Voluntary Action Camden e-bulletin 8th January 2021

Vaccine Volunteers

As the NHS gears up for mass vaccination volunteers will be needed to help with the effort.  Local volunteers are being recruited as needed by Health Centres, GPs and PCNs.  Look out for local recruitment calls.
Larger numbers will be required in due course as mass vaccination centres are set up.  For now, potential volunteers should register on Time to Spare or register as a steward volunteer on the Red Cross GoodSam website.
(Above – that’s Mandira and Sharon volunteering over Christmas).

Funding News

London Community Response Wave 4 opens next week. Young Camden Foundation’s Heads Up Mental Health Fund (Round 2) is now open.  The Windrush Community Fund is open for bids to spread awareness of the government compensation scheme. See Funding section below.

Light and Hope Memorial Website

This year has brought grief, loss and uncertainty to many across Camden. The virtual Light and Hope memorial brings us together to reflect, remember and honour those who have lost their lives.  You can share your tributes, memories and reflections here.

Extra data to support disadvantaged children

This scheme temporarily increases data allowances for mobile phone users on certain networks. This is so that children and young people can access remote education if their face-to-face education is disrupted.
You may also be able to access free Camden Wifi.  Check the map for details.

Thriving Communities

VAC is the lead organisation for the North Central London (NCL) area in the Thriving Communities Programme. The programme focusses on social prescribing and covid 19 related support delivered by the voluntary and community sector, and is being delivered through the National Academy for Social Prescribing.
VAC’s role is to work closely with our CVS / infrastructure counterparts in north central London and local VCS organisations, and co-produce and share learning through the Learning Together network. Updated information about the programme and access to Thriving Communities learning opportunities can be found here.   There are still places available on Learning Together and the the closing date has also been extended to 25th January.   You can also sign up to the network and ideas hub and get access to free webinars and learning.

Yes, Cultural Arts – You shall go to the Ball

Are you a cultural practitioner who feels a little like ‘Cinderella’ when it comes to Social Prescribing or a Link worker who would like to know more about offering arts and creativity to the people you work with?
London Plus and London Action Arts and Health are holding an event which aims to bring together voluntary organisations and Link workers in London.
Weds 27 January, 14.00 – 15.30.  More details and register here.

Food Support

Find your local food bank or community organisation providing food at findfood.camden.gov.uk.
If you don’t have internet access, please call Camden Council on 020 7974 4444 and select option 9
You can also donate at findfood.camden.gov.uk/donate

Community Journalists at Camden Disability Action

Camden Disability Action has started an exciting new Community Journalism training programme for Disabled people in Camden.
The training supports people to use texts, voicemails, videos, photos, chat-app messages and emails to tell powerful stories about things that are happening in our communities, like the Covid-19 streetscape changes.
If you are a Disabled person and live, work, study or volunteer in Camden get in touch to join the next course. You will get support if you have access needs.
Contact Tom McDonough  tom@camdendisabilityaction.org.uk  07908746927

London Community Response Wave 4 opens next week

There will be a crisis response programme of grants of up to £10k – with a quick turnaround to ensure that urgent needs are met. And there will also be a programme of larger, longer-term ‘Renewal’ grants which will focus on supporting the needs of civil society in the year ahead. Full guidance for applicants on both strands will be published next week.
Webinar to find out more about this funding on 13th January.  Sign up here.

YCF Heads Up Mental Health Fund (Round 2)

£1,000 – £5,000 Deadline: 25 Jan 2021
Young Camden Foundation Heads Up Mental Health Fund is to support local community organisations with safeguarding the mental health and wellbeing of children, young people and youth workers during the pandemic.
A YCF/ Healthwatch Camden survey showed that 70% of young people found their mental health is affected by the pandemic.  Deadline  25 January.

£500K Windrush Community Fund Opens For Bids

Charities working with people affected by the Windrush scandal can apply for grants to spread awareness of a government compensation scheme.
The Windrush Community Fund will be managed by Voice4Change England (V4CE), and will make grants of up to £25,000 to charities, community groups and grassroots organisations.
Those grants can be used to raise levels of engagement with the government’s Windrush Scheme and Windrush Compensation Scheme.

Leathersellers’ Small Grants

The Leathersellers’ Company has a fast track application process for one-off grants of up to £3,000. It could be particularly useful for funding small projects or to cover unexpected costs arising from COVID-19. Applications are open to registered charities with an income of under £200,000.   You must be in an area of high deprivation.  Details at the Leathersellers’ Small Grants Programme.

Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage – Round Two

The Culture Recovery Fund is for cultural and heritage organisations to make the transition from lockdowns and social distancing to resume business activity and welcome visitors back in April 2021. Applications will be accepted from heritage organisations in England that are at risk of no longer trading viably this financial year.  Deadline 21st January.

£4m Fund to Help Reduce Loneliness

Applications open on 5 January 2021 and close on 26 January 2021.
This is for small VCS organisations with an annual income of £50,000 or less.
Grants of between £300 and £2,500 are to:
• Build relationships in and across communities to help reduce loneliness and build connections between people and communities
• Bring together organisations who are working on social connections to celebrate their work, share learning and best practice, and form/bring together peer networks. Further details here.

National Lottery Community Fund Re-Opens Regular Funding Programmes

Applications for all three programmes are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Launch of Civil Society Roots Incubator

This round of funding will be targeted at collaborations and/or partnerships led by and for groups who have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, and the structural drivers of this disproportionate impact.  Full details here.  Closing Tuesday 26 January 2021

Return to Play Fund

The Return to Play Fund will support groups, clubs and organisations who’ve been impacted by restrictions brought in to tackle the pandemic.
£10m – Return to Play: Small Grants. £300 and £10,000
£5m – Return to Play:  £10,001 to £50,000.
£1.5m – Return to Play: Active Together. crowdfunding initiative
Find out more about each of the funds at the Sport England website.

Catherine Capaldi Awards

Elfrida Rathbone Camden are delighted to announce that the Catherine Capaldi Awards are open for applications.  These awards are open to anyone who identifies as a disabled person and who has an idea or solution to break down a barrier faced by disabled people or to improve their access to services, inclusion or community participation.  More information and how to enter here.

Support Grant for Organisations with Premises

The Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) supports businesses (including charities) that were open as usual, providing services in person to customers from their business premises, but which were then required to close for at least 3 weeks due to local lockdown restrictions imposed by government.
There is a good briefing for the VCS from Charity Tax Group
Key requirements are the premises were “required to close for at least 3 weeks because of the lockdown” and “unable to provide its usual in-person customer service from its premises”.  There is some discretion including for organisations that don’t pay business rates.  Camden’s guidance is now out.

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

VAC Events

Keep in eye on our Events Calendar to book and for more info.

Camden Voluntary Action Forum

The forum is open to all Camden voluntary and community  groups and organisations, community activists, social entrepreneurs, volunteers and anyone interested in local voluntary action. The Forum currently meets monthly online on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 11am.
BAME disproportionality  follow up forum (date tbc)

Past Voluntary Action Forums: Resources

You can find presentations, recordings and resources from past forums here. Including the recent forum on why neighbourhoods matter.

Safeguarding Courses:

Virtual Introduction to Safeguarding for Trustees
Tuesday, 12 January 2021 at 10:00 am – 11:30 am    Book Here
There has never been a better time to make sure your organisation is doing all it can to protect children and young people at risk.
For information on upcoming courses contact Dianne:
Tel: 020 7 284 6575 | Email: dogunyemi@vac.org.uk email (Mon – Wed)

Our safeguarding Lead Dianne Carlton-Ogunyemi talks to Jane Murphy from Camden Learning and Suzie Yassin from the National Resource Centre for Supplementary Education (NRCSE) about what the guidance means for you and how it can help you create a safer environment for children.  Listen here.

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

Exercise with Ana

Inviting women who are lacking mental and physical stimulation during lockdown and suffering the consequences to enjoy free Latin Dance & Gentle Movement classes on Zoom
Latin Dance: Mondays at 10
Gentle Exercise: Wednesdays at 10.30
See videos at: www.pascal-theatre.com/project/exercise-with-ana/
questions or register email sally@pascal-theatre.com or text 075 968 16939

Rethink Training

Rethink Mental Illness training partnership with the London Boroughs of Camden & Islington councils.  Rethink provides online course to organisations free of charge and also runs courses that are open to individuals.
Full details on the Rethink website.

