Voluntary Action Camden Newsletter - 9th December 2022

*|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|*

Opt in to receive VAC e-newsletter direct to your inbox

VAC Weekly Newsletter
9th December 2022

VAC Membership
Join VAC as a member and become part of a network committed to connecting and amplifying the voice of the Voluntary and Community Sector in Camden.

Membership is free, click on the link box above and sign up today

Highlights

This week we spotlight VAC’s new JustGiving page, which provides a new way for donors to support our work in the Camden community.

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

Since 1907, Voluntary Action Camden has supported the voluntary sector in the London Borough of Camden. We do this by sharing information, fostering collaboration and providing practical expertise to both established and new voluntary organisations. We serve as a connection between the sector and decision-making bodies like the local Council and funders and work to promote a vibrant local community for all who live or work in the borough.

Our new JustGiving page is now live. This page provides a new way for VAC to receive donations towards our work in the Camden community.

We understand that not everyone has the capacity to donate during these difficult times. If you are able to, and would like to make a donation to VAC, please click here

Family Festive Nature Crafts on Hampstead Heath

Join Heath Hands for a free afternoon on Hampstead Heath, making festive decorations from natural materials and finding out about nature in winter.

Join Castlehaven for festive extravaganza, WinterFest
Head to Castlehaven Community Association from 3:30 to 7 pm today (Friday 9th Dec) for a jam-packed afternoon of festive fun, stalls and performances. There will be delicious food and drink, a visit from Santa, and activities for the whole family to enjoy.

MoreLife: Tier 2 Adult Weight Management Service

A new tier 2 adult weight management service, delivered by MoreLife, will be launching at the beginning of January in Camden and Islington. For Camden and Islington residents (or those registered with a GP in either borough), the service will be delivered in-person and online. Lasting 12 weeks, the programme will take a psychologically-informed and evidence-based approach to weight management.

Individuals can self-refer into the service now by calling 0333 222 1333. An online self-referral form will be available soon.

Learn more here

Women’s Safety in Camden Survey

Camden Council would like to hear the experiences of all women and girls in Camden to understand how safe you feel living, working and travelling around the borough. The results of the survey will help the Council to work out the right steps to improve the safety of all women and girls in Camden.

The survey is confidential and takes about 15 minutes to complete. To have your say, click here

Camden Winter Reading Challenge

Children aged up to 12 years can get involved in Camden’s Winter Reading Challenge by reading four or more books by 20th February 2023. They can receive a certificate, stickers and more for completing the challenge.

Join for free by visiting your local Camden library.

Community Engagement and Active Citizenship: Studentship Opportunity

Closing date: 12pm on 11th January 2023

The Department of Geography at the Open University is collaborating with Camden Council to conduct research into questions of active citizenship and community engagement on estates in Camden. This project would be of interest to a student with a background in Geography, Sociology, Urban Studies, Migration Studies, or similar disciplines.

Learn more and apply 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

Voluntary Action Forum: Cost of Living
On 29th November VAC held our latest VAF on the cost of living crisis. It was an incredible overview of an often harsh reality and included information from VAC, members of the Camden VCS and Camden Council.

This event was recorded and you can view the stream here

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

We are collating information and resources to help community groups and residents in Camden navigate through the crisis. To find out more, click here

Camden Infrastructure Alliance: Cost-of-Living Crisis Joint Statement

The Camden Infrastructure Alliance – Voluntary Action Camden, C4 and Volunteer Centre Camden – have published a joint statement urgently calling for targeted financial government support for the Voluntary and Community Sector in the face of the cost-of-living crisis.

We are deeply concerned about the additional pressures of a cold winter on Camden’s already overstretched community services.

To read the full statement, please click here

Cost-of-Living Support in Camden

Everyone is likely to need a bit of help this winter, so if you’re struggling, please reach out for help. Camden Council offers support with debt, mental health, food, rising energy bills, finding a job and more.

Learn more here or call Camden Council on 020 7974 4444 (Option 9).

The Children’s Society Report: Young People with SEND Experiences of School Exclusions
The Children’s Society has published A Report on Young People with SEND Experiences of School Exclusions. The report is informed by young people with SEND who have experienced exclusions and concludes with recommendations for schools, local authorities and government.
You can read the report here

London’s Borough Poverty Profile 2022

Trust for London has published an analysis of borough-level poverty in London, with new figures covering five years of data up to 2019/20. The report reveals that the impact of housing costs to poverty rates is acutely apparent within London at borough level.

Camden is among the top 10 boroughs where housing costs are having the biggest impact on poverty rates.

Lloyd’s of London Foundation Grant

Closing date: 11th December 2022
Applications are now open for the Lloyd’s of London Foundation’s 2023 charity partnerships – this is an opportunity for charities to apply for a grant to support projects in the areas of employability, social mobility, mental health, climate and disaster avoidance and relief.
Learn more here

The Hampstead Wells and Campden Trust

The principal objectives of The Hampstead Wells and Campden Trust are the alleviation of poverty and the advancement of health in the Trust’s area of benefit. They make grants to organisations, individuals and families.

Learn more here

North London Community Fund

Closing date: 11pm on 16th December 2022

NLWA has established the North London Community Fund to support waste prevention initiatives in the north London area. This fund provides community-based (non-profit making) organisations with funding to develop new approaches to reduce waste and/or extend the reach and impact of existing waste prevention activity in north London.

