Voluntary Action Camden E-Bulletin - 15th July 2022

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VAC Weekly Newsletter
15th July 2022

VAC Membership
VAC aims to help develop and connect the VCS in Camden to ensure each group is able to reach their own potential and collaborate with one another.

We also work to advocate on your behalf.

Membership is free, click on the link box above and join us today

Highlights

This week we spotlight how VAC works to present the voice of the Camden VCS at a strategic level. We also have events, advice and opportunities from around the area.

And we cannot forget The Camden Mela and the Camden New Town Community Festival on this weekend! (See the ‘events’ section of the newsletter)
It is a busy time, but please stay safe during the hot weather

Building Influence at a strategic level
This is usually considered to be a less well-known area of VAC’s work, it involves presenting a Camden Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) voice at a strategic level.

This includes raising awareness about what the sector can offer, connecting the sector with strategic stakeholders, having sector influence in borough policy and strategy, ensuring that the sector is not excluded from the decision-making process, or overlooked as a delivery partner in the provision of community-based services and projects that meet the needs of local people.

To learn more about our current key areas of focus, please click here

Heatwave advice from Camden Council
As the heatwave continues, please make sure that you stay safe, including:

•   Drinking plenty of water
•   Calling NHS 111 or, in an emergency, 999, if necessary
•   Checking in on your neighbours

If you do go outside, please remember to wear a hat, apply sunscreen regularly, stay in the shade as much as possible and carry a water bottle with you.
Also, please look out for those around you who may need a little extra help in the hot weather, such as vulnerable family members, friends, and neighbours.

For a full list of advice on staying safe in the hot weather, please click here

Camden Vacant Spaces programme pilot – Market Research Survey
Camden Council is launching market research for an exciting opportunity for a 600m² space on the Hilgrove Estate, the pilot project of the Vacant Spaces Programme.
Camden is keen to understand who is interested in spaces on estates, for what purpose and what support they might need.

Please find the document here, with the survey link on the final page.

If you would like to discuss the opportunity further please contact Jenny at jenny.dunn@camden.gov.uk

Coding Immersion Event
18th July at the Arsenal stadium (range of times available)

01 Founders are a free Camden-based coding school with a guaranteed job after 2 years training. They are very keen to reach out to Camden residents looking for an opportunity in Tech.
Arsenal and 01Founders have teamed up to bring you an immersive coding experience that will open new career paths and opportunities, like the one happening this Monday at the Arsenal stadium.

Please click here to book your place or contact Cina Aissa, Community engagement officer for LIFT in Camden, to find out more: Cina.Aissa@Islington.gov.uk or call 07977 178528

Forest Bathing (nature mindfulness) session for Visually Impaired People
2pm, Thursday 22nd September
Meet at Hampstead Heath Overground Station, South End Road, NW3 2QD. No booking required.

Forest Bathing, a leisurely walk in a forest or woodland, is a great way to de-stress and focus your senses as you walk through nature.
VIPs and assistance companions welcome.
The walk, led by Heath Hands, will last about 1.5 hours: it will be at a very gentle pace and it won’t cover a lot of ground as there’s lots of stopping to pay attention to things along the way, plus there will be benches to rest any weary legs.

For more information phone Rosemary at Visually Impaired in Camden on 07980 328 959 or email rosemary@somerstown.org.uk

Hillview Festival 2022: Date for your diary / Book a stall
2pm-9pm on Saturday 3rd September

This family festival is free, open to all and takes place in the leafy courtyards, and surrounding streets of the Hillview Estate, Whidborne Street, King’s Cross WC1H.
The culturally diverse programme is full of local artistes, music, dance and other performances, as well a puppet theatre, a pop-up Ceilidh, drop in arts, dance & circus skills sessions, a community marketplace and more!

