Category: Newsletter

Trustees’ Week Event: ‘Piggy in the Middle – Can Trustees Please Everyone?’; Camden Council and Camden’s Voluntary and Community Sector Consultation Update; Needed: Service User representative on IAPT evaluation panel; VAC’s Mental Health Training Programme; Ageing Better in Camden Launch 12th November; Office with Consulting Rooms to Let; Training For New Volunteer Centre Online Matching Tool; Bloomsbury Festival; Musculoskeletal (MSK) Patient Focus Group; Young Women and the Construction Industry; Dementia Cafe; Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy; Strategic Cancer Partnership Group; + jobs, volunteers, events, training, offers and resources.

Trustees’ Week Event: ‘Piggy in the Middle – Can Trustees Please Everyone?’
Wednesday, 4th November 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
This round table discussion raises the issue of the multiple pressures that Trustees feel
The staff, users and funders all seem to have strong views on how trustees should be doing their job. Add to this a recent increase in interest from the press and the public and many trustees are left feeling like piggy-in-the-middle. Can you keep everyone happy? Should you by trying to keep everyone happy? VAC invite you to come along on Wednesday 4th November from 6.00 to 7.30pm to share your experiences of the competing pressures on charity trustees. The evening will start with a brief presentation from Kevin Nunan (VAC) looking at the recent interest in the sector from the public, criticisms from the regulator and how trustees have attempted to deal with it.
Cost: Free More information and to book at the VAC website.
Contact: Kevin knunan@vac.org.uk
 

Camden Council and Camden’s Voluntary and Community Sector Consultation Update
LB Camden’s consultation can be found here. The proposals can be found in a downloadable document here. You can give your views directly to the council via an online questionnaire. The closing date is 4th November so don’t delay.

Needed: Service User representative on IAPT evaluation panel
‘Improving Access to Psychological Therapies’ (IAPT) is a national programme to improve access to talking therapy treatment. The current contract for providing this in Camden comes to an end 31 March 2017. We are in the process of redesigning the service to ask people to bid to provide it. We need to make sure that when bids are being scored, service user views are at the centre. We are therefore seeking two people to sit on the evaluation panel that scores each bid.
The role will involve reading various documents, individually assessing and scoring bids and actively participating in group discussions with commissioners, clinicians and other professional colleagues. You will be reimbursed and supported in the role. We are looking for people who:
– Have lived experience of common mental health problems, and accessing IAPT services in Camden
– Are willing to commit to a minimum of 3 months engagement with a procurement process
– Are willing to represent the views of people with common mental health conditions
– Have good communication skills and are able and willing to read, sometimes complex, documents.
Sound like you? Please email mhinvolvement@camdenccg.nhs.uk or call 0203 688 2084 to express an interest by Monday 9th November 2015.

VAC’s Mental Health Training Programme
VAC has a full Mental Health Training Programme with a range of courses in the coming months. For example Stigma and Mental Health is a half-day workshop on 2nd November. To find out more, book spaces and view the full programme of courses please see the VAC Training section below.

Ageing Better in Camden Launch 12th November 2015
This morning only event aims to answer all your questions about Ageing Better in Camden – what it is; what it offers; how you can get involved. It is open to all and is aimed particularly at older people and people and organisations working with older people. It will have workshops, information stalls and introductory speeches. Please register at ageingbetterincamden@ageukcamden.org.uk or telephone 02072390400.
Ageing Better in Camden has published the Invitation to Tender information for the St Pancras and Somerstown Community Action Project. Please fill in the form to register your interest in tendering (and you will receive emails of any questions and answers that other bidders post). Deadline back 19th November 2pm. http://www.ageuk.org.uk/camden/ageing-better-in-camden/

Office with Consulting Rooms to Let – Good Price, Great Location
VAC has a medium size office to let that would suit a small organisation needing space for approximately 4 or 5 desks. Unusually, we are able to offer a up to 4 private consulting rooms as well. Conveniently located in Kentish Town will all usual mod cons. Contact Kevin at VAC knunan@vac.org.uk

Training For New Volunteer Centre Online Matching Tool (and Database) Volunteer Connect
Volunteer Connect will replace our use of the Do-it website (as well as our back-end database, reporting and matching tool).
We are planning a launch to the public in early December.
And that means that from December we will only promote your volunteering to people who want to volunteer in Camden if you are on Volunteer Connect.
With that in mind, we will be running a number of free masterclasses on how to use Volunteer Connect to add, amend and delete your volunteering opportunities.
We will offer two masterclasses on:
Thursday 29th October 10am-1pm or 2pm-5pm at our office in Kentish Town
We have allowed three hours for each one, but it should only take an hour or two of your time to get you started.
You can book in for any of the masterclasses on eventbrite here.
If you have any questions about this, contact Rupal by email or phone 020 7424 9990.

Bloomsbury Festival
The Festival is under way. One of today’s highlights is Goodensemble’s concert this evening at Goodenough College. There will be some tickets available on the door for a 7.30pm start. Other highlights include Olcay Bayir (FREE) 24th October. Catch the elegant voice of the Turkish singer as part of Bloomsbury Festival.

Musculoskeletal (MSK) Patient Focus Group Wednesday 11th November
Camden CCG are working in partnership with our health and social care providers to review and develop musculoskeletal services for Camden residents. We would like you join us if you have received treatment, following self or GP referral, for management of an orthopaedic, rheumatology or pain condition in a Camden community or hospital setting.
Doreen Murray, MSK Project Lead is planning to hold a focus group with patients on Wednesday 11th November (9:30am to 11:30am at Camden CCG, Stephenson House, 6th Floor (wheelchair accessible).
Would you be interested in attending?
If you are able to attend please confirm by contacting Maggie Adesanya to confirm your attendance via email to margaret.adesanya@camdenccg.nhs.uk or by phoning 020 3688 1746.
If you want to know further information about the focus group you can contact Doreen Murray by email doreen.murray@camdenccg.nhs.uk or by phoning 02036882087.

