Voluntary Action Camden e-Bulletin 21st August 2015

VAC Survey; A celebration for World Mental Health Day; Deaf Awareness Event; Psychological Therapies: The Way Ahead for Camden’s BMER Communities; What makes life good for people with long term health conditions; Health and Safety for Marginalized Communities; FGM Study; Supporting women who have no access to legal aid: Introducing McKenzie Friend; training, outings and events for unpaid carers in Camden; Streets of London Music Project; + jobs, volunteers, events, training, offers and resources.

A celebration for World Mental Health Day
October 9th at St Pancras Hospital
VoiceAbility and VAC are supporting the Camden Borough User Group (CBUG) to hold an event to celebrate World Mental Health Day. It will be at the conference Hall, St Pancras Hospital on the 9th October between 11am and 4pm.
If you or anyone you support would be interested in attending, then please print off the attached flyer and spread the word. The event will have a social focus with hot food, music, speakers, performance, stalls and more.
We are also holding a photography competition and all entries will be displayed on the day, there is a flyer attached about this too.
For any further details please contact us at by email or by phone on:
camdenuserinvolvement@voiceability.org Telephone: 020 3355 7113

Deaf Awareness Event
A new initiative to encourage more staff and volunteers to take up Deaf Awareness is now available in Camden.
Signs4Life have set up an introductory workshop in Deaf Awareness to help staff to communicate and engage with their deaf & hard of hearing colleagues, service users, students, and patients in Camden. The Deaf Awareness event will be taking place on Tuesday 22nd September 2015 at Camden Cypriot Women’s Organisation, 2c Falkland Road, London, (NW5 2PT) from 10:30am – 12:30pm. This local initiative is to help identify barriers that deaf people face and explore their culture and community but also to encourage inclusion of all people with sensory, physical or learning disabilities in Camden. Attendance is strictly by booking only (limited places). For further information please contact Sara on info@signs4life.org

Psychological Therapies: The Way Ahead for Camden’s BMER Communities
Wednesday 7th October 2015 1:30pm to 4:30pm
At Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, St Pancras Hospital, Conference Hall, 4 St Pancras Way, London NW1 0PE
Come and tell us your views on how psychological therapies services should best meet the needs of BMER communities in future
This event is hosted by London Borough of Camden’s Mental Health Commissioners and Voluntary Action Camden. It is aimed at Camden BMER community members and Camden voluntary and community sector organisations working with BMER groups
Tea and coffee will be provided
To reserve your place please email: mentalhealthteam@vac.org.uk. Spaces are limited and bookings will be confirmed in September

What makes life good for people with long term health conditions
Come to this workshop and turn your ideas into plans!
Friday 18 september 2015, 1.30pm – 3.00pm (refreshments from 1.00pm)
Kingsgate resource Centre, 208 Webheath, Netherwood Street, London NW6 2JU
To learn more and to book your place, contact Frank Dove, LB Camden by Friday 11 September
020 7974 4435 frank.dove@camden.gov.uk

Health and Safety for Marginalized Communities
Wednesday, July 15 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm | Free
It is targeted in particular at migrant workers, unpaid carers, cleaners and people working in the hospitality industry. Some of the most marginalised people – probably working long hours, in dangerous conditions and on low pay.
Too many people are working in dangerous and unhealthy conditions – and often working long hours for low pay. Job insecurity pushes people to keep their heads down and just get on with the job, even if it’s risking their health. Lots of people may not have the help and support of a trade union. If this sounds like you, then make that change. Attend the VAC/London Hazards Centre training and have some fun learning about your rights and how to enforce them. More information and bookings on the VAC website.

No local authority area in England and Wales free from FGM
A series of maps and data tables visualising FGM prevalence data in England and Wales can be viewed on the City University London’s website.