If you would like a stall or for further information, please email hillviewfestival@gmail.com
The programme is still being tweaked, but to see the line up so far, please click here

Early Bird £10 & £15 Tickets Offer for The Darkest Part of the Night at Kiln Theatre
There is an allocation of £10 and £15 tickets from Kiln Theatre for the world premiere of The Darkest Part of The Night
These tickets are available for all performances until Saturday 13th August.

To book, please call the Kiln Theatre Box Office on 020 7328 1000 or go online here and use the promocode BID.

Trustee recruitment: Old Diorama Arts Centre
Deadline: 10am on Monday 5th September

Old Diorama Arts Centre, the arts creation and community centre in Euston, is on a journey of change, with a new vision, nurturing artistic and local Regent’s Park ward communities.
We’re looking for up to 4 new Trustees, particularly including those with experience working in the Camden community sector.

For more information, please click here.

Office volunteer opportunity at Heath Hands
Heath Hands currently have an opening for an office volunteer.

This is a flexible and varied role, including tasks such as social media, newsletters, database management, event coordination, website editing, retail support etc.
This is a great opportunity to gain office experience in a friendly team working in beautiful surroundings on Hampstead Heath!
The ideal person would be available for at least ½ day a week on a weekday, on an ongoing basis but there is some flexibility.

For more info and a chat, please contact info@heath-hands.org.uk

Elfrida Rathbone Camden (ERC) vacancies:

Family and Community Services Manager
Deadline: 1st August
Elfrida Rathbone Camden are looking for a Family Services Manager to lead and co-ordinate our Family and Community Services projects. The post is full-time (35 hours per week), and is a fixed term contract for 24 months.

Family Development Worker
Deadline: 1st August
We are also recruiting a Family Development Worker to work as part of a multidisciplinary team working to improve outcomes for children. The post is either full-time (35 hours per week) or four days a week.

For more information and to apply for either role, please click here

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

Cost of Living Alliance
The last two years have put untold pressures on local people and communities and there is no sign of this easing with rising inflation causing further economic insecurities for individuals and families.
As costs increase, the millions of people living on low incomes are going to further feel the squeeze on their household budgets.

The Cost of Living Alliance aims to build an evidence base of what is happening across the UK, define clear areas where changes by government and power holders could make the most change to grassroots communities and decide on how we can use our collective influence to call for change.

To learn more, please click here

Local Newsletters:

SHAK
Latin American House
Young Camden Foundation
AWN (sign up)
London Sport (sign up)

If you would like your Camden VCS newsletter added to this list, please email social@vac.org.uk

VAC administered Google Grants
The VAC/ Google Grants scheme is still ongoing.

Are you a small voluntary/community sector organisation with income under £150,000 a year and would like to book a venue in Camden?

VAC have been funded by Google to provide a fund of up to £300 per quarter for small organisations looking to book a space to provide for their work group / activity / community session.

Find out more here
or get in contact with Ricky at Rsingh@vac.org.uk

Disability Justice Fund
Application Deadline: 3rd October 2022

This is A £3 million fund from Trust for London and City Bridge Trust to advance strong, vibrant, diverse and sustainable Disability justice, equity and inclusion in the UK.

For more details, please click here

Home Office Launches Support for Victims and Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse Fund
Application deadline: 12am on 25th July 2022

This is funding for voluntary sector organisations in England and Wales providing nationally accessible support to victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.
The Home Office is inviting voluntary sector organisations, either as a single organisation or multi-organisation consortium, to apply to this three-year, £4.5 million fund.

To learn more, please click here

Greene King Grants
Deadline 14 August 2022
This fund aims to support and promote grassroots sport within local communities by supporting people and projects that run sports activities that positively impact the local community and would tangibly benefit from funding in the short-term.
Individuals may nominate a sports club or organisation to receive a cash grant to continue delivering sports activities. Grants of up to £3,000 are available

For more information, please click here

OVO Foundation Invites Applications for Climate Changers Fund
Application Deadline for Stage One applications: 23.59pm on 22nd July 2022.

