Voluntary Action Camden e-bulletin 24th March 2016

Get Involved in Camden Carers Centre Future Plans; VCS London Mayoral Hustings; Volunteering as a Gateway to Employment; Now is a Good Time to Join Ageactivity; C&I rated “good” for openness and transparency; Workshop for Older People’s Organisations on Pension Changes; Technology & Health Survey; Santander Grants + jobs, volunteers, events, training, offers and resources.

On Wednesday 6th of April Camden Carers would like to invite key partners and stakeholders along to one of two sessions to enable you to contribute to our thinking on our strategic direction, tell us what support you need from us to work well with carers in Camden and let us know if we are reaching everyone we should be.
We would like you to come for either
• morning slot 11-12.30 or
• afternoon slot 1.30-3.00
With lunch between 12.30- 1.30: Either way –please make sure that can you join us for lunch
Venue 2nd floor 293-299 Kentish Town Road
Please call 020 7428 8950 or email allegra@camdencarers.org.uk to confirm

VCS London Mayoral Hustings
Register here for the LVSC voluntary sector London Mayoral Hustings to be held at London Metropolitan University on 13th April 2016. Click here for details.

Volunteering as a Gateway to Employment
This is an opportunity to feed your views into a potential new project that will use volunteering as gateway to employment in new key and growth industries in Camden and Islington. The aim of the volunteering is both to provide essential help to Camden voluntary organisations but also provide the volunteer with an opportunity to obtain relevant work experience and develop skills. Please fill in the survey online.

Now is a Good Time to Join Ageactivity
Ageactivity is a club for people aged over 60. It provides a vast variety of interesting, educational and healthy activities, events and
experiences for members to enjoy, increase connections with others and feel part of the community.
Membership is only £17.50 per year! Membership and renewals Friday1st April 10.30am-4pm
Why not visit us or get in contact us for more information:
Ageactivity 60+, The Haven, 23 Castlehaven Road (Camden Lock End) Camden Town, London NW1 8RU
Telephone: 0207 692 2238 Mobile No: 07746 214 542
rosa@castlehaven.org.uk hannah@castlehaven.org.uk rebecca@castlehaven.org.uk

C&I rated “good” for openness and transparency
C&I has been rated as “good” in a new NHS assessment to drive up the level of openness and transparency in NHS organisations.
The Trust came 71st out of 230 trusts and foundation trusts, based on data from the 2015 NHS staff survey and from the National Reporting and Learning System (NRLS), the patient safety reporting system.
It was part of a raft of measures announced this week to further develop a culture of safety throughout the NHS.
The “Learning From Mistakes League” was launched this week by Monitor and the NHS Trust Development Authority. Eighteen trusts were judged “outstanding”, 102 “good”, 78 gave cause for “significant concern” and 32 were judged as having a “poor” reporting culture. Please click here to view the press release and league table.

Workshop for Older People’s Organisations on Pension Changes
28th April 2 – 4:30pm at Roots and Shoots, Walnut Tree Walk, Kennington SE11
Many people are missing out on pension credit and other benefits due to them.
How will the new ‘flat rate’ pension affect you?
Is your older peoples group aware of the changes taking place?
This free workshop will provide an update on recent changes to Pensions in the UK and what advice is available to your group.
Places are limited so book early. Speakers include:
Sally West, Senior Policy Officer Age UK
Nigel Kern, Team Leader for Pension Wise, Pensions Advisory Service
Alan Davies, Citizens Advice Bureau
Confirm attendance by registering here http://auklpensionchanges.eventbrite.co.uk or email Janinealdridge@ageuklondon.org.uk or telephone 020 7091 2594.

