Voluntary Action Camden e-bulletin 26th June 2020

Covid-19 and BAME Disparities – Voluntary Action Forum

The next Voluntary Action Forum, on Wednesday 1st July will focus on the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on the BAME Community & Health Inequalities.  The council will be sharing the work that they have done on the issue. This will be a chance to have your say and feed into the findings. We will then be looking at the next steps and how to take this important work forward. Register here.

VAC AGM

14th July 2020 5 – 6pm will be held online.  Join us for an update on VAC’s work and hear from the chair and trustees about our plans for the future. Book online here.

Launch of Camden Climate Action Plan

Thursday 2 July at 6pm.
Camden Council will be hosting this online event in collaboration with community friends to officially launch Camden’s new Climate Action Plan.
Details and booking at Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/110153337598

Family Members Reference Group for Learning Disability Carers

Wednesday 1st July at 10:30am – 12pm via Zoom.
The topic of the meeting is Health and COVID-19. There will be guests from:
· Camden Disability Action – Brendan Leahy
· Camden Learning Disability Service – Andrew Reece
· Accessible Transport – Blue Badge Scheme
RSVP to mollie@camdencarers.org.uk or calling on 020 7428 8950.

CARAF centre is organising a free online summer mentoring programme

The programme aims to empower individuals aged 18+ to develop and implement their own business idea.
~ 1st July – 12th July: Online interviews
~ 13th July – 17th July: Online training sessions
~ 20th July – 31st August: Business development & 1:1 mentoring
~ 5th September: Closing event
Closing date for completed applications end at midnight on 30th June 2020. Contact  admin@thecarafcentre.org.uk for full details and application form.

Online Safety and Digital Resilience

Wednesday  July 1st 10am – 11:30am
An online forum for all professionals working with young people, to explore:
~ How has the current situation affected young people’s online use of tech?
~ How can we promote young people’s digital wellbeing?
~ What are the risks and opportunities?
~ How can we support parents and carers?
A panel of experts will be available to answer questions and discuss the issues.
Mary Rebelo – CEOP Ambassador; Sarah Smith – The Breck Foundation; Sarah Berman – Advisor for 2 leading young people’s mental health charities;
RSVP g.ingram@camdenlearning.org.uk, Gill will provide details of the session.

Covid-19 Resources

VAC has gathered relevant resources on a range of topics.
Notable recent additions include:

• Heatwave advice from NHS and the Government.
• The rules are changing.  Find out what you can and can’t do here.

Best Articles

The Guardian view on coronavirus harms: pandemic shows inequities are deadly
Volunteering in the time of COVID-19 – five things the evidence shows us

Young Camden Foundation – Heads Up Mental Health Fund

£1,000 – £5,000 Deadline: 3 Jul 2020
The mental health and wellbeing of whole societies have been severely impacted by the current crisis and are a priority to be addressed urgently. Research has identified significant and sustained increases in symptoms of depression and anxiety related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Young people have been particularly affected by the crisis. Young Minds surveyed over 2000 young people nationally at the end of March and found that 83% agreed that the pandemic has made their mental health worse.
The idea of these small grants is to support staff, children & young people to be aware of the impact the pandemic has had, and will continue to have, on their emotions and develop mechanisms to cope and keep positive.
Deadlines: 03 July, 10 July, 17 July, 24 July, 31 July 2020. Full details here.

BBC Children in Need- COVID-19 Next Step Grants Programme

Note this fund has closed ahead of the deadline due to being oversubscribed.

Coronavirus Community Support Fund

A £200m fimd aimed at small to medium organisations:
~ To increase community support to vulnerable people affected by the COVID-19 crisis, through the work of civil society organisations.
~ To reduce temporary closures of essential charities and social enterprises, ensuring services for vulnerable people impacted by COVID-19 have the financial resources to operate, and so reduce the burden on public services.
Full details on the National Lottery Community Fund website.