This Fund is designed to equip disadvantaged children and young people with the skills to take on sustainability issues.
Constituted not-for-profit groups in the UK can apply for a share of a £1 million fund which seeks to help give every child a fairer, greener future.

For more details, please click here

Camden Giving: We Make Camden Kit
Rolling funding

In partnership with Camden citizens and Camden Council, Camden Giving are funding great ideas that will make Camden a better place.
The ‘We Make Camden Kit’ gives money and support to Camden residents and community groups who have great ideas for their communities. Residents and community groups can apply via Camden Giving’s website to receive up to £1,500 to deliver ideas that make a difference for the community. Residents can also receive support with insurance, safeguarding and connections to make their ideas a success.

For more information and to apply click here.

Launch of Government’s VCSE Health and Wellbeing Fund 2022-25
Application Deadline 5 August 2022: 9am

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), and NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSEI) are seeking applications from VCSE sector organisations for the next round of the Health and Wellbeing Fund.
The theme of the 2022 to 2025 fund is women’s reproductive wellbeing in the workplace.

For more details, please click here

To re-discover funding removed from this list, please see our newsletter archive here

Other available funders include:

Camden Summer Advice Fair from Camden Advice Network, Camden Council and VAC
21st July: 11am to 5pm, at the London Irish Centre, NW1 9XB

This is an opportunity for residents to receive on the spot advice on a range of issues and to find out about employment opportunities, mental health support, financial help, benefits advice and more, so that you can make sure you’re accessing all the support that you’re entitled to.
Local residents can just turn up on the day and drop in at a time that works for you.

If you’re not free but want some help or advice, please get in touch. Call us on 020 7974 4444 (option 9), visit camden.gov.uk/advice or call Camden Advice Network on 0808 278 7855. Whatever is happening, please don’t suffer in silence – help is available.

The morning network session is co-facilitated by VAC and hosted by the team at the Irish Centre. It is an opportunity for the local VCS to network and discover more about the wide range of support available from other organisations in Camden.

Camden Mela – This Sunday
12pm – 6pm
The Camden Mela is a family friendly festival celebrating Bangladeshi culture and is taking place in Coram Fields this Sunday (17th July), the theme this year centres around cohesion, and the diversity of Camden’s communities.

Camden New Town Community Festival – This Weekend
Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th July in Camden Square Gardens NW1

Saturday, 4pm-8pm includes Jazz, poetry and ‘open mike’
Sunday, 12pm-6pm is a day for Families.

To volunteer or make a donation please contact the Festival team on 020 7485 6827 or email: festival.mlcc@yahoo.co.uk

Managing your community building
Camden Council is hosting a free lunchtime seminar for voluntary and community sector building managers

Managing Access & Inclusion at Community Buildings with the Centre for Accessible Environment:
20th July 12-2pm
How to ensure your building is fully accessible to people with different needs. This includes information on undertaking an accessibility audit.

Please contact Sam.Rowe2@Camden.gov.uk for more infomation or sign up here for your Zoom invitation.

Camden Carers and Wandsworth Carers Centre Workshop
Dates: 10.30am-12pm on 20th and 27th July, or 2pm-3.30pm on 29th July

Camden Carers and Wandsworth Carers Centre a holding a free, online workshop for health and social care professionals in Camden across three dates in July. Please choose the date that works best for you.
The workshop will focus on how to support unpaid carers from LGBTQ+ communities and ethnic minority communities.

For further information and to sign up, please email anna@camdencarers.org.uk

Free 6 Weeks Digital Media Training at the SKY TV Campus, West London from MAMA Youth Project
Deadline: Monday the 8th of August

Calling all young creatives living in London aged 18-30 with a passion for creating compelling content and a desire for a career in media.
Apply now for 6 weeks of free intensive digital media training with BAFTA winning company, Licklemor Productions. Lunch and travel expenses provided.

For more information and to apply, please click here

Volunteering with VAC! Join our Community Links Team
Are you able to commit to at least 2 hours per week and interested in supporting people in your community to access health and wellbeing services?

