Voluntary Action Camden e-bulletin 23rd April 2021

AGM Report

Thanks to everyone who came to the VAC AGM on Tuesday 20th – over 50 of you attended.  Chair and Treasurer set out VAC’s activities and future plans and showed VAC’s finances stabilizing after several difficult years.  The meeting elected 3 new trustees: Tricia Richards, Castlehaven Community Association, Harry Graham, Send Coffee and Arvinda Gohil, Central YMCA.  Congratulations and welcome aboard!  7 current trustees continue.  A new Chair and Vice-Chair will be recruited later in the year.
The formal business was followed by a talk from Leila Baker, Researcher and Co author of The Value of Small in a Big Crisis. And Caroline Howe, Policy and National Programmes Manager at Lloyds Bank Foundation for England & Wales.  View Leila’s presentation here and Caroline’s presentation here.
The report – The Value of Small in a Big Crisis –  found that small charities ‘showed up and stuck around’. You can read the summary here. The concise two page summary is here.

Thriving Communities: Loneliness and Social Prescribing

Tuesday May 11 3-4pm
The next Thriving Communities webinar will explore how social prescribing can help tackle loneliness ahead of Loneliness Awareness Week 14-18 June. The webinar series brings together individuals and organisations committed to using social prescribing through the arts, health, sports, leisure, and the natural environment, alongside other aspects of our lives, to promote health and wellbeing at a national and local level.  Register here.

Evaluation Exchange Workshop

The Evaluation Exchange matches voluntary and community organisations with small teams of UCL researchers to help tackle their evaluation challenges.
• Learn more about The Evaluation Exchange and if it is for you
• Discuss your evaluation challenges and think about ways to solve them
Thursday 29 April 11:30am – 1pm  Register via Eventbrite
For info contact Ruth, The Evaluation Exchange r.unstead-joss@ucl.ac.uk

MEWSo #BanVirginityTests Conference

Friday 30 April, 4-6.30pm
Speakers Richard Holden MP, who first drafted the Private Members Bill to Ban Virginity Tests in Parliament. Two internationally renowned FGM activists, Nimco Ali, OBE and Dr Leyla Hussein, OBE. Drs Ashfaq Khan and Ghada Hatem who have both come across virginity testing and hymen repair surgery in their practices. Full details and booking via Eventbrite.

Accessible transport: unlocking a better normal

27 April 2021. Join Transport Focus and London TravelWatch at an online event to explore the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on accessible transport.
What are the challenges disabled people have faced over the last year, and what have transport operators done to address this? We’ll also be looking to the future, asking how service providers can help build a better normal for disabled people.  Register here.

Camden Insight

Camden Council data team has developed an online data dashboard. This dashboard has been developed to help Voluntary and Community Sector Partners and the wider Camden audience gain insight into relative levels of resident need across the London Borough of Camden.
This work is still developing and the Camden data team is asking for your support to help develop this dashboard further so you can make the most of it. Give your feedback to the Data team here.

IKWRO True Honour Awards

5th May 5.00 – 6.00pm
Iranian & Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation event commemorating those whose lives have been stolen by “honour” based abuse.
Celebrating individuals and organisations who take a stand and inspiring others to act. book here.

The Role and Purpose of Local Resilience Forums (LRFs)

This past year has seen an extraordinary amount of activity by public sector agencies responsible for crisis response, supported by a huge commitment and endeavour by the voluntary sector. Much of the public sector response has been organised through Local Resilience Forums (LRF).
VCSEP are running two sessions shining a light on the role of LRFs.
Register for 6 May (2-4pm) here or 12 May (12 – 2pm) here.

The Race Equity Collaborative project

The Race Equity Collaborative project from The Race Equality Foundation will build a narrative across seven collaborative areas focused on solutions regarding health and race inequalities. This is the first of two webinars seeking to influence the Covid-19 recovery plans for older people.
Find out more and sing up at Eventbrite.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service

Nominations for 2022 are now open.  Find out more here.

NHS Volunteer Responders Scheme Survey (GoodSam)

NHS England and Improvement is running a survey to get your views on the NHS Volunteer Responders Scheme. Here is a chance for the local VCSE sector and the people that support it to have their say on this national scheme.

How to Write a Property Plan for Your Charity

Wednesday 5th May 2021
In this webinar run by experienced surveyors and property advisers, you will learn how to write a simple, well thought out property plan to secure the future of your organisation in a Covid world. You will receive an information pack with the opportunity to obtain free follow-up expert advice.
Ethical Property Foundation and VAI.  Open to Camden groups.  Sign up here.

EBB 2021 Youth Summit

Book your tickets for the upcoming Youth Summit 29 May 2021 – 12 June 2021 on EventBrite .  Keynote speaker Dr Khan, 4th Chairman of the International Human Rights Commission.

