Voluntary Action Camden e-bulletin 4th May 2018

May Day at Kentish Town City Farm

Sunday 6th May Noon – 4pm, 1 Cressfield Close
Loads of games, face painting, maypole rounds and animals
Find out more here.  Volunteers wanted too.

Information, Advice and Signposting Survey

Camden council are currently evaluating the contracts with Advice Partners in Camden, and looking ahead to develop the most appropriate model for advice services moving forward.
‘We are aware that many front facing staff play an important role in supporting residents with provision of information and advice, or by signposting and we are keen to hear about your experiences.
Please follow this link to a short survey which should take less than 5 minutes to complete – your support with this will be invaluable in shaping service provision for the future.
We would love to hear from as many staff as possible who have direct contact with residents.’

Camden Giving Week

Camden Giving has organised Camden Giving Week from 21 – 27 May.  Find out more and get invovled at Camden Giving website.

Fatima’s Story

Listen to Fatima tell her story to Brendan and find out more about the Learning Disability project in Camden.

Welcome Pack for New Trustees

The Charity Commission has produced a trustee welcome pack divided into 7 areas.  Ideal for your new trustees as part of their induction.
1. Get to know your charity
2. Expect to do these things soon
3. Get to know your 6 main trustee duties
4. What you need to send us
5. How we can help you
6. If things go wrong
7. Contact book

Kentish Town City Farm 60+ Gardening Club

Every Thursday, 2-4pm at Kentish Town City Farm Community Garden – up past the pig and just next to the goats! Drop-in to our friendly gardening club, have a cup of tea and harvest the fruits of your labour. Lucy, our community gardener leads the sessions, so no prior gardening experience required.
Call Jo on 0741 9820 503/ email abc@ktcityfarm.org.uk for more info.

Deafblind UK, Deafblind Awareness Day

Wednesday 27th June, 11am—2pm
The Pirate Castle, 33 Oval Rd, Camden Town, London NW1 7EA
Come along and meet experts from a range of organisations specialising in sight and hearing loss. Free to attend, refreshments provided
• Speak to experts about any concerns you may have
• Discover what support is available to you
• Create a sensory collage with a local artist
For more information, contact Sue Sinton Smith, sue.sintonsmith@deafblind.org.uk  Tel: 07940836882

Bloomsbury Football Academy

Is  offering free football sessions regardless of ability or financial background. Children will be able to play in a fun and safe environment where they are able to make new friends and enjoy all new experiences. We also offer the opportunity to play for one of our teams in the Camden Youth League for anyone wanting a bigger challenge and an opportunity to be part of the team. We are also reaching out to create a Girls football team and encourage all girls who are keen to play to get in touch.
Contact: charlie@bloomsburyfa.com Website: https://bloomsburyfa.com

Camden Disability Action

Catch up with the latest news from Camden Disability Action.

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

Camden Giving’s KX Fund  – Closing Monday

Projects should mitigate against the Kings Cross developments
Projects must primarily benefit communities around the Kings Cross development. Priority will be given to applications benefiting communities in Kings Cross, Somers Town and St Pancras.
We provide 121 advice about applications call us on 07717595605, attend our drop-in events or email grants@camdengiving.org.uk.

Youth Music Programme

Youth Music promotes musical opportunities for children and young people, up to the age of 25, living in challenging circumstances.
~ Grants of £2,000 to £30,000 for six to 24-month-projects that will help to achieve the Foundation’s vision for a musically inclusive England.
~ Grants of £30,001 to £100,000 for 18- to 36-month-projects or grants of £100,001 to £150,000 for 24- to 36-month-projects that expand and embed musically inclusive practice within and beyond the applicant’s organisation.

Fund Supporting Summer Play Schemes Opens

Hilden Charitable Fund helps community groups run summer play schemes for the benefit of disadvantaged children aged five to 18 years in the UK.
Grants of between £500 and £1,500 to support local summer play schemes for children aged five to 18 years.
Some priority will be given to projects that show they are inclusive of children from refugee families and show involvement of BME groups.
Applications must be from voluntary agencies with less than £150k income.
The next deadline for applications is 1 June 2018. Find out more here.

