Voluntary Action Camden e-Bulletin - 13th October

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VAC Weekly Newsletter
13th October 2023

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VAC represents local organisations in conversations with local government and funders, we advise on local issues and we inform, support and train local charities depending on their needs

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Highlights
This week we spotlight:

VAC Training for Members
VAC Camden New Groups Network
VAC and VCC Trustee Network
VAC CEO Network
We also have our usual information on events and opportunities from around the Camden area.

VAC Training for Members

Thinking of setting up a CIC: Thursday 19th October 2023 10:30am to 12:00pm
Introduction for Volunteers and New Starters – Virtual Workshop: Wednesday, 1st November 13:00 – 14:30

See details and book a place in our Events and Training section

Camden New Groups Network
If you are thinking about starting up a charity , community group or social enterprise get in touch with VAC by emailing Vania at vguetova@vac.org.uk .
Whether you think of starting a new group, incorporating an organisation, are drafting your Articles of Association or have recently registered your organisation and are developing a fundraising strategy, this group is for you. VAC is inviting you to participate in the Networks inaugural meeting (coming soon!) to discuss our peer support and the Terms of Reference of the Network. This is a closed group to anyone who we have supported over the past year and to new starting up groups that have joined VAC recently.

Camden Trustee Network
VAC and VCC have launched the Camden Trustee Network which brings together trustees from different Camden VCSE organisations to share experience, good practice, ideas and offer peer support. If you are a trustee in Camden, this group is for you! Find out more on our website: https://vac.org.uk/get-involved/forums-and-networks/camden-trustee-network/. We encourage all trustee’s in Camden to sign up to our trustee community of practice group, a private online space to connect with other trustees and access dedicated resources for trustees

Camden CEO Network
Similar to the trustee network, the CEO Network is for leaders of local voluntary sector organisations in Camden to discuss issues and ideas for the mutual benefit of the VCSE. The Network is there to encourage, guide, support and develop voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector leaders. Find out more on our website: https://vac.org.uk/get-involved/forums-and-networks/camden-ceo-network/. You can also join our dedicated CEO Community of Practice group for access to a dedicated email group to share information, best practice and insights, including access to a quarterly round up of relevant news and guidance and resources for current and aspiring CEO’s.

The Volunteer Centre Camden calculates ‘The Monetary Value of Charity Trustees’
The Report calculates the total monetary value of volunteer charity trustees in England and Wales at £33.17billion.
The report has some statistics that are relevant for Camden and London:
Monetary value of Trustees in Camden: £145 million
Total value of all Volunteering in Camden: £1.3 billion
Check out the full report here: https://volunteercentrecamden.org.uk/just-published-october-2023-the-monetary-value-of-trustees/

Affordable, Convenient Office Space in the Heart of the Community

The Winch is a charity that has been working with young people in Camden and nearby areas since 1973. We are currently seeking new tenants for our two office spaces located in Swiss Cottage. We have two well-lit, spacious rooms that can accommodate 2-8 people. Email roomhire@thewinch.org or call us at 0207 586 8731 for more information.

Major Coventry grant-giving organisation completes takeover and £1.2 million asset transfer of Birmingham charity

A major grant-giving organisation has completed the takeover and £1.2 million asset transfer of a Birmingham charity and has spoken out about the support that community foundations can offer struggling charities and trusts.

Heart of England Community Foundation has completed the takeover of South Birmingham Friends Institute to provide it with a lasting legacy of supporting disadvantaged communities in the West Midlands.

The transfer of assets included £1.2 million as well as five residential properties each valued at £280,000, which has been transferred into the Foundation’s endowment as a named fund.

Refugee charity appoints new chief

The refugee employment charity Breaking Barriers has appointed Ciara Devlin as its next chief executive. Devlin, who has spent almost 18 years in a variety of roles at the homelessness charity Crisis, will succeed Matt Powell, who founded Breaking Barriers in 2015.

Breaking Barriers said that by 2030 it hoped to more than triple its annual income to £15m, increase staff numbers from 80 to more than 300 as part of plans to support 4,000 refugees per year, up from 1,000.

Arts Council England (ACE) announced a grant of £24 million for the English National Opera (ENO) for April 2024 to March 2026, and a longer timeframe for the ENO to complete the establishment of a new main base outside the capital.

During the 2024-26 period, the ENO will develop an artistic programme in the new city, whilst transitioning to a new business model, which will see the company deliver a substantial opera season every year in London while developing a significant performance and engagement programme in their new city. The ENO plans to confirm the location of the new city in December this year.
The London Assembly has formally objected to Arts Council England’s decision to force the English National Opera (ENO) to move from the capital.

