Voluntary Action Camden e-bulletin - 2nd December 2022

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VAC Weekly Newsletter
2nd December 2022

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Highlights

This week we spotlight VAC’s cross-sector Cost of Living Forum, which highlighted the severe impact of the current crisis on the local VCS sector.

We also have information on a range of other local events and opportunities from around the Camden area.

VAC Cost-of-Living Forum

VAC would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who participated in and attended our Cost of Living Forum on Tuesday 29th November. The meeting brought together voices from Camden Council and the local VCS sector to discuss the challenges and potential solutions of the current crisis.

The forum included eye-opening accounts of the intense strain felt by voluntary and community groups, and highlighted the importance of cross-sector unity and collaboration during these difficult times. VAC also presented the findings from our Members Cost of Living Survey, which revealed the increased demand in services that VCS organisations are facing as a result of the crisis.

A special thanks to John Muir and Sarah Sedley from Camden Council, Farrah Rainfly from Life After Hummus and Hannah Norgate from London Plus for their enlightening presentations.

Watch the full forum here

Healthy Start Pre-Paid Card and Free Vitamins

Do you receive income support? Are you pregnant or do you have any children under the age of four? You may be eligible for a Healthy Start prepaid card. The Healthy Start payments can be used to buy milk, fruit, vegetables, and infant formula.

Learn more and apply here

Camden’s Evening and Night Time: Citizens’ Assembly

18th and 25th Feb and 4th March 2023

Camden Council is inviting residents to join a Citizens’ Assembly about Camden’s Evening and Night Time. Participants will develop a vision for the future of Camden’s evening and night time and make recommendations about how the Council, businesses and Camden’s communities could achieve this vision.

Learn more here

SMK National Campaigner Awards

Nominations for the SMK National Campaigner Awards are now open. Each year, SMK celebrates the best campaigns and campaigners. What all nominees have in common is the determination to secure a specific change that will make things better.

Learn more here

Queen’s Crescent Community Funday

Saturday 3rd Dec: 11am – 3pm at 45 Ashdown Crescent Gospel Oak, London, NW5 4QE

Queen’s Crescent Community Association is hosting a community funday, including family activities, food stalls, a vaccine bus and more.

Free Arthritis Action Clinic

Monday 5th Dec at Central YMCA Club, 112 Great Russell Street

Central YMCA Club have partnered with Arthritis Action to offer a free open clinic to people living with arthritis. The open clinic provides practical advice on how to reduce the pain of arthritis through self-management and lifestyle choices.

Book your free, 15-minute session with dietitian Martin Lau here

Maths on Toast: 24 Days of Christmaths

If you’re looking for free family activities to do at home during December, the family maths charity Maths on Toast has the answer. They are revealing a different creative maths activity each day on their social media channels @mathsontoast, beginning on 1st December.

To download a free, festive maths pack, click here

Regent’s Place Community Space Open Day and Workshop

Thursday 8th and Tuesday 13th December

Regent’s Place Community Space is currently vacant and looking for new occupant(s). The upcoming workshops will help British Land get to know organisations that are interested in the space and understand the type of spaces that local organisations are in need of.

London Ambulance Service NHS Trust Survey

Healthwatch Camden are conducting research on behalf of London Ambulance Service NHS Trust (LAS) for the development of their new strategy. This strategy will describe the LAS vision and goals for the next five years, including how they will improve urgent and emergency care.

To complete the survey, click here

Mind in Camden Vacancy: Mental Health Welfare Rights Development Worker

Closing date: Monday 19th Dec at 1pm

Mind in Camden are seeking a Mental Health Welfare Rights Development Worker to join a new Core Team within Camden. You’ll be responsible for maintaining up-to-date welfare rights information, supporting colleagues with challenging welfare cases and ensuring that the team is equipped to support people with welfare rights issues and linked up with other welfare rights providers.

Learn more and apply here

CAWH Vacancy: Keeping Well Together Project Organiser

Closing date: Thursday 8th Dec at 5pm

Interview date: Friday 16th Dec

CAWH is an exciting community organisation which has been awarded funding to support local older people in keeping well and active. They are looking for a motivated and proactive worker with experience of setting up and delivering projects to develop and manage the programme.

Learn more and apply here

Newsletter Submissions
Please send any information (approximately 50-75 words long) that you would like included in our weekly newsletter to social@vac.org.uk

VAC Cost-of-Living Crisis Resource
VAC recognises that the cost-of-living crisis is a huge concern for families, businesses, and the Voluntary Community Sector.

