Highlights: Ageing Better in Camden meeting about St Pancras and Somerstown; The Francis Crick Institute, 2015 Winter Workshops Call for Proposals; Want to get involved with study on immigration?; Promoting Change Training; Family Fun day; Camden Ageing Network Meeting; Camden People First Event; Highgate Day Centre Open Day; Free Furniture offer; plus news, funding, events, jobs, volunteering and more.
NEWS
Ageing Better in Camden meeting about St Pancras and Somerstown Community Action Project
Ageing Better in Camden is holding a briefing and discussion meeting on Monday 10th August, 3:30 – 5:30 pm to look at the St Pancras and Somerstown Community Action Project Specification. This project aims to:
~ Build a group of active and involved older people working together to improve their lives and their community
~ Create an environment where older participants are less lonely and socially isolated
~ Improve the lives and community of people living in St Pancras and Somerstown.
The ITT documentation will be published in September 2015 and the project is due to start 1st April 2016 and the contract is for 2 years. The value of the contract is £93,000. If you want to attend the meeting or have more information on the project please contact Julia Shelley 02072390400 on Julia.shelley@ageukcamden.org.uk
Queen’s Crescent Summer Festival 2015
Saturday 8th August 12pm-5pm
QC Summer Festival is back for its’ 14th year with the theme ‘Family and Healthy Living’!
International food, family entertainment, fairground rides, fun activities for all.
QCCA, 45 Ashdown Crescent, LONDON NW5 4QE Tel: 020 7267 6635
National News
Top Recruitment Agency Alarmed at Persistent Politicised Attacks on Sector
In a hard hitting article, Trashing the Charity Sector, Charity People warn that the sector needs to start pushing back: “We need to see a concerted campaign to both defend the charity sector from misleading and inaccurate attacks on its work, and to promote the work that it does to keep the wheels on the civil society bus. Unless we start to see some kind of push back from the sector, it will continue to make it a challenging environment to bring talented trustees, staff and volunteers into. We rely on people prepared to give their time and expertise to organisations that they would have traditionally been proud of. Trash that excellent reputation and we risk losing the very people who have the ability to transform it.”
With Friends Like These (again)
As if on cue William Shawcross the Chief Charity Commissioner has given an interview to the Times (you will have to pay to read it) in which he is very critical of the sector. Shawcross is a former Times Journalist whose own wife thinks he’s never had a real job in his life. Civil Society lists his many gaffes, hostility to the sector, lack of knowledge of the sector and concludes that William Shawcross has spoken out too stridently, and too often. SCVO have gone further and called on him to resign.
Petition to Improve the Charity Commission Website
Recently changes have made it difficult to navigate the Charity Commission website. Charity solicitors, Withers, have finally run out of patience and started a petition to persuade the Charity Commission to fix the problems.
If You Sup With the Devil…
Kids Company has been all over the news. They were reliant on corporates and the great and good for funding, as well as our fickle media for publicity. It has all gone wrong suddenly. Much has been written about them but little is worth reading. One exception is Gaby Hinsliff’s article in the Guardian.
The Francis Crick Institute, 2015 Winter Workshops Call for Proposals
In the run-up to the festive season, the Crick’s Communications and Engagement team is looking to deliver a programme of engaging and creative workshops with schools and community groups. It is envisaged that the project will bring the community together and allow people to explore science in a fun and accessible way, drawing links between creativity, art and science. Full details in the final section below.
Want to get involved with study on immigration?
The aim of this study is to assess the people’s views on immigration. The study is looking for:
1) Native Britons who currently live in LONDON (born and raised in the UK; have not lived outside of UK for an extended time)
2) Recent Immigrants who currently live in LONDON (from any country; in the UK for 5 YEARS OR LESS; have not previously lived in the UK).
Provide your opinions on immigration
Read a short article about immigration and answer some question about the article
Answer some general questions about your community (where you live) and yourself (personal opinions, demographics). This study is online and will take about 20-25 minutes to complete.
As thanks, participants will be given a £10 e-voucher (Amazon) or have the option of donating their payment to UNICEF UK. For additional information about the study and to determine eligibility please contact Naledi Hollbruegge at k.n.hollbruegge@qmul.ac.uk
Promoting Change Training
Our enthusiastic trainers have designed this course specifically for professionals across Camden and Islington, and will focus on guiding and supporting learning opportunities by challenging you, reinforcing involvement and maintaining an energetic pace throughout the programme.
