VAC Weekly Newsletter
19th October 2018 |
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| Somali Week Festival; Hate Crime Drop in; Stories in Song at the British Library; Save our Boys and Girls Employability Day; Knowledge Quarter Community Champions; Scots Choir; Armistice Commemoration; Caraf Holiday Play Scheme; Creativity Workshop; The NHS Explained + training, events, funding opportunities, jobs, volunteering, trustees and more |
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Somali Week Festival.
The festival, an integral part of the Black History Month, runs from 19th October to 28th October 2018 across London including the British Library and The British Museum. This year is a special milestone as the Festival reaches its 10th consecutive year of bringing together one of the largest gatherings of Somalis in the Diaspora during its annual 10-day festival. The theme for this year is the aptly named: “Decade: Looking Forward, Looking Back”
The launch of Somali Week Festival takes place at the British Library on the evening of Friday 19th October.
Drinks reception at 6.00pm before the main event in the theatre at 7.00pm. There is more information here. |
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Hate Crime Drop in Surgery
14th November 12-2pm Crowndale Centre, 218 Eversholt Street, NW1
This services aims to provide a comprehensive ‘One Stop’ drop-in service for those experiencing and/or who may be at risk of a Hate Crime or experienced it in the past and fearful further incidents may occur. Hate incidents take many forms from verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, bullying or malicious complaints. The Sessions will be run in conjunction with Metropolitan Police, LGBT Forum, Community Security Trust (CST), Camden Council, Tell MAMA and Camden People First.
Stories in Song at the British Library
Sunday 21 October, 11.30 – 13.00 and repeated at 14.00 – 15.30.
Free Drop-in Suitable for ages 5 – 11
Storytelling for families inspired by our exhibition Windrush: Songs in a Strange Land. Join IROKO Theatre Company for a workshop full of music, play and performance, involving drumming, dancing and singing. Everyone is welcome.
Save our Boys and Girls Employability Day
Jobs, training, qualifivations training and affordable housing. Lots of employers and opportunities on the day.
26th October 12 – 4pm, 25 Bertram Street, N19. More info contact admin@saveourboysandgirls.org or visit www.saveourboysandgirls.org
Knowledge Quarter Community Champions: Wellbeing
Mon 22 October, 3:00 – 5:00 at the British Museum
Community Champions is a unique programme of networking events, offering charities and community groups across Camden and Islington the chance to make important and lasting connections with Knowledge Quarter partners, such as the British Museum, UCL, Google, the Francis Crick Institute, Conway Hall, The Place and many others.
The Community Champions project is a series of events designed to bring Knowledge Quarter (KQ) partners together with local charities and community groups to encourage KQ partners to develop collaborative projects around the themes of youth, employability, environment, wellbeing and nexus.
More information and booking at Eventbrite.
Healthwatch Camden AGM
Tuesday 23 October 18.00-20.00
at the St Pancras and Somers Town Living Centre
Please RSVP at info@healthwatchcamden.co.uk
New choir launches in Camden for Scots in London
No singing experience is necessary, there are no auditions, and no solos are required here. It’s about getting together and having a good time.
ScotsCare is also running a guided meditation and relaxation class before the choir – again, no experience needed – and can be done seated or lying down.
Both activities are open to existing and new clients of the charity – first and second generation Scots in London. To register with ScotsCare, please call 0207 240 3718 or 0800 652 2989.
ScotsCare also runs a free monthly lunch and bingo in Eversholt Street for Scots over 50, summer seaside outings, and Christmas and Burns lunches.
