Voluntary Action Camden Newsletter - 28th July 2023

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VAC Weekly Newsletter
28th July 2023

VAC Membership
VAC represents local organisations in conversations with local government and funders, we advise on local issues and we inform, support and train local charities depending on their needs

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

Highlights

This week we spotlight our upcoming launch of a refreshed and renewed member’s training offer.

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

New VAC Member Training: Coming Soon!

We have always worked hard to provide comprehensive training programmes for our members.

In response to the latest feedback from our membership survey, we are pleased to announce the upcoming launch of our new training offer for members. This new offer will give VAC members exclusive access to the following training programmes:

•   Child safeguarding
•   Vulnerable adults safeguarding
•   Safer recruitment
•   Introduction to good governance
•   Effective communication
•   Volunteer management
•   Fire safety and building compliance, and much more!

The new training schedule for 2023/24 will be available soon and all the sessions will be added onto our website so you can book yourself on. If you’re not a VAC member, please sign-up here

Most of our training is free to VAC members, but there will be limited spaces so booking early will be advised to avoid disappointment… We will keep you updated as soon as the new programmes are available.

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

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.

Free School Meals for London’s Primary School Children
The Mayor recognises that families are in urgent need of support. The meals will help families with the spiralling cost of living by ensuring that children in state-funded London schools will receive free school meals in the next academic year.
To find out more, please click here

Operation Warrior: Support for Veterans
Hawley Amateur Boxing Club and Maverick Stars Trust are starting a new initiative to help Military Veterans get back into shape. These free boxing sessions are designed to work towards both physical and mental wellbeing.
For more details, please contact HawleyABC@CamdenBoxingClub.com

Elm Village Open Space (Upper Level) Community Garden Open Day
3rd August
The Elm Village Open Space (Upper Level) Community Garden has had a makeover!
Explore the garden on Thursday, 3rd August, from 4-7 pm with Castlehaven Community Association and enjoy arts & crafts, gardening activities, and free refreshments.
For more information about the event, please email environmentalteam@castlehaven.org.uk

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.

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 Strategy 2026
VAC is proud to present our new Strategy 2026 which will guide our organisation for the next 3 years.

We have been a part of the local voluntary and community sector for over a century and this comprehensive document speaks of a vision that works to support, enhance and connect the Camden VCS.

You can find all our priorities, our values, our approach and the impact we hope to achieve 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

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

Civic Data Innovation Challenge
Closing date: 4th August
The second round of the Civic Data Innovation Challenge is now open. Groups and individuals can apply for up to £60,000 to make their civic data project a reality. The GLA are looking for strong ideas that can measure one facet of civic strength in London and will be more likely to fund ideas that can reach London-wide scale.
Applications that attempt to fill a data gap outlined in the Civic Strength Index are very welcome.
For more information and to apply, please click here

New GSK Health Inequalities Programme – Opens for Applications
Application deadline: Monday 14th August: 5pm

The GSK Health Inequalities programme is open to registered charities that are at least one year old, located and working in the UK, with a total annual income of between £20,000 and £150,000.
Up to 15 charities will receive up to £10,000 in unrestricted funding and access to training and development valued at £2,700.
For more details, please click here

Camden Community Partner Fund 2024 to 2031
Camden Council’s Community Partner Fund is now open for applications. The deadline to submit a completed Expression of Interest form is 12 noon on Wednesday 20th September 2023.

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 three online sessions so organisations can find out more about the fund. To register for a session, please visit our website
If you have any further questions, please email vcs@camden.gov.uk

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

Engaged Environmental Science funding
Closing date for outlines: Wednesday 20th September

NERC Engaged Environmental Science funding opportunity is open for exemplar projects that demonstrate excellence in engaged environmental science research.
We welcome: • environmental science research responding to both scientific and public needs • equitable partnerships with charities and other intermediaries • leaders in public engagement with research
Applications successfully shortlisted at outline stage will be provided with a partnership bursary and invited to submit a full application.
For full information, please see the UKRI Funding Finder

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

Other available funders include:

Are you new to writing grant applications? Do you struggle with writing successful funding bids?
In partnership with All Ways Network (AWN) VAC are pleased to offer all our members a place on one of our ‘Writing a Successful bid’ workshops.