Supporting women who have no access to legal aid: Introducing McKenzie Friend
19th August 2015
This is a course for refugee or migrant women from community organisations designed to introduce the McKenzie Friend scheme. This is where those who have to attend court but do not have access to legal aid can bring a ‘McKenzie Friend’ with them.
The course will run on the 16th of September in the Resource for London, 356 Holloway Road from 9.30-1.00pm.
Please see the Evelyn Oldfield website for further details.

Free training, outings and events for unpaid carers in Camden
Tuesday 25th: Dementia Carers Group, 11am–1pm, on welfare rights/carers’ benefits, with speaker from Mary Ward Legal Centre.
Thursday 27th: London Greeters Walk, 10am – 12pm, a two-hour walk starting and ending at Russell Square station.
Craft workshop, 2.30 – 4.30pm, create art in a friendly, social environment
Friday 28th: Leisure Afternoon for People with Dementia and their Carers, 2 – 4pm
Tel: 020 7428 8950 for more details or to book.

Streets of London Music Project
for people with mental health issues
Autumn 2015 – Spring 2016 Band Workshops
Wednesdays 12-2pm at Fitzrovia Centre Foley Street W1W 6DN
– Guided Walk on London’s rich music history and eclectic community for inspiration
– Performance opportunities
– Recording studio experience
No previous experience is required
All Welcome
For enrolment / referrals forms – please email: lucia@upbeatmusic.org
Or text/call Lucia at: 07762151783 http://www.upbeatmusic.org

Healthwatch Camden
Latest Information DIgest is on the Healthwatch Camden website.
Catch up with the latest Camden news and what’s happening on Our Blog

The Camden Capacity Building Bulletin is produced monthly, targeting the community and voluntary sector in Camden. It provides up to date/recently live information and news on funding and training. To access the latest information please follow the Link www.camden.gov.uk/cbbulletin

Kentish Town Community Centre, Jobs in Mind, VAC and Camden PA are recruiting. See Jobs and Volunteers section below.

Camden Shares. The website for exchanges in Camden. www.camdenshares.org.uk

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

Are CVSs Losing Their Voice?
Councils for voluntary service have traditionally spoken up on behalf of the local voluntary sector, but with cuts to budgets and changes in local funding arrangements some fear that voice is being lost. Third Sector reports.

Kids Company
Many more articles have been written about Kids Company but few are worth reading. One exception is Simone Abram’s article in the Conversation which points out that many charities are struggling with rising demand, falling funding, dwindling reserves and spiralling monitoring demands. Full cost recovery rarely happens and administration costs are often unrealistically low. Do you turn people away when target numbers are exceeded or do you respond to need?

Social Media Fail
It’s easy to get started with social media but there are many pitfalls to catch out the unwary – even if you have a large, professional, well funded team like the Department for Work and Pensions. They fell victim to two social media traps. Firstly they chose a hashtag in use by someone else and then the hashtag was hijacked. The DWP launched a pro work experience campaign with the hashtag #WEcan. Unfortunately this hashtag is already in widespread use on facebook by a number of campaigns including the Wellness Education Cannabis Advocates of Nevada. On twitter the hashtag #WEcan was hijacked by opponents of Workfare who feel that the campaign is all part of the governments plans to remove benefits from under 21s and bring in forced boot camps and more workfare.

Austerity State: how has the council’s budget changed?
Between 2009/10 and 2014/15 spending by England’s local authorities was cut by a fifth — more than twice the rate of spending cuts to the rest of the UK public sector. The FT Local Cuts Checker database brings together a myriad of data to allow you to explore the impact of those cuts.

Fairness Commissions: Understanding how local authorities can have an impact on inequality and poverty
A new report by New Economics Foundation (NEF), funded by Trust for London, explores the role of Fairness Commissions in tackling poverty and inequality at a local level.
In the face of severe spending cuts, many local authorities are struggling to tackle growing levels of inequality and poverty. Others are exploring fresh and participative approaches to improving the lives of their residents in difficult financial circumstances. Download the report here.