The charity is also seeking a volunteer pianist (ideally with their own keyboard) to accompany the choir from January. Call Una or email info@scotscare.com
Armistice Commemoration 11th November
Join Michael Palin, Robert Powell and Lee Montague for a commemoration of The War to End All Wars, celebrating the indomitable spirit of those who fought and those who stayed behind, on the 100th anniversary of the Armistice. There will be readings and poems and popular songs of the period played by Adam Gorb. The evening will take place at The Peter Samuel Hall, Royal Free Hospital on 11th November at 7.30pm (1hour). All proceeds go to Keats Community Library. For tickets call the library on 0207 431 1266 or book online
The Caraf Centre holiday Play Scheme
22nd -26th October 8.00am – 6.00pm
Prices (per day): Per Child 10/12, Per Family 16/20. Age: 5-8 year olds
Limited free spaces available. To register contact Indira Vyas at The Caraf Centre, 27-30 Cheriton, NW5. Phone: 020 7284 0030 Email: sunshine@thecarafcentre.org.uk Web: www.thecarafcentre.co.uk
Women Constructed – Affirmations for Creativity
Free creative workshop, Sat 27th Oct, Swiss Cottage Gallery, 1-3.30pm
Discuss the lives of women artists whilst creating a collaborative artwork using a range of drawing and collage materials. The workshop is open to all people who identify as women. No drawing skills of previous experience necessary.
You can find out more here To book email Emily from Quiet Down There emily@quietdownthere.co.uk or call/text 07881 951177
The NHS Explained: How the Health System in England Really Works
Get a detailed understanding of the NHS – its inner workings, current and future challenges, and how it all fits together.
This course will help you understand what keeps the fifth largest employer in the world running. You’ll explore current and future challenges facing the NHS, and the ways in which we can tackle these challenges to ensure a system fit for the future. Free online course from the Kings Fund.
Camden Disability Action
Catch up with the latest news from Camden Disability Action.
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| The Council’s Funding Bulletin has been replaced by Camden 4 Community
See the Funding pages on VAC’s website for all the latest information.
London Early Years Campaign.
The Mayor is offering a total of £150,000 to improve awareness of free early education for 2-year-olds and increase take up of places by eligible families.
City Hall will award a maximum of 30 grants of between £5,000 and £15,000 each to local projects. The proposals must target areas of low take up and evidence how they will effectively engage families and communities who are currently missing out on this vital offer..
Delivery is expected to take place between January 2019 and September 2019. Full details here.
Power Up: resourcing women’s and girls’ movements for change
Fund opens 8th October and closes 7th December
Up to £300K is available for single applicants, or up to £500k for partnerships
Find out more at the Comic Relief website.
Waitrose Community Matters
Launched in 2008, Waitrose Community Matters initiative donated over £14 million to local charities chosen by the public. Using tokens provided at the till, customers decide how much of a £1,000 monthly total (£500 in convenience shops) is given to the three charities or community groups, nominated by customers and selected by Partners.
Online, Waitrose.com also shares a donation of £25,000 between 3 national causes. After checkout, you will be asked to vote for one of the national causes we are supporting. Each cause will receive a share according to the number of votes – just as we do in our branches. Apply here.
The HS2 Camden Fund
The Camden Fund aims to strengthen the sense of place and alleviate the disruption of the development of HS2 Ltd. on local people by achieving one or more of the following aims:
1. A Happier and Healthier Camden
2. A Better Connected Camden
3. A Stronger Voluntary and Community Sector
We aim to inform applicants of the result of their application within 16 weeks. Applicants can submit applications at any point between midnight on the 15th May 2018 and midnight on the 14th May 2020. Full details at Camden Giving.
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Healthy Minds Programme with Mind in Camden
The latest Healthy Minds community programme is now available. A range of activities are available from VAC, Mary Ward, Mind in Camden, BWA, Good Gym, the Round House and more. Find out what’s on and how to book.
Healthy Minds: Free Creative Writing workshop:
The sessions aim to provide an opportunity to explore your creative side and build self-confidence through a series of simple writing exercises using prompts to help you with reflection and recall. Students are encouraged to share their writing and offer supportive and constructive feedback on each other’s work. The aim of the sessions is to build confidence in your writing and to help each other to develop skills for critiquing and editing
Thursdays 25th Oct, 8th, 22nd Nov, 6th Dec 10:30am – 12:30pm
Healthy Minds: Nutrition Talks
When you understand how sugar behaves in your body and damage it does to your health, then you have informed choice about consuming it. When you know and understand what a balanced diet is, you can support your health and weight loss.
