VAC Weekly Newsletter
4th March 2022
|
|
VAC Membership
Membership is free to local organisations and groups interested in contributing to a stronger Voluntary and Community Sector in Camden. As a member you will have access to high quality advice and guidance, local networks, and support to grow and develop your organisation. Click the link above to learn more about the benefits of becoming a member and join us.
|
|
|
In this week’s newsletter look out for the launch of the new VAC community directory which allows groups to find and connect with resources, find space to hire or rent and connect with opportunities happening on our local green spaces. There are also details on our next Voluntary Action Forum and much more from around the Camden area!
|
|
VAC administered Google Grants
VAC has been funded by Google to help small organisations get back into the “real world” training / meeting environment.
The intention is to help very small voluntary and community organisations get back into buildings by helping them afford the hire fee, and also assist them with technical advice if they want to run ‘blended’ events and meetings.
Groups can book space for a single event or block book a series of dates for future meetings and events worth up £300 per quarter.
VAC is administering the scheme. Our intention is to keep the process as simple as possible to minimise any administrative burden on the groups, VAC and of course the organisations providing space.
Not all venues are part of the scheme so please do check out our room hire directory here
For more information and to see if your group is eligible visit our website here or contact Ricky at rsingh@vac.org.uk
Camden Council Green Homes Grants
Keeping homes warm over the winter months can be difficult, especially with rising energy bills. The Green Homes Grant may be able to assist by providing funding of up to £10k for homeowners and £5k for landlords to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. The improvements could help save up to £600 a year on energy bills and make homes warmer and more comfortable.
Find out more here
Camden Future High Streets Crowdfund
Camden Council in partnership with Spacehive are launching the Spring funding round of the Camden Future High Streets Crowdfund.
The Council are seeking proposals from local groups and organisations that provide clear benefits to Camden’s high streets, businesses and the residents they serve. As part of this crowdfunding programme, as well as attracting pledges from people and organisations with an interest in your project, you can also receive a pledge of up to £35,000 (covering a maximum of 50% of project costs) from the council.
Online information workshop on the 10th March
Application deadline 22 April 2022 – register here
For more information see here
Funding to Equip Disadvantaged People with Communication Skills for Employment
Application Deadline: 2nd May 2022
Grants of up to £5,000 will support a project or running costs for a charity that equips disadvantaged people (aged 18 and over) with the communication skills ready for employment.
To learn more, please click here
National Lottery Heritage Fund Launches Dynamic Collections Campaign
There are no specific deadlines – you can apply as part of the campaign until Friday 31 March 2023
This campaign supports collecting organisations across the UK to become more inclusive and resilient, with a focus on engagement, re-interpretation and collections management.
The Heritage Fund want to support museums, libraries, archives and other organisations to make the most of their collections and to help to bring to life the many stories of people and communities across the UK
To learn more, please click here
City Bridge Trust Announces Funding for London Place-based Giving Schemes
Place-Based Giving Schemes (PBGSs) bring together people from different sectors (voluntary and community; public; private) to build stronger communities and leverage their community assets. Applications should build on our work through London’s Giving and enable place-based giving schemes to develop and become more sustainable.
Funding is available for eligible organisations for up to two years.
Please click here for more details.
The Windrush Day Grant Scheme
Applications for funding will remain open until 11:59pm, Friday 18 March 2022.
The Windrush Day Grant Scheme provides funding to communities looking to commemorate, celebrate and educate about the Windrush Generation and their contribution.
Please click here for more details.
New Grants for Under-Represented Groups within the LGBT+ Community
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis and the programme will close to new applications on 30th October 2022.
The National Lottery Community Fund and the Consortium of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Voluntary and Community Organisations (Consortium) are launching a new £800,000 partnership, which will support under-represented and marginalised LGBT+ communities.
The LGBT+ Futures: Equity Fund (the Fund) is a two-year partnership that will help community-led and grassroots LGBT+ groups overcome some of the barriers they face accessing funding and support.
Please click here for more details.
The Women & Girls Match Fund
Application Deadline; Tuesday 15th March (midday)
The Women & Girls Match Fund is a match funding campaign for charities that are working to improve the lives of vulnerable, disadvantaged or underrepresented women and girls in England and Scotland.
Please click here for more details.
See the Funding pages on VAC’s website for all the latest information.
Alternatively, Camden Voluntary and Community groups can contact us for Grant Finder help, please email rsingh@vac.org.uk
Access the Idox Camden 4 Community grant search here.
