Highlights: Camden Disability Action (CDA) Launch; Consultation on Future Camden Council and Voluntary and Community Sector Relationship; Directory of Social Change Charity Fair; Launching Comics in Schools; Fundraising Masterclass; Creating Connections 10; Free Tickets to Lord’s match; Celebrating Intergenerational Week; Consultation on proposed changes to the Council’s early education and childcare places and children centre services; plus news, funding, events, jobs, volunteering and more.
NEWS
Camden Disability Action (CDA) Launch Event Wednesday, 27 May 2015, 5:30pm to 7:30pm
The Camden Centre, Camden Town Hall, Judd Street, London WC1H 9JE
An event to tell you about CDA the new user led organisation to represent deaf and disabled people in Camden. It will not be a discussion about the closure of DISC or the past but a focus on the way forward with the following Agenda.
• Why is CDA needed and what will its role be?
• Progress made so far to charitable status and what becoming a member will mean to you
• All your questions answered
• Becoming a member
Voluntary Action Camden is helping to organise this event on behalf of CDA.
To book a place please contact Ricky or Monica at VAC.
E-mail: acharles@vac.org.uk Fax: 020 7284 6551 Telephone: 020 7284 6553. Typetalk: 18001-020 7284 6555
This meeting will be fully accessible, but please let us know your access requirements when you book.
Invitation to 19th May Event and Future Consultation Information re Partnership with the Voluntary and Community Sector:
Last week we reported the message from Coucillor Hai to the sector announcing the second stage of the consultation process with the VCS and the council’s aspiration for a “simpler, more strategic relationship that is focussed around the delivery of the Camden Plan.”
The first event which is part of this consultation process will take place on 19th May from 10am till 12.30pm in the Macmillan Hall, Senate House, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HU.
This is an important consultation and engagement event which will be presenting the different options and models we are currently looking at in regards to the new CTS (Communities and Third Sector) funding programme. We are particularly keen to have both funded and unfunded groups’ present at all upcoming consultations meetings, so please forward this onto other organisations currently unfunded by the Council who would be interested in attending.
If you would like to attend the upcoming consultation, require further information or if you wish to access the full version of Councillor Hai’s message please email, noor.al-baddawy@camden.gov.uk
Directory of Social Change Charity Fair
30th June and 1st July, Holloway Road
Whatever your role in the sector, there is training for you here: Charityfair has 64 workshops, from only £35, covering a huge variety of topics including fundraising, management & leadership, marketing, governance, personal development, legal & finance, wellbeing, campaigning & lobbying and organisational support.
More information and booking at www.charityfair.org.uk
Launching Comics in Schools
In partnership with a school in Camden, and with input from various people and organisations.
The site www.comicsinschools.org/ is a multimedia resource using issue-based comics and creative tools to understand and tackle barriers to achievement in schools, and we aim for it to be used in educational settings (across the UK and hopefully Europe) to explore similar issues and themes with young people from an intentionally broad point of view.
The resources, based on the themes and stories in the Meet the Somalis comics, reflect the visual and aural tradition of Somalia in a non-traditional way. They paint a richer and broader picture of issues which can be oversimplified and defined by these statistics and wider public attitudes.
We are quite proud that almost all of the resources have been made by young people.
National News
Election Promises
National Voices have collected all the Conservative election promises into one document. There are 6 pages of promises. You can read them all here.
Fundraising Masterclass
29th May 2015, 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm at London Voluntary Service Council
Are you worried about your fundraising? Would you like to know more about the different types of fundraising and which ones might be best for you?
Come to our Fundraising Masterclass by Peter Rosenvinge (Worshipful Company of Marketors).
This event is for London based voluntary & Community sector organisations who need help with their fundraising.
The event aims to:
~ Give an overview of the different types of fundraising
~ Suggest which types of fundraising are best suited to different causes
~ Give an opportunity for participants to ask practical questions about their own situation
~ Participants will be able to ask the speaker for one free follow up consultation/advisory meeting about their charity
For more information and booking go to www.lvsc.org.uk
Creating Connections 10
Monday 15th June, 6–8pm in the Front Quad Pavilion at University College London.
In celebration of our tenth event, Creating Connections 10 is taking Creativity and Collaboration as its twin themes. As with all previous Creating Connections, the aim of the event is to bring UCL’s academic staff and postgraduate researchers together with representatives of the community and voluntary sector (with a healthy sprinkling of arts, heritage and cultural organisations), to find areas of common interest and projects they can collaborate on. The evening is a mix of themed discussions in small groups with more informal networking.
Find out more and book your place by Monday 8th June
Age UK Camden has Free Tickets to Lord’s for a Cricket ‘Memories Match’: Book
Are you a Cricket Fan? Are you over 60? Would you like FREE tickets to the Middlesex v Warwickshire LV County Championship Match at Lord’s on Monday 1st June? Better get in quick! The deadline for booking is Monday 18th May.