Young Women and the Construction Industry – Participants and Partners Needed + Event on 26th October
Budding Builders is a Construction Youth Trust programme which helps to remove barriers to employment by providing young people with an opportunity to learn new, demand-led skills in a variety of different trades; offer CSCS card training and support; and clear progression routes into work or further training.
There is a course in Camden starting the 26th of October, in partnership with Kings Cross Construction Skills Centre. The aim is to target young women who are considering the industry as a career. The course will be led by an experienced female carpenter and we will have female guest speakers.
The success of our projects depends on the partnerships we create. We are seeking organisations that would like to refer women onto our October course and organisations who would like to act as our community practical partner for our 2016 projects. Please get in contact with Nicola Mason on 0207 467 9540 or nicola.mason@constructionyouth.org.uk

Dementia Cafe
A friendly and supportive monthly café for people with dementia and their carers. The Café runs on the 1st Wednesday of each month 11.00am – 1pm
Refreshments are provided. Upcoming dates:
4th November 2015
2nd December 2015
At Kentish Town Congregational Church, Kelly Street, London NW1 8PH
For further information call 0207 561 4820

Make sure you are registered to vote
Last year the government introduced Individual Electoral Registration (IER) which means that everyone eligible to vote needs to register themselves – rather than this being the head of household’s responsibility. Voters who were previously registered under the old system have remained on the register during the transition period to the new system, however anyone who hasn’t registered under IER by 1 December 2015 will now be removed from the electoral register.
It’s quick and simple to register to vote online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote – you’ll just need your national insurance number and date of birth. If you’re not sure whether you’re registered to vote, you can find out by contacting Camden’s elections team at electoral.services@camden.gov.uk or by phone on 0207 974 6000.

Healthwatch Camden with Camden and Islington Public Health have organised a seminar on the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy on Monday 16th November 10am to1pm
Kentish Town Congregation Church, Kelly Street, London NW1
This is to get your feedback on the document so far; this will be a great way to influence your local health and social care service provision and policy,
At the seminar some of the discussion will be if you:
Agree that if they have identified the right focus for improvement under each priority?
Are there other areas of focus that should also be included, and if so, why?
Have the right measures to show improvement been selected?
Are there other ways to monitor and evaluate the outcomes that they should consider?
Are there any other comments that you would like to make?
The responses will be used to finalise the strategy before it goes to the Health and Wellbeing Board in January. Lunch is included.
Please let me know as soon as possible if you are coming. Telephone: 020 7284 6585 Email: shelly.khan@healthwatchcamden.co.uk

Do you have a passion help to improve the outcomes for black and Muslim young male offenders?
We are seeking to appoint members to the Young Review Independent Advisory Group.
Following the launch of the report of the Young Review in December 2014, an interim independent advisory group, chaired by Baroness Lola Young of Hornsey, was set up. Working with government and other agencies, its aim is to improve outcomes for young black and Muslim male offenders.
These are voluntary positions for an initial three-year term.
The people appointed will reflect a wide range of skills and experience but critically will have a strong desire and the knowledge, skills and experience to make a real difference.
For more information and how to apply download the information pack click here.
Closing date for applications is 26 October

Free Vitamin D Supplements for New Mothers and Pregnant Women
Healthy Start vitamins, which contain vitamin D and other important vitamins, are available for free to all pregnant women, new mums and those with children under the age of four in Camden.
Healthy Start vitamins can be collected from 1a, Agar, Regent’s Park, Harmood and Kilburn Grange children’s centres and from Belsize Priory, Gospel Oak and Hunter Street health centres in Camden.
As well as free vitamins, if you receive income support and are pregnant, have children under the age of four, or are under 18 and pregnant, you may be eligible for free vouchers to spend on fruit and vegetables or fresh milk and formula.
Speak to your midwife or health visitor for more information or visit www.healthystart.nhs.uk

Free English classes to be run in partnership with Working Mens’ College at Conway House (based in Kilburn) and free ESOL classes run by Training Link
Improve your spelling, grammar and punctuation. Come along to the assessment session on:
Friday 6 November 2015, 12-3pm at
Conway House, 18-22 Quex Road, London, NW6 4PL
ESOL Entry 2
‘Funded by the Corporation of London’s charity City Bridge Trust’
Learn English
ESOL: English to Speakers of Other Languages
Level: Entry 2
At Conway House, 18-22 Quex Road, NW6 4PL (Kilburn)
FREE of charge, no registration fee. Every Wednesday 3pm-6pm
To book a place please email gosia.glinska@sih.org
For more information about Training Link and courses they offer please contact admin@traininglink.org.uk or 0207 383 5405

North Central London Strategic Cancer Partnership Group
An exciting new initiative for Cancer services across North Central London. We will be establishing a partnership to improve the way services work together to meet the needs of patients.
An opportunity to explore shared priorities and concerns but also to challenge each other to build local capacity to provide outstanding support for cancer patients. We want to develop a consistent patient offer across the area that focuses on patient outcomes and their experience of services.
The proposed group would be supported by the Transforming Cancer Services Team (TCST) for London and we are inviting their Director to be a part of the group. We need patient representatives who have experience of cancer services themselves or as families or carers. The group would aim to meet no more than 4 times a year.
The first meeting will be in early November. If you would like to participate please contact helen.saunders@camdenccg.nhs.uk for an informal discussion. We have a rewards and recognition procedure in place to compensate you for your time.

Westminster Community Network
Do you work across neighbouring Westminster as well? If so you may be interested in this network meeting at Mahatma Gandhi Room at the Indian YMCA, 41 Fitzroy Square, London W1T 6AQ on 11 November 2015 from 1.30 – 4.30pm
This is the first meeting of the Network since it came back into the hands of the Westminster voluntary sector.
RSVP please to j.webster@onewestminster.org.uk

Free training, outings and events for unpaid carers in Camden
For a full list of events of carers in Camden please visit the Camden Carers website.

Healthwatch Camden
Latest Information DIgest is on the Healthwatch Camden website.
Catch up with the latest Camden news and what’s happening on Our Blog

The Camden Capacity Building Bulletin is produced monthly, targeting the community and voluntary sector in Camden. It provides up to date/recently live information and news on funding and training. To access the latest information please follow the Link www.camden.gov.uk/cbbulletin

Evelyn Oldfield Unit, Mildmay Community, Solace Women’s Aid, Homestart Camden, North London Rape Crisis, VAC, Age UK Camden and Camden PA are recruiting. See Jobs and Volunteers section below.