YCF Partners with Google to Launch the Digital Youth Work Fund

Young Camden Foundation (YCF) has launched the Digital Youth Work Fund sponsored by Google. This fund is designed to support Camden’s children and young people sector by creating or enhancing a digital youth work offer.
YCF will award members grants of up to £5,000
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis with the following deadlines: 29 May, 19 June and 3 July 2020.  Details at YCF website. Questions to grants@youngcamdenfoundation.org.uk.

London Community Response

Wave 3 of London Community Response will open shortly.  Wave 4 will focus on recovery later in the year.

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

Digital & Tech Support Online Q&A

Tuesdays 2 – 3.30pm
Many organisations are having to grapple with moving their office systems online so staff and volunteers can work remotely.We’ll look at:
~ What systems do you need?
~ How do you set them up?
~ What works and what doesn’t?
Q&A session with Gilbert Plant, our digital partner from CITA and WCIT.
Joining details here: https://vac.org.uk/events/
Email alexcharles@vac.org.uk

Introduction to Data Collection and Analysis

Tuesday, July 7, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Free
This session is part of a series of two-hour workshops being delivered for VAC’s Digital and IT Capacity Building Programme, in partnership with WCIT and CITA.
Covering: What do we mean by data? Understanding your business; What data should we collect and why? How to collect data, including tools.
The workshop will be delivered online using Zoom.  Book on Eventbrite.

VAC AGM

14th July 2020 5 – 6pm will be held online.  Join us for an update on VAC’s work and hear from the chair and trustees about our plans for the future. Email info@vac.org.uk to register your interest.

VAC Events

Voluntary Action Forums: (web page here)
Wed 1st July Covid-19 BAME Disparity & Health Inequalities
Wed 15th July Resilient Civil Society
Wed 29 July Space and Place – what role for buildings?
Build Back Better Workshop (Date in June/July tbc)
VAC AGM Tuesday 14th July 5pm
SPLN (Social Prescribing Learning Network) Venturing Out (date tbc)
Keep in eye on our Events Calendar next week to book and for more info.

Camden Voluntary Action Forum

The forum is open to all Camden voluntary and community  groups and organisation, community activists, social entreprenuers, volunteers and anyone interested in local voluntary action.  The next forum is a chance to look at Covid-19 BAME Disparity & Health Inequalities.  Register here.

These sessions will be hosted on zoom.  Ideally you will need a PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone with camera or microphone but you can also join by telephone as well. Click on the link or use the meeting ID.  You will also need the password if one was set. Short guide to joining a zoom meeting.

Safeguarding Courses:

VAC is working with funders so that safeguarding courses can continue online.  Further details to come. There are some basic safeguarding videos on the home page and on the COVID19 Update page.
Tel: 020 7 284 6575 | Email: dogunyemi@vac.org.uk email (Mon – Wed)

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

Two free Webinars from Latin American House

Both activities will be spoken in Spanish.
1) Coronavirus and the immigration rules, Tuesday, 23rd June, 3pm.
2) EU Settlement Scheme,Tuesday, 30th June,3pm.
To register please email  info@casalatina.org.uk with the name of the webinar on the subject line and you will receive further information.  Casa Latino.

Psychological First Aid online course

Public Health England has launched an updated Psychological First Aid (PFA) digital training module, aimed at all frontline and essential workers and volunteers.
The course aims to increase awareness and confidence to provide psychosocial support to people affected by COVID-19.  The course is free, and no previous qualifications are required. It takes around 90 minutes to complete and the learner can complete it at their own pace.

Two Courses from the Working Men’s College

Bake at Home
Enjoy Baking? Left over fruit and veg in your cupboards?
Join us online for creative and delicious snacks and meals!
Each week a different recipe. Easy to join and FREE.
11.30 -12.30 Wednesdays starting on 24th June. Platform: Google Meet – Tech help available
Registration and more information- click here:
Art for Beginners – Making a Mark
This is a short fun course for the beginners but more advance welcomed also, which explores the different mediums and materials you can use to create bold and creative ‘marks’ and ‘shapes’ leading into landscapes, portraits, still life or abstract.
Technical support is at hand if needed to join.  Click here.