By attending the course you will:
· Gain an insight into the key health promotion messages for smoking, healthy eating, physical activity and alcohol consumption
· Understand how to effectively raise the topic of health behaviours in your conversations
· Learn how to effectively shape behaviours to support a healthy lifestyle and encourage independence
· Explore the best way to put these skills and strategies into practice within the context of your own role
Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis so don’t delay – take the next step in your professional development and confirm your place today: http://promotingchangetraining.eventbrite.com
Contact Paula Prince at Whittington Health NHS for dates or for more information:
Email: paula.prince@nhs.net Telephone: 0207 527 1189. Free. I day. 7, 10 or 30 September.
Family Fun Day Thursday 13th August 2015 12:00 – 4:00pm
Sidings Community Centre, 150 Brassey Road, London NW6 2BA
Photography competition – see camden.gov.uk/50photos
Free Health Checks – Please check web link for eligibility – http://www.healthycamden.com/community
Free raffle with your chance to win 3-month leisure passes
• Bouncy castle, face painting, games and craft activities
• Sports activities including exercise taster sessions
• Energy efficiency advice
• Come and find out more about the Tenants and Residents Association (TRA);
• Free lunch and a fruit and vegetable goodie bag
For more information visit camden.gov.uk/familyfunday
Camden Ageing Network Meeting
Councillor Larraine Revah Camden’s Champion for Older people invites you to attend the Camden Ageing Network 2-4pm on 9th September 2015 in The Council Chamber, Camden Town Hall, Judd Street, WC1
The meeting provides an opportunity for you to hear and ask questions about many new projects and initiatives
The meeting will include update from
• Camden’s older peoples commissioner
• Age UK Camden on new projects and initiatives in Camden for older citizens
• Kilburn Older Voices Exchange presents what KOVE is currently doing with Ageing Better Camden and to show their new film A Nice Cup of Tea.
• Community Programmes: provision for local adults at the British Museum
Plus more to be confirmed. Please call: 0207 974 1459 if you require further information
Camden People First will be having a green space event on 17th August
This event will share knowledge and experiences on Disability hate and mate crime, in efforts to bring awareness, educate and help put a stop to disability hate and mate crime; especially within the local community.
The event will be held in Harrington Square Gardens on 17th August from 11am to 3pm, and we aim to have stalls set up from local service providers. The event is aimed at service users as well as the local community and general public. I
VAC Response to Council’s Engagement Process
VAC has responded to: ‘Camden Council and Camden’s Voluntary and Community Sector. Investing in a Sustainable Strategic Relationship’. You can read the response on the VAC website.
Free Furniture to Camden Groups
A local firm is giving away 6 desks and chairs, mini fridges and filing cabinets.
To be collected by the end of August.
Contact Tara Ansari :tara762003@yahoo.co.uk
Healthwatch Camden
Latest Information DIgest is on the Healthwatch Camden website.
Catch up with the latest Camden news and what’s happening on Our Blog
The Camden Capacity Building Bulletin is produced monthly, targeting the community and voluntary sector in Camden. It provides up to date/recently live information and news on funding and training. To access the latest information please follow the Link www.camden.gov.uk/cbbulletin
Camden Carers Centre, Camden Society, SHAK, Age Uk Camden, Voiceability, Camden Hub, Stroke and Aphasia Minorities Support Group and Camden PA are recruiting. See Jobs and Volunteers section below.
Camden Shares. The website for exchanges in Camden. www.camdenshares.org.uk
You can join in on Facebook. Like us if you like us.
Follow all the Camden Voluntary Sector news on OneCamden on Twitter.
You can read more about all of these stories on our news page at www.vac.org.uk/new
FUNDING NEWS
See the Funding pages on VAC’s website for all the latest information.
£1m Available for Charities Working to Support and Encourage Youth Social Action.
The money is provided by a combination of the Pears Foundation, UK Community Foundations (UKCF) and the government, and the fund will eventually make £1.77m available. £1.26m is available nationally.
Applications will close on August 28. There is no minimum and maximum size of grant available.