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

The Jack Petchey Foundation small grants for youth programmes
The Small Grants Fund allows those organisations who are running the Achievement Award Scheme well, to apply for a small grant of up to £750 to enhance their work with young people.
Please note that you must already be running the Achievement Award in your school or club, AND you must have recently nominated a Leader Award winner too. For more information on this see How to Apply.

The Good Neighbourhood Fund
Grants of between £5,000 and £10,000 per year over two years, are available to support work benefitting people aged 18 or over in the following areas: Health and/or Wellbeing and Inclusion
Proposals must promote or encourage integration and/or inclusion through project delivery. This could include:
~ Health and wellbeing projects that bring people of different backgrounds, faiths, gender, cultures, sexuality, ages together through the group’s work
~ Projects with a health/wellbeing focus that are actively tackling issues such as exclusion and isolation
Funding is available for projects, or core funding for organisations whose work fits with the fund themes, and funding is available to continue existing work, and/or for new work or pilots.
Organisations must have an average annual income of less than £200,000
Priority will be given to:
~ Small organisations working to support a defined local community
~ Resident or user led groups
~ Organisations demonstrating a clear understanding of the needs of their community
~ Work which shows innovation for either the organisation and/or sector
Deadline: 5pm, Monday 7th Sept 2015. Full details at London Community Foundation

Crowdfunding?
Don’t forget that there is a dedicated page on Spacehive just for Camden projects. And set up costs are free to Camden groups. Find out more at Spacehive Camden.

Don’t forget to sign up to Funding Central for free email funding alerts. Go to www.fundingcentral.org.uk/

VAC’s Mental Health Training Programme for BMER groups
Are you a BMER group or do you work with BMER communities? If so, then our Mental Health Training Programme is for you! Our next courses are as follows:
• Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 22nd and 29th October)
• Stigma and Mental Health (half-day workshop: 2nd November)
• Youth Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 12th and 19th November)
• Introduction to Mental Health Awareness (one day workshop: 9th December)
• Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 9th and 16th February 2016)
For more information about our any of our courses, please go to https://vac.org.uk/events/category/health-mental-health/. Click on the course you are interested in and follow the instructions to book your place and pay by card (if applicable). The charge for our Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid training courses is heavily subsidised at only £25 per person. All other mental health workshops are free.
Please note that VAC can only accept bookings from organisations working with BMER communities based in Camden, or which serve Camden BMER residents. Places are limited on each course to a maximum of two people per organisation. If you have any queries, please contact us on our team email address: mentalhealthteam@vac.org.uk

VAC has a full programme of courses coming up: Click here to find out more. All courses are £25 for members (unless otherwise stated).

Engage to Succeed
‘Engage to Succeed’ is an intervention programme developed by the Windsor Fellowship funded by Camden Council that seeks to reduce and re-engage young people aged 18+ who are NEET (not in education, employment or training) or at risk of becoming NEET.
The project is for 2 years and works with young people across Camden.
‘Engage to Succeed’ includes:
• two days of personal and soft skills development training
• personal development focused 1-2-1 mentoring
• volunteering opportunities within Camden
• two Information, Advice and Guidance 1-2-1 sessions focused on employment, education or training for each participant
The project focuses on working with young people aged 18+ from across Camden, to bring together young people that would not normally meet one another thus challenging some of the stereotypes which our experience has shown exist. The programme will also raise community resilience and awareness of cross cultural and community similarities.
Workshops will be available on the following date(s) – with more dates to follow in due course:
Wednesday 2nd September
Register to attend: https://windsorfellowship.wufoo.eu/forms/engage-to-succeed-camden/
Participant Eligibility Criteria
Are you: Aged 18+; A Camden resident and not currently working, studying or doing a course?
Contact Email: robertsd@windsor-fellowship.org; Telephone: 020 7250 8445

Volunteer Management Training
VCC’s Measuring The Impact of Your Volunteering Programme training course will give you practical, user-friendly tools to help you do just that.
Measuring The Impact Of Your Volunteering Programme For Beginners
Thursday 1st October 10am-1pm @ The Wellcome Trust in Euston
You will receive a copy of the NCVO measuring impact toolkit (£35) to take away. With that in mind, free places will be £35+booking fee and the rest will be £94+booking fee.
To book your place and to find our more information have a look at Eventbrite.

