Voluntary Action Camden e-bulletin 29th March 2019

We Make Camden

Celebrate Camden’s diversity and the people who make the place.
Camden council are hosting an free event which will bring together communities and action-packed performances from a variety of special guests. Focused on stories from across the borough, hear about the inspiring journeys, memories and reflections that have inspired our residents and helped to create the vibrant, diverse and rebellious spirit of Camden. Help us to celebrate the people, stories and communities that make Camden.
Thursday 4 April 6 – 8pm.  Book at Eventbrite.

Civil Society Futures

The Commission on the Future of Civil Society has now concluded and a number of reports have been produced.  If you only have time to read one then take a look at this one which proposes that we focus our attention on 4 areas: Power, Connection, Accountability and Trust. There is also an excellent report on Race Equality, and of course there is the full report in the form of a website.  The report also proposes the creation of a People Power Grid of social infrastructure, including a proliferation of people and organisations who connect  people and catalyse community development. For a balanced counter view have a look at this blog from Andrew Purkis.

Proposed new hospital needs your views

Come and join the discussion on the future for Moorfields Eye Hospital.
Oriel is the proposal to build a brand new centre for world-class eye care, leading-edge research and professional training. The new centre would replace the current Moorfields Eye Hospital on City Road in London.
There will be a public consultation later this year, but we want to hear views before then.  The Oriel team will be holding two sessions in Camden on Wednesday 3 April at The Charlie Ratchford Centre.
3 April 2.30pm – 4pm, Charlie Ratchford Centre, Belmont St, NW1 8HF. Book
3 April 6pm – 7.30pm, Charlie Ratchford Centre, Belmont St, NW1 8HF Book

New resources from London Plus and the GLA

Download a new easy to use resource designed to help you make better use of the London Datastore.
https://londonplus.org/guides/london-datastore-resource-guide
You can also download a practical datasets source guide you can use to look for London based data. https://londonplus.org/guides/useful-datasets-sources

Knife Crime:  A Call to Action

The National Church Leaders Forums (NCLF) have issued a ten point action plan to encourage churches and the wider community to engage with the issues of youth crime and knife crime.

Winnie Mandela Memorial Event

The Caraf Centre Mandela Supplementary School
Saturday 6th April 2019, 1-6pm at Caraf Centre, 27-30 Cheriton, Queens Crescent, London NW5. Tel 020 7284 0030

Future Changemakers- Information Session

25th of April 2019, 1,45 to 3.30pm. Camden Giving are running an information session for YCF members. This session provides an opportunity to find out more about the Future Changemakers grant and ask any questions you may have regarding the grant.
At LABS Camden – Atrium, The Stables Market, Chalk Farm Rd, Camden Town, London NW1 8AH. Please RSVP by18th of April.

Number of London youth clubs nearly halved since 2011

A series of freedom of information requests shows the UK capital has lost 104 youth centres as austerity continues to grip councils reports the Guardian.

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

GLA Funding Opportunities

A list of funding opportunties from the GLA from sports to arts to community inclusion including dates of related seminars.  Click here for the full list.

6th Atul Pathak Community Awards

The Atul Pathak Community Awards provide annual one-off donations of between £500 and £3,000 and a year-long corporate partnership to registered charities and community
groups. In Camden the qualifying area is Swiss Cottage.
Full details at communityawards@apptcorp.com

Young Camden Foundation Summer Opportunities Fund 2019

Through the YCF Summer Opportunities Fund, YCF will award grants of up to £5,000 to support voluntary organisations in Camden deliver activities for young people. You can view the full details here including deadlines etc.

Woodward Charitable Trust

Grants of between £500 – £1.000 to run a summer scheme for children aged 5-16.. Deadline 5 Apri.  Full details here.

Rosa’s ‘Voices from the Frontline’ Opens for Applications

Funding to support women’s organisations to ‘shine a light’ on their fight for gender equality in the UK. Grants of between £500 and £5,000 are being made available to women’s sector voluntary and community organisations in the UK to pay for increasing the skills, capacity, credibility and effectiveness of women who wish to challenge gender inequality and promote awareness and change.
Rosa will be holding two “How to Apply” webinars: one on 27 March (11am to 12pm) and the other on 30 April (12.30pm to 13.30pm)
Deadline for applications is 14 May (5pm). Full details here.