For more information and to apply go to https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-youth-social-action-fund-expressions-of-interest
The Jack Petchey Foundation small grants for youth programmes
The Small Grants Fund allows those organisations who are running the Achievement Award Scheme well, to apply for a small grant of up to £750 to enhance their work with young people.
Please note that you must already be running the Achievement Award in your school or club, AND you must have recently nominated a Leader Award winner too. For more information on this see How to Apply.
The Good Neighbourhood Fund
Grants of between £5,000 and £10,000 per year over two years, are available to support work benefitting people aged 18 or over in the following areas: Health and/or Wellbeing and Inclusion
Proposals must promote or encourage integration and/or inclusion through project delivery. This could include:
~ Health and wellbeing projects that bring people of different backgrounds, faiths, gender, cultures, sexuality, ages together through the group’s work
~ Projects with a health/wellbeing focus that are actively tackling issues such as exclusion and isolation
Funding is available for projects, or core funding for organisations whose work fits with the fund themes, and funding is available to continue existing work, and/or for new work or pilots.
Income Threshold: Organisations must have an average annual income of less than £200,000
Priority will be given to:
~ Small organisations working to support a defined local community
~ Resident or user led groups
~ Organisations demonstrating a clear understanding of the needs of their community
~ Work which shows innovation for either the organisation and/or sector
~ Organisations which are able to provide volunteering/engagement opportunities for MyLotto24 staff
Deadline: 5pm, Monday 7th September 2015. Full details at London Community Foundation
Crowdfunding?
Don’t forget that there is a dedicated page on Spacehive just for Camden projects. And set up costs are free to Camden groups. Find out more at Spacehive Camden.
Don’t forget to sign up to Funding Central for free email funding alerts. Go to www.fundingcentral.org.uk/
VAC EVENTS
VAC has a full programme of courses coming up: Click here to find out more. All courses are £25 for members (unless otherwise stated).
Mental health courses and workshops from VAC
To book your place, please go to https://vac.org.uk/events/category/health-mental-health/. Click on the course you are interested in and follow the instructions to book your place and pay by card (if applicable). The charge for our Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid training courses is heavily subsidised at only £25 per person. All other mental health workshops are free.
Please note that VAC can only accept bookings from organisations based in Camden or which serve Camden residents. Places are limited on each course to a maximum of two people per organisation.
If you have any queries about our training, please contact us on our new email address: mentalhealthteam@vac.org.uk.
OTHER EVENTS
Training from HEAR
Supporting LGBT+ Asylum Seekers and Refugees – 10 September 2015
10am to 1pm (arrival from 9.30am). Voluntary Action Islington/LVSC, 200a Pentonville Road, N1 9JP (close to Kings Cross station). Trainer: Jess McIntyre, Reach Out.
This training develops themes and topics from other popular HEAR training on supporting refugees and asylum seekers and on supporting LGB people and Trans Awareness, and reflects HEAR’s commitment to training on more complex intersectional topics. This training is for anybody that may work with or support asylum seekers or refugees. Learn, in a supportive and open learning environment, how to provide safe spaces for vulnerable people with complex needs.
Deaf Awareness Workshop – 16 September 2015
10am-1pm (arrival from 9.30am) Canada Water Culture Space (Canada Water Library), 21 Surrey Quays Road, SE16 7AR (immediately adjacent Canada Water Jubilee line and London Overground station). Trainers: Community ID.
An exciting opportunity to take part in a free half day training on Deaf Awareness led by deaf people from the Community ID team. Learn about the different and sometimes confusing terminology around hearing impairment, deaf culture, tips on working with deaf people and those with different levels of hearing impairment, and how to work with BSL interpreters. A supportive environment where you can learn and ask questions with those who have direct experience of deafness.
Trans Awareness – 7 October 2015
10am-1pm (arrival from 9.30am) Roots and Shoots, Walnut Tree Walk, Kennington, SE11 6DN (near Lambeth North tube station). Trainer: Lee Gale. This training is back by popular demand!
This workshop will be an interactive session that aims to increase your understanding of identities and language used in Trans communities, to increase your confidence when supporting Trans people and create awareness of Trans people’s experiences. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and explore these topics in a friendly and supportive environment. This training is organised in partnership with HEAR’s London for All partners LVSC.