Camden Shares. The website for exchanges in Camden. www.camdenshares.org.uk

You can join in on Facebook. Like us if you like us.

Follow all the Camden Voluntary Sector news on OneCamden on Twitter.

You can read more about all of these stories on our news page at www.vac.org.uk/new

Health bodies routinely ignore the Social Value Act
Public sector health bodies routinely ignore the Social Value Act when they commission services that charities could deliver. Full story at Civil Society magazine.

Anna Turley interview: ‘We are very open-minded about charities’
The new shadow minister for civil society Anna Turley says her party is ready to listen and be radical in a Civil Society interview.

Sticking the boot into charity
An academic view from University of Birmingham

Churches Could be the New Community Centres
Simon Jenkins in the Guardian proposes that churches are put to good use as community centres, community shops, farmers markets, foodbanks, e-shopping collection points and Wi-Fi cafes.

See the Funding pages on VAC’s website for all the latest information.

Opportunity for capital funding for VCS organisations in Camden Town with Primrose Hill Ward
The Council is in receipt of money arising from a property development in Camden Town with Primrose Hill Ward, as a result of Section 106 (S106) obligations on property developers, under Camden’s Planning Guidance.
This opportunity relates only to money provided to improve community facilities, it does not relate to S106 money received for other purposes, such as infrastructure and parks and open spaces.
The community building or facility must be one of the following:
• Owned by the organisation
• Occupied on a long-term lease
• Owned by the council
If your voluntary & community sector organisation would like to make a proposal for S106 capital money for community facilities, and your premises and service provision fits these criteria, please contact jeff.hopwood@camden.gov.uk or adam.demosthenous@camden.gov.uk.
A proposal form will be supplied, to easily enable response to the following:
• A brief description of the proposal, including how much money you are seeking – an estimate is fine at this stage
• Any relevant deadlines
The form will also ask for information about:
• How an allocation would ensure that the recipient’s facilities / services are available for the local community
• Whether the organisation or facility has received S106 Community Facilities funding before
• Whether the capital project has any match funding or pledges of match funding
• How the proposal will address Camden Plan priorities and the Council’s investment tests:
www.camden.gov.uk/camdenplan
www.camden.gov.uk/ccm/content/council-and-democracy/publications-and-finances/twocolumn/camden-financial-challenge-.en?page=3.
Proposal forms will need to be returned by the 6th November 2015, officers intend to consider the proposals during November, and discuss with ward members and relevant Cabinet Members. Decisions are expected to be made by the beginning of December. Further information please contact the named officers above.

Stepping Stones Fund
All interested charities and social enterprises in the Greater London area are invited to an information session about the Stepping Stones Fund, a £1m social investment readiness grant programme of City Bridge Trust and UBS.
The second round of the Fund is now open for applications. This programme provides grants and risk finance to enterprising organisations that wish to prepare themselves for social investment in order to improve their social outcomes. There are three strands you can consider:
1. obtain capacity building support that will help you better access social investment in the future
2. pilot new ways, ideas or business models aiming for better social outcomes
3. secure risk finance that can catalyse a social investment package.
The deadline for applications is 12 o’clock on 16th November, 2015.
For more information and to register for a place on:
29th October

Don’t forget to sign up to Funding Central for free email funding alerts. Go to www.fundingcentral.org.uk/

Health and Safety for Marginalized Communities 26th November, am, free
Too many people are working in dangerous and unhealthy conditions – and often working long hours for low pay. Job insecurity pushes people to keep their heads down and just get on with the job, even if it’s risking their health. Lots of people may not have the help and support of a trade union. If this sounds like you, then make that change. Attend the VAC/London Hazards Centre training and have some fun learning about your rights and how to enforce them.
Targeted in particular at migrant workers, unpaid carers, cleaners and people working in the hospitality industry. Some of the most marginalised people – probably working long hours, in dangerous conditions and on low pay. More information and booking at the VAC website.

Mental health workshops for Camden-based BMER groups – Free
There are places available on the following two VAC workshops:
Mental Health and Stigma (half-day): Monday 2nd November (2-5pm)
Mental health affects all of us in one way or another throughout our lives, yet for many it remains a taboo subject, shrouded in myths and stigma. This half-day session is designed to open up a discussion about how we can explore and break down stigma in relation to mental illness. Using various techniques including film, case studies and discussion, there will be a particular reference to stigma in South Asian communities.
Introduction to Mental Health Awareness (full day): Wednesday 9th December (10am to 4.30pm)
This one-day interactive session looks at how we define mental health and mental illness. It offers the opportunity to explore the impact of stigmatisation and stereotyping on individuals and society. Focusing on two of the most common disorders – depression and anxiety – we will explore vulnerability, risk factors and the importance of early intervention to support recovery. We will also discuss what we can all do to look after our mental health.
Please note that due to requirements of our funding, we can only offer places to Camden-based BMER community groups or Camden voluntary sector organisations whose main focus is working with BMER groups. We can accept a maximum of two people from any one organisation.
To book your place, please go to our website and follow the instructions to book via Eventbrite:
https://vac.org.uk/events/category/health-mental-health/
If you have any questions, please contact the Mental Health Team on mentalhealthteam@vac.org.uk or call 020 7284 6550.

