Voluntary Action Camden e-bulletin 13th March 2020

Coronavirus COVID-19 –  latest advice

VAC will be publishing the latest information and advice as it becomes available here (or click ‘What’s New’ on the VAC homepage).
We’ve added sections on fundraising, advice to employers and those running organisations.
Camden Council have issued specific advice for Community Care and Residential Settings here
Navca have produced a straightforward risk assessment template to help you plan here.
Together Matters have produced a template for creating an emergency plan for those with caring responsibilties available here.
Emergency legislation is expected soon. The bill’s powers would include:
Expansion of court hearings by television and video link;
“Additional employment safeguards” for those who volunteer in the health and social care system, so they can “leave their main jobs and temporarily volunteer in the event of a widespread pandemic”; and
A range of previously announced measures, such as emergency registration of health professionals who have retired, and relaxation of rules around staff to pupil ratios in education and childcare settings.

Voluntary Action Camden Annual Gathering and AGM

Tuesday 31st March, 4.30pm at Charlie Ratchford Centre. Save the date.  It’s an opportunity to hear about VAC’s work and our members work and network over refreshments. Meet new faces and greet familiar ones. Full details and booking at Eventbrite. (Do book as usual – if changes have to be made due to Coronavirus rest assured that we will follow the latest advice to keep you safe.)

Two Events Against Hate and Intolerance – Cancelled

Please note that both events have been cancelled
Camden coming together against hate
Thursday 19 March 2020, 6.00 – 8.00pm
Panel Discussion on Right Wing Extremism hosted by Camden Council
25 March, 6 to 8pm at The Greenwood Centre, 37 Greenwood Place, NW5
Details: Serrina.lobban@camden.gov.uk  or call 07771 572 976

Resilience: The Biology of Stress and the Science of Hope

Camden Integrated Early Years Service: Kentish Town East Locality
Mon, 30 March 2020, 10:00 – 13:00
At Maiden Lane Community Centre, 156 Saint Paul’s Crescent, NW1
Come along to a screening of Resilience – a documentary that delves into the science of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and a new movement to treat and prevent toxic stress. More details and booking at Eventbrite.

Camden Carers Are Moving

From Monday 30th March, Camden Carers Service will be based at:
The Greenwood Centre, 37 Greenwood Place, NW5 1LB.
CCC will be closed for two weeks from Mon 16 March.  020 7428 8950

100 years of the Trust  – Tavistock and Portman talks.

An evening with leading mental health practitioners, refreshments and drinks.
Talk one: Self-harm in a family system and the patterns of emotional response
Talk two: Thinking family in primary care: Beyond diagnosis
Monday 16 March, 6 to 9pm
At Lecture Theatre, Tavistock Centre, 120 Belsize Lane, London NW3 5BA
Cost: £16-20 Details and booking at Eventbrite

Get Involved in Supported living mental health services

Supported living mental health services in Camden are in the process of being retendered, and we are looking for people who have lived experience of using supported living services to get involved with evaluating the bids.
The dates participants will need to be available are:
• 27th of March 2020: Training day provided by Camden Council Procurement Team on the procurement process, how to evaluate a tender, and what to expect from the process.
• 10am – 3pm, 17th April 2020: Reading applications (morning) and evaluating as a group (afternoon).
If you know anyone who would be interested in this opportunity, please ask them to get in touch with  jennifer.carter@camden.gov.uk

The Budget

The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, stepped up to the Despatch Box with the aim of settling the nerves of the country. The new government wants to ‘level up’, ‘get brexit done’ and deal with global financial turmoil as the implications of pandemic sink in.
The Budget included a £12 billion plan to provide support for public services, individuals and businesses, including £5 billion to support NHS and other public services as they respond to the situation.
For individuals: Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is being extended to cover people advised to self-isolate or who care for them. The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Thérèse Coffey has said that If claimants cannot attend their JobCentre appointment in person because of self-isolation, work coaches can exercise discretion and they will not be sanctioned, as long they let their work coach or JobCentre Plus know before the appointment. She reiterated that “No-one will be penalised for doing the right thing.” There will also be a £500m hardship fund although there are no details at present.
For business: Support takes the form of expanded business rates reliefs along with a loan scheme to support up to £1 billion lending to SMEs, a £2.2 billion grant scheme for small businesses, and a dedicated helpline for those who need a deferral period on their tax liabilities.
Sector leaders asked the Chancellor to recognise the impact COVID-19 could have on the voluntary and community sector – the people who, we’ve seen, are being asked to help support our hard-pressed public services and NHS. The Chancellor was asked to:
1. Immediately establish an emergency fund to support charities at risk of insolvency or significantly lower levels of fundraised or trading income due to economic disruption.
2. Implement immediate short term tax deferments or temporary waivers (for example VAT) to help charities experiencing cash flow crises to stay solvent.
3. Explicitly include charities, social enterprises and other social organisations in any economic stimulus packages and measures offered to support the business sector as part of the Government’s response to coronavirus or its aftermath and to consider the potential longer term impacts of the short term hiatus.
Like many in the voluntary and community sector, we’re very disappointed that the Chancellor has failed to address these issues. The contribution that charities and voluntary organisations make to our society as a whole, and in their local communities, needs to be recognised and supported.

