Voluntary Action Camden e-bulletin 22nd January 2021

Voluntary Action Forum

The recording, presentation, links and resources from Wednesday’s Voluntary Action Forum are all up on the VAC website here.

Covid-19 Community Response Survey

The voluntary sector has been working in partnership with the Council to provide support to Camden residents who are vulnerable and need support around food provision.  To help improve this partnership, please complete this Camden Council survey by 3rd February. The survey should not take more than 5-10 minutes and will be able to help the council to plan and promote support to residents in the forthcoming months.

Funding News

See the Funding section below for details of funding opportunities.

Digital Inclusion

Looking for devices? data?  Digital resources.  This guide is packed with useful links to help you get your members and users online.

Community Champions Camden

Find out more about the Community Champions programme.  A health and wellbeing project putting residents voices at the heart.
This will be a chance to meet other residents, hear about the project and share your ideas.  You can take the survey here.
Wednesday 3rd February at 11.30am and 5.30pm.
Register by contacting your local coordinator:
Kentish Town – James – 07979 756970 – james@elfridacamden.org.uk
Kilburn – Emelye – 0300 365 2003 – emelye@shakonline.co.uk
Regents Park Estate – Ellie – 07923 849 277 – ellie.rudd@fya.org.uk

Storage Space Needed for Refugee Organisation

Care4Calais, a charity predominantly set up to help refugees in northern France, is now helping thousands of asylum seekers here in the UK, since there is a huge backlog of applications due to the pandemic. As part of these efforts, they are collecting and distributing essential clothing and toiletries and need spaces to store and distribute them. Could anyone with a potential space (even temporary whilst lockdown is in place) please contact Jess Short at jess@care4calais.org or 07838703977.

Age UK Camden Information and Advice coffee mornings

Information and Advice team will be hosting three virtual coffee mornings on the following days between 11-12pm:
~ Wednesday 27th January
~ Wednesday 24th February
~ Wednesday 31st March
Each meeting will be hosted via Zoom. To join the January meeting, please follow this link
Meeting ID: 837 2165 2832  Passcode: 014913

Great Craft/Making activity for all ages

Add your name on Artwork to tell the story of our area – and help make a historical record while we are in lockdown!
First demo live session – join the Zoom on 27th January
We can arrange to send instruction packs.
More info here or for more contact: somerstownhistory@gmail.com

Request for Camden employers to provide 6 months’ work placements for 19-25 year olds

Camden Youth Pathways Finder project is looking for Camden employers to provide placement opportunities to young people at risk of/involved in youth violence (including remote working). Camden Council will pay the young person London Living Wage for the duration of the placement, provide ongoing pastoral care and support for both the organisation and young person and be a point of contact for any queries that may arise.
To register or to find out more, contact serrina.lobban@camden.gov.uk

Thriving Communities

The programme focusses on social prescribing and covid 19 related support delivered by the voluntary and community sector. VAC’s role is to work closely with our CVS / infrastructure counterparts in NCL, and co-produce and share learning through the Learning Together network. Information about the programme and the Thriving Communities learning opportunities are here.
Watch recordings of all webinars here.
There are still places available on Learning Together and the the closing date has also been extended to 25th January.   You can also sign up to the network and ideas hub and get access to free webinars and learning.

Newsletters

Healthwatch Camden
All Ways Network
West Euston Partnership
Visioning Camden 2030

Charity sector calls for emergency support package

Civil society leaders are once again calling on government to develop an emergency support package for the not-for-profit, charity and social enterprise sector.
Ahead of the government’s Budget statement in March, charity leaders are urging Rishi Sunak to urgently work with them to develop a package of financial support for #NeverMoreNeeded non-profit organisations.
The sector is facing an unprecedented hole in its finances – estimated to be at least £10bn for the year from the start of the crisis – due to the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown restrictions.

Trust for London

The next funding application deadline is approaching on 1pm, 2 February 2021. If you would like to book an appointment to speak with a grant manager to discuss your application ahead of this deadline, the team would be happy to help. 30 minute slots are available from Tuesday 19 January up until the deadline for applications on Tuesday 2 February. Find the funding guidelines here.

The Hampstead Wells and Campden Trust Covid-19 Emergency Fund

The fund is open for applications until 30th March 2021. The fund will provide small grants of up to £2,000 to organisations in the Trust’s Area of Benefit (see website) to support vulnerable individuals and families swiftly and effectively during the current lockdown. The Trust expects grants to be used for food, clothing, utility bills and materials for home schooling or for any other urgent need intensified by the pandemic. No application form is required and details of how to apply are on their website www.hwct.org.uk. Please contact the Trust’s Grants Officer: joanna@hwct.co.uk if you would like to discuss applying for this fund.

