Voluntary Action Camden e-bulletin 22nd September 2017

Camden Funders Fair for Local Community Organisations; Healthy Living week 25-29 September; local care strategy; Camden Carers Centre; Maximising Community Resilience through Mutual Aid; Faith Recognition and Celebration; Camden Intergenerational Week; How to run intergenerational activities in the community; Breathe Launches; Castlehaven Community Horticulture Hub; Improving Londoners’ Health; Youth Employment Project; Camden Health Kick + funding, jobs, volunteers, events, training, offers and resources.

Monday 2nd October 10:00am-13.00pm
The event is for voluntary and community organisations with a focus on groups with a turnover of under £100,000. You will have the opportunity to personally meet the funders, hear about their funding pots and book a twenty-minute spot to discuss your proposed project in greater detail. After the event VAC will be offering you 1-1 bid writing support.
This is a great opportunity to make new contacts and secure new sources of income. If you would like any further information, please do contact Simone at VAC on 020 7284 6555. Fax 020 7284 6551. Email. shensby@vac.org.uk
All places must be booked in advance. To book a place please follow this Eventbrite Link, Or Email acharles@vac.org.uk and let us know if you have any specific requirements. Venue: Wellcome Collection, 183 Euston Road, London NW1

Healthy Living week 25-29 September
NHS Healthy London Partnership promotes Health Living week. Everyone is encourages to pledge to do something towards healthier living. This can be as simple as forgoing sugar in your tea/coffee, taking your lunch break and having a walk, taking time away from the computer or eating more fruit. Find out more at the Healthy Living week website.

Find out about the local care strategy and what it will mean for carers in Camden
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 28 September 2017 10.30am – 12.30pm
At Argenta House, 1 Aspern Grove, Haverstock Hill, London NW3 2AB
Speaker: Martin Emery, Deputy Head of Engagement, Camden Clinical Commissioning Group
Refreshments from 10am. Light lunch from 12.30pm
For more information contact, Philippa on 020 7697 1336 philippar@centre404.org.uk

Camden Carers Centre
Camden Carers Centre runs a full range of informatin and activities for carers in Camden;
1. Autumn events calendar – link
2. Information on events – link
3. Invitation to Camden Carers Voice –link
Find out more at www.camdencs.org.uk or contact info@camdencarers.org.uk

Maximising Community Resilience through Mutual Aid
Friday, 29th September, 2:00 pm – 6:30 pm
The concept of Mutual Aid has been around for a long time and has its roots in basic survival. It involves the idea of sharing, exchanging and building resources between individuals and within and across communities to establish strong relationships, and underpin well-being. Camden is a very vibrant borough and it makes sense for us all to get a deeper understanding of current and future mutual aid initiatives and innovative partnerships that can act as a catalyst to bridge social capital, build community resilience and reduce social isolation.
This event is a collaborative effort involving residents, voluntary and community organisations, public sector groups, academia and businesses. It is an opportunity for this diverse group of people to share examples of what is already happening, what is missing and what we can do to strengthen and develop mutual aid in Camden.
The conference will:
~ Explore the wide range and richness of mutual aid activity in the Borough, people’s stories and the impact on individual and community resilience
~ Profile ‘practical tools’ that can help mobilise individual assets and networks in the solving of shared community issues
~ Explore how the learning and experience at the conference can help shape a future vision for the future.
Book a place at the VAC website (scroll down the page and register your place using the Eventbrite booking system). If you have any issues, please contact the Building Adminstrator acharles@vac.org.uk Free

Final Week for Nominations – An Evening of Faith Recognition and Celebration
There are many inspiring projects in our local communities in London which bring people together. However, the good work being done by these projects is often overlooked, and often overwhelmed by negative media coverage.
On 27 November 2017, 3FF are holding an event to recognise the good work of faith communities building bridges, with the support of Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London’s Council on Faith. During the event, we want to recognise projects with a small monetary awards.
Please consider nominating a project using this brief nomination form, share with your networks and encouraging others to nominate themselves for this exciting opportunity.
If you have any questions about the process or would like to discuss further, please do not hesitate to get in contact with Jessica at councilonfaith@3ff.org.uk or call 020 3457 5324.
Nominations close on 29th September 2017

Camden Intergenerational Week is nearly here
From 16th – 21st October 2017 we are shining a spotlight on the great multi-generational events and activities on offer in Camden. Check out our programme
If you would like your event listed here, please email Corinna Gray or call 020 7239 0400.