Trustees’ Week Event: ‘Piggy in the Middle – Can Trustees Please Everyone?’
Wednesday, 4th November 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
This round table discussion raises the issue of the multiple pressures that Trustees feel
The staff, users and funders all seem to have strong views on how trustees should be doing their job. Add to this a recent increase in interest from the press and the public and many trustees are left feeling like piggy-in-the-middle. Can you keep everyone happy? Should you by trying to keep everyone happy? VAC invite you to come along on Wednesday 4th November from 6.00 to 7.30pm to share your experiences of the competing pressures on charity trustees. The evening will start with a brief presentation from Kevin Nunan (VAC) looking at the recent interest in the sector from the public, criticisms from the regulator and how trustees have attempted to deal with it.
Cost: Free More information and to book at the VAC website.
Contact: Kevin knunan@vac.org.uk

Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training course.
This will take place over two full days on Thursday 12th November and Thursday 19th November (9.30am to 5pm both days).
This internationally recognised course will be of interest to parents, youth workers, teachers, those who support young people, or anyone who wants to learn more about mental health.
The YMHFA course will teach you to:
• Spot the early signs of a mental health problem in a young person
• Feel confident helping a young person experiencing a problem
• Provide help on a first aid basis
• Help protect a young person who might be at risk of harm
• Help prevent a mental illness from getting worse
• Help a young person recover faster
• Guide a young person towards the right support
• Reduce the stigma of mental health problems
Participants will receive a copy of the YMHFA manual and certificate on completion of the course. Please see the attached flyer for more information.
This training is highly subsidised at only £25 per person. To book your place and pay by card via Eventbrite please go to: https://vac.org.uk/events/category/health-mental-health/.
Please note that VAC can only accept bookings from Camden-based BMER groups or organisations based in Camden working with BMER communities.
If you have any questions please contact the Mental Health Team on: mentalhealthteam@vac.org.uk or call 020 7284 6550.

VAC’s Mental Health Training Programme for BMER groups
Are you a BMER group or do you work with BMER communities? If so, then our Mental Health Training Programme is for you! Our next courses are as follows:
• Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 22nd and 29th October)
• Stigma and Mental Health (half-day workshop: 2nd November)
• Youth Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 12th and 19th November)
• Introduction to Mental Health Awareness (one day workshop: 9th December)
• Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 9th and 16th February 2016)
For more information about our any of our courses, please go to https://vac.org.uk/events/category/health-mental-health/. Click on the course you are interested in and follow the instructions to book your place and pay by card (if applicable). The charge for our Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid training courses is heavily subsidised at only £25 per person. All other mental health workshops are free.
Please note that VAC can only accept bookings from organisations working with BMER communities based in Camden, or which serve Camden BMER residents. Places are limited on each course to a maximum of two people per organisation. If you have any queries, please contact us on our team email address: mentalhealthteam@vac.org.uk

VAC has a full programme of courses coming up: Click here to find out more. All courses are £25 for members (unless otherwise stated).

Kentish Town Community Centre Annual General Meeting and Bake-off!
Saturday 24th October 12.15pm – 4pm
We’re excited to announce our next Bake-Off happening alongside our Annual General Meeting. Hear what we’ve been up to, suggest things KTCC should focus on over 2016 and eat some tasty cake. A special children’s category means everyone can get baking this Autumn, so get practicing! Free, open to all. http://www.ktcc.org.uk/

Upbeat & Kings Cross Timebank & present: Kings Cross Open Mic – Halloween Spooktacular
Friday 30th October 2015 6-9 pm at
The Crypt Holy Cross Church Cromer Street WC1H 8JU. World Music, International Dance & Special Guests. Come along to perform, dress up or just to enjoy the evening.Everyone welcome.
Entry: £2.50 or 3 time-credits(Free for performers) Ticket includes free food.
Any proceeds made will go towards running the next Open Mic event
For more information contact Lucia – T: 07762151783 E: upbeat@upbeatmusic.org

An introduction to intergenerational working
An intensive one-day training session ideal for people who would like to organise activities or projects which bring together older and younger people, improve their intergenerational practice or make their organisation or service more age-inclusive.
The day will be of particular interest to staff, managers and volunteers in sheltered housing, resource centres, residential care, community work, youth work, education and teaching, early years settings, community arts, council departments and anyone else who would like to organise intergenerational events or improve their organisation’s intergenerational practice.
Tuesday 24 November 2015 at 9.45am – 4.45pm
Book soon. Free. For further information or to book a place, contact:
vanda.carter@camden.gov.uk / 020 7974 2810

Recovery College Courses Still Available October – December 2015
Being involved
Understanding Anxiety
Men and Masculinity and more.
Please email us if you want to be sent the new prospectus for courses starting in January 2016
4 St Pancras Way, London NW1 0PE
Tel: 020 3317 6904 email: recovery.college@candi.nhs.uk
Opening hours10.00am – 4.00pm

Wild Bunch Halloween Party
Thursday 29th October 7 – 11pm at Electrowekz, 7 Torrens Street, EC1V 1NQ
Wheelchair access, over 18s only, £5 on the door.
More information at Siren 020 7359 7443 email siren@elfrida.com

National Grandparents Day
A wonderful intergenerational event now in its 8th year!
Tuesday 27th October 2015
11am—1pm: Make Do & Mend, Traditional Games, The Big 1940s Quiz
1.00pm—2.00 pm: free community lunch
2pm—4 pm: Family Bingo with prizes,Fashion Show, afternoon tea, 1940s Singalong with the Wraggle Taggle Band
West Euston Time Bank, H Pod, Cumberland Market, London NW1 3RH
Phone: 020 7383 4382

DSC Fundraising Fair 19 & 20 November
Two days of practical fundraising training and information for fundraisers at all levels.
Get inspired by 34 workshops covering a wide variety of key fundraising topics: from In-Memory Giving, Ethical Issues in Fundraising and Events Fundraising, through to Stress Management, Digital Fundraising, Telling Stories and Building Relationships. Whether you are just starting out or are an experienced fundraising director, there is a workshop just for you.
You’ll get the tools and techniques to help you raise more funds, to better serve those you help. You can find further information here. Resource Ctr, Holloway Road.

Inspiring Trusteeship – a governance conference for London, Greater London Volunteering
Monday, 16 November 2015 from 10:00 to 16:00
City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, SE1 2AA, London, United Kingdom
Inspiring Trusteeship is our free event for everyone interested in the governance of London’s voluntary and community sector.
Join us and over 200 other delegates for: plenary sessions with Dr Alice Maynard, the Association of Chairs and other speakers looking at new perspectives on governance, and looking at what makes an effective Chair/CEO relationship; workshops on legal issues affecting Trustees, and tips on recruiting Trustees; and a networking lunch to meet with people involved in charity governance from across London, in a marketplace of organisations able to provide you with information and support on charity governance.
To register click here

London for All
London for All / LVSC have a full programme of courses available for the voluntary sector. Go to the London for All website for full details.