Media Arts Club at October Gallery – Spoken Word & Digital Arts

Media Arts Club is open to all young people aged 13 – 24 years old who want to take part in exciting, hands on media arts projects. It’s a chance for young people to learn new digital and creative skills and create their own work, supported by professional artists.
Every Monday evening, 6-7.30pm at the October Gallery starting 11th January and running until 22nd March (term-time). Sessions may be online if necessary.
Book online, or by emailing chloe.plumb@holborncommunity.co.uk

Active Hope Leadership Training

A four month journey of revitalisation and empowerment for London-based change-makers, activists and community leaders
The next journey runs from February – May 2021.  Applications are now open.
more info: https://www.activehope.london/leadership-training

Camden Safeguarding Children Partnership

Multi-agency online training programme Spring Term 2020-21
A full programme of multi-agency safeguarding training on zoom and teams.
To book onto the free training, please visit the Partnerships’s website. You will be required to register an account if you haven’t done so already.

Domestic violence and abuse online workshop

Introduction to domestic violence and abuse e-learning
This e-learning is intended for everyone that would like to gain an awareness on domestic violence and abuse. It will provide you with an introduction to what the types and signs of abuse are, how to respond and what actions to take.
Access the e-learning via the L&D Hub if you already have an account. If you are from a VCS organisation without an account please find details here  to sign-up for an account on the L&D Hub.

3 Job Vacancies at Henna Asian Women’s Group

Project Worker for 3 days (21 hours) a week until 31st March 2021.
Pay is £11 per hour.
Fundraiser – 1 day a week
Salary £35, 353 per annum pro rata
Closing date for both posts is Thursday 21st January 2021 at 5pm. Interviews on w/c Monday 25th January 2021.
Also recruiting new trustees with knowledge/expertise in law, finance or HR. Closing date 1st February 2021
To register an interest and for further details, please contact Momota Khatoon through Momota@hennaorg.co.uk
Also recruiting an experienced Project & Operations Manager
To apply please submit your CV in Word format and a supporting statement (2 sides of A4 max.) highlighting how your skills and experience meet the job description to trustees@hennaorg.co.uk

Castlehaven is Recruiting

Community Food Growing Project Worker
The ideal candidate has experience of food & plant growing, working within a community setting and can speak fluently in any of the following languages – Somali, Bengali or Arabic. .
Youth (8-13yrs) Activ8 Programme Coordinator
The ideal candidate will have experience and knowledge in setting up a programme of after school (3.30pm-6pm) positive and inclusive workshops and events that are designed to teach children how to deal with gang crime, drugs, grooming and online exploitation.
Full details on the Castlehaven website.

Age UK Camden seeks Camden Community Connector

Community Connectors provide vital support to individuals in the Camden area, many of whom face challenging circumstances. This rewarding role is to help them find, and engage with social opportunities and connections.
£32,298 to £33,473 pa pro rata over four days for a 21 hour week.
This contract is for 8 months initially, with the possibility of an extension.
Deadline for applications: 9am Friday 15th January.
Full details on the website. For more information about the role please call 020 7239 0400 or email jobs@ageukcamden.org.uk

Census Job opportunities

The next census is in 2021 and the Office of National Statistics is hiring for new local Census jobs, with applications invited for exciting new temporary roles at all levels.
All the current openings, application information and FAQs are on censusjobs.co.uk
For more information about the 2021 Census and local communities click here.

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.

Telling Your Covid Stories

At the September forum we discussed how to tell the story of the sector’s responded to the pandemic  – so we are collecting your stories about how you responded.  The responses will be used to tell the story of how vital the sector is in supporting Camden through these challenging times.  You can click here https://www.tfaforms.com/4863725 to put your story in writing or contact Len Lauk (llauk@vac.org.uk) if you would prefer to be interviewed.

Covid Testing

If you develop coronavirus symptoms, you can book a free test online at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119 where you’ll be given the option to book an appointment at a local test site or request an at-home test kit in the post.
There are two test sites in Camden with plenty of appointments available:
1. Ramsay Hall, Maple Street, W1T 5HB (indoors – no step-free access)
2. 51 Greenwood Place, NW5 1LB (outdoors – step-free access)
If you have any worries about booking a test via the NHS route, you can book directly with  camden.gov.uk/bookatest or by calling 020 7974 4444 (option 9). Use this option if you need support.

Keeping The Community Directory Up-to-date

As we enter Autumn lots is changing.  Buildings are starting to re-open, some activities are moving back into the real world, some food parcel deliveries have ended, while other food projects continue.  Help us to keep the directory up-to-date by updating your details as they change.
If you would like to make a new entry in the directory use this link.   If you would like to update an existing entry look out for an email from us early next week with a unique link for you to update.
View the Directory here.  View the map here.

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

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.

Our mailing address is:
Charlie Ratchford Centre, Belmont Street, London, NW1 8HF

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.