Learn more here

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

Other available funders include:

Camden’s Evening and Night Time: Citizens’ Assembly

18th and 25th Feb and 4th March 2023

Camden Council is inviting residents to join a Citizens’ Assembly about Camden’s Evening and Night Time. Participants will develop a vision for the future of Camden’s evening and night time and make recommendations about how the Council, businesses and Camden’s communities could achieve this vision.

Learn more here

Regent’s Place Community Space Open Day and Workshop

Tuesday 13th December: Online

Regent’s Place Community Space is currently vacant and looking for new occupant(s). The upcoming workshop will help British Land get to know organisations that are interested in the space and understand the type of spaces that local organisations are in need of.

Free Childrens Yoga Classes for Camden residents aged 5-11
Saturday 10th and 17th December: 11am-12pm at Old Diorama Arts Centre NW1 3FE

These classes give children the opportunity to explore yoga through breathing exercises, poses, partner work, games and meditation. Please wear comfortable clothing and bring a bottle of water. Yoga mats will be provided.

To book a place, please email cherylreynald@yahoo.co.uk or message 07838214534.

St Pancras Community Association Christmas Fayre

Saturday 10th Dec at 67 Plender Street: 11am – 4pm

SPCA is excited to announce their first ever Christmas Fayre. Bring your family and enjoy a whole host of festivities, including stalls, music, food, drinks and Santa’s Grotto.

Learn more here

Castlehaven Community Association: WinterFest Returns

Friday 9th Dec: 3:30 – 7pm

Castlehaven Community Association’s festive extravaganza, WinterFest, is returning! Come along for a jam-packed afternoon of festive fun, stalls, performances and a mince pie or two.

If you’re a local business, organisation or community group that would like to run a stall, perform or volunteer at WinterFest, please contact info@castlehaven.co.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.

Mind in Camden Vacancy: Mental Health Welfare Rights Development Worker

Closing date: Monday 19th Dec at 1pm

Mind in Camden are seeking a Mental Health Welfare Rights Development Worker to join a new Core Team within Camden. You’ll be responsible for maintaining up-to-date welfare rights information, supporting colleagues with challenging welfare cases and ensuring that the team is equipped to support people with welfare rights issues and linked up with other welfare rights providers.

Learn more and apply here

The Royal Free Charity is looking for musicians
The Royal Free Charity is looking for musicians to play at a Christmas party for hospital volunteers. Whether it’s with festive tunes or classical accompaniment, they would love to say thank you to the volunteers who work so hard to support the hospital patients and staff.

The party is on Tuesday 13th December, 2-4pm, at the Pears Building (NW3).
If you are available, please contact Rebecca.McMahon@royalfreecharity.org

VoiceAbility: Peer Mentors Needed

VoiceAbility is urgently seeking volunteers to support people who are struggling with their mental health in Camden. Are you a good listener, non-judgemental, empathetic & understanding? Do you have lived experience of mental health challenges? If so, you could volunteer as a Peer Mentor.

Learn more here or contact volunteering@voiceability.org

Long Covid Survey
The Community Links team at VAC are working with the University of Southampton to facilitate a study into Long Covid. If you had, or think you had, Covid 3 or more months ago and yet continue to experience symptoms that are not explained by any other health conditions, the study would like to talk to you about your experiences.

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, a £15 shopping voucher is 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 call/text “Long Covid Research’’ on 07721520243.

SMK National Campaigner Awards

Nominations for the SMK National Campaigner Awards are now open. Each year, SMK celebrates the best campaigns and campaigners. What all nominees have in common is the determination to secure a specific change that will make things better.

Learn more here

Maths on Toast: 24 Days of Christmaths

If you’re looking for free family activities to do at home during December, the family maths charity Maths on Toast has the answer. They are revealing a different creative maths activity each day on their social media channels @mathsontoast, beginning on 1st December.

To download a free, festive maths pack, click here

Healthy Start Pre-Paid Card and Free Vitamins

Do you receive income support? Are you pregnant or do you have any children under the age of four? You may be eligible for a Healthy Start prepaid card. The Healthy Start payments can be used to buy milk, fruit, vegetables, and infant formula.

Learn more and apply here

London Ambulance Service NHS Trust Survey

Healthwatch Camden are conducting research on behalf of London Ambulance Service NHS Trust (LAS) for the development of their new strategy. This strategy will describe the LAS vision and goals for the next five years, including how they will improve urgent and emergency care.

To complete the survey, click here

Henna Asian Womens Group
Henna Asian Womens Group provides a range of ways to connect with other people. Their services include exercise, music & singing, ESOL, Art & Craft, Henna Support Group, Chai with Henna and the Wellbeing Hub. It is also a place to get information and support.

For more information, click here or call 0207 372 9860.

Could you foster a Camden child?
Have you got space in your heart and home to foster a Camden child? Camden needs more people who are willing to provide our vulnerable children with care, stability and consistency.
Camden residents who foster are exempt from paying council tax, as well as receiving generous financial support, specialist training and an allocated social worker.
Visit camden.gov.uk/fostering, email fostering@camden.gov.uk, call 020 7974 1283 or 0800 028 1436 (freephone) to find out more.

Past Voluntary Action Forums: Resources

You can 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.