Voluntary Action Camden e-bulletin – 9th September 2022

Membership is free, click on the link box above and join us today

We also have information on a range of local events and opportunities from around the Camden area.

This is an opportunity to share your knowledge and ideas to design the delivery of the 2 key objectives in the North Central London ‘Working with the VCSE Sector Strategy’ delivery plan.

1.    How can we design and deliver innovative community-focused and strength- based models of care in Camden?
2.    What do procurement and contracting processes that support a strong and thriving VCSE sector look like in this new environment?

Learn more and register here

The statement urges the government to urgently deliver meaningful financial support to those in the greatest need, and to provide targeted financial assistance for those charities, voluntary organisations and communities that are on the frontline of this crisis.

Read the full statement here.

Health Event at the London Irish Centre.
Wednesday 28th September in the Macnamara Hall: 11am-3pm

This event is run in partnership with Irish in Britain and involves various physical and mental health support, exercise sessions, massage and access to social prescribing services.
It is open to everyone, so feel free to drop in

Free Health & Well-being Opportunities for Adults in Camden
In response to the current cost of living crisis, Castlehaven Community Association has launched a brand new programme of free activities and workshops, providing adults in Camden with free access to health & well-being activities and learning opportunities.
From weekly Self Defence, Pilates, Mindfulness & Boxercise sessions to one-off workshops such as Foraging, and CV Writing, we have opportunities for everyone to cultivate healthy habits

For more information please click here

Urban Foraging Workshops at Castlehaven
Starting Friday 16th September

As part of their health & wellbeing programme, Health Haven, Castlehaven, is running two Urban Foraging workshops in the Castlehaven Community Park and surrounding areas.
The first workshop will take place on Friday 16th September, focusing on exploring edible plants growing in the area. The second workshop, on the 23rd of September, will explore the medicinal value of plants.

For more information and to book your spot, please email
healthhaven@castlehaven.org.uk.

Collective action letter: charitable food aid is not the solution to financial hardship
The Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN), together with the Trussell Trust and Feeding Britain, is gathering signatures from individuals working and volunteering with food banks, community kitchens and other organisations providing food poverty relief for a joint letter to the new Prime Minister. The letter asks for urgent action to end the need for charitable food aid as a solution to financial hardship

Find the letter here

Kilburn Older Voices Exchange vacancy: Coordinator.
KOVE are looking for someone with sound administrative skills and a knowledge of charity organisation to support their activities and help develop a more age-friendly Kilburn. You’ll need to work freelance, flexibly, from home for two days a week. A warm-hearted commitment to the full citizenship of all older people is essential.

To view the full job description please click here
The application process starts with an informal phone conversation with the former coordinator, Mel Wright. To apply for this role, please contact: melwillwright@gmail.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

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
Young Camden Foundation
AWN (sign up)
London Sport (sign up)
Fitzrovia Community Centre
Coram’s Field Community Newsletter (sign up)
CAWH Newsletter

If you would like your Camden VCS newsletter added to this list, please email social@vac.org.uk

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, who wish to book a venue in Camden

To find out more, please click here
or get in contact with Ricky at Rsingh@vac.org.uk

Sustaining Spaces Fund
Closing date : 16th September 2022

NSUN will be awarding grants of £500-£1000 to those facilitating community spaces where people with shared identities and experiences come together in support of one another’s wellbeing.

For more information please click here

Resident Opportunities and Empowerment Grant
Closing date for applications: 2nd October 2022

This new grant is intended to enable non-profit making organisations with social housing sector experience to help tenants take an active role in how their home is managed.

Learn more here

Clarion Futures Digital Grants Programme – Final Funding Round 2022
Applications for Digital Grants Round 11, are currently open, and the deadline for submission is 12 noon, 21st September 2022.

Grants of between £1,000 and £5,000 will be available to organisations seeking to deliver innovative, well designed projects that support Clarion residents and the wider community to address digital exclusion.
Please note that this is a revised timeframe from what has previously been published, and this is the final Digital Grants funding round for this year.

To learn more, 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

To re-discover funding removed from this list, please see our newsletter archive here

Other available funders include:

• Camden Giving
• Grants Online
• My Funding Central
• Idox Camden 4 Community
• VAC main funding page

Do you want to volunteer in Camden and Islington? Join the Volunteer Centre Camden at Hugh Cubitt Community Centre, 48 Collier Street, N1 9QZ for our first in-person volunteering fair in 2.5 years.
It will be outside, but under cover.
No need to book, just pop in on the day.

