Voluntary Action Camden e-bulletin 30th June 2017

Chalcots Estate Evacuation; Camden Mela 2017; Camden Health Kick Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month; Mini Mela at Regent’s Place; Camden Adult Community Learning Service Choices and Opportunities Day; Queens Square Fair; Gangsta Granny Fundraiser; Free Employability Workshops; Follow the Silk Road; + funding, jobs, volunteers, events, training, offers and resources.

Following a review of tower block safety in Camden after the Grenfell tragedy Camden council evacuated residents from four blocks on the Chalcots Estate last Saturday. Inevitably such a major emergency operation will be public sector led, with Camden council taking the lead. However, the voluntary and community sector got involved where it could. The council’s strategic partners provided volunteers to complement the army of council staff that were mobilized and local organisations such as the Winch have put on activities for the residents and their families. Camden CAB and Camden Law Centre are offering advice and many other local organisations are doing what they can. You can read Camden’s statement here and an article in this week’s Camden New Journal on the trials and tribulations of the Chalcots Estate residents. The latest twist in this tale comes in today’s Guardian which suggest that Rydon, the company that clad Grenfell tower and the Chalcots Estate are threatening to sue the council over comments made by the leader.
Clearly this is a national story which has only just started. Meanwhile, our directory of Camden voluntary and community organisations can be found here.

Camden Mela 2017
Arts & crafts, food stalls, live music & dance and a funfair come together at this community festival celebrating the richness of British cultural diversity. A marquee will provide health information and advice and there will be plenty of free family activities to keep kids busy.
16 July 2017 12 Noon to 6.00pm at Coram’s Fields, 93 Guildford Street, London WC1
FREE Entry for all
For latest updates keep an eye on Mela Facebook Page
For further information or stall bookings please contact:
Nasim Ali OBE on 07852 223403 or Email: nasim.ali@kcbna.org.uk

Camden Health Kick
A new intergenerational healthy living project has arrived in Camden and it’s called Camden Health Kick. This project is a consortium between Queens Crescent Community Centre, Kentish Town City Farm, and Castlehaven Community Centre funded by the council for 3 years. The aim is to address health inequalities in the borough as well as improve health and wellbeing of isolated and deprived families by offering various amounts of free healthy living activities. Healthy living activities include; gardening, healthy cooking, fitness/sporting sessions, free 6-month gym membership, farm crafting, horse care sessions, health awareness workshops, health checks, and money management workshops. People of all ages will have the opportunity to engage with other members of the community as well as build tangible intergenerational bonds.
www.camdenhealthkick.org.uk Email: Charmaine@qcca.org.uk Call: 020 7267 6635 ext. 227

Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month London
To celebrate GRTHM the Traveller Movement is hosting an art exhibition displaying culture, photography, poetry and much more. Work has come in from members of the GRT community as well as people who work within these communities.
The exhibition is an enlightening showcase of culture and heritage as well a walk around the work that the Traveller Movement has done throughout the years.
The exhibition will run until the end of July, at Resource for London from 9am – 5pm. The address for this exhibition is RFL, 356 Holloway Road, London, N7 6PA.

Embrace South Asian culture – Mini Mela at Regent’s Place
• Bollywood dance performance • Henna painting
• Arts and crafts • Traditional South Asian games
• Samples of food from local restaurants
• Rickshaw rides • Free massages
Friday 7th July 3:30pm – 7:00pm
Visit Regent’s Place Plaza to celebrate diversity and embrace the vibrant South Asian culture with a feast of local food, art, music and dance.
Regent’s Place Plaza, Triton Square, Regent’s Place, London, NW1 3HF. For more information please contact info@regentsplace.com

Camden Adult Community Learning Service and partners Choices and Opportunities Day
Tuesday 11 July 9:30am-1:00pm at Working Men’s College, Maurice Hall, 44 Crowndale Road, NW1
We will be providing adults 19+ with information and advice about learning, training, employment and volunteering opportunities in Camden and the support services that can help them access those opportunities. We are targeting adults with low skills who may have been out of education or employment for a while and would benefit from our support to move forward.
Please forward this information onto your clients, networks, learners and contacts as appropriate.
If you know anyone, or if you would like more information about this event, please call us on 020 7974 2148, email us at adultlearning@camden.gov.uk or visit the Camden website

Queens Square Fair
Saturday 1st July, noon – 5pm, Food, arts and crafts, live music, bouncy castle.

