Voluntary Action Camden e-bulletin 7th May 2020

VAC Weekly Newsletter
7th May 2020

Highlights

Financial Impact on the Camden VCS Survey; Accessing Government Grants; Use the Volunteer Brokers to get volunteers for your organisation; Government Funding Package update; Resources + funding and more

Feature

If Nothing Else Look at These 3 Things

1. It’s really important that when we make the case for the sector that we have a good picture of the financial impact the Covid-19 emergency has had on organisations. So please take our Financial Impact Survey.

2. The Government support grants to businesses have been tied to those with premises and there are complicated rules making it hard for charities who may well be eligible to access the funds. We have some detailed guidance.

3. A team of volunteer brokers is now up and running. The Camden‘Volunteer Brokerage’ service 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.You can use the Brokerage service to request volunteers with specific skills or background for community activity.

Government funding package latest

The latest update on the government funding package for charities is that funding for small charities delivering essential front-line covid-19 support will, where possible, be delivered locally – more details as soon as we have them. This is in addition to funds being distributed though Awards for All and an adapted Reaching Communities fund – details here National Lottery Community Fund (6 months – £10,000 to £100,000). Other funders are still creating new funding opportunities (see links under Funding), such as the Big Local £50,000 fund being distributed in Somers Town by the ST Big Local.

Our Letter Urging Support for the Sector

VAC has written a letter to the CNJ urging both central and local government to ensure that there is sufficient support for the many voluntary and community organisations that have responded to the Covid-19 emergency. Read it here.

Camden Voluntary Action Online Forum

Thanks to all who came to the forum yesterday and shared updates and news. There was a clear agreement that the next one (on Wednesday 20th May at 11am) should look at how we re-shape services and the challenge of bringing online and offline together in the future. Details to follow.

Keep in Touch:

Pop Up Think and Do
The South Hampstead and Kilburn Community Partnership (SHAK)
Talk for Health
ACAS

Healthwatch Camden’s Covid-19 Survey

How are people accessing information needed to stay well, how health and care services have changed since the Covid-19 outbreak, and how covid-19 is affecting other aspects of health and wellbeing?
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/healthwatchcamdencovid-19 or call 020 7383 2402 to complete the survey over the phone if you are not online. Particularly interested to hear from: people for whom English isn’t first language, those with a communication support need, people who are BAME (esp. Black African and older Bangladeshi men), men, under 24s, and 55+.
New info on the website:
1) who is eligible for a Covid-19 test and how to get one?
2) Blog encouraging people to use NHS services following concerning drop in attendances.

Covid-19 Resources

VAC has gathered relevant resources on a range of topics.
Notable recent additions include:

VAC COVID-19 Pages

Covid-19 Community Directory (Update your entry here)
Covid-19 Update page.
Covid-19 Resources page

Keep in touch and up-to-date via the e-bulletin and @onecamden twitter. We have a comprehensive COVID-19 update page and a resources page.

National

The Best Articles this Week

Lack of help for charities will do ‘untold damage’, MPs warn
Committee of MPs calls on Government to provide more support for charities
The Covid-19 crisis and charities – Parliamentary Report

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

Government funding package

The government revealed their funding package for charities, of which £370 million will be available for small charities delivering essential frontline COVID-19 related services for vulnerable people through the Community fund. Details of the fund are now on the National Lottery Community Fund website. Small funding (up to £10,000) is still being distributed by Awards for All. Further local distribution is planned – details to follow.

Somers Town Big Local Covid-19 Emergency Fund

Grants up to £1500 aimed at responding to the Covid-19 emergency in Somers Town. Telephone 020 8364 8400 to book a telephone appointment. Deadline Monday 25th May. engagement@stbl.org.uk

Hampstead Wells & Campden Trust

is a small funder that can assist organisations in NW3, NW6 and Camden parts of NW2. During the COVID-19 crisis we are working to provide support for individuals and families in need through small grants for emergencies (applications only through a local organisation or agency, see our website), and for organisations coping with different demands on their services and new ways of working (contact sheila@hwct.co.uk for an informal chat first).

All Ways Network

Useful funding resources and AWN are offering Muslim charities free bid writing support. Details here.

How to fund Mutual Aid groups

Tuesday 5 May, 11am-12pm
an online session for any groups that are interested in learning more about how they can fund their COVID-19 community projects. Book at Eventbrite

London Community Response

The second wave of London Community Response funding is open.
1. Crisis response – grants up to £10,000 to meet the immediate needs
2. Delivering differently – grants of £10,000 to £50,000 to change how you work

Lists of Emergency Funders

Civil Society
Ian McLintok’s LinkedIn blog
NCVO’s funding central site is currently free for non-members.
Charity Bank
Grants Online

Youth Futures Foundation

The Foundation is committed to transforming employment for young people.
Funding is for a 6-12 month period of planning and set up from September 2020 onwards, during which time no direct delivery to young people will be required. This will be followed by funding for a delivery phase from January 2021 onwards, by which time we hope face to face work will be possible again.

Digital & Tech Support Online Q&A

Tuesday, 21st April, 2 – 3.30pm
Many organisations are having to grapple with moving their office systems online so staff and volunteers can work remotely.We’ll look at:
~ What systems do you need?
~ How do you set them up?
~ What works and what doesn’t?
Q&A session with Gilbert Plant, our digital partner from CITA and WCIT.
Joining details here: https://vac.org.uk/events/
Email alexcharles@vac.org.uk

These sessions will be hosted on zoom. Ideally you will need a PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone with camera or microphone but you can also join by telephone as well. Click on the link or use the meeting ID. You will also need the 4 digit password. Short guide to joining a zoom meeting.

