VAC Weekly Newsletter
29th November 2019 |
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| What the parties have pledged on health and care; New ASC Survey; Food Bank Collection; NHS Partnerships Survey; Get Involved in MH services Patient Council; Acland Burghley Fundraiser; Help for Travel to NHS Services; Belsize Public Assembly; Regents Place Family Day; Become a Walking for Health leader; WinterFEST; Street Storage + training, events, funding opportunities, jobs, volunteering, trustees and more |
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General Election 2019
What have the parties pledged on health and care?
The Kings Fund have summarised the commitments the three main parties have made for the NHS, social care and public health. These commitments come from their manifestos, associated costing documents, media reports and formal campaign announcements. This table does not attempt to analyse, fact check or provide a comprehensive digest of all the pledges, rather it is a summary of the policy and spending commitments that have been made. |
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Camden Adult Social Care Survey
1000 recent recipients of services from Camden Adult Social Care will receive a survey through the post shortly.
The survey is being administered securely by Quality Health Limited who are also able to take responses over the telephone and arrange interpreters (including British Sign Language Interpreters) if needed. Any format can be requested, including easy read or large print.
Responses will be anonymous and Camden Adult Social Care will receive a report summarising the results by the end of January 2020.
Camden Adult Social Care has moved to a different approach to social work which captures aspirations and focusses on individual strengths as well as needs. This survey has been designed to capture performance against some of the new outcomes we would like to see as a result of this change.
Contact Jane Standing (jane.standing@camden.gov.uk) 0207 974 5088
Food Bank Collection
This Saturday 30 November there will be a food bank collection stall from 11am-1pm in Queen’s Crescent market. Proceeds will go to Chalk Farm and Euston food banks. Items needed are: tins of meat, fish, fruit or tomatoes; long life milk (UHT); instant coffee; seasonal chocolate; long life juice; laundry detergent; pet food; nappies; sanitary protection. Not pasta or beans – the food banks have plenty of these, thanks! Thanks to all the generous local for more than £1200 worth of donations to date. However more is needed.
NHS Trusts & VCSE Partnerships – Important Survey (Correct Link & Short Deadline)
Apologies, the link is now correct. Please take part in this important national survey. NAVCA – the national membership body specifically for local sector support and development organisations (VAC is a member). NAVCA is working with NHS England and NHS Improvement to conduct some research into partnerships between NHS Trusts and organisations within the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector.
The Deadline for completion of this survey is Monday 2nd December
Last call for participants
If you live in Camden and have used mental health services via your GP, in the community or the hospital and are keen to make a difference we have two opportunities for you to get involved.
1) If you would like to be a part of a group of professionals and service users who meet monthly and are developing ideas for more joined up mental health care in the community please register your interest by the 3rd of Dec by emailing katja@advocacyproject.org.uk
2) If you would like to be part of a team of people who have used services who do monthly ‘Patient Council’ checks of the ward environment from a service user perspective then email katja@advocacyproject.org.uk asap
Fundraising Event at Acland Burghley School
Tufnell Park Film Club Presents: Gremlins
A Fundraiser to support the restoration of Acland Burghley School’s Grade 2 listed Assembly Hall. Saturday 7 December. Doors Open 1pm – Film Starts at 2pm – Acland Burghley School, 93 Burghley Road, NW5 1UJ
Adults £5 (£4 in advance) – Film Club Members £2.50 – Students / young people / staff £2
Refreshments – Music – Prizes! – All Proceeds go to the fundraising campaign
Register for tickets at www.tufnellparkfilmclub.com
What help is available for travelling to NHS services?
Find out what support is available to help you when travelling to your GP, hospital or other NHS services from Healthwatch. https://bit.ly/2QSAejq
“Building Community, Re-building Society”
Belsize Public Assembly, Wednesday 4th December at 7pm
Belsize Community Library, Antrim Road, NW3 8XN Free.
Festive Family Day at Regents Place
Sunday 8 December 11am – 4pm
Free activities including Snowglobe workshops, Winter Wreath making, Snowman Storytelling and more. rose.alexander@regentsplace.com
Become a qualified Ramblers Walking for Health Leader
Camden Council provides a FREE half day training course to become a qualified volunteer walk leader. This will qualify you to set up your own local walking group, or to assist with an existing walk in Camden. We have 7 local Camden Health Walks which all come under the national Ramblers Walking for Health Scheme. Health walks are great way for people to get some gentle exercise, meet new people and explore their local area.
Next free Walk Leader training course is being help Monday 9th December 10am-1.30pm at Camden Council Offices, 5 Pancras Square. Sign up here:
Contact Steph Smith, Active Living Officer: Stephanie.Smith@camden.gov.uk
WinterFEST
The festive season is upon us, which means it’s time to celebrate!