How to run intergenerational activities in the community
Monday 16th October 2017 10.30am – 1pm
at Age UK Camden, Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square WC1H 9NA
This free event will include practical tips on and examples of multi-generational community work in action. There will also be the chance to network with others.
If you would like to attend, please RSVP to ageingbetterincamden@ageukcamden.org.uk or phone 020 7239 0400 by Friday 6th October 2017. Spaces will be allocated on a first come first serve basis.

Breathe Launches
Breathe, Camden & Islington’s new stop smoking service, provided by Soultions4Health, launches in September. As part of the launch we are holding two public events in Camden & Islington.
Thursday 28th September – 11:00am to 5:00pm
Kentish Town High Street, London, NW5 2TJ (opposite Kentish Town Post Office)
Friday 29th September -11:00am to 5:00pm
Nags Head Shopping Centre, Holloway Road, London, N7 6PZ
For more information on the new service or the events please contact me on 07771392835 or email kawser.zananth@solutions4health.co.uk

Castlehaven Community Horticulture Hub Open Evening
Wednesday, 4 October from 5pm to 7pm.
Come and find out all about the exciting things happening in our new Horticulture Hub over the next few months, including workshops and activities. Refreshments will be provided.
All welcome. http://www.castlehaven.org.uk/whats-on/event/1634/

Improving Londoners’ Health – a Health Network meeting, 18 October 2017
The London Plan states that the voluntary and community sector has an essential role in tackling health inequalities at the local level, particularly in promoting and supporting community involvement’.
The Mayor has launched a consultation on his health inequalities strategy which will provide an opportunity for the voluntary sector to outline their role in working collaboratively with the GLA to tackle inequalities in health. The new strategy aims to address inequalities and improve the health of health of Londoners in childhood, mental health, where they live, healthy communities and developing healthy habits.
We know what black and minority ethnic communities have poor health experiences and health outcomes. Our Health Network will provide an opportunity to have a debate about ethnic health inequalities.
This event is for voluntary and community sector organisations working with children and families, particularly those working with black and minority ethnic communities.
To register for the event, go to eventbrite

Youth Employment Project
Westminster Kingsway College and City & Islington College have created a bespoke programme: Y.E.P to assist 18-24 year olds to find education, employment, traineeship or apprenticeships within their chosen sectors.Tel: 0207 700 9250 Email: esfenquiries@candi.ac.uk

Councillors Selected in Preparation for may 2018 Elections
CNJ Deputy Editor Richard Osley gives a run down of the Labour selections for council election candidates.

Camden Health Kick
Find out about Camden Health Kick events on the calendar.

VAC, Fitzrovia Youth in Action, Bloomsbury Festival, Camden Disability Action/Healthwatch Camden, The Actors’ Children’s Trust, Homestart, SHAK, Camden Council and Kings Cross Jobs 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.

The council’s Capacity Building Bulletin is available here.

You can read more about all of these stories on our news page at www.vac.org.uk/new

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

Don’t Forget – Camden Funders Fair for Local Community Organisations, 2nd October
See main VAC Events below for full details.

BBC Children in Need Main Grants Programme – First 2018 Deadline
The BBC Children in Need Main Grants programme is accepting applications for large grants of over £10,000 to support projects for up to three years.
Not-for-profit organisations in the UK can apply if they are supporting children and young people of 18 years and under who are experiencing disadvantage through:
~ Illness, distress, abuse or neglect.
~ Any kind of disability.
~ Behavioural or psychological difficulties.
~ Living in poverty or situations of deprivation.
Organisations must be working to combat this disadvantage and make a real difference to children and young people’s lives.
Organisations that already hold a grant from Children in Need can apply for further funding providing the current grant is coming to an end within the next 12 months. Applicants will need to be able to provide convincing evidence of the differences the grant has made to the lives of the disadvantaged children and young people the organisation has worked with.
The closing date for applications is 16 January 2018. Find out more here.

