Voluntary Action Camden Newsletter – 26th May 2023

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

It is with great sadness that we heard of the recent death of Sue Dowd. Sue was a valued member of the Voluntary Action Camden team, joining us when we were developing early approaches to social prescribing in the borough, and later working with the VAC Mental Health Champions.

Sue was a skilled and enthusiastic trainer who delivered accredited Royal Society of Public Health and Mental Health First Aid trainings for VAC’s then Health Advocate Volunteers. Over the years graduates of the training and volunteering eventually progressed into employment in health services or gained confidence to embark on Public Health degree courses and careers. The Community Links team at VAC, part of the successful Camden Care Navigation and Social Prescribing Service set up in 2018, all benefitted from Sue’s support.

Sue was an active Camden resident, and in semi-retirement pursued her love of creative writing by inspiring others, working with VAC, Mind in Camden and the London Irish Centre convening creative writing groups for residents with mental health challenges. Sue will be greatly missed but very much remembered for touching the lives and careers of those she worked with.

Camden Mela 2023: Celebrating the beauty of our culturally diverse community

The famous Camden Mela has been announced for 2023, promoting sustainability, community cohesion and better health.
It will be held on Sunday 2nd July: 12pm – 6pm on Coram’s Fields (93 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1DN)

Arts & crafts, food stalls, live music & dance and a funfair come together at this community festival celebrating the richness of British cultural diversity. A marquee will provide health information and advice and there will be plenty of free family activities to keep kids busy.

Entry is free and every year 4000-5000 people attend

To learn more, please click here
To book a stall or for more information, please contact Nasim Ali OBE on nasim.ali@kcbna.org.uk or call 07852 223 403

Art Club: Camden – A CSKX Studios and People’s Museum Somers Town project
Saturdays: 11am-1pm: Meet People’s Museum Somers Town – 52 Phoenix Road, NW1 1ES

Beginning in June CSKX Studios and People’s Museum Somers Town are running a free weekly and holiday art workshops for young people aged 11-18yrs.
Workshops will include: Drawing and Painting, Street Art, Photography, Printing, and Gallery & Museum visits.
When and where possible the workshops will be held outdoors.
Workshops are free and basic materials will be supplied

To register interest or for further information from CSKX Studios please click here, or email info@cskx.org, or call 020 8001 5357
Or contact People’s Museum at info@aspaceforus.club
Alternatively, information and sign up sheets can also be picked up directly from the People’s Museum.

Cancer Care Map Resources
Cancer Care Map provides a free to access, online directory of cancer care services in the UK. We list over 3,700 local and national support services and all information is checked and updated regularly

Find information on support for families, loved ones and carers as well as those living with cancer themselves
Find psychological and emotional support, health and wellbeing services, and practical help wherever you are in the UK

To access the directories, please click here
We are also available on Twitter and Instagram @CancerCareMap and find us on Facebook.com/CancerCareMap

Sainsbury Wellcome Centre annual Lecture
Sainsbury Wellcome Centre will be hosting our annual SWC Lecture on Tuesday 6th June from 12-1pm in the SWC Lecture Theatre.

This year’s speaker will be Professor Stephen Reicher who will talk to us on:
The wrong psychology? What Covid-19 taught us about behavioural science in society.

“The Covid-19 pandemic taught us about the integral role of behavioural science (alongside other sciences) in responding to major societal challenges. However, by the same token, it showed us the costs of making erroneous assumptions about the drivers of action and the limitations of the perspectives currently dominant in Government behavioural science.”

The talk is open to all and free to attend, but a ticket is required.
To register, please click here

St Giles & St George Alms charity – Trustee Vacancy
Closing Date: Monday 12 June 2023
St Giles & St George Alms is an old parochial foundation based in the Bloomsbury and Covent Garden area. Our objective is to relieve poverty and we help local residents facing hardship in different ways:

– Almshouse accommodation for eight older women
– Grants for Individuals who need new/placement appliances and furniture
– Grants for Organisations supporting isolated older people or tackling homelessness.

We are particularly looking for someone who has prior experience of supporting older people and could become a champion for our Almshouse provision.
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

VAC CEO Network
Last week we announced that we are kicking off the launch of the new VAC CEO Network with an event entitled ‘Good leadership in difficult times’

This new network is for leaders of local voluntary sector organisations in Camden to discuss issues and ideas for the mutual benefit of the VCSE sector. The Network is there to encourage, guide, support and develop voluntary, community and social enterprise sector leaders.

If you would like to know more, including the benefits and upcoming event information, please click here

VAC Consultancy Service
Contact us today if you need advice or support to develop any aspect of your established or aspiring Camden voluntary and community sector organisation.
Learn more here

Vietnamese Mental Health Service to close
Vietnamese Mental Health Service will close its operation from 30th September 2023.
From 15th May no new referral can be accepted.

The next 4 months will focus on the transitioning plan, assisting and supporting current users to access local mainstream Mental Health Services.
The Management Committee would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank everyone for your support and assistance over the past 35 years.

VAC Cost-of-Living Crisis Resource
The cost-of-living crisis remains a huge concern for families, businesses, and the Community and Voluntary Sector.