We’ll be hosting our popular winter community festival on Friday 13th December, 3-7pm. Once again we have a huge array of exciting activities for all ages to enjoy.
We can’t wait to welcome you into our winter wonderland!
Find out more here – https://bit.ly/2OGoRII
Street Storage
Street Storage provide units of free accessible storage for the homeless using meanwhile space in London and are currently operating in Tottenham Court Road. They are nearing capacity and have just hired our first member of staff to manage the day to day referrals and help grow the service. Street Storage would like to find a meanwhile space big enough to accept post eviction storage and storage for low income families as a charity.
If you can help contact Rachel 07429 367 689 londonstreetstorage@gmail.com
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| The Council’s Funding Bulletin has been replaced by Camden 4 Community
See the Funding pages on VAC’s website for all the latest information.
Grants up to £1000 from The National Lottery
The National Lottery has turned 25 and is celebrating this milestone by bringing people together and offering grants of between £100 and £1000 to people and communities with a great idea.
The Mayor of London UEFA EURO 2020 Grants Programme
As part of the Mayor’s strategy for sport and social integration, The Mayor of London UEFA EURO 2020 Grants Programme will see up to £525,000 spent.
Have an idea for an event or project that’ll bring your community together?
There are two workshops where you can find out more information about the grants and be guided through the application process.
The first of these is on Monday 2 December in Angel. Please sign up here.
There second workshop is on the evening of Tuesday 7 January at City Hall. Please sign up here.
Applications are open now until Monday 20 January 2020. For more information and to apply: www.london.gov.uk/euro-2020-microgrants
The Childhood Trust
The Childhood Trust supports charities in London working with children and young people from low income backgrounds. Working in partnership with The Big Give, the Trust builds charities’ capacity to run fundraising campaigns and leverages match-funding for the money raised. There are two campaigns:
~ The Christmas Challenge
~ The Summer Give ( projects taking place during any school holidays)
Applications for The Summer Give 2020 will open in January
Details at the website or email: programmes@childhoodtrust.org.uk.
Core Funding Grants Available to Support Small and Medium UK Charities
The Woodward Charitable Trust is now providing funding for core costs only, rather than for specific projects, with the intention of having a more direct impact on the organisations concerned.
You must have an annual turnover of less than £300,000 and work in one of the following arts, children, disability, disadvantage, rehabilitation, cohesion etc
The Trust favours small-scale, locally based initiatives and is especially interested in those that make good use of volunteers and encourage past and current users to participate. Full details here.
The next deadline for applications is 31 January 2020 (noon).
Funding available for specialist community projects for vulnerable women and girls
Local groups supporting women and girls with issues like period poverty, domestic and sexual abuse, mental health and long-term unemployment can to apply for a share of £3.5 million for their vital work.
A further round of the Tampon Tax Community Fund is open to charities and community groups working with women of all ages and backgrounds to build their skills, confidence and self-esteem.
The HS2 Camden Fund
The Camden Fund aims to strengthen the sense of place and alleviate the disruption of the development of HS2 on local people. Aims:
1. A Happier and Healthier Camden
2. A Better Connected Camden
3. A Stronger Voluntary and Community Sector
Closing date: 14th May 2020. Full details at Camden Giving.
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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.
Have Your Say About VAC
We are listening to our members and subscribers to get your views on VAC and find out what you think VAC should be working on now and in the coming years. It’s a short survey and as a thank you everyone who completes the survey has a chance to win £100.
Safeguarding Courses:
Safeguarding Introduction: Protecting Children in the Community (Level 2)
Tuesday 10th December: 10.00am – 1.00pm
Introductory course designed for all those who work directly with children, young people or their families. Open to all those who have had little or no safeguarding training before.
Suitable for anyone requiring basic safeguarding training, including volunteers, play workers and new starters who have never had safeguarding training before.
The workshop will cover essential aspects of safeguarding:
Safeguarding Advance: Developing knowledge and understanding. (Level 3)
Wednesday 18th December: 10.00am – 2.30pm (Includes lunch)
For those who frequently work with or deliver services to children and their families. Course provides essential information that your organisation / group needs to understands it’s legal obligations in regards to child protection procedures and up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding legislation.
This Advanced course is designed to develop existing understanding of the safeguarding process through a variety of written text, case studies and interactive exercises.
Please contact: Dianne Carlton Ogunyemi, our Community Partnership Advisor Lead to book your place, as well as customised Safeguarding training enquires.
Tel: 020 7 284 6575 | Email: dogunyemi@vac.org.uk email (Mon – Wed)
More details on the VAC website: https://vac.org.uk/events/ |
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Works for Me Employment Programme
Open to all visually impaired people who live, work or study in London between 18 and 65yrs. One to one advice; contact with experts; network with other visually impaired people; employment information.
