Voluntary Action Camden Newsletter – 10th March 2023

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

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

Learn more here

VAC works hard to keep our cost-of-living resource page continually updated as part of our efforts to help community groups and residents in Camden navigate through the crisis.

To find out more on the support available, which includes information about local warm hubs, local assistance schemes, Council resources and more, please click here

VAC Free Safeguarding Training Course:
Safeguarding Advanced: Developing Knowledge and Understanding (in-person)
Wednesday 22nd March at Saint Pancras Community Association: 9:30am – 3:30pm
Aimed at increasing existing safeguarding knowledge for those who have had no safeguarding training in the last two years and need a refresher.
Designed for volunteers, supplementary schools, VCS groups and organisations delivering services to under 18’s and their families in Camden. Lunch and refreshments provided.
To register your place, or for more information, contact Dianne Carlton-Ogunyemi, VAC Community Safeguarding Lead at dogunyemi@vac.org.uk

Clean Air Action Plan launch
Today: 12-3pm at Doreen Bazell Hall, 1 Goldington Street, NW1 1UG

Camden Council are inviting everyone to come along today to the launch of the new Camden Clean Air Action Plan.
Clean air is so important for all of our health and our plan sets out what we will do over the next four years to realise our vision for a borough where no one suffers poor health because of the air they breathe.
Find out more about what we’re doing to improve air quality and what you can do, too – and enjoy some free, delicious local food.
To register your place, please click here

Affordable Spaces for Rent in Kilburn
Need a space for an event, activity, or class? Or a place to work, whether on an ad-hoc or permanent basis? Are you looking for a local and accessible space?

Latin American House offers a range of bright, recently renovated spaces, with prices ranging between £28 and £55 an hour. We are conveniently located in Kilburn close to several transport connections, and are always happy to discuss any accommodations you may require.
Please click here to find out more about our spaces. Remember that voluntary organisations in Camden can also rent a space at Latin American House for free with VAC’s Google Grants scheme.

Cost of Living Bus Event at Castlehaven
22nd March: 11am – 3pm

On Wednesday 22nd, Castlehaven Community Association are holding a Cost of Living Advice Bus Event in partnership with Camden Council at 23 Castlehaven Road, London NW1 8RU
Citizen Advice Bureaux (CAB), Mary Ward Legal Advice, Rent Arrears, Castlehaven services and lots more will be attending and you will be able to ask for 1-2-1 advice on a range of topics. These might include: Help with cost-of-living crisis funding applications, help with debt, help with energy bills, help with rent arrears and support with food.

If you cannot attend this date, there are other COL bus events happening in the borough, find out more here

Migrant Voice Media Lab
16th March: 3pm to about 7.30pm.
At the Migrant Voice office: VAI, 200A Pentonville Road, London N1 9JP

Migrant Voice are running a Media Lab on 16th March aimed at migrants (migrant workers, asylum seekers, refugees etc).
The focus of this session will be on learning how to “use social media to tell your story and raise awareness on issues you care about”.
There will be a number of workshops with experts and professionals along with mentoring sessions for participants.

Find more information and to register, please click here
For any questions, please contact ismail@migrantvoice.org

Good Work Camden: Supporting refugees into council vacancies
28th March: 12.30 – 2pm
At 5 Pancras Square, N1C 4AG

In collaboration with Camden Council’s HR department, Good Work Camden is delivering an insight session to support refugees into council vacancies.
The session will:
Provide an overview of Camden Council job applications, including reasonable adjustments.
Give you an overview of how to apply to temporary work with the council through our Talent Pool.
Share live vacancies with hiring managers in attendance.
An interview tips and mock interview session to support your journey into work.
Insight in to the benefits of an apprenticeship and how to apply.

Translators will also be available.
For further information, please click here or contact jobhub@camden.gov.uk to register

The Players of St. Peter seeking to rent storage area
The Players of St. Peter has been performing Medieval Mystery Plays for over 70 years and keeping alive an important English tradition. Since its inception in 1946 the group has performed pre-Reformation plays updated for a modern audience. Now based at St. Saviour’s church, South Hampstead, we welcome new actors and backstage helpers of all abilities. If you would like to join us please get in touch.

We are currently seeking to rent about 75 square feet of storage in the area to house our collection of costumes and props. If you are able to help then please get in touch at: info@theplayersofstpeter.org.uk

The French Connection
Excavations at St Pancras Burial Ground 2002-03
An illustrated talk by Phillip Emery
Tuesday 14th March 2023 at 6pm at Camden Local Studies & Archives Centre, 2nd Floor, Holborn Library, 32-38 Theobalds Road, London WC1X 8PA

In 2002 and 2003, during the construction of the Channel Tunnel Railway Link, archaeological works took place at St Pancras burial ground. In this talk, Phillip A. Emery FSA, who led the excavations, describes the findings and how they shed light on the diversity of the local population during the rapid urbanisation and industrialisation of the nineteenth century, with, among those buried, refugees from the French Revolution.
Admission is Free

The Royal Free Charity vacancy: Young Volunteers Programme Manager
This is a full-time role, 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday that requires attendance in the office and travel between RFC sites (Chase Farm, Barnet, Finchley Memorial and Hampstead hospitals).

