Voluntary Action Camden

Voluntary Action Camden e-bulletin 21st April 2017

Highlights
VAC MH Project End Report; News from The Community Partnership Unit; Camden Giving Grants; Healthy Minds Community Programme; Events in Somers Town this Weekend; Camden Carers’ Voice; CEB Pro Bono Impact Day; Camden Intergenerational Network meeting; IKWRO Conference; Camden PPG Forum; Thyroid Friends in London, Patients Voices; Parent & Carer Meet-up; Here comes the sun!…+ funding, jobs, volunteers, events, training, offers and resources.
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Feature
Voluntary Action Camden Mental Health Community Development Project – Raising cultural awareness and tackling stigma 2007 – 2017

VAC’s Mental Health Community Development Project was first established in 2007. Over the years it has evolved in line with the requirements of our funders, the London Borough of Camden. Our aims are to work with Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and Refugee (BAMER) communities to:
• Support staff and volunteers from Camden BAMER voluntary and community groups to improve mental health awareness and promote mental wellbeing in their communities
• Challenge stigma and misunderstanding about mental illness
• Improve knowledge of local mental health and wellbeing services, both statutory and community-based
• Identify the needs of BAMER communities in relation to mental health services
• Increase involvement of BAMER community members and service users in the planning, commissioning and delivery of mental health services
• Raise participation levels of BAMER communities in relevant partnerships
From 2014 onwards our volunteer Mental Health Champions from BAMER communities have played a crucial role in helping us to spread the word about mental health. Our work has been informed by our Mental Health Advisory Groups, comprised of members of BAMER communities and voluntary and community organisations working with Camden’s Bangladeshi, Irish and Black communities. VAC would like to thank the project staff and all the volunteers who contributed so much to the project. We anticipate that the project’s legacy will be a lasting improvement in Mental Health and wellbeing among Camden’s diverse communities.

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NEWS & POLICY

News from The Community Partnership Unit
The new head of the unit, Rachel Kelly, issued this statement about the new unit, the Community Impact fund and the Advisory Group.
“After what feels like a long wait, the team launched last week. We will be developing our ways of working both as a new team, and also how we want to work with you. We would love to hear your ideas and thoughts, and will be informed by what you tell us.
The team will be focusing on improving partnership working and creating greater opportunities for the voluntary sector for the benefit of our residents. I am looking forward to exploring with you all how we can best achieve that.
I know some of you would like named contacts, which we will be able to tell you soon. In the meantime feel free to get in contact with me or any other member of the team.
Initially we will be a smaller team than you are used to: some of you will already know Jayne, Lisa, and Frances from the former CTS team. Jessica (Farrand) will be returning from maternity leave in June, Jessica (Ainsley) joined us this week, and some new faces will be joining us soon. I will soon be starting the next round of recruitment to fill our remaining vacancies, so keep an eye out.
Update on Community Impact
We have been busy developing the key themes and processes, and I am pleased to tell you we are moving to the next phase. Community Impact is a key part of the Council’s VCS strategy, approved by Cabinet in December 2015. The fund is established to:
· support partnership working with the voluntary sector to help address ingrained social issues
· support engagement with the community about how best to deliver local priorities
· invest in preventative activity
In order to ensure the activity adds value and is in line with local priorities, we have identified four broad areas that would benefit from a collective approach over the next two years, with further areas to be identified at a later date. The current priority areas are:
· Rough Sleeping
· Mental Health
· Youth Offending
· Supporting people in the community
We want to work with you and wider community to better understand the specific issues, and co-design the activity that can seek to tackle them.
In order to ensure shared ownership, we will be establishing an Advisory Group, made up of Council, partner and community representatives. The role of this advisory group will be to oversee all stages of the community impact programme: from understanding the issues, co-designing activity, through to implementation. Final decisions will be made by the Council, based on the recommendations made by this advisory group.
Subject to input and agreement with the Advisory Group, the broad approach is likely to be:
1. Co-design and engagement (e.g. workshops, 121 and online discussions etc), aiming to: develop a shared understanding of the issue and what we want to address.
2. Develop the funding framework (with the final sign off by the Council), and expressions of interest from community groups and partners.
3. Further co-design of the collective approach with identified partners and final funding decisions
4. Implementation, with ongoing evaluation and sharing best practice.
We will be in contact with details next month, including how you can get involved.”

