Voluntary Action Camden e-bulletin 26th February 2016

Camden Community Festivals Fund; Join MEWSO to celebrate International Women’s Day; Young Women’s Information Day at Clean Break; New Weekly Drop-in Legal advice sessions at BWA; £700K Crowdfunding Challenge; Digital Democracy: Gateway or Barrier to inclusive services for older and Disabled people? Fairtrade Fortnight is coming to Camden; Moneytalk Camden North; Take part in Cleaner Air Action Days; ‘Instruments and Secrets’; New Mental Health Service; From Italy – Seed to Plate; Holloway Neighbourhood Group AGM and Open Evening; Henna Befriending Service; KCBNA Job Fair; Sexual Health Consultation; Fitzrovia Chapel Open Day; SHAK Room and IT Suite for Hire; + jobs, volunteers, events, training, offers and resources.

Social prescribing is not a new idea – it is a means of enabling primary care services to refer patients with social, emotional or practical needs to a range of local, non-clinical services, often provided by the voluntary and community sector. It is most commonly used with patients with a mental health or long term condition. You may have come across it in a variety of other guises such as books on prescription or the University College London’s Museums on Prescriptions project. The conference was the first UK meeting of practitioners, GP’s, academics and others with an interest in social prescribing. The day focused on a variety of issues some around definition others on integrating non-clinical services with primary care, regulations and standards, creating quality provision and current research in the field.
The day also looked at what social prescribing would mean for the voluntary sector. Voluntary and community groups run most of the projects which patients are referred to. This places VCS at the core of any sustainable social prescribing project. What this meant in the current austere climate where VCS organisations were struggling to stay afloat was a point that remained moot. View full article on the VAC website.

Camden Community Festivals Fund 2016
Hurry, the deadline is the end of February. See Funding section below for full details and how to apply.

Join MEWSO to celebrate International Women’s Day
Friday 4th March 4.00 – 10.00
An evening dedicated to the plight of women and children in the Middle East fleeing war, rape, death and fundamentalism in the second decade of 21st century.
Come along with your family members and friends and enjoy a memorable evening with likeminded people.
Live music performance, Mediterranean food, dance with dj music.
Ticket per person: £15 (include food and all entertainment), free for children under 12
Trinity Church Centre, 15 Nether Street, North Finchley, N12 7NN
Web: www.mewso.org email: office@mewso.org Tel: 0795 8145666

Young Women’s Information Day at Clean Break on Friday, 18th March 2016
We are a safe women-only theatre, education and new writing company based in Kentish Town, in the north-west of London. However on this occasion we welcome men who are working with women and are likely to make referrals to our service.
We offer FREE education and training in the arts specifically for women who have experience of the criminal justice system and or are at risk of offending due to alcohol/substance misuse or mental heath needs. This is an invitation, for interested women, and you or colleagues working with these women.
There will be taster sessions for service users, alongside an information workshop for service providers. This will be followed by an afternoon of student performances, personal testimonies and not to mention the networking lunch.
General information about Clean Break is available www.cleanbreak.org.uk
10:30am-1pm: taster workshops
1pm – 3pm: lunch followed by performances
Places are limited. To book your place: please email education@cleanbreak.org.uk for a booking form. Clean Break, 2 Patshull Road, London, NW5 2LB

£700K Crowdfunding Challenge
Join Spacehive at City Hall on the 10th of March as we launch the Mayor of London’s £700K co-funding initiative.
If you’re a local group with an idea to make your area more attractive and boost the local economy, then come along to find out how 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. Come to the City Hall on the 10th of March and see how you can play your part. Book your ticket at Eventbrite.