These interactive workshops will take place online between July and September and are accompanied by 1-2-1 surgeries to ensure you leave with the confidence, and tools required to create a good funding application.
To learn more, please click here

Is joining the new social media app ‘Threads’ worthwhile for VCSE organisations?
There has been a great deal of talk recently regarding the new social media app Threads and you may be asking yourself if it is worth joining.
Here are a couple of articles which consider the pros and cons of Threads for non-profits which may help you decide.
From Nonprofit Tech for Good: Threads for Nonprofits: 5 Tips for the Early Adoption Phase
And from the directory of social change: Is Threads the answer to Twitter’s problems?

Camden Council Vacancy – Citizen Scientist
Closing date: 30th July
As a Citizen Scientist, you will help to ensure that Camden is a place where everyone has a voice. We will provide training and support to help you do this.
Using your experience and understanding of Camden as a place to live, work and study, you will help us to put our residents’ voices and experiences at the centre of everything we do. You will work closely with the Participation Team, where you will be supported to encourage strong citizen involvement in key council projects.
You do not need to be a scientist to do this job, and you don’t need an academic background to be considered for this role.
To learn more, please click here

SPCA Vacancies:
Programme Manager
Saint Pancras Community Association is looking for an experienced Programme Manager with exceptional programme and project management skills.
To learn more and apply, please click here

Facilities Manager
Saint Pancras Community Association are looking for an experienced Facilities Manager to ensure the Community Centre maintains it’s Health and Safety requirements, to organise bookings, and keep the centre clean and tidied to the highest possible standards.
To learn more and apply, please click here

Business Development Volunteer Support vacancy for Startup School for Seniors
As a Business Development Support Volunteer, you will be crucial in helping Advantages of Age Ltd create a new revenue stream for the organisation. Your primary focus will be identifying partnership opportunities and driving direct sales for their new online self-paced course, Startup School for Seniors, designed specifically for individuals aged 50 and above who aspire to launch their own businesses.
If you are interested, please contact suzanne@advantagesofage.com

Go Forward Youth vacancy: Youth Services Manager
Closing date: 31st July

Go Forward Youth is looking for a Youth Services Manager to join our care-experience led team to develop a new service to be open in our Camden base from Autumn 2023.
You’d be joining us at an exciting time as we work to provide support to care-experienced young people as they make their transition to independence.
If you are interested in finding out more please see the job description here
Applications via cv and covering letter should be directed to silvie.labatut@go-forwardyouth.org

STBL Vacancies
Applications for both positions close on 10th August
Community Business Development and Fundraiser
We are looking for someone with the drive to lead community fundraising initiatives and provide community business support, helping to create a more sustainable and scalable business models for both SBTL and the groups we serve.
For more information and to apply, please click here

Communications Officer
We are looking for a self-starter who thrives communicating purposeful, community-inspired content via print, video, email and social media.
For more information and to apply, please click here

Mind in Camden vacancy: Resources Director
Applications are invited for this key leadership role in Mind in Camden, an innovative and highly respected mental health charity.
We are looking for someone with substantial management, administration and human resources experience to manage a small team of staff engaged in providing Admin, IT, HR and Premises support to the organisation.
The post holder will be joining our Finance Director, Operations Director, CEO and Service Managers in the Senior Management team.
We welcome diversity, and applications from experienced Office/HR/Admin Managers taking a step up into a more responsible position are welcome.

To download an application pack, please click here, or phone 020 7911 0822 (24hrs), or email recruitment@mindincamden.org.uk

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.

Research on improving free school meals application
A team at Camden Council are doing research on the free school meals application process and are looking to speak with parents/ carers. Taking part would involve either 1:1 discussions, workshops or informal chats in community settings during August.
Participants will receive vouchers for taking part.
If your organisation can help put the team in touch with parents/ carers or be happy to convene a group, please call Sarah Rockett on 020 7974 5076 or email schoolmealsresearch@camden.gov.uk for more information.

Special needs services and support – survey for parents and carers
Response deadline: 30th July

Camden Council wants to hear from parents and carers of children with special educational needs and / or disabilities (SEND) on what they think about local services and support.
The responses will help the council improve how Camden supports children and young people with SEND and their families. This survey is part of the SEND Strategy Implementation Plan (2022/27).

To be entered into the prize draw for a chance to win a £50 voucher, please don’t forget to provide contact details at the end of the survey.
To complete the survey please click here

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

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

Got an item for the e-bulletin?

Send your item to social@vac.org.uk by noon on Thursday for publication in the following day’s edition. The e-bulletin comes out every Friday. Submissions should be 50 – 75 words. Please send plain text or a format that can be copied (ie not embedded in an image). Send links to documents rather than attachments. Make sure to include contact details.