Voluntary Action Camden e-bulletin 3rd May 2019

New Neighbourhood Assembly on Health and Wellbeing in Kilburn, Swiss Cottage, Fortune Green & West Hampstead

A new Neighbourhood Assembly is forming in the west of the borough to give residents a real say in improving health and wellbeing. It’ll shape ideas to improve lives and have the support of a panel of experts.  The assembly needs more young people and residents of Kilburn.  Please get in touch with Henry Langford Henry.Langford@camden.gov.uk if you can help.

Comings and Goings

After 34 years at Castlehaven Community Association, Eleanor Botwright will be retiring at the end of May –  Tricia Richards takes over.  Rachel Kelly has left the Community Partners Team to be Head of Community Safety and Emergency Management – Andrew Hinchley takes over as Head of Community Partnerships starting 1st June.  Marie Griffin is the new CEO at Kingsgate Community Centre.  Colin Brummage is the new CEO of Camden Disability Action, taking over from Interim COO Gary Jones.  Mick Denton is Interim CEO at Kentish Town City Farm taking over from Gus Alston.

Camden Intergenerational Network

Wednesday 8th May 2.15pm for tea or coffee, meeting 2.30pm – 5.00pm.
At Age UK Camden, Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9NA.
if you have any questions, would like to join the Network, or know someone who would, please contact Lydia.Shellien-Walker@AgeUKCamden.org.uk.

Volunteers’ Week: One month to go

Volunteers’ Weeks takes place from 1-7 June and is a great opportunity to thank your volunteers. There are lots of on the Volunteers’ Week website

Making Every Contact Count (MECC)

You can now do the MECC training online – it’s easy and only takes an hour.
Learn Communication skills to raise an issue; Behaviour change techniques; Signposting and helpful online resources. Sign up at the MECC website.

Happy Spring time Wild Bunch Clubbers

‘A club night run by people with learning disabilities for everyone’
16th May 2019. Over 18’s only, £5 on the door. Electrowerkz, Torrens St.
Contact Tony.Bamforth@elfrida.com or ring Elfrida Society on 020 7359 7443.

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.

Open Morning. Camden Town Shed.

16th May 10.00-12.30. The Shed now offers woodworking sessions with a tutor for over 18’s with special needs. Please drop in for coffee and cakes and meet the tutor. See www.camdentownshed.org/contact-us for directions.
Enquiries to chair: Mike 07757024749

Camden Carers Monthly Bulletin

Keep up to date with all things caring in Camden with the new look bulletin.

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

Mayor of London – Summer Sports Activities Fund

Grants are available for formal or informal groups and organisations based in Greater London to support projects that use sport over the school summer holidays to engage young people who are at risk of getting involved in crime.
Maximum value: £10,000. Deadline 20 May. Details here.

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.

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.

Safeguarding Courses from VAC in 2019

Safeguarding Advance: Developing knowledge and understanding.

Wednesday 8th May 2019, 9.45am – 2.30pm (Includes lunch)
If you work frequently with children and their families, it is essential that your organisation has up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding legislation and child protection procedures. This Advanced course is designed to develop existing understanding of the safeguarding process through a variety of written text, case studies and interactive exercises.
Suitable for anyone who has attended safeguarding training previously and would like to update their knowledge and skills further, including volunteers and workers of all levels.  Covering:
~ Department for Education’s updated statutory guidance
~ Myth Busting & Social Care
~ Awareness of current issues / Understanding emerging forms of abuse.
~ Safeguarding awareness and assessing need: Race, culture, gender, ability.
~ Safeguarding in Camden, thresholds and the role of professionals.
~ Safeguarding checklist: what you should have in place
To find out more information or to book your place please email Dianne Carlton-Ogunyemi at: dogunyemi@vac.org.uk

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

Anne Frank + You

An exhibition bringing the messages of Anne Frank into the 21st century
25 April – 20 May 2019 Swiss Cottage Library (every day except Sunday)
Anne Frank + You is a thought provoking exhibition about Anne Frank’s life and times  and relates her life to contemporary issues.
For more information, visit: www.annefrank.org.uk

iPads taster classes for Spanish speakers

Wednesdays 8 and 15 May, 11.00am-12.30pm, run by Latin American House in partnership with Mary Ward Centre. This is a great opportunity for beginners to learn how to take pictures, internet search , read and listen music using tablets. All the necessary equipment will be provided for the course. To book email info@casalatina.org.uk or call 020 7372 8653

What’s on at West Euston Partnership

Free advice and support for people with: dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, ADHD or ASD at West Euston PartnershIp (29-31 Hampstead Road, NW1 3JA)
Tuesday 7th May, 6PM – 7.30PM
Tame Anxiety: Learn easy ways to help you cope with everyday stress and anxiety. Wednesday 8th May at Hpod (Cumberland Market, next door to Regent’s Park Practice) at 11am – 1pm
Contact David or Chuks to book a place. T: 020 7388 7932 E: david.hermanstein@camden.gov.uk or chuks@westeuston.org

