VAC Weekly Newsletter
5th August 2022 |
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VAC Membership
VAC membership allows local organisations and groups to engage with local policy and strategy.
This is an important time with strategic and social developments locally, nationally and globally putting increasing pressure on community-based organisations.
As a member you will be part of a dedicated network through which you can express views and contribute your knowledge and expertise to the benefit of all.
Membership is free, click on the link box above and join us today |
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This week we spotlight our work with Google to provide office space for small organisations in Camden.
We also have information on local events and opportunities from around the Camden area. |
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VAC administered Google Grants
The VAC administered Google Grants scheme is still ongoing.
VAC have been funded by Google to provide up to £300 per quarter for small organisations looking to book one-off spaces to work in or to hold community sessions and training, and up to £600 for the ongoing rent of office and hot desking space.
It is available to small voluntary or community sector organisation with income under £150,000 a year looking to book a venue in Camden,
To find out more, please click here
or get in contact with Ricky at Rsingh@vac.org.uk |
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London Unseen: Heritage Tours and Trails
London Unseen is a season of trails, tours and events that celebrate the many incredible histories of the city, as told by communities, practitioners, artists and activists. Curated on behalf of the Mayor of London’s Commission for Diversity in the Public Realm, the season is supporting over 20 community heritage practitioners to provide over 40 events free of charge to the public.
Learn more here
Futsal Stars Foundation Community Funday: Tomorrow
This Saturday (6th August), come along to the Castlehaven Community Park (23 Castlehaven Rd, NW1 8RU) between 11am – 3pm for fun, free, family activities. Play football with London Futsal Stars, enjoy free food, activities, performances, face painting, and so much more.
The Futsal Stars Foundation aims to create a positive impact in the community through sport. Find out more about their work here
Making Every Contact Count – Using Conversation to Improve Wellbeing
Making Every Contact Count (MECC) courses help staff and volunteers use their everyday conversations to support residents with their daily struggles and signpost them to further help.
We are adding new dates all the time and regularly refresh our courses to suit evolving resident needs, like our Cost of Living Crisis short course which covers the basics of MECC and how it can be used to support residents who are struggling financially.
Courses are free to staff working in Camden and Islington. To book a place, please click here
Law Centre moves to Camden Town
The Camden Community Law Centre, first founded in 1973, is now operating in Greenland Road, having left its former home – an old cinema in Prince of Wales Road – in October.
To find out more about the Centre and its work read on here
Young Camden Foundation vacancy: Membership Engagement & Communications Officer
Deadline: 26th August
Young Camden Foundation is looking for a Membership Engagement & Communications Officer to proactively engage with our members and deliver an impactful and effective communications strategy for the charity, under the direction and guidance of the CEO.
For more information and to apply, please click here
London Irish Centre vacancy: Advice Officer
Deadline: 9am on 17th August
The purpose of this role is to improve opportunities and reduce poverty in London. Working primarily with people who identify as Irish, we deliver Advice Quality Standard (AQS) advice and casework on benefits and housing as well as wider advice around Irish state pensions, returning to and moving from Ireland, Irish passport and birth certificate applications.
For more information and to apply, please click here
Lifeafterhummus Community Benefit Society vacancy: Centre Coordinator
Surplus foodbank and re-use centre on Phoenix Road, NW1, are looking for a friendly, enthusiastic and hardworking individual to join our team.
We provide support to circa 80 households weekly, carry out collections from 45 stores, redistribute surplus to 11 local hostels and 1 after-school club, provide access to a ‘Room of Things’ and operate a passive surplus food cart. We redistribute 15 tonnes of surplus food per quarter. As a community benefit society we are continuously adapting to the needs of the community.
For more information and to apply, please click here
Holly Lodge Community Centre vacancy: Manager (21 hours per week)
Holly Lodge Community Centre is looking for a part-time Manager for the day to day running of the Centre. The post is lottery funded until the end of 2023, after which the Manager should secure funding to take the post forward.
The hours are flexible and a knowledge of Quickbooks would be an advantage.
For a full job description please email hollylodgelondon@hotmail.com
Newsletter Submissions
Please send any information (approximately 50-75 words long) that you would like included in our weekly newsletter to social@vac.org.uk |
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A celebration: The Evaluation Exchange 2021/22
The Evaluation Exchange is a collaboration between UCL and community organisations in Camden and Newham aiming to improve evaluation practice. Project Manager Ruth Unstead-Jones reflects on the celebratory event and the achievements across the year.
Read on here
NHS North Central London Integrated Care Board VCSE Partnership
Deadline for bids: Midnight on Monday 15th August 2022.
The Camden Borough Partnership would like to undertake community action research around priority areas to support open conversations with local communities. We want to identify and explore key inequalities around reach, access, outcomes and experiences.