Sport England’s Tackling Inactivity and Economic Disadvantage Fund
Grants are available for charities, community interest companies (CICs), local authorities, universities and companies limited by guarantee who are working with inactive people in employment and / or inactive people who have an unreliable income or no income. Two grants may be of interest:
~ £25,000 – £100,000 for projects working with people less likely to have a steady income, or any income, who are at risk of offending or substance misuse.
~ £1,000 – £10,000 is for smaller scale projects working with one or two of the above groups
Expressions of interest by Monday 6th November. For more information please click here.

Masonic Charitable Foundation’s Community Support Grants
Grants are available to support registered charities working in areas of financial hardship, health and disability, education and employability and social exclusion and disadvantage.
Small Grants – up to £5,000 are available for core expenditures such as general running or overhead costs. Applications are welcomed before the third Friday of any given month.
For more information please click here.

Comic Relief Funding
The following funds are available from Comic Relief:
Try for Change: Large Grants
Grants of £25,000 – £100,000 are available for two to three years of activity to use rugby union, it’s values or the rugby community to make an impact for vulnerable and marginalised people. Applicants must aim to meet one or more of the following:
~ Increasing community cohesion.
~ Improving educational attainment.
~ Increasing employability.
~ Reducing involvement in gangs and the risk of re-offending.
~ Improving mental and physical health.
The deadline for applications is midday on Mon 2nd October.
Thriving not Just Surviving: Young Men and Mental Health
Grants of £100,000 – £150,000 are available for activities working with vulnerable and disadvantaged young men (aged between 11 – 20) who are experiencing mental health problems. Priority will be given to applications which:
~ Have co-designed activities with young men to ensure their needs are met.
~ Work with young men from BAME (Black, Asian and minority ethnic) communities or those with co-occurring learning disabilities and mental health problems.
~ Use activity based interventions, and / or are psychologically informed.
~ Promote and recognise the benefits of peer support and positive role models.
~ Carry out their activities in non-stigmatising locations.
The deadline for applications is midday on Fri 13th October.
For more information about these funds please click here.

Dunhill Medical Trust
Grants are available to community based organisation working with older people who need support every day. Three types of grant are available:
~ Projects – £5,000 – £40,000 for time-limited projects that can become self-sustaining within a planned period.
~ Building and Physical infrastructure – £5,000 – £100,000 to provide accommodation / improvements to the built environment, and or specific pieces of equipment or furnishings.
~ Capability – £100 – £5,000 to support the development of skills, knowledge and capabilities in community-based organisations.
The deadline for applications is Fri 29th September. For more information please click here.

Clarion Community Grants Programme
Open for applications until Monday 20th November 2017 to community, voluntary and charity groups.
Clarion was formed following the merger in 2016 of Affinity Sutton Group Limited and Circle Housing Group and is the largest housing group in the country. Through the Community Grants Programme – managed by Groundwork – it awards grants of between £1,000 and £5,000 to charities, community organisations and voluntary groups for projects which primarily benefit its residents.
To get updated information on how to apply and to see the criteria, please visit Clarion Community Grants Programme
If you do have any further queries about the grant please contact Katie McNie– Groundwork – Senior Programmes Manager – info@groundwork.org.uk

£1 million to make your area greener
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan wants community groups to apply for his £1 million Greener City Fund to help plant more trees and plants and create more green play areas in every neighbourhood in London.
Trees and plants play an essential part in reducing London’s dangerously polluted air and contribute to London’s biodiversity. The Mayor wants to protect London’s Green Belt and help make the capital the world’s first National Park City.
Groups can apply now for grants between £5,000 – £50,000. These grants can be used for a range of projects from lining walking routes to schools with air quality boosting trees, to creating mini play spaces, and community gardens in built up areas.

