Voluntary Action Camden e-bulletin 1st May 2020

Government funding package

We now have the details of the government funding package for charities, of which £370 million will be available for small charities delivering essential front-line covid-19 support.  More details are on the National Lottery Community Fund website. They aim to fund projects that are specifically aimed at the covid-19 relief effort over the next 6 months in the £10,000 to £100,000 range.

Next Camden Voluntary Action Online Forum

Wednesday, 6th May, 11am
Please come along to the second forum where we will be meeting on zoom and hearing from you on how you have been adapting and also what local connections have you made?  The Community Links team will give an update on referral demands. There will also be an opportunity to link up with others
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89701352299?pwd=QWYzbWNOQkw3K1UybFJBd09zQU16UT09
Meeting ID: 897 0135 2299
Password: 1907
Not online? Join by phone: 020 3481 5240

May Day Greetings

Ironically in the year when workers’ contribution to society has never been more obvious there will be no May Day this year.  The May Day bank holiday has been switched from Monday 4th to Friday 8th May.  The switch was made by Royal Proclamation after many diaries had gone to press so printed diaries may be wrong.  The switch was intended to commemorate VE Day with street parties, pub toasts and bell ringing, but due to social distancing these have been cancelled (the only other time May Day was switched was also to commemorate VE Day in 1995).   Torriano Meeting house is still celebrating May Day with poems from Camden poet, Dinah Livingston – Commons and Rety.

Keep in Touch:

NCL CCG Newsletter
North London Cares
West Euston Partnership
Ageing Better in Camden
Camden Pop Up Think and Do
Young Camden Foundation

Healthwatch Camden’s Covid-19 Survey

How are people accessing information needed to stay well, how health and care services have changed since the Covid-19 outbreak, and how covid-19 is affecting other aspects of health and wellbeing?
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/healthwatchcamdencovid-19  or call 020 7383 2402 to complete the survey over the phone if you are not online.

Covid-19 Resources

VAC has gathered relevant resources on a range of topics.
Notable recent additions include:

• VAC briefing on safeguarding essentials during COVID-19
• Banks Launch Helplines for Over 70s
• What Does My Faith Group Currently Advise?
• Public Health advice for Ramadan
• Our Front Line is a new hub of resources for front line workers
• Guidance for households with grandparents, parents & children together

VAC COVID-19 Pages

Covid-19 Community Directory  (Update your entry here)
Covid-19 Update page.
Covid-19 Resources page

Keep in touch and up-to-date via the e-bulletin and @onecamden twitter.  We have a comprehensive COVID-19 update page and a resources page.

The Best Articles this Week

Plan C: From Mutual Aid to Dual Power: how do we build a new world?
Digital divide ‘isolates and endangers’ millions of UK’s poorest
Bank of England provides £7.5 billion in big business bailouts
Reweaving the social fabric after the crisis
The war on coronavirus should be led by councils.
Solidarity at the time of COVID-19: An(other) digital revolution?
Charity Tax Group calls for reform to small grants system (about £4 billion of the £12 billion allocated has not been spent and could go to charities)

Government funding package

The government revealed their funding package for charities, of which £370 million will be available for small charities delivering essential frontline COVID-19 related services for vulnerable people through the Community fund. Details of the fund are now on the National Lottery Community Fund website.

Hampstead Wells & Campden Trust

is a small funder that can assist organisations in NW3, NW6 and Camden parts of NW2. During the COVID-19 crisis we are working to provide support for individuals and families in need through small grants for emergencies (applications only through a local organisation or agency, see our website), and for organisations coping with different demands on their services and new ways of working (contact sheila@hwct.co.uk for an informal chat first).

All Ways Network

Useful funding resources and AWN are offering Muslim charities free bid writing support.  Details here.

How to fund Mutual Aid groups

Tuesday 5 May, 11am-12pm
an online session for any groups that are interested in learning more about how they can fund their COVID-19 community projects. Book at Eventbrite

London Community Response

The second wave of London Community Response funding is open.
1. Crisis response – grants up to £10,000 to meet the immediate needs
2. Delivering differently – grants of £10,000 to £50,000 to change how you work

Lists of Emergency Funders

• Civil Society
• Ian McLintok’s LinkedIn blog
• NCVO’s funding central site is currently free for non-members.
• Charity Bank 
• Grants Online

Youth Futures Foundation

The Foundation is committed to transforming employment for young people.
Funding is for a 6-12 month period of planning and set up from September 2020 onwards, during which time no direct delivery to young people will be required. This will be followed by funding for a delivery phase from January 2021 onwards, by which time we hope face to face work will be possible again.