Camden Giving Grants – Deadline 28th April
Camden Giving is a new and exciting way for everyone in Camden to play a part in making Camden a fair and equal place for us to live, work and play. We are bringing together businesses, residents, community organisations and the public sector to support projects that make Camden a great place for everyone. One way we are doing this is by making grants to local organisations to help them do what they do best. Camden Giving’s KX Fund is open now until the 28th April for applications from organisations who do work in and around Kings Cross and Somers Town, the fund will help organisations to enhance to benefits of the Kings Cross Development and mitigate some of the negative effects.
“Camden Giving is working with partners from businesses, charities and the public sector, the collective impact of these groups will be really significant.” – Natasha Friend, Director Camden Giving
Full details about the fund and how to apply are on the Camden Giving website.

Healthy Minds Community Programme
Do you live in Camden? Would you like to take part in a community-based course, workshop or activity? Or perhaps you would like to be more active or meet new likeminded people?
Healthy Minds is a new Mind in Camden project offering local people a wide range of free and low-cost activities to support you in rediscovering your interests and uncovering different community resources. And, if you need a helping hand to find what’s right for you, a navigator or sports buddy will be there to help. You can view a brochure of activities online here.
tel: 020 7241 8996 email: healthymindscp@mindincamden.org.uk

Events in Somers Town this Weekend
Somers Town Festival at the Somers Town Community Sports Centre, Chalton St, Saturday noon – 3pm. Free entry and free refreshments.
Walker House TRA Easter Bunny Party, Saturday 1-5pm in Walker House Courtyard. Bouncy Castle Food and refreshments. Tel 020 3609 9991 email: johnwood134@yahoo.com

Camden Carers’ Voice
Camden Carers’ Voice is the forum, for all carers and former carers living in Camden or caring for someone in Camden, to speak up on issues affecting carers
Thursday 27 April 2017 10.30am – 12.30pm
at Argenta House, 1 Aspern Grove, Haverstock Hill, London NW3 2AB
Refreshments from 10am. Light lunch from 12.30pm
The meeting will look at the links between hospitals, GPs and pharmacists and the changing role of pharmacies. How can carers get the right help? Please come along to meet and talk with other carers
For more information or if you cannot attend the meeting and would like to give your questions please contact Philippa on 020 7697 1336 or Email: philippar@centre404.org.uk

CEB Pro Bono Impact Day
Tuesday 9th May 2017. Victoria House, 37-63 Southampton Row, Bloomsbury Square, London, WC1
CEB is a strategic consultancy which uses data to make companies efficient by focusing on employees, customers and operations. They have specific expertise in the following areas:
~ Communication & differentiation – effectively tailoring messaging to specific audiences
~ Strategic planning – defining and achieving key objectives, improving performance measurement systems, planning for the future.
~ People management – recruiting the right people, putting together an effective team, and managing people.
A team of experienced strategy consultants, HR, sales and marketing professionals from CEB* will:
~ help you work through a key strategic challenge you are facing as an organisation and develop a plan of action to address the challenge, or
~ deliver a workshop to meet an immediate development need, e.g. improving the pitching and presentation skills of corporate fundraising staff.
*The team you are assigned will depend on the nature of the challenge you have.
This is a free advisory session, provided through the pro bono commitments of CEB employees.
You will need to commit a minimum of 8 hours (up to 2 hours before the day to attend scoping calls and provide information, 5 hours on the day, and 1 hour on follow up calls). Apply online here.

