Voluntary Action Camden Newsletter – 18th August 2023

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

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

We are delighted to introduce Vania Guetova, who joined VAC in July as the new part-time Membership Development Officer.

Vania will be working to help the Camden voluntary and community sector grow and develop as part of the VAC enhanced membership offer. She will be supporting VAC membership, joining the VAC team in the launch of our refreshed VAC training offer and bringing our Consultancy project additional expertise for the benefit of all who contact us.

She has worked across multiple London boroughs in the voluntary and statutory sectors and has a wealth of experience in the voluntary sector capacity building, project and networks management and membership engagement.

Vania is excited to meet Camden’s diverse VCSE and we are thrilled to have her with us.

Upcoming VAC Training: Writing Successful Proposals Workshops
30th August or 6th September, both session are 10am – 12pm

VAC members can join this immersive Bid Writing Seminar to unlock the secrets of securing funding from Trusts and Foundations. With our interactive sessions, you’ll better understand how to develop a successful bid and ensure your application stands out.
This training is in partnership with All Ways Network
Learn more here

Volunteer Managers’ Forum from Volunteer Centre Camden
Book now For Peer Support and Networking at VCC’s Volunteer Managers’ Forum on Thursday 7th September, 2pm online.
This event is free to attend and you choose the topics to discuss.
It is open to volunteer managers everywhere
Learn more and sign up here

‘Strengthening Communities’ grants from the Henry Smith Charity
The Henry Smith Charity’s ‘Strengthening Communities’ programme offers grants of £20,000 – £60,000 per year for up to three years to small not-for-profit organisations delivering activities that promote connection and wellbeing in, or immediately next to, neighbourhoods that are among the 10% most deprived in the UK.
For more information, please click here

New physical activity resource for people living with dementia
The Alzheimer’s Society has just released a new resource, ‘the Feel Good Folder’ to support inactive people living with dementia to be more active.
You can find out more here

New resources for swimming with a health condition
Swim England have just released a set of resources to support those with a health condition to swim. These include a guide for professionals on Swim England’s Health Hub and a public/customer handout on the ‘Just Swim’ website.
Waterproof hard copies are also available to order from the Swim England shop.
For professionals, and for the public

Startup School for Seniors – online course
Starting on September 7th

This fully funded, eight-week online course is specifically designed for aspiring entrepreneurs aged 50 and above in London.
You’ll learn from entrepreneur Suzanne Noble and business coach Mark Elliott as they guide you through the process of starting a successful business.
Not only will you gain valuable knowledge and skills, but you will also be able to meet your peers during a weekly group session and receive 1:2:1 mentoring sessions to address any challenges you may face.
Learn more and register here

Only One Everyman – An Independent Cinema in Hampstead, an illustrated historical talk
By Dr Margaret O’Brien, film historian
Tuesday 5th September at 6pm, at Camden Local Studies & Archives Centre, 2nd Floor, Holborn Library

Opened in 1933 in a former drill hall and theatre, this modest building is one of the oldest repertory cinemas in the world. An iconic presence in Hampstead to this day, the Everyman survived as an independent arthouse until the end of the twentieth century, offering cheap access to all kinds of films from across the world. This talk will tell the story of its development and discuss its important position in Hampstead’s local culture as well as its role as a beacon of world cinema in London.
Admission is free

Mind in Camden vacancy – Community Services Manager
28 hours per week
Closing Date: 11/09/23 at 13.00pm

This is an excellent opportunity to oversee our two onsite services based in the heart of Camden Town.
You will be supported by three staff and a team of volunteers and sessional workers. You’ll be responsible for redesigning the services so they are more accessible and responsive to people’s needs.
We are looking for a manager who is keen to embrace change and who has a strong commitment to community empowerment, reducing stigma, promoting anti-discriminatory practice, and building services that are accessible to all.
To learn more and apply, please click here, or phone 020 7911 0822 (24hrs), or email recruitment@mindincamden.org.uk

SHAK vacancy: Community Engagement Coordinator
Closing date: 10th September

SHAK (South Hampstead and Kilburn Community Partnership) are seeking an energetic and talented “Community Engagement Coordinator” to lead on 2 exciting local initiatives.
To learn more and 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

Camden Community Partner Fund 2024 to 2031
The deadline to submit a completed Expression of Interest form is 12 noon on Wednesday 20th September
The Fund is for Camden organisations who are deeply rooted in their communities and will provide unrestricted funding for seven years from April 2024 to March 2031.
More details about the fund including guidance notes and the application form can be found here
The Community Partnership Team will be hosting an online information session on Tuesday 5th September so organisations can find out more about the fund.
To register, please click here
You can also watch a recording of one of the online sessions here
If you have any further questions, please email vcs@camden.gov.uk

Cost of Living Fund launched
Applications close on 16th October

The £76M Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund launched on the 24th July.
The fund is designed to support organisations across England to maintain or expand critical cost of living services.
Funds of between £10,000 and £75,000 are available to frontline organisations delivering the following services:

•    food and emergency supplies – food and other ‘banks’
•    emergency shelter – homelessness services
•    safe spaces – domestic abuse services and youth services
•    warmth – warm spaces / hubs
•    financial and housing advice.