Gender Recognition Act – 4 November 2015
10am-1pm (arrival from 9.30am) Fitzrovia Community Centre, 6 Foley Street, W1W 6DL (Central London, West End, close Googe Street and Tottenham Court Road). Trainer: Lee Gale.
Whatever your type of service or beneficiary group you will at some point find that trans people are included amongst those who need your service or support. As well as a broader awareness of trans issues, it is important to be aware of the relevant equalities legislation. The Gender Recognition Act 2004 (GRA) is a very important piece of legislation for the rights of trans people in the UK. It enables many trans people to get legal recognition of their affirmed gender and allows them to change their birth certificate to reflect this, giving privacy rights and dignity to people in the UK. This session for London voluntary and community organisations and groups aims to give a brief introduction to the current European situation for legal recognition of trans people, what the GRA covers and who it protects, and how to make sure that you and your organisation comply with this legislation and the law. This training is organised in partnership with HEAR’s London for All partners LVSC. To book your place please email the HEAR Coordinator: hear@reap.org.uk stating your name, organisation, organisation postcode, and whether you have any access or dietary requirements or book online.
Street Step Employability Academy
Street Step is an employability charity that supports 16-24 year olds to get into work, education or training. Our programme provides an opportunity to develop skills, gain qualifications, and get fit through dance and fitness – all while having fun. All of this is happening at the Platform (Hornsey Road Baths, 2 Tiltman Place, off Hornsey Road, London, N7 7EE).
Our Academy has a rolling intake, meaning a young person can join when it’s right for them. Street Step Academy includes:
~ Employability skills and work placements
~ Employability and healthy living qualifications
~ Maths and English qualifications
~ Dance fitness, fun and friends!
~ In-work support once you’ve found a job
You can find out more and get in touch by visiting http://www.streetstep.co.uk/london
If you or a young person would like to learn more about us, come and join us at the Street Step Social. It will run Monday – Thursday at 1:30.
We also run FREE dance fitness classes every Wednesday at 2:30!
For more information – kate.harrison@streetstep.co.uk or 07580 995477
Camden Summer programme 2015
Camden Council has put together an action-packed schedule of activities for all the family to enjoy. There are dozens of free and low cost events across the borough to get involved in.
From BMX to free swimming sessions for residents, there’s something sporty for everyone.
If you’re looking for inspiration, you can Discover a new world with one of the many exhibitions and talks taking place at libraries, museums and galleries, or soak in the atmosphere at community festivals, screenings and live performances with friends and family to Discover a new delight.
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Camden this year, you can also Discover Camden 50 with a range of special events. So, whether you want to keep the kids entertained during the holidays, or just explore more of what’s on offer near you, the summer programme offers everything you need this sunny season.
Check out LoveCamden.org/discover for full details of events and activities
Follow @LoveCamden on Twitter for the latest updates
For more details on Camden 50, log on to Camden.gov.uk/camden50
Tennis for blind and partially sighted people
Liven up your Friday evenings – come and play sound ball tennis at The Globe Tennis Club
190A Haverstock Hill, NW3 2AL behind Belsize Park tube station [Northern line] Buses C11, 168 and 268
We can meet and guide people to the tennis club from Belsize Park tube station, Hampstead Heath Overground station or nearest bus stops.
Every other Friday: 14th and 28th August; 11th and 25th September and so on… From 6pm to 8pm
Sessions are FREE. Equipment and coaching provided. Please wear tennis or tennis-like footwear.
Sessions followed by a social get-together.
Want to know more? Phone Rosemary on 07980 328 959 or email: Rosemary@somerstown.org.uk
Camden Clinical Commissioning Group
The next CPPEG open meeting is on Monday 10th August (St Pancras Hospital, Conference Hall).
The presentations at the open meeting are as follows:
Presentation 1: Developing commissioning intentions for 2015/16
Presenter: Melody Woolcock, Assistant Director of Commissioning, Camden CCG
Presentation 2: NHS 111 /Out-of-hours engagement & procurement update
Presenter: Ebun Eno—Amooquaye, Project Manager NHS 111, Camden CCG
Presentation 3: Supporting people & families living with Dementia
Presenter: Tracey McDermott, Dementia Befriending Service Coordinator – Age UK Camden & Philip Darby, Strategic Commissioner, Camden Council/Camden CCG (presenter subject to change)
To RSVP you can contact Edith Raie Senior CPPEG administrator by
Email: edith.raie@camdenccg.nhs.uk or Telephone: 020 3688 2044
Free English Classes
Would you like to speak English better? Then come to our free classes.