New Weekly Drop-in Legal advice sessions at BWA
on Tuesdays from 11am – 1pm At Surma Community Centre, Bengali Workers’ Association 1 Robert Street, London NW1 3JU
Legal advisers can help you with:
Immigration Law Advice on:
~ Human Rights in the United Kingdom
~ Asylum Seekers (Refugee)
~ Students and Employment
~ Business
~ Family (Visitors, Spouse and EU)
Family Law advice: Divorce; Separation; Children; Finance; Domestic Violence
Public Law including challenging Public authorities on unlawful decisions.
General Advice in other areas including Housing, Welfare Benefits and Debt.
For more information, please contact Rahima Rahman on: 020 73887313 rahima@bwa-surma.org

Digital Democracy: Gateway or Barrier to inclusive services for older and Disabled people?
Tuesday 8th March, 10am – 2pm 336 Brixton Road, SW9 7AA
(Venue is accessible and there is opportunity to book accessible parking)
This FREE workshop will cover a range of topics including:
• What makes an inclusive service?
• How can new technology support older and Disabled people to make their voices heard?
• What barriers are there to online communication and consultation, and how can we minimise them?
Book at Eventbrite
If you require British Sign Language interpreters or have other access or communication requirements, please let us know asap
Booking deadline for access: 28th February 2016. Note: We will try to meet all access requests, but cannot guarantee provision if made after this deadline.
If you have any queries please contact Alice on awestlake@ageuklondon.org.uk

Fairtrade Fortnight is coming to Camden
It’s coming up to Fairtrade Fortnight 2016 (29 Feb – 13 March 2016), with this year’s theme Sit Down for Breakfast, Stand Up for Farmers! As Martin Luther King once said, ‘before you finish eating breakfast in the morning, you’ve depended on more than half the world’. We shall be joining people across the UK supporting farmers and producers through harnessing the power of a Fairtrade breakfast. Find out about Camden events here. To find out more about the campaign and how to get involved see the Fairtrade website.

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

Take part in Cleaner Air Action Days
Camden Council is getting involved in an exciting new London-wide Cross River Partnership project to drive down air pollution in the borough. We’re currently looking for Change Makers – a team of volunteers to help deliver this.
The Clean Air Action Fortnight will take place at the beginning of March and will focus on #noidling across London – asking drivers in local pollution hotspots to turn their engines off when stationary to reduce dirty air from their exhausts.
A free training session and materials will be provided in each area of Inner London. As a Change Maker, you’ll be helping to tackle a major public health issue as well as making your local environment a cleaner, healthier place to breathe, live and work.
If you’re interested in getting involved, email adam.webber@camden.gov.uk

‘Instruments and Secrets’
A photography project by Hassan Nezamian of Iranian traditional music instruments. Since Iran’s revolution in 1978, playing any kind of musical instrument on television has been banned.
‘My Journey’ is a photography project by the Migrants Resource Centre. Migrants make up 40% of the population of London, and everyone seems to be talking about them. But what do the capital’s migrants say about themselves? ‘My Journey’ explores both migrants’ journeys into their new lives in London and back into memories of their homeland.
The exhibition runs until 22nd April and is part of Resource for London’s ‘Enhance’ project, supported by the City Bridge Trust.
For more information about Resource for London call 020 7697 4001 or email bookings@resourceforlondon.org

New Mental Health Service
Camden Council is investing in a new service to intervene early with people with mental health needs to improve outcomes. The service aims to build individual and community resilience to make a sustained improvement in people’s level of wellbeing. This ambitious new service is described in the attached market position statement. Providers are invited to comment by Friday 26th Feb and there will be an event to discuss the model on The event will be held at Clarence Way Tenants Hall on 2nd March from 1- 4.30pm. Please see the address below
Clarence Way Tenants Hall, Bradfield Court, Hawley Road, NW1 8RN

From Italy – Seed to Plate
7pm to 9pm Thursday 3rd March at Camden Garden Centre, 2 Barker Drive, Camden, NW1
A fun evening at Pritchard+Ure, Camden Garden Centre’s new cafe brand. Come and hear all about the specialty seeds that Paolo selects and how to get the best out of them including the eating part from the Italian seed expert. – See more at Project Dirt

Holloway Neighbourhood Group’s Old Fire Station & Stress Project AGM and Open Evening
Monday 14th March 6pm – 8pm @ The Old Fire Station, 84 Mayton Street, N7 6QT
Free complementary therapies & vegetarian food. Everybody welcome!
Please RSVP by 8th March to Lucy lucy@hng.org.uk 0207 607 9794
www.hng.org.uk / www.stressproject.org.uk