Camden Intergenerational Network meeting
Wednesday 26th April 2017 2.30pm-4.30pm
Age UK Camden, Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square, WC1H 9NA
We will be discussing Camden Intergenerational Week 2017, confirmed for 16th-21st October 2017 as well as sharing news, events and opportunities. Please bring along anything you would like to share with the group.
Tea and coffee will be provided. For questions or queries about this meeting, please email Corinna Gray or call 020 7239 0400.

Why Every Professional Needs to be Equipped to Safeguard Against Harmful Practices
Thursday 1st June 2017
Amnesty International Human Rights Action Centre, 17-25 New Inn Yard, London, EC2A 3EA
Hear real case studies from specialist organisations working with women and girls at risk of “Honour” Based Violence, Forced Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation across Europe. Learn about good and bad practice and hear from public sector leaders about the importance of continuing professional training and have opportunities to network.
https://ikwroeuroconference.eventbrite.com

Camden PPG Forum – Wednesday 17 May
Come to the Forum and listen, learn and participate in three great sessions:
~ PPG success stories – be inspired by the bright ideas of other PPGs in Camden
~ GP Neighbourhoods – hear the latest on how developing GP Neighbourhoods could work, and share your views on how PPGs and patients can be involved
~ Transforming mental health services in Camden – participate in this interactive session about the future of local services.
This agenda is based on your feedback from our successful PPG Forum in November.
Time and date: 5pm – 8.30pm, Wednesday 17 May 2017
Location: The Arlington Conference Centre, 220 Arlington Road, NW1 7HE. A map of the venue is available here.
Closest tube station: Camden Town
The venue is wheelchair accessible and refreshments will be provided.
If you would like to attend, please email engagement@camdenccg.nhs.uk or phone 020 3688 2456 (Becky) or 020 3688 1755 (Martin). Please let us know which PPG you belong to, and if you have any dietary requirements or accessibility needs. If you have any questions about the event, please don’t hesitate to ask us.

Thyroid Friends in London, Patients Voices event
13th May 2017, Crown Court Church, Russell Street, Covent Garden, London WC2B 5EZ
The group has been established since 2010 as the British Thyroid Foundation (BTF) London Group. Recent changes at BTF have meant that we are no longer affiliated to the charity but we remain commited to providing reliable evidence based information and peer support for thyroid patients. If you or someone close to you has a thyroid condition, or you have a professional interest, you are welcome to attend this meeting.
The group is also currently seeking a suitably qualified volunteer treasurer.
website: http://thyroidfriends.weebly.com
email: londonthyroid@gmail.com

Parent & Carer Meet-up
A fun & informative group for parents & carers with children in primary school to connect, share & learn
Term times, starting April 25th 2017. Children not in school are welcome to attend.
For more information please contact Zenobia Talati: 07594373203 or 02075868371
The Winch, 21 Winchester Road, Swiss Cottage, NW3 3NR www.thewinch.org

Here comes the sun!…
Come and join our free Community Music Workshop Saturday 22nd April 3.15-5.45pm
No need to be able to play an instrument, read music or be a singer
Free refreshments! All welcome, children must be accompanied.
Cumberland Market, NW1 3RH
For more information contact Diana: diana@westeuston.org tel: 020 7388 7932

Camden Carers Service
Camden Carers Service (CCS) offers advice, support and activities for family and other unpaid carers across the borough.
Help is just a phone call away on 020 7428 8950 or email info@camdencarers.org.uk – read more about our services at www.camdencs.org.uk or www.facebook.com

Healthwatch Camden
View the latest news and views from Healthwatch Camden here.

Camden Capacity Building Bulletin
The February Capacity Building Bulletin is available here.

Ageing Better in Camden
Read the Ageing Better in Camden Newsletter Spring Edition 2017 here

West Hampstead Women’s Centre, Kingsgate Community Centre, Camden Futures, Camden CCG, VAC, Kings Cross Construction Centre and Camden PA are recruiting. See Jobs and Volunteers section below.