The fund is part of the £100M for charities announced in the Spring Budget. It will be administered by the National Lottery Community Fund.
For more information, please click here

Suicide Prevention Funding
The government is due to make available a £10 million grant fund for suicide prevention VCSE organisations in England across 2023-24 to 2024-25.

The broad purpose of the fund will be two-fold. Firstly, to support the VCSE sector to meet the increased demand, in part brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic and the Cost of Living crisis. Secondly, to support development of innovative preventative activities/services aimed at people at elevated risk of suicide.
The aim is to launch the fund in the coming months.
If you are interested, please sign up to the “Find a Grant” portal, so that you receive notifications once it is launched. You can do so 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

Moving On to Secondary School event for parents
21st September, 4.15pm – 6.45pm
Is your child in primary school years 4, 5 and/or 6? And are you thinking about which secondary school to apply for?
If so, Camden’s free ‘Moving On to Secondary School’ event at the Francis Crick Institute, King’s Cross, is happening on Thursday 21st September.
You will be able to find advice on applying and what Camden’s secondary schools have to offer.
To book your free place, please click here

‘New Met for London’ Community Engagement Event – Camden
The Metropolitan Police are launching their ‘New Met for London’ strategy and would like to host a community discussion about it following publication.
The event will take place at the Crowndale Centre, 218 Eversholt St, London, NW1 1BD on Tuesday 5th September between 5.30 – 9pm.
There will be a presentation about the plan, an opportunity to meet and discuss this with senior leaders serving you in Camden and an opportunity to meet new networks across the borough.
To learn more and register, please click here

The Roundhouse opportunities for young freelancers and entrepreneurs this summer
Self Made: Creative Facilitation Course (Course)
Ages: 18-30 | Apply by: Sunday 10th September at 11pm | £15, free to apply
To learn more and apply, please click here

How to make money teaching your creative practice (Workshop)
Ages 18-30 | Monday 4th September, 6.30pm | Free
To learn more and apply, please click here

Active London conference – save the date & register
Active London 2023, the capital’s largest annual conference dedicated wholly to the future of physical activity and sport will return on 17th October.

The conference will bring together all corners of the sport and physical activity sector and beyond to educate, inform, share thought-leadership and learnings, and provide opportunities for networking and collaboration.
To register your interest and secure Early Bird tickets, please click here

UCL Community Research Initiative Dissertation Showcase
Early Bird Registration for the UCL Community Research Initiative Dissertation Showcase on 15th September, 10:00-13:30 is available now.

Celebrate this year’s exciting collaboration projects between UCL master’s students and our local Voluntary & Community Sector. Engage with talks, poster presentations, and a social mixer to explore the work our students have done to produce useful and useable knowledge that can benefit you.

You may well find yourselves getting inspired for ways your own organisation could be involved for 2023-24!
Register here or contact CRIS@ucl.ac.uk for any questions.

Clean Break Theatre is looking for volunteers

Clean Break Theatre, based in Kentish Town, is currently recruiting for female Catering Chef Volunteers.
The role is for one day per week, either on a Monday or Wednesday 10-2.30pm.
For further information please contact volunteering@cleanbreak.org.uk
Or, to download an information pack, please click here (and scroll down to the bottom of the page)

Mind in Camden vacancy:
Mental Health Social Prescribing Link Worker
Closing date: 29th August
To learn more and apply, please click here

Volunteers needed to support ESOL classes
Deadline for submission of interest in volunteering is 29th September

Camden Adult Community Learning service (ACL) is looking for volunteers to support tutors who deliver ESOL classes in various Community Centre locations.
We are looking to offer volunteer placements by the end of October 2023.
If you are interested in volunteering with the ACL, please send your CV and a cover letter outlining the reason for your interest in volunteering to Joanna.Basinga@camden.gov.uk, as well as any questions you may have.
 

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.

Independent Police Advisor roles in Camden
The Metropolitan Police are looking for volunteers over 18 who live, work or study in Camden to join the Independent Advisory Group (IAG) to provide them with independent advice.
No specific training or background is required, just your life experiences, knowledge and willingness to express a constructively expressed opinion.
There are 4-6 meetings of the IAG per year.
If you are interested, please contact CNMailbox-.Community@met.police.uk

Local VCS Newsletters:

SHAK
Young Camden Foundation (Funding Newsletter)
Young Camden Foundation (Events and Training Newsletter)
AWN (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)
UCL Volunteering Service Newsletter (sign up)
Latin American House
London Irish Centre
North London Cares: Upcoming Clubs
Castlehaven Community Association (sign up)
Heath Hands

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

Looking for a previous newsletter entry? Find it in our archive here

Find presentations, recordings and resources from past forums here

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Greenwood Centre, Greenwood Place, London, NW5 1LB

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