Gangsta Granny Fundraiser for Age UK Camden
There’s a special gala fundraising night of the stage show Gangsta Granny on Friday July 28 at the Garrick Theatre in London’s West End, with all proceeds going to Age UK Camden. Neal Foster, the show’s producer, is a befriender for the charity’s NW3 Good Neighbours Service and is donating the night’s takings to the service. There will be an auction of money can’t buy prizes after the performance plus an after-show party where audience members can meet the cast.
Tickets from £21: https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/garrick-theatre/david_walliams_gangsta_granny

Free Employability Workshops
Castlehaven Community Association invites you to attend a series of FOUR workshops covering everything you need to know about getting your first job. The workshops will be delivered by one of our boroughs young and inspiring entrepreneurs.
You’ll learn:
How to choose the career that is right for you
How to create a captivating CV
How to make social media work for you
How to conduct a winning interview
The workshops will be held at our centre on: Tuesday, July 4th/11th/18th/25th from 7-8pm.
To REGISTER your place, please send an email to lisa@castlehaven.org.uk or call us on 020 7458 3386. *This programme is only open to young people aged 16-21*

First birthday party fundraiser for Opening Doors London
Opening Doors London (ODL), the charity that supports older members of the LGBT community which was set up by Age UK Camden, is celebrating its first year with a party at NBC Universal Studios Skyline Bar in central London, on Friday July 21. The special event is to also commemorate 50 years since the legalisation of homosexuality – one night, 12 months, 50 years. There will be guest performances, music and comedy, as well as an auction of money can’t buy prizes. Tickets cost £50 at Eventbrite. More on ODL at www.openingdoorslondon.org.uk

VAC Communications Survey 2017
Please spare us 10 minutes of your time to let us know what you think. Do you prefer email, twitter or facebook? Do you find everything you need on our website? How would you like the e-bulletin to develop – should it organisations to communicate with each other, or communicate across sectors? Are you getting enough information or too much? Let us know by completing this brief survey https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/VXLYDKK. You time is appreciated and will help us improve what we do for you.

Follow the Silk Road
Free Summer School for those aged 21 or over.
Evenings from 31 July to 5 August 2017 5.30 – 7:30 PM
at Russell Square: College Buildings
Full details at the SOAS website.

Camden Carers Service
Camden Carers Service (CCS) offers advice, support and activities for family and other unpaid carers across the borough. Help is just a phone call away on 020 7428 8950 or email info@camdencarers.org.uk – read more about our services at www.camdencs.org.uk or www.facebook.com

Healthwatch Camden
View the latest news and views from Healthwatch Camden here.

Camden Capacity Building Bulletin
The February Capacity Building Bulletin is available here.

Maiden Lane Community Centre, Camden Apprenticeships, Clean Break, Camden Disability Action, Apprenticeships; Lauderdale House, Healthy Hands, Holy Cross Centre Trust, Latin American House, Project Embrace, Elfrida Rathbone, SHAK, VAC, Kings Cross Construction Centre and Camden PA are recruiting. See Jobs and Volunteers section below.

You can join in on Facebook. Like us if you like us.

Follow all the Camden Voluntary Sector news on OneCamden on Twitter.

You can read more about all of these stories on our news page at www.vac.org.uk/new

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

Rosa’s Woman to Woman fund is now open
Apply for grants of up to £25,000. Grants are available for groups with an income of under £100,000 per year, to support a wide range of charitable work that benefits women: from building confidence and leadership skills, tackling harassment and violence, to training in financial literacy and increasing engagement in decision-making. Grants can pay for core costs such as staff salaries, office rent and staff training; as well as project costs such as drop-in support services, mobilising volunteers and outreach. The deadline for stage 1 applications is Thursday 6th July at 5pm.
Click the link to find out more information about the Woman to Woman fund.

Greggs Foundation – Local Community Projects Fund
The Local Community Projects Fund helps organisations based in local communities to deliver projects or provide equipment to people in need at the heart of our local communities. The programme is administered by seven charity committees throughout England, Wales and Scotland. Please visit https://www.greggsfoundation.org.uk/grants/local-community-projects-fund for more details.
The Deadline for applications is 24 June.

Trust for London and City Bridge Trust launch £100,000 Crowdfunding initiative to tackle poverty and inequality in London
In collaboration with Crowdfunder and The Social Innovation Partnership, Trust for London and City Bridge Trust have launched a new £100,000 fund available to organisations using crowdfunding to raise funds and deliver projects which will address inequality and lift people out of poverty in the capital.
The Improving life for Londoners fund will provide up to 50% of the target (to a maximum of £10,000), with projects expected to raise at least the first 25% from the crowd.
The fund is keen to support charitable work that:
~ Provides practical solutions to support people on low incomes
~ Addresses local problems in creative ways
~ Is led by communities that will benefit from the work
If you think your organisation fits, check out our Crowdfunder page.
Do you want to know more about crowdfunding, and how to run a crowdfunding project? You can sign up to crowdfunding workshops online here.