Tuesday 23rd October 11am – 12:30pm
At Charlie Ratchford Resource Centre, Belmont Street, Chalk Farm, NW1 8HF
To book your place, please contact Mandira Manandhar on 020 7284 6573/6550 or mmanandhar@vac.org.uk OR Mind on 020 7241 8996/healthymindscp@mindincamden.org.uk
Health and Safety Essentials – 21 November 2018
Wednesday, 21st November, 10:00am – 1:00pm
Do you have responsibilities for health and safety where you work? Do you want to know your rights when it comes to health and safety? And know how to enforce your rights? You get a certificate at the end of the course. Learn about:
~ The main UK health and safety laws
~ Who is responsible for health and safety at work
~ Who enforces health and safety
~ Basic risk assessment
~ Sources of information and support
The training is ideal for people new to health and safety or those wanting to refresh their knowledge. The course also covers all the requirements for running a community group safely. In particular, migrant workers or recent arrivals in the UK will gain important knowledge about their rights. Book here.
Volunteer with VAC and develop experience and skills in public health
VAC can provide training, and sessional work opportunities for committed volunteers. Benefits include free Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH) training to volunteer Health Advocates for Community Links, part of a new Care Navigation and Social Prescribing service in Camden. See Jobs and Volunteers section below for full details.
Need a Venue near Chalk Farm?
VAC now has 3 new rooms to hire out for Events/Training, etc. at our new base in the Charlie Ratchford Centre in Chalk Farm.
The Dining Room can hold up to 60 people, this can be useful for any large social events, AGMs, conferences, etc.
The Buffet Room can hold up to 20 people comfortably for training/workshops
The Lounge is a open area for anything that is not confidential and can hold up to 20 people
Rates and full details on the VAC website.
More details on the VAC website: https://vac.org.uk/events/ |
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Employing a personal assistant
Organised by Camden Disability Action
How to safely recruit PA’s; Setting the boundaries; Keeping control; How to manage staff on a day to day basis; What to do if things go wrong; Keeping everything safe and legal
At Charlie Ratchford Resource Centre, Belmont Street, NW1 8HF
Friday – 9th November
The sessions run from 10.30 am – 1.30 pm and then a hour for lunch.
Contact Nital Patel to book a place or for more info nita.patel@psic.org.uk
An evening with Antony Gormley
On 7th November Antony Gormley, one of Britain’s great living artists, will be joined by anthropologist Hugh Brody and psychoanalyst Margot Waddell for this evening of discussion and film at Belsize Square Synagogue. Included will be a special screening of “Inside Australia”, Hugh Brody’s 52-minute documentary about Antony Gormley’s stunning 51-sculptue installation on Lake Ballard in Western Australia. All proceeds will fund Camden Psychotherapy Unit’s provision of low cost psychotherapy for Londoners in need. For information and tickets visit insideaustralia.eventbrite.co.uk or call CPU on 0207 284 6558.
Board Games Afternoon at the H-Pod
Tuesday, 23 October, WEP will be holding a board games afternoon. We will be playing games and enjoying light refreshments while we chat with you about Healthtrain. We are looking for fresh thoughts to help us to improve our services. rsvp 020 7388 7932 email: chuks@westeuston.org
Self-Care Workshops
The workshops will inform participants about what local services are available to them in addition to their GPs, and how they can better manage their health.
Click here to register.
~ 24 October 10:00 – 12:00 (Queen’s Crescent Community Association)
~ 8 November 1:30 – 3:30 (Kingsgate Community Association)
~ 21 November 10:00 – 12:00 (Pax Lodge, Olave Centre)
Bloomsbury Festival Family Fun Day & 1A Arts Film
21st October is Family Fun Day and will also feature a screening of a film produced by a group of young people at 1A Arts. Find out more here.
Improve your English Skills through Fun Social Learning
At The Wellcome Collection Reading Room, Euston Road, NW1.
Starts Friday 2nd November 10.15-12 Every 2 weeks. Includes a free lunch!
E: hello@speak-street.com T: 020 3637 9668
Free. Priority spaces for WC1 and NW1 residents
Volunteer Managers’ Forum: Networking & Peer Support
Join Volunteer Centre Camden for the Volunteer Managers’ Forum Tuesday 13th November, 10am-1pm in Camden to discuss all things volunteer management with volunteer managers in Camden, and beyond.
The topics will be varied, and can be anything related to managing volunteers – and will be decided by you on the day. Book at Eventbrite.