Every Monday 6pm-8pm at The Evelyn Oldfield Unit, Resource for London, 356 Holloway Road, N7 6PA
Please contact Alexandra for more information on 0207 697 4105 alexandra@evelynoldfield.co.uk
Disability Awareness Training from YPFI
We can train you or your organisation in Disability Awareness, help you make your service accessible for people with disabilities, or support you to set up your own Youth Participation group. The training is delivered by young disabled people from Camden and surrounding boroughs.
YPFI aims to stay in contact with organisations who receive their training to build enduring and positive relationships. By delivering these training programs we hope to improve the lives of disabled people and increase inclusion in London. Find out more at the Elfrida Rathbone YPFI website or come to the Free Taster Day on Friday 10th July at Kentish Town Community Centre from 10am-1pm.
You are invited to join us to find out more about what we offer, speak to organisations who have received the training we run and take part in activities designed to raise awareness of disability, inclusion and accessibility.
Please contact YPFI to book a place and find out more ypfi@elfridacamden.org.uk Tel: 020 7424 1601
London for All
London for All / LVSC have a full programme of courses available for the voluntary sector. Go to the London for All website for full details.
Camden Carers’ Service
Has a full range of events and activities for unpaid carers in Camden. Find out more on the Camden Carers’ Service website www.camdencs.org.uk/activities
Don’t forget that Camden TDS run a full programme of course which are subsidised or free for voluntary sector partner organisations. There is a link to a list of partner organisations on the home page.
Find more Training Opportunities at www.vac.org.uk
JOBS AND VOLUNTEERS
Camden Carers Centre seeks Time for Change Young Adult Carer Project Worker
We are looking to appoint a Young Adult Carer (YAC) Project Worker as part of our exiting 2 year Time for Change project. This worker will take a lead role in identifying YACS from all communities throughout Camden, to develop meaningful and ongoing relationships with appropriate agencies, to raise awareness of needs and rights of YACS resulting in YACS being referred for support.
We are looking for someone with excellent communication and organisational skills and the ability to prioritise their workload. This role would suit someone who can work on their own initiative, whist still being part of a friendly and supportive team. Experience in a similar role would be an advantage, but we are also interested in applicants with transferable skills and a positive attitude.
You must have excellent communication skills and knowledge of issues that impact on carers. It is essential that you are able to work with people from local diverse communities and an enhanced DBS check will be essential.
Salary: £28,280.00 p.a. pro rata x 21 hours per week in year 1 x 14 hours per week in year 2
An application pack can be downloaded by from our website, please visit www.camdencs.org.uk/get-involved or by emailing info@camdencarers.org.uk.
Closing date: Midnight, Sunday 23rd August 2015. Interviews: Thursday 3rd September 2015
For more information about the job please call Caroline Allouf Support & Information Service Manager on 020 7428 8956 or email caroline@camdencarers.org.uk
The Camden Society needs your help this August
Each August, the Camden Society organises the Great Escape, a week-long activity holiday for people with learning disabilities and autism. To make the Great Escape happen, we need your help! We are looking for volunteers who can help with setting up and taking down the campsite at either end of the holiday and help with preparations in Knish Town on Sunday 9 and Sunday 16 August. This is a fantastic opportunity to help make someone’s holiday happen by giving a few hours of your time and we hope have a lot of fun in the process. If you would like to know more, please contact Kate. whittle@thecamdensociety.co.uk or call 020 7485 8177.
Age UK Camden PSIC is seeking 3 posts:
Personal Health Budgets Direct Payments Support Worker (17.5 hours per week) 12 Months Fixed Term Contract
Local Government Scale SO1 £28,845-£31,323pa pro rata for 17.5 hours £14,422.50-£15,661.50 plus 6% contributory pension.
Direct Payments Support Worker 2 Posts
35 hours per week, Fixed Term Contract for 9 months and 3 Months
Local Government Scale SO1 £28,845-£31,323pa plus 6% contributory pension.