Talksafe Over the Rainbow – A Groupwork Programme for LGBTQ Youth aged 16 – 21
Talksafe2 provides free face to face, telephone and online counselling to young people aged 10 to 21. The aim of the Talksafe2 project is to support a young person’s emotional wellbeing with the hope of them making better sexual health choices later on in life. Talksafe offers counselling on any of the issues that young people may be experiencing such as bullying, discrimination, family relationship issues, exam pressures.
Groupwork series for LGBTQ people aged 16 to 21 in central London on Wednesdays starting in October 2015, nearest tube Kings Cross, Euston or Angel.
The group will run for 12 sessions and will focus positively on the following themes:
· Healthy Lifestyles & Relationships
· Identity
· Self Esteem
· Coming Out
· Coping with discrimination
· Coping with stress
Young people can choose to do all, or drop into some of the sessions.
Talksafe has an interactive website www.talksafe.org.uk where a young person can access information on a wide range of issues and topics. They can also ask a question online in complete confidence, which can be answered by a Peer Mentor, or access our online counselling service.
Terrence Higgins Trust, 314-320 Gray’s Inn Road, London, WC1X 8DP Kris.Black@tht.org.uk Tel: 07768 462 434 or 0207 812 1874

LivingWell Day at KTCC
Wednesday 2nd September 2015 10am – 4pm Free
Relax at Kentish Town Community Centre this September with a free day of activities to feed mind and body.
FREE crèche for Under 5s, meditation, yoga and much more!
– Meditation for Beginners 10.30am and 4pm
– Five Ways to Well-Being 11.15am
– Yoga for Beginners 12pm
– Lunch + Talk on Nutrition 1pm
– Vital Dance + Development 2.15pm
– Art + Music Session 2pm
– Sleep Talk 3.15pm
The centre is wheelchair accessible. If you require additional on-site assistance please ring 020 7482 3212
The creche will operate on a first come first served basis between 10am-1pm. To register your interest or to help out on the day please email isabelle@ktcc.org.uk. More information on the KTCC website.

Writing the short play with Little Pieces of Gold at Torriano Meeting House
A series of five playwriting workshops focusing on the short play. The aim is to enable you to develop your playwriting skills, nurture your writer’s voice and investigate what makes a great short play.
The workshops will be an opportunity to:
Short play showcases are thriving so writing a short piece is an excellent way to develop your playwriting skills and get your work seen. New writing nights can kickstart writing careers as events are frequently attended by producers, directors and literary agents. Writing the short play and being involved with a showcase event is also a brilliant way of collaborating with other theatre makers and forging creative relationships going forward.
Mondays – 5 Oct, 12 Oct,19 Oct, 2 Nov, 9 Nov 7.30 – 9.30 pm
Torianno Meeting House. Cost £80.00. Contact Torriano Meeting House to book
Also the Torrriano Meeting House AGM is at 5.30 – 6.15pm on Sunday 6th September
and there is a Working Group meeting at 6 -7.15pm on Monday 7 September .

New Evelyn Oldfield Unit Research for Action and Influence Course 2015-16
Accredited London Region Open College Network, Level 3
Are you interested in working towards a qualification whilst gaining some useful and practical skills in research and presentation skills? Then this course is for you.
Starting from October, we will run 22 half-day sessions spread over 9 months. We will support RMCO representatives to gain the skills and confidence to be able to research issues of refugee and migrant communities including education, training and employment, welfare and social concerns.
The training is free. Participants will benefit from mentor support, tutorials and one to one support from the tutor.
Eligibility and how to apply:
This is a course for refugees and migrants only. Applicants must be active in a refugee or migrant community organisation working in London (this can be paid or voluntary). English levels have to be sufficient to manage independent report writing.
Please contact Alexandra, EOU administrator on 020 7697 4100 / Alexandra@evelynoldfield.co.uk for further information and/ or to request an application form.

