Voluntary Action Camden e-bulletin 1st November 2019

Think and Do Pop-up Space for Climate & Eco Action

Transition Kentish Town are co-designing a community space for climate and eco action with the council.  It is located in the old Flap Jacks cafe on Kentish Town Road and there is a full programme of activities taking place.  Achievements so far:
• Designed the Think & Do community space to be a welcoming space for the public to take part in climate and eco-action
• Refurbished the space with a new kitchen, fresh coat of paint and bright teal base for the frontage for the Think & Do logo
• Bringing the community together to curate an exciting programme of activities
Follow updates from Transition Kentish Town on twitter. Find our more about the background and aims of the project here.

Space to Connect

We are taking part in the Coop Foundation’s enquiry to help community organisations identify, improve and protect spaces where people can connect and co-operate. This is part of a national debate on public realm being led by DCMS, The Coop Foundation and Locality who have teamed up on the Endangered Spaces project and Save our Spaces campaign.  Over the next 6 months we will start exploring ways that local challenges could be addressed through better use of space, and/or identify potential spaces that could be opened up to community use. To kick off this initiative we are holding an initial event on 19th November (12 – 2pm) to gather ideas and prioritise areas to take forward.   More info and booking at Eventbrite.

Free Trees for Community Groups

TCV and the Mayor of London are distributing free trees to London community groups school to host planting events, this year the trees are available in packs of 10, 20 or 50 and there are  25,000 trees left. Click here to order your pack or find out more about how TCV can support you to host a planting event.

Creating Easier Opportunities For Volunteering Workshop

For Volunteer Managers. Tuesday 26th November, 10am-1pm at St Pancras Community Association.  Info and bookings at Eventbrite.

Meal & Celebration for anyone in need over Christmas

Hosted by Chalk Farm Foodbank, CAP and Revelation Church. 19th December, 4.00-6.00PM. Salvation Army Chalk Farm, 10-16 Haverstock Hill, Chalk Farm, London NW3 2BL. Sign up clients by 6th December.

Have Your Say About VAC

We are listening to our members and subscribers to get your views on VAC and find out what you think VAC should be working on now and in the coming years. It’s a short survey and as a thank you everyone who completes the survey has a chance to win £100.

All Ways Network Meet the Funders Event

26 November, 10.30 – 2.00. Osmani Centre, E1 5AW.
Aimed at small not-for-profit with an annual income of £1 million or less working with Muslim beneficiaries living in the UK.  Info and bookings at Eventbrite.

The Caraf Centre Cultural Story Festival

Saturday 23rd November from 12.00 – 6.00 pm
Workshops, face-painting, young writers showcase and bookstalls. An event for the whole family to enjoy. At the Caraf Centre, Queens Crescent, NW5

Cheap Community Tickets to London Zoo

Looking for a great outing for your group?  This is a fantastic offer with tickets from just £3 – £6.50.  A trip to the zoo is usually ruled out by the high cost of tickets.  Responding to local demand, ZSL London Zoo are offering heavily subsidised tickets to organisations or groups who work with people with additional needs and/or disabilities, families on a low income and older people.
To find out more or to apply for subsidised tickets please visit zsl.org/cas

Holborn Community Association 2019 AGM

13th November 6-8pm at Millman Street Resource Centre. Details.  rsvp admin@holborncommunity.co.uk Come try delicious in-house biryani and curry.

Kilburn & West Hampstead Pensioners Action Association & KOVE (Kilburn Older Voices Exchange)

Present Live Music Now – a Winter Jazz Concert with Michael Blanchfield Trio: 1.30 pm, Thurs 21 Nov at Kingsgate Community Centre, 107 Kingsgate Road.
Refreshments provided – admission free – all over 60s welcome.

… and finally …in next week’s edition of the VAC e-bulletin we will be looking at the rules around campaigning in the light of the upcoming election.

See the Funding pages on VAC’s website for all the latest information.

