VAC Weekly Newsletter
2nd September 2022 |
|
VAC Membership
As a VAC member you will be part of a dedicated network through which you can express your views and contribute your knowledge and expertise to the benefit of your organisation and all the Camden VCS.
Membership is free, click on the link box above and join us today |
|
| This week we spotlight the third of our three main values – ‘influence’, whereby we amplify the voices of the Camden VCS to strategic stakeholders to help empower local organisations achieve their aims.
We also have information on a range of local events and opportunities from around the Camden area. |
|
| VAC Values: Develop, Connect and Influence
Influence.
This less well-known area of VAC’s work involves presenting a Camden Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) voice at a strategic level.
This includes raising awareness about what the sector can offer, connecting the sector with strategic stakeholders, having sector influence in borough policy and strategy, ensuring that the sector is not excluded from decision-making process, or overlooked as a delivery partner in the provision of community-based services and projects that meet the needs of local people.
We use our voice to amplify yours…
Learn more here |
|
The Next VAC Voluntary Action Forum.
Delivering the North Central London VCSE Strategy: What does this look like in Camden?
Wednesday 21st September 10 -11am.
This is an opportunity to share your knowledge and ideas to design the delivery of the 2 key objectives in the North Central London ‘Working with the VCSE Sector Strategy’ delivery plan.
1. How can we design and deliver innovative community-focused and strength- based models of care in Camden?
2. What do procurement and contracting processes that support a strong and thriving VCSE sector look like in this new environment?
Learn more and register here
Hillview Festival 2022 – Tomorrow
2pm-9pm on Saturday 3rd September
This family festival is free, open to all and takes place in the leafy courtyards, and surrounding streets of the Hillview Estate, Whidborne Street, King’s Cross WC1H.
The culturally diverse programme is full of local artistes, music, dance and other performances, as well a puppet theatre, a pop-up Ceilidh, drop in arts, dance & circus skills sessions, a community marketplace and more!
For more information please click here
Camden & Islington Autumn 2022 Volunteering Fair
12-2pm on Tuesday 13th September
Do you want to volunteer in Camden and Islington? Join the Volunteer Centre Camden at Hugh Cubitt Community Centre, 48 Collier Street, N1 9QZ for our first in-person volunteering fair in 2.5 years.
It will be outside, but under cover.
No need to book, just pop in on the day.
Forest Bathing (nature mindfulness) session for Visually Impaired People
2pm on Thursday 22nd September
Meet at Hampstead Heath Overground Station, South End Road, NW3 2QD. No booking required.
Forest Bathing, a leisurely walk in a forest or woodland, is a great way to de-stress and focus your senses as you walk through nature.
VIPs and assistance companions welcome.
For more information phone Rosemary at Visually Impaired in Camden on 07980 328 959 or email rosemary@somerstown.org.uk
An open training session on gambling, its impact and related harms.
2pm – 4pm on 26th September 2022, Online
The subject of gambling and its associated harms is acknowledged by experts as a serious health issue, with far reaching consequences. It negatively affects finances, mental health and relationships, not just for the gambler but for the those around them. If you would like to know more about gambling addiction and related harms, please join this free CPD accredited webinar
To register please click here
Free workshops for the Camden Community from Hampstead Theatre and The Winch
Hampstead Theatre and The Winch are delighted to launch a programme of free workshops for the Camden community. Uniquely devised in partnership with residents from the local area, ‘Community Creates’ will provide free arts and crafts activities in various local locations from September 2022 through to 2023.
A programme and more information is available both from Hampstead Theatre here
And The Winch here
The Salvation Army’s mentoring programme looking for volunteer mentors
The Salvation Army’s mentoring programme supports survivors of modern slavery and are looking for volunteer mentors.
We aim to support, empower and champion individuals to set and achieve their goals, build confidence, and establish life in community.
You would be paired with a fellow mentor to meet with a mentee fortnightly for 12 months. We are looking for female and male applicants.
If you would like to discuss this opportunity further, please contact ATMSMentoring@salvationarmy.org.uk
Students’ Union UCL vacancy – Head of Volunteering
We’re looking for someone passionate about volunteering to lead our successful Volunteering Service – one of the largest and most respected volunteering teams in UK Higher Education. If you’re an experienced leader with the ability to build partnerships, then this could be the role for you.