Prince’s Trust Team Programme
The next Prince’s Trust TEAM Programme at Canalside Activity Centre is starting on 21/09/15.
For 16-25 years old; Unemployed or not in education or training; Available to attend a 12 week course full time
Team is a 12-week personal development course that will help you to develop your employability skills and to move into education, employment or training.
· Get a nationally recognised qualification: “Certificate in Employment, TEAMWORK AND Community Skills”( Entry Level 3, Level 1 or 2)
For information, please do not hesitate to contact Mustapha Elmsioui mustapha.elmsioui@epiccic.org.uk

Made of Money
Tues 22nd & Wed 23rd September2015
Award-winning financial education project, offered as two day facilitator training
We’ll equip you to deliver flexible content around savings, credit, debt, communication,
coping with consumer culture, and children & money
Sliding costs from £100 to £350; in-house trainings also available
100% of trained facilitators would recommend Made of Money to other organisations
Made of Money is a project of Quaker Social Action (QSA) www.quakersocialaction.org.uk/madeofmoney

Promoting Change Training
Our enthusiastic trainers have designed this course specifically for professionals across Camden and Islington, and will focus on guiding and supporting learning opportunities by challenging you, reinforcing involvement and maintaining an energetic pace throughout the programme.
By attending the course you will:
· Gain an insight into the key health promotion messages for smoking, healthy eating, physical activity and alcohol consumption
· Understand how to effectively raise the topic of health behaviours in your conversations
· Learn how to effectively shape behaviours to support a healthy lifestyle and encourage independence
· Explore the best way to put these skills and strategies into practice within the context of your own role
Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis so don’t delay – take the next step in your professional development and confirm your place today: http://promotingchangetraining.eventbrite.com
Contact Paula Prince at Whittington Health NHS for dates or for more information:
Email: paula.prince@nhs.net Telephone: 0207 527 1189. Free. I day. 7, 10 or 30 September.

Camden Ageing Network Meeting
Councillor Larraine Revah Camden’s Champion for Older people invites you to attend the Camden Ageing Network 2-4pm on 9th September 2015 in The Council Chamber, Camden Town Hall, Judd Street, WC1
The meeting provides an opportunity for you to hear and ask questions about many new projects and initiatives
The meeting will include update from
• Camden’s older peoples commissioner
• Age UK Camden on new projects and initiatives in Camden for older citizens
• Kilburn Older Voices Exchange presents what KOVE is currently doing with Ageing Better Camden and to show their new film A Nice Cup of Tea.
• Community Programmes: provision for local adults at the British Museum
Plus more to be confirmed. Please call: 0207 974 1459 if you require further information

Training from HEAR
Supporting LGBT+ Asylum Seekers and Refugees – 10 September 2015
10am to 1pm (arrival from 9.30am). Voluntary Action Islington/LVSC, 200a Pentonville Road, N1 9JP (close to Kings Cross station). Trainer: Jess McIntyre, Reach Out.
This training develops themes and topics from other popular HEAR training on supporting refugees and asylum seekers and on supporting LGB people and Trans Awareness, and reflects HEAR’s commitment to training on more complex intersectional topics. This training is for anybody that may work with or support asylum seekers or refugees. Learn, in a supportive and open learning environment, how to provide safe spaces for vulnerable people with complex needs.
Gender Recognition Act – 4 November 2015
10am-1pm (arrival from 9.30am) Fitzrovia Community Centre, 6 Foley Street, W1W 6DL (Central London, West End, close Googe Street and Tottenham Court Road). Trainer: Lee Gale.
Whatever your type of service or beneficiary group you will at some point find that trans people are included amongst those who need your service or support. As well as a broader awareness of trans issues, it is important to be aware of the relevant equalities legislation. The Gender Recognition Act 2004 (GRA) is a very important piece of legislation for the rights of trans people in the UK. It enables many trans people to get legal recognition of their affirmed gender and allows them to change their birth certificate to reflect this, giving privacy rights and dignity to people in the UK. To book your place please email the HEAR Coordinator: hear@reap.org.uk stating your name, organisation, organisation postcode, and whether you have any access or dietary requirements or book online.