Contact: employment@londonvision.org or tel: 07773584028.
Camden Disability Action Hustings Event
Tues 3rd December 6pm – 7.30pm at The Greenwood Centre, Greenwood Pl.
All candidates from the Holborn & St Pancras constituency have been invited. Put your questions to the candidates on the issues which are important to you.
~ Access and the built environment
~ Disability Hate Crime and crime in general
~ Disability Equality
~ Employment, Housing, Transport and more
rsvp: Communications@camdendisabilityaction.org.uk Please advise any access needs you may have
Join the discussion with BBC’s Any Questions?
Wac Arts will be hosting BBC’s ‘Any Questions?’ this December, a weekly program that encourages the audience to engage in a lively discussion with a diverse group of panellists. On 20th of December, everyone is encouraged to join WAC for this great opportunity to ask questions
Tickets will be available from Eventbrite from the 25th November.
‘100 years of Public Housing’
Tuesday, 3 December, 5:30 – 7:30 at the Francis Crick Institute
Join Owen Hatherly and John Boughton in this fascinating Panel Discussion on ‘100 years of Public Housing’ at the Francis Crick Institute on Somers Town. Details and booking at Eventbrite.
Camden Musculoskeletal Services – Annual Carers Event
3rd December, 10 – 3.30pm (people can drop in)
Old Diorama ArtsCentre Drummond Street (Lunch and refreshments provided)
Free event for people who care for people with MSK issues and / or have MSK issues themselves who are registered with a Camden GP
Contact: Cristina.serrao@nhs.net Camden MSK Patient Director for more information
Laamiga Women’s Mentoring and Training event
10am -3.30pm Saturday 30 November at Training Link, 54-56 Phoenix Rd
A free Camden Women Together Event for women from migrant and refugee communities. Learn how to take care of yourself and how to find work. Have relaxing head and shoulders massages and beauty treatments. Enjoy African drumming, chill and chat for a lovely day of networking.
Book tickets here. Alternatively, for more information or to book please contact 0208 257 7317 or email info@laamiga.org
Join Camden Carers for a walk around Regents Park
13th December 2019
Meet outside Camden Town tube station
All are welcome including people with learning disabilities and family carers
If you would like to come, please contact PJ or Daphne on 020 79 74 37 37 or email PJ.walsh@camden.gov.uk more details here.
Meal & Celebration for anyone in need over Christmas
Hosted by Chalk Farm Foodbank, CAP and Revelation Church. 19th December, 4.00-6.00PM. Salvation Army Chalk Farm, 10-16 Haverstock Hill, Chalk Farm, London NW3 2BL. Sign up clients by 6th December.
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Successfully applying for jobs in Camden Council
Camden Council recognise that applying for a job in the Council can be difficult.
In order to help local people apply for jobs in the Council they are running a workshop for Camden residents to help them understand the expectations of hiring managers so that they are able to apply for a job successfully.
The workshop will be held on 12th December from 1pm – 3pm at 5 Pancras Square. If you have a CV, or a job application please bring it along.
Please contact Resourcing@camden.gov.uk if you are interested in attending.
Kentish Town City Farm is seeking a Trustee to fulfil the role of Treasurer
Kentish Town City Farm is a community charity that helps city people connect with animals, nature and the environment. The farm is a four-acre site, alongside two railway lines in the Borough of Camden. With sheep, goats, chickens, geese, three horses, two donkeys, twopigs and a cow.
The Treasurer’s role is key to its professional oversight through the provision of advice on all aspects of financial management, reporting, controls etc.
The closing date for applications is the 24th January. Please contact Angela Woods chair@ktcityfarm.or.uk
Mobile GP Referral Supervisor
Sport Link worker doing sport referrals in Camden etc.
Active Health Supervisor (Reps Level 3 or 4 Fitness Professional). Working across a number of our sites in North London
Full-time £23,500 per annum plus 20 days annual leave. Full details here.
VAC seeks Apprentice
Voluntary Action Camden is recruiting a Receptionist and Communications Support Apprentice
Duration: 18 months. Qualification: Customer Service Level 2
Hours: Part – time 20 hours per week Salary: £6.20 per hour
Contact: apprenticeships@camden.gov.uk
Sessional Community & Activity Workers
Unity Works is a specialist not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting people with a learning disability to gain skills, achieve qualifications and secure jobs, so they can reach their full potential.
The opportunities created through our Community Health & Wellbeing programmes help people to gain confidence and make positive use out of their leisure time. We are currently seeking dynamic and self-motivated individuals to work within this team based out of Kentish Town
For more information or to apply: www.unityworks.org.uk/getinvolved Or email: Laura.murphy@thecamdensociety.co.uk
How to apply to join Camden Patient Council
Patient council members take part in a ward visit every third Monday of the month to review the ward environment and speak with patients/service users on the wards. The Patient Council are looking for Camden residents who have experience accessing secondary mental health services, particularly lived experience of the ward environment.
