Voluntary Action Camden e-bulletin 31st August 2018

Training Link Open Day

Thursday 6 September, 11am to 7pm
54-56 Phoenix Road NW1 1ES
Lots of free courses to help people find work: Adult Literacy, Computer courses, vocational online courses, ESOL Entry 1 (Beginner). Just turn up.

Fitzrovia Street Party and Community Dinner

Saturday 1st September 3 – 6pm. Warren Play Area, Whitfield St, W1.
Entertainment, games, stalls, food, live performances, inflatables
Contact ellie.rudd@fya.org.uk Tel: 020 7388 7399/  07923 849277

Evidence-Based Interventions Focus Group

Friday, 7th of September 12.30pm – 4.30pm
Friends House, 173-177 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ
We would like to hear your views on the changes the NHS are proposing on prescribing interventions for 17 conditions.
To have your say, we invite you to come to our focus group (a day with other people with learning disabilities).
please email: DominiqueB@changepeople.org or Shanika@changepeople.org
You can also call us on: 0113 242 6619

Want to Hire Meeting Rooms in Camden?

You can now access an easy to search database of community spaces for hire in Camden – vcs rooms.  Search by room type, capacity, ward, postcode etc.
Find on the One Camden website.

Camden Family Members’ Reference Group

A group for all carers of an adult with a learning disability in Camden
Wednesday 12 September 10:30am – 12:30pm followed by a light lunch
Camden Carers’ Service, Charlie Ratchford, Belmont Street (off Chalk Farm Road), Camden NW1 8HF
Oliver Greene, chair of Camden Disability Action will give an update on plans for the Centre for Independent Living, hear how carers and those for whom they care can get involved and what services will be available. We also hope to have an update on the new model for floating support.
Details / RSVP please contact: philippar@centre404.org.uk Tel: 020 7697 1336

The Independent Health Complaints Advocacy Service

POhWER has been commissioned by the London Borough of Camden to deliver NHS Complaints Advocacy to the residents of Camden.
The service is free, confidential and independent to the NHS.
The Service can help individuals to make a complaint about a National Health Service (NHS), which covers all NHS funded treatment, including NHS hospitals, GP’s, Ambulance Services, District Nurses, Mental Health Services, Dentists, Pharmacists or Opticians.
Anyone can ask for advocacy support with a complaint by contacting us:
Helpline: 0300 456 2370
Website: www.pohwer.net
Email: LondonIHCAS@pohwer.net
For more information visit: https://www.pohwer.net/london-ihcas

Older People’s Advisory Group Welcoming New Members

OPAG meets monthly to discuss issues that affect older people in Camden. Please email ageingbetterincamden@ageukcamden.org if you would like to get involved or know someone who would

Camden Disability Action

Catch up with the latest news from Camden Disability Action.

Future places

A discussion paper on local community development.

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

Masonic Charitable Foundation Launches Early Years Opportunities Grants Programme

The Early Years Opportunities programme is open to charities that help disadvantaged children and young people overcome the barriers they face to achieve the best possible start in life.
Small Grants: Charities with incomes of under £500,000 can apply for a grant of between £500 and £15,000 over 1-3 years.
Our small grants are unrestricted. Applications close on 26 October 2018

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.

Free FunFitness Dance Workout

Healthy Minds Programme. Come have fun where you can feel happy, comfortable and relaxing. This class is fun, safe, suitable for everyone and encourage healthy living. Boost your confidence, meet new friends, stay fit, active and gain new skills for life.
Monday 3rd September. 11am – 12pm
St Pancras and Somers Town Living Centre, 2 Ossulston Street, London, NW1
For more information, please contact Mandira Manandhar on 020 7284 6573/6550 or mmanandhar@vac.org.uk  or just turn up on the day

Health and Safety Essentials

Wednesday, 19th September 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Do you have responsibilities for health and safety where you work?  Do you want to know your rights when it comes to health and safety?  And know how to enforce your rights?  You get a certificate at the end of the course. You will learn about: The main UK health and safety laws Who is responsible for health and safety at work Who enforces health and safety Basic risk assessment Sources of information and support The training is ideal for ideal for people new to health and safety or those wanting to refresh their knowledge.  The course also covers all the requirements for running a community group safely.  In particular, migrant workers or recent arrivals in the UK will gain important knowledge about their rights. Book on the VAC training calendar.

Basic Risk Assessment training

Wednesday, 26th September 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Do you want to know how to carry out a risk assessment?  Do you have responsibility for managing health & safety?  This 3-hour basic risk assessment training could be what you are looking for.  The course is ideal for: People with health and safety responsibilities in voluntary sector organisations Staff and volunteers of community groups Recent arrivals and migrant workers who want to know the basics of risk assessment including how should risk assessments be carried out. Book on the VAC training calendar.

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

Free Hate Crime Awareness Training in Camden

Thursday 18th October 10am-12pm
This event is for all staff, practitioners and residents in Camden who would like further awareness of the rise of Hate Crime in our borough and ways we can meaningfully tackle the issue. The course will provide an overview of the different forms of hate crime, how to identify them and support someone who is experiencing such abuse. The course will touch on the current legislation which supports victims as well as explore the impact of this crime on people’s lives and the wider community. More info & book tickets here

Camden Clinical Commissioning Group AGM

Camden CCG AGM will be held on Wednesday 12 September 2018 from 5.30pm – 6.30pm at the Black Room, British Medical Association, BMA House, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9JP.
You can register your place, and let us know about any accessibility requirements, via Eventbrite. The full agenda will be available shortly.
If you have any questions, please contact Camden CCG via camccg.communications@nhs.net or 020 3688 1700.