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.
We are writing to you to inform you of this new service and to establish a referral pathway for you to refer women to us and vice versa. Please find attached information for you to better understand the services and leaflets for you to copy and give to clients.
We have have a project for Asian carers (over 65). We offer monthly meditation,social club, talks and exercise classes.
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

Looking for Work? Or an Apprenticeship? Want to get back in to Education?
The Youth Centre at KCBNA is holding Job Fair/ Information Event where there will be representatives from 6 organisations who support young people into Education, Employment and Training. There will be some brilliant opportunities on offer for young people aged 16-25 who live or study in Camden/Islington.
Friday 26th February, 6 – 8PM at King’s Cross Neighbourhood Centre, 51 Argyle Street, London, WC1H 8EF

Sexual Health Consultation – events for the public
To support the public consultation, CNWL has planned two ‘listening events’. These will provide an opportunity for patients and local stakeholders to: learn more about the proposals and the consultation; discuss the case for change and options with CNWL Trust clinicians and service managers; and give their views to the public consultation.
At London Metropolitan University, The Great Hall, 166-220 Holloway Road, N7
Thursday 10 March 6.00-9.00pm: Public and stakeholder workshop meeting.
Friday 11 March 1.00-7.00pm Market-place event
For more information visit www.cnwl.nhs.uk/have-your-say/consultations/

The Fitzrovia Chapel Open Day
Come along and see the newly restored chapel, meet the trustees and learn about plans for the future.
Wednesday 2nd 11.00 – 19.00 all welcome. 2 Pearson Square, London W1T
Tel: 020 3409 9895 Web: fitzroviachapel.org email: info@fitzroviachapel.org

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

Concert In aid of TACT
Featuring: Helen Bailey, Soprano Tim Short, Piano The Bellaphonics Purveyors of Sound Old Trunk Theatre Company
7.00pm, Saturday 5th March 2016 (doors at 6.30pm)
At OC Central, 32 Cubitt Street, WC1X 0LR (nearest tube, Kings Cross)
Tickets – £10 available from www.wegottickets.com Cash bar only.

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

Ageing Better in Camden, Camden Carers’ Centre, Holborn Community Association, Age UK Camden, Opening Doors, Midaye Somali Development Network, AVI, Elfrida Rathbone Camden, Ransackers, 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

‘At the heart of health: Realising the value of people and communities’.
The report brings together evidence on what good person- and community-centred approaches for health and wellbeing look like and their potentially wide-reaching benefits. In particular, the programme focuses on five areas: self-management education, health coaching, group activities to support health and wellbeing, peer support and community asset based approaches. The report draws together a wide range of evidence and practical examples to support the work of commissioners and other decision-makers seeking to find ways to empower individuals and communities in their health and care.
The report also makes a strong statement on the value of VCS contribution to the system and provides a good deal of materials for the VCS to use, particularly the local VCS contribution to person-centred care. Download the report here.

Voluntary sector bodies call for strategic investment from government
Ten leading voluntary sector bodies have written to the Chancellor ahead of the Budget on 16 March to set out six proposals to tackle key challenges facing the voluntary sector.
The proposals, aimed at small and medium sized organisations, are:
~ Maintain mandatory charitable business rates relief at 80%-
~ Use windfalls to fund initiatives to increase the sector’s capacity including governance and commissioning
~ Direct unspent Apprenticeships Levy funds from charities towards investment in voluntary sector skills
~ Introduce further increases in the National Insurance Contributions Allowance for charities, tapered in line with National Living Wage increases
~ Allocate 3% of the proceeds from government asset sales to support a Community Capital Fund
~ Engage the sector on the Dormant Assets Commission
Full details here.

Austerity has hit disabled people hardest – now they’re fighting back
With Norfolk county council accused of breaching the Care Act, alarm bells will be ringing at cash-strapped councils across the country. Full story in the Guardian

How to Start a Charity
The Guardian have written an article on how to start a Charity featuring a familiar local organisation – The Iranian and Kurdish Womens’ Rights Organisation (IKWRO). An interesting article but fails to mention any support bodies (such as VAC) whatsoever.