Greggs Foundation Grants
The following grants are available from the Greggs Foundation:
~ Environmental Grants – up to £2,000 is available for projects delivering a benefit to the environment and which address one or more of the following: Improving the local environment, Involve the local community, Make a sustainable measurable difference, and Support people in need. Not-for-profit organisations with a turnover of up to £300,000, or schools can apply.
~ Local Community Projects – up to £2,000 is available for not-for-profit organisations with projects, or needing equipment for people in need in their community. Projects will meet at least one of the following; reducing social isolation, improving health and wellbeing, improving resilience and coping mechanisms, developing life skills and improving opportunities. Please note that this programme is oversubscribed and applications will be subject to strong competition.
The deadline for applications to both grants is Fri 29th September. More information here

Maximising Community Resilience through Mutual Aid
Friday, 29th September, 2:00 pm – 6:30 pm
See main News section for full details.

Euston Area Environmental Justice Inquiry – Events for Local Residents and Community Groups-
Impacts of Channel Tunnel Rail Link, St Pancras 27th Sep 6:00pm
Impacts of HS2, Euston, Oct 4th 6:00pm
Evidence examined includes health, environmental and air quality studies, community research, community consultation responses, comments on planning applications, alternative development proposals, and your Witness Statements.
For each event you are invited to complete a Witness Statement. You can do this on the night or download the template.
You can find out more and book a place online or you can email acharles@vac.org.uk or call 02072 846550 and leave a message to book your place.
Hosted by Environmental Law Foundation, Somers Town Neighbourhood Forum, University College London and Voluntary Action Camden. Chaired by David Hart QC, Chair of the Environmental Law Foundation.

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

Independent Living Week 25 – 29 September
In addition to the start of The Camden Society’s autumn courses we are spending a week celebrating people with learning disabilities living independent lives of their choosing.
Join us and our partners in one of our events. No need to book just turn up. All events are free.
More details here. For any more information call us on 020 7485 8177

London Community Media drinks
On the 3rd of October we will be organising an informal gathering for anyone working in, or interested in, community media in London. It will be a chance to socialise, share problems and give each other advice! Location TBC, we be in contact closer to the time with more information.
Please get in touch with if you have any questions or would like any more information.
Anna Merryfield, Research and Project Manager, Social Spider CIC
anna@socialspider.com Tel: 020 8521 7956
NB The Community Media Association’s annual conference is on 23rd September in Bristol: Voices in a Changing World.

IT Courses at Maiden Lane Community Centre
Using tablets and smart phones – Tuesdays 1-3pm
Everyday computer skills – Tuesdays 10am – 12pm
To book come along to the first session on 19th September or call 020 7267 9586.

Cancer Support Group
1st & 3rd Tuesday of every month 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Have you been affected by cancer?
Join our peer-led support group at West Hampstead Women Centre.
The group is open to all women who have been affected by cancer, their carers, friends and families.
As well as the emotional support provided by the group, you will have the chance to discuss all aspects of health and wellbeing.
26-30 Cotleigh Road, London NW6 2NP Tel:020 7328 7389 / info@whwc.org.uk / www.whwc.org.uk

Health Champion Course for Local Residents
SHAK (South Hampstead and Kilburn Partnership) is looking for residents from NW3, NW6 and NW8 to become health champions for their local area…
Free course ‘Healthy Eating and Running a Cookery Club’ (12 weeks) Open College Network Accredited Level 2
For more information or to book your place on the Health Champion Course please call Annie on 020 73727021. Or email: anniehooper@shakonline.co.uk

Hand massage workshop – Healthy Minds Programme
Learn to massage hands using simple techniques 28th Sept, 11am – noon at the Living Centre, Ossulston Stree, NW1. Free

October Volunteer Managers’ Forum and Coffee Morning
Join VCC for the Volunteer Managers’ Forum and Coffee Morning on Tuesday 17th October, 10am-12pm in Camden to discuss all things volunteer management with volunteer managers in Camden, and beyond.
This event is open to volunteer managers everywhere. Sign up at Eventbrite.