Camden Carers’ Service
Has a full range of events and activities for unpaid carers in Camden. Find out more on the Camden Carers’ Service website www.camdencs.org.uk/activities

Don’t forget that Camden TDS run a full programme of course which are subsidised or free for voluntary sector partner organisations. There is a link to a list of partner organisations on the home page.

Find more Training Opportunities at www.vac.org.uk

The Evelyn Oldfield Unit Is recruiting 2 part-time posts
Research for Action and Influence Tutor (Ref: RAI)
Women’s Development Worker [Supporting Women Project] (Ref: SWP)
The Evelyn Oldfield Unit is a high profile refugee and migrant-led second-tier organisation at the forefront of developing the capacity of the refugee and migrant sector. The Unit is passionate about the values of gender equality, cultural diversity, community leadership and creating a step change towards more inclusive services for refugee and migrant clients of the refugee, migrant and mainstream voluntary sector.
We are looking for 2 energetic and organised people who are highly passionate in working with people from different cultural backgrounds to join the small team of the charity. Both posts are part-time:
• Research for Action + Influence Tutor 2 ½ days – 17 ½ hours per week (Ref: RAI)
• Women’s Development Worker [Supporting Women Project] 3 days – 21 hours per week (Ref: SWP)
The Research for Action and Influence Tutor will lead on the accredited research programme comprising 3 modules (research, action and influence and presentation skills). He/ she will co-ordinate, deliver, monitor and evaluate the project.
The female* Women’s Development Worker [Supporting Women Project] will design, co-ordinate, deliver, monitor and evaluate the project Supporting Women Project.
Both posts are fixed term until the 31st of July 2016.
*NB the post-holder for the Supporting Women Project must be female as per the funder’s requirements. The post is exempt under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1.
Salary: Scale PO2 pt35 – £33,583 including ILW pro-rata
For an application pack, please email to mulat@evelynoldfield.co.uk or please send a 65p A4 SAE to the Director, Evelyn Oldfield Unit (EOU), 356 Holloway Road, London N7 6PA. Closing date 27th October.
or download the packs from here

Mildmay Community Partnership seeks Centre Assistant
Closing Date: Friday 30th October 2015
Hours: 15 per week – £10/hour Fixed Term Contract: 12 months Mildmay Community Partnership is a membership organisation and registered charity working with and for the community of Mildmay, a ward of Islington in north London. MCP manages the Mildmay Community Centre, an award-winning Passivhaus building available to hire for events, training and community projects. This is an exciting opportunity to join the organisation at a key point in its development. Working alongside the Centre Manager you would help to ensure that the Mildmay Community Centre is a vibrant, well-managed facility that operates for the benefit of local residents.
The Centre Assistant needs to be self-reliant, energetic able to work on their own initiative and to prioritise activities. The ongoing success of the Centre will depend heavily on the organisational skills of the Centre Assistant and their ability to communicate effectively with all members of the community.
To apply, send your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability, when you are available and your motivation for the role by email to mildmaycp@gmail.com (with the subject line ‘Re: Application for Centre Assistant’).

Solace seeks Volunteers
Complex Needs Refuge Support Volunteer
We are looking for a volunteer to work in our Complex Needs Refuge in Camden. This is an extremely varied role which includes helping with the day to day running of the refuge and supporting women with complex needs affected by Domestic/Sexual Violence. The right volunteer must have an understanding and experience working with women affected by Domestic/Sexual Violence, Mental Health and Substance Misuse.
Please contact Ammarah Ahmad for the information pack and application form. The deadline to submit applications is by 5pm on Wednesday 28th October 2015. Email: volunteering@solacewomensaid.org Tel: 020 7619 1350
Psychology Project Volunteer
This is an exciting new role to develop a Psychologically Informed Practice (Environments) at our Complex needs refuge. This role gives the successful candidate the opportunity to take ownership of a project that actively assists our refuge to support our service users with complex needs on the road to recovery and independence. It will help develop research skills and practical application of knowledge in a live environment. A Psychology qualification ideally degree or above and awareness of the impact of Domestic and Sexual Violence is essential for this role.
Please contact Ammarah Ahmad for the information pack and application form. The deadline to submit applications is by 5pm on Wednesday 28th October 2015. Email: volunteering@solacewomensaid.org Tel: 020 7619 1350

Home Start Camden seeks Volunteers
Are you a parent or do you have parenting experience? Would you like to enhance your skills to offer friendship and support to families with young children? Can you give 3-4 hours weekly, to visit a family with young children who may be going through a difficult time?
Family Support Volunteer
Next Preparation Course Starting 17th November to 10th December
Every Tuesday & Thursday in Kentish Town
Certificates awarded & expenses paid
For information pack ring 020 7424 1603 email: info@homestartcamden.org
www.homestartcamden.org.uk

North London Rape Crisis seeks helpline volunteers
Volunteers needed to provide support to women and girls age 13+ who have experienced any form of sexual violence at any time in their lives. The volunteers will be required to commit to 12 months post training and to attend a 9 week training course on Fridays from 4th December 2015 to 12th February 2016 excluding the two bank holidays in December. You are required to attend 80% of the sessions to be able to proceed to working on the helpline. You will need to have an interest in working with survivors of sexual violence and will have the opportunity to work towards an OCN accredited qualification for ‘Professionals Working in the Sexual Violence Sector’ at level 2 or 3.
Please contact Ammarah Ahmad for the information pack and application form. The deadline to submit applications is by 5pm on Monday 26th October 2015.
Ammarah: Email: volunteering@solacewomensaid.org Tel: 020 7619 1350

The Mayor’s Office for Policing And Crime currently have some vacancies for Camden’s Independent Custody Visitors Scheme
Details about the role and how to apply are on the MOPAC website.
Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) are members of the local community who volunteer to visit police stations unannounced to check on the treatment and welfare of people held in police custody. Their recommendations can require the police to make improvements for the welfare of detainees. Working as part of a local panel, they play a valuable role in maintaining public confidence in this important area of policing.