NAVCA Funders List
A useful list of small trusts and foundations most useful to small charities.
Lists of Emergency Funders
|
|
VAC new Community Directory
VAC is pleased to announce the launch of our new Community Directory services for Camden groups.
Our online directories provide a space for voluntary and community groups in Camden to promote their services and activities. Searching the directory then allows residents and other stakeholders in Camden to easily connect with groups and access services and valuable support.
You can search our Directories to find and connect with groups, find community space to rent or hire and find healthy activities and social opportunities in Camden’s green spaces and parks.
Next Voluntary Action Forum:
Community Vaccine Champions Project and Benchmarking Community Building Services
16th March at 11am
At this Forum we will discuss a new local project sponsored by Department of Levelling Up Housing & Communities (DLUHC) to reduce inequalities in the uptake of COVID vaccination in Camden. Join us to hear about the various different activities planned as part of this project, including a new grant programme for organisations, unregistered groups, and local residents.
We will also discuss a proposal to conduct a benchmarking exercise of community building services, with a view to identifying and securing the best possible deals on services for VCS organisations that manage community buildings.
For more information and to register, please click here
International Women’s Day Event 2022
Friday 18th March: 11am-12pm
To celebrate International Women’s Day 2022, Hopscotch Women’s Centre is running an interactive Zoom session for minoritised women between the ages of 16-25, which aims to provide guidance and advice on how to get into the charity sector, along with personal stories from our staff on how they got into the sector.
Please click here to find the flyer with details on how to book your place
Learning Together sessions
London Plus are collaborating with Inside Out Wellbeing to host the next two Learning Together sessions, focusing on Social Prescribing and Mental Health and Social Prescribing and Intersectionality:
Social Prescribing and Mental Health Workshop
Wednesday 16th March: 1pm – 2:30pm
This workshop will explore: What is social prescribing? The impacts of social issues on mental health and wellbeing, the challenges faced by Social Prescribers/Link Workers, the benefits of social prescribing & practical tools used to support others
Social prescribing, Intersectionality and Mental Health Workshop
Wednesday 30th March: 1pm – 2:30pm
This workshop will explore: Social prescribing & intersectionality, culturally-informed support, case study discussion and how to incorporate mental health support
Please click here to register to attend
Hampstead Wells and Campden Trust
The Hampstead Wells and Campden Trust are delighted to announce the appointment of their new Chair and three new trustees.
Peter Kellner, journalist and founder of You Gov will be the new Chair of the Trust, with effect from April. He has previously served as a trustee on a number of charities and was Chair of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations until 2019. He succeeds Geoff Berridge who is retiring after many years’ service as trustee and Chair.
New trustees appointed to both the Board and the Finance Committee are Jeremy Wells and Fiona Dunsire.
Joining the Board and the Trust’s Grants Committee is Lucy Dennett OBE.
Call for VCS organisations that can deliver cooking sessions in and around Holborn Area.
Organisations in/around Holborn with access to a kitchen are needed to facilitate community cooking sessions for Afghan Refugees who are currently in bridging hotels.
Interested organisations will need to complete a trauma informed training and cultural awareness session which are being delivered by Hopscotch Women’s Centre (2 hours).
Organisations must be able to supply their own tutor and run classes for up to 10-12 people. Ideally, organisations will also need to provide children activities/a creche worker as adults tend to have children with them that they can’t leave alone.
Small grants of up to £3k are available for organisations that are interested in doing this work. For more information, please contact: vcs@camden.gov.uk.
FREE NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Information Technology
This qualification is suitable for learners who are using IT within their job or plan to pursue a career in a job requiring IT skills. The qualification will allow learners to develop a good level of knowledge of widely-used Microsoft Office programs, including Word, PowerPoint and Excel. Develop your knowledge, whilst gaining a nationally recognised, professional qualification.
Contact New Challenge on (Main number) – 020 8795 3999 or Email: courses@newchallenge.org
We Make Camden Community Conversation
Sheriff Centre: 9th March, 6.30-8.30pm
We make Camden and The Sheriff Centre are working with Camden council to host a Community Conversation to hear more about your experiences and views of the challenges facing your neighbourhood and Camden.
Please join us.
Click here to book your place or email: hello@thesherriffcentre.co.uk
Gymshark Recruitment Event at Castlehaven Community Association
Sunday 13th March 2022 between 10am-1pm outside the Castlehaven Community Association
There is an exciting employment opportunity for Camden residents aged 18yrs+ in partnership with Gymshark.