Last chance to win a £50 voucher

Complete this short online survey before the 26th April to help Castlehaven secure funding for a new project and be entered into a prize draw to win a £50 shopping voucher: https://bit.ly/3wygROT

Newsletters

forum+
RecommendMe
Middle Eastern Women and Society Organisation (MEWSO)
Latin American House
Camden Carers
Young Camden Foundation
Healthwatch Camden
All Ways Network
West Euston Partnership

Lloyds Bank Foundation Racial Equity funding

Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales is to launch its Racial Equity funding for small and local charities that are led by and that support Black, Asian, and ethnic minority communities. This funding strand will open on 20th April, when charities can apply for two-year unrestricted grants of £50,000 alongside development support.  Full details here.

Young Camden Foundation Holiday Activity and Food

YCF will be hosting an online event about the Holiday Activity and Food Programme on 28 April 2021 from 11am to 12:30pm. This will be a feedback session for all the Easter delivery partners to discuss their experiences and to gather responses that will benefit planning and organising the Camden HAF Summer programme. The event is for all Easter HAF delivery partners, as well as potential summer and winter 2021 HAF partners. To learn more about this program, please email info@youngcamdenfoundation.org.uk.

Empowering Women Fund (previously tampon tax fund)

A national funding programme for small women’s groups and organisations to support the development of innovative ways of empowering women in their local area, and to build organisations’ capacity.
~ Seed Funding grants of £500 to £1,000 are available to small women’s groups to establish and run micro women’s empowerment projects.
~ Women’s Sector grants of £1,000 to £25,000 are available for women’s groups and organisations to develop capacity to respond to changing needs in their communities.  Full details here.  Closes 28 May 2021.

Windrush Community Fund Phase 2

Grants of between £2,500 and £25,000 are available to:
~ Increase awareness and understanding of the Windrush Scheme and Windrush Compensation Scheme or both.
~ Reach more communities and those individuals who may have been affected because they could not prove their lawful status in the UK.
~ Ensure that individuals and communities know how to apply.
~ Build capacity at a community and grassroots level to support those affected to access the schemes.  Full details here.  Closes 30 June.

Community Leisure Recovery Fund- closing soon

The Community Leisure Recovery Fund (CLRF) aims to support community-run leisure centres in England with £5 million of National Lottery investment to assist the reopening and recovery of their services.
It’s an open fund to cover the period from 1 April to 30 September 2021.
Closes at noon on 29 April. Full Details here.

BAME Organisations Fundraising Support

A new fundraising support initiative for BAME organisations in Camden with partners Ubele and All Ways Network (funded by Camden Council).  The project aims to support small BAME organisations in Camden with advice, support and networking. The project is part of a wider project to network BAME organisations to help tackle inequality including a health inequalities network.  To find out more and register your interest please click here or email Dianne Carlton Ogunyemi  DOgunyemi@vac.org.uk

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.
Next Forum is on Wednesday 19th May at 11am. Details next week.

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/

Winvisible Workshop

Disabled mums and our children – our rights to support not separation
Wednesday 19 May 1.30pm-3pm
Full details and booking at the Winvisible website.

C&I Recovery College Summer term course guide

Recovery College runs until 16 July.  Courses will be online using Microsoft Teams, with some courses also available as Youtube videos. Full details here.

Camden Spark Connected: Cultural Sector Summer Session 1

Wednesday, 5 May 11:00 – 12:00
Informal online meetups for Camden’s cultural sector educators, hosted by Camden Spark (Camden’s Cultural Education Partnership.  Book at Eventbrite.

Making connections with older people isolated by Covid-19: the Outreach Team approach

Online | 10.00 – 11.30am | Wednesday 5 May
Find out how the Ageing Better in Camden Outreach Team has continued to reach the older people who ‘no-one knows’.  Sign up here.

Art Therapy with Likewise

Sessions are for over 18s and are free and are currently being held online or over the phone. If you, or anyone you know, could benefit from a supportive space with a creative focus, please contact  learning@likewise.org.uk / 020 7278 4437 for more information. Or referrals can be made online.

Camden’s Virtual Tea Dance

Join the 2021 virtual tea dance, with Mr Wonderful at the controls playing his selection of music. Lets enjoy the waltzes, tango and foxtrots all over again even if its within our own homes!  Book at Eventbrite
Thurs 29 April 1 – 2.30pm
Thurs 13, Thurs 27 May 1- 2.30pm

Socially distanced Sound Art Project for 13-24 year olds

Create your own sound installations and audio walks at Two Temple Place in partnership with Holborn Community Association.
Mondays 19th April until 12th July (no sessions 3rd and 31st May as bank holidays) 5.30-7.30pm.  At Two Temple Place (2 Temple Pl, Temple, London WC2R 3BD). Info and bookings here