The Memories Match is organised by Lord’s Cricket, and is a chance to talk about old memories and create some new ones. It’s an opportunity to meet like-minded new people over a cup of tea at the Home of Cricket!
The day runs from 10am – 6pm with breaks for lunch and tea. Anyone is welcome to bring their own food and drink into Lord’s if they wish; however if you would like to treat yourself on the day, a range of drinks and snacks are on offer ranging between £2.20 – £6.50. There is the additional option of a sit-down lunch in Lord’s Tavern at a 10% discount by booking ahead.
There is also the opportunity to access the Museum at Lords for a discounted price of £1, or a tour of the grounds for a discounted fee of £8, again by booking ahead.
Please note that transport is not provided, so you would need to make your own arrangements to travel to and from the match.
If you would like to go, contact Jo by Monday 18th May by email jo.bartlett-hubbard@ageukcamden.org.uk or phone 020 7239 0400. Please include your name and phone number, confirm that you are over 60, and be sure to mention if you would like to take up the offer of the discounted sit-down lunch, museum entry or tour.
Celebrating Intergenerational Week at KTCC
Join us for great music, food, dance performances and free craft workshops open to all ages and abilities.
Taking place at Kentish Town Community Centre, 17 Busby Place (off Torriano Avenue), Kentish Town, London NW5 2SP
The event is wheelchair accessible. Free transport for the less mobile is available on a first come, first served basis. Email Isabelle@ktcc.org.uk or ring 020 7482 3212 for more information about the event.
See more at: http://www.projectdirt.com/apps/event/34287/
Consultation on proposed changes to the Council’s early education and childcare places and children centre services
The Council is proposing to make some changes to the services it provides for children under five and their families.
The proposals we are consulting on include:
· Increasing the number of free and subsidised early education and childcare places available to two year olds from low income families.
· Whether we take a phased approach to ending community nursery grants to voluntary and community sector organisations, but support these organisations to draw on national funding and develop new business models. We currently give grants to some organisations in Camden to contribute towards the cost of nursery provision, while others operate without this funding.
· Keeping children’s centre buildings open but making changes to children’s centre services, including changes to drop-in / stay and play sessions and some of the other services which are currently provided at our 14 children’s centres.
You can read more about the proposals and respond to the online consultation questions at www.camden.gov.uk/camdensurestart
Healthwatch Camden
Latest Information DIgest is on the Healthwatch Camden website.
Catch up with the latest Camden news and what’s happening on Our Blog
Voicability
The latest edition of the mental health service user newsletter, Getting Better, is available online here www.voiceability.org/images/uploads/Mental_Health_newsletter_issue_3_spring_2015.pdf
Wellbeing Workshop for Carers
Do you provide unpaid support to someone who has a mental health problem, physical health needs, dementia, frailty or other disability? Come to a free workshop to find out what support is available for you.
Tuesday 12th May at 11am Camden Hub, 8 Fairhazel Gardens, NW6 3SG
~ Learn some simple everyday techniques to help improve your mental wellbeing
~ Access a range of free support: information, advice and advocacy, emotional support, leisure activities and support groups, breaks and respite, health checks. Opportunity to join the Camden Carers Network
~ Have the option of an hour’s mindfulness meditation to focus on yourself and your present
Refreshments provided. For more information or to book a place please contact Abigail Darton on 02072784437 or email abigail.darton@hcct.org.uk
The Camden Capacity Building Bulletin is produced monthly, targeting the community and voluntary sector in Camden. It provides up to date/recently live information and news on funding and training. To access the latest information please follow the Link www.camden.gov.uk/cbbulletin
Age Uk Camden, Hopscotch Asian Women’s Centre, Mary Ward Legal Centre, The Working Men’s College, IKWRO, One Housing, VAC, CRI, and Camden PA are recruiting. See Jobs and Volunteers section below.
Camden Shares. The website for exchanges in Camden. www.camdenshares.org.uk
You can join in on Facebook. Like us if you like us.
Follow all the Camden Voluntary Sector news on OneCamden on Twitter.
You can read more about all of these stories on our news page at www.vac.org.uk/new
FUNDING NEWS
See the Funding pages on VAC’s website for all the latest information.
Skipton Building Society Grassroots Giving 2015 Now Open
Skipton Building Society launched its award-winning Grassroots Giving programme in 2013 to help celebrate its 160th anniversary. That year we gave away 160 pots of £500 to deserving community-based organisations across the UK. This year 162 £500 awards will be made. Note that this is aimed at small community groups and excludes registered charities. Skipton have also published some useful resources. Full details and FAQ here.
