecting with other changemakers around the globe. Find out more at FutureLearn.com

Healthwatch Camden AGM

Tuesday 23 October 18.00-20.00
at the St Pancras and Somers Town Living Centre
Please RSVP at info@healthwatchcamden.co.uk  by 10th October

Self-Care Workshops

The workshops will inform participants about what local services are available to them in addition to their GPs, and how they can better manage their health.
Click here to register.
~  24 October 10:00 – 12:00 (Queen’s Crescent Community Association)
~  8 November 1:30 – 3:30 (Kingsgate Community Association)
~  21 November 10:00 – 12:00 (Pax Lodge, Olave Centre)

Archiving Protest Materials

17 October, 10am to 8pm 230 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 4QH
Learn to digitise and upload your archive. Flyers, newsletters, photos, videos and more are all welcome. Drop in between 10am and 7pm. Bring a laptop if you can. Book here, email: historyofresistance@gmail.com or 07894 350478.

Bloomsbury Festival Family Fun Day & 1A Arts Film

21st October is Family Fun Day and will also feature a screening of a film produced by a group of young people at 1A Arts. Find out more here.

Improve your English Skills through  Fun Social Learning

At The Wellcome Collection Reading Room, Euston Road, NW1.
Starts Friday 2nd November 10.15-12 Every 2 weeks. Includes a free lunch!
E: hello@speak-street.com   T: 020 3637 9668
Free. Priority spaces for WC1 and NW1 residents

Volunteer Managers’ Forum: Networking & Peer Support

Join Volunteer Centre Camden for the Volunteer Managers’ Forum Tuesday 13th November, 10am-1pm in Camden to discuss all things volunteer management with volunteer managers in Camden, and beyond.
The topics will be varied, and can be anything related to managing volunteers – and will be decided by you on the day. Book at Eventbrite.

Healthwatch Camden’s Community Forum

Tuesday 23 October at 4.30. Have your say by attending the event and help to make sure that Camden’s health and social care services are the most people-focused in the country. The location is the Living Centre. RSVP for more information to info@healthwatchcamden.co.uk

Healthfest

CLDS health and wellbeing event
Friday 26 October, 10am to 4pm
at Charlie Ratchford Resource Centre, Belmont Street, NW1 8HF
Come along on the day to find out about staying safe, staying healthy, staying active and having fun. Find out more at 020 79 74 37 37

‘Creating a Stronger Voluntary & Community Sector’

Thursday, 15th November, 5:30 PM 7:00 PM
Camden Giving has funding available through the HS2 Camden Fund for creating a ‘Stronger Voluntary and Community Sector’. We will share some tips and ideas about applications you could consider applying to us for under this strand so that you can begin to plan your project proposal.
This free workshop is aimed at not-for-profits with an income of less than £500k, whose projects/activities benefit Camden communities.
Click here to book a place or email danielle@camdengiving.org.uk.

Musculoskeletal health & wellbeing in Camden

An opportunity to meet the Camden MSK management team and our partners.
Wed 17 October 11am to 2.30pm at  Charlie Ratchford Centre, Belmont Street
Jonathan Hearsey – what is Camden MSK and how do we help the people of Camden?
Lorraine Patel  – what happens once a GP refers you?
Cristina Serrao – do you want to get involved with shaping the service?
Information stalls and Q&A session with local organisations including Connect, Camden Carers, iCope, IESO Digital Health, Women In Health, Age UK, VAC.
Register with Cristina Serrao, MSK Patient Director cristina.serrao@nhs.net

Camden Community Festivals

For a full list of Community Festivals happening in Camden this year, visit the Camden Community Festivals page on the VAC website.

October Volunteering Fair

Looking to recruit volunteers in Camden or Islington?
Bookings are now open for the Volunteer Centre Camden  Supersized Volunteering Fair on Wednesday 31st October, 12-2pm.
This fair is co-hosted with Volunteer Centre Islington and takes place in King’s Cross at Voluntary Action Islington on Pentonville Road.
This is open to all voluntary organisations that have volunteering in Camden, Islington and their borders.

Little Village Opportunities

Little Village collects great quality donations of clothes, toys and kit for babies and children up to the age of 5 and then gifts these donations onto local families in need in the area.
Volunteers
The charity is powered by volunteers and we are always looking for new people to join the Little Village volunteer family. Could this be you? Roles available at our Camden site (Somers Town Community Association, 150 Ossulston Street, London NW1 1EE) include Family Liaison volunteers who welcome and support families at our drop-in sessions; stock gatherers and sorters who help sort our wonderful donations of clothes, toys and baby items; social media volunteers; community engagement supporters and lots more besides. If you’re interested please come to our open morning on Tuesday 16th October at 10am at Somers Town Community Association.
Jobs
We’re very excited to be recruiting two paid roles at our Camden site based at Somers Town Community Association, 150 Ossulston Street, London NW1 1EE. If you’re looking for a part-time administrator role (15 hours a week, 43 weeks a year) or a part-time ambassador position. Little Village is a family-friendly employer, not to mention a fun, rewarding and supportive place to work.
Get in touch with us for more information camden@littlevillagehq.org and check-out our website to learn more about us www.littlevillagehq.org

Centre for Independent Living Receptionist

The Centre for Independent Living is a new service, run and controlled by Deaf and disabled people. Its purpose is to improve the life chances of Deaf and disabled people in Camden. It is based in a new building; a space where disabled and non-disabled people can come together and take part in shared activities, ranging from art and exercise to creative and entrepreneurial enterprises.
The new site for CDA and the CIL will be open from 9am until 10pm. CDA is therefore looking for two or more receptionists to cover the reception function on a job-share basis. For the right candidates, flexibility about hours (for example school hours, early mornings and/or evening work) will be available.
Hours: Flexible and by agreed contract to cover some or all of the hours of 9am to 10pm. £10.20 per hour, 28 days holiday per year pro rata
Please send a CV and covering letter explaining why you are suitable for the role to len@camdendisabilityaction.org.uk
Closing date is 9 November 2018. www.camdendisabilityaction.org.uk

Enjoy working with older people in a community setting?