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

National
Voluntary Sector Should Campaign with Confidence – Dos and Don’ts
NCVO has urged the sector to campaign with confidence. There has been much scare mongering over the Lobbying Act but most of the provisions only apply to organisations “where the expenditure can reasonably be regarded as intended to influence the electoral prospects of parties or candidates.” Few voluntary organisations in Camden will meet this criteria or be spending over £20,000 – the threshold for registering. Although charities have been under attack for campaigning, the tide may have turned. The recent Lords report, ‘Stronger Charities for a Stronger Society‘ praised the sector and declared that it was the “eyes, ears and conscience of society”.
NCVO has issued some clarification:
Five things that charities can do::
~ Continue campaigning on issues
~ Reach out to the candidates and ask their views on issues
~ Publish candidates’ views on issues
~ Host a debate between candidates or invite them to issue-focussed events
~ Publish a manifesto or briefing materials on issues
Four things charities can’t do:
~ Advocate for any individual party or candidate
~ Explicitly compare the organisation’s views to those of individual parties or candidates
~ Donate funds to any individual party or candidate
~ Allow their organisation to be cited in a candidate’s manifesto
Organisations with staff who are involved in high profile political activities in an individual capacity or as candidates may want to consider noting this at the next board meeting and minute how conflicts of interest will be dealt with to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest. Details at Civil Society

Small charities ‘shut out’ of bids by large charities
Smaller charities are being shut out of bids to provide public services by larger voluntary organisations’ “sharp commercial practices”, according to complaints received by NCVO.
NCVO has previously received complaints from smaller charities regarding their inability to compete with large private sector providers.But these concerns have expanded in scope to include larger charities. Full story in Civil Society
Kathy Evans, of Children England criticizes market thinking and transactional approaches and the damage this is doing to local voluntary organisations in an article worth reading..

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FUNDING

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

Camden Giving
See full details in the ‘News’ section above.

Neighbourhood Planning Grants and Support Programme – Final Year
The Department for Communities and Local Development’s £22.5 million Neighbourhood Planning Grants and Support Programme (2015-2018) aims to support local communities that are drawing up a neighbourhood plan for their area.
This is the last year of the funding programme, and Locality, which is delivering the programme, has announced that applications can be made from now until 31 January 2018. It has also announced that expenditure through a grant must be completed within six months or before 31 March 2018,
Locality has announced the following two updates:
~ Modifying the plan after it has come into force: Groups can now apply for funding to modify their plan, irrespective of whether they have already claimed their full grant allocation of £9,000 (or £15,000 for a priority group).
~ Groups undertaking site assessments and housing site allocations: Groups who are undertaking a site assessment for a site allocation, OR groups who are allocating sites for housing or mixed development can now be considered complex – allowing them to apply for additional support for complex groups (technical support and grants of up to £15,000).
Full details at the My Community website.

Edge Fund – Social Justice Funding for Grassroots Groups
Now open for the first funding round of the year! We will be giving £40,000 to about 30 grass-roots groups, campaigning against the systems that cause injustice. We are accepting applications from the 7th of March until the 17th April.
We support work run by and for communities facing discrimination and injustice. We fund work carried out by individuals and grass-roots groups in Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England that find it difficult to get funding elsewhere. We do not fund traditional charity work, instead we we support activity that challenges abuses of power and aims to change society by bringing an end to the systems that cause injustice. While applicants may be working on short term reforms, we are looking for applicants that ultimately aim to end or replace unjust systems with a just alternative.
We have not yet funded a group with an annual income over £25,000. The average income of groups we fund is around £2,500. Full details on the Edge Fund website.