Community Links Volunteers are a part of the Care Navigation and Social Prescribing Service in Camden. They support social prescribing in a variety of ways including signposting residents to community-based activities, helping with referrals, motivating users to connect with new interests and activities, accompanying residents to appointments and introducing them to a range of different opportunities in Camden.

For more info and to apply, please click here
Or contact Mandira Manandhar on mmanandhar@vac.org.uk or 020 7284 6573

VAC paid Internship: Communications (15 hours per week)
VAC is seeking a Communications Intern to assist the VAC team for a 4 month period. This position will work with the Communications Lead and IT manager on our communications channels, including the weekly newsletter and social media presence, to promote VAC opportunities and our overall profile.

The role would suit someone looking to gain experience in work-based communications and an interest in developing a career in communications based roles.

To apply, please send a CV and cover letter to info@vac.org.uk

Pascal Theatre Company Vacancy: Social Media Officer for a Camden Women’s Heritage Project (part-time)
Deadline: 27th July

Pascal Theatre Company are looking for a part-time freelance Social Media Officer to create engaging posts and publish them on the Company’s media accounts. The post holder must be used to creating and diffusing imaginative images and subtitles. Excellent writing skills are vital.
The position is part-time and much of the work will be remote but the candidate must be able to attend occasional meetings and events in Central London.

For further information, please contact Sally: sally@pascal-theatre.com

Women and Health vacancy: Clinical Lead (counselling)
Deadline: 12pm on 18th July.

Women and Health is looking for a Clinical Lead (counselling) to join our talking therapies service.
The successful candidate will have significant experience of co-ordinating or managing a counselling project, supporting trainee counsellors, working with external stakeholders such as the NHS, and measuring clinical outcomes.

Please contact Gemma Tighe, our Director, on gemma@women-and-health.org
This post is for women only, exempt under Equality Act 2010 pursuant to Schedule 9, Part 1.

Pascal Theatre Company Vacancy: Communications & Marketing Manager for a Camden Women’s Heritage Project (part-time)
Deadline: 20th July 2022

We are looking for an experienced, freelance Communications & Marketing Manager to work part-time over two years. The appointee will create a marketing strategy to support the two-year project and design publicity campaigns, newsletters and social media posts etc to reach new and existing audiences. Close collaboration with the Director and Film Director is essential as is the direction and supervision of the Social Media Officer.

Much of the work will be remote but the candidate must be able to attend occasional meetings and events in Central London.

For further information, please contact Sally: sally@pascal-theatre.com

Camden special educational needs strategy consultation
Camden Council is asking parents, carers, children, young people and professionals to have their say on a new draft strategy to improve services for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) aged 0 to 25.

The Council is inviting comments on the Draft Local Area SEND Strategy 2022-27 to improve support services and the outcomes achieved by children and young people with SEND. The 12-week consultation started on 1st July and runs until 22nd September 2022.

To learn more and to have your say, please click here

New Emotional Wellbeing Service for Camden
Bupa Health Clinic – Nr Kings Cross, 300 Grays Inn Rd, London Wc1X 8DU

Camden Beam is now open: A free, open access emotional health and well-being drop in for 18-21 year old in Camden. Provided by The Children’s Society with support from Bupa Foundation, the service is open every Thursday between 6-8:30pm, delivered by a specialist team of well-being practitioners.

You do not need an appointment or referral to access the service. You will be able to drop-in and talk to one of the specialist team and access advice and support.

For more information, contact the team at: Camdenbeam@childrenssociety.org.uk or click here

VAC Training Resources
VAC deliver regular training for Camden voluntary and community groups. We also run seminars on topical policy issues and themes, and host regular events aimed at the specific needs of the local community.

To view our on-demand resources, please click here

Past Voluntary Action Forums: Resources

You can 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 Thursday for publication in the following day’s edition. The e-bulletin comes out every Friday. 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.