We are looking to work with a lead facilitating VCSE organisation and a group of grassroots organisations – working as a joint VCSE Partnership.
If you would like to know more, please click here
Cost of Living Support in Camden
We are all feeling the impact of the rise in the cost of living. We have collated a range of links below to help people to manage some of the challenges associated with the higher cost of living:
Home (shine-london.org.uk) – save money on energy bills
https://findfood.camden.gov.uk
Help With the Cost of Living | London City Hall
Free and impartial help with money, backed by the government | MoneyHelper
WISH Plus – Camden Council – Energy efficiency advice and income maximisation checks
Local Newsletters:
SHAK
Latin American House
Young Camden Foundation
AWN (sign up)
London Sport (sign up)
Somers Town Community Newsletter
Heath Hands
If you would like your Camden VCS newsletter added to this list, please email social@vac.org.uk
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Hardship Grants for Older Camden Residents from Age UK Camden
This fund provides grants of up to £500 to reduce vulnerability and hardship for those aged 66 or over. The money can be used to purchase household items and/or as a financial sum paid into their bank account.
If household items or white goods are needed, we can purchase the item from Argos, so do include the link to the item needed along with delivery/connection services and recycling charges.
You can apply for the grant either personally or on behalf of another by filling in the form here
If you have any questions please email hardshipgrants@ageukcamden.org.uk
2023 GSK IMPACT Awards – core funding and free training for health charities
Closing date for Stage 1 applications is 1st September 2022.
GSK’s IMPACT Awards reward charities doing excellent work to improve people’s health and wellbeing. Organisations must be at least three years old, working in a health-related field in the UK, with income between £120k and £3m. Up to 15 awards will be made, ranging from £4,000 to £50,000.
For more information and to apply, please click here
GLA Funding: Warmer Homes Programme
With energy bills continuing to rise, the Mayor is urging Londoners, local authorities, and community organisations to raise awareness of the Warmer Homes programme with anyone who may be eligible.
The scheme offers free energy efficiency grants of up to £25,000 to households with a residual income of up to £20,000 per year after rent/mortgage and council tax.
Learn more here
Disability Justice Fund
Application Deadline: 3rd October 2022
This is a £3 million fund from Trust for London and City Bridge Trust to advance strong, vibrant, diverse and sustainable Disability justice, equity and inclusion in the UK.
For more details, please click here
Greene King Grants
Deadline 14th August 2022
This fund aims to support and promote grassroots sport within local communities by supporting people and projects that run sports activities which positively impact the local community and would tangibly benefit from funding in the short-term.
Individuals may nominate a sports club or organisation to receive a cash grant to continue delivering sports activities. Grants of up to £3,000 are available
For more information, please click here
To re-discover funding removed from this list, please see our newsletter archive here
Other available funders include:
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Host a workshop as part of Camden’s SEND strategy consultation
Camden Council’s Draft Local Area SEND Strategy is now out for formal consultation, which runs until 22 September 2022. The full draft strategy, a summary and easy-read versions, plus a survey where you can have your say, can be found here.
As part of the consultation, the team would like to visit your voluntary and community organisations for a one-hour workshop with parents and carers. We can provide a small budget to support sessions, including refreshments or staff costs, to help facilitate conversations. To express an interest in this, please email us at sendstrategy@camden.gov.uk.
Family holiday activities on Hampstead Heath
Join Heath Hands for free / low cost holiday family activities on Hampstead Heath. There is a £3 suggested donation for some activities, but this is optional if that is unaffordable.
Find out about wild flowers, trees, go pond dipping, and more!
For more information, please click here
Families for Life: Community Champion training
This free 6-week programme starts on 13th September and runs until the 18th October at Crowndale Centre, 218 Eversholt St, from 10am – 12pm.
The Camden Health and Wellbeing Team is recruiting volunteers for the Families for Life Community Champion training. It is for existing volunteers, parents, carers and whoever else might be interested in becoming an inspirational volunteer.
On this programme you will build your skills and knowledge to help you form strong local connections to support healthy lifestyle programmes available in Camden.
For more information please email Syria Chowdhury on syria.chowdhury@camden.gov.uk or call 07734 603060
Free 6 Weeks Digital Media Training at the SKY TV Campus, West London from MAMA Youth Project
Deadline: Monday the 8th of August
Calling all young creatives living in London aged 18-30 with a passion for creating compelling content and a desire for a career in media.
Apply now for 6 weeks of free intensive digital media training with BAFTA winning company, Licklemor Productions. Lunch and travel expenses provided.