The Supplementary Schools Network Fund (SSNF)

The fund is available for one year from January 2020 and is designed to support supplementary schools in Camden to provide high quality educational programmes that are accessible, fun and engaging whilst ensuring the safeguarding of children and young people (6 to 18 years).
Young Camden Foundation invites applications from supplementary schools or out-of-school settings for grants from £1000 to a maximum of £2500
The closing date for applications is 17th November 2019.
For information and application form grants@youngcamdenfoundation.org.uk

Physical Activity Inclusion Fund and Community Foundation

PAIF offers local community groups in Camden the opportunity to apply for grants of up to £1.5K, to ‘kick start’ projects that aim to reach our inactive communities.
Full details are here:   Or for contact – CamdenPAIF@GLL.ORG
GLL aslo run a Community Foundation offering funding for community groups.

Funding available for specialist community projects for vulnerable women and girls

Local groups supporting women and girls with issues like period poverty, domestic and sexual abuse, mental health and long-term unemployment can to apply for a share of £3.5 million for their vital work.
A further round of the Tampon Tax Community Fund is open to charities and community groups working with women of all ages and backgrounds to build their skills, confidence and self-esteem.

Inclusive Communities Fund

Camden Giving has funding available for organisations with an annual income of less than £500,000 whose existing services, activities and facilities are not easily accessible for adults with physical, learning, cognitive or mental health disabilities in Camden. Projects should bring together disabled and non-disabled adults by improving access to, and participation in their existing services, activities and facilities. Apply for up to £20,000 before 11th November.
Visit www.camdengiving.org.uk/inclusive-community-fund or email admin@camdengiving.org.uk for more information.

The HS2 Camden Fund

The Camden Fund aims to strengthen the sense of place and alleviate the disruption of the development of HS2 on local people. Aims:
1. A Happier and Healthier Camden
2. A Better Connected Camden
3. A Stronger Voluntary and Community Sector
Closing date: 14th May 2020. Full details at Camden Giving.

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.

Trustees’ Week Event – Safeguarding and Trustees

Are you a charity trustee whose organisation delivers services to children and young people in Camden? Do you have the correct policies and procedures in place?
Trustees have primary responsibility for safeguarding in their charity, so come along to our free workshop & find out how the Charity Commission’s Guidance affects you.
Wednesday 6th November: 2.00pm – 5.00pm at Voluntary Action Camden, Charlie Ratchford Centre, Belmont Street NW1. contact: Dianne Carlton Ogunyemi, Tel: 020 7 284 6575 | Email: dogunyemi@vac.org.uk (Mon – Wed)

Safeguarding Courses:

Safeguarding Introduction: Protecting Children in the Community (Level 2)
Tuesday 10th December: 10.00am – 1.00pm
Introductory course designed for all those who work directly with children, young people or their families. Open to all those who have had little or no safeguarding training before.
Suitable for anyone requiring basic safeguarding training, including volunteers, play workers and new starters who have never had safeguarding training before.
The workshop will cover essential aspects of safeguarding:

Safeguarding Advance: Developing knowledge and understanding. (Level 3)
Wednesday 18th December: 10.00am – 2.30pm (Includes lunch)
For those who frequently work with or deliver services to children and their families. Course provides essential information that your organisation / group needs to understands it’s legal obligations in regards to child protection procedures and up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding legislation.
This Advanced course is designed to develop existing understanding of the safeguarding process through a variety of written text, case studies and interactive exercises.
Suitable for anyone who has not updated their safeguarding training in the last two years and would like to develop their knowledge and skills further; including volunteers and workers of all levels.
Please contact: Dianne Carlton Ogunyemi, our Community Partnership Advisor Lead to book your place, as well as customised Safeguarding training enquires.
Tel: 020 7 284 6575 | Email: dogunyemi@vac.org.uk email (Mon – Wed)

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

Mental Capacity Act Training

Free 1 day Training course for those working in Camden Health & Social Care.
7th November (Ort House) and 11th December (Crowndale Centre)
Full details and how to apply here.