Personalization Service In Camden (PSIC) is a subsidiary of Age UK Camden. It is a new venture, having been set up following the collapse of the previous provider of Direct Payments support to under 65’s in Camden.
If you are interested in the above vacancy please see the application pack including the full job description and person specification at the following link to our web site www.ageukcamden.org.uk or email jobs@ageukcamden.org.uk
The closing date for receipt of completed application forms is 9am on Monday 17 August and interviews will be held on Monday, 24th August 2015.
SHAK seeks P/T Employment & Learning Worker
21hrs per week. Salary: £27,300 pa (pro rata)
Shack (South Hempstead and Wilbur Community Partnership) is a charity based on the iconic Alexandra and Airworthy estate in the Wilbur ward of Camden NW London. Our mission is to increase local community confidence and support disadvantaged young people and adults by increasing their life opportunities. We do this by identifying and meeting local needs with a range of opportunities in areas of lifelong learning, youth activities, community involvement, employment support, advice and guidance, volunteering, events etc.
The post holder will be working at “The SHELL Centrex”, a community learning centre on the Alexandra and Ainsworth estate in NW London Camden Borough, Kilburn ward. The centre was established in 2003 and has good reputation of engaging successfully with the local community especially disadvantaged groups.
Email your CV and a covering letter explaining how you feel you meet the job profile criteria to: johnboyle@shakonline.co.uk
Closing date: 5 pm on 17th August 2015. Interviews held during the week beginning August 24th.
Two Opportunities for User Involvement from Voiceability
We are looking for service users to join a strategic service user involvement team who will input into shaping service delivery in Camden.
Mental health or substance use service users will play a key part in monitoring the performance of service providers, and in deciding which organisations provide services in Camden.
Applications are encouraged from as wide a range as possible of drug, alcohol or mental health service users in Camden.
In particular, there is an opportunity now for drug service users to apply to be on the tender panel for applications wanting to provide drug treatment services in Camden. We need to receive applications for this opportunity by Wednesday 5th August.
If you would like to apply to be a strategic service user involvement representative, please email camdenuserinvolvement@voiceability.org or phone 020 3355 7113 to tell us a little about:
• The skills you can bring to the role
• Why you want to do this
• Your lived experience and services you may have accessed
• If you are interested in tendering, contract monitoring, or both.
Camden Hub seeks Project Assistant
Be an instrumental part of an innovative project tackling mental ill health in Camden within the Bengali, Black, and Irish communities. We are looking for people who take initiative, can think creatively, and, most importantly, are confident to engage with people. If you are from any of these communities, then your grassroots knowledge, insights and network will be invaluable.
We put people first and will be connecting with them on their terms, wherever they feel most comfortable: clubs or cafes, mosques or churches, college or university, at home or on the go. Having identified people and places, you’ll help to run “mutual learning sessions”. These informal meetups will allow each community to come up with their own original ideas for raising mental health awareness and reducing stigma. Harnessing this energy and insight, you’ll then go on to co produce (together) the most popular and exciting ones.
What you’ll do
~ Investigate and identify where people come together, eg, social clubs, cafes, parent groups, and places of worship;
~ Make contact and create relationships;
~ Meet with individuals and groups. Have informal discussions and “mutual learning workshops” to gain insights and ideas.
~ Later in the project, run “codesign & coproduction sessions” where you’ll help to follow through on ideas people have had, eg, produce a film, create a leaflet, run a popup music studio at schools
You can be involved in a big way: meeting with lots of people, helping to surface many ideas and then helping to see them through.
Or, you may prefer to engage with just one or two groups of people: perhaps you are well situated to meet up with your local barber shop, pub, or youth club, where you’re confident you can get people talking and creating ideas.
Contact Kumar from Camden Hub (camdenhub.org.uk) on 020 7278 4437 or kumar.grant@hcct.org.uk.
Stroke and Aphasia Minorities Support Group seeks Volunteers
The Stroke and Aphasia Minorities Support Group is a new group that meets at Charlie Ratchford Resource Centre. The group is looking for a number of volunteers and trustees:
2 Trustees
A Treasurer
A Secretary
A volunteer coordinator
A fundraising volunteer
Ideally you should have some knowledge and/or experience of strokes. For more information and to apply please contact Felix Mboko at minorities.strokeaphasia@gmail.com
Are you looking to employ an assistant to help with your care needs? CamdenPAs can help you.