Youth Safety Fund to Support Projects Aimed at Preventing Youth Violence

Open until Sunday 31 March.
Bids to the fund must be made by partnerships of at least two bodies, which can include public sector, schools, charities, voluntary and community orgs.
Local young people will be among those on the panels to assess applications, for projects running for one or two years under two categories:
• Under £5,000 per year (£10,000 total)
• £5,000 to £25,000 per year (£50,000 total).
This is the first of two opportunities to apply to the Youth Safety Fund, with another due in late 2019 / early 2020.
To find out more and download an expression of interest application form please visit  www.camden.gov.uk/youthsafetytaskforce.
If you have any questions about Youth Safety Fund or application process please contact youthsafety@camden.gov.uk

Camden Giving Kings Cross Fund

Camden Giving’s KX Fund will soon open for applications. It aims to increase:
~ Social Cohesion
~ Employment opportunities
~ Quality and access to natural environments
Full details at Camden Giving.  closing date midnight, 17 April

The HS2 Camden Fund

The Camden Fund aims to strengthen the sense of place and alleviate the disruption of the development of HS2 Ltd. on local people by achieving one or more of the following aims:
1. A Happier and Healthier Camden
2. A Better Connected Camden
3. A Stronger Voluntary and Community Sector
We aim to inform applicants of the result of their application within 16 weeks. Applicants can submit applications at any point between midnight on the 15th May 2018 and midnight on the 14th May 2020. Full details at Camden Giving.

Healthy Minds Programme with Mind in Camden

The latest Healthy Minds community programme is now available.  A range of activities are available from VAC, Mary Ward, Mind in Camden, BWA, Good Gym, the Round House and more.  Find out what’s on and how to book.

Safeguarding Courses from VAC in 2019
(coming soon)

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

Greenwood Centre tours & networking evening

The Greenwood Centre is the home of the new Camden Centre for Independent Living. There are a variety of indoor & outdoor spaces including a large hall suitable for conferences & activities, recording/rehearsal music studio, arts room, IT suite, roof terraces, and lots more. All spaces for rental to groups, and we’re interested in exploring partnerships to provide activities & services for disabled people in Camden. 4:30pm – 5.30pm, Tuesday 2nd April.
RSVP to gus@camdendisabilityaction.org.uk

The Caraf Centre Holiday Play Scheme

From 8th April 2019  19th April 8.00 am – 6 pm    per day
Concession fees available
Age:  5 to 8 year olds
Limited spaces. To register contact: Indira Vyas at 27-30 Cheriton, Queen’s Crescent, London NW5. Phone: 020 7 284 0030 email: sunshine@thecarafcentre.org.uk  web: www.thecarafcentre.co.uk

Design Ideas for Somers Town Festival

The British Library are giving up the Library’s Piazza to all things Somers Town and are partnering with Central St Martin around ‘decorating’ the Piazza for the Somers Town Festival.
We will be running group workshops with Local groups interested in getting involved in April.
• Tuesday 18th April 2pm-8:45pm, The British Library’s Foyle Suite
• Wednesday 17th April
• Thursday 18th April 12pm-8pm  The British Library’s Foyle Suite
• Tuesday 23rd April
Interested?  Please RSVP to Amber Perrier on 07796 315 369/ 020 7412 7250 or email Amber.Perrier@bl.uk

IT Advice Sessions at The New Greenwood Centre

Every Wednesday between 10am and 12pm in the IT Suite at the Greenwood Centre Camden Adult Education Service will deliver IT/computer drop in sessions  specifically designed for people that maybe have a specific IT issue or wish to know how to use their own gadgets better.
37 Greenwood Place, Kentish Town, London NW5 1LB

Camden Family Members Reference Group

A group for family carers of adults with learning disabilities
3 April 10.30-12.30pm followed by lunch at Charlie Ratchford, Belmont Street
Find out about financial assessments and benefits and ask questions:
– David Kinloch – Service Manager, Awards and Contributions Team
– Gill Catherall – Welfare Rights Team Manager
Email Philippa for more information: philippa@camdencarers.org.uk

Camden Carers Centre Annual General Meeting

Thursday 4th of April 3.30-5pm (networking and refreshments until 5.30pm)
A chance to hear directly from carers in Camden
A chance to hear what’s happening at the Carers Centre and speak with Trustees and staff. Exhibition of carers art work. Speakers include: Carers; Baroness Glenys Thornton; Keir Starmer MP
From 5.30 to 7.30 Camden Carers Voice will be holding their first evening meeting; you are welcome to attend all or part of this too.

Camden Intergenerational Network

Wednesday 8th May 2.15pm for tea or coffee, meeting 2.30pm – 5.00pm.
At Age UK Camden, Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9NA.
if you have any questions, would like to join the Network, or know someone who would, please contact Lydia.Shellien-Walker@AgeUKCamden.org.uk.

Maiden Lane Community Centre Jobs and Training Fair

17 April 2019 – 12-5PM At The London Irish Centre
50-52 Camden Square, London NW1 9XB
Please contact Naz if you would like a stall to  promote job, training or volunteer opportunities. nazrul@maidenlanecommunitycentre.org tel: 020 7267 9586

VAC seeks Treasurer

If you would like to lead on financial oversight and strategy at Camden’s umbrella organisation for the voluntary sector we would love to hear from you.  In the first instance contact Kevin Nunan, Interim Executive Director, for further information: knunan@vac.org.uk

Good Neighbours Befriending Scheme Co-ordinator

Scale 6 from 1st April 2019 – £28,752 to £29,796 pa pro rata for a 7 hour week with 6% Contributory pension
The right candidate would be responsible for maintaining  and developing the Primrose Hill Good Neighbours Scheme as well as supporting volunteers to act as Good Neighbours to older vulnerable people.
You will offer information and advice, and volunteer support, to enhance the social lives of isolated and housebound older people in Camden.
For more details, all application forms can be downloaded from our website www.ageuk.org.uk/camden/about-us/work-for-us or email jobs@ageukcamden.org.uk.