Healthwatch Camden’s Community Forum
Tuesday 23 October at 4.30. Have your say by attending the event and help to make sure that Camden’s health and social care services are the most people-focused in the country. The location is the Living Centre. RSVP for more information to info@healthwatchcamden.co.uk
Healthfest
CLDS health and wellbeing event
Friday 26 October, 10am to 4pm
at Charlie Ratchford Resource Centre, Belmont Street, NW1 8HF
Come along on the day to find out about staying safe, staying healthy, staying active and having fun. Find out more at 020 79 74 37 37
‘Creating a Stronger Voluntary & Community Sector’
Thursday, 15th November, 5:30 PM 7:00 PM
Camden Giving has funding available through the HS2 Camden Fund for creating a ‘Stronger Voluntary and Community Sector’. We will share some tips and ideas about applications you could consider applying to us for under this strand so that you can begin to plan your project proposal.
This free workshop is aimed at not-for-profits with an income of less than £500k, whose projects/activities benefit Camden communities.
Click here to book a place or email danielle@camdengiving.org.uk.
October Volunteering Fair
Looking to recruit volunteers in Camden or Islington?
Bookings are now open for the Volunteer Centre Camden Supersized Volunteering Fair on Wednesday 31st October, 12-2pm.
This fair is co-hosted with Volunteer Centre Islington and takes place in King’s Cross at Voluntary Action Islington on Pentonville Road.
This is open to all voluntary organisations that have volunteering in Camden, Islington and their borders.
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Camden CIL Consortium Seeks Engagement Officer
Camden Centre for Independent Living (Camden CIL)
Salary: £32,151 – £35,251 pro rata 4 days p/w (depending on experience)
Camden Centre for Independent Living (Camden CIL) is a new service, run and controlled by disabled people. Its main purpose is to improve the life chances of disabled people in Camden and to promote the empowerment of Deaf and Disabled people in their everyday life.
The CIL is now looking for an experienced and enthusiastic engagement office to lead development of a new model of engagement for disabled people in Camden, and support disabled people to play a full role in the CIL and in Camden’s wider community, including supporting the involvement of volunteers.
We welcome applications from people living with a disability.
Download the application pack from the CDA website. For further details please contact Len Lauk on len@camdendisabilityaction.org.uk. Closing Date: 9 Nov
Castlehaven seeks Head of Social Enterprise and Commercial Development
Castlehaven Community Association are currently looking for a Head of Social Enterprise and Commercial Development who will oversee income generation, social enterprise development and enterprise management.
More details at the Castlehaven website. Please send your applications to info@castlehaven.org.uk
Closing Date for Applications: Sunday 11th November
The Winch seeks Fundraising Officer
£26,0000
The Winch are looking for a principled, passionate and professional fundraiser who believes every young person should be supported to succeed, regardless of their circumstances. Details at the Charity Jobs website.
Little Village Opportunities
Little Village collects great quality donations of clothes, toys and kit for babies and children up to the age of 5 and then gifts these donations onto local families in need in the area.
Volunteers
The charity is powered by volunteers and we are always looking for new people to join the Little Village volunteer family. Could this be you? Roles available at our Camden site (Somers Town Community Association, 150 Ossulston Street, London NW1 1EE) include Family Liaison volunteers who welcome and support families at our drop-in sessions; stock gatherers and sorters who help sort our wonderful donations of clothes, toys and baby items; social media volunteers; community engagement supporters and lots more besides. If you’re interested please come to our open morning on Tuesday 16th October at 10am at Somers Town Community Association.
Jobs
We’re very excited to be recruiting two paid roles at our Camden site based at Somers Town Community Association, 150 Ossulston Street, London NW1 1EE. If you’re looking for a part-time administrator role (15 hours a week, 43 weeks a year) or a part-time ambassador position. Little Village is a family-friendly employer, not to mention a fun, rewarding and supportive place to work.