Find out more 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 |
|
Cost of Living Support in Camden
We are all feeling the impact of the rise in the cost of living. We have collected a range of links below to help people to manage some of the challenges associated with the higher cost of living:
Home (shine-london.org.uk) – save money on energy bills
https://findfood.camden.gov.uk
Help With the Cost of Living | London City Hall
Free and impartial help with money, backed by the government | MoneyHelper
WISH Plus – Camden Council – Energy efficiency advice and income maximisation checks
Local Newsletters:
SHAK
Young Camden Foundation
AWN (sign up)
London Sport (sign up)
Fitzrovia Community Centre
Coram’s Field Community Newsletter (sign up)
If you would like your Camden VCS newsletter added to this list, please email social@vac.org.uk
|
|
VAC administered Google Grants
The VAC administered Google Grants scheme is still ongoing.
VAC have been funded by Google to provide up to £300 per quarter for small organisations looking to book one-off spaces to work in, or to hold community sessions and training, and up to £600 for the ongoing rent of office and hot desking space.
It is available to small voluntary or community sector organisation, with income under £150,000 a year, who wish to book a venue in Camden
To find out more, please click here
or get in contact with Ricky at Rsingh@vac.org.uk
Resident Opportunities and Empowerment Grant
Closing date for applications: 2nd October 2022
This new grant is intended to enable non-profit making organisations with social housing sector experience to help tenants take an active role in how their home is managed.
Learn more here
Clarion Futures Digital Grants Programme – Final Funding Round 2022
Applications for Digital Grants Round 11, are currently open, and the deadline for submission is 12 noon, 21st September 2022.
Grants of between £1,000 and £5,000 will be available to organisations seeking to deliver innovative, well designed projects that support Clarion residents and the wider community to address digital exclusion.
Please note that this is a revised timeframe from what has previously been published, and this is the final Digital Grants funding round for this year.
To learn more, please click here
Age UK Camden: Support for Residents
Application deadline: 15th September 2022
Hardship Grants of up to £500 are currently available via Age UK Camden – this is specifically for Camden residents aged 66 years or over with £6,000 or less in savings who are struggling financially.
Further information is available here
Find the Application Form here
For queries please email: hardshipgrants@ageukcamden.org.uk or call 020 7239 0400
GLA Funding: Warmer Homes Programme
With energy bills continuing to rise, the Mayor is urging Londoners, local authorities, and community organisations to raise awareness of the Warmer Homes programme with anyone who may be eligible.
The scheme offers free energy efficiency grants of up to £25,000 to households with a residual income of up to £20,000 per year after rent/mortgage and council tax.
Learn more here
To re-discover funding removed from this list, please see our newsletter archive here
Other available funders include:
|
|
Good Childhood Report Briefing Invite
Thursday 22nd September: 10:30am – 1pm
The Childrens Society undertake research into the wellbeing of the children and young people of England and reports its findings nationally. This meeting is focused on the findings and is aimed at professionals who work with, manage services or commission work to support children, young people and families.
Learn more and register here
Trustee Matching Event from Camden Giving
Wednesday 21st September: 6 – 8pm at Havas KX, 3 Pancras Square
Are you interested in sharing your expertise and getting more involved with the local community?
Join Camden Giving for a Trustee Matching Event… Small charities could be transformed with your support!
You’ll meet brilliant Camden organisations who are recruiting Trustees and be able to ask them your important questions.
Learn more and register here
Camden Coproduction Network Meeting
Thursday 15 September: 10am – 11.30am
At this meeting we will hear from the Hillside Club talking on the power dynamics working in a Co-productive way and Islington Council colleagues on their Let’s Talk Islington programme
This meeting will take place on Zoom.
Please contact Participation@Camden.gov.uk to join the meeting |
|
VAC is looking for an SEO Volunteer
VAC has gone through the process of developing a brand proposition, values and redesigning our website, but we now need some assistance to ensure our website is properly optimised so that we can better reach those in Camden who are looking for our help.
We are looking for an expert SEO volunteer who can help VAC handle SEO for our website so its pages are represented accurately in search engines, presenting information in ways that make it easier to find the organisation.
For more information please click here
Mind in Camden vacancies:
Resources Team Assistant: 21 hours per week
Closing Date: 05/09/22 at 09.00am
Community Mental Health Recovery Support Workers
Closing Date: 12/09/22 at 09.00am
1 post:17.5 hours per week, 1 post: 35 hours per week
For all the information on both of these roles and to apply: click here, phone 020 7911 0822 (24hrs), or email recruitment@mindincamden.org.uk
SHAK vacancy: Female Youth Worker
Closing date: 18th September
SHAK looking to recruit a Female Youth Worker to work at the ARC youth Club on the Alexandra & Ainsworth estate in Kilburn, Camden, NW London.
For more details and to apply please click here
IAMI Ltd vacancy: Youth and Community Worker
Closing date: Sunday 11th September
The Youth and Community Worker will focus on support, engagement, programme growth, developing ideas for, and implementing our Volunteer Programme and User led activities, as well as delivering some project activity.