Age UK Camden seeks Personal Health Budgets Direct Payments Support Worker
(17.5 hours per week) Fixed Term Contract up to 30th September 2016
Local Government Scale SO1 £28,845-£30,525pa pro rata for 17.5 hours £14,422.50-£15,262.50 plus 6% contributory pension.
Personalisation Support In Camden (PSIC) is a subsidiary of Age UK Camden. It is a new venture, which has been set up to provide Direct Payments support to under 65’s in Camden until a new disability user led organisation is established.
You will promote the direct payments service, with particular emphasis on Personal Health Budgets for Mental Health service users and also assist in providing support to disabled people, including those with learning difficulties, under 65 years of age, mental health service users, and parents of Disabled Children who wish to receive or are receiving direct payments from the London Borough of Camden.
If you are interested in the above vacancy please see the application pack including the full job description and person specification at the following link to our website www.ageukcamden.org.uk or email jobs@ageukcamden.org.uk.
The closing date for receipt of completed application forms is 9 am on Monday 19th October 2015 and interviews will be held on Friday 30th October 2015.

Somers Town Community Association seeks Operations Manager
Permanent position £35,000 (Pro Rata £30,000) per annum 30hrs a week.
You will have the skills to identify and implement a diverse range of enterprise models whilst also providing leadership. You will demonstrate the ability to support and develop the competence and expertise of our staff team, particularly our youth and community café teams. This represents an excellent opportunity for a highly motivated Operations Manager to make their mark, help shape, strengthen and expand our services.
The successful candidate will have excellent written and verbal communication with strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise, plan and manage workload effectively.
Email: admin@somerstown.org.uk or telephone 0207 388 6088 for a full application pack – Closing date 30 October 2015 at 5.00pm

Volunteer Vacancy at VAC
Do you live, work or volunteer in Camden? Would you like to support people in your community to improve their health and their access to services that will help them to maintain good health and wellbeing? Do you want to develop experience and skills in the field of public health? Can you commit at least 2 hours per week?
VAC is offering free Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH) Level 1 training to those who want to volunteer their time to become Community Health Advocates. The RSPH Level 1 training is a two days course, with a 20 question multiple choice test at the end of the second day of training. It could provide a useful skill set and experience for people who may be interested in following a health related career path in the future.
After completing the training, VAC will support local teams of volunteers to act as links between community based services and GPs. You may wish to take advantage of additional opportunities to increase your knowledge, for example smoking cessation, cancer awareness, diabetes etc.
In return for your commitment to the project for 2 hours a week we offer support, out of pocket expenses and other professional development opportunities. Details on the VAC website.
Mandira Manandhar (Mon, Tues and Thurs) 020 7284 6573 or email: mmanandhar@vac.org.uk
Peter Simonson (Mon and Thurs) 020 7284 6568 or email: projectsupport@vac.org.uk

Budding Builders from Construction Youth Trust
Budding Builders is a Construction Youth Trust programme which helps to remove barriers to employment by providing young people with an opportunity to learn new, demand-led skills in a variety of different trades; offer CSCS card training and support; and clear progression routes into work or further training.
There is a course in Camden starting the 26th of October, in partnership with Kings Cross Construction Skills Centre. The aim is to target young women who are considering the industry as a career. The course will provide an introduction to the trades, raise awareness about the industry, support and advise the women with future plans and opportunities. We pride ourselves on making the industry accessible to all and inspire people to go beyond our short courses. The course will be led by an experienced female carpenter and we will have female guest speakers to talk to our budding female operatives.
The success of our projects depends on the partnerships we create. We are seeking organisations that would like to refer women onto our October course and organisations who would like to act as our community practical partner for our 2016 projects. Please get in contact with Nicola Mason on 0207 467 9540 or nicola.mason@constructionyouth.org.uk

Are you looking to employ an assistant to help with your care needs? CamdenPAs can help you.
CamdenPAs.org.uk is a new service that makes it easy to find a personal assistant (PA) and puts you in control of your care and support.
If you have care needs, you can employ a PA to help you to live as independently as possible.
CamdenPAs features an online ‘marketplace’ for you to browse through a list of profiles of PAs in the borough. Profiles give details about the services they provide, their skills, experience and personal interests.
You can look through the list to find suitable matches and choose someone you like to help support you.
When you find a match you can contact the PA to arrange an interview and see how you get on. If you like them you can then work out contract details such as hours, duties and wages, and hire them.
If you do not find anyone suitable, you can set up your own a profile describing your requirements and interests, for PAs to look through and contact you.
You can employ a PA whether you receive a direct payment or fund your own care. If you receive direct payments you can get support with the employment from Personalised Support In Camden or AgeUK Camden.
Become a PA
If you’re a PA looking for work or are just starting out, CamdenPAs can help you. As well as helping you finding a job, the site features advice on looking for work, becoming a PA and where to get training.
Why not set up your profile today? Find out more, visit: camdenpas.org.uk or p hone: 020 7278 4437

Socially Responsible Recruiting
A new, award-winning skills matching service that connects employers with skilled and experienced people to do one-off or part-time jobs has launched in Camden, with a strong social benefit ethic.
“There is a very large number of people in Camden who are fantastically skilled and work-ready but are off the radar to employers because they’re not looking for full-time work and aren’t constantly scouring the job ads,” says Jonathan Collie, founder of Trading Times.
These people are highly skilled over 50s, and family carers. Trading Times brings them to you. It’s free to candidates. It costs you only £35, and only when you are connected to the perfect candidates.
Paul Fordham of Abbey Community Centre in Camden said: “”We posted our occasional job opportunity on Trading Times because we at the Abbey Community Centre recognise the value of the flexibility that can come with age. Trading Times offers a tailored means to directly target opportunities at an older group that the vast majority of other job sites simply do not seem to tap.”
Register at https://tradingtimes.org.uk/ and let Trading Times match you with the right local people for your needs.

Find Jobs and Volunteering opportunities at https://www.vac.org.uk/

Take Back the City
Take Back the City is generating a manifesto for London by meeting with local groups – full details on the website and this 2 minute film about what we’re doing.
We’re meeting 100 groups of people over the next few months to find out what they want to see included in our People’s Manifesto. So far the most popular demands are affordable housing and a living wage. Action on police racism, free transport, open and free green space, and lower tuition fees have also come up as popular demands. You can enter your demands here.