The Community Association for West Hampstead (CAWH) is seeking a Part-Time Older Men’s Worker for the Keeping Active Together project which aims to enable older people to be active in the community through a programme of events and volunteering opportunities.
8 hours per week (must be available weekends and evenings) £13 per hour includes London Weighting (£5,408 per year)
For more information and a recruitment pack please  contact 020 7794 3729, email kat@cawh.org.uk  Deadline: 1pm Monday 29th October

Kingsgate Community Association seeks Director

Kingsgate Community Association (KCA) opened its doors in 1986 and has grown to provide free and affordable services and activities to the greater community within NW6 and the surrounding area.
The Centre is currently undergoing changes to establish itself as the ‘go-to’ location for Arts and Cultural activities in the area and is collaborating with local creative organisations to bring the community together through unique experiences across a wide range of arts-based activities, events and shows including visual arts, performing arts, theatre and music. Our plans extend to KCA’s pre-school which also focuses on arts, culture and nature.
The ideal candidate will be an exceptional influencer, effective communicator and inspirational leader with a strong track record of fundraising, management and organisational skills to connect and support the greater community.
Please submit your CV and cover letter to info@kingsgatecc.org.uk.

Age UK Camden has Two Vacancies

Day Care Officer
Part-time • 15 hours per week (11.30am – 2.30pm, Monday to Friday) • £24,618 – £26,658 pro rata inc. ILW + 6% contributory pension
As a Day Care Officer, you will give support to older people, providing them with personal care and involving them in activities. You will need to have an understanding of the issues affecting older people, as well as experience of working with older people in a paid or voluntary capacity within a social care environment.
Cook
Part-time • 16 hours per week (10.00am-1.00pm, Monday to Thursday & 10.00am-2.00pm on Friday) £10.20 per hour
As the Cook at Henderson Court Day Centre, you will be responsible for the provision of mid-day meals, snacks and refreshments to Centre members, staff and visitors. You will plan menus in consultation with Centre members, offering well-presented, varied and nutritious meals. You’ll need a Level 2 food hygiene.
For more information and to apply, visit www.ageukcamden.org.uk
or email jobs@ageukcamden.org.uk or call 020 7239 0400.
Closing date: 9.00am on Friday 19th October 2018.

Volunteer with VAC and develop experience and skills in public health

VAC provide training, and work opportunities for committed volunteers
• Can you commit at least 2 hours per week?
• Do you live, work or volunteer in Camden?
• Would you like to support people in your community to improve their health and access to services that will help maintain good health and wellbeing?
Voluntary Action Camden (VAC) is offering free Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH) training to volunteer Health Advocates for Community Links, part of a new Care Navigation and Social Prescribing service in Camden. Community Links Health Advocates signpost residents to community based activities and help with formal referrals where community based activities are needed alongside clinical care.
Volunteers will have access to other health related training, and will be part of a large multi-disciplinary team that meets monthly to develop the service and explore health related issues. After 3 months, active volunteers will have opportunities to take up occasional paid sessional work alongside volunteering.
Placements are in GP practices and other community locations. In return for your commitment to the project, we offer support, out of pocket expenses and other professional development opportunities.
For more information, please contact:
Mandira Manandhar, Community Links Co-ordinator (Mon, Tues and Thurs) 020 7284 6550/6573 or email: mmanandhar@vac.org.uk

Action Tutoring seeks Volunteers

Action Tutoring, an education charity supporting disadvantaged young people with their English and maths attainment.  We do this by engaging local people as volunteer tutors, and offering them the opportunity to support our school-based tutoring programmes.  Our commitment requirement is just an hour a week, over the course of 8-10 weeks. Apply here to volunteer just one hour a week to support disadvantaged young people.

Cocoon Family Support seeks Trustees

Are you passionate about perinatal mental health? Cocoon Family Support is currently recruiting new trustee’s to help us continue our vital work supporting families across London.
Cocoon provides support for families across London who are suffering with perinatal mental health issues and difficult emotions pre and postnatally. We do this by offering weekly peer support groups, creative therapy courses, mindfulness sessions, outings and activities.
We are now looking for Trustees to help us take the next step in our growth. If you would like to join us in our journey please get in touch and we will provide you with our trustee application pack – info@cocoonfamilysupport.org

Some New Web Pages from VAC

We’ve updated OneCamden, the portal website for voluntary sector support in Camden with links to volunteering, funding and data about the borough. It also hosts our directory of groups and our directory of rooms for hire in Camden. We’ve also produced a list of networks in Camden and a list of useful information portals. Let us know if there is anything you would like us to add.

TfL Bus Consultation

Transport for London are consulting on changes to 33 bus routes (and 1 new one).  Find out more and have your say here.

Camden Community Infrastructure Levy Consultation

When new building projects take place in Camden, the developers are usually charged a fee known as the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). Some of this money is used to fund key infrastructure across the borough, and some of it is used to help make sure that the development contributes towards the local area. The council want your views by 12th November. Click here to take part.

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