London Community Response Wave 5

There are 2 strands – a crisis response programme of grants of up to £10k – with a quick turnaround to ensure that urgent needs are met. And a programme of larger, longer-term ‘Renewal’ grants (up to £50K) which will focus on supporting the needs of civil society in the year ahead. Full guidance for applicants on both strands on the London Community Response website.  Also see our presentation to the Voluntary Action Forum for further details.

Comic Relief and Paul Hamlyn Foundation launch £1m digital development fund

The fund offers grants of up to £70,000.  It aims to support UK non-profits to test and develop digital service delivery solutions.
The fund is part of their joint Tech for Good programme. Applications close at 12pm on 12 February 2021.  Full details here.

Community Led Recovery Grants.

There are two grant streams:
~ Community-Led Action Grant: up to £9,000 to initiate social action projects
~ London Community Story Grant: grants of up to £1,500 to organisations with existing projects which capture Londoner’s experience of COVID-19, supporting them to be presented and shared to a wider audience.
Deadline for applications 12pm Friday 19th February 2021.   Details here.  Or email CommunityLedRecovery@groundwork.org.uk  or phone 020 7239 1390.

YCF Heads Up Mental Health Fund (Round 2)

£1,000 – £5,000 Deadline: 25 Jan 2021
Young Camden Foundation Heads Up Mental Health Fund is to support local community organisations with safeguarding the mental health and wellbeing of children, young people and youth workers during the pandemic.
A YCF/ Healthwatch Camden survey showed that 70% of young people found their mental health is affected by the pandemic.  Deadline  25 January.

£500K Windrush Community Fund Opens For Bids

Charities working with people affected by the Windrush scandal can apply for grants to spread awareness of a government compensation scheme.
The Windrush Community Fund will be managed by Voice4Change England (V4CE), and will make grants of up to £25,000 to charities, community groups and grassroots organisations.
Those grants can be used to raise levels of engagement with the government’s Windrush Scheme and Windrush Compensation Scheme.

Leathersellers’ Small Grants

The Leathersellers’ Company has a fast track application process for one-off grants of up to £3,000. It could be particularly useful for funding small projects or to cover unexpected costs arising from COVID-19. Applications are open to registered charities with an income of under £200,000.   You must be in an area of high deprivation.  Details at the Leathersellers’ Small Grants Programme.

£4m Fund to Help Reduce Loneliness

closes on 26 January 2021.
This is for small VCS organisations with an annual income of £50,000 or less.
Grants of between £300 and £2,500 are to:
• Build relationships in and across communities to help reduce loneliness and build connections between people and communities
• Bring together organisations who are working on social connections to celebrate their work, share learning and best practice, and form/bring together peer networks. Further details here.

National Lottery Community Fund Re-Opens Regular Funding Programmes

Applications for all three programmes are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Return to Play Fund

The Return to Play Fund will support groups, clubs and organisations who’ve been impacted by restrictions brought in to tackle the pandemic.
£10m – Return to Play: Small Grants. £300 and £10,000
£5m – Return to Play:  £10,001 to £50,000.
£1.5m – Return to Play: Active Together. crowdfunding initiative
Find out more about each of the funds at the Sport England website.

Catherine Capaldi Awards

Elfrida Rathbone Camden are delighted to announce that the Catherine Capaldi Awards are open for applications.  These awards are open to anyone who identifies as a disabled person and who has an idea or solution to break down a barrier faced by disabled people or to improve their access to services, inclusion or community participation.  More information and how to enter here.

Lists of Emergency Funders

• Civil Society
• Ian McLintok’s LinkedIn blog
• NCVO’s funding central site is currently free for non-members.
• Charity Bank 
• Grants Online

VAC Events

Keep in eye on our Events Calendar to book and for more info.

Camden Voluntary Action Forum

The forum is open to all Camden voluntary and community  groups and organisations, community activists, social entrepreneurs, volunteers and anyone interested in local voluntary action. The Forum currently meets monthly online on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 11am.
The recording and presentation from the Wed 20th Jan Forum is available here.
The next Forum is on Wednesday 24th February

Past Voluntary Action Forums: Resources

You can find presentations, recordings and resources from past forums here.

Safeguarding Courses:

Check back for details of upcoming courses

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

Cultural Arts and Social Prescribing

Are you a cultural practitioner who feels a little like ‘Cinderella’ when it comes to Social Prescribing or a Link worker who would like to know more about offering arts and creativity to the people you work with?
London Plus and London Action Arts and Health are holding an event which aims to bring together voluntary organisations and Link workers in London.
Weds 27 January, 14.00 – 15.30.  More details and register here.