Camden Consultations
Other consultations out at the moment include a consultation on Camden Future Libraries and Camden VCS strategy and changes to early education and childcare and children’s centre services. You can find all Camden consultation on the Wearecamden consultation hub.

FREE VAC Membership for Unfunded Groups: Voluntary Action Camden Small organisations with no paid staff and a turnover of less than £1,500 can now join for FREE. To take advantage of this offer just fill in the membership on the online form here.

The London Fairness Commission; Wellbeing After Serving in the Armed Forces; Service User representative on IAPT evaluation panel; DSC Fundraising Fair; Office to Let at VAC; National Grandparents Day; Take Back the City; Recovery College Courses ; Wild Bunch Halloween Party; Women’s Circle Free Confidential Support for Women; Camden50 Volunteering Awards; Torriano Poetry; An introduction to intergenerational working; + jobs, volunteers, events, training, offers and resources.

The London Fairness Commission – Have Your Say
The London Fairness Commission has been established to convene the first citywide debate on fairness in 100 years. Launched in June this year, the Commission has so far asked Londoners to consider how they view fairness, whether London is a fair city, and what should be done to make London fairer. They have recently published an Interim Report, reflecting their findings and setting a series of fairness dilemmas for Londoners. The Commission’s recommendations will be published in March, and will be designed to influence the incoming Mayor.
The commissioners are very keen to hear from both the voluntary sector and those who volunteer within their local community, individuals who work in the community sector, or is a member of a local community group, and are holding two Open Space events on Monday 9th November, Museum of London, Terrace Gallery, 10am to 4pm or 6 pm to 8.30pm. Details of the event and booking can be found here.
For further information please contact – lisa@lvsc.org.uk
 

Medicine for Members Expert Talks: Wellbeing After Serving in the Armed Forces
Come and find out what challenges veterans, reservists and their families face, how you can help, and why it’s always worth health professionals asking the question ‘Have you served..?’
Open to staff, service users and the general public.
Monday 26 October 2015 5.30 – 6.30 pm
Conference Hall, St Pancras Hospital, 4 St Pancras Way, London, NW1 0PE
Refreshments will be provided.
Please RSVP to communications@candi.nhs.uk or call 020 3317 7082.

Needed: Service User representative on IAPT evaluation panel
‘Improving Access to Psychological Therapies’ (IAPT) is a national programme to improve access to talking therapy treatment. The current contract for providing this in Camden comes to an end 31 March 2017. We are in the process of redesigning the service to ask people to bid to provide it. We need to make sure that when bids are being scored, service user views are at the centre. We are therefore seeking two people to sit on the evaluation panel that scores each bid.
The role will involve reading various documents, individually assessing and scoring bids and actively participating in group discussions with commissioners, clinicians and other professional colleagues. You will be reimbursed and supported in the role. We are looking for people who:
– Have lived experience of common mental health problems, and accessing IAPT services in Camden
– Are willing to commit to a minimum of 3 months engagement with a procurement process
– Are willing to represent the views of people with common mental health conditions
– Have good communication skills and are able and willing to read, sometimes complex, documents.
Sound like you? Please email mhinvolvement@camdenccg.nhs.uk or call 0203 688 2084 to express an interest by Monday 9th November 2015.

DSC Fundraising Fair 19 & 20 November
Two days of practical fundraising training and information for fundraisers at all levels.
Get inspired by 34 workshops covering a wide variety of key fundraising topics: from In-Memory Giving, Ethical Issues in Fundraising and Events Fundraising, through to Stress Management, Digital Fundraising, Telling Stories and Building Relationships. Whether you are just starting out or are an experienced fundraising director, there is a workshop just for you.
You’ll get the tools and techniques to help you raise more funds, to better serve those you help. You can find further information here. Resource Ctr, Holloway Road.

Office with Consulting Rooms to Let – Good Price, Great Location
VAC has a medium size office to let that would suit a small organisation needing space for approximately 4 or 5 desks. Unusually, we are able to offer a up to 4 private consulting rooms as well. Conveniently located in Kentish Town will all usual mod cons. Contact Kevin at VAC knunan@vac.org.uk

National Grandparents Day
A wonderful intergenerational event now in its 8th year!
Tuesday 27th October 2015
11am—1pm: Make Do & Mend, Traditional Games, The Big 1940s Quiz
1.00pm—2.00 pm: free community lunch
2pm—4 pm: Family Bingo with prizes,Fashion Show, afternoon tea, 1940s Singalong with the Wraggle Taggle Band
West Euston Time Bank, H Pod, Cumberland Market, London NW1 3RH
Phone: 020 7383 4382

Take Back the City
Take Back the City is generating a manifesto for London by meeting with local groups – full details on the website and this 2 minute film about what we’re doing.
We’re meeting 100 groups of people over the next few months to find out what they want to see included in our People’s Manifesto. So far the most popular demands are affordable housing and a living wage. Action on police racism, free transport, open and free green space, and lower tuition fees have also come up as popular demands. You can enter your demands here.

Recovery College Courses Still Available October – December 2015
Being involved
Understanding Anxiety
Men and Masculinity and more.
Please email us if you want to be sent the new prospectus for courses starting in January 2016
4 St Pancras Way, London NW1 0PE
Tel: 020 3317 6904 email: recovery.college@candi.nhs.uk
Opening hours10.00am – 4.00pm

Wild Bunch Halloween Party
Thursday 29th October 7 – 11pm at Electrowekz, 7 Torrens Street, EC1V 1NQ
Wheelchair access, over 18s only, £5 on the door.
More information at Siren 020 7359 7443 email siren@elfrida.com

Women’s Circle Free Confidential Support for Women
FRF (Faith Regen Foundation) is a Female led charity that has 14 years’ experience in helping women to move forward in their lives, gain new qualifications and achieve goals.
Receive professional support and gain information, advice and guidance. Get access to specialist services such as housing, welfare and legal advice.
Free Training 10 week ESOL course 5 day accredited Vocational Courses including: Customer Care, Health and Safety, and Food Hygiene.
Careers Advice: Our trained, bilingual female Advisors are here to help with your CV, interview techniques, job applications, work experience and IT skills.
Know your Rights: Our Female support worker offers help for women experiencing family issues.
Please call Julia on 0207 650 3043, alternatively email: julia@thefrf.org
Office address: 4th Floor, LMC, 46 Whitechapel Road, E1 1JX www.thefrf.org