Technology & Health Survey
Public Health and the CCG are doing some work to better understand how children, young people and parents use technology to access health information and advice.
Survey for parents: Are you a parent of someone under 18? What would you like from websites, apps or other technology in helping you to access health information and advice?
Please complete a survey to share your views and help us consider how we can best use technology to help children and young people look after their health.
Survey for Parents: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ParentsHealthTech
Survey for young people: Are you aged between 12-19? What would you like from websites, apps or other technology in helping you to access health information and advice?
Please complete a survey to share your views and help us consider how we can best use technology to help children and young people look after their health.
Everyone who completes the survey will have the opportunity to enter a prize draw to win £100 of vouchers!
Survey for Young People: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/YPHealthTech

Free training, outings and events for unpaid carers in Camden
For a full list of events of carers in Camden please visit the Camden Carers website.

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

Age UK Camden, Somers Town Futures/Big Local, KOVE, 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

BBC’s Thinking Allowed on Philanthropy
The first part is a discussion with John Mohan of the TSRC on his new book on Charities in Hard Times. The second is with Linsey McGoey of Essex University on PhilanthroCapitalism and the influence of corporate ideas on charity.
Listen again on the BBC iplayer at http://bbc.in/1VbN4UW

The Fight To Stop Public Loos Going Down The Pan
The closure of public toilets means we may soon be spending more actual pennies to use the loo, as well as metaphorical ones. Sky reports on this contentious issue.

Government Grantmaking Continues to Raise Questions
The Chancellor’s Budget speech played up personal connections while the Treasury still refuses to explain its assessment process for Libor funding. Story in Civil Society.

Political Campaigning Good, Party Political Bad
John Tizard, Trustee of NAVCA, looks at the recent example of Disability organisations to draw out the role of charities campaigning within the law.

How small charities punch above their weight
A familiar story of doing good on a shoe string while contemplating loss of funding and premises. An interesting article by Neil Cleevely, Chief Exec of NAVCA.

Disability on the Television
The BBC started a major new drama based on a family affected by autism called The A Word. They also started a series about Tourettes sufferers looking for work called Employable Me.

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

Santander opens £2.5million small grants programme
Charities and social enterprises are being encouraged to apply for a share of £2.5m of grant funding that the banking group Santander plans to give this year to local projects working with disadvantaged people.
The bank’s new Discovery Foundation, which launched on 1 March, aims to make grants worth up to £5,000 to “skills, knowledge and innovation” projects in the UK.
Charities, community interest companies and credit unions are eligible to apply for this funding, which is available for one year.
Organisations can nominate themselves by completing a discovery grants nomination form at any branch of Santander and dropping it into the nomination box in the branch. They can also ask Santander customers and staff members to do this on their behalf.
There are no closing dates and grants will be made every month. Successful applicants will be notified by e-mail within a month of submitting a nomination. Story in Money Market UK. Find your nearest branch here.

£700K Crowdfunding Challenge
You could receive a pledge from the Mayor of up to £20,000 to support your crowdfunding campaign on Spacehive.
For businesses, it’s an opportunity to discover how you can use this initiative to back projects that matter to you whilst making the city better for everyone.
You’ll be joining a growing number of organisations – including BT, Barclays, GLL, Hyde and Keatons – embracing civic crowdfunding by co-funding projects, or offering their skills or in-kind contributions. More information at spacehive.com

Greggs Foundation new Environmental Fund
Greggs Foundation new Environmental Fund which is awarding grants of up to £2,500 and £10,000. The preference is always small, community-based organisations helping people in need.
Improving People’s lives by improving their environment aims to make a difference to people in need at the heart of their local communities.
Full details at http://www.greggsfoundation.org.uk/environmental-grants

Postcode Local Trust
Small Projects Funding Guide. In 2016, the Trust will invite applications that encourage lasting benefits by bringing people together to improve local ecology and habitats, encourage bio-diversity and benefit the wider environment.
Registered charities can apply from £500 – £20,000 (£10,000 in Wales) for projects meeting the above remit, whilst other organisations may apply for up to £2,000. Full details at the Postcode Local Trust website.