Foyle Foundation Small Grants Scheme

The Small Grants Scheme is designed to support smaller charities, especially those working at grass roots and local community level, in any field, across a wide range of activities.  You can apply for one year grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 for core costs, equipment or project funding to charities which can show that such a grant will make a significant difference to their work. Details

Grantfinder

Looking for support to find funding?  VAC has the full version of Grantfinder, an online programme that let’s you search for sources of funding.
A member of VAC staff will sit down with you for an hour to show you how to use it and make the most of Grantfinder.  This is a free service for Camden voluntary and community groups.  To book your slot contact Ricky at acharles@vac.org.uk or call 020 7284 6550.
A simplified version of Grantfinder is available here.

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.

Voluntary Action Camden working in partnership with Mary Ward Centre.

Governance in the Voluntary and Community Sector

VAC and Mary Ward offer this short course for members of governing bodies or anybody who is interested in developing the knowledge and skills required to be a member of a governing body in the voluntary or community sector. With the knowledge gained from this course you can become an effective participant in the governance of new and existing organisations. Full details on the Mary Ward Centre website.

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

Thyroid Trust Patients Voices event

The theme is tracking and monitoring our health.
19th May, 11am- 2pm
Crown Court Church, Russell Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2B 5EZ*
This meeting is for anyone affected by a thyroid disorder. Friends, family and interested professionals are welcome too. Visit the website for details.

Employer Engagement Workshop – Women Like Us/Timewise

Tuesday 22nd May at West Euston Partnership (29-31 Hampstead Road, London NW1 3JA), 10am – 2pm
This is a FREE workshop for Employment Advisers who broker jobs on behalf of their clients. The workshop will equip participants with new skills to help source and create jobs for those who can’t work full-time. It is ideal for Advisers who work with parents, people with disabilities, older people, people with long term health conditions, unpaid carers or individuals who simply need to balance work and life.
For more information please contact Kate.White@womenlikeus.org.uk

‘Building A Stronger Britain Together’

(BSBT) Information Event taking place on Thursday 24th May, 10am-11.30am at West Euston Partnership. Come along and find out more about in-kind support available through the BSBT programme. Featuring a talk from the BSBT Home Office team plus Q&A session. More informationand booking here

VCC Volunteer Managers’ Forum

Tuesday 19 June, 10am to 1pm
An opportunity to discuss all things volunteer management and network with volunteer managers in Camden and beyond. Refreshments. Details here.

Queens Crescent Open Evening

An open event for young peole in Camden with careers advice, music, food.  Friday 4th May, 6 – 8pm at The Dome, Weedington Road. info@qcca.org.uk

Castlehaven Community Association seeks Children and Young People Project Manager

Salary:    £29,250 pa, 35 hours per week.
The main focus of the position is to manage the development, promotion and successful delivery and implementation of the Children and Young People’s activities at the Castlehaven Community Association.
The post holder will also be required to work strategically while delivering projects as required to support the effective running of our service.
Please provide us with a covering letter, using our essential criteria as a basis for this, no longer than two sides of A4 and your current CV to sheridan@castlehaven.org.uk
Closing date: Sunday 6th May at midnight. Interviews: Thursday 10th May 2018

Students’ Union UCL seeks Student-Led Projects Coordinator

36.5 hours per week£28,014-£32,830  per annum inclusive
Application deadline: Sunday, 20 May 2018
Students’ Union UCL is recruiting for a Student-Led Projects Coordinator who is responsible for supporting the development and delivery of the Volunteering Service’s successful programme of student-led community volunteering, as well as supporting a caseload of student projects. The successful candidate will provide guidance & supervision for leaders, help develop and deliver training to students, monitor and evaluate projects and ensure projects are delivered safely and effectively.
For more information and to apply, visit UCL’s vacancies pages

Gravestone Recording Project – Volunteers Wanted

Gravestones and memorials hold a lot of unique information about people and places. By helping to record the gravestones and memorials you will be adding to the archaeological record.
You will be trained in archaeological processes and be supervised by experienced archaeologists throughout the work. As part of the team you will have the opportunity to explore the history and archaeology of the area through site tours, talks and other activities.
Dates: 08 May–08 June 2018- You will not be expected to attend all of these days, just those that you are able to commit to.
Volunteer hours 10am- 4pm – volunteers are asked, if possible, to commit to the full hours on any day they are timetabled to attend.
Reasonable travel expenses (TfL zones 1-6) will be covered and lunch will be provided on days working on-site.
For details contact Paul McGarrity pmcgarrity@molaheadland.com

HostNation seeks Volunteers

HostNation is an online London-wide introductory service, connecting volunteer  befrienders with lonely refugees and asylum-seekers. The emphasis is on social support so refugees can learn about British culture, practise their English, explore new parts of town,  have some fun. Matching people who live in the same part of the city is a key criterion, making it easier to meet and for refugees to discover ways to enjoy their local area for free with a local person. The commitment is to meet once a week or once a fortnight over three months.
HostNation would particularly welcome more registrations of male volunteers.

