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