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 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

Camden Youth Social Action Grants of up to £5,000 available
Closing date: Midnight on Friday 23rd June

Camden Youth Council (CYC) have an exciting opportunity for young people in Camden to make a real difference through social action – by offering grants of up to £5,000 to help tackle three areas of concern for local young people.
These areas are: Young people’s safety, The environment & Skills for life – CV writing, finding a job, managing finances and how to secure a home in the future.
These three grant areas are aimed at young people aged 12 to 19, or up to 25 with a special educational need or disability, who live, work or go to school in Camden.
All applications must be supported by a partner organisation such as your school or youth club.
Find out more and download an application form here

The Philological Foundation grants
The Philological Foundation provides grants to students and schools in Camden and Westminster.
It helps schools enable children to take part in school journeys or to provide special benefits such as playground equipment, library books or musical instruments.
Grants are available for young people under the age of 26 whose families cannot provide them with financial support.
To learn more, please click here

Lloyds Bank Foundation Launches New £3m Racial Equity Fund
Closing date: 31st May

Applications are now open for unrestricted grants from Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales, supporting small charities and CICs led by and working with people who face inequity because of their race or ethnicity.  Around 40 grants will be awarded to focus on immediate and long-term support to help people break free from poverty.
To learn more, please click here

Climate Action Fund – Energy and Climate
This funding aims to inspire and support communities across the UK to address the energy and climate crisis. We’re looking for projects that show how communities can address climate change while tackling the energy challenges through community-led climate action.
To learn more, 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

National Lottery Awards for All
This is a quick way to apply for smaller amounts of funding between £300 and £10,000.
This programme is here to support communities with the things that are important to them, including mitigating the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and supporting them as they seek to recover, rebuild and grow following the Covid-19 pandemic.
To learn more, 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

To register, please click here or contact Ricky at rsingh@vac.org.uk for more information.

Discover-Me Project from Laamiga
Staring: 12th June  6.30-8.30 pm

Are you a woman aged over 18 from a Black, Asian, minority ethnic, refugee and migrant background living in Camden and Islington?
Would you like to develop your self-confidence, communication and creativity skills?
Laamiga warmly invite you to join the Discover-Me Project.

There are monthly online webinars, starting on 12th June, 6.30-8.30pm, in storytelling, communication and creativity skills for women from minority ethnic, refugee, & migrant backgrounds aged over 18 in Camden and Islington.
For more information email info@laamiga.org with your name, email address and telephone number or call 0208 257 7317 and leave your contact details.

Camden Private Renters Forum
On Thursday 8th June at 5pm, Camden is hosting a new Camden Private Renters Forum.
Many renters are not aware of their rights.
This forum will provide expert advice on how to negotiate rent increases, manage any issues with damp/mould, signpost to further help on the rising cost of living and explain what the Council can do to help.
Private renting can be difficult so it’s important that renters across Camden know how to access support and advice.
The forum will be hosted on Zoom and is open to anyone renting privately in Camden.
Residents can find out more information and register here

Free Youth Work & Youth Justice Training
Wipers Youth CIC is an award-winning social enterprise which specialises in working with vulnerable and disadvantaged young people.
We offer exceptional youth work and youth justice training courses, and have a limited number of free spaces available on the courses below:

Tuesday 6th June (virtual)
• Trauma and Child Criminal Exploitation 10am – 1pm
• Cultural Competency 1:30pm – 4:30pm

Wednesday 7th June (at Voluntary Action Islington, Kings Cross, 200A Pentonville Road, N1 9JP)
• Coaching and Mentoring Young People from 10am – 1pm
• Delivering Effective Group Work from 1:30pm – 4:30pm

To enquire about booking a space please email training@wipers.org.uk
Or, for more information please click here

Third Sector Fundraising Summit
6th – 7th June
This event will be held at Events@No6, London (from £95) or online (free) and will hear from UK charities on how to get the most from your fundraising strategy.
It is designed to offer you key insights into remaining creative and authentic with your fundraising strategy through a series of case studies, fireside chats, roundtable sessions and expert panel discussions.
Tickets are available here, in-person space is limited

Wild Camden Festival
London Wildlife Trust will be hosting the ‘Wild Camden Festival’ on 4th June at Camley Street Natural Park (N1C 4PW) between 12 & 4pm.
We will be celebrating World Environment Day and showcasing ways that local residents can take action towards sustainable living and using local green spaces to promote wellbeing.
We still have spaces for local organisations to run a stall or an activity showcasing their work.
Please contact Fiona at fmcgain@wildlondon.org.uk for further details

Membership Development Officer
22.5 hours per week
Closing date: 14th June at 11.30pm
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced, passionate, and dynamic individual to join Voluntary Action Camden (VAC) as the Membership Development Officer.
VAC is a membership organisation and crucial to the success of the role will be the ability to support our members to achieve their objectives.

For the full job description and to apply, 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.

Iam Irish Youth, Community and Playworker Sessional Vacancies.
Iam Irish are currently recruiting sessional Youth, Community and Playworkers for forthcoming projects.
For more information, or to apply with your CV, please email hello@iamirish.org

Vacancies at Latin American House
Latin American House is currently recruiting for the following three roles

Communities & Cultures Coordinator
To lead the implementation of its Communities & Cultures programme
Closing date – 8th June

Children & Young People Coordinator
To lead the implementation of its Children & Young People programme
Closing date – 7th June

Level 3 Early Years Practitioner
Level 3 Early Years practitioner to join the team at its bilingual nursery, Centro Infantil Menchu.
Closing date – 5th July

Full job descriptions and instructions on how to apply can be found here

Become a Trustee of SHAK
Closing date: 7th June
SHAK (South Hampstead and Kilburn Community Partnership) is a resident led charity based on the iconic Alexandra and Ainsworth estate in the Kilburn ward of Camden NW London, an area of high rates of deprivation and poverty but big potential. Our mission is to enable young people and adults to overcome barriers to economic and social inclusion.

We are seeking new trustees with skills in the areas of safeguarding, fundraising, strategy development etc. . We are particularly interested in increasing representation at board level from minority communities
To learn more and apply, please click here

Local VCS 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)
UCL Volunteering Service Newsletter (sign up)
Latin American House
London Irish Centre
A Space for us
North London Cares: Upcoming Clubs

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

Our mailing address is:
Greenwood Centre, Greenwood Place, London, NW5 1LB

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