BBC Children in Need Main Grants Programme 2017 Deadlines Announced
Large grants of over £10,000 are available to support projects for up to three years. Not-for-profit organisations in the UK can apply if they are supporting children and young people of 18 years and under who are experiencing disadvantage through:
~ Illness, distress, abuse or neglect.
~ Any kind of disability.
~ Behavioural or psychological difficulties.
~ Living in poverty or situations of deprivation.
2017 Deadlines for applications: 1 September, and 1 December 2017.
Please visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3XW7FvN20PD3xr2c1T62Xly/main-grants for more information.

How Do You Write a Successful Grant Application?
Wednesday 12th July 2 – 8pm
Mary Ward Centre (Camden), 42 Queen Square. WC1N
Find out the secrets by coming along to a practical workshop and learn about all of the dos and don’ts! The sessions are for Camden based groups only and will focus on providing support for voluntary and community organisations with income of less than £100,000 a year. You can bring along a grant application that you are working on, or would like to work on. Following the workshop, you will also be offered one to one support to complete the application. Booking and details at VAC website.

HR Support in Camden
VAC provides free HR advice and support to Camden voluntary organisations employing staff. Get in touch to discuss your HR consultancy needs, from recruitment to redundancy and everything in-between. VAC’s HR support aims to help trustees and managers understand employment law and to have robust HR procedures that reflect good practice so fewer workplace issues arise, and HR crises are averted or managed effectively. Call Kevin on 020 7284 6557 or email knunan@vac.org.uk

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

Parent & Carer drop-in at the Winch
Tuesdays 11am-12.30pm at the Winch free
A fun & informative group for parents & carers with children in primary & secondary school (4-16) to connect, share & learn. Activities, workshops & more…
Children not in school are welcome to attend. For more information please contact
Zenobia Talati: 07594373203 or 02075868371
The Winch, 21 Winchester Road, Swiss Cottage, NW3 3NR
www.thewinch.org The Winchester Project

Recovery College: Summer courses open for enrolment
Places are still available on some of our Summer courses. We will be taking enrolments for our Autumn courses (September to December) from 21 August.
Find out about our courses by viewing the Recovery College Summer/Autumn 2017 course guide.
Please come in to the College to enrol or register online.
Once you have registered your interest in courses online, please visit the College to sign the student charter and you will then be enrolled on those courses.

Wall Climbing for people with disabilities – Launching 30th June 2017
Fridays
7pm – 8pm – Climbing for people who are blind or partially sighted
8pm – 9pm – Climbing for wheelchair users and people with physical disabilities
Ages 16+ £5 per session per person
Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre, Adelaide Rd, Camden Town, London NW3 3NF
For more information and to register your interest, please email or call Swiss Cottage Climbing Centre:
swisscottageclimbing@gll.org 020 7974 1351. Try your first session free of charge

Best Practice Plus Workshop, Forum and Lunch
Join Volunteer Centre Camden for the first ever Best Practice Plus volunteer management workshop ‘Handling Difficult Conversation With Volunteers’.
In one morning, this workshop will cover:
~ Identifying situations that would result in a difficult conversation
~ How to make sure the conversation goes as smoothly as possible (including preparation, timing and effective communication)
~ Next steps (including dealing with the potential fall out) after the conversation
~ Practical things you can do to avoid difficult conversations in the first place
The workshop will be followed by a networking lunch and an open forum where we can talk about anything to do with volunteer-management. 4th July, 10am – 1.30pm
Information and booking at the VCC website.

Moneytalk Camden North – final subsidised Financial Education Facilitator Training Courses
Final dates in Camden.
Moneytalk Camden North is a project based on the award winning financial literacy resource Made of Money, developed by anti-poverty charity Quaker Social Action. It aims to help groups talk about money and its impact on their lives, as well as learn vital money management skills.
Our last 2-day comprehensive training courses are on 11th & 12th July and 4th & 11th October click here to find out more and download a booking form. Contact: mtcn@qsa.org.uk tel: 020 8983 5047

Get Moving Into Work
16 – 24 and looking for work? Find work and keep fit.
~ Gain life and work skills
~ free football, dance and fitness session
~ one-to-one support and guidance
~ work placement opportunities
Mon – Thurs 10am – 2pm, Corams Fields Youth Centre, 93 Guilford Street, WC1 streetleague.co.uk

Camden PPG Forum – Thursday 6 July 5pm – 8.30pm
Come to the Forum and listen, learn and participate in three great sessions:
~ PPG success stories – be inspired by the bright ideas of other PPGs in Camden
~ GP Neighbourhoods – hear the latest on how developing GP Neighbourhoods could work
~ Transforming mental health services in Camden
At The Arlington Conference Centre, 220 Arlington Road, NW1 7HE.
The venue is wheelchair accessible, and refreshments will be provided. Full details here.
If you would like to attend, please email engagement@camdenccg.nhs.uk.