Volunteer Managers’ Forum for Networking and Peer Support

Wednesday 19th September, 10am-1pm in Camden. Discuss all things volunteer management with volunteer managers in Camden, and beyond.
The topics will be varied, and can be anything related to managing volunteers – and will be decided by you on the day.
This event is open to volunteer managers everywhere. Book at Eventbrite.

Creative Carers Collective Picnic

Mon 3rd Sep 10.30am-12.30pm for an Open Group & Picnic. Celebrating the end of our Summer Workshops Program and sharing our art, experiences and ideas for the future. All welcome! Meet CCC artists, have a go at creating art and enjoy a picnic.

Camden Chinese Community Centre

Mid Autumn Festival Celebration.
21st September at 12.15 at the Round Square Restaurant, Seven Sisters Road, N7. To book telephone 020 7388 8883.

October Volunteering Fair

Looking to recruit volunteers in Camden or Islington?
Bookings are now open for the Volunteer Centre Camden  Supersized Volunteering Fair on Wednesday 31st October, 12-2pm.
This fair is co-hosted with Volunteer Centre Islington and takes place in King’s Cross at Voluntary Action Islington on Pentonville Road.
This is open to all voluntary organisations that have volunteering in Camden, Islington and their borders.

Next meeting of the Camden Intergenerational Network

The next meeting of the Camden Intergenerational Network will be on Friday 14th September. The meeting starts at 1.30pm but you can bring your lunch along at 1.00pm and have a chat with other members. Finish at 4.00pm. The meeting will take place at Age UK Camden, Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9NA. rsvp Lydia.Shellien-Walker@AgeUKCamden.org.uk.

Camden Community Festivals

For a full list of Community Festivals happening in Camden this year, visit the Camden Community Festivals page on the VAC website.

Could You Help in an Emergency?

CAMERA Emergency Volunteering Programme has officially been launched in Camden and Hammersmith & Fulham by the two Volunteer Centres and are looking for expressions of interest from local people, businesses and organisations that would be able to give time, skills, space or goods in the event of an emergency.
The experience of the Grenfell tragedy and the Chalcots Estate evacuation showed that there was a surplus of people with useful skills and experience, e.g. counselling, who offered to volunteer but were not allowed to help as they were not known by the local authority dealing with the situation.
The CAMERA response and recovery volunteer team aims to give an opportunity for local people to help in situations such as these.
Share your ideas and express your interest here.

Volunteers needed for Age UK Camden, Community Connectors:

The project which aims to identify and support older Camden residents and help them to connect or reconnect with other people, interests and activities in their local area. The project focus is on encouraging them to meet new people, and get out and about. (lunch clubs/ dance class/yoga session etc.)
Are you a social, confident person who would enjoy supporting others to engage with interests and activities? Could you commit to a few hours, ideally weekdays? Are you willing and able to travel about in the borough and meet people in their homes? Full support and out of pocket expenses reimbursed.
Contact the Volunteering Manager at volunteer@ageukcamden.org.uk  or call 020 7239 0400

Bengali Workers’ Association Older People’s Worker

Bengali Workers’ Association is part of a consortium of partners helping deliver the Bangladeshi Community Action Project as part of ABC.
We are seeking a seeking an Older People’s Worker who will lead on supporting older people to achieve greater independence, positive mental and physical wellbeing and social inclusion; promoting independence and quality of life targeting Bangladeshi people over 50 who are, or are at risk of being, socially isolated and lonely.
Closing date:  3rd September. Interview date: w/c 10th September.
Please apply by providing us with an up to date CV & personal statement.
Get the job description and person specification from info@bwa-surma.org

Volunteers are needed in GP practices

Voluntary Action Camden (VAC) are training volunteers to become Community Health Advocates in local GP practices.
• 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 to become Community Health Advocates.
After completing the training, VAC will support local teams of volunteers to act as links between community based services and GPs. 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

Room Hire

VAC now has 3 new rooms for hiring out for Events/Training, etc. at our new base in the Charlie Ratchford Centre in Chalk Farm.
The Dining Room can hold up to 60 people, this can be useful for any large social events, AGMs, conferences, etc.
The Buffet 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
Rates and full details on the VAC website.

Camden council teams up with community partners

The Camden Community Impacts scheme will use £1.6 million of council funding to bring organisations together in new ways to address youth offending, rough sleeping, emotional health and wellbeing, and supporting older or disabled people in the community.
• Youth offending: New Horizon Youth Centre and Project 10/10, along with Kent University. The Young Camden Foundation and the Roundhouse.
• Rough sleeping: Somers Town Community Association, the St Pancras and Somers Town Living Centre, C4WS Homeless Project and Central Saint Martins will carry out research to understand experiences of rough sleepers.
• Emotional health and wellbeing: Mind in Camden, Rethink Mental Illness, Holy Cross Centre Trust, C4  and Voluntary Action Camden will work to improve understanding of mental health needs and develop community-led plans.
• Supporting people in the community: The Centre for Independent Living will help local organisations to access £100,000 funding available for projects that break down barriers older and disabled people face in accessing community facilities. Full details on the Camden council website.

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