Trust for London and City Bridge Trust launch £100,000 Crowdfunding initiative to tackle poverty and inequality in London
In collaboration with Crowdfunder and The Social Innovation Partnership, Trust for London and City Bridge Trust have launched a new £100,000 fund available to organisations using crowdfunding to raise funds and deliver projects which will address inequality and lift people out of poverty in the capital.
The Improving life for Londoners fund will provide up to 50% of the target (to a maximum of £10,000), with projects expected to raise at least the first 25% from the crowd.
The fund is keen to support charitable work that:
~ Provides practical solutions to support people on low incomes
~ Addresses local problems in creative ways
~ Is led by communities that will benefit from the work
If you think your organisation fits, check out our Crowdfunder page.
Do you want to know more about crowdfunding, and how to run a crowdfunding project? You can sign up to crowdfunding workshops online here.

UCL Grand Challenges Small Grants Scheme
Closing date: 9am, Monday, 22 May 2017
Up to £4,000 available for a wide range of research-informed, societally relevant, cross-disciplinary activities undertaken from 1 August 2017 to 31 July 2018
Up to £6,000 is available for proposals that address the GCSC Priority Theme of Urban Mobility, with additional funding from the UCL Transport Institute. Further details
Proposals must address a Priority Theme relating to one of the six UCL Grand Challenges – Global Health; Justice and Equality; Tranformative Tech; Human Wellbeing; Cultural Understanding; Sustainable Cities
Applications must be led by UCL academic staff members (honorary researchers included) at postdoctoral level (or equivalent) or above. Full details here.

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VAC EVENTS

Crowdfunding Workshops with Hubbub
VAC and Hubbub are running a series of crowdfunding workshops for Camden organisations.
Session 3 – Writing your pitch and one-to-one support – will take place 27th April and is for those who have attended the previous two events and are ready to start their campaign.
More details on the VAC website: https://vac.org.uk/events/

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OTHER EVENTS

Money Management, Financial Literacy and Gambling Related Harm
Betknowmore UK are currently delivering a free workshop that aims to raise awareness around money management, financial literacy and “Gambling Related Harm”. The workshops can last from 60 to 120 minutes for group sizes between 4 to 24.
Through this workshop we will be cultivating skills and knowledge on how to best manage your money (debts, budget, savings, bank accounts, loans, credit cards, legal risks related to debts… etc), together with ways to protect yourself and others from the devastating growing social issue that is gambling addiction.
Find out more at www.betknowmoreuk.org email: brigitte@betknowmoreuk.org or call 0800 066 4827

Books Beyond Words Book Club FREE Training
Elfrida Rathbone Camden, St Luke’s Church and Books Beyond Words are collaborating to offer a free half-day introduction to facilitating a Beyond Words book club. Across the country, people with learning disabilities are meeting in small groups to discuss their experiences using the stories they discover in Beyond Words books to help make sense of their lives.
Thursday 27th April, 1.00 – 4.00pm @ St Luke’s Church Meeting Room, 7 Dowdney Close, NW5 2BP
To book your place e-mail: training@booksbeyondwords.co.uk

Governance in the Voluntary and Community Sector
18 May 2017 – 22 June 2017 6 Thursday evenings 17:30-20:30 in Camden
A short evening course for trustees/management committee members or anybody who is interested in developing the knowledge and skills required to be a member of a governing body in the voluntary or community sector. Ideal for new trustees as an induction, for experienced trustees who want a refresher and for those just starting out as trustees. The course is a partnership between VAC and Mary Ward. Full details at the Mary Ward website.