We are collating information and resources to help community groups and residents in Camden navigate through the crisis. To find out more, click here

Camden Infrastructure Alliance: Cost-of-Living Crisis Joint Statement

The Camden Infrastructure Alliance – Voluntary Action Camden, C4 and Volunteer Centre Camden – have published a joint statement urgently calling for targeted financial government support for the Voluntary and Community Sector in the face of the cost-of-living crisis.

We are deeply concerned about the additional pressures of a cold winter on Camden’s already overstretched community services.

To read the full statement, please click here

Cost-of-Living Support in Camden

Everyone is likely to need a bit of help this winter, so if you’re struggling, please reach out for help. Camden Council offers support with debt, mental health, food, rising energy bills, finding a job and more.

Learn more here or call Camden Council on 020 7974 4444 (Option 9).

The Children’s Society Report: Young People with SEND Experiences of School Exclusions
The Children’s Society has published A Report on Young People with SEND Experiences of School Exclusions. The report is informed by young people with SEND who have experienced exclusions and concludes with recommendations for schools, local authorities and government.
You can read the report here

London’s Borough Poverty Profile 2022

Trust for London has published an analysis of borough-level poverty in London, with new figures covering five years of data up to 2019/20. The report reveals that the impact of housing costs to poverty rates is acutely apparent within London at borough level.

Camden is among the top 10 boroughs where housing costs are having the biggest impact on poverty rates.

Lloyd’s of London Foundation Grant

Closing date: 11th December 2022
Applications are now open for the Lloyd’s of London Foundation’s 2023 charity partnerships – this is an opportunity for charities to apply for a grant to support projects in the areas of employability, social mobility, mental health, climate and disaster avoidance and relief.
Learn more here

The Hampstead Wells and Campden Trust

The principal objectives of The Hampstead Wells and Campden Trust are the alleviation of poverty and the advancement of health in the Trust’s area of benefit. They make grants to organisations, individuals and families.

Learn more here

North London Community Fund

Closing date: 11pm on 16th December 2022

NLWA has established the North London Community Fund to support waste prevention initiatives in the north London area. This fund provides community-based (non-profit making) organisations with funding to develop new approaches to reduce waste and/or extend the reach and impact of existing waste prevention activity in north London.

Learn more here

Camden Childcare Grant

If you’re a lone parent in Camden and you’re interested in looking for a new job, to re-enter employment, or want to expand your skillset by attending training or education sessions, you may be eligible for a grant worth up to £1,500 to cover childcare costs while attending job interviews, training or education sessions.

Learn more here

To re-discover funding removed from this list, please see our newsletter archive here

Other available funders include:

Free Childrens Yoga Classes for Camden residents aged 5-11
Saturday 3rd,10th and 17th December: 11am-12pm at Old Diorama Arts Centre NW1 3FE

These classes give children the opportunity to explore yoga through breathing exercises, poses, partner work, games and meditation. Please wear comfortable clothing and bring a bottle of water. Yoga mats will be provided.

To book a place, please email cherylreynald@yahoo.co.uk or message 07838214534.

A meeting for d/Deaf and hard of hearing people in the community
Monday 5th December: 5:30 – 7:30pm at The Greenwood Centre, 37 Greenwood Place, NW5 1LB

University College London Hospital (UCLH) Transformation and Patient Experience teams have arranged a meeting for d/Deaf and hard of hearing people who use the hospital.
It’s an opportunity to share insights about the experience of using UCLH services and discussing any improvements that can be made.

Numbers are limited and priority will be for d/Deaf and hard of hearing community members. Hearing members of the community will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please email uclh.ppi@nhs.net with details of what communication support you may need to attend.

Inclusive Education: Unheard Voices Panel
Tuesday 6th Dec at the Greenwood Centre: 5:30 – 8pm

Inclusive Education: Unheard Voices is an event for SEN/education professionals and social care workers, organised by young people with learning disabilities and concerning their experience in education. The panel will feature young people, SEN specialists and an audience discussion.
Register your free place here

St Pancras Community Association Christmas Fayre

Saturday 10th Dec at 67 Plender Street: 11am – 4pm

SPCA is excited to announce their first ever Christmas Fayre. Bring your family and enjoy a whole host of festivities, including stalls, music, food, drinks and Santa’s Grotto.

Learn more here

Castlehaven Community Association: WinterFest Returns

Friday 9th Dec: 3:30 – 7pm

Castlehaven Community Association’s festive extravaganza, WinterFest, is returning! Come along for a jam-packed afternoon of festive fun, stalls, performances and a mince pie or two.

If you’re a local business, organisation or community group that would like to run a stall, perform or volunteer at WinterFest, please contact info@castlehaven.co.uk

Social Prescribers Innovators Programme
A new initiative is being delivered by the Camden Care Navigation and Social Prescribing Service, hosted by Age UK Camden (AUC) and Voluntary Action Camden.
The project aims to develop volunteering within the service as a way to help retain existing social prescribers and to support successful recruitment to new social prescriber roles.
Contact Mandira at mmanandhar@vac.org.uk if you are interested in volunteering on this new venture.