Forest Bathing (nature mindfulness) session for Visually Impaired People
2pm on Thursday 22nd September

Meet at Hampstead Heath Overground Station, South End Road, NW3 2QD. No booking required.
Forest Bathing, a leisurely walk in a forest or woodland, is a great way to de-stress and focus your senses as you walk through nature. 
VIPs and assistance companions welcome.
 
For more information phone Rosemary at Visually Impaired in Camden on 07980 328 959 or email rosemary@somerstown.org.uk 

An open training session on gambling, its impact and related harms.
2pm – 4pm on 26th September 2022, Online

The subject of gambling and its associated harms is acknowledged by experts as a serious health issue, with far reaching consequences. It negatively affects finances, mental health and relationships, not just for the gambler but for the those around them. If you would like to know more about gambling addiction and related harms, please join this free CPD accredited webinar

To register please click here

Free workshops for the Camden Community from Hampstead Theatre and The Winch
Hampstead Theatre and The Winch are delighted to launch a programme of free workshops for the Camden community.  Uniquely devised in partnership with residents from the local area, ‘Community Creates’ will provide free arts and crafts activities in various local locations from September 2022 through to 2023.

A programme and more information is available both from Hampstead Theatre here
And The Winch here

Good Childhood Report Briefing Invite
Thursday 22nd September: 10:30am – 1pm

The Childrens Society undertake research into the wellbeing of the children and young people of England and reports its findings nationally. This meeting is focused on the findings and is aimed at professionals who work with, manage services or commission work to support children, young people and families.

Learn more and register here

Trustee Matching Event from Camden Giving
Wednesday 21st September: 6 – 8pm at Havas KX, 3 Pancras Square

Are you interested in sharing your expertise and getting more involved with the local community?
Join Camden Giving for a Trustee Matching Event… Small charities could be transformed with your support!
You’ll meet brilliant Camden organisations who are recruiting Trustees and be able to ask them your important questions.

Learn more and register here

Camden Coproduction Network Meeting
Thursday 15th September: 10am – 11.30am

At this meeting we will hear from the Hillside Club talking on the power dynamics working in a Co-productive way and Islington Council colleagues on their Let’s Talk Islington programme
This meeting will take place on Zoom.

Please contact Participation@Camden.gov.uk to join the meeting

Symptoms can include, but are not limited to: exhaustion, memory or concentrations issues, breathlessness, persistent headaches and muscle aches, chest tightness, palpitations, dizziness and sleep disturbance.
As a token of appreciation there is a £15 shopping voucher available for participation.

The Community Links team at VAC can also assist Camden residents with access to the long covid clinic at UCLH.
For further information please contact Nasrin at nrashid@vac.org.uk or Donna Clutterbuck at LongCovid@soton.ac.uk or on 07721520243

The Salvation Army’s mentoring programme looking for volunteer mentors
The Salvation Army’s mentoring programme supports survivors of modern slavery and are looking for volunteer mentors.
We aim to support, empower and champion individuals to set and achieve their goals, build confidence, and establish life in community.
You would be paired with a fellow mentor to meet with a mentee fortnightly for 12 months.  We are looking for female and male applicants.

If you would like to discuss this opportunity further, please contact ATMSMentoring@salvationarmy.org.uk

Special educational needs consultation
Closing date: Thursday 22nd September

Camden Council is asking parents, carers, children, young people and professionals to have their say on the new draft Camden SEND strategy to improve services for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities

Watch our short animated film here
Find out more and have your say here

Stakeholder workshop: What does it mean to live a good life in Camden?
Tuesday 20th September OR Tuesday 27 September, 15:00-16:30

This online workshop by London Borough of Camden is about ‘Good Life Camden’, a wellbeing framework which is being built to measure what it means to live a good life in Camden.
They are seeking the perspective of organisations working in Camden on what your beneficiaries, customers or service users tell you is important to them – from health, to education, to civic participation – and any data you can share to help build a framework with the people of Camden.

To register for Tuesday 20th September, please click here
To register for Tuesday 27th September please click here

Healthy Start scheme
The Healthy Start scheme supports pregnant women and families to eat healthily and to access vitamins.
Do you receive income support? You could get help to buy milk, fruit, vegetables and infant formula.

If you’re pregnant or have children under the age of 4, the Healthy Start scheme can give you:
£4.25 each week from the 10th week of your pregnancy
£8.50 each week for children from birth to 1 year old
£4.25 each week for children between 1 and 4 years old
All pregnant women and families with young children can also get free Healthy Start vitamins from children’s and health centres.

To apply, 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

Past Voluntary Action Forums: Resources

You can find presentations, recordings and resources from past forums here.

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Greenwood Centre, Greenwood Place, London, NW5 1LB

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