Crowdfunding?
Don’t forget that there is a dedicated page on Spacehive just for Camden project. And set up costs are free to Camden groups. Find out more at Spacehive Camden.
The Origin Housing Community Grants Programme
The 2015/16 programme is now open, with the first deadline being Monday 29 June.
Everything you need to apply can be found online here: http://www.originhousing.org.uk/communitygrants.aspx
We welcome all applications for projects that will benefit our residents and customers, and fit into one or more of the following themes:
Building Stronger Communities
Gardening Food and Environmental
Celebrating Heritage
Origin anticipate spending all the budget in this first round. The deadline is 29 June.
Community Awards from OneFamily
OneFamily have 15 awards of £5,000 & four awards of £25,000 available for community projects, charities and clubs to access. Last year we awarded £125,000 to 18 community projects and we were delighted to receive votes from 68,000 individuals who wanted to support projects either close to home or close to their heart. We’ve committed £5 million over the next 5 years to make a difference in communities.
Projects need to be nominated by one of our customers. One in 12 UK families holds a policy with us so community groups may already know of somebody who can nominate their project. Nomination close at 9am on 26 May before a public vote will determine the winners. Voting opens at 10am on 2 June and closes at midday on 29 June.
You can find some of our winners stories and further information on our website – https://foundation.onefamily.com/community-awards
FreeSport offers grants up to £1500
FreeSport – part of the Mayor of London’s sport legacy programme – enables organisations and community groups of all shapes and sizes to apply for grants of up to £1,500 to run free sports activities for Londoners.
The next round of funding opens on 15 April 2015.
FreeSport is about inspiring people of all ages and abilities to try a new sport or activity, but importantly, it’s also about inspiring organisations who may never have done anything sporty before, and to spark their interest to run regular sport sessions. In previous FreeSport rounds we have funded a huge variety of activities ranging from traditional sports like football or rugby through to circus skills and ‘chairobics’
Applications are straight forward and we have lots of information to guide applicants who may never have applied for a grant before.
For more information on the FreeSport grant, you can visit the website which is: www.London.gov.uk/freesport
London Catalyst and the Hospital Saturday Fund have come together to launch a new ‘Partners for Health’ grant programme.
Grants of up to £10,000 will be considered for social action projects tackling the effects of poverty and health inequalities in London. ‘Partners for Health’ is open to community groups that can demonstrate a thoughtful response to local needs and partnership with an expert health agency. There is a particular interest in the areas of mental health and addiction.
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Friday 29 May 2015. The application form and guidance can be downloaded at www.londoncatalyst.org.uk/grants/ – click on the ‘Partners For Health’ link in the opening paragraph of our Special Interest Grants.
Don’t forget to sign up to Funding Central for free email funding alerts. Go to www.fundingcentral.org.uk/
VAC EVENTS
VAC has a full programme of courses coming up: Click here to find out more. All courses are £25 for members (unless otherwise stated).
Mental health courses and workshops from VAC
To book your place, please go to https://vac.org.uk/events/category/health-mental-health/. Click on the course you are interested in and follow the instructions to book your place and pay by card (if applicable). The charge for our Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid training courses is heavily subsidised at only £25 per person. All other mental health workshops are free.
Please note that VAC can only accept bookings from organisations based in Camden or which serve Camden residents. Places are limited on each course to a maximum of two people per organisation.
If you have any queries about our training, please contact us on our new email address: mentalhealthteam@vac.org.uk.
Mental Health First Aid Training Thursday 4th June and Thursday 11th June 2015
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a nationally approved two-day course, designed for anyone without specialist mental health training. The course promotes awareness of mental health issues, and trains non-mental health professionals to recognise those affected by mental health problems and to offer initial help and guidance towards professional support. This can lead to improved outcomes for those affected, their families, friends, colleagues and employers.
Participants will receive a copy of the MHFA manual and certificate on completion of the course.
To book your place please go to: https://vac.org.uk/event/mental-health-first-aid-mhfa-2-day-course/
If you have any questions please contact the Mental Health Team on: mentalhealthteam@vac.org.uk or call 020 7284 6550.
OTHER EVENTS
Free Taster Programme from Camden Council and Catalyst, Tuesday 19th May 2015
‘Over the summer Community Catalysts are managing a project for Camden Council called the Taster Programme. The project hopes to re-establish and nurture connections between older and disabled people and their local community.
Camden has a high number of people who access day centres and they also have a large number of day centre buildings which are underutilised. These centres work well for some people but also have limitations. Referrals have fallen by 40% in the last year and anecdotal evidence suggests that people are looking for alternatives.
Many of the people who attend these centres have skills and knowledge that could be of real value to others in their community but which can go unrecognised and untapped.