For details email camden@littlevillagehq.org or visit the Little Village website
Camden Butterfly Trust seeks Trustees
Get involved in the wildlife habitat creation programme “Bring Back the Butterflies” becoming a charity. Two positions are available to join this exciting venture. Contact Jim, Email: thebutterflyman@btinternet.com, Tel: 020 7586 6576 or 07826 497 377
Age UK Camden seeks Henderson Court Deputy Manager
Maternity Cover – min 6 months from Mid December with possible extension
Henderson Court Day Centre – 35 hour week
S01 Scp 29-31 £30,012 to £31,764 pa for full-time
In the role of Deputy Manager – you will Support Day Care Officers and volunteers in providing an excellent service to a diverse client group of older people with complex care needs including providing feedback and managing performance and identifying new areas of need and potential development.
For further details and an application form visit the website www.ageukcamden.org.uk or email jobs@ageukcamden.org.uk or telephone 020 7239 0400. Closing date: 9am, Tuesday 6th November
Centre for Independent Living Receptionist
The Centre for Independent Living is a new service, run and controlled by Deaf and disabled people. Its purpose is to improve the life chances of Deaf and disabled people in Camden. It is based in a new building; a space where disabled and non-disabled people can come together and take part in shared activities, ranging from art and exercise to creative and entrepreneurial enterprises.
The new site for CDA and the CIL will be open from 9am until 10pm. CDA is therefore looking for two or more receptionists to cover the reception function on a job-share basis. For the right candidates, flexibility about hours (for example school hours, early mornings and/or evening work) will be available.
Hours: Flexible and by agreed contract to cover some or all of the hours of 9am to 10pm. £10.20 per hour, 28 days holiday per year pro rata
Please send a CV and covering letter explaining why you are suitable for the role to len@camdendisabilityaction.org.uk
Closing date is 9 November 2018. www.camdendisabilityaction.org.uk
Enjoy working with older people in a community setting?
The Community Association for West Hampstead (CAWH) is seeking a Part-Time Older Men’s Worker for the Keeping Active Together project which aims to enable older people to be active in the community through a programme of events and volunteering opportunities.
8 hours per week (must be available weekends and evenings) £13 per hour includes London Weighting (£5,408 per year)
For more information and a recruitment pack please contact 020 7794 3729, email kat@cawh.org.uk Deadline: 1pm Monday 29th October
Volunteer with VAC and develop experience and skills in public health
VAC provide training, and work opportunities for committed volunteers
• Can you commit at least 2 hours per week?
• Do you live, work or volunteer in Camden?
• Would you like to support people in your community to improve their health and access to services that will help maintain good health and wellbeing?
Voluntary Action Camden (VAC) is offering free Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH) training to volunteer Health Advocates for Community Links, part of a new Care Navigation and Social Prescribing service in Camden. Community Links Health Advocates signpost residents to community based activities and help with formal referrals where community based activities are needed alongside clinical care.
Volunteers will have access to other health related training, and will be part of a large multi-disciplinary team that meets monthly to develop the service and explore health related issues. After 3 months, active volunteers will have opportunities to take up occasional paid sessional work alongside volunteering.
Placements are in GP practices and other community locations. In return for your commitment to the project, we offer support, out of pocket expenses and other professional development opportunities.
For more information, please contact:
Mandira Manandhar, Community Links Co-ordinator (Mon, Tues and Thurs) 020 7284 6550/6573 or email: mmanandhar@vac.org.uk |
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New Web Pages from VAC
We’ve updated OneCamden, the portal website for voluntary sector support in Camden with links to volunteering, funding and data about the borough. It also hosts our directory of groups and our directory of rooms for hire in Camden. We’ve also produced a list of networks in Camden and a list of useful information portals. Let us know if there is anything you would like us to add.
Council tenants and leaseholders Survey
What level of influence do you think you should have in the delivery and running of the Council’s housing services? Your views will contribute to the development of the Resident Participation Strategy 2019 -2022.
You can access our online survey via Camden Council’s online Consultation Hub by going to Camden.gov.uk/getinvolved
You can also read about our current approach by clicking this link.
If you would prefer a hard copy or would like assistance in completing the survey, please email tp@camden.gov.uk
Camden Community Infrastructure Levy Consultation
When new building projects take place in Camden, the developers are usually charged a fee known as the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). Some of this money is used to fund key infrastructure across the borough, and some of it is used to help make sure that the development contributes towards the local area. The council want your views by 12th November. Click here to take part.
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| Watch a short video about our work! |
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| Find out more about our work supporting the community and community groups with this short video. |
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