If you are interested please contact Katja Huijbers, Camden Mental Health Service User Involvement Coordinator katja@advocacyproject.org.uk
Age UK Camden seeks 3 posts
Men’s Outreach Worker (21 hours per week) (3 days per week)
S01 23-25 £31,434 to £32,577 pa pro rata for 21 hpw. (Fixed term Dec 2020)
Ageing Better Camden is looking for a male Outreach Worker to contribute to a new Outreach project with the ABC Outreach Service, to trial innovative approaches to reaching, initiating contact and engaging with significant numbers of older men across Camden. Closing date 10th December.
Day Care Officer Part-time – Henderson Court Day Centre
Pro rata for a 25 hour week is £18,452.14 pa to £19,467.86 pa
25 Hours per week and the required hours are 11 am to 4pm Monday to Friday inclusive
Closing date: Monday 9th December 2019
Interview date: W/C Monday 16th December 2019
Part Time Cook
Day Care Centre £10.55 per hour for a 20 hour week (Monday to Friday) plus 6% pension contribution.
For further details and an application form visit the website www.ageukcamden.org.uk or email jobs@ageukcamden.org.uk or telephone 020 7239 0400. No CVs, no agencies please.
Involving a Deaf or Disabled Person in Designing Services
CDA is recruiting volunteers for its Disability Advisory Group (DAG). The DAG is a steering group that will oversee CDA’s engagement work and provide advice and troubleshoot where necessary. The engagement work aims to promote co-production (partnership) work between Camden Council and deaf and disabled people. The group has just been formed and will meet once every six weeks.
Expenses will be paid and volunteers receive £10 vouchers for meetings. We also have a budget for some accessibility costs. If you’re interested please call Tom on 07908746927 or email on tom@camdendisabilityaction.org.uk
Hopscotch is looking for Trustees
Trustees with Legal or Finance expertise sought. Hopscotch are a community led organisation working with BAME women and families in Camden and the surrounding areas with a turnover of about £1.5m and over 90 staff members doing incredible work with the most vulnerable people supporting with programmes including welfare advocacy, employment skills service and Violence Against Women and Girls.
We welcome all applications and particularly look forward to hearing from people with legal and/or finance experience with either a working knowledge or keen interest in the voluntary and community sector. Please send your CV and a cover letter to our Chief Executive Benaifer Bhandari ceo@hopscotchawc.org.uk
Community Connectors
Are you a parent/carer living in Camden? Elfrida Rathbone Camden is recruiting parent volunteers to support other Camden parents by offering practical help at our drop-in and 1:1 sessions. We offer 3 days FREE training covering the key skills needed for the role. Lunch provided
Training will take place on Friday 15th, 22nd and 29th November 2019 from 10.00-2.30. Lunch will be provided.
More information email Jill@elfridacamden.org.uk or call 07939877745 for an informal chat.
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 as a Community Links volunteer, part of a new Care Navigation and Social Prescribing service in Camden. Community Links volunteers 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 building in Chalk Farm
We are recruiting volunteer receptionists to be the first point of contact for visitors. 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
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Election! Campaigning with Confidence – Dos and Don’ts
The sector is urged to campaign with confidence. There has been much scare mongering over the Lobbying Act but most of the provisions only apply to organisations “where the expenditure can reasonably be regarded as intended to influence the electoral prospects of parties or candidates.” Few voluntary organisations in Camden will meet this criteria or be spending over £20,000 – the threshold for registering. The key point to remember is that you should focus on your campaign issue and not a political party. Remember there are also risks with not campaigning and standing up for your issues. View our updated guidance here.
Cheap Community Tickets to London Zoo
Looking for a great outing for your group? This is a fantastic offer with tickets from just £3 – £6.50. A trip to the zoo is usually ruled out by the high cost of tickets. Responding to local demand, ZSL London Zoo are offering heavily subsidised tickets to organisations or groups who work with people with additional needs and/or disabilities, families on a low income and older people.
To find out more or to apply for subsidised tickets please visit zsl.org/cas
Want to Share a Skill, Space or Equipment?
Simply add your request to Comoodle Camden, the new local online sharing platform which facilitates sharing for community benefit.
Need a Meeting Room near Chalk Farm?
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. Special rates for Camden networks.
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| Send your item to knunan@vac.org.uk or info@vac.org.uk by noon on Thursday for publication in the following day’s edition. The e-bulletin comes out every Friday. Submissions should be 50 – 75 words. Please send plain text or a format that can be copied (ie not embedded in an image). Send links to documents rather than attachments. Make sure to include contact details. |
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