Camden also has a large number of businesses, arts and heritage spaces, community and faith organisations and groups. Many of these organisations aim to connect with the whole community and to be inclusive. Some are facing a reduction in funding or support and would like an opportunity to develop their offer or open their space to more and different people.
The Taster Programme aims to support all this to come together.
Offering people who attend day centres a chance to explore alternatives and to try something different in a safe, supported way, without any risk to their current services (with support from day service staff if they need it)
Offering people with skills and knowledge a chance to share it with others in their community
Offering businesses, organisations, groups and institutions a chance to extend what they offer and develop their skills and capacity
Building a picture of community spaces that could be of value to everyone in Camden
We need to identify groups, organisations, businesses, agencies and initiatives that might:
Be willing to offer a ‘taster’ opportunity in June, July or August and/or
Have space available for use or hire and/or
Open up opportunities for older or disabled people to share their skills and knowledge
We’ll offer organisations like yours help to assess what you actually offer and to explore what you could. We’ll also offer you help to build skills and capacity if this is needed. We’ll broker links with older and disabled people and day service staff and support everyone involved.
We would love to see you at one of our short information sessions, however you must book your place below:
If you would like to find out more about the Taster Programme you need to book your place at one of the following short information sessions being run across Camden on the 19th May 2015.’
Please choose from one of the times and locations below (follow the link to secure your place):-
10:00am – 11:30pm – Lumen United Reformed Church & Community Centre
(88 Tavistock Place, WC1H 9RS)
12:00pm – 13:30pm – Lumen United Reformed Church & Community Centre
(88 Tavistock Place, WC1H 9RS)
15:30pm – 17:00pm – Charlie Ratchford Resource Centre
(Belmont Street, NW1 8HF)
Dying Matters Week 2015
Camden Carers Service is holding an event on 19 May to celebrate Dying Matters Week.
Dying Matters Week runs from Monday 18 to Sunday 24 May, and the event aims to encourage people to talk about dying, and their plans for their end of life.
This year’s theme is ‘talk, plan, live’ – aimed at encouraging people across the county to take the following five simple steps to make the end of their life better for them and their loved ones:
1. Write your will
2. Record your funeral wishes
3. Plan your future care and support
4. Consider registering as an organ donor
5. Tell your loved ones your wishes
Join Camden Carers Service on Tuesday 19 May Camden Carers Service to find out more about planning your end of life and to remember your loved ones:
Tuesday 19 May, 11am to 2pm at Granary Square, King’s Cross
Find out more dyingmatters.org 020 7428 8950/55
Citywise Employability Training
Following the success of the 1st Deloitte Employability training day another team have asked to work with Citywise volunteers to provide training in employability skills for unemployed volunteers aged 50+.
This will be held on Friday 29th May 10.45am – 4pm and will provide one to one support to help improve employability skills.
We are planning two sessions to run concurrently: Preparing for Interview and CV clinic
In order for the day to be successful and for the volunteers to be able to structure their support to your individual needs we are asking volunteers to provide their CV in advance and some information about what type of paid employment they are looking for.
For more information or to book a place contact: Sue King: sue.king@volunteeringmatters.org.uk; Citywise@volunteeringmatters.org.uk; 020 3780 5910
LGBT Inclusion Conference at Camden Working Men’s College
Tuesday, 16 June 2015 from 09:30 to 15:30
One day conference aimed at senior Equality and Diversity Managers within the Further Education sector to disseminate findings of WMC LGBT project, The Humane Selfie, Life Gets Better Together, and share good practice.
Further details about the ECU Funded project at WMC can be found on this link http://www.wmcollege.ac.uk/pages/equality.aspx
Lunch and refreshment provided. Book your free place at Eventbrite.
Develop your skills in facilitating positive behaviour change
Camden and Islington Public Health fund this free, one-day course, specifically designed for professionals to develop skills in facilitating positive behaviour change when promoting healthy lifestyles across Camden and Islington.
“Addressing unhealthy lifestyle behaviours is a key intervention which will prevent long-term ill-health and improve outcomes. Promoting Change is an award winning training that will equip frontline staff with the skills and confidence to recognise and address these issues and support people to lead healthier lives.” -Julie Billett Director of Public Health for Camden and Islington.
Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis so don’t delay – take the next step in your professional development and confirm your place today: https://promotingchangetraining.eventbrite.com
Contact Paula Prince at Whittington Health NHS for alternative dates or for more information: paula.prince@nhs.net or call 0207 527 1189
Big Lottery “Building Better Opportunities” Fund
This is a new fund for employability opening on 2 June 2015. It will be a two stage application process with very tight deadlines. (There will probably be a second round after that with a deadline in November.) This fund comes from the EU but it is not match funded – that is you receive the whole amount needed for the project.