CamdenPAs.org.uk is a new service that makes it easy to find a personal assistant (PA) and puts you in control of your care and support.
If you have care needs, you can employ a PA to help you to live as independently as possible.
PAs can carry out a wide range of tasks, as agreed with you, to help with things such as washing, getting dressed, cooking, and supporting you to go out and about.
CamdenPAs features an online ‘marketplace’ for you to browse through a list of profiles of PAs in the borough. Profiles give details about the services they provide, their skills, experience and personal interests.
You can look through the list to find suitable matches and choose someone you like to help support you.
When you find a match you can contact the PA to arrange an interview and see how you get on. If you like them you can then work out contract details such as hours, duties and wages, and hire them.
If you do not find anyone suitable, you can set up your own a profile describing your requirements and interests, for PAs to look through and contact you.
You can employ a PA whether you receive a direct payment or fund your own care. If you receive direct payments you can get support with the employment from Personalised Support In Camden or AgeUK Camden.
Become a PA
If you’re a PA looking for work or are just starting out, CamdenPAs can help you. As well as helping you finding a job, the site features advice on looking for work, becoming a PA and where to get training.
Why not set up your profile today? Find out more, visit: camdenpas.org.uk or p hone: 020 7278 4437
Socially Responsible Recruiting
A new, award-winning skills matching service that connects employers with skilled and experienced people to do one-off or part-time jobs has launched in Camden, with a strong social benefit ethic.
“There is a very large number of people in Camden who are fantastically skilled and work-ready but are off the radar to employers because they’re not looking for full-time work and aren’t constantly scouring the job ads,” says Jonathan Collie, founder of Trading Times.
These people are highly skilled over 50s, and family carers. Trading Times brings them to you. It’s free to candidates. It costs you only £35, and only when you are connected to the perfect candidates.
Paul Fordham of Abbey Community Centre in Camden said: “”We posted our occasional job opportunity on Trading Times because we at the Abbey Community Centre recognise the value of the flexibility that can come with age. Trading Times offers a tailored means to directly target opportunities at an older group that the vast majority of other job sites simply do not seem to tap.”
Register at https://tradingtimes.org.uk/ and let Trading Times match you with the right local people for your needs.
Find Jobs and Volunteering opportunities at https://www.vac.org.uk/
OFFERS, RESOURCES and ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Francis Crick Institute, 2015 Winter Workshops Call for Proposals
The Francis Crick Institute will be a world leading centre for biomedical research. Due to open in the King’s Cross area of London in 2016, the Crick is a partnership between Cancer Research UK, the Medical Research Council, the Wellcome Trust, University College London (UCL), King’s College London and Imperial College London.
In the run-up to the festive season, the Crick’s Communications and Engagement team is looking to deliver a programme of engaging and creative workshops with schools and community groups. It is envisaged that the project will bring the community together and allow people to explore science in a fun and accessible way, drawing links between creativity, art and science.
We invite proposals from companies or individuals to develop and deliver the following:
~ An arts-based workshop that can be delivered to local community and primary school groups. Participants should be able to create tangible objects, which can be taken home or incorporated into a collaborative piece for display.
The workshops will be delivered between mid-November and mid-December
A maximum of 10 workshops will be delivered in venues specified by the Crick. Groups will be recruited in September.
Each workshop should last no longer than 60 minutes (given the target age range we envision them being shorter than this).
The workshop should be tailored to Years 1 – 2 (5 – 7 year olds) and be easily modifiable to family groups.
The Crick will be responsible for recruiting our target primary schools and community groups.
The workshops will be delivered at the participating schools and community centres. All will take place in the Kings Cross and Euston area, within one mile of the Crick.
In some instances, two workshops will be delivered on the same day at the same school.
The workshop should relate to an aspect of biology and/or biomedical research, and highlight the importance of creativity in scientific discovery.
The workshop should be delivered by the applicant, although the Crick is able to provide some support. For example we can provide volunteers to help with the delivery and assist with the scientific content.
Applicants are welcome to submit proposals for new workshop ideas, or for workshops that have been run in the past. If the latter is the case please include in your application any outputs from previous projects, such as photographs or evaluative findings.