Self Care Session

Find out all you need to know about managing your health. Run by a Camden GP and a Camden Pharmacist. Held online. Book at Eventbrite.
Free take away digital pack, full of resources for your health and wellbeing.
Wed 28th April 12.30 – 2.30pm and Wed 26th May 12.30 – 2.30pm

Community Journalism Training

Camden Disability Action has launched an exciting new Community Journalism training programme for Disabled people in Camden. The aim of the programme is to help Disabled people tell our stories, get our voices heard and press for change.  Find out more.  There is a budget to support deaf people to attend.
Contact Tom McDonough: tom@camdendisabilityaction.org.uk 07908746927

Training and Reflective Practice Groups

Mind in Camden is working with community organisations across Camden to provide training and reflective practice groups to support the wellbeing, skills and knowledge of teams working the public in these particularly challenging times.
Mind can offer 12 sessions for small groups of frontline staff working in community organisations in Camden.
To find out more contact Joanna Fleck: jfleck@mindincamden.org.uk

Sheba – Laamiga Mentoring Programme,

Laamiga, a registered community-based charity run by women for women from migrant and minority backgrounds, is launching its new mentoring project, Sheba. The project will support women to identify their goals, overcome emotional and practical barriers in their career aspirations, and take steps towards employment, self-employment or further training.
For further information check out the flyer or contact Laaamiga’s Coordinator at info@laamiga.org or on 0208 257 7317.  Accepting referrals from professionals and Voluntary and Community organisations as well.

The Camden Safeguarding Children Partnership

Virtual safeguarding training programme for Summer Term 2021 including Engaging Fathers in Safeguarding; Understanding Early Help in Camden; Contributing to Child Protection Case Conferences; Child Exploitation and many more. Full programme here.

Introduction to domestic violence and abuse e-learning

This e-learning can be accessed by VCS organisations that solely support Camden residents. It is for those 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 for the L&D Hub please find details here  on how to sign-up.

Responding to domestic violence and abuse online workshop

This two-hour online workshop can be accessed by VCS organisations that solely support Camden residents. It will help you become more aware of the indicators of domestic violence and abuse and what to do in these instances. The workshop will explore the dynamics of a domestic abuse situation and what the barriers are for the victim/survivor seeking help. You’ll also be provided with information where help is available for the victim/survivor.
Please book via the L&D Hub if you already have an account. If you are from a VCS organisation without an account for the L&D Hub please find details here  on how to sign-up.

The Director – Hampstead Wells and Campden Trust

£50,000 pro rata.  P/T
HWCT is a £16mn grant making charity with its principal objects being the alleviation of poverty and the advancement of health within a specified geographical area based on Hampstead, North West London.
The retirement of the current Director provides an outstanding opportunity for an individual to help steer the future of HWCT and create a sustainable charity worthy of its origins in 1698.
Full details here. Contact: geoffberridge@aol.com Deadline: 30th April 2021

Developing KOVE’s Steering Group

KOVE advocates on behalf of older people in Kilburn and the surrounding area, taking a community partnership approach. Key to this is the participation of older people. Along with activities, our current projects include: road safety, road crossings, public seating and toilets, home care standards, personal safety, the promotion of wellbeing and involvement in community filming.
If you feel you could contribute some time to our work, and would like to know more about what would be involved, take a look at  www.kove.org.uk and for an informal chat, please contact Lynda Stuart on 07773 267505 or 020 7372 3548.

Educating Beyond Borders

Now recruiting for up to 5 volunteers to help us with the email admin for the IWD online awards and our upcoming Youth Summit June 2021.
We need a volunteer to help with preparing and running the IWD online awards
Find out more and apply here.
Also wanted – Youth Summit 2021 volunteers to  send out invitations to youth groups by email and follow up with telephone calls to the youth groups to confirm a representative will join us online
Register interest and more info contact EBB hello@educatingbeyondborders.com

COVID-19 Health Champions

Join the COVID-19 Health Champion movement to get the latest advice and guidance about COVID-19 so that you can help and share the information with your community, and let us know what is and isn’t working. You can access trusted information through regular updates and weekly online drop-in sessions about the vaccine, testing and more.
If you work, live or volunteer in Camden, simply complete the form here to sign up! If you’ve got questions, email CHC@islington.gov.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

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.

Rebel Business School – Business Support Training

An alternative to traditional business start-up support and teaches people to start a business without borrowing money and without a formal business plan.
10 May to 21 May.  To sign up, register here.

Camden and Islington LGBTQ Residents COVID-19 Lockdown Experience Survey

forum+ is carrying out a ‘Lockdown Experience Survey’  for Camden & Islington LGBTQ+ Residents.  Please take a few minutes to take the online survey.

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.
Hult International Business School is offering Camden residents a fully-funded one-year postgraduate Master of International Business degree.

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.

Volunteers to support vaccination rollout

There is an ongoing need for volunteers to support the smooth roll out of the vaccination programme in north central London (NCL),  local residents can sign up to help. Find out how here.

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

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

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.