We’re looking for an experienced professional, strongly aligned with our values, passions, and beliefs, to lead on Youth and Community work at IAMI Ltd
For more information and apply, please click here
Volunteering with VAC! Join our Community Links Team
Are you able to commit to at least 2 hours per week and interested in supporting people in your community to access health and wellbeing services?
Community Links Volunteers are a part of the Care Navigation and Social Prescribing Service in Camden. They support social prescribing in a variety of ways including signposting residents to community-based activities, helping with referrals, motivating users to connect with new interests and activities, accompanying residents to appointments and introducing them to a range of different opportunities in Camden.
For more info and to apply, please click here
Or contact Mandira Manandhar on mmanandhar@vac.org.uk or 020 7284 6573
Lifting Limits are recruiting a Trustee with expertise in Fundraising
We are looking for a new trustee with experience in fundraising and implementing fundraising strategies.
Lifting Limits’ mission is to challenge gender stereotyping and promote gender equality, in and through education.
For more information, please read the role description here.
The position has a rolling deadline, so please apply as soon as possible!
Camden Council vacancy: ASC Coproduction Lead
Application deadline: 8th September at 4.40pm
This role will help to develop an effective coproduction framework for social care and we are looking for someone who has a comprehensive understanding of social care and the current social, political and financial context. This should include direct experience or an in-depth understanding of, and empathy for, those who draw on care, their carers and the issues they face.
For more information and to apply, please click here
London Plus vacancy: Communications Officer
Application deadline: Sunday 4th September
We are looking for a communications officer with a keen interest in supporting charities and community organisations to join the London Plus team.
For more information and to apply, please click here
Latin American House vacancy: Children and Young People Coordinator.
Deadline: Monday, 5th September
The position holder will be responsible for coordinating, delivering and developing a comprehensive, diverse and inclusive programme of activities, classes and events throughout the year. They will also be in charge of attracting children from Latin American and local families, creating a positive impact in our growing communities.
For more information and to apply, please click here
|
|
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 on 07721520243
Special educational needs consultation
Closing date: Thursday 22nd September
Camden Council is asking parents, carers, children, young people and professionals to have their say on the new draft Camden SEND strategy to improve services for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities
Watch our short animated film here
Find out more and have your say here
Stakeholder workshop: What does it mean to live a good life in Camden?
Tuesday 20th September OR Tuesday 27 September, 15:00-16:30
This online workshop by London Borough of Camden is about ‘Good Life Camden’, a wellbeing framework which is being built to measure what it means to live a good life in Camden.
They are seeking the perspective of organisations working in Camden on what your beneficiaries, customers or service users tell you is important to them – from health, to education, to civic participation – and any data you can share to help build a framework with the people of Camden.
To register for Tuesday 20th September, please click here
To register for Tuesday 27th September please click here
Desk donation
Hopscotch Women’s Centre have a collection of desks which are no longer required. The desks are in a good condition and they are looking to donate them.
For photos and more information please contact Frank.Hayman@hopscotchuk.org
Healthy Start scheme
The Healthy Start scheme supports pregnant women and families to eat healthily and to access vitamins.
Do you receive income support? You could get help to buy milk, fruit, vegetables and infant formula.
If you’re pregnant or have children under the age of 4, the Healthy Start scheme can give you:
£4.25 each week from the 10th week of your pregnancy
£8.50 each week for children from birth to 1 year old
£4.25 each week for children between 1 and 4 years old
All pregnant women and families with young children can also get free Healthy Start vitamins from children’s and health centres.
To apply, please click here
Management for Community Centre Sought
Applications deadline: 5th September
Can you run a community centre for the benefit of local residents? Camden Council have published information on the new Maitland Park Community Centre and are looking for a suitable operator for the new build premises. The centre has a hall, training room, office and café area.
All the information can be found on the council’s website: here
Camden Safeguarding Adults Partnership Board (SAPB) Safeguarding consultation
Deadline: 10th September
Everyone has the right to live a life that is free from abuse, harm and neglect. To this end, Camden Safeguarding Adults Partnership Board (SAPB) is running a Safeguarding consultation to seek views from people to help develop strategy priorities for the next 5 years.
The survey is also available in Sylheti, Somali and Easy read. Please email Patricia Cox at patricia.cox@camden.gov.uk to ask for the translated surveys
For more information and to take the survey, please click here
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. |
|
| Watch a short video about our work! |
|
|
|
| Find out more about our work supporting the community and community groups with this short video. |
|
|
|
