Voluntary Action Camden e-bulletin 20th March 2020

Survey of Camden Voluntary Organisations

Please complete our survey as soon as you can so that we can build a picture of how organisations are responding to the pandemic. View the survey here.

Coronavirus COVID-19 –  latest advice

VAC is publishing the latest information and advice as it becomes available on our COVID-19 Update page (or click ‘What’s New’ on the VAC homepage). Updates are dated so that you can see how recent the information is. Updates today on new funds, government advice on key workers and evictions.  Charity Commission advice on AGMs, annual returns and online meetings and more.

Camden Council Response

The Council have published a  comprehensive response to the current situation which you can view here.  VAC and our voluntary sector partners are working closely with the council. A number of task groups working on specific topics have been set up:

Letters from the Sector

VAC has signed an open letter along with many other Camden organisations to the Leader of the Council, Cllr Georgia Gould.  The letter pledges the sector to working with the council to do what we can to support the borough’s residents, but also warns that many local voluntary organisations will face financial challenges very quickly as income earned from room hire etc, ends suddenly.  Due to eight years of austerity few organisations have much in the way of reserves left leaving them with few options.
The Small Charities Coalition has also written a letter to the Prime Minister which VAC has signed.  View the letter here.

Voluntary Action Camden Annual Gathering and AGM

Tuesday 31st March, 4.30pm at Charlie Ratchford Centre. Regrettably we have taken the difficult decision to cancel.  We were looking forward to it and have put in a lot of preparation.  We had some big announcements to make – such as a major Funders Fair organised for 13th May.  As the situation becomes clearer we will be in a better position to make a decision about how/when to reconvene. Watch this space.

Government Moves to Cushion Business, Forgets Charities

Charity sector leaders have said that they are frustrated and disappointed by the lack of support from the government, to help charities tackle the Covid-19 crisis.
Some have warned that if the government does not take immediate action to support the sector, many charities will not be able to survive the effects of the virus. This is given that there is increased demand, a lack of available staff and volunteers, and a constricted fundraising landscape.
The Scottish government has announced a £20m resilience fund for charities.  Full story at Civil Society.

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

Camden Giving Covid-19 Charity Fund

Charities, community groups and social enterprises in Camden are facing a huge surge in demand and cuts to their income. This fund is here to support them to do what they do best and to ensure they are here in the future.

Emergency support fund announced to help community and voluntary organisations

The Greater London Authority and Emergency support fund – with an initial £1 million provided by City Hall and £1 million from City Bridge Trust. The emergency fund will be available to organisations that are facing immediate financial pressures and uncertainty because of coronavirus. This includes increasing demands for services, higher staff absences, fewer volunteers and lower donations for organisations. Full details here.

£1m available to fund urgent small-charity coronavirus poverty relief

Martin Lewis is releasing £1M from his charity fund to provide grants of £5,000 to £20,000 to small registered charities, or local arms of bigger charities, across the UK – to help with specific UK coronavirus-related poverty relief projects.
Examples could include foodbanks, charities engaged in community aid, financial advice help and more. The hope is to get the money distributed within the next couple of weeks. Full details here.

A Helpful List of Emergency Funders

Charity Professional, Ian McLintock, is maintaining a web page of Emergency Coronvirus Funding resources.

The National Emergencies Trust lunches Coronavirus Appeal

The Trust will collaborate with charities and other bodies to raise and distribute money and support victims at the time of a domestic disaster.  Full details here.

Partners for Health 2020

Grants are available for projects that can demonstrate:
~ Positive outcomes for people facing significant barriers to health
~ A new approach or a thoughtful development of service
~ Partnership between health and community organisations.
Grants range between £3,000 and £10,000 ( in previous years the average award is £5,000). Usually for one year beginning in 2020.
Apply online via the London Catalyst website www.londoncatalyst.org.uk/grants
The deadline for applications is 5:00pm on Thursday 21 May 2020

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.

Governance in the Voluntary and Community Sector

This course, run by Mary Ward and VAC is cancelled for now along with all other Mary Ward courses.  Full details here.

New IT & Digital Capacity Building Programme

This programme has been suspended until such time as gatherings can take place again safely.

Safeguarding Courses:

VAC is working with funders to see what can be done online and on webinars so that safeguarding courses can continue where feasible.  Further details to come.
Tel: 020 7 284 6575 | Email: dogunyemi@vac.org.uk email (Mon – Wed)

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

Resilience: The Biology of Stress and the Science of Hope – Cancelled

Mon, 30 March 2020, 10:00 – 13:00
At Maiden Lane Community Centre, 156 Saint Paul’s Crescent, NW1
This event has been cancelled.

Camden Intergenerational Network Meeting  – Cancelled

Wednesday 1st April 2020, from 2-4pm
Age UK Camden, Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square WC1H 9NA
The event has been cancelled

The Society for the Furtherance of Critical Philosophy

SFCP, a small independent charity concerned with education, ethics and philosophy, seeks someone to take minutes of Trustee meetings, and to liaise with the secretary and trustees. Interest in our values and activities would be an advantage.
The ideal applicant shares our values and will enjoy working with this small group of committed Trustees. To discuss this opportunity, please contact the chair Dr Julie-Marie ffrench Devitt at: galangal19@yahoo.co.uk in the first instance.   Further information at the website www.sfcp.org.uk.

Camden Giving seeks Office Support Administrator

Camden Giving are looking for someone to provide administration support across all operations and programmes including employment, volunteering and funding. Apply by 23.59pm Sunday 5th April. Details and how to apply here.

Global Generation Youth and Community Engagement Manager

Time commitment 3 days a week with the potential for more
Salary £27,000 per annum pro rata. Deadline 23 March 2020 at 9am
As the Youth & Community Engagement Manager you will have great engagement, project management and people skills to develop and implement the vision of the Youth and Community programmes in King’s Cross.
Email your CV and a separate covering letter (maximum two pages) explaining why you are best suited for the role to jobs@globalgeneration.org.uk

Community Connectors/Volunteers Recruiting

Elfrida Rathbone Camden have announced that the training sessions for new volunteers are cancelled.
For more information contact Jill: Jill@elfridacamden.org.uk or call 07939877745.

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

Reception and Greeting Volunteers in Chalk Farm

VAC 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

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 has 3 new rooms to hire out for Events/Training, etc. at  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.

Camden Carers Are Moving

From Monday 30th March, Camden Carers Service will be based at:
The Greenwood Centre, 37 Greenwood Place, NW5 1LB.
CCC will be closed for two weeks from Mon 16 March.  020 7428 8950

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

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