Gymshark are opening up a new store in Regents St and have up to 100 job roles to fill.
They have partnered with Castlehaven Community Association as they wish to reach people from the Camden community who are looking for a new job or career.
For more information, please click here
Please note
Our newsletter content email address has changed. Please send any information that you would like included in our weekly newsletter to social@vac.org.uk
Local Newsletters:
SHAK
Latin American House
Creative Lives
Healthwatch Camden
Young Camden Foundation
AWN
West Euston Project (WEP)
London Sport (sign up)
Forum+
Charity Tax Group
Dragon Hall Newsletter
|
|
VAC Events
Keep in eye on our Events Calendar to book and for more info.
VAC and NCL CCG Disability Health Questionnaire
VAC is working in partnership with the NHS North Central London Clinical Commissioning Group to understand how disabled people who are housebound and or have a long-term health condition are managing during the winter months. If you, or someone you know, has experienced social isolation, are on a low income, or feel disconnected from social and support networks, we would like to hear from you. Our short questionnaire is anonymous and all responses to the questions will be used to better understand how to support residents and their communities in Camden.
Take part here
If you would like to discuss any of the questions raised or would like more information on the issues presented, please email Dianne Carlton-Ogunyemi at dogunyemi@vac.org.uk
Introduction to Safeguarding for Volunteers. (Virtual session: 1hr 30mins)
8th March: 10:00 am – 11:30 am, a free event
This is an Intro course for volunteers working with services delivering to children, young people or there families in Camden. It is designed for volunteers who work both directly and indirectly for organisations or groups delivering services to children, young people or their families in Camden.
The session will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to safeguard children and vulnerable adults you come into contact with and is open and to those who have had little or no safeguarding training before.
Suitable for anyone requiring the equivalent of a Level 2 safeguarding introduction; including volunteers, play and support workers, coaches, mentors and new starters who have never had child protection training or safeguarding essentials training before.
Learners who complete the full virtual training session will receive an attendance certificate valid for two years.
To learn more and register, click here
GDPR Training Resources
The video, slides and comprehensive notes from the two recent VAC online training sessions on GDPR are now available on the website. These will help you understand the theory and legal framework of the GDPR with practical steps on how to remain compliant.
Past Voluntary Action Forums: Resources
You can find presentations, recordings and resources from past forums here.
More details on the VAC website: https://vac.org.uk/
|
|
The Advocacy Project Camden Equality and Diversity Survey
The Advocacy Project have coproduced a survey with service users, to explore the experiences of people from minority and marginalised communities, who have used community services to help their mental health and wellbeing.
We would like to hear from people in Camden who are from minority communities – such as people from Black, Asian and other ethnic or religious minority backgrounds, people who are LGBTQI+ , Deaf people, Disabled people, people who are on the autism spectrum, or people who have disabilities, chronic conditions or impairments.
To take part in this anonymous survey, please click here
Young People for Inclusion Launch
Launches Friday 4th of March at Leighton College. Pizza will be ordered!
Young People for Inclusion is a new youth group for disabled young people aged 16-25 who want to meet, socialise, and discuss how we can create change in our community. This will include a weekly youth club session, activities and days out, learning about disability awareness, campaigning and how to stand up for your rights
For more information please click here
Locality London surgery sessions for community organisations
As part of their City Bridge Trust funded London Spotlight programme, Locality are offering free bite sized ‘surgery’ sessions with their consultancy team.
You can get some valuable insight into topics including: Funding, Local Data, Social Impact and Organisational Health.
For more details and to book your Spotlight session please click here or contact liba.ravindran@locality.org.uk
Disability Oversight Panel (DOP) meeting
Tuesday 8 March: 6pm-8pm at the Greenwood Centre, 37 Greenwood Place, NW5 1LB.
Registration closes: 3rd March.
The DOP meeting is a chance for residents with a disability, families and carers, to engage with the council and local partners. We want to discuss experiences and views about life in Camden during Covid alongside the challenges and positives and how to improve things for disabled residents in the future.
We also want to talk about We Make Camden as part of working together to ensure that disabled residents are actively involved in the future of Camden.
For more information please contact:
DisabilityOversightPanel@Camden.gov.uk or 0207 974 8486
Holborn Community Association: Creative Performance Project for 13-15 years
Join us on Sundays at Holborn House with professional theatre-makers from Donmar Warehouse to make a new play about the things that are important to you.