Free Interview Skills course at West Euston Partnership

4th, 9th, 11th, 15th and 18th November
Boost your confidence in the interview room through our series of helpful techniques and exercises
To book your place, contact David Hermanstein on 07908845154 or at david.hermanstein@camden.gov.uk

Works for Me Employment Programme

Open to all visually impaired people who live, work or study in London between 18 and 65yrs.  One to one advice; contact with experts; network with other visually impaired people; employment information.
Contact: employment@londonvision.org or tel: 07773584028.

November 2019 Volunteer Managers’ Forum for Networking and Peer Support

Wednesday 13th November, 10am-1pm to discuss all things volunteer management with volunteer managers in Camden, and beyond. Details here.

“What makes groups welcoming for older people and why does it matter? An older people’s perspective.”

An Ageing Better in Camden learning seminar
Wednesday 13th November 2019 | 10am – 11.45am
Age UK Camden, Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square WC1H 9NA
ABC will present evidence collected from older people in Camden on how community groups can be made as welcoming as possible, and what difference this makes.
Please RSVP by Wednesday 16th October to reserve your space – email on ageingbetterincamden@ageukcamden.org.uk or call us on 020 7239 0400.

Voiceability Peer Mentor Induction training

5th & 6th November 10am till 4pm at United House, 39-41 North Road, N7
There are currently vacancies for volunteer peer mentors and administrators
For more information, contact Lucy on 0207 3355 7113 or email
camden.peermentoring@voiceability.org

Community Connectors

Are you a parent/carer living in Camden? Elfrida Rathbone Camden is recruiting parent volunteers to support other Camden parents by offering practical help at our drop-in and 1:1 sessions. We offer 3 days FREE training covering the key skills needed for the role. Lunch provided
Training will take place on Friday 15th, 22nd and 29th November 2019 from 10.00-2.30. Lunch will be provided.
More information email Jill@elfridacamden.org.uk or call 07939877745 for an informal chat.

Volunteer with VAC and develop experience and skills in public health

VAC provide training, and work opportunities for Camden volunteers who can commit 2 hours per week.
We offer free Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH) training to volunteer as a Community Links volunteer, part of a new Care Navigation and Social Prescribing service in Camden. Community Links volunteers signpost residents to community based activities and help with formal referrals where community based activities are needed alongside clinical care.
Contact: Mandira Manandhar, Community Links Co-ordinator (Mon, Tues and Thurs) 020 7284 6550/6573 or email: mmanandhar@vac.org.uk

VAC is recruiting volunteers to help us in our building in Chalk Farm

We are recruiting volunteer receptionists to be the first point of contact for visitors. You will be an important member of the VAC team of volunteers and staff and will have access to training and ongoing support.
Contact Kevin Nunan at VAC on 020 7284 6557 or knunan@vac.org.uk

EU Citizens Rights Information Sessions

The website www.eurights.uk, allows a community group or community champion to book a lawyer to attend their event for free. Seraphus will: (i) give a presentation on the Settled Status scheme, (ii) answer any questions, and (iii) remain available afterwards for one-to-one questions with audience members. The one requirement to benefit from this free service, is for at least 40 members of the European community (EEA or Swiss nationals) and their family members to have confirmed their interest to attend.

Want to Share a Skill, Space or Equipment?

Simply add your request to Comoodle Camden, the new local online sharing platform which facilitates sharing for community benefit.

Need a Meeting Room 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.
There is a large room for up to 60 people, ideal for large events.
The training 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. Smartboard, level access throughout, reasonable prices.
Rates and full details on the VAC website. Special rates for Camden networks.

London Impact Awards: funding opportunity for groups tackling knife crime

The aim of these awards is to highlight the positive impact of charitable organisations, groups and individuals that are working to tackle youth violence across the city, and provide a positive future for children and young people who are at risk of violence.
There are 4 categories  to apply for:
· Best Youth Voice
· Best Innovator
· Best Collaborator
· Young Leader with Impact
Deadline 11th November. Full details and how to apply here.

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

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