The Catherine Capaldi Awards – workshop

Elfrida Rathbone Camden are organising the Catherine Capaldi Awards to be awarded to disabled people who have come up with solutions to issues or ideas on how to break down barriers.
In partnership with Arup’s Access and Inclusive Environments Team,  workshops support potential applicants with their application.
Thursday 11 February at 11am –  via Zoom.
The aim of these workshops is to:
• Support applicants to shape and refine their ideas.
• Guide applicants through the form, and to answer any specific questions.
To attend, or for more info, please contact catherine@elfridacamden.org.u

UCL Social Hackathons

Hackathons are one-day events in which you get a group of UCL students to come up with solutions to benefit your organisation.  If successful in your application, you will then receive £500 funding from us to help turn any ideas you think are feasible into a reality. Social Hackathons are running Monday 15th February to Friday 19th February, from 10am-4pm and will be held for one day online over Zoom.
If you want to apply to take part, please do so here by Monday 18th January.

Ageing Better in Camden – Social Connectedness & Belonging

10.00 – 11.30am, Thursday, 28th January
Hear about new research exploring the theme of ‘belonging’, which looks at how our local project partners have built connections and a sense of belonging within their communities.
Charting the experiences of participants prior to Covid-19, the report looks at the way projects adapted through the pandemic to support those at risk of loneliness and social isolation, pulling together recommendations for policy makers, funders and service providers. Sign up for free via Eventbrite.

Rethink Training

Rethink Mental Illness training partnership with the London Boroughs of Camden & Islington councils.  Rethink provides online course to organisations free of charge and also runs courses that are open to individuals.
Full details on the Rethink website.

Camden Safeguarding Children Partnership

Multi-agency online training programme Spring Term 2020-21
A full programme of multi-agency safeguarding training on zoom and teams.
To book onto the free training, please visit the Partnerships’s website. You will be required to register an account if you haven’t done so already.

Domestic violence and abuse online workshop

Introduction to domestic violence and abuse e-learning
This e-learning is intended for everyone that would like to gain an awareness on domestic violence and abuse. It will provide you with an introduction to what the types and signs of abuse are, how to respond and what actions to take.
Access the e-learning via the L&D Hub if you already have an account. If you are from a VCS organisation without an account please find details here  to sign-up for an account on the L&D Hub.

3 Job Vacancies at Henna Asian Women’s Group

Project Worker for 3 days (21 hours) a week until 31st March 2021.
Pay is £11 per hour.
Fundraiser – 1 day a week
Salary £35, 353 per annum pro rata
Closing date for both posts is Thursday 21st January 2021 at 5pm. Interviews on w/c Monday 25th January 2021.
Also recruiting new trustees with knowledge/expertise in law, finance or HR. Closing date 1st February 2021
To register an interest and for further details, please contact Momota Khatoon through Momota@hennaorg.co.uk
Also recruiting an experienced Project & Operations Manager
To apply please submit your CV in Word format and a supporting statement (2 sides of A4 max.) highlighting how your skills and experience meet the job description to trustees@hennaorg.co.uk

Volunteers Needed – Story tellers/ actors

Are you a good Storyteller and able to address a young audience?
We need speakers to future story times
Contact somerstownhistory@gmail.com for more details

Work Experience Opportunity for Young Person (15 – 18 years)

Work Experience (virtual) with Prestigious Knowledge Quarter partners
February Half term
Design an Exhibition on Local heroes Radical thinkers.  More details here.

Lifting Limits seeks Head of Education

Lifting Limits is looking for an experienced primary school practitioner with leadership experience and understanding of the primary school sector for a new senior role as Head of Education.  We are a charity with a mission to challenge gender stereotyping and promote gender equality, in and through education, and the Head of Education will help us build on our positive impact so far and scale our model to reach significant numbers of schools.
£45,000 p.a. pro rata. part time, 3 days (or equivalent hours) per week
Deadline for applications: 15th February.
For full details at https://www.liftinglimits.org.uk/contact-us/

Opening Doors Befriending Support Officer

You will be responsible for supporting befriending relationships and helping develop the service –  triaging new referrals to the service, liaising with existing clients by phone or in person in their homes (not currently) and making referrals to external support services. You will support the recruitment, development, placement and ongoing support of volunteers within the service. You will also be responsible for reaching out to minority or under-represented communities who may not be aware of the ODL Befriending Service.
See website for full requirements. Please email you completed Application form to: jobs@openingdoorslondon.org.uk

Hopscotch Homecare urgently need Care Workers.