A fee of up to £3000 is available for the successful applicant to cover development time, materials, travel costs and delivery of the workshops.
Please provide in your application:
A description of the workshop
The scientific content to be explored
Ideas for evaluation of the workshop
A detailed budget. Please include your costs per workshop, based on travelling to schools/community groups in Euston and Kings Cross and delivering the workshop 10 times to groups of up to 30.
The deadline for proposals is 5pm Wednesday 26 Aug 2015.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview at our offices in Euston, London during the week commencing 31 August 2015.
For further information or to submit a proposal, please contact Melanie Davies at the Francis Crick Institute: melanie.davies@crick.ac.uk, or 0207 611 2213.
London Councils Grants Programme Consultation 2017 – 2021
This consultation exercise will help London Councils decide whether the grants programme should continue past March 2017 and if it does what the priorities of the programme should be from 1 April 2017.
The consultation will also inform London Councils’ decisions on any future budget and allocation of resources to projects that deliver the priorities.
This consultation will also inform an equalities impact assessment. The Equality Act 2010 requires public bodies to tackle disadvantage and discrimination[i].Particular groups are covered against discrimination as they have protected characteristics. As such London Councils must must have due regard to effects of these decisions on the nine protected equalities groups. See more at the London Councils website.
Contribute to the new Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA)
The Joint Strategic Needs Assessment is being updated, and to ensure that the JSNA represents the voice of residents and local communities there is a process for the Voluntary and Community Sector to contribute information. One of the methods identified for obtaining data from the VCS is a Call for Evidence, which is asking organisations to submit any information they have on local needs and services. Please follow the link for the proforma for the Call for Evidence.
Take part in the Camden future libraries consultation
Camden Council has launched a future libraries consultation to review how savings of £800,000 could be made in the delivery of library services across the borough. Although there is less money available, this is a good opportunity to have your say on how future spending should be prioritised in order to create a modern library service that best supports all library users. Get involved by completing the survey online at camden.gov.uk/futurelibraries or pick up a copy from your local library. The consultation closes on Tuesday 6 October 2015.
Improving musculoskeletal services in Camden
Camden CCG would like to get to know what people think of the current services and what they feel could be improved. To complete the survey please click on the following Link: https://feedback.camdenccg.nhs.uk/strategy-and-planning/copy-of-copy-of-improving-musculoskeletal-services
Patients and carers have until the 31st July to complete the survey.
Musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders describe a variety of conditions that affect the muscles, bones and joints in many different parts of the body. Musculoskeletal services include trauma, orthopaedics, rheumatology, and pain management, as well as rehabilitation services such as physiotherapy, podiatry and orthotics.
Consultation on Proposals to commission an integrated NHS 111 & GP Out of Hours (111/OOH) service across North Central London
We want to hear about your experiences of the current services and your views and contributions on the proposals and how we can commission the best 111/OOH service for the residents of Camden (inc Barnet, Enfield, Haringey and Islington). The draft NHS 111/OOH service specification can be read here: http://www.camdenccg.nhs.uk/website/about/service-specification.htm
Whether you are a patient resident or a community organisation you can write to us or fill in the questionnaire at the back of the proposal document to:
NHS 111/Out of houses, Communications Department, NEL Commissioning Support Unit, 75 Worship Street, London EC2A 2DU
Or alternatively you can email your comments to feedback@nelcsu.nhs.uk or call the communications team at 0203 688 1615
You can also fill in the questionnaire online at http://www.camdenccg.nhs.uk/about/questionnaire.htm.
For further information about the procurement process or to read the background documents, please take a look at our website at: Camden CCG www.camdenccg.nhs.uk
Camden Consultations
Various consultations are out at the moment including a consultation on Camden Future Libraries and Camden VCS strategy and changes to early education and childcare and children’s centre services. You can find all Camden consultation on the Wearecamden consultation hub.
FREE VAC Membership for Unfunded Groups: Voluntary Action Camden Small organisations with no paid staff and a turnover of less than £1,500 can now join for FREE. To take advantage of this offer just fill in the membership on the online form here.
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To get discounts on training, room hire and many more benefits click here to join Voluntary Action Camden
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If you have an item for the e-bulletin, please email it to Kevin Nunan, knunan@vac.org.uk with a note of which section you would like it to appear under.