Employability Workshop with House of Fraser
House of Fraser, the department store, is running a free workshop for anyone interested in a career in retail on Tuesday 4 July 2017, 10am to 2pm (includes lunch) Free
Ideal if you are considering a career in retail or you have some retail experience and are ready for the next step or you want to build your confidence, and understand how a premium brand works…
There will also be 15 minute mock interviews with the House of Fraser team, if you would like to attend a mock interview, please email a copy of your CV
Places are limited, (and priority will be given to Camden residents) – to book your place, or for more information get in touch with Catherine: catherine@volunteercentrecamden.org.uk

An introduction to intergenerational working
An intensive one-day training session ideal for people who would like to organise activities or projects which bring together older and younger people, improve their intergenerational practice or make their organisation or service more age-inclusive.
Free to anyone working, studying or volunteering in the London Borough of Camden.
Tuesday 11 July 2017 9.45am – 4.30pm. Crowndale Centre, 218-220 Eversholt Street, London NW1
For queries and to make bookings without an account, please email tdsonline@camden.gov.uk or contact Vanda Carter – vanda.carter@camden.gov.uk / 020 7974 2810.

Camden Adult Community Learning Choices & Opportunities Day
Working Men’s College, Maurice Hall, 44 Crowndale Road, NW1 1TR
11 July 2017 09:30 – 1:00
Camden Adult Community Learning Service and partners are holding a Choices and Opportunities Day .providing adults aged 19+ with information and advice about learning, training, employment and volunteering opportunities in Camden and the support to help them access those opportunities.
If you have any questions, contact the Camden Adult Community Learning team:
Call: 020 7974 2148 Email: adultlearning@camden.gov.uk Web: www.camden.gov.uk/adultlearning

Don’t forget that Camden TDS run a full programme of course which are subsidised or free for voluntary sector partner organisations. There is a link to a list of partner organisations on the home page.

Find more Training Opportunities at www.vac.org.uk

Opening Doors London Vacancies
See the Opening Doors webiste for details of current vacancies across London.

KTCF Farm Operations Manager
Full time – 37.5hrs per week, including regular weekend & evening work.
6 month contract, to start ASAP. £29,000 pro-rata.
Kentish Town City Farm is 45 years old, and was the first City Farm in the UK, as well as being the birthplace of the Federation of City Farms & Community Gardens. We have a strong history and amazing connection to our local communities.
After a challenging few years, we are now looking ambitiously to the future, and to exciting plans to further develop our services and facilities for the benefit of our local community. We want to attract an experienced manager who shares our values and mission, and has the right mix of skills to help to take our organisation to the next level.
The successful candidate will be required to undertake a DBS check.
You can apply for this role online through the Charity Job website, or simply email your CV & covering letter to info@ktcityfarm.org.uk
Charity Job link: https://www.charityjob.co.uk/jobs/farm-operations-manager/513958?tsId=8
If you would like to discuss any part of this role, our CEO Gus Alston will be happy to speak with you
07387 562 296 email Gus@ktcityfarm.org.uk

Maiden Lane Community Centre seeks Director of Operations
Closing date Wednesday 12 July 2017
Full details and how to apply on the Maiden Lane Community Centre website.

Clean Break seeks Cleaner
Full details and apply online at the Clean Break website.

Apprenticeships with Camden Council
· Carpentry
· Welding
· Plastering
· Bricklaying
Apprentices will be working on occupied and void properties both internally and externally
Salary will range from £13,046 to £14,642 dependent on age and experience
Open to CAMDEN residents and those that have attended CAMDEN School aged 16 to no upper age limit with GCSE’s A-D or equivalent qualifications
Please apply by Friday 14th July. Candidates must be available for an information session on Thursday 20th July and Assessments on 24th July. Interviews will be the week beginning 31st July.
The hours are Monday to Friday, which includes one day at college. There will be an opportunity to go onto higher levels. Please contact 0207 974 5161 to apply for the positions.