Outlandish Social Media Online Workshop

What is the purpose of Social media?
Why do we use it? What is the bigger picture?
How do we measure success for Social media?
How much time to spend on Social Media? Budget/costs
How often to post on Social Media? What kind of content?
Who are we targeting with Social Media?
How can we improve Social media? New content, new targets etc
Come along and ask any questions you may have and let’s discuss Social Media marketing strategy for your business.  Register here for free

Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities Programme

From healthy relationships to understanding and managing behaviour.
Usually costs £100 but London Funders are paying for 150 parents to attend
Parents can request a course code from us by emailing, or ask questions: sfscparent@racefound.org.uk

Ubele Fundraising Support for BAME Organisations

Every Thursday at 3:30pm Ubele host fundraising webinars on a variety grant funds that are available with techniques on writing better applications. These webinars are free of charge and the presentations/resources are uploaded on our website.
Registration for Fundraising Webinars here.

Camden Safeguarding Children Partnership

4 new virtual training safeguarding training sessions for June/July 2020.
Due to the current social distancing restrictions in place in light of COVID-19, the CSCP has worked with our experienced trainers to ensure that safeguarding training can still be made available to multi-agency partners.
Domestic Abuse  30 June, 2.00-3.00pm
Parental Mental Health and the Impact on Children 13 July, 10.00am-12.30pm
Full details and how to apply here.

Women+Health online group classes via Zoom

Aiming too help people feel calm, grounded, & centred during lockdown. We are currently running 4 online classes per week:
~ Tuesdays at 1pm, ‘Mindfulness for Women’ with Camilla (women only)
~ Wednesdays at 6:30pm, ‘Yoga Nidra’ with Lina (men & women welcome)
~ Thursdays 6:30pm, ‘Gentle Hatha Yoga’ with Diana (men & women welcome)
~ Fridays at 1pm, ‘Sound Healing’ with Catherine (men & women welcome)
All classes are donation classes – and all money we receive goes towards helping Women+Health survive while our doors are closed. The classes are FREE if people cannot donate.
All info to join classes and to donate can be found on our JustGiving page:

YPF COVID-19 Support Webinars are Available Online

Young People’s Foundation (YPF) has been hosting a webinar series to discuss topics related to COVID-19 support. In case you missed any of the presentations, the recordings are available online. Subjects include:
~ Cyber Service Offer for Children and Young People
~ Mental Health Awareness
– Employment
The link to RSVP will be available soon on YCF’s website.

Respect online domestic abuse training

Respect has secured funding from the London Community Response Fund to offer free online training to Frontline Workers who support or have an interest in service users with domestic abuse issues.
Workers from the third sector; local authorities; counsellors/therapists; university lecturers, students or researchers; police; housing officers; healthcare staff; policy-makers etc.  – as long as the organisation they work for or the services they provide are based in Greater London.
Working with male victims of domestic abuse  1-14 July
Working with women using violence in intimate relationships 16-29 July
Better engagement with perpetrators 31 July-13 August
Adolescent to parent violence and abuse 15-28 August
Apply here.  Any questions, please email abigail.jones@respect.uk.net

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.You can use the Brokerage service to request volunteers with specific skills or background for community activity.
Get support and resources from Volunteer Centre Camden
The council has a  page of resources to help community organisations

Director of Kentish Town City Farm

£30,000 – £40,000 per annum +pension  Closing date 24 Jul 2020
KTCF are seeking a visionary, strategic and courageous leader to realise our ambitions for the next exciting chapter at Kentish Town City Farm. The Farm Director is the key figurehead for the farm, providing leadership to an experienced and inclusive team of staff and volunteers, and ensuring financial growth. You will share our passion for changing lives by bringing people together, and our belief that every person has a positive contribution to make to the farm.  Full details and how to apply here.