For more info please click here
Laamiga introduces new project: Athena
Free online workshops for woman from a black, minority ethnic, migrant, or refugee background, living in Camden or Islington
Laamiga introduces their new project, Athena, which aims to help women improve their confidence with personal finance and gain financial independence.
Starting from 25th March 2022, women can attend online workshops once a month for six months. These workshops will be delivered by experts, covering topics such as introduction to the UK financial system, budgeting & savings, credit & debit, financial fraud, how to save energy costs, etc.
If you would like to have further information about Athena and the registration process, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Emua Ali (Laamiga’s Coordinator) at info@laamiga.org or call 0208 257 7317.
The role of social prescribing in addressing health inequalities webinar
Monday 7 March 2022 3-4pm
Our health is closely bound with the social and economic aspects of our lives: from where we are born, live and work, to our educational opportunities, income and influence. These social factors lead to inequalities in health and wellbeing across different people and communities, both in access to healthcare, and in the opportunities we have to live healthy lives. The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened existing inequalities and thrown a harsh spotlight on the topic once again.
Community groups, health professionals, and national charities have always been at the heart of tackling inequalities. But what is the role of social prescribing in addressing health inequalities?
To kick-off this important conversation, the National Academy for Social Prescribing presents a webinar which will explore this complex area
Learn more and register for free here
Camden pharmacy services survey
Your views will help identify areas that need improvement; develop pharmacy services that meet your health needs in the future; and ensure that pharmacy services are accessible to everyone.
The survey closes Friday 4 March 2022. It is completely confidential and should not take more than 5 minutes to complete.
Have your say on local pharmacy services here
|
|
Data Entry Volunteer Role with VAC:
Do you have some experience using databases? The VAC Community Links Team is looking for a Data Entry volunteer. As a volunteer you will support the team entering data into our Salesforce database. Training and support available for successful volunteers.
For role description and more information, please contact Mandira Manandhar on 020 7284 6573 or email mmanandhar@vac.org.uk
Elfrida Rathbone Camden – Trustees Needed
Elfrida Rathbone Camden works to achieve independence, empowerment and personal development for disabled young people, parents and families. We would love to talk to anyone who can add to the knowledge on our Board especially if you have a connection with the Camden area, experience in the areas of education, HR, safeguarding, special educational needs and disabilities, or use social care services yourself.
We welcome applications from everyone with the relevant skills and/or experience, and will train and support you in the role.
For more information, please click here
Little Village vacancies: x2 Community Engagement Coordinators.
Deadline: 28th February
These roles are the local community cogs at the heart of the Little Village wheel, and we are looking for motivated, engaging individuals to connect with local teams, communities and partners. There are two positions – one based in Camden and one in Wandsworth.
Please click here for more information
Holborn Community Association vacancies
Holborn Community Association are looking for applications for the following roles:
Digital Arts Workshop Leader (for 8-12 years)
Gymnastics Coaches
Holborn House Front of House Team
More info and to apply please click here
North Camden Zone vacancy: Community Arts Worker
The Community Arts Worker will inspire and engage local resident artists and partners to join a collaborative arts collective; put together a mixed arts programme for local people to develop their creativity and artistic skills, and put on an event to celebrate and exhibit the work produced at the end of the programme.
For more information, or to apply please click here
The Middle Eastern Women and Society Organisation is recruiting trustees!
The Middle Eastern Women and Society Organisation are a charity run by and for migrant women. Our activities range from wellbeing workshops and classes to campaigning against polygamy, forced virginity testing and supporting LGBT+ women of migrant background. We are looking to diversify our all-women Board of Trustees by recruiting women with experience in finance, legal, HR, communication, fundraising, business development and more. We particularly encourage applications from women of migrant background. Please click here for more details
Healthwatch Camden vacancy: Media and Communications Officer
Application Deadline: Tuesday 15th March 2022
Healthwatch Camden is looking to recruit a full-time Media and Communications Officer to join our small and dedicated team. You’ll be responsible for all internal, external and digital communications. You’ll support our longer-term strategy by delivering against key objectives and communicating with key stakeholders. Learn more here.