Care Navigation Administrator

Our Care Navigation Service aims to help people living with long term health conditions to access appropriate services. The volunteers will support the service gathering feedback from clients over the phone, using a questionnaire.
~ You will gain an insight into how the Care Navigation service works.
~ You’ll gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact older people’s lives
~ You’ll have an opportunity to build confidence and skills engaging with older people, communication skills and gathering information.
You must be available a few hours a week at a time agreed with the service manager (generally Monday to Friday). For more information see the website or email Volunteer@ageukcamden.org.uk

Volunteer Group Facilitators Camden Refuge Services

Do you have a skill or talent that you would love to share with female survivors of domestic abuse? We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to run fun, healing and/or creative workshops or groups at our multiple needs women’s refuge and our generic refuges in Camden. The ideal candidate must have the appropriate qualifications & training. We welcome hearing from you with any skills, experience or interests you have that could help support survivors on their healing journey.
For further information and to apply for either of the above roles please visit our website and complete the application forms. Deadline 12th April 2019.

Camden Giving is Recruiting Grant Panel Members with Disabilities

The Inclusive Community Fund exists to make existing services more accessible for disabled people. We are looking to appoint 6 Camden residents who are living with a physical, learning or mental health disability to sit on the panel and design the Fund in a way that they know works well.
Find out more at the Camden Giving website or fill out a nomination form with this link: https://doodle.com/poll/b6cf7ar6hbmwzh7m
Send an updated CV and cover later explaining why you would like to be on the panel but we are willing to be flexible and accept applications in forms that suit our applicants for example a phone or video call on 07717595605.

Calthorpe Project seeks Children’s Weekend Sport & Physical Activity Co-ordinator (pt)

An exceptional person needed to join our weekend staff team bringing environmental play opportunities to children living in and around Kings Cross. Our Access to Nature project includes food growing, healthy eating, nature watch, arts and forest school style activities.
Salary £8826 gross annually for 12 hour weekend.
Download the application pack from  www.calthorpeproject.org.uk
Or request the documents by emailing ray@calthorpeproject.org.uk
Deadline 5pm Monday, 1st April Interviews – 6th April

Volunteer with VAC and develop experience and skills in public health

VAC provide training, and work opportunities for Camden volunteers who can commit 2 hours per week.
We offer free Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH) training to volunteer Health Advocates for Community Links, part of a new Care Navigation and Social Prescribing service in Camden. Community Links Health Advocates signpost residents to community based activities and help with formal referrals where community based activities are needed alongside clinical care.
Contact: Mandira Manandhar, Community Links Co-ordinator (Mon, Tues and Thurs) 020 7284 6550/6573 or email: mmanandhar@vac.org.uk

VAC is recruiting volunteers to help us in our new building in Chalk Farm

VAC has recently moved to a new home at Charlie Ratchford Centre, Belmont Street, NW1. We are sharing the building with Camden Carers and Camden Disability Action.  It is a very busy building with lots of visitors and events.
We are recruiting volunteer receptionists to be the first point of contact for visitors. I You will be an important member of the VAC team of volunteers and staff and will have access to training and ongoing support.
Contact Kevin Nunan at VAC on 020 7284 6557 or knunan@vac.org.uk

Offer of Rent & Business Rates Free property for Charities

We are able to offer Office space for charities which can be used for Charity Work, Administration, Training, Storage, Meetings, Lectures, Workshops, or any other ideas you might have, we are open to ideas.
Sizes range from 1300 – 12,200 sq ft approx.. 6 Floors available
Neasden tube Station only 4 minutes walk. Located in the NW10 area
The only costs you will incur for using this property will be utility bills.
If any Charity is looking for additional space to use, we can offer a 1-3 year lease with a 28 day rolling break clause.
For further information or to arrange viewing please email leanneavery@avire.co.uk  or telephone 01295 256 338

NHS Long Term Plan Questionnaire – What would you do?

Healthwatch Camden want to hear your views about what your local NHS can do to help you and your community stay well, and to provide better support.
Please take a moment to complete the online survey. What you say will help the NHS to develop plans for the future.
If you prefer you can also complete the survey in Easy Read and find further information in BSL

Need a Meeting Room near Chalk Farm – special rates for Camden network events?

VAC now has 3 new rooms to hire out for Events/Training, etc. at our new base in the Charlie Ratchford Centre in Chalk Farm.
There is a large room for up to 60 people, ideal for large events.
The training room can hold up to 20 people comfortably for training/workshops
The Lounge is a open area for anything that is not confidential and can hold up to 20 people. Smartboard, level access throughout, reasonable prices.
Rates and full details on the VAC website.

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

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