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

Partners for Health 2020

Grants are available for projects that can demonstrate:
~ Positive outcomes for people facing significant barriers to health
~ A new approach or a thoughtful development of service
~ Partnership between health and community organisations.
Grants range between £3,000 and £10,000 ( in previous years the average award is £5,000). Usually for one year beginning in 2020.
Apply online via the London Catalyst website www.londoncatalyst.org.uk/grants
The deadline for applications is 5:00pm on Thursday 21 May 2020

The HS2 Camden Fund

The Camden Fund aims to strengthen the sense of place and alleviate the disruption of the development of HS2 on local people. Aims:
1. A Happier and Healthier Camden
2. A Better Connected Camden
3. A Stronger Voluntary and Community Sector
Closing date: 14th May 2020. Full details at Camden Giving.

Governance in the Voluntary and Community Sector

A short course for trustees/ management committee members and anybody who is interested in developing the knowledge and skills required to be a committee member of a voluntary or community sector organisation. Run by Mary Ward and VAC.  Full details here.

New IT & Digital Capacity Building Programme

VAC has a new IT and digital capacity building for the sector, delivered in Partnership with CITA and WCIT. Taking on your priorities from our recent survey, we will be delivering a series of FREE 2 hour workshops covering a whole range of topics from getting started with new IT systems, social media use and strategy, website and CRM development through to data protection, compliance and digital strategy.  Visit our website for more information, download the programme and book your place.

Safeguarding Courses:

Safeguarding Introduction: Protecting Children in the Community (Level 2)
Introductory course designed for all those who work directly with children, young people or their families. Open to all those who have had little or no safeguarding training before.
Enquire for dates of next course.

Safeguarding Advance: Developing knowledge and understanding. (Level 3)
For those who frequently work with or deliver services to children and their families. Course provides essential information that your organisation / group needs to understands it’s legal obligations in regards to child protection procedures and up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding legislation.
Please contact: Dianne Carlton Ogunyemi, our Community Partnership Advisor Lead tfor future dates as  well as customised Safeguarding training enquires.
Tel: 020 7 284 6575 | Email: dogunyemi@vac.org.uk email (Mon – Wed)

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

Universal credit London advice project

Do you support people claiming universal credit in London? Do you work with people who struggle to access the benefits system (due to disability, language barriers or another reason)?
CPAG’s Universal Credit London advice project provides a free advice service and free training to frontline workers who directly support UC claimants living in a London borough.
For free UC training contact Sabrina Dubash on 020 7812 5220.

EU Settlement Scheme Meeting with New Europeans

19th March 2020 1pm-3pm at the St Pancras and Somers Town Living Centre
A representative from New Europeans will be giving a presentation on the EU Settlement Scheme. Some of the areas covered include::
– The potential impact on Europeans of changes in benefits
– Lack of representation and community cohesion
– EU Settlement Scheme and the dangers of becoming undocumented
rsvp to Peter Simonson peter@thelivingcentre.org

What Does Climate & Environmental Change Mean to Us?

A conversation for Camden’s BAME community to talk about climate change and other dilemmas from their view.  Communities in Camden are connected to international Communities experiencing floods in Bangladesh, crop failure in Africa, heatwaves in India and Pakistan, pullution in Latin America and more.
Monday 23rd March 6-8pm; Monday 30th March 6-8pm; Tuesay 7th April 4.30 – 6.30pm; Thursday 23rd April 10 – 12pm
All events take place at the Think and Do pop up cafe in Kentish Town.

The Winch AGM

19th March 2020, 6:45pm at Belsize Community Library
RSVP: rsvp@thewinch.org to book your place

Camden Intergenerational Network Meeting

Wednesday 1st April 2020, from 2-4pm
Age UK Camden, Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square WC1H 9NA
The theme of this meeting is: Looking to the future
Stephen Burke from United for All Ages and other guest speakers will discuss what the future looks like regarding intergenerational practice.
RSVP for the network meeting by Friday 6th March to Corinna Gray via email ageingbetterincamden@ageukcamden.org.uk or phone 020 7239 0400

Free Monthly Family Cooking Classes

For Somers Town (and Regent’s Park) families
2nd Saturday of every month 3.45pm to 7pm
At Somers Town Community Association, 150 Ossulston Street, NW1
No-cut (safety) gloves provided for children. Halal friendly and vegan
facebook.com/lifeafterhummus | info@lifeafterhummus.com

Community Association for West Hampstead seeks Manager

£19,200 per annum inc L W (FTE £32,000)
for 21 hours/week plus 3% contributory pension
We are a small, active community association serving the diverse population of West Hampstead in the London Borough of Camden.
We are seeking an energetic and motivated Manager to lead us in the next phase of our development.
Closing date: Thursday 19 March. Interviews: Monday 30 March.
Download recruitment pack from: info@cawh.org.uk, or 020 7794 3729.
CAWH is based at West Hampstead Community Centre, 17 Dornfell St, NW6