Apply by submitting your CV and a 60-second cover video to: Stephen.heard@healthwatchcamden.co.uk
Hampstead Wells & Campden Trust vacancy: Grants Administrator
14 Hours per week, hybrid working. Contract Length: 6 Months
Deadline for applications is 6pm, 9th March 2022
The Hampstead Wells and Campden Trust (HWCT) is a grant making endowed charity whose objectives are the alleviation of poverty and the advancement of health within north Camden (from Kilburn High Road to Hampstead Heath). The post holder will support the management of the entire life cycle of grant making, from pre to post award, support communication of grant funding activities along with providing administrative support to the Director.
This role is offered on a hybrid work pattern of 14 hours a week, on a 6-month fixed term contract.
For more information on how to apply please click here
Home-Start Camden & Islington: looking for volunteers
Home-Start Camden & Islington are a Charity who provide regular support, friendship, and practical help to families with at least one child under the age of 5, who are under stress or experiencing difficulties
If you live in the borough of Camden or Islington and are either a parent, grandparent, carer or have other parenting experience, then you could be the right person for us.
If you would like to volunteer or would like more information, please click here or email info@homestartcamden.org
Volunteering Opportunity: The Kids Network
The Kids Network are looking for committed, fun and passionate volunteers who live or work in Camden to make a real difference to the children of London. This year long mentoring programme supports children with their social and emotional development before they transition into secondary school.
For more information and to apply click here
Kilburn Older Voices Exchange trustees seek to appoint a new Chair
Kilburn Older Voices Exchange (KOVE) is an established charity in north-west London (primarily Camden & Brent). We want to appoint a new Chair and trustee to help manage our small staff team and support the Trustees and Steering Group to plan and prioritise our support and development work.
A commitment to the full citizenship of all older people will be essential, alongside experience of managing staff or of using small budgets to maximum effect.
If you share KOVE’s ambitions, please get in touch. We look forward to hearing from you.
Contact: melwillwright@gmail.com
Volunteering during the pandemic
The latest guidance for Enabling safe and effective volunteering during coronavirus (COVID-19) is available here
|
|
Free essential goods from Giving World
Giving World is a charity that receives donations of goods from businesses and redistributes these essential items to local charities and voluntary organisations.
Goods can be collected directly, or delivery can be arranged at cost – you will only ever pay for transport.
To access these goods when you need them, simply register your organisation here
If you would like more information, please call us on 0116 251 6205 between 9.30am-4pm Monday-Thursday and 9.30am-12.30pm Friday or email queries to admin@givingworld.org.uk
Afghan Refugee Crisis
The Council and VCS continue to work together to help meet the needs of the Afghan Refugees in Camden. A steering group (led by Hopscotch) meets weekly and there is a database of offers and needs held by the council. You can donate to the Hopscotch appeal here. Keep up to date at the council website here.
UCL resource for voluntary sector:
The Community Research Initiative’s newest service for the voluntary sector – the Community Noticeboard!
Organisations that are registered with the UCL can post ideas for research. The ideas are then posted on the Noticeboard for master’s students to browse. We will connect students and organisations with similar interests to Co-design the posted ideas and hopefully get a project up and running over the summer.
For more information please contact a.laybourne@ucl.ac.uk.
Elizabeth House Community Centre: Winter Wellness Project
January – April 2022
The project is for people aged 65 and over in Camden and Islington and aims to help with issues such as welfare and benefits advice, housing repairs, lowering energy bills, health services, making homes warmer etc.
If you are interested in this Winter Wellness service, please ring 07515 410 139 / 0207 690 1300 or email community@elizabeth-house.org.uk
Free support programme for social enterprises in London
Civil Society Consulting are delivering a free support programme for social enterprises in London.
Funded by the GLA and the Dept for Business Energy and Infrastructure, this ‘Peer Networks’ programme aims to develop social enterprises, equip them with new skills, and connect them to others in a peer support network.
For more information contact: Natasha Ereira-Guyer natasha@civilsocietyconsulting.co.uk
How to Volunteer and How to Recruit Volunteers in Camden
Volunteer in Camden at Time to Spare.
Volunteer for the NHS at GoodSAM.
Join a neighbourhood Mutual Aid group.
Organisations that are signed up to Time to Spare can now request volunteers through a brokerage team making it much easier to access the volunteers. The brokers can help match volunteers with voluntary and community organisations who have a need for verified/ vetted volunteers. The service will also help to verify or carry out new DBS check with volunteers.
Get support and resources from Volunteer Centre Camden
The council has a page of resources to help community organisations
UCL are looking for new volunteering opportunities to promote to their students. Visit their info for recruiters page to find out more.
Keep in touch and up-to-date via the e-bulletin and @onecamden twitter.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