Lloyds Bank Foundation
Invest provides longer term core or delivery funding for charities which meet the programme aim and are delivering clear outcomes as a result of their work.
We fund ‘core’ organisational costs (including running costs and salaries). By ‘core’ costs we mean those related to the day to day running of your charity. We also fund costs associated with the direct delivery of your work. Full details here.

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

Governance Course for Trustees
5th May – 9th June. Thursdays 17.30-20.30
Short course for members of governing bodies (boards of trustees/ management committees) or anybody who is interested in developing the knowledge and skills required to be a member of a governing body in the voluntary and community sector. With the knowledge gained from this course you can become an effective participant in the governance of new and existing organisations. For further details contact Roz.nyugi @marywardcentre.ac.uk 020 7269 6033. Further details and to enrol on line www.marywardcentre.ac.uk

VAC’s Mental Health Training Programme for BMER groups
Are you a BMER group or do you work with BMER communities?
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).

British Museum Under the Sea Family Discovery Day, Saturday 7th May 2016 from 12pm-4pm
Under the Sea Family Discovery Day for deaf families & families of deaf children on Saturday 7th May 2016 from 12pm-4pm in the Clore centre at the British Museum in London.
We have even more partners taking part this year and the Science Museum have agreed to host their amazing bubble show at the event.
This is an opportunity for deaf families and families of deaf children to come along and have a fantastic free day out. Families can bring a packed lunch & refreshments as the British Museum has a specific area for this purpose.
For more information visit: www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on or email:learning@britishmuseum.org

Introducing the Voluntary Sector
Do you feel that you want to learn more about the voluntary sector then this short 8-week course is for you. The course will guide you through some of the distinctive features and values of the voluntary sector, how organisations are funded and involve volunteers and other ‘stakeholders’ in their work. It will also provide you with knowledge and skills you can apply to your own work or volunteering as well as your everyday life. You can progress at your own pace over the 8 weeks; each week will take a minimum of 3 hours of your time.
Full details here.

Free workshop on trafficking for labour exploitation
Thursday 7th April 2016
Join Supporting Women’s Project (Evelyn Oldfield Unit) in conjunction with FLEX on the 7th April 2016 to learn about trafficking for labour exploitation, including how to identify victims and what special assistance is available for identified victims.

Kentish Town Festival is happening on Saturday 21st May 2016, 1pm-7pm.
The festival is an annual family-friendly music and arts event celebrating the diversity and uniqueness of Kentish Town! Enjoy a variety of musical, spoken performances, crafts, dance and drama around this years theme of ‘Local Heroes’.
Last year over 1000 people came to enjoy the festivities in Cantelowes Park and along Busby Place, NW5. Local charities, businesses and organisations are invited to apply to perform or have a stall along Busby Place, which will be closed to traffic on 21st May.
To get involved visit www.ktcc.org.uk/events/ktfestival16. For all other festival enquiries please email projects@ktcc.org.uk.

Moneytalk Camden North – subsidised Financial Education Facilitator Training, 27/28 April or 18 & 25 May
Moneytalk Camden North is a new project based on the award winning financial literacy resource Made of Money, developed by anti-poverty charity Quaker Social Action. It aims to help groups talk about money and its impact on their lives, as well as learn vital money management skills.
Moneytalk Camden North takes a different and innovative approach to financial literacy: it works holistically- with the whole person and the whole household. The resources aim to build confidence, resilience and help people identify their own values, attitudes and emotions around money, as well as covering basics like budgeting, borrowing and debt. We recognise that unless people’s own situations are explored and confidence is increased, behaviour will not change long–term. The resources are all provided, fully reusable, fun and informative- so it hardly feels like you are doing money training. We will train you to use the resources and approach to support your own client groups.
This is a two year project and we are running our first 2-day comprehensive trainings for you on 27/28 April and 18 & 25 May click here to find out more and download a booking form.
Contact: mtcn@qsa.org.uk tel: 020 8983 5047