Next Camden Voluntary Action Online Forum

Wednesday, 6th May, 11am
Please come along to the second forum where we will be meeting on zoom and hearing from you on how you have been adapting and also what local connections have you made?  The Community Links team will give an update on referral demands. There will also be an opportunity to link up with others
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89701352299?pwd=QWYzbWNOQkw3K1UybFJBd09zQU16UT09
Meeting ID: 897 0135 2299
Password: email knunan@vac.org.uk for password
Not online? Join by phone: 020 3481 5240

Digital & Tech Support Online Q&A

Tuesday, 21st April, 2 – 3.30pm
Many organisations are having to grapple with moving their office systems online so staff and volunteers can work remotely.We’ll look at:
~ What systems do you need?
~ How do you set them up?
~ What works and what doesn’t?
Q&A session with Gilbert Plant, our digital partner from CITA and WCIT.
Joining details here: https://vac.org.uk/events/
Email alexcharles@vac.org.uk

These sessions will be hosted on zoom.  Ideally you will need a PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone with camera or microphone but you can also join by telephone as well. Click on the link or use the meeting ID.  You will also need the 4 digit password. Short guide to joining a zoom meeting.

Safeguarding Courses:

VAC is working with funders so that safeguarding courses can continue online.  Further details to come. There are some basic safeguarding videos on the home page and on the COVID19 Update page.
Tel: 020 7 284 6575 | Email: dogunyemi@vac.org.uk email (Mon – Wed)

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

Camden Events

All face-to-face events are cancelled for now. Many groups and organisations have moved their activity online.  Check the Covid-19 Directory or go to the organisation’s webpage, or facebood, twitter or instagram page. For exampe WEP have a newsletter with online and virtual activities.

Local history Live film screening

An online event on the evening of Tuesday 12th May. It is a screening of a film about Somers Town followed by questions and answers with the film-maker, Diana Foster. Full details of the event and how to book your place can be found here: https://www.camden.gov.uk/local-history-exhibitions-and-events#eenn

Virtual Gallery Project for 13-18 year olds

What: Collaborate with other young people and older community members to produce digital artwork documenting your lockdown experience and then curate your own online exhibition.
Weekly on Wednesdays 4-6pm, starting 29th April, (via online Zoom sessions)
More info and sign up with chloe.plumb@holborncommunity.co.uk

Free Online Social Activities Directory

The RecommendMe directory is where people with support needs can search for social activities, events and other things to do.  Includes: Carers art groups on Zoom, Carers online cuppa, Over 60s Peer to peer befriending,  Virtual creative writing for the over 60s, Gardening workshops on Zoom, Boost your emotional strength, Make and mend (chat and stitch) groups. Activities are being added weekly. Events are organised by voluntary organisations and other groups in Camden.

How to Volunteer and How to Recruit Volunteers in Camden

Volunteer in Camden at Time to Spare.
Volunteer for the NHS at GoodSAM.
Join a neighbourhood Mutual Aid group.
Organisations can sign up to Time to Spare and request access and you will then be able to recruit volunteers directly.
Get support and resources from Volunteer Centre Camden
The council has a  page of resources to help community organisations

Paid work opportunities for people who have been laid off/ reduced income

Local Adult social care providers are still recruiting, and as they support the NHS to move vulnerable adults out of hospital to stay well at home, their need is growing. Contact Proud to Care.

Camden Social Prescribing and Care Navigation update

Social Prescribing and Care Navigation delivered by Age UK Camden, Voluntary Action Camden and Wish+ is operational, and adapted, as a point of access to services and support during the COVID 19 emergency.
We are aiming to connect residents with emerging support in their local areas where there is appropriate provision.
If local community organisations are contacted by residents with more complex needs than they can support please refer to Community Links and we will work with the Care Navigation and Wish+ teams to find the support needed. Referral form can be found here. Minimum requirements are contact details and permission to contact the person needing support.
All the usual routes in to the service apply via Community Links at VAC:
Freephone: 0800 193 6067 (please leave a message if no answer. Staff are using other phones to call back and keep this one free)
Secure NHS email (referrals only): camccg.socialprescribingreferral@nhs.net
Community Links email (enquiries and referrals): communitylinks@vac.org.uk

SHP Camden Recovery Service & Islington Aftercare

We are here to support Camden and Islington residents who are in recovery from substance use issues. We help individuals to explore their education, training, volunteering and employment goals and work with them to develop a personal plan to help achieve them.
Whilst our Camden Square offices are currently closed, we are still available to offer tailored 1:1 support via telephone and online. In addition our clients will have access to our online group programmes which include a weekly women’s group, recovery group and personal development workshops.
Within the service we have a team of Peer Mentors, who use their lived experience of overcoming substance use issues to support our clients along their recovery journeys. We are always keen to hear from individuals who have been abstinent from problematic substance use for over 6 months and are interested in becoming a Peer Mentor Volunteers themselves.
For more information about any of the above please contact 020 7520 8682, camdenrecoveryservice@shp.org.uk or islingtonaftercare@shp.org.uk.

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

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