Hopscotch Homecare are a very caring,well-established and expanding care agency that has been providing care workers to clients in and around Camden for 20 years. We are looking for care workers who would like to help our clients to continue living safely and independently in their own homes.
Day/Night hours available and must be able to work at least two late shifts a week and alternate weekends  Contact:recruitment@hopscotchawc.org.uk

Unity Works Seeks Trustees

Unity Works, part of the charitable Thera Group, is a specialist organisation supporting people with a learning disability to gain skills, qualifications and jobs, so they can reach their full potential. The new organisation, which was developed from The Camden Society, builds on 20 years of experience of helping hundreds of people with a learning disability to secure jobs through volunteering and training opportunities.
Call Tarnya Thompson on 07595 200476 or email mailto:Tarnya.Thompson@thera.co.uk for an informal discussion.

Census Job opportunities

The next census is in 2021 and the Office of National Statistics is hiring for new local Census jobs, with applications invited for exciting new temporary roles at all levels.
All the current openings, application information and FAQs are on censusjobs.co.uk
For more information about the 2021 Census and local communities click here.

Paid work opportunities for people who have been laid off/ reduced income

Local Adult social care providers are still recruiting, and as they support the NHS to move vulnerable adults out of hospital to stay well at home, their need is growing. Contact Proud to Care.

Telling Your Covid Stories

At the September forum we discussed how to tell the story of the sector’s responded to the pandemic  – so we are collecting your stories about how you responded.  The responses will be used to tell the story of how vital the sector is in supporting Camden through these challenging times.  You can click here https://www.tfaforms.com/4863725 to put your story in writing or contact Len Lauk (llauk@vac.org.uk) if you would prefer to be interviewed.

Lateral Flow Testing (quick test) for VCS frontline staff and volunteers

‘Lateral flow’ COVID-19 tests are available for all in frontline roles who have regular face-to-face contact with communities, and who do not have any coronavirus symptoms.
Appointments are available at two test sites (Crowndale Library and Swiss Cottage Library) every weekday from 9am to 5pm. Book here.  If your organisation is not on the system, add the name in the notes’ box.

Boloh Helpline for BAME Families

Barnardo’s has launched a new helpline where you can talk about your worries, problems and stresses during this time with new helpline Boloh, which provides emotional support, practical advice and signposting to other organisations who can provide further help.
If you know of any families requiring therapeutic support or vouchers to purchase food or clothing, please refer them to the helpline by calling: 0800 151 2605.
For more information on how the Boloh Helpline Advisors and the team of psychotherapists can offer advice, signposting and therapeutic support for the children, young people, parents and carers – please go to: https://helpline.barnardos.org.uk/ or email VAC’s Safeguarding Lead Dianne Carlton-Ogunyemi on dogunyemi@vac.org.uk for more information.

Food Support

Find your local food bank or community organisation providing food at findfood.camden.gov.uk.
If you don’t have internet access, please call Camden Council on 020 7974 4444 and select option 9
You can also donate at findfood.camden.gov.uk/donate

Keeping The Community Directory Up-to-date

As we enter Autumn lots is changing.  Buildings are starting to re-open, some activities are moving back into the real world, some food parcel deliveries have ended, while other food projects continue.  Help us to keep the directory up-to-date by updating your details as they change.
If you would like to make a new entry in the directory use this link.   If you would like to update an existing entry look out for an email from us early next week with a unique link for you to update.
View the Directory here.  View the map here.

How to Volunteer and How to Recruit Volunteers in Camden

Volunteer in Camden at Time to Spare.
Volunteer for the NHS at GoodSAM.
Join a neighbourhood Mutual Aid group.
Organisations that are signed up to Time to Spare can now request volunteers through a brokerage team making it much easier to access the volunteers. The brokers can help match volunteers with voluntary and community organisations who have a need for verified/ vetted volunteers. The service will also help to verify or carry out new DBS check with volunteers.
Get support and resources from Volunteer Centre Camden
The council has a  page of resources to help community organisations

Fully-funded university places with Camden Scholarships

Birkbeck, University of London  is offering two scholarship places to Camden residents for any of their undergraduate courses starting in October 2021. The deadline to apply is 25 June 2021.
Hult International Business School is offering Camden residents a fully-funded one-year postgraduate Master of International Business degree. The course starts in Sept 2021 and the deadline to apply is 21 May 2021. Full details here.

Keep in touch and up-to-date via the e-bulletin and @onecamden twitter.  We have a comprehensive COVID-19 update page and a resources page.

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

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