Giving Circles
An interesting article from a US perspective on a form of fundraising that could work well for certain types of community organisation. Full story on opendemocracy.net

Only 7.3 per cent of government grants went to non-profits last year
Hard to believe but true – over 90% of government grants go to for-profits. In fact the figure may be even lower. Full story at Civil Society.

The UK is not alone – Civil society is under threat as governments in many countries move to suppress dissent.
In its annual human rights report, Amnesty International warned of a creeping trend towards governments attacking or underfunding groups that protect human rights.

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

Camden Community Festivals Fund 2016
Don’t miss out – the deadline is the end of the month. The process is straightforward and your chance of success is good. The fund is to sustain and develop Camden’s rich culture, its strong communities and dynamic partnerships by supporting quality, creative events, projects and activities. This year the fund is managed by Voluntary Action Camden (VAC).
Applications are welcome for grants of £200 to £5000 for:
~ Small-scale events with a capacity of under 500 people, the maximum amount that can be applied for is £500. A copy of the application form can be downloaded here
~ Larger-scale events with a capacity of 500 people or more the maximum that can be applied for is £5,000. Please note the average is £1,000. A copy of the application form can be downloaded here.
A copy of the detailed guideline can be downloaded here
The application process is open from Wednesday 9th December 2015
The deadline for completed applications is: 6pm on Monday 29th February 2016
Contact
If you would like more information and/or to be sent hard copies of the application forms and the guidelines please contact acharles@vac.org.uk Tel. 020 7284 6553. Fax. 020 7284 6551. VAC, 293-299 Kentish Town Road, London NW5 2TJ.
Please note your grant is only administered by VAC. For all other aspects of your event please contact Camden Council’s events team. events@camden.gov.uk Tel: 020 7974 5633.

Action Grants
Ageing Better in Camden and Age UK Camden have £2500 to give away to older people’s groups in the borough. The Action Grants scheme gives groups of older people the opportunity to do things for themselves or the wider community.
To qualify for Action Grants, groups must have:
~ An income of less than £30,000 per year,
~ And ¾ of members must be Camden residents.
~ The activity must be run by older people themselves
Grants are for £100, and can be spent on running costs, one-off costs or equipment. If there is excessive demand, priority will be given to activities supporting older people who are socially isolated or at risk of social isolation. The application form is very easy and only two sides.
The deadline for applications is 9am Friday 11th March
For more information please contact: ageingbetterincamden@ageukcamden.org.uk or call 02072390400

Bid For Better
Receive up to £400 to support activities or equipment which will improve patient experience, promote mental wellbeing or make our services more accessible!
As well as Trust service users, we would like to encourage bids from external organisations.
Applications can be found: The Tavistock Website: http://tavistockandportman.uk/about-us/join-us/patient-and-public-involvement-ppi/projects/bid-better
For more information contact us: Email: PPI@tavi-port.nhs.uk Telephone: 020 8938 2059
Applications close Thursday 3rd March 2016

The Council’s new Strategic Partners Fund for the local voluntary sector
The web-page www.camden.gov.uk/strategicpartnersfund explains the process which led to the creation of this fund, and includes everything you need to apply to the fund. The technical problems with the application forms have now been resolved and the revised forms are now on the website.
The web page contains details of the fund, application forms and Handy Guides and should answer most questions about the Strategic Partners Fund. You can find a summary of the questions and answers about the fund.

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.

Lloyds Bank Social Entrepreneurs Programme
Lloyds Bank and Bank of Scotland Social Entrepreneurs Programme gives social entrepreneurs the best possible chance of success by providing access to support and funding. To date the Lloyds Bank Social Entrepreneurs Programme has supported 750 social entrepreneurs.
The programme will be open for applications again from 1st February until 21st March 2016. There are two courses on offer, Start Up and Scale Up.
~ Start Up will help you get a new organisation up and running
~ Scale Up will help you grow a sustainable social enterprise

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

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

Governance Course for Trustees
5th May – 9th June. Thursdays 17.30-20.30
Short course for members of governing bodies 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