The Royal Free Charity is looking for musicians
The Royal Free Charity is looking for musicians to play at a Christmas party for hospital volunteers. Whether it’s with festive tunes or classical accompaniment, they would love to say thank you to the volunteers who work so hard to support the hospital patients and staff.

The party is on Tuesday 13th December, 2-4pm, at the Pears Building (NW3).
If you are available, please contact Rebecca.McMahon@royalfreecharity.org

Calling all local performers, choirs and community groups
Castlehaven Community Association is looking for performers to showcase their talents at their annual winter festival, WinterFest, on the 9th of December.
The performance can be anything from dance, music, magic or theatre – as long as it’s family-friendly.

If you’re interested in participating, please email scott@castlehaven.org.uk

Castlehaven Community Association Vacancies

Closing date: 5th December

Environmental Project Assistant (FT – £24k)

Health Haven Community Health Worker (FT – £27k)

Health Haven Project Manager (FT – £33k)
Learn more and apply here

VoiceAbility: Peer Mentors Needed

VoiceAbility is urgently seeking volunteers to support people who are struggling with their mental health in Camden. Are you a good listener, non-judgemental, empathetic & understanding? Do you have lived experience of mental health challenges? If so, you could volunteer as a Peer Mentor.

Learn more here or contact volunteering@voiceability.org

Long Covid survey
The Community Links team at VAC are working with the University of Southampton to facilitate a study into Long Covid. If you had, or think you had, Covid 3 or more months ago and yet continue to experience symptoms that are not explained by any other health conditions the study would like to talk to you about your experiences.

Symptoms can include, but are not limited to: exhaustion, memory or concentrations issues, breathlessness, persistent headaches and muscle aches, chest tightness, palpitations, dizziness and sleep disturbance.
As a token of appreciation there is a £15 shopping voucher available for participation.

The Community Links team at VAC can also assist Camden residents with access to the long covid clinic at UCLH.
For further information please contact Nasrin at nrashid@vac.org.uk or Donna Clutterbuck at LongCovid@soton.ac.uk or call/text “Long Covid Research’’ on 07721520243.

Henna Asian Womens Group
Henna Asian Womens Group provides a range of ways to connect with other people. Their services include exercise, music & singing, ESOL, Art & Craft, Henna Support Group, Chai with Henna and the Wellbeing Hub. It is also a place to get information and support.

For more information, click here or call 0207 372 9860.

Could you foster a Camden child?
Have you got space in your heart and home to foster a Camden child? Camden needs more people who are willing to provide our vulnerable children with care, stability and consistency.
Camden residents who foster are exempt from paying council tax, as well as receiving generous financial support, specialist training and an allocated social worker.
Visit camden.gov.uk/fostering, email fostering@camden.gov.uk, call 020 7974 1283 or 0800 028 1436 (freephone) to find out more.

London Community Foundation: Community Heroes

The London Community Foundation is calling for community groups to celebrate their staff and volunteers. To get involved, share a photograph of your nominated staff member with a few words about the person and why they are a hero. Use the hashtag #HeroesOfLondon and tag @London_cf on Twitter.

Learn more here

Health and Wellbeing Benefits of Outdoor Interventions

Natural England is leading a cross-government research project to understand how practitioners, policy makers and providers evaluate the health and wellbeing benefits of outdoor interventions. This work aims to better understand current approaches to evaluations, and how data on the health and wellbeing benefits can be collected more effectively and consistently to support decision-making.

Share your thoughts in a survey here

WAVE in a Box Resource

WAVE in a Box is a resource created by WAVE for Change that offers support to those who want to create activities for people with and without learning disabilities to socialise together. This includes online resources packed with learning, downloadable assets and practical guidance. You will receive membership to WAVEmaker Forum, where you can meet like-minded people who want to see more vibrant, mixed-ability activities in their communities.

Learn more here

‘Warm Welcome’ Spaces in Camden

To help everyone stay warm this winter, ‘warm welcome’ spaces are available across Camden. You’ll find them in libraries, children’s centres and other community buildings across the borough. Everyone is invited to come in, relax and meet up with others in a safe and warm place.

Find a warm space here

Single Parent of Biracial Children Support Group
IamIrish welcomes single parents of biracial children of Irish descent to join an online support group. Groups take place once a week and are free and child-friendly.
To sign up, contact Murray at community@iamirish.org

Past Voluntary Action Forums: Resources

You can find presentations, recordings and resources from past forums here.

Got an item for the e-bulletin?

Send your item to social@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.