RADA Elders Taster Workshop Tuesday 25 April 1.00pm – 3.00pm
A fun workshop led by tutors at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art for people over the age of 60 with an interest in drama and acting.
This is an insightful and exploratory practical workshop that will offer insight into RADA’s weekly Elders Company, for people aged 60+.
Participants will explore drama exercises and games, voice work and movement. Joined by graduates of the RADA Elders Company, attendees will find out more about the Company, the work that is created throughout the course of the year and the tutors and ethos of RADA. The session will be exciting, informal and enjoyable.
The workshop is not for professional actors and no previous drama experience is required.
Free. Holborn Community Association, 50 Millman St, London, WC1N 3EW
To apply, please contact Andrew Rogers at andrew.rogers@holborncommunity.co.uk

Supersized Volunteering Fair
VCC fairs are a perfect way to meet people who want to volunteer in Camden. And they have a 46% recruitment rate. Brilliant!
VCC are co-hosting our Summer 2017 SUPERsized volunteering fair with our good friends at Volunteer Centre Islington. It will take place in King’s Cross on the penultimate day of Volunteers’ Week 2017.
Tuesday 6th June 12-3pm at Voluntary Action Islington. Book through Eventbrite.

Camden Dementia Action Alliance Conference and “Dementia Bazaar”
Monday 15 May at the Canal Museum, 12-13 New Wharf Road, London N1 9RT.
The morning session (1030-1300, with registration and refreshments from 1000) will focus on the work of the Alliance and will feature a range of guest speakers.
The afternoon “Bazaar” (1400-1600) will be an opportunity for people with dementia, carers and members of the wider community to participate in a range of entertaining activities, as well as obtaining valuable information and advice from Alliance member organisations.
The event will be free to attend. Full details to follow. Contact mark.goodwin@alzheimers.org.uk.

Bengali New Year
The British Library, in partnership with Age UK Camden
Saturday 29 April 12.00 – 15.00 at the British Library Knowledge Centre 96 Euston Rd NW1 2DB
As well as celebrating the New Year, the event will provide local people with a greater insight into what Bengali items there are at the British Library and BL will launch a ‘pop up’ Bengali exhibition that will tour the Somers Town Community throughout this summer.
There will also be live entertainment, celebratory food and a speech from Local Councillor Samata Khatoon.
Please note this event is free to all local residents and community groups but RSVP is essential and children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
To book your free place contact: Emma Morgan emma.morgan@bl.uk T+44 (0)7595 464 363
or Abul Choudhury abul.choudhury@ageukcamden.org.uk T+44 (0)20 7278 5090

Resilient Families and Early Help training opportunities with the Camden Training and Development Service (TDS)
~ Domestic violence and abuse, 05/05/17
~ Introduction to attachment theory, 08/05/17
~ IT training in eCAF, 11/05/17
For course information and to book please click on the course title. If you require TDSOnline support, please email TDSOnline@camden.gov.uk.

Improve English Reading Writing and Listening Skills
English ESOL Entry level class
Every Tuesday 10am-12pm
KCB Chadswell Healthy Living Centre, Harrison Street, London, WC1H 8JE
Tel no: 020 7713 5545

Recovery College
Recovery College Spring term has started. If you would like to find out more about the courses take a look at the Recovery College Spring 2017 course guide.

Free HR training workshops for Camden voluntary and community groups
Free and will take place between 9.45 and 1pm at the Town Hall Judd Street.
The workshops are for managers and trustees of voluntary and community groups based in Camden.
Managing Difficult Conversations at Work Wednesday 12th April 2017
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/managing-difficult-conversations-at-work-registration-27067711253
The workshops will be run by Shirley Briggs.

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

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JOBS AND VOLUNTEERING

West Hampstead Women’s Centre seeks Female Volunteer Development Worker
21 hours per week £24,880 pro rata (Includes LW) One year fix term contract.
Subject to DBS checks
To coordinate our Volunteer Project and to support and train the volunteers.
For an application pack contact West Hampstead Women’s Centre email begona@whwc.org.uk or call 020 7328 7389.
Section 7 of the Sex Discrimination Act applies on
Closing date: 28th April 2017 at 5.00 pm

Kingsgate Community Centre seeks Customer Duty Officers, Cleaner, Crèche Pool Workers
Based in Kilburn we provide a wide range of services to those in need.
We are currently expanding our team we need enthusiastic individuals to join us would be great to hear from you!
Looking for: Customer Duty Officers, Cleaner, Crèche Pool Workers.
To find out more please visit www.kingsgatecommunitycentre.org.uk/job-vacancies/ or email info@kingsgatecc.org.uk

Camden Futures Seeking Parent Volunteers in the Community
Camden Futures is recruiting parent volunteers to become Community Connectors and support Camden parents accessing community resources. Apply via info@camdenfutures.org.uk or call Francesca on 020 7424 1622 by 25/04/17. Compulsory training will run on 28/04/17, 05/05/17 and 12/05/17.