Autumn 2017 Wellbeing Volunteering Fair
Book now to recruit volunteers at the VCC Volunteering Fair in Camden on Tuesday 10th October
Volunteering is good for mental wellbeing. With this in mind, we are inviting people who want to volunteer to kickstart their mental wellbeing by meeting you and finding the perfect volunteering role. This fair is open to all kinds of organisations, with all kinds of volunteering roles. Book at Eventbrite.

Local Councillor Surgeries for People with Learning Disabilities
Camden councillors have started holding surgeries for people with learning disabilities. There will be two surgeries each month on every second Wednesday from 12pm to 2pm and every second Tuesday from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. The surgeries will all be held at the Charlie Ratchford Centre and residents who wish to attend will need to book a twenty minute appointment slot.
Telephone Annabel Amofa to book an appointment 020 7974 3334

Business Disability Forum Courses
Disability in the workplace
9:30am – 11:30am on 11 October 2017 at Camden Town Hall
Mental health at work
9:30am – 11:30am on 25 October 2017 at Camden Town Hall
The sessions are for chief executives, directors, line managers and HR colleagues. Two places are available per organisation however we will increase this if capacity permits.
T: 020 7089 2404 emilyj@businessdisabilityforum.org.uk web: www.businessdisabilityforum.org.uk

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

Voluntary Action Camden, working in partnership with Mind in Camden, seeks
Cultural Advocacy Community Liaison Worker
SCP 22-25 £24,066 -£26,063 Pro rata 3 days per week
Camden Cultural Advocacy is about creating new ways of co-producing services and approaches with BME communities that address mental health issues. In the first year, the focus will be on Bangladeshi and Black African and Caribbean communities and will expand to include other ethnic communities in Camden over the lifetime of the project.
The Cultural Advocacy Community Liaison Worker will carry out an active outreach programme, engage and provide support to BME community groups as hosts and providers, and enable and co-facilitate peer support groups
The successful applicant will have experience of community development, working with BME communities and collaborative working. You will also have experience of peer mentoring and a knowledge of the current issues, policies and practices in mental health,
The post is initially funded for three years and will be based at VAC’s offices 29-31 Hampstead Road, London NW1 3JA. For an application pack www.vac.org.uk/community-liaison-worker/
Closing date 5pm on 12th October 2017. Interview date:
For further information contact acharles@vac.org.uk 020 7284 6553.

Fitzrovia Youth in Action seeks Peer Mentoring Manager (mental health)
Fitzrovia Youth in Action is looking for an innovative, passionate and organised project manager and facilitator to deliver an exciting new mental health peer support programme in Camden. If you are experienced in supporting youth led practice and young people’s mental health and wellbeing programmes we would love to hear from you!
Working in partnership with Mind in Camden and Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, you will develop and deliver a new peer mentoring project with schools, youth and community organisations in Camden. The project aims to support young people’s mental health by enabling young people to:
• Access support from their peers
• Achieve improved connectedness with individuals and community
• Improve their problem solving skills
Salary: £32,00 per annum
For further details, please click
Closing Date: Wednesday 11th October 2017. Interviews: Thursday 19th October 2017.

Bloomsbury Festival – a chance to volunteer
Bloomsbury Festival is an exciting arts and science festival with over 150 events in 45 spaces over 5 days all across Bloomsbury.
The festival is recruiting for a range of volunteer roles and this year is looking to diversify the pool of volunteers with a mixed range of ages, backgrounds to reflect the different parts of Camden.
Sign up for a range of volunteer roles in the following areas:
~ Artist Liason
~ Marketing and comms
~ Event Management
~ Box office and ticketing
~ Technical and Production
Opportunities to suit your interests and availability (could be a little as a 2 hour commitment)
Please sign up on our form here

Disabled Volunteers wanted for Camden Accessible Community Buildings Project
CDA want to find out how accessible Camden’s community centres are for local residents with disabilities – and we need your help!
We’re working with Healthwatch Camden and volunteers to visit local community centres and look at a set list of about 20 things that would help them be more accessible.
We hope this information will help the council to plan their services properly – to make sure disabled people actually have access to social and health activities – and that the centres may make improvements where they can. We are recruiting volunteers with disabilities to carry this out and full training will be given.
Contact Victoria at Victoria.armitage@healthwatchcamden.co.uk or call 020 7383 2402.