It is not known how much organisations will be expected to apply for – but it will almost certainly be £500,000 or more and with a partnership including at least two other boroughs from the nine central London boroughs. It will be expected that partnerships will include the public sector and the VCS and could include businesses as well.
There will be a meeting for Camden VCS groups that would be interested in joining a partnership or partnerships to apply for this funding. The Council may well not have the resources to be the lead organisation in a partnership but staff are willing to facilitate the process. EU funded projects require a lot of work and very detailed reporting and this funding is probably best suited to organisations that already support residents into employment or significantly increase their chances of getting work.
Thursday 28 May 2015 at 3.15 for a prompt start at 3.30. The meeting will end at 5pm.
Committee Room 4 in the Old Town Hall, Judd Street.
For more information or to book a place contact frances.connelly@camden.gov.uk or call 020 7974 6457.
The Training and Development Service at the London Borough of Camden are delighted to announce the launch of the new Care Act e-learning training platform, MeLearning.
The courses available through the platform have been especially designed for the needs of Adult Social Care practitioners. They provide you with the opportunity to strengthen your knowledge of the Care Act, and count towards your CPD
We recommend that you take full advantage of the wide variety of modules on separate aspects of the Care Act available through the platform, to ensure your knowledge is up to date. The courses can be accessed free of charge by all Council employees, as well as members of partner organisations.
To access the courses, visit
https://camden.melearning.university/course_centre
Upcoming safeguarding adults courses:
· Safeguarding adults awareness – theatre – 18 May 2015
· Minute taking for safeguarding enquiries – 9 June 2015
If you experience any problems, please do not hesitate to contact us at TDSOnline@camden.gov.uk
or by calling 020 7974 3701/ 020 7974 2821.
We also provide bespoke, on site Safeguarding adults awareness training sessions. If you have members of staff who require the Basic Awareness safeguarding adults course (Level II), our Safeguarding adults training officer, Jacqui Robertson, can come to your institution and deliver the session.
The Safeguarding adults, and MCA and DoLS training sessions are fully subsidized, and are offered free of charge to all members of staff who provide services for adults at risk in Camden.
Train to Campaign offers low-cost, high quality campaign training workshops in central London to help you make a real impact.
Campaigning Essentials is a half day introduction to the core principles of effective campaigning. Whether you are new to campaigning, or have never had formal training in the basic building blocks of a good campaign, this workshop is for you.
Campaigning Essentials
Wed 3rd June 2015 | 1.15 – 5pm
Other upcoming workshops:
Perfect your campaign elevator pitch
Tue 23rd June 2015 | 1.15 – 5pm
How to influence and lobby Parliament
Thu 16th July 2015 | 1.15 – 5pm
For information about other upcoming campaign training workshops visit www.traintocampaign.london
St Pancras Rehabilitation Unit Open Day & Camden Community Services Disability Awareness Event
Tuesday 26th May 2015 between 1:30pm and 4:30pm, St Pancras Hospital South Wing
St Pancras Rehabilitation Unit acts as a pivotal part of the transition and support for patients in their recovery journey back home from UCLH, the Royal Free, the Whittington and other acute hospitals. We are keen that the unit is seen as a local resource which our whole community is proud and as such I am delighted to invite you to our joint event on Tuesday the 26th May 2015.
This is an opportunity for you, colleagues and members of the local community to learn more about the first class rehabilitation our clinical staff provide at St Pancras Rehabilitation Unit. If you are free to attend please reply to Kathryn Ford, lead for Equalities and Diversities in Camden email kathrynford@nhs.net or telephone 020 3317 3776 by 7th May 2015 so she can confirm catering arrangements.
Theatro Technis proudly presents latest production “OH, DEMOCRACY”
A musical adaptation of Aristophanes’ “THE KNIGHTS” by Keith Murphy, George Eugeniou and Marco Aponte.
Back in 424 BC, when ARISTOPHANES wrote “THE KNIGHTS” it poked fun at the political leaders in Athens, the like of leather merchant Kleon, who put his own personal gains above the city’s interest. Now almost 2500 years later it is as relevant as ever.
Opens: 26th May 7.30pm
The play runs until 6th June, Sunday Matinees 5pm, no shows on Mondays
Tickets: £10/concession £8
26 Crowndale Road London NW1 1TT
Tel: 020 7387 6617 fax: 020 73832545
Email: info@theatrotechnis.com website: www.theatrotechnis.com
Camden People’s Theatre present Stand Up and Down
A man tries to get out of a personal predicament by going into comedy. Things go well for a while – but soon he’s finding it harder to make people laugh. Might this be to do with something inside himself? At a drop-in centre for people with psychological problems, he starts to see himself and society in a different way…
The Stand Up and Down raises awareness of mental health as a social issue. One in four people will be affected by psychological problems at some point in their life. Des Marshall writer, Harry Meacher director sees theatre as a creative way of addressing these concerns.