The Royal Parks – Be mindful in nature…

Join us on a series of free accessible guided ecotherapy sessions to disconnect from the day and reconnect with yourself and nature. With a wide range of experience working with people with a variety of conditions ecotherapist Mimi, will lead you through practicing mindfulness in a peaceful pocket of The Regent’s Park.

For more information and to book a place visit https://royalparks.org.uk/whats-on/accessible-guided-ecotherapy-01102023 Accessible Guided Ecotherapy | The Royal Parks

Newsletter Submissions
Please send any information (approximately 50-75 words long) that you would like included in our weekly newsletter to social@vac.org.uk by no later than 12pm on Wednesday for inclusion in the Friday newsletter.

VAC Consultancy Service
Contact us today if you need advice or support to develop any aspect of your established or aspiring Camden voluntary and community sector organisation.
Learn more here

Total charity income fell for the first time in 10 years

The UK Civil Society Almanac, published today by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, shows that total UK voluntary sector income was £56.9bn in 2020/21, down £1.8bn from the previous year.

The NCVO warned that the reduction showed the voluntary sector was facing its own “long Covid effect”, which left many charities vulnerable to the cost-of-living crisis.

The reduction comes despite a rise in income from the government, due in part to initiatives including the furlough scheme, which enabled many organisations to continue paying staff while services were closed due to the pandemic.

The NCVO’s data shows public donations remained the largest income source at £26.4bn but this was down by 14 per cent on the previous year.

Sector income down for the first time in 10 years, research finds | Third Sector

The RSPB has recently been in the news following their post on X (formerly Twitter) calling government ministers ‘liars’.

The post was in response to government plans to change the rules on water protection restrictions for housing developments. RSPB’s chief executive later apologised.

The Charity Commission has since shared new social media guidance for charities.

Is your board familiar with the Charity Commission’s campaigning guidance? Are they clear on what you can and can’t do to influence the wider policy landscape? – You might like to discuss with your board.

New trustee guides

The Charity Commission has launched a range of 5-minute guides for trustees.

The guides are designed to help trustees manage the demands of running a charity. They cover key topics to help improve your knowledge and understanding of essential trustee duties. You can also test your knowledge with their new trustee quiz.

London’s Lifelines & Christmas Food Aid
Christmas is crucial for food aid organisations – they need people to help provide for hungry Londoners and prevent surplus food going to waste. In the coming months, London’s Lifelines will be promoting food aid volunteering in London to help get enough volunteers for the busy festive period, and are looking for content to share. See this thread for more details, and follow their account for updates.

Consultation on Section 75 NHS Act 2006 – pooled budgets

Section 75 enables NHS bodies and local authorities to enter into partnerships that allow their health-related functions to be delivered by the other body, and to establish and run pooled funds to do so. DHSC are consulting on whether the scope of section 75 should be widened to include additional health related functions of local authorities and NHS bodies; whether DHSC should widen the range of organisations that can enter into these arrangements; how DHSC can strengthen or simplify the governance of s75; and whether there are barriers to further use that could be addressed via legislative changes. You can read the full DHSC survey here.

Consultation on pre-employment checks for health and care volunteers
This DHSC consultation seeks views on the proposal to remove the statutory requirement for a full employment history when appointing volunteers in health and care settings. NAVCA intends to respond to the consultation broadly welcoming this proposal, but encouraging volunteers to be formally asked about the skills from employment and other sources that they bring into volunteering in health and social care. You can read the full consultation here.

Stroke Association Communication Support Group for Camden
Venue space required to host a free group for stroke survivors.
When: Weekly accessible use for no longer than 3 hours, once a week for apprx.15 people
Where: A site in Camden borough. Venue specs and available amenities to be discussed and agreed.
Please contact: Caroline.Fitzgibbon@stroke.org.uk, Stroke Support Coordinator on 07717 275824

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: https://vac.org.uk/our-services/fundraising/current-funding-opportunities/

If you need help sourcing or applying for funds, get in touch with our consultancy service, free for all Camden groups!

The Vision Fund supports projects that are designed to improve the experience of being blind or partially sighted or at risk of sight loss in the UK.
A National Resilience Fund is open to organisations across the UK, who can apply for up to £10,000 of unrestricted funding. Please use https://www.tfaforms.com/5085756 to submit your application. Deadline: 31 October 2023, 11:59 pm. Please get in touch with the Vision Fund team by emailing grants@visionfoundation.org.uk if you have ideas but are not sure if they fit our criteria, or if you would like any help with the application process.