For more information and to apply, please click here |
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VAC Vacancy: Resilience Network Alliance Manager
Deadline: 08 August at 23:30
The Mental Health Resilience Network Alliance has been established to lead, coordinate and deliver early intervention and prevention services to the people of Camden. The Alliance is part of an integrated system, which works with multiple partners across Statutory, Voluntary Community Sector, Social Care and Primary Care Networks.
This is a new and unique role and requires someone with excellent leadership skills who can bring partners together to drive positive change.
To learn more and apply, please click here
Volunteering with VAC! Join our Community Links Team
Are you able to commit to at least 2 hours per week and interested in supporting people in your community to access health and wellbeing services?
Community Links Volunteers are a part of the Care Navigation and Social Prescribing Service in Camden. They support social prescribing in a variety of ways including signposting residents to community-based activities, helping with referrals, motivating users to connect with new interests and activities, accompanying residents to appointments and introducing them to a range of different opportunities in Camden.
For more info and to apply, please click here
Or contact Mandira Manandhar on mmanandhar@vac.org.uk or 020 7284 6573
SHP recruiting: Peer Mentor Volunteers
Deadline: 5pm Tuesday 23rd August.
We are delighted to be recruiting for Peer Mentor Volunteers to join our growing team!
SHP Peer Mentors use their lived experiences of substance use recovery, mental health problems, homelessness, or the criminal justice system to inspire, motivate and support others to make positive changes in their lives.
Successful applicants will be invited to attend an online interview, and the training programme will be delivered over 8 sessions between Monday 19th September & Thursday 13th October.
Please contact peermentoring@shp.org.uk for an application pack.
Latin American House vacancy: Children and Young People Coordinator.
Deadline: Monday, 5th September
The position holder will be responsible for coordinating, delivering and developing a comprehensive, diverse and inclusive programme of activities, classes and events throughout the year. They will also be in charge of attracting children from Latin American and local families, creating a positive impact in our growing communities.
For more information and to apply, please click here
Likewise vacancy: Community Programme Lead
Deadline: 11th August before 9am
Likewise is looking for a dynamic, creative and caring Community Programme Lead to join our team. You’ll be primarily responsible for our programme of community activities and events at our wellbeing hub in Camden.
The Likewise Community Hub offers a safe space for people to explore a range of wellbeing activities and events, whilst creating opportunities for connections, relationships, belonging and support.
For more information and to apply, please click here
Trustee recruitment: Old Diorama Arts Centre
Deadline: 10am on Monday 5th September
Old Diorama Arts Centre, the arts creation and community centre in Euston, is on a journey of change, with a new vision, nurturing artistic and local Regent’s Park ward communities.
We’re looking for up to 4 new Trustees, particularly including those with experience working in the Camden community sector.
For more information, please click here
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Becoming a school governor in Camden
Could you make a positive impact on a school in Camden? Camden Learning wants local school governors to reflect the diversity of our community – people from every background and with a wide range of life experience. Anyone aged over 18 who wants to make a positive contribution to a school can apply.
If you would like to hear what some of our Camden school governors have to say take a look at this short video
To find out more, please click here
Camden Safeguarding Adults Partnership Board (SAPB) Safeguarding consultation
Deadline: 10th September
Everyone has the right to live a life that is free from abuse, harm and neglect. To this end, Camden Safeguarding Adults Partnership Board (SAPB) is running a Safeguarding consultation to seek views from people to help develop strategy priorities for the next 5 years.
The survey is also available in Sylheti, Somali and Easy read. Please email Patricia Cox at patricia.cox@camden.gov.uk to ask for the translated surveys
For more information and to take the survey, please click here
Start Well Case for Change: Share your views
Health and care organisations in North Central London (NCL) are working together on Start Well: a long-term programme looking at children and young people, maternity and neonatal services. The aim is to understand if we are collectively delivering the best services to meet the needs of people living in Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington, and those from neighbouring boroughs and beyond who choose to use our services.
To learn more and take the survey, please click here
Ethical Property Foundation support
Every year London’s property advice charity the Ethical Property Foundation supports dozens of small voluntary groups with free online advice, training and signposting support from experienced property advisers. You might need help with an issue with the roof, the lease, basic premises management or negotiating with the landlord.
If you need support with your premises, whether rented or owned, click here to learn more
Early Bird £10 & £15 Tickets Offer for The Darkest Part of the Night at Kiln Theatre
There is an allocation of £10 and £15 tickets from Kiln Theatre for the world premiere of The Darkest Part of The Night
These tickets are available for all performances until Saturday 13th August.
To book, please call the Kiln Theatre Box Office on 020 7328 1000 or go online here and use the promocode BID.
Past Voluntary Action Forums: Resources
You can find presentations, recordings and resources from past forums here.
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| Got an item for the e-bulletin? |
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| Watch a short video about our work! |
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| Find out more about our work supporting the community and community groups with this short video. |
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