Tue 9 Jun 2015 – Sun 21 Jun 2015, 7.30pm and 4pm on Sundays at Camden People’s Theatre, 58 – 60 Hampstead Road, NW1 2PY, Tickets: £12 / 10.
Box Office – 0207 419 4841 www.cptheatre.co.uk
VCC Volunteer Management Training
Dealing With Difficult Situations With Volunteers and is for those of you who have the basics, but worry about handling tricky or uncomfortable situations with volunteers. This is also a half-day course on Thursday 21st May and you can book via eventbrite here.
Five free early-bird tickets for organisations that involve volunteers in Camden, and £59+bf for everyone else.
Learn to Build a Website
Free introductory sessions at West Euston Partnership or St Luke’s Community Centre. Various dates in May, June. Contact Jed Keenan on 07950963069 or email jed.keenan@aliteracyprogramme.org. Further information and booking at www.eliteracyprogramme.org
Camden Carers’ Service
Has a full range of events and activities for unpaid carers in Camden. Find out more on the Camden Carers’ Service website www.camdencs.org.uk/activities
Decentralise in Camden
The Camden Climate Change Alliance will be hosting a half day event on Thursday 21 May – ‘Decentralise In Camden’ – to bring together local organisations who are interested in understanding and contributing to Camden’s vision for decentralised energy networks. With knowledgeable speakers and case studies, the event will provide an opportunity for attendees to understand the benefits of implementing or connecting to an energy network, to learn about the various projects delivered to date and most importantly, what will be going on in Camden in over the coming years.
If your organisation would be interested in finding out more about the ‘Decentralise in Camden’ event, register your interest by emailing camdencca@camden.gov.uk and we’ll keep you updated.
Big Advice Day, June 16th, London – completely free 1:1 advice sessions with expert advisors
Big Advice Day is a day of free support for small charities as part of Small Charity Week 2015. The day consists of 1:1 hour long sessions with expert advisors; you choose the topics you’re interested in and we’ll match you to suitable advisors. We have advisors with expertise across a whole range of subjects
The day is completely free to attend includes refreshments. You can attend in person or access advice via phone or Skype. Those attending on the day will also benefit from a range of free workshops.
If you would like to attend Big Advice Day and you are a registered charity with a turnover of under £1.5m per year then sign up here by 18th May.
Don’t forget that Camden TDS run a full programme of course which are subsidised or free for voluntary sector partner organisations. There is a link to a list of partner organisations on the home page.
Find more Training Opportunities at www.vac.org.uk
JOBS AND VOLUNTEERS
Bedford House seeks Volunteers
Nahida Chowdhury, the Senior Community Organiser based at Bedford House, Holborn, is looking for local volunteers to work alongside her and learn Community Organising skills. If you want more information or are interested in this opportunity please contact nahida.chowdhury@corganisers.org.uk
Hopscotch seeks Care Supervisor (Maternity Cover)
35 hrs per week (job share may be considered for the right candidates)
12 months, until July 2016 25,034 incl. ILW
Closing date: 11th June 2015
A confident and conscientious Bengali-speaking worker is required to provide supervision support to a challenging and rewarding service within Hopscotch. The Home Care service offers health and personal care to older people, those who are housebound and to adults with disabilities, to help support their independence and improve their quality of life.
We provide a specialist care service, with a particular focus on the South Asian community. Most of our carers are bilingual. This means they speak English and a range of languages including Bengali, Sylheti, Hindi, Urdu, Nepali, Arabic and Somali.
The Care Supervisor will be responsible for the efficient running of the service and making sure that all care plans are delivered accurately at all times. They will be responsible for quality checks, risk assessments and the training and supervision of a team of care workers. The majority of their time will be spent in the field. They will also be required to share responsibility with Care Coordinators for an emergency on-call service.
For an informal discussion about the post, jd and application please contact Melissa McClelland, Homecare Registered Manager at info@hopscotchawc.org.uk
Age UK Camden seeks Programme Manager, (Job-Share)
Local Government Scale PO3 (c. £19.5-21k pa for 19 hour week)
Camden has been selected as one of 14 areas in England to deliver an innovative 6 year programme of support for isolated older people. Ageing Better in Camden is a local partnership of statutory, voluntary and private agencies and older people led by Age UK Camden. We require a dynamic job-share Programme Manager to: monitor recently appointed delivery partners; manage future tendering processes, support and develop the strategic partnership; manage part-time staff arranging support, training and events to delivery partners, older people and volunteers; manage ABC’s relationship with the Big Lottery and its evaluation and support agents.