If you would like to view the job description please click here or email jobs@royalfreecharity.org
If interested, please submit a CV, equal opportunity form and supporting statement addressing how you meet the criteria set out in the job description and person specification.

Castlehaven Community Association vacancy: Ageactivity 60+ Project Co-ordinator
Closing date: 20th March

CCA is looking for a caring, organised person to deliver their over 60’s programme, Ageactivity 60+. This is a part-time role with a 12-month contract, perfect for someone who has experience working with older people.
Find out more about the role and how to apply, please click here

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

Future VCS Grants Programme (2024-2031)
Camden Council has made a clear financial commitment to our voluntary and community sector – agreeing in the annual budget to continue an investment of £4m per year in grant programmes from April 2024 to March 2031.

“Working with you as our partners with our communities is central to our ambitions for the borough, helping to develop thriving and resilient communities, promoting community cohesion, addressing poverty and inequality, and improving quality of life for residents.” (Camden Council)

Future investment will include multi-year core grant programmes and project funding and they will be working with the sector to make sure that investment meets the needs of the community.

Local Newsletters:

SHAK
Young Camden Foundation (Funding Newsletter)
Young Camden Foundation (Events and Training Newsletter)
AWN (sign up)
London Sport (sign up)
Fitzrovia Community Centre
Coram’s Field Community Newsletter (sign up)
CAWH Newsletter
St Pancras Community Association (sign up)
Castlehaven in Bloom (sign up)
Abbey Community Centre Newsletter
Heath Hands
UCL Volunteering Service Newsletter (sign up)
Latin American House

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

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

Hong Kong Community Fund
Closing date: 27th March

The Greater London Authority (GLA) has launched the Hong Kong Community Fund for 2023, following on from the success of the Welcoming Hongkongers Fund.
The fund aims to support Hongkongers, to make them feel welcomed and build a sense of belonging in their new communities in London.
For more information, including details on an online application support session, please click here

London Catalyst’s ‘Partners for Health’ grants
Closing date: Thursday 1st June – 5:00pm

Is your charity tackling health inequalities?
London Catalyst’s ‘Partners for Health’ grants are now open for applications for projects that can demonstrate:
Positive outcomes for people facing significant barriers to health.
A new approach or thoughtful development of service.
Partnership between health and community organisations
For more information, please click here

Cost of Living Support for Youth Organisations
Rolling deadline

Charitable and not-for-profit youth organisations delivering high-quality youth provision whose work is being hindered, curtailed, or cut back due to rising core costs can apply for funding to address these unprecedented demands.
UK Youth, in partnership with Pears Foundation, is offering unrestricted multi-year grants for charitable and not-for-profit youth organisations with an annual turnover of less than £500,000 to help them cover rising prices and increased costs due to the cost-of-living crisis.
To learn more, please click here

Grants to Improve Accommodation for Domestic Abuse Survivors
The Mayor of London, working in partnership with the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) is offering a new programme supporting safe, psychologically informed environments (PIE) for survivors of domestic abuse
To learn more, please click here (login required)

Transforming Futures Fund
Closing date: 20th March

Funding to help create positive, lasting change for transgender people in England.
For more details, please click here

Building Strong Communities Fund
Round Three of the Building Strong Communities Fund is now open to receive applications until 1pm on Monday 13th March 2023.

The total funding pot is £200,000 and is made up of microgrants of between £1k to £6k. Microgrants are available for equity led groups with an annual turnover of £0 to £50k to support communities most impacted by Covid-19.
To learn more and apply, please click 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

Join us for a night of Salsa dancing with Pat M’Bella E followed by DJ Chrystilize playing all your favourite dance tunes!
This fundraising is for our Community Kitchen & Warm Space, which is thriving and we need to keep it going. We can do this with your help!
There are limited tickets at the door, so book now!

Free online training: Managing Access and Inclusion
21st March: 10am-12pm

This training is provided by the ASAS service (Access and Sustainability Advisory Service). The ASAS service primarily focuses on helping registered charities make their premises more accessible for people with a variety of different disabilities including physical, visual and hearing impairments.
The training will focus on: the principles of inclusive design, understanding different access needs, the Equality Act & legislation, access guide, access audit & design appraisals and support and resources for London based charities.
If you would like to attend, please contact ASAS@cae.org.uk

NHS and Camden Council: Community Health Event
Saturday 25th March: 12pm-4pm
Location: Lismore Circus, 1-2 Lismore Circus, NW5 4QF

As part of our long-term health inequalities work, Camden Council, in partnership with NHS colleagues from Brondesbury Medical Centre, are holding a Community Health event in Lismore Circus.
This event will bring together and highlight all aspects of health which will include education, physical activity, NHS health checks, family activities and many more to be confirmed.
It is an opportunity to bring people together to open up the conversation of health and wellbeing and get people engaged in health services.