A new name for City Bridge Trust
We are excited to inform you that City Bridge Trust and our wider charity, Bridge House Estates, have come together under a new brand name. As of 26 September, we are now operating as City Bridge Foundation, a name chosen to reflect our dual role as a bridge owner and major player in the capital’s charity sector. The City of London Corporation will remain our sole trustee, and our relationships with funded organisations will not be materially impacted. We’re also encouraging grant-holders to promote their partnership with City Bridge Foundation, including on their website, in the media and on social channels.

City Bridge Foundation Reopens Small Grants Programme

VCSE sector organisations across Greater London can apply for funding to deliver projects and activities that benefit the environment, disabled people, older people, LGBTQIA+ communities, and migrants, asylum seekers and refugees.

City Bridge Foundation (formerly known as City Bridge Trust) is offering small grants of up to £20,000 per year for up to five years for voluntary, community, and social enterprise sector groups across Greater London.
Applications can be submitted at any time.
For further information on how to obtain this fund, please contact
funding@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Tackling loneliness and isolation for the blind and partially sighted

This new funding from Fight For Sight and Vision Foundation aims to support organisations whose work will improve the experience of being blind and partially sighted in the UK.
With grants of up to £30,000, this funding programme is dedicated to reducing the levels of loneliness and / or isolation experienced by blind and partially sighted Londoners.
The new fund launched on Monday 2 October, 2023.
More information: www.visionfoundation.org.uk
The Tackling Loneliness and Isolation in London Fund is co-funded by City Bridge Foundation.

Funding Available to Support Refugee Children and Young People (England)

Local authorities and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise organisations based in England can apply for funding from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities – Children and Young People’s Resettlement Fund.

The fund was introduced to support children and young people who have come to the UK under one of the following schemes:

The Homes for Ukraine scheme
The Ukraine Family scheme
The Ukraine Extension scheme
The Afghan citizens resettlement scheme
The Hong Kong British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) visa scheme

A total of £2.5 million is available and will be made available over two years.

£800,000 in 2023 to 2024
£1.7 million in 2024 to 2025

The grant can be used to fund projects that support the children and young people.
Link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-children-and-young-peoples-resettlement-fund-prospectus/the-children-and-young-peoples-resettlement-fund-prospectus

The deadline for applications is 11.59pm on 1 November 2023.

Camden 4 Community – Funding alerts and news for the VCSE – https://funding.idoxopen4community.co.uk/camdencommunity

You can find more funding news and information about funders and grants on VAC website at
https://vac.org.uk/guides-and-resources/fundraising/funders

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

Thinking of setting up a CIC Thursday 19th October 2023 10:30am to 12:00pm
A CIC (Community Interest Company) is the often the first organisational structure community groups decide upon.
In this workshop, participants can expect to hear from a local CIC about the journey to registration, discuss the pros and cons, ask questions, and help one another decide if this is an option for your group.
To book a place follow the link:
https://vac.org.uk/event/thinking-of-setting-up-a-cic/

Introduction to Safeguarding for Volunteers and New Starters – Virtual workshop, Wednesday, 1st November: 1pm – 2:30pm
This introductory course is designed for volunteers and new staff who work both directly and indirectly for organisations or groups delivering services to children, young people or their families in Camden.

All sessions will be held virtually, so please make sure you have access to Zoom online or the App beforehand .

To book follow the link and instructions on VAC website: https://vac.org.uk/event/virtual-introduction-to-safeguarding-for-volunteers-and-new-starters-4/

OTHER EVENTS AND TRAINING:

GALA FUNDRAISING CONCERT on Saturday the 14th October at 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm at West Hampstead Primary School, Dornfell Street NW6 1QL
Book your tickets for the Gala Fundraising Concert! It will be a special evening celebrating talented local artists while helping to raise much needed funds for your local community centre. Holly Penfield will perform as the headliner of the show, and Michael Simkins – an actor and CAWH Patron – will serve as a compere!
We have received a generous donation from a local businessman, who paid for 10 tickets to be given out for FREE!
We look forward to seeing you there! BOOK on EVENTBRITE by searching CAWH Gala concert or you can pay at the door.