Essential requirements: experience of working with older people; experience of engagement preferably co-production; knowledge of issues affecting older people including isolation; excellent communication and interpersonal skills; strong programme management skills including monitoring and evaluation and funder reporting; ability to deliver successful multi-agency partnership work; highly numerate and literate; ability to innovate, manage change and be solutions focussed.
AUC offers a contributory pension, and a season ticket or bicycle loan facility. The post is based at Tavis House, Tavistock Square with easy access via Euston and Kings Cross main lines or Russell Square tube.
For more details, all documents can be downloaded from our website www.ageukcamden.org.uk or email jobs@ageukcamden.org.uk.
Closing date – 9:00am Monday, 1st June2015; Interviews -18th June 2015. No agencies, no CVs.
Age UK Camden seeks Administrative Assistant
12 Month Contract (subject to review and extension)
Scale 4 £21,120- £23,145 plus 6% contributory pension.
This key position will operate the phone switchboard, responding to information enquiries (via the telephone, email and face to face). The role also involves completing various administrative tasks working with all our departments and the Senior Management Team and ensuring our back of house facilities are fully operational by ordering stock, managing room bookings and general house-keeping on a daily basis.
Essentials include: a general knowledge of issues and services relating to older people and their needs; experience of working on a busy reception; ability to multi-task dealing with competing priorities in a calm and efficient manner; administrative skills; IT literacy; and excellent communication skills.
For further details and an application form visit our website www.ageukcamden.org.uk or email jobs@ageukcamden.org.uk or telephone 020 7239 0400. No CVs, no agencies please.
Closing date: 9:00am, Monday 1st June 2015
Interviews: Tuesday 9th June 2015
Kentish Town Community Centre is looking for an inspiring Chair of Trustees
Are you looking for a new challenge? Have you got an interest in local issues?
Visit www.ktcc.org.uk/about/current-vacancies for further details on all KTCC opportunities and to apply.
The Soup Kitchen seeks Part-Time Welcomer/Security Person
The Soup Kitchen at the American International Church in the West End requires a Welcomer who also monitors the behaviour of our service users. A part-time post on up to 5 mornings a week. Salary depends on experience.
The ideal candidate will be able to deal firmly but kindly with a wide variety of vulnerable individuals. Some experience of security work highly desirable but not essential.
A rewarding job as part of a small friendly team helping the homeless.
Closing date: 31 May 2015
For more info and a job description, pls go to www.amchurch.co.uk/soup-kitchen/
To be considered, send your CV and a covering letter to Miranda Suit: soupkitchendirector@hotmail.com
Age UK Camden seeks Advice Services Manager
Local Government Scale PO2 £33,579-£36,186, plus 6% contributory pension.
The Advice and Advocacy Manager post is an exciting opportunity for someone with a background in areas such as welfare rights, advocacy or care management , combined with management experience.
The postholder will manage the Age UK Camden (AUC) information, advice, support and advocacy (IAA) services and team. AUC’s IAA services are delivered by a staff and volunteer team in person (from the office, outreach venues, home visits), by phone, and online.
You will: manage staff and, via a deputy, direct the recruitment and management of volunteers; ensure that AUC’s and IAA funders’ targets are met; manage caseloads to ensure equity and challenge within the team; report to multiple funders; uphold the Advice Quality Mark standards lead development and innovation in the IAA team including assisting with funding applications and tenders.
The post is based at our head office in Tavistock Square, Camden. AUC offers a contributory pension, and season ticket or bicycle loan facility.
For further details and an application form visit our website www.ageukcamden.org.uk or email jobs@ageukcamden.org.uk or telephone 020 7239 0400. No CVs, no agencies please.
Closing date: 9:00am Tuesday 26th May 2015 Interviews: Monday 1st June 2015
Mental Health Champions Project – Somali-speaking volunteers wanted
Voluntary Action Camden supports volunteer Mental Health Champions to engage with Camden-based BMER and faith communities. Key aims of the project are to (1) raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing either in the community or in the workplace (2) tackle stigma by starting conversations about mental health in a non-threatening way (e.g by using simple tools such as the Five Ways to Wellbeing) and (3) improve access to mental health services so that people receive help in a timely fashion. Our volunteer Mental Health Champions may be staff or volunteers from community organisations, or individuals interested in improving awareness about mental health.
We are very keen to recruit volunteers or community workers from the Somali community to join the Project. Contact VAC’s Mental Health Team on mentalhealthteam@vac.org.uk if you are interested or would like to know more.
The Mary Ward Legal Centre seeks a public legal education project volunteer
The Mary Ward Legal Centre is seeking a volunteer to help with its public legal education project on welfare benefits for community groups and residents in Camden. You would need to be able to commit to one day a week. You will help with preparing materials, attending presentations, making follow up phone calls as part of evaluation, and with general administration of the project.