Free Safeguarding Training
Far Right Awareness and Counter Narrative Training open to all voluntary sector organisations and groups in Camden.
Delivered in a 1 hour session, this training is specifically aimed at showing the impact far-right extremism has on families and what can be done to support them
If you would like to sign up for this session please click on the link (sign up to log-in)

•    Right Wing Extremism Awareness and Counter Narrative Training- Wednesday 15 March- 1pm- 3pm – online

Learn how to be a community reporter!
Camden Disability Action is running its Community Reporter Training programme on 23rd March, 30th March and 6th April from 1pm-3pm.

The training supports Disabled people in Camden to use phones, video and chat-apps to tell powerful stories about things that impact us, like the cost of living crisis.
You will also be offered one-one mentoring support.

If you would like to join, please contact Tom McDonough on tom@camdendisabilityaction.org.uk or call 0203 833 1111 or SMS 07908 746927
To see some examples of our current reporters’ stories, please click here

Social Prescribers Innovators Programme  
A new initiative is being delivered by the Camden Care Navigation and Social Prescribing Service, hosted by Age UK Camden (AUC) and Voluntary Action Camden.
The project aims to develop volunteering within the service as a way to help retain existing social prescribers and to support successful recruitment to new social prescriber roles.
Contact Mandira at mmanandhar@vac.org.uk if you are interested in volunteering on this new venture.

Royal Free Charity Vacancy: Welfare Rights Supervisor (full time)
Closing date: 13th March
Responsible for delivering sector-leading support, this role will sit at the heart of a successful team, whose core part is to provide a professional and efficient welfare rights advice service.
To view the job description please click here or email jobs@royalfreecharity.org

SPCA Vacancies:
Caretaker Cleaner (Part-time)
Closing date: 31st March
St Pancras Community Association are looking for a reliable and energetic Caretaker/Cleaner to join our part-time caretaking team.
For more information and to apply please click here

Receptionist and Assistant to the Director (Full time)
Closing date: 15th March
St Pancras Community Association is looking for a Receptionist who will be the first point of contact for our Centre.
For more information, and apply please click here

Premises Manager – Full time
Closing date: 15th March
St Pancras Community Association are looking for a highly motivated, experienced Premises Manager to ensure the Community Centre is maintained to the highest possible standards.
For more information, and to apply please click here

SHAK Vacancy: Youth Centre Manager
Closing date: 17th March

SHAK is a resident led charity based on the Alexandra and Ainsworth estate in the Kilburn Ward of Camden, London, dedicated to supporting residents and young people living in an area of high deprivation.
We are looking for a talented and enthusiastic individual to manage and further develop the ARC youth club, coordinating youth activities and programmes based on and around the huge Alexandra & Ainsworth estate in NW London.

Learn more and apply here

Trustee Opportunity at HWCT
Closing date: 20th March

The Hampstead Wells and Campden Trust (HWCT) makes grants benefiting people in the northwest of Camden. We are seeking Trustees to help the charity soundly navigate its future while providing as much help as we can to voluntary groups and services working locally and to people in need in our community.
For more information, please click here

Holloway Neighbourhood Group vacancy: Chief Executive
Closing date: 13th March

Holloway Neighbourhood Group runs a well-established mental health service (the Stress Project) and a busy community centre (the Old Fire Station). We are seeking an experienced charity manager as our new Chief Executive to take responsibility for fundraising, financial management, strategic planning, and leading a committed and experienced team of staff and volunteers.

To learn more please click here

Voluntary Action Camden Annual Members Review
Understanding how we can better meet the needs of our Members is very important to us.

We have put together our Members questionnaire as an opportunity for you to feed back to us on the things we have done well – and the things that could have gone better in 2022/23
It is also an opportunity for us to check what support your organisation needs from us, and that the services we provide are fit-for-purpose in an ever changing, diverse and challenging landscape.

If you are a VAC member please check your inboxes for the questionnaire and upon its return to us you will be entered into our prize draw for £100 for your organisation.

Become a school governor in Camden
On National School Governors’ Awareness Day (28th February), we said thank you to our governors here in Camden who work hard to improve the educational outcomes and experiences of local children and young people.

Could you make a positive impact on a school in Camden? Hear what some of our Camden school governors have to say on what they enjoy most about this important volunteering role, as well as the importance of us having diverse governing bodies that represent our community, in this short film
Find out more and apply here

Affordable, convenient office space
The Winch is a charity working with local young people in Camden and nearby areas since 1973.  We work to build strong ties between local people and create more opportunities for them to find their place and feel like they belong in our community. The Winch has been a constant presence in the lives of so many children, young people and adults.
There is affordable, convenient office space at the heart of the community.
For more information, please click here

Youth Safety Multimedia Competition
Deadline for funded entries: 5pm on 10th March

Camden’s Youth Safety Multimedia Competition aims to raise awareness of the issues affecting the safety of young people in Camden. There is funding for up to 10 local organisations to use a maximum of £500 each to develop their multimedia project. We’re inviting creative or multimedia projects, based on the theme ‘Keeping children and young people in Camden safe’.
See previous examples here.

We encourage organisations to make joint applications – in particular, larger organisations working with smaller groups. Please complete and submit a short (downloadable form) – Expression of Interest Form – and email the form to youthsafety@camden.gov.uk
If you don’t need funding for your project, you have until 5th June 2023 to enter the competition

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