Talk For Health is a social enterprise improving mental health
Key Upcoming Events:
Free peer-to-peer Counselling Programme: Starting on the 17^th November.
On the Full Talk for Health Peer Counselling Programme, you will deepen your knowledge and skills as well as have space to practise the four key learning areas of Talk for Health: open and truthful talking, empathic listening, basic counselling skills and how to set up an ongoing group to take care of your own wellbeing and enable others to take care of theirs.
The dates and times for this programme are:
Friday 17 November 2023 from 10:30 – 16:30
Friday 24 November 2023 from 10:30 – 16:30
Friday 1 December 2023 from 10:30 – 16:30
Friday 8 December 2023 from 10:30 – 16:30
Click here to join our programme on Eventbrite.
Free Taster sessions to explore learning areas of our full programme.
Taster sessions are FREE and help people to find out if Talk for Health is right for them.
The next dates for Tasters are:
Wednesday 1 November 2023 from 11:00 – 13:00 (ONLINE) Click here to sign up
Wednesday 7 February 2023 from 14:00 – 16:00 (ONLINE) Click here to sign up

Black History Month Celebration
at the Irish Cultural Centre – Hammersmith – London – Sunday 29th October @ 6 pm
Join IamIrish at the Irish cultural centre for a FREE evening of performance, culture and community to celebrate Black History Month. The evening will take place on Sunday 29th October from 6pm-9pm. This years Black History month theme is “Celebrating our Sisters” and we have an incredible line up of Black and Mixed Black Irish performers to celebrate the amazing talent of our community. Hosted by Louise Durand join us for poetry, music, singing and a live podcast interview with Sara Keenan (Out of Sight). We also have an Open Mic section as part of the evening dedicated to our audience to share something of their own (so bring along poems, instruments and dancing shoes if you would like to share something!)
You can book tickets here : https://irishculturalcentre.co.uk/event/iamirish-x-icc-black-history-month-celebration/

Free fully funded practitioner training to support all families to learn about money

No specialist knowledge is needed to attend any workshop running up to December 2023

This free 90-minute workshop for practitioners working with families offers a new inclusive family approach to learning about money. The approach supports children aged 3-7 with a focus on diverse needs, including autism spectrum disorders and social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.

The training is funded by the Money and Pensions Service and delivered by Campaign for Learning.

Find out more and book your funded place: https://www.campaign-for-learning.org.uk/Web/CFL/Events/Inclusive_FinEd.aspx

Looking at sharpening your skills in Regulation Financial Planning? The Verve Foundation is running a new cohort, and it’s free for candidates. Find out more on their website

Youth programmes on Hampstead Heath
Heath Hands’ term-time youth programmes have restarted on Hampstead Heath – these include youth volunteering on Saturday mornings (10am-12pm) and our youth wellbeing programme for young people struggling with school attendance (Friday mornings 10am-12pm). We also run free nature outings for youth groups. Find out more about all of these here.

#Getatheatreticket

Further Than The Edge are offering FREE theatre tickets to see The Morphea at the Bloomsbury Festival thanks to support from CamdenGiving. Sat 14th and Sun 15th October at 5pm at Studio Theatre, RADA, WC1E 7EX

If you’re a group or organisation, or a member of one, that works with Camden communities and would like to be part of this initiative, get in touch with us asap! contact@furtherthantheedge.com

Young Camden Foundation events
Speed Networking Event

Date: October 31st
Time: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: Warren Centre, W1T 5JU
Sign up: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/level-up-youth-work-speed-networking-event-tickets-717101478827?aff=oddtdtcreator

Our Speed-Networking event is the perfect opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, share experiences, and explore potential collaborations within the youth work field. There will be refreshments provided. Our last speed-networking event completely sold out, so make sure to come along!

Mind in Camden Trustee recruitment
We are affiliated to National Mind along with over 100 other local Minds across England and Wales, but we are an independent charity with our own Board of Trustees. We have about 35 staff and up to 80 volunteers. We are based in Camden Town, London. For more details about what we do see: www.mindincamden.org.uk
We are looking for people who are committed to promoting a none-medical model of metal health and are supportive of the values (and ethics) of the organisation.
To ask for more details and the Trustee role description by emailing Brian Dawn at bdawn@mindincamden.org.uk
Ideally, we would like you to commit to a minimum of two years.

The Winch is hiring for Head of Communities (Maternity Cover)

Are you passionate about communities being in the driving seat?
Do you know how to support and develop people to lead with confidence?
Are you excited by the opportunity to build a shared understanding of what matters to communities?