You will get experience in these aspects as well as some general social security knowledge. You will need general IT & office skills and an interest in advice and welfare benefits, but no particular specialist knowledge.
The Mary Ward Legal Centre is based in Holborn, and you will be required to attend presentations at locations around Camden.
The Mary Ward Legal Centre will cover travel and lunch expenses.
To find out more contact Alban Hawksworth alban.hawksworth@marywardlegal.org.uk telephone 020 7269 5444
Onehouseing seeks Care Assistant – Extra Care for Older People
Full-time, part-time, flexible hours and night work £15,370 pa pro rata, Camden, London
We are currently recruiting Care Assistants to assist and enable our customers with day-to-day tasks and provide personal care for older people. You will be required to provide residents with the highest standard of care and support in accordance with their personally tailored plan.
We will offer you ongoing guidance and training, both formal and informal. You will work towards the Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care and will be part of a friendly, highly supportive team.
To apply please register with our careers website www.onehousinggroup.co.uk/careers – and upload a CV and supporting statement of no more than two pages, outlining how your skills and experience meet our needs.
Socially Responsible Recruiting
A new, award-winning skills matching service that connects employers with skilled and experienced people to do one-off or part-time jobs has launched in Camden, with a strong social benefit ethic.
“There is a very large number of people in Camden who are fantastically skilled and work-ready but are off the radar to employers because they’re not looking for full-time work and aren’t constantly scouring the job ads,” says Jonathan Collie, founder of Trading Times.
These people are highly skilled over 50s, and family carers. Trading Times brings them to you. It’s free to candidates. It costs you only £35, and only when you are connected to the perfect candidates.
Paul Fordham of Abbey Community Centre in Camden said: “”We posted our occasional job opportunity on Trading Times because we at the Abbey Community Centre recognise the value of the flexibility that can come with age. Trading Times offers a tailored means to directly target opportunities at an older group that the vast majority of other job sites simply do not seem to tap.”
Register at https://tradingtimes.org.uk/ and let Trading Times match you with the right local people for your needs.
Find Jobs and Volunteering opportunities at https://www.vac.org.uk/
OFFERS, RESOURCES and ANNOUNCEMENTS
NHS 111/OOH – Online Survey
We would really like to hear your experience of using NHS 111 or Camden’s out of hours GP service. Please click on the following link if you would like to complete the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NCL111_OOH
We are also holding some more stakeholder engagement events throughout May, which will give local patients the opportunity to discuss their experience with the existing services and hear more about the proposals for a new, integrated service. In Camden, the event will take place on Wednesday 13 May from 18.00 – 20.00 at St Pancras Hospital Conference Hall. There is a full list of the events, as well as directions to each event, on the Camden CCG website
Strengthening rights and choices for people to live in the community
The government seeks views to strengthen rights of people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health issues to enable them to live independently.
This consultation closes at 29 May 2015 11:45pm. Full details a gov.uk
Nepal Appeal
On Saturday 25 April a massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal. It severely shook the lives of at least 5.3m people and left many homeless. Nepal’s major cities, including the capital Kathmandu, have been badly damaged and rural areas near the epicentre have been completely cut off by avalanches. Find out more and donate at the Disasters Emergency Committee website or at Pasa Puchah guthi UK or for blankets, tents and medicines you can drop your donation off at the Great Nepalese, Eversholt Street, NW1 (next to Euston station) from 11.00-2.30 Monday to Saturday.
NHS 111 and out-of-hours GP Services in north central London
NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups in north central London are working to improve the local NHS 111 service. This includes integrating the NHS 111 service and the GP out-of-hours services to enable them to work better.
We will be holding public engagement events across north central London as an opportunity to hear from you. All residents are invited to come along and share their views and experiences of existing services so that we can work together towards developing the best possible service.
There is no need to RSVP, please just turn up; we look forward to seeing you. If you have any questions about the events, please contact feedback@nelcsu.nhs.uk or call 020 3688 1615.
Stephens House and Gardens, 17 East End Road, Finchley, London N3 3QE
Monday, 18 May 2015, 18:00 – 20:00.
St Pancras Hospital Conference Hall, 4 St Pancras Way, London NW1 0PE
Wednesday, 13 May 2015, 18:00 – 20:00.
FREE VAC Membership for Unfunded Groups: Voluntary Action Camden Small organisations with no paid staff and a turnover of less than ?1,500 can now join for FREE. To take advantage of this offer just fill in the membership on the online form here.
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To get discounts on training, room hire and many more benefits click here to join Voluntary Action Camden
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If you have an item for the e-bulletin, please email it to Kevin Nunan, knunan@vac.org.uk with a note of which section you would like it to appear under.