Nafsiyat Intercultural Therapy Centre seeks Administration Assistant

£10.75/hour (London Living Wage) 8hrs/week minimum, 4-8pm two days per week (Mon-Thurs)
Temporary role on casual basis
Nafsiyat are looking for a proactive person with a friendly, can-do attitude to assist with data entry, general office administration and evening front of house.
Please send a current CV and tailored covering letter (no more than 2 pages) explaining how your skills and experience match the requirements for this role to recruitment@nafsiyat.org.uk by 5pm on Tuesday March 17th 2020.

The Society for the Furtherance of Critical Philosophy

SFCP, a small independent charity concerned with education, ethics and philosophy, seeks someone to take minutes of Trustee meetings, and to liaise with the secretary and trustees. Interest in our values and activities would be an advantage.
The ideal applicant shares our values and will enjoy working with this small group of committed Trustees. To discuss this opportunity, please contact the chair Dr Julie-Marie ffrench Devitt at: galangal19@yahoo.co.uk in the first instance.   Further information at the website www.sfcp.org.uk.

Camden Giving seeks Office Support Administrator

Camden Giving are looking for someone to provide administration support across all operations and programmes including employment, volunteering and funding. Apply by 23.59pm Sunday 5th April. Details and how to apply here.

Global Generation Youth and Community Engagement Manager

Time commitment 3 days a week with the potential for more
Salary £27,000 per annum pro rata. Deadline 23 March 2020 at 9am
As the Youth & Community Engagement Manager you will have great engagement, project management and people skills to develop and implement the vision of the Youth and Community programmes in King’s Cross.
Email your CV and a separate covering letter (maximum two pages) explaining why you are best suited for the role to jobs@globalgeneration.org.uk

Abbey Community Centre is looking for a Saturday Community Events and Engagement Coordinator

An enthusiastic, driven individual is wanted to inspire and motivate local people to engage and participate with the centre’s evolving community events programme on Saturdays. The post holder will also take lead responsibility for operations on Saturdays including the building and security.
Part time 7.5 hours per week (1.5 hours of these on weekdays – can be offsite). Actual salary £5,460 (£25,480 F.T.E.). Pro-rata 30 days leave
To be considered for this post one year’s recent experience in a role involving organising successful events/activities on a regular basis is required.
For more information: https://abbeycc-kilburn.org.uk/index.php/vacancies/ closing date Monday 16th March 2020, 10am.

Community Connectors/Volunteers Recruiting Now

Elfrida are always looking for enthusiastic people to become Community Connectors to support parents/carers and their families living in Camden.
ERC offer full training covering the key skills for the role, so no qualifications needed. You will receive 1:1 support, out of pocket expenses and be a part of a local network. Next training course 27th March and 3rd April 2020, 10-2.30pm both days.
You can help by sharing parenting tips, offering practical support to those who need it and using your skills to help organise group activities for families and their children.
If you are interested, want more information or to reserve your place contact Jill: Jill@elfridacamden.org.uk or call 07939877745 for a chat.

Volunteer with VAC and develop experience and skills in public health

VAC provide training, and work opportunities for Camden volunteers who can commit 2 hours per week.
We offer free Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH) training to volunteer as a Community Links volunteer, part of a new Care Navigation and Social Prescribing service in Camden. Community Links volunteers signpost residents to community based activities and help with formal referrals where community based activities are needed alongside clinical care.
Contact: Mandira Manandhar, Community Links Co-ordinator (Mon, Tues and Thurs) 020 7284 6550/6573 or email: mmanandhar@vac.org.uk

Reception and Greeting Volunteers in Chalk Farm

VAC are recruiting volunteer receptionists to be the first point of contact for visitors. You will be an important member of the VAC team of volunteers and staff and will have access to training and ongoing support.
Contact Kevin Nunan at VAC on 020 7284 6557 or knunan@vac.org.uk

Want to Share a Skill, Space or Equipment?

Simply add your request to Comoodle Camden, the new local online sharing platform which facilitates sharing for community benefit.

Need a Meeting Room near Chalk Farm?

VAC has 3 new rooms to hire out for Events/Training, etc. at  the Charlie Ratchford Centre in Chalk Farm.
There is a large room for up to 60 people, ideal for large events.
The training 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. Smartboard, level access throughout, reasonable prices.
Rates and full details on the VAC website. Special rates for Camden networks.

Coronavirus COVID-19 – UK outbreak and latest advice

The UK Chief Medical Officers have raised the risk to the UK from low to moderate. This follows the World Health Organisation’s declaration that this is a public health emergency of international concern.
• Government information and advice here.
• NHS overview here
• NHS common questions here
Advice for employers and employees from Acas is available here.

Our mailing address is:
Charlie Ratchford Centre, Belmont Street, London, NW1 8HF

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