Volunteering Fair
Our fairs are a perfect way to meet people who want to volunteer in Camden.
Wednesday 20th April, 12-2pm – The Foundling Museum
And you can easily book your places via Eventbrite here.
If you have any questions about this, contact Rupal by email, phone 020 7424 9990

The adult community learning team is running Free Everyday Computer Skills workshops in more venues including:
• Kentish Town Library (NW5 2AA) – Thursdays 10 – 12
• Kilburn Library (NW6 5UH) – Tuesdays 10 – 11.45
• Latin American House (NW6 4TA) – Wednesdays 10 – 12
• Adult Learning Centre, Netley Campus (NW1 3EX) Tuesdays 1-3
The workshops provide support to residents who may have limited or no computer skills to access Council services and information online – including setting up a Camden account, accessing information and advice on care and support via the Camden Care Choices website, registering with Universal Jobmatch, booking doctor’s appointments, completing benefit applications – and much more.
No need to book. They can come along for just one session – or as many as you like.
We can adapt the workshops to include content appropriate to your clients – just get in touch Email: adultlearning@camden.gov.uk Phone: 020 7974 2148

KOVE Bench to Bench Walks
Programme of five gentle healthy-living walks for over 60’s with community seating in Kilburn and West Hampstead . All Tuesday’s at 1.30pm.
Tuesday 5 April Famous Faces. Meet outside Kilburn High Road Station NW6 5UA
Enquiries to Mel Wright, KOVE Tel: 07539390786 Email: melwillwright@gmail.com c/o Kingsgate Resource Centre, 208 Webheath, Palmerston Road, NW6 2JU
All walks are free and we finish with refreshments at a nearby café.

Camden and Islington Recovery College
The Spring 2016 prospectus is now ready and is available online at http://www.candi.nhs.uk/our-services/education-and-employment/recovery-college.

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

Age UK Camden seeks Community Partnership & Fundraising Officer
Initial 12 months, subject to 6 months’ probation
£28,000 pa FT (£22,400 pro rata for part time – 28 hours per week)
Are you an excellent communicator, out-going, enjoy meeting people and with great customer service skills? If so, this post provides the opportunity to meet individuals, volunteers, community organisations, local corporates, while maximizing income, managing meaningful relationships and harnessing potential new partnerships.
This post is based in Tavis House, Tavistock Square near Euston Station which has excellent transport links. AUC offers a contributory pension, and season ticket or bicycle loan facility.
For further details and an application form visit our website www.ageukcamden.org.uk or email jobs@ageukcamden.org.uk or telephone 020 7239 0400. No CVs, no agencies please.
Closing date: Monday 18th April 2016 – 9.30 am
Interviews: Thursday 5th May 2016

Somers Town Futures: Can you help to deliver the Big Local Plan in Somers Town?
Somers Town Futures is the new name for the Somers Town Big Local. A lottery funded £1m investment over the next 10 years.
The Somers Town Futures Partnership is looking for 2 talented individuals to manage and oversee our ambitious first year plan. We are recruiting a Community Business Development Manager and an Administrator / Support Worker.
The posts are based in Somers Town but will be employed by Voluntary Action Camden.
Somers Town residents who meet all the job description and person specification criteria will automatically be interviewed for the posts.
Closing Dates: 12pm Monday 4th April (Manager post) and 12pm Monday 11th April (Admin post).
Interviews: week starting 11th April (Manager post) and week starting 2nd May (Admin post).
There will be a presentation and Q&A about these jobs at the Somers Town Job Hub on Thursday 24th March at 2pm
To download an application pack www.vac.org.uk/jobs or contact acharles@vac.org.uk 02072846553
OR visit the Job Hub at Somers Town Community Centre, 150 Ossulston Street. NW1 1EE.
Voluntary Action Camden is an equal opportunities employer and has a fully accessible building.