For more information: https://thewinch.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Head-of-Communities-Manager-Job-Pack-Maternity-Cover.docx-1.pdf

Abbey Community Centre
Centre Administrator, part-time, with specific responsibility for room bookings
We are looking for a part-time Centre Administrator with specific responsibility for room bookings, a key operational role within a friendly and supportive staff team.
Salary: £7,886 – £8,571 actual (£23,000 – £25,000 FTE) paid holidays (30 days annually pro-rata), auto enrolment pension
Hours: Onsite; 3- 4 days per week, for total of 12 hours. Either 3 days, for 4 hours, 1.30-5.30 or 4 days for 3 hours between 2- 5.00 pm. On occasion you may be required to work until 6-6.30 pm.
Full details on our website: https://abbeycc-kilburn.org.uk/vacancies

Street Storage is recruiting a Chair of Trustees
Street Storage is an ambitious and innovative homelessness charity. The only charity of its kind in the U.K., we provide free, accessible storage for people experiencing homelessness. Founded in 2019, we have grown exponentially in the last few years and developed a strong reputation in the sector and the homelessness community. We are now going national for the first time ever!
We are looking for a competent and confident person to lead the Board and to oversee the strategy of the organisation.
If you are interested, please have a look at our Volunteer page for more details including a full Role Description. If you are STILL interested, please send Street Storage’s Director Rachel Woolf a copy of your CV and a cover letter to rachel.woolf@streetstorage.org by Tuesday 24th October.
Phone screenings and interviews will likely take place w/c 6th November.

NCVO are looking for a successor for the outgoing chair of the NCVO finance and commercial committee The NCVO Treasurer will step away in Autumn 2024. Find out more about the role and apply.

The People’s Museum Somers Town is looking for volunteers
The People’s Museum Somers Town has made a space for the ‘Radical Reformer Uncommon People’s histories of an area at risk from development, recording change now, as well as saving working class heritage. We are looking for volunteers for the role of Refill & Reuse Educator – Save the planet and get others to refill glasses and bottles so we don’t keep using plastics! Flexible hours at weekends/ Fridays. Expenses paid and commission on sales. Location: Outdoor King’s Cross market. Email: diana@aspaceforus.club www.aspaceforus.club

Ascension Trust – Bridge Watch – Suicide Prevention Programme
A new programme is being delivered by the Ascension Trust in partnership with a range of stakeholders including the RNLI, Police, Port of London Authority, and the NHS, and working across several mental health charities.
The project aims to train and develop volunteers to act as a ‘physical presence’ around the bridges of the Thames, to identify and support those who are at risk of self-harm and suicide by listening, understanding, talking, and working with a team to provide support needed to help them.
If you are interested in finding out more, express your interest here

Social Media volunteer for Further Than The Edge
We are a theatre production and performance group Further Than The Edge. We’re looking for a Social Media volunteer for our production The Morphea in October at the Bloomsbury Festival. A good opportunity if you want to get involved in the arts sector. We’re a small, friendly team and can provide references. Interested? Contact Rowenna at: artists@furtherthantheedge.com

Mill Lane Garden Centre Vacancy: Seasonal Staff
Mill Lane Garden Centre is a West Hampstead based social enterprise garden centre, providing training and learning to people with a learning disability.
We’re looking for friendly and outgoing people to work at our garden centre from the end of November until just before Christmas. This position involves supporting with Christmas tree deliveries, moving, and packing Christmas trees all whilst providing excellent customer service to the local community.
For more information, please click here.

Age UK Camden and VAC Social Prescribers Innovators Programme
A new initiative is being delivered by the Camden Care Navigation and Social Prescribing Service, hosted by Age UK Camden (AUC) and Voluntary Action Camden.
The project aims to develop volunteering within the service as a way to help retain existing social prescribers and to support successful recruitment to new social prescriber roles.
Contact Mandira at mmanandhar@vac.org.uk if you are interested in volunteering on this new venture.

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)
CAWSH newsletter
St Pancras Community Association (sign up)
Castlehaven in Bloom (sign up)
UCL Volunteering Service Newsletter (sign up)
Latin American House
London Irish Centre
North London Cares: Upcoming Clubs
Castlehaven Community Association (sign up)
Heath Hands

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

Got an item for the e-bulletin?

Send your item to social@vac.org.uk by noon on Wednesday for publication in the following Friday’s edition. Submissions should be 50 – 75 words. Please send plain text or a format that can be copied (ie not embedded in an image). Send links to documents rather than attachments. Make sure to include contact details.