Tennis for blind and partially sighted people
Liven up your Friday evenings – come and play sound ball tennis at The Globe Tennis Club
190A Haverstock Hill, NW3 2AL behind Belsize Park tube station [Northern line] Buses C11, 168 and 268
We can meet and guide people to the tennis club from Belsize Park tube station, Hampstead Heath Overground station or nearest bus stops.
Every other Friday: 14th and 28th August; 11th and 25th September and so on… From 6pm to 8pm
Sessions are FREE. Equipment and coaching provided. Please wear tennis or tennis-like footwear.
Sessions followed by a social get-together.
Want to know more? Phone Rosemary on 07980 328 959 or email: Rosemary@somerstown.org.uk

Free English Classes
Would you like to speak English better? Then come to our free classes.
Every Monday 6pm-8pm at The Evelyn Oldfield Unit, Resource for London, 356 Holloway Road, N7 6PA
Please contact Alexandra for more information on 0207 697 4105 alexandra@evelynoldfield.co.uk

London for All
London for All / LVSC have a full programme of courses available for the voluntary sector. Go to the London for All website for full details.

Camden Carers’ Service
Has a full range of events and activities for unpaid carers in Camden. Find out more on the Camden Carers’ Service website www.camdencs.org.uk/activities

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

Kentish Town Community Centre currently have 2 part time Youth worker vacancies
KTCC are looking for enthusiastic and experienced individuals to join the youth team, the roles are focused on 2 core youth projects, working with young people aged 11-19 in Kentish Town.
For more information or to apply please visit www.ktcc.org.uk
Closing date for applications is 21st September 2015.

Urban Growth Volunteer Assistant with Jobs In Mind
Do you enjoy working outside? Do you want to gain experience of supporting individuals with wide ranging mental health needs? Do you love vegetables? If the answer to all three is yes then please keep reading.
We are a mental health charity whose varied services provide specialist support and advice around problems at work, training and education. Our mission is to understand, support and enable the recovery of those affected by mental health problems.
We have been working across a range of London boroughs for 26 years now with specialist networks in Islington, Camden and Westminster.
Urban Growth is a practical and therapeutic work-based recovery programme based in Camden Town. We provide horticultural training in organic food growing and informal therapeutic support to individuals with mental health problems. Through horticultural training, participants gain personal and vocational skills to improve their mental health, wellbeing and employability.
We are looking for a keen individual to help assist our Urban Growth coordinator on-site for a maximum of two days a week, Monday and Wednesday 10am-3pm.
You will need to be confident in supporting small groups and working with individuals who have a wide range of mental health needs. This role is largely an outdoor role, so please be aware of this when applying.
Apply by sending your CV and a one page covering letter, explaining why you’d be the best person to join our programme as an assistant volunteer.
Deadline 9am, 31st August 2015. Details on www.charityjob.co.uk

Volunteer Role and VAC to Update Website and Database
This role is ideally suited to someone who wants to learn how to edit and update a website using WordPress. It is also suited to anyone looking to gain some experience of volunteering in an office environment with a view to finding or returning to employment. No prior experience is necessary or required as training will be given.
Role Title: Website and Data Entry Volunteer
Responsible to: ICT Training and Communications Support Worker
Salary Scale: Voluntary position
Hours: 1-2 days per week – max 14 hours/week (Tuesday & Wednesday)
Location: VAC, 293 – 299 Kentish Town Road, London NW5 2TJ.
Role Purpose
~ To keep the VAC website up-to-date with the latest funding opportunities as they relate to the local Camden Voluntary and Community Sector.
~ To update and maintain information on the organisation database, as and when required.
~ To provide other data-entry and administrative assistance to the ICT training and communication support worker and other staff, as and when required.
To apply please forward a CV and cover letter to alexcharles@vac.org.uk more details at www.vac.org.uk