Community Navigator
These innovative posts involve supporting people to become less lonely and to develop more social contact. The successful applicant will join a team of community navigators employed by Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust and will support people with enduring depression or anxiety who use mental health services in Camden, Islington or Barnet. These posts are part of a nationally-funded research study. The post holder will feedback to the research team and contribute to developing and evaluating this programme.
The role will require flexibility to meet people at mutually convenient times and to support them in going to community activities. The total amount of work for each post will average out at one day per week: post holders will be paid at this rate on an annualized hours basis. The post is until the end of February 2018, to start in April 2017 or as soon as possible thereafter. Any experience of working in services which support people with mental health problems, or voluntary sector community experience, are both assets for this work.
You can find more information about this post on the NHS jobs website: https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/xi/vacancy/9f27c8ce53a7d619995f3edb43ad7bb5/?vac_ref=914513220

Kings Cross Jobs
You can view a constantly changing range of job vacancies on the Kings Cross website. For the latest news on jobs sign up to job alerts.

Volunteers are needed in GP practices!
Voluntary Action Camden (VAC) would like to hear from you! We are training volunteers to become Community Health Advocates in local GP practices.
• Do you live, work or volunteer in Camden?
• Would you like to support people in your community to improve their health and their access to services that will help them to maintain good health and wellbeing?
• Do you want to develop experience and skills in the field of public health?
• Can you commit at least 2 hours per week?
VAC is offering free Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH) Level 1 training to those who want to volunteer their time to become Community Health Advocates. The RSPH Level 1 training is a two days course, with a 20 question multiple choice test at the end of the second day of training. It could provide a useful skill set and experience for people who may be interested in following a health related career path in the future.
After completing the training, VAC will support local teams of volunteers to act as links between community based services and GPs. You may wish to take advantage of additional opportunities to increase your knowledge, for example smoking cessation, cancer awareness, diabetes etc. In return for your commitment to the project for 2 hours a week we offer support, out of pocket expenses and other professional development opportunities.
For more information, please contact Mandira Manandhar, Health Advocate Volunteer Co-ordinator (Mon, Tues and Thurs) 020 7284 6550/07930669417 or email: mmanandhar@vac.org.uk
Peter Simonson on 020 7284 6550 or email: projectsupport@vac.org.uk
The RSPH training is provided FREE by on the understanding that participants are available to volunteer for the project and able to attend the regular training and support sessions.

Find Jobs and Volunteering opportunities at https://www.vac.org.uk/

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OFFERS, RESOURCES & ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Camden Commission would like to hear from you
Camden council want you to have your say about Camden’s priorities and challenges for the next five years. As the current Camden Plan comes to the end of its five-year lifespan, the Camden Commission has been set up to help shape Camden’s vision for 2018-2023.
The Camden Commission is a group of councillors and expert advisors who will hear from local residents, organisations, and businesses over the next six months to better understand the challenges faced across the borough. The Commission wants to hear from local people, communities and our partners to ensure that our new vision will focus on what people really need and want from their local government.
Organisations or groups wishing to get involved or submit evidence to the Camden Commission can do so in these ways:
~ Submit an idea or suggestion, and see what others have said using our online forum
~ Submit written evidence by emailing us at camdencommission@camden.gov.uk
~ Sign up for email alerts

Camden Consultations
You can find all Camden consultation on the Wearecamden consultation hub.

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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