Camden Disability Action seeks Community Development Worker
3 days per week. £28,485 plus London Weighting Pro rata Flexible with some evenings and weekends. (Initially for a three month period)
CDA works with deaf and disabled people from all communities living or working in the London Borough of Camden. CDA seeks to identify and reduce health inequalities, address current gaps in services and support and enable deaf and disabled people to actively engage both in their personal lives and in the activities of the wider community.
CDA now wants to recruit an experienced Community Development Worker to work with the management committee and members to support this user led organisation through a period of opportunity and change.
Job application pack is on the VAC website. For further details about the organisation please go to the CDA website www.camdendisabilityaction.org.uk. For further details about the post contact Kevin Nunan. knunan@vac.org.uk. 020 7284 6550. Closing date Monday 3rd July. Interviews will be held on Friday 7th July.

Age UK Camden seeks Communications and Marketing Officer
28 hours per week Salary: Scale SO1 SP29-31 £29,424 to £31,141 pa pro rata
Permanent Contract Based at Tavis House WC1H
As Communications & Marketing Officer, you will lead on delivering Age UK Camden’s marketing and communications activities, and have previous experience of working within the voluntary sector or similar with exceptional writing, communication, networking and creative skills.
For further details and an application form visit our website www.ageukcamden.org.uk. email recruitment@ageukcamden.org.uk or telephone 020 7239 0400. No CVs, no agencies please.
Closing date is Monday 26th June 2017 9 am. Interviews will be held on Monday 10th July 2017

Lauderdale House seeks part-time part-time Marketing & Events Assistant
part-time Marketing & Events Assistant
This is a hands-on role for an excellent communicator with initiative who will enjoy the variety of challenges each day, is a good problem solver and is target driven. It is an excellent opportunity to contribute to the operation of a small arts centre and make a difference by helping build our visitor numbers, ticket sales and events and obtain experience across a range of customer facing arenas.. Closing date 8am Monday 3 July.
Further information at http://www.lauderdalehouse.org.uk/page.asp?ID=51&PID=8

Lauderdale House is looking for Volunteers
to work with us in the newly refurbished House and help with our exciting and busy Education, Heritage and Arts programme.
Our existing volunteers include people of all ages looking to acquire new skills and experience as well as those who simply enjoy the opportunity to give something back to the community in a friendly
and creative atmosphere. There many opportunities to contribute to Lauderdale House and we like to work with people to agree programmes of work for every individual to ensure that everyone finds what they are looking for. Opportunities includes stewarding in the gallery and on reception both weekdays and weekends, answering the phone, supporting the marketing, helping with the education programme, helping with fundraising and /or general administration. Telephone us on 020 8348 8716 or email kives@lauderdale.org.uk with your CV and/or a note explaining what interests you

Camden Futures Seeking Parent Volunteers in the Community
Camden Futures is recruiting parent volunteers to become Community Connectors and support Camden parents to access community resources. Apply via info@elfridacamden.org.uk or call Francesca on 020 7424 1622. Compulsory training will run on 7th, 14th and 21st July 2017.

Kings Cross Jobs
You can view a constantly changing range of job vacancies on the Kings Cross website. For the latest news on jobs sign up to job alerts.

Volunteers are needed in GP practices!
Voluntary Action Camden (VAC) would like to hear from you! We are training volunteers to become Community Health Advocates in local GP practices.
• Do you live, work or volunteer in Camden?
• Would you like to support people in your community to improve their health and their access to services that will help them to maintain good health and wellbeing?
• Do you want to develop experience and skills in the field of public health?
• Can you commit at least 2 hours per week?
VAC is offering free Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH) Level 1 training to those who want to volunteer their time to become Community Health Advocates. The RSPH Level 1 training is a two days course, with a 20 question multiple choice test at the end of the second day of training. It could provide a useful skill set and experience for people who may be interested in following a health related career path in the future.
After completing the training, VAC will support local teams of volunteers to act as links between community based services and GPs. You may wish to take advantage of additional opportunities to increase your knowledge, for example smoking cessation, cancer awareness, diabetes etc. In return for your commitment to the project for 2 hours a week we offer support, out of pocket expenses and other professional development opportunities.
For more information, please contact Mandira Manandhar, Health Advocate Volunteer Co-ordinator (Mon, Tues and Thurs) 020 7284 6550/07930669417 or email: mmanandhar@vac.org.uk
Peter Simonson on 020 7284 6550 or email: projectsupport@vac.org.uk
The RSPH training is provided FREE by on the understanding that participants are available to volunteer for the project and able to attend the regular training and support sessions.

Find Jobs and Volunteering opportunities at https://www.vac.org.uk/

Camden Consultations
You can find all Camden consultation on the Wearecamden consultation hub.

FREE VAC Membership for Unfunded Groups: Voluntary Action Camden Small organisations with no paid staff and a turnover of less than £1,500 can now join for FREE. To take advantage of this offer just fill in the membership on the online form here.