Are you looking to employ an assistant to help with your care needs? CamdenPAs can help you.
CamdenPAs.org.uk is a new service that makes it easy to find a personal assistant (PA) and puts you in control of your care and support.
If you have care needs, you can employ a PA to help you to live as independently as possible.
CamdenPAs features an online ‘marketplace’ for you to browse through a list of profiles of PAs in the borough. Profiles give details about the services they provide, their skills, experience and personal interests.
You can look through the list to find suitable matches and choose someone you like to help support you.
When you find a match you can contact the PA to arrange an interview and see how you get on. If you like them you can then work out contract details such as hours, duties and wages, and hire them.
If you do not find anyone suitable, you can set up your own a profile describing your requirements and interests, for PAs to look through and contact you.
You can employ a PA whether you receive a direct payment or fund your own care. If you receive direct payments you can get support with the employment from Personalised Support In Camden or AgeUK Camden.
Become a PA
If you’re a PA looking for work or are just starting out, CamdenPAs can help you. As well as helping you finding a job, the site features advice on looking for work, becoming a PA and where to get training.
Why not set up your profile today? Find out more, visit: camdenpas.org.uk or p hone: 020 7278 4437

Socially Responsible Recruiting
A new, award-winning skills matching service that connects employers with skilled and experienced people to do one-off or part-time jobs has launched in Camden, with a strong social benefit ethic.
“There is a very large number of people in Camden who are fantastically skilled and work-ready but are off the radar to employers because they’re not looking for full-time work and aren’t constantly scouring the job ads,” says Jonathan Collie, founder of Trading Times.
These people are highly skilled over 50s, and family carers. Trading Times brings them to you. It’s free to candidates. It costs you only £35, and only when you are connected to the perfect candidates.
Paul Fordham of Abbey Community Centre in Camden said: “”We posted our occasional job opportunity on Trading Times because we at the Abbey Community Centre recognise the value of the flexibility that can come with age. Trading Times offers a tailored means to directly target opportunities at an older group that the vast majority of other job sites simply do not seem to tap.”
Register at https://tradingtimes.org.uk/ and let Trading Times match you with the right local people for your needs.

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

Ageing Better in Camden: St Pancras and Somerstown Community Action Project
A briefing meeting for interested organisations was held on 10th August. If you would like the powerpoint from that meeting, please contact Judy Harrington on judy.harrington@ageukcamden.org.uk.
This project aims to:
· Build a group of active and involved older people working together to improve their lives and their community
· Create an environment where older participants are less lonely and socially isolated
· Improve the lives and community of people living in St Pancras and Somerstown.
The ITT documentation will be published w/b 28th September 2015
The deadline for submission will be 19th November 2pm.
There will be an interview for applications shortlisting, with a panel consisting of older people and Ageing Better in Camden Strategic Board members or appointees, the fortnight beginning 30th November 2015.
The successful organisation will be informed by the end of December 2015, with a project start date of 1st April 2016.
If any of you want any support working up a partnership bid, or looking at working in partnership, Kevin Nunan at VAC is able to provide support. Please email him on knunan@vac.org.uk
Please contact Judy Harrington judy.harrington@ageukcamden.org.uk or Corinna Hyman Corinna.hyman@ageukcamden.org.uk

Camden Consultations
Various consultations are out at the moment including a consultation on Camden Future Libraries and Camden VCS strategy and changes to early education and childcare and children’s centre services. 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.

We’re just like you. We’re teachers, business executives, parents, retirees, students…you name it. But the one thing we all have in common is our dedication to change. And the more volunteers we have, the bigger impact we can all make. Together. Learn More about what it means to be a volunteer.