Safeguarding Courses:

VAC is working with funders so that safeguarding courses can continue online. Further details to come. There are some basic safeguarding videos on the home page and on the COVID19 Update page.
Tel: 020 7 284 6575 | Email: dogunyemi@vac.org.uk email (Mon – Wed)

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

Camden Events

All face-to-face events are cancelled for now. Many groups and organisations have moved their activity online. Check the Covid-19 Directory or go to the organisation’s webpage, or facebood, twitter or instagram page. For exampe WEP have a newsletter with online and virtual activities.

Get Involved: Online talks for Kentish Town

A new series of talks, each episode will focus on a community organisation with the aim of raising awareness of their activities, and telling their story in a way that connects with the audience. It is an opportunity to reach locals who would benefit from their
services and also those in a position to support the organisation in some way. For further information email hello@get-involved.org.uk

Free training courses

Training Link has free online courses that people can do at home. Improve your skills during the lockdown! The courses include Level 2
Food Safety & Hygiene, Customer Care, courses for care work and others. They can be done on a PC or laptop with internet access. For
more information, email Peter Lush on director@traininglink.org.uk

Ageing Better in Camden

ABC are collecting a wealth of resources to keep us entertained, happy, healthy and creative during this time. If you’d like to suggest a resource to add. Please email ageingbetterincamden@ageukcamden.org.uk with your ideas.

Local history Live film screening

An online event on the evening of Tuesday 12th May. It is a screening of a film about Somers Town followed by questions and answers with the film-maker, Diana Foster. Full details of the event and how to book your place can be found here: https://www.camden.gov.uk/local-history-exhibitions-and-events#eenn

Virtual Gallery Project for 13-18 year olds

What: Collaborate with other young people and older community members to produce digital artwork documenting your lockdown experience and then curate your own online exhibition.
Weekly on Wednesdays 4-6pm, starting 29th April, (via online Zoom sessions)
More info and sign up with chloe.plumb@holborncommunity.co.uk

Free Online Social Activities Directory

The RecommendMe directory is where people can search for social activities, events and other things to do. Includes: Carers art groups on Zoom, Carers online cuppa, Over 60s Peer to peer befriending, Virtual creative writing for the over 60s, Gardening workshops on Zoom, Boost your emotional strength, Make and mend (chat and stitch) groups.

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 much it much easier to access the volunteers.
Get support and resources from Volunteer Centre Camden
The council has a page of resources to help community organisations

Henna Asian Women’s Group is seeking a Finance trustee

to join the Governance of our charity. Working alongside our effective Trustee Board and staff team this Trustee will take responsibility for finance and work closely with Henna’s Treasurer, to oversee and explain budgets, accounts and annual financial statements to the board of trustees. The Finance trustee will lead the board’s duty to ensure that proper accounting records are kept, financial resources are properly controlled, invested and economically spent, in line with good governance, legal and regulatory requirements. Alongside the development and implementation of financial reserves, cost management and investment policies.
They will be equipped to monitor and advise on the financial viability of the charity and oversee the implementation of monitoring specific financial controls and adherence to systems.
The trustee will also advise on the financial implications of the charity’s strategic plan, alongside overseeing the charity’s financial risk management process.
For further information please contact Rafat on rafat_hennaorg@yahoo.co.uk

Paid work opportunities for people who have been laid off/ reduced income

Local Adult social care providers are still recruiting, and as they support the NHS to move vulnerable adults out of hospital to stay well at home, their need is growing. Contact Proud to Care.

Camden Social Prescribing and Care Navigation update

Social Prescribing and Care Navigation delivered by Age UK Camden, Voluntary Action Camden and Wish+ is operational, and adapted, as a point of access to services and support during the COVID 19 emergency.
We are aiming to connect residents with emerging support in their local areas where there is appropriate provision.
If local community organisations are contacted by residents with more complex needs than they can support please refer to Community Links and we will work with the Care Navigation and Wish+ teams to find the support needed. Referral form can be found here. Minimum requirements are contact details and permission to contact the person needing support.
All the usual routes in to the service apply via Community Links at VAC:
Freephone: 0800 193 6067 (please leave a message if no answer. Staff are using other phones to call back and keep this one free)
Secure NHS email (referrals only): camccg.socialprescribingreferral@nhs.net
Community Links email (enquiries and referrals): communitylinks@vac.org.uk

SHP Camden Recovery Service & Islington Aftercare

We are here to support Camden and Islington residents who are in recovery from substance use issues. We help individuals to explore their education, training, volunteering and employment goals and work with them to develop a personal plan to help achieve them.
Whilst our Camden Square offices are currently closed, we are still available to offer tailored 1:1 support via telephone and online. In addition our clients will have access to our online group programmes which include a weekly women’s group, recovery group and personal development workshops.
Within the service we have a team of Peer Mentors, who use their lived experience of overcoming substance use issues to support our clients along their recovery journeys. We are always keen to hear from individuals who have been abstinent from problematic substance use for over 6 months and are interested in becoming a Peer Mentor Volunteers themselves.
For more information about any of the above please contact 020 7520 8682, camdenrecoveryservice@shp.org.uk or islingtonaftercare@shp.org.uk.

Got an item for the e-bulletin?

Send your item to knunan@vac.org.uk or info@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.