Hub for London is Recruiting

The Hub for London is a new infrastructure support organisation for the region’s civil society.
• Programme Manager – £45,000, full-time
• Intelligence Coordinator – £36,000, full-time
• Networks Partner – £36,000, full-time
• Employment and Skills Policy Lead – £35,000, pro rata 4 days a week
• Hub Coordinator – £28,000, full-time
The closing date for applications will be 5pm on 25 May 2018.
For more information on all the roles on offer and to apply, see webpage.

Deputy Manager wanted at Sunshine Day Nursery

The successful applicant will work with children aged 6 months to 5 years old.  Required:
• BA Early Childhood Studies or
• Diploma in Childcare Level 3/4 in Children and Young People’s workforce.
• 2 years post-qualification experience of work with children at supervisory level
• a good understanding of the Children’s Act 1989/2004 and 0 to 3 Framework
• ability to fulfil the role of SENCO (training available)
• an understanding of BAME needs and implementing an inclusive curriculum.
DBS checked. Competitive salary depending on qualification and experience.
For job description and application form go to: http://www.thecarafcentre.co.uk/vacancies
If you would like to know more about this role please contact Indira Vyas or Natalia Leiva Berger on 0207 284 0030 Ext: 203
E: sunshine@thecarafcentre.org.uk web: www.thecarafcentre.co.uk

Kilburn Older Voices Exchange (KOVE) seeks Community Development Worker

10 to 14 hours a week. Initial contract from 1 September 2018 to 30 September 2019  with possible extension to 30 September 2021, subject to funding.
KOVE requires a Community Development Worker to help with organising its community projects and activities. KOVE iscommitted to overcoming social isolation of older people in the Kilburn, West Hampstead, Finchley Road and Swiss Cottage areas and campaigning for better facilities for older people. We are a dynamic community action group, working in partnership with Ageing Better in Camden, funded by the Big Lottery.
For an application pack, please email: peter56nw@outlook.com
Closing date: Tuesday 29 May at 5pm Interviews on Thursday 21 June
For an informal discussion about the post, please phone Peter Lush on 07973-845285

The Brandon Centre seeks Receptionist Administrator:

An opportunity has arisen for a motivated individual, with previous experience as a Receptionist to join the team.  The post holder will provide reception and some administration support for all the services that operate out of the Brandon Centre.Details at http://brandon-centre.org.uk/info/vacancies/
Closing date is 9th May 2018.

Ageing Better in Camden Community Activity Programme Invitation to Tender

Ageing Better in Camden has identified a need for an increased number of supportive activities for older people over 60 across Camden. We are therefore commissioning a programme of organisations to deliver ‘Gold Standard’ Community Activities to enable older people to attend supportive and well run activities in their local community. The aim is to help older people reduce their social isolation and loneliness, as well as make connections and build networks. Deadline Wednesday 4th July. See the website for details.

The Kosmos Centre has an office to rent in their building in Kentish Town.

Recently decorated, four desks, £750 per calendar month.
Non-profit organisations only. For further details please visit

New Project with BAME Older People

Ageing Better in Camden is commissioning a new Community Action Project specifically targeted for work with isolated older people in Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities in Camden. The aim is to help older people from BAME communities to reduce their social isolation and loneliness, as well as make connections and build networks.
Ageing Better in Camden invites organisations to tender for our new BAME Community Action project which will run for 2.5 years from October 2018.
The deadline for submitting a tender is Monday 4 June 2018. Details here.

Uomini – counselling for male victims of domestic abuse

The service, based in Islington has existed for a number of years offering counselling and advocacy to male victims of domestic abuse. Information about this service can be found at uomini.co.uk.
The counselling service is offered free of charge to men who cannot pay and on a sliding scale for those who can. The counsellors are all qualified members of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
The service can be contacted at info@uominicounselling.org

Our mailing address is:
29 – 31 Hampstead Road, London, NW1 3JA

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