Co-designing the Greenwood CIL Specification
Camden Disability Action and Camden Council invite you to join a series of workshops at Charlie Ratchford Centre, Belmont Street, London, NW1 8HF
Wednesday 2nd March, 5-7pm
Wednesday 16th March, 5-7pm
Thursday 31st March, 5-7pm
Greenwood Place in Kentish Town will be the site of a new community resource centre and home to Camden’s first ever Centre for Independent Living (CIL). We are now working together to design the specification for the service that the CIL will provide. We are designing the CIL’s:
• Service offer
• Outcomes and objectives
• Values and principles
• Ways of working
• …amongst other elements
We have held one workshop already and we hope that you will join us to continue this work.
To book a place, please contact: Phone: 0207 284 6550, Email: info@vac.org.uk
Or online at Eventbrite : https://greenwood-cil-workshops.eventbrite.co.uk
When you book, please let us know if you have any specific communication or access requirements.

Volunteer Coordinators’ Forum and AGM
Wednesday 16th March at West Euston Partnership 1-3.30pm
This is your chance to hear what we’ve been up to this year, and our plans for the future.
VCC will also be formally launching Team Up (a corporate volunteering service), which will swiftly be followed by our Volunteer Coodinators’ Forum ‘How To Deliver A Successful Corporate Volunteering Day’. And we’ll finish the day with networking and refreshments.
Book your place for all of this through Eventbrite.

Winter 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

Mind Matters Winter Events 2016
Mind in Camden is hosting a series of winter talks and discussions and an all day workshop for people working or volunteering in mental health services across London. These are FREE events to help stimulate and support you in your work. Please book on as many different events as you like using http://tinyurl.com/mind-matters2016. As places are limited please book.
Nicky Forsyth – Talk for Health: therapy without therapists’
Thursday 24 March: Mind in Camden, Barnes House, 9-15 Camden Road, NW1 9LQ 6.30pm-8.15pm
Rosalie Dores – mindfulness: present to self, present to others.
Saturday 26th March: 10.30am-4pm

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

Jewish Mental Health Forum
Next Meeting, Thursday 10th March 2016, 2.30 – 4.30pm The Brenner Community Centre, 91-93 Stamford Hill, London N16 5TP.
Jami runs The Jewish Mental Health Forum to promote awareness and understanding of mental health related issues among professionals working in health and social care. In addition to the Forum, Jami has recently launched Head Room an adult learning programme aimed across the Jewish community.
We will hear from Jami’s Head of Service, Tanya Harris speak on the subject of “Mental Health and Physical Activity: Supporting Our Wellbeing” which will explore how our health and wellbeing is intrinsically linked to our mental health.
To reserve your place for the Forum please email my colleague Clive Helman: clive.helman@jamiuk.org or telephone Jami on 020 8458 2223.

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 1 March Kilburn’s battleship – Meet Kilburn High Road Station, NW6 5UA
Tuesday 15th March The Park you never knew was there! Meet at Abbey Community Centre, Belsize Road, NW6
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.

New Courses @ Maiden Lane Community Centre
156 St Paul’s Crescent, NW1 9XZ To book a place call 020 7267 9586
Tuesdays 10am-12pm – MS Word skills for work and life
Tuesday 1 – 3pm – Improve your internet and email skills
Wednesdays 10am-3pm – Create a website with WordPress
Wednesdays 10am-12pm Starts 24th February Introduction to Photoshop

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

Camden Community Connectors
Tackling social isolation among older people
Camden Community Connectors is a new six year project working across Camden to tackle social isolation and loneliness among older people. Our team of five local Area Coordinators is working with volunteers to identify and support people aged 60+ and help them reconnect to local activities and meet new people. We’re also building up an accessible ‘asset map’ of all services that support older people in Camden. We’d love to hear from you if you want to work with us, refer an older person, volunteer or if you just want to know more.
We’re part of the Ageing Better in Camden programme funded by Big Lottery. To find out more, check out our website or call us free on 0800 161 5716 .