Canal & River Trust seeks Waterway Operative

Permanent position – 37 hours per week. Salary: £22,323 (inc London allowance) + Generous pension + great holidays (increasing with service) + call out allowance. Closing Date:  7 July 2020
As a Waterway Operative  most of your working time will be spent in our unique outdoor environment on the London waterway which covers up to 70km of the canal & towpath (main base is Southall).  Your daily tasks will vary and will contribute to the maintenance, conservation and improvement of the waterway network for local communities and visitors to enjoy.  Full details here.

CDA seeks Chair of Board of Trustees

Camden Disability Action (CDA) is looking for a new Chair to build and lead a skilled Trustee board.
CDA is a Disabled People’s Organisation, which means it is run by Disabled people for Disabled people.
We are looking for a local Disabled person who has the skills and enthusiasm to provide strategic leadership for the organisation and to support making Greenwood a centre for social change.
The position of Chair of Trustees is unpaid. Board members are expected to attend 4 meetings a year. Induction into the organisation, safeguarding training and reimbursed travel costs are available for all the Trustees.
Details and how to apply here. Deadline June 30th 2020
Contact Colin Brummage, CEO on 07732 746 231 or colinceo@camdendisabilityaction.org.uk for more details.

Hopscotch Homecare seeks Live in Care Worker

Hopscotch are a well-established and expanding domiciliary care agency that has been providing careworkers to Camden clients and helping them to continue living safely and independently in their own homes for 20 years.Hopscotch focus on personal development and this post will enable the successful candidate to take advantage of the training and career-track development that we offer, among other benefits, and therefore to maximise their potential
Excellent Benefits and Incentives Offered. Covering South Camden: Kings Cross, Holborn, Covent Garden, Bloomsbury and surroundings. RoleTypes:Full-time, Part-time, Contract.  Experience:Caregiving: 1 year (Preferred). Contact: recruitment@hopscotchawc.org.uk

Age UK Camden Seeks ABC Programme Manager

(35 hours per week may consider PT 28/30 hours for the right candidate).
PO3 Scp 33-36 £39,171 to £42,295 pa.  Fixed term contract to 30th June 2021
In collaboration with existing Programme Manager (working 19 hours):
Your role will be to work to:
• Manage the Ageing Better in Camden Programme, working with the ABC Board, to deliver the outcomes as agreed with Big Lottery Fund.
• Be responsible for the delivery of the Ageing Better in Camden (ABC) projects, including through working with a range of delivery agencies.
For more details, all documents can be downloaded from our website www.ageukcamden.org.uk or email jobs@ageukcamden.org.uk.
Closing date  – 9am on 6th July and interviews will be held on 16th July

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.

Camden Social Prescribing and Care Navigation update

Social Prescribing and Care Navigation delivered by Age UK Camden, Voluntary Action Camden and Wish+ is operational, and adapted, as a point of access to services and support during the COVID 19 emergency.
Referral form can be found here. Minimum requirements are contact details and permission to contact the person needing support.
Freephone: 0800 193 6067 (please leave a message if no answer)
Secure NHS email (referrals only): camccg.socialprescribingreferral@nhs.net
Community Links email (enquiries and referrals): communitylinks@vac.org.uk

Queen’s awards for Voluntary service/COVID Honours/Queens Awards for enterprise

You can make nominations for:
Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
Queen’s Awards for Enterprise
COVID Honours

Covid Top 20 In-Kind Offers

The latest list of Business offers to support voluntary and community sector organisations.  To request an offer email  Covid.InKind@london.gov.uk

VAC COVID-19 Pages

Covid-19 Community Directory  (Update your entry here) [Map here]
Covid-19 Update page.
Covid-19 Resources page

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

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

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