Baby Rhyme & Story Time

In partnership with the Manor Gardens Welfare Centre’s Blossoms team bringing a fun activity for both parents and children (0-2yrs). Meet new people whilst getting parenting well-being advice.
Thursdays 10am-12pm. 23 Castlehaven Road, Camden Town, NW1 8RU
To find out more call 020 7561 5297 or email blossoms@manorgardencentre.org.uk Web: www.castlehaven.org.uk

Art Therapy Group for Parents

A safe and supportive weekly drop-in group facilitated by an Art Therapist. Come and join us to express yourself with a variety of art materials and feel heard. Get some quality YOU time and connect with others over parenting and personal challenges and strengths.
No experience or ability with art necessary! All art materials provided.
Friday mornings 9.30 – 11am (during Camden school term-times).
Elfrida Rathbone Camden, 7 Dowdney Close, NW5 2BP
To attend: get in touch with our Creative Therapist Rosanna: rosanna@elfridacamden.org.uk / 020 7424 1639

An Alternative Look at Mental Health

7.30pm Thursday 16th May,at Belsize Community Library

Made of Money – Two Day Facilitator Training

Wed 10th and Thurs 11th July
Help people on low income talk about money and its impact on their lives. It is designed to improve people’s confidence, communication and control around money through interactive activities, discussions and resources.
Learn from experienced facilitators the best way to deliver financial education workshops and one-to-ones. This is NOT money/debt advisor training.
More information and to book: http://tinyurl.com/y6he828q
Or contact: Mostofa – mostofauddin@qsa.org.uk or 0208 983 5046

Association of Chairs Beacon Programme

Are you a Chair / Vice Chair of a charity with an income under £1m? Get support and update your knowledge and skills through the Association of Chairs’ free Beacon Programme.
The programme is based around four modules – Being an Effective Chair, Strengthening your Organisation, Managing Relationships and Board Dynamics, Developing an Effective Board.   Register here to access this support – http://bit.ly/joinBeacon

Arts workshops for young people and older community members (May to September)

CSKX Studios has secured funding from Arts Council England to run a series of sensory arts workshops for young people and older community members across Kentish Town.  Workshops will be happening at local sites and have  been devised in collaboration with North London Cares, Free Space Project at Kentish Town Health Centre and Queens Crescent Community Association.
We would like to hear from both groups and individuals interested in taking part.
To register interest and receive more information email Leo Smith: info@cskx.org  020 8001 5357 / www.cskx.org

VAC seeks Treasurer

If you would like to lead on financial oversight and strategy at Camden’s umbrella organisation for the voluntary sector we would love to hear from you.  In the first instance contact Kevin Nunan, Interim Executive Director, for further information: knunan@vac.org.uk

Camden Giving seeks Admin and Grants Support (Maternity Cover)

Camden Giving would like to hear from people who want to work full-time or part-time, with some experience or no experience. The role involves working with our grantees and doing some admin tasks.  Find out more at https://www.camdengiving.org.uk/jobs

Female Exercise Tutor for Saturday class

Akash Tenants and Resident Association are looking for an experienced female exercise tutor to run a chair based womens only exercise class on Saturdays. They are based near Corams Field.  Please contact Tom Rowland: email tom.rowland@me.com or call 07831402593

Ageing Better Camden seeks Men’s Outreach Worker

18 hours per week 3 days per week, to include Friday Sc9 £24,486 to Sc13 £26,298 pro rata Fixed term to December 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 older men across Camden.  A key focus of the role will be to build knowledge of and test and learn approaches to creating and bringing isolated older men together through informal male social hubs such as pubs, cafes, and gyms.
For more details, all documents can be downloaded from our website www.ageukcamden.org.uk or email jobs@ageukcamden.org.uk.
Closing date Tuesday 28 May.  Interviews Monday 10 June

Are you a Qualified Teacher with Time to Volunteer?

The English Network is a Camden run project which links qualified volunteer EFL teachers with Camden residents who need to improve their English language skills.
Lessons are taught one-to-one within libraries and other Council buildings in Camden for an hour a week.
We ask for teachers to commit to one hour a week of teaching for six months and we will supply references for volunteers who teach with us.
This post requires a TEFL qualification, preferably a CELTA or Trinity TESOL certificate, but candidates with a TEFL certificate will be considered if they have previous teaching experience.
To apply contact Sheila Rahman, Sheila.Rahman@camden.gov.uk

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 Health Advocates for Community Links, part of a new Care Navigation and Social Prescribing service in Camden. Community Links Health Advocates 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 new building in Chalk Farm

VAC has recently moved to a new home at Charlie Ratchford Centre, Belmont Street, NW1. We are sharing the building with Camden Carers and Camden Disability Action.  It is a very busy building with lots of visitors and events.
We are recruiting volunteer receptionists to be the first point of contact for visitors. I 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

Need a Meeting Room near Chalk Farm
Special rates for Camden network events

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.

Our mailing address is:
Charlie Ratchford Centre, Belmont Street, London, NW1 8HF

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