Ageing Better in Camden Programme Manager, (Job-Share)
Local Government Scale PO3 (c. £19.5-21k pa for 19 hour week)
We require a dynamic job-share Programme Manager to: monitor recently appointed delivery partners; manage future tendering processes, support and develop the strategic partnership; work effectively with a job-share postholder; manage a part-time worker; lead on ABC’s budget and evaluation arrangements.
You will be: a programme manager with strong finance and performance management skills; a skilled stakeholder manager with experience of change management who can work with funders, contractors, evaluators, and a board; a strategic thinker who is also solutions-focussed and prepared to get their “hands dirty”; experienced in working with older people and committed to co-production.
AUC offers a contributory pension, and a season ticket or bicycle loan facility. The post is based at Tavis House, Tavistock Square with easy access via Euston and Kings Cross main lines or Russell Square tube.
For more details, all documents can be downloaded from our website www.ageukcamden.org.uk or email jobs@ageukcamden.org.uk.
Closing date – Friday 11th March 9.30 am Interviews – Thursday 24th March 2016.

Camden Carers’ Centre wishes to recruit a Volunteer Co-ordinator
£28,280 p.a., pro-rata, for 21 hours per week
Camden Carers Centre is currently looking to appoint a Volunteer Co-ordinator. You will be part of the team working at Kentish Town Road, supporting carers on behalf of Camden Carers Service. CCS is a partnership of carer organisations in Camden, funded by London Borough of Camden and NHS Camden.
This is a part-time post of 21 hours over 3 days a week. Annual leave is 30 days pro rata.
Applicants must have excellent IT and communication skills and knowledge of the issues impacting carers. It is essential that you are able to work with people from diverse communities. Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 29th February 2016
Please go to http://www.camdencs.org.uk/get-involved to obtain a job pack.

Volunteer Community Organisers
Holborn Community Association is looking for Volunteers to help and support the Neighbourhood Planning project with their Community Organiser. HCA is developing a Neighbourhood Forum in the Holborn area to give local people a greater voice. They need volunteers to help with outreach, data input, organising public meetings and more. If you are interested in joining them as a volunteer and would like to get more information please contact them at: nahida.chowdhury@corganisers.org.uk / 07710092495

Primary Care Navigators Administration Officer
Local Government Scale Sc4 £21,120 – £23,145pa pro rata 16 hour per week £9,654.85 – £10,580.60pa, contributory pension, fixed term till 31 March 2017.
Following a tender, Age UK Camden with its partner Camden Carers Service is delivering the exciting new Primary Care Navigation Service for Camden Clinical Commissioning Group until March 2017. The six Navigators led by the Manager will support those aged 60 + with long term conditions and their carers to access timely care and community support services.
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 29th February 2016 – 9.30 am. Interviews: Monday 7th March 2016

Volunteer Treasurer role at Ransackers
We need a treasurer for an exciting 1 year project (and beyond): We are a small not – for –profit run by volunteers : we promote serious education for older people
The role includes: Keeping all accounts and proof of income & spend during and after project end, plus participation in budget creation for funding bids
Contact: hfarnworth@gmail.com or annateresalefort7@gmail.com

Project Manager, Opening Doors London
35 Hours per week Scale point 33 to 36 £32,157 to £34,380 pa (incl. LW)
This key position will be responsible for managing Opening Doors London, line managing a small team, ensuring ODL delivers quality services for the older LGBT* community in London while constantly agitating for change. A key responsibility is ensuring the project’s sustainability by fundraising.
Essentials include: excellent project management skills, ability to manage and motivate a team, experience of campaigning for social justice, ability and experience in bid writing and attracting private donors, ability to market services, IT literacy and excellent communication skills.
This post is based in Tavis House, Tavistock Square near Euston Station which has excellent transport links. AUC offers a contributory pension, 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 0207 239 0400. No CVs, no agencies please.
Closing date for the above post is Wednesday 2nd March 2016 5.30 pm
Interviews on Tuesday 15th March 2016