Invitation to tender: Administrator for KOVE Community Action 10th May ’16 to 30th June ’17
Contract value: Max £3,324 (fixed price – costed at an average of 15 hours a month).
Purpose of the commission: To provide regular sessional support to the Coordinator of KOVE’s Community Action project; to supervise the collection and management of activity data on a continuous basis; to deliver parts of KOVE’s outreach programmes when necessary and appropriate. KOVE Community Action is funded through Ageing Better in Camden and funded by the National Lottery.
KOVE (Kilburn Older Voices Exchange) is a dynamic community action group run by older people. We aim to give a collective voice for older people over issues and concerns that they raise. As partners of Ageing Better in Camden we are committed to an asset based community development approach in our projects to help reduce isolation and loneliness including an age friendly environment and developing community forums.
• Proposals must be submitted by no later than 5pm on April 5th 2016
• Interviews will be held on Wednesday, April 19th 2016
• The successful applicant will be notified by midday on April 20thth 2016.
• The start date is Monday, May 10rd 2016.
All enquiries and for a copy of the tender application document to Mel Wright, Coordinator, KOVE: melwillwright@gmail.com

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 phone: 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/

SHAK has Room and IT Suite for Hire
Room hire for meeting , training and it suite
Price starts from £20 per hour
Conference room for up to 30 people
Board room for up to 16 people
IT suitE for up to 12 people with laptops
Flexible room layout set-up, recently renovated, projector and laptop, flip chart & white board, coffee & tea facilities, full disability access, microwave
In NW8 Boundary Road
Please call SHAK on 0207 372 2949 or 079 8689 7629 for availability and prices

Henna has started a new Befriending Service to reach out to the most vulnerable women and men in London.
Our aim for running this project is to build confidence, reduce isolation and improve health of older Asian women and men. The service includes weekly home visits by volunteers, and regular programmes of healthy living activities within the centre.
Older Asian women and men (over 75), who live alone or are housebound will benefit from the support offered by our Befriending service. We currently support Urdu, Gujarati, Bengali, Punjabi, English, Arabic, Farsi and Hindi language speakers. Henna’s “befrienders” worker and volunteers pay regular visits to the most vulnerable older Asian women and men in the community. On site, we run a regular schedule of exercise classes, health promotion, advice and listening services. Our goal is to act as a bridge between isolated ladies and the services offered by Henna and of statutory and voluntary sector agencies.
Contact: Manisha Dewan, Volunteer Coordinator, Henna Asians Women’s Group
Abbey Community Centre, 222C Belsize Road, London, NW6 4DJ
Email: manisha_hennaorg@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 020 7372 9860 Website: www.hennaorg.co.uk

Platform 38 Business Growth Specialist
Join the Platform 38 Business membership program to benefit from numerous incentives and
discounts to enhance and expose your business and get the best deals in town.
Business Membership includes
~ Company Profile Page including hyper links to website (3D/4D) and social media (4D)
~ Discounts on Marketing solutions including flyer & logo design, website design etc
~ free entry to Platform 38 networking events and workshops
~ Shop on Company profile page
~ Monthly newsletter
Contact Mr Dell Gibson, PR Executive, Platform 38
M/ 0748 689 240 E/ admin@platform38.com W/ www.platform38.com

Desk to rent at Camden Federation of Private Tenants (CFPT)
Rent a desk by the hour in our new Kentish Town office. For more details, call Robert Taylor on 020 7383 0151, email rtaylor@cfpt.org.uk or go to our website at: http://cfpt.org.uk/rent-a-desk-by-the-hour/

Office Space for Hire
Camden Cypriot Women’s Organisation in Kentish Town, have office space for hire within a community building which is centrally located, The building is a few minutes walk from Kentish Town tube and mainline services as well as various bus stops.
The office, which is spacious is roughly 6 metres square, fits 4 desks freely and has a corridor which is also good for use, would be suitable for meetings or one to one sessions. Both spaces are light and airy and a viewing is highly recommended.
The building has step free access.
For further information or to view, please call Koula Ioannou on Tel: 0207 267 7194 or email koula@ccwo.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 join for FREE. To take advantage of this offer just fill in the membership on the online form here.