Coram’s Fields seeks Administrator (Finance/PA)
£23,000 per annum Full-time, 35hrs per week
For over 80 years, Coram’s Fields has provided essential support for the children and families of Kings Cross and the surrounding neighbourhoods, through the provision of a seven acre park and delivery of a range of services including; an Under 5s Drop In, Nursery, Out of School Club, Sports Programme and Youth Programme.
We are seeking to appoint a talented and committed individual to the new role of Administrator.
If you are interested in contributing to the work of this pioneering charity, please visit our website to view the Job Description and complete an application form.
All application forms should be returned to Hassan Elkholy by 9am on Monday 25th Sept 17.
By e-mail to: recruitment@coramsfields.org.uk
If you have any questions about the role, please feel free to contact Stuart Woods (Chief Executive) for an informal discussion on 020 3384 2201.

The Actors’ Children’s Trust seeks Head of Family Support
£45,000 full time. Bloomsbury Street WC1.
ACT funds and supports actor-parents and their children. You will work with eligible families to build a bespoke support package: grants, advice, advocacy and childcare funding. You will recruit, train and manage freelance family advisers across the UK to provide specialist input. Contact Robert Ashby robert@actorschildren.org 020 7636 7868

Volunteers are needed in GP practices
Voluntary Action Camden (VAC) are training volunteers to become Community Health Advocates in local GP practices.
• 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 to become Community Health Advocates.
After completing the training, VAC will support local teams of volunteers to act as links between community based services and GPs. 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

SHAK is recruiting Community Researchers
Local residents of NW3, NW6 and NW8 are invited to apply to be trained as community researchers. No experience necessary. All training is given starting in October.
For more information contact Annie, anniehooper@shakonline.co.uk Tel: 020 7372 7021.

Camden Council are Recruiting Community Partner Posts
Community Partner (Counter Extremism)
Directorate: Supporting Communities
Division: Community Services
Location: 5 Pancras Square
Salary: Level 4 Zone 2 (£38,854-£41,959)
Contract: Permanent (subject to external funding), full time, 36 hours per week
Extremism is one of the greatest challenges the country faces and local authorities have a core role to play in building more resilient communities and tackling the harms extremists cause.
This Home Office grant-funded post will help strengthen our work in this area and support national work to build partnerships with local communities and groups, a key part of the Counter-Extremism Strategy:
Community Partner
Directorate: Supporting Communities
Location: 5 Pancras Square, London, N1C
Job level/Grade: Level 4 Zone 2
Salary: £38,854 – £45,069
Contract Type: Permanent
25 days holiday (27 days after 5 years’ service)
Do you want to help Camden’s communities become the best they can be? Are you experienced in working in partnership and building strong relationships? Are you able to think strategically and deliver operationally? Then we have a fantastic opportunity for you.
We are looking for highly motivated and energetic individuals to join our Community Partnership team. You will play a vital role in delivering our VCS strategy, ensuring we maximise the value our communities get from the assets, knowledge and skills of our Voluntary Sector.
Closing dates for applications: Sunday 24th September 2017 23:59
Interviews to be held: September / October 2017

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.

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

For all things volunteering contact Volunteer Centre Camden. You can read the latest VCC news here.