Midaye Somali Development Network seeks Office Manager
Salary: £15,312 pa for 22.5 hours work per week (£25,520 full time equivalent)
22.5 hours/week over 3- 4 days/week, usually during our office hours of 10-4. Some flexibility possible.
Location of work: Midaye’s offices (Unit 6, 7 Thorpe Close, London W10 5XL)
Midaye is looking for an Office Manager. You will be responsible for management of our busy office, our finances, and the software we use to help us manage and monitor our projects. You will be a central part of our team – supporting our work in the community with e.g. single mothers, people with disabilities, long term health problems or mental health issues, and those who are far from the job market. We work with members of all BME communities for whom English is an additional language – Ethiopian, Somali, Sudanese, Eritrean, Yemeni and others.
To apply, please fill in the attached application form and email to us at: jo@midaye.org.uk
We will not accept CVs – you must complete the application form and return it to us no later than 5pm on 3 March. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on 16 March 2016

Action Village India seeks Director
We are a small charity set up in 1990 to raise funds for particular projects in India. We aim to mobilise support for our six key long term partners working for genuine for long lasting development in their communities. We prioritise gender, peace, economic development and rights based work.
Our new Director will lead AVI through its agreed strategic plan, next stage of development and raise the necessary funds to do so. The successful candidate will be supported by a team of committed and active trustees and a small team in its London office.
The successful candidate will have a passion for genuine long lasting development, a minimum of five years proven fundraising experience plus the project management and networking skills and the skills to provide effective leadership in the UK. If you have a background in managing organisations and a commitment to international development and empowerment, with a particular interest in India, we would love to hear from you.
The post is for 4 days a week, office in North London and some travel to India. Salary is £35 – up to £37k depending on experience (pro rata).
Please note the closing date for applications is 5pm on 3rd March 2016
Interviews will be held on 14th March 2016 in London
See website for application information www.actionvillageindia.org.uk/home

Elfrida Rathbone Camden seeks Leighton Education Project Support Volunteers
The Leighton Education Project is a three year further education facility for adults aged 16 – 25 with mild to moderate learning disabilities. It is based at our offices in Kentish Town. We are currently recruiting for Learning Support Volunteers to assist in the classroom on our Education Project, which runs Monday – Thursday 10am – 3.30pm. If you are available for a morning, afternoon or even a whole day and interested in giving your time, take a look at the website for further details.

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/

Camden Carers Seeks Outreach Partners
Would you like to work with Camden Carers Service; up to £10K available
We are looking for organisations to partner CCS in identification of carers from April 2016 until March 2017
Please contact Allegra Lynch on allegra@camdencarers.org.uk if you would like to find out more

Takeover is Back and this time we’re in Paradise…
Sunday 13 – Wednesday 23 MARCH
Welcome to the 3rd annual Tricycle TAKEOVER! It’s back – bigger, louder and feistier than ever. This March, join us for a party in paradise with a mighty programme of theatre, film, masterclasses and events.
This 11 day extravaganza has something for everyone, including pre & post show sets from up-and-coming DJs, stage combat masterclasses for those who like to live life dangerously and an invitation to Kilburn’s coolest party of the year.
Tricycle Young Company are presenting 3 heavenly new theatre performances that will make you question what it means to be in paradise…
Don’t miss a single Takeover event with a Ticket to Paradise. New for 2016, a Ticket to Paradise gets you unlimited access to our nirvana of drama for just £20. Click here to get yours today!

Camden Local Plan – Submission Draft 2016 Consultation
Camden Council has been reviewing its main planning policies and has previously asked for input on key issues and consulted on a Draft Plan.
When finalised, the Plan will replace our current Core Strategy and Camden Development Policies documents as the basis for planning decisions and future development in the borough.
How to get involved
We are seeking your views on the Plan, which we intend to submit to the government for public examination, and associated documents.
The documents can be viewed on the Council’s website at www.camden.gov.uk/localplan.
Please send any comments you have on or before 4 April 2016 by:
Email : planningpolicy@camden.gov.uk
Online : You can also complete the representation form online at https://consultations.wearecamden.org/
Post : Strategic Planning & Implementation Team, LB Camden, Town Hall, Judd Street, WC1H 8ND

Deaf Achieve
This is a Big Lottery funded project that will continue to deliver free workshops, health groups, job clubs, travel groups, financial capability training and one to one support until 2018. These are for the deaf community, aged 18-65, living in any of the London boroughs. If want to know more information about Deaf Achieve please contact: deafachieve2@royaldeaf.org.uk.

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.