NHS prescriptions Survey
Healthwatch are running a survey to find out Camden Resident’s views on government plans for NHS prescriptions.
The government recently announced plans to cut some prescriptions that it believes patients could simply go out and buy. This includes medicines like eczema cream, eye drops for dry eye or conjunctivitis, scabies treatment and nappy rash cream.
Patient groups have criticised the plans, saying that it would break with the guiding principle that the NHS should be free at the point of use. Likewise, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society raised concerns about how the move might affect the poorest families.
Healthwatch Camden wants to know what you think of these proposed plans so that they can tell the government and Camden Clinical commissioning group whether you agree with them or not. Take the survey here and let your voice be heard.

New Ageing Better in Camden Contracts
The Ageing Better in Camden partnership is thrilled to announce three new community action projects launching in October 2017. Local older people will be central to the development and delivery of activities across the three areas, aimed at reducing social isolation and loneliness.
Welcome to Kentish Town City Farm, Castlehaven Community Association and Queen’s Crescent Community Association who will be leading the activities in Gospel Oak and Haverstock, the Third Age Project, who will be leading in West Euston and Regent’s park area and finally Hopscotch, Bengali Worker’s Association and Kings Cross Brunswick Neighbourhood Association who will be working with the Bangladeshi community across Camden.
Please get in touch with each community action project directly for more information, or if you’d like to take part and/or volunteer
Bangladeshi Community Action Project – Hopscotch, Bengali Workers Association, Kings Cross Brunswick Neighbourhood Assn
Phone: 02073818898 Email: info@hopscotchawc.org.uk or Isabelle.terrison@hopscotchawc.org.uk
Website: www.hopscotchawc.org.uk
Community Action in Regents Park and West Euston – The Third Age Project
Phone: 020 7383 4922
Email: info@thirdageproject.org.uk
Website: www.thirdageproject.org.uk
Community Action in Gospel Oak and Haverstock – Kentish Town City Farm, Castlehaven Community Association and Queen’s Crescent Community Association
Phone 0207 216 5421
Email: jo@ktcityfarm.org.uk or elaine@ktcityfarm.org.uk
Website: www.ktcityfarm.org.uk
Community Connectors
A new tender for the Community Connectors contract is going to be advertised on 29th September 2017. This will be for two years starting 1st January 2018 for £310,000. The aim of the project is to act as a referral and connection service, identifying people who are lonely or socially isolated (over 60) and who require support to connect to appropriate activities or services which meet their needs. For more information contact: Ageingbetterincamden@ageukcamden.org.uk.

The new Camden Mental Health and Employment Support Service
The new Camden Mental Health and Employment Support Service which the London Borough of Camden and Camden Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) put out to tender earlier this year.
The service will replace two successful pilots run in the Borough, in which the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model was trialled. Hillside Clubhouse was involved in the delivery of these pilots and has been selected as the sole provider of the new IPS service in Camden.
The following arrangements will apply in the interim period. If you are working with anyone with a mental health problem in Camden who is interested in finding work or requires support to sustain it:
– For those in receipt of IAPT services (North and South Camden) contact mpocknell@hillsideclubhouse.org.uk or 07908 191781
– For those in receipt of secondary care services we will be operating a waitlist during this phased implementation period. Please use the same contact as above.
– Hillside and Camden council will clarify processes for self-referrals, Jobcentre Plus and Team Around the Practice soon.

Free Furniture for Community Groups
The TSSA, (Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association) a trade union based in Euston, are leaving their building due to HS2. As a result they have a lot of office furniture to give away to voluntary and community groups in Camden. You will need to arrange collection. Contact Iain Anderson on 0207 529 8003 email andersoni@tssa.org.uk

HR Support in Camden
VAC provides free HR advice and support to Camden voluntary organisations employing staff. Get in touch to discuss your HR consultancy needs, from recruitment to redundancy and everything in-between. VAC’s HR support aims to help trustees and managers understand employment law and to have robust HR procedures that reflect good practice so fewer workplace issues arise, and HR crises are averted or managed effectively. Call Kevin on 020 7284 6557 or email knunan@vac.org.uk

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 for FREE. To take advantage of this offer just fill in the membership on the online form here.

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