Last Chance – Camden50 Volunteering Awards – closing date 21 October
Youth volunteer nominations needed. There is still time to apply for a prestigious award as a Camden50 volunteer. We have already received some fantastic nominations from a very wide range of charities, organisations and individuals – so now is the time for you too to let us know about a Camden volunteer who is making a real difference. The judging panel will include: The Mayor of Camden Councillor Larraine Revah, Tulip Siddiq MP, Keir Starmer MP and members of the Camden Youth Panel. Further information from the Camden50 website at Camden.gov.uk/camden50volunteeringawards or email volunteering@camden.gov.uk or call 0207 974 6457.

Torriano Poetry
At Torriano Meetinghouse Sunday October 18th, 7.30pm. Guest readers: Graham Burchell ,Selina Rodrigues, Chris Dodd and Cheryl Moskowitz. Poets from the floor welcome. £5/£4 according to pocket. More details at the website.

Federation for Community Development Learning Community Development National Occupational Standards
The new summary and tree poster for the Community Development National Occupational Standards 2015 are available to download from www.fcdl.org.uk

An introduction to intergenerational working
An intensive one-day training session ideal for people who would like to organise activities or projects which bring together older and younger people, improve their intergenerational practice or make their organisation or service more age-inclusive.
The day will be of particular interest to staff, managers and volunteers in sheltered housing, resource centres, residential care, community work, youth work, education and teaching, early years settings, community arts, council departments and anyone else who would like to organise intergenerational events or improve their organisation’s intergenerational practice.
Tuesday 24 November 2015 at 9.45am – 4.45pm
Book soon. Free. For further information or to book a place, contact:
vanda.carter@camden.gov.uk / 020 7974 2810

International women’s conference ‘Caring, Survival and Justice vs the Tyranny of the Market’
Saturday 14 – Sunday 15 November, which the Global Women’s Strike and Women of Colour (GWS) are organising with support from Single Mothers’ Self-Defence, WinVisible and other groups.
See the Conference webpage for speakers, sessions, tickets. Please get in touch if you would like to come and would need a place to stay.
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1478279442476169/

Bank Paperwork
Has your bank recently asked you to complete unnecessary paperwork or jump through bureacratic hoops in relation to your group’s or organisation’s account? If you’ve had a recent experience drop us an email in confidence to Knunan@vac.org.uk

Free training, outings and events for unpaid carers in Camden
For a full list of events of carers in Camden please visit the Camden Carers website.

Healthwatch Camden
Latest Information DIgest is on the Healthwatch Camden website.
Catch up with the latest Camden news and what’s happening on Our Blog

The Camden Capacity Building Bulletin is produced monthly, targeting the community and voluntary sector in Camden. It provides up to date/recently live information and news on funding and training. To access the latest information please follow the Link www.camden.gov.uk/cbbulletin

Evelyn Oldfield Unit, Mildmay Community, Solace Women’s Aid, Homestart Camden, North London Rape Crisis, VAC, Age UK Camden and Camden PA are recruiting. See Jobs and Volunteers section below.

Camden Shares. The website for exchanges in Camden. www.camdenshares.org.uk

You can join in on Facebook. Like us if you like us.

Follow all the Camden Voluntary Sector news on OneCamden on Twitter.

You can read more about all of these stories on our news page at www.vac.org.uk/new

Charities are not getting enough say in local services
Power is being devolved to a local level and traditional “social contracts” are being broken up but the charity sector is not getting enough say in what replaces them according to delegates at a recent conference. Full report at Civil Society.

Tackle Root Causes Rather Than Papering Over the Cracks
A new study says more funders should support innovative or risky projects if they want to tackle the root causes of social problems and not just plug funding gaps.

Call for Integrated Health and Social Care System
Peter Beresford has set out the case for an integrated approach to Health and Social Care in a letter to the Guardian.

Kids Company Back in the News
Civil Society report that Camila Batmanghelidjh, chief executive of defunct charity Kids Company, and its chair Alan Yentob, faced widespread accusations of mismanagement during a three-hour hearing into the closure of their charity. The Guardian was also unimpressed with their performance and said that an opportunity was missed to ‘give clear, concise communications about how it worked and – crucially – what it achieved’. The best response so far is Karl Wilding’s NCVO blog where he points out just how atypical Kids Company were. Not just the extraordinarily amounts of money they received but her closeness to the political establishment (she is even an adviser to Ian Duncan Smith’s, Centre for Social Justice). The public and MPs might not want to believe it but most charities are ‘by and large financially salient, well governed and administratively sound.’

See the Funding pages on VAC’s website for all the latest information.

Opportunity for capital funding for VCS organisations in Camden Town with Primrose Hill Ward
The Council is in receipt of money arising from a property development in Camden Town with Primrose Hill Ward, as a result of Section 106 (S106) obligations on property developers, under Camden’s Planning Guidance.
This opportunity relates only to money provided to improve community facilities, it does not relate to S106 money received for other purposes, such as infrastructure and parks and open spaces.
The community building or facility must be one of the following:
• Owned by the organisation
• Occupied on a long-term lease
• Owned by the council
If your voluntary & community sector organisation would like to make a proposal for S106 capital money for community facilities, and your premises and service provision fits these criteria, please contact jeff.hopwood@camden.gov.uk or adam.demosthenous@camden.gov.uk.
A proposal form will be supplied, to easily enable response to the following:
• A brief description of the proposal, including how much money you are seeking – an estimate is fine at this stage
• Any relevant deadlines
The form will also ask for information about:
• How an allocation would ensure that the recipient’s facilities / services are available for the local community
• Whether the organisation or facility has received S106 Community Facilities funding before
• Whether the capital project has any match funding or pledges of match funding
• How the proposal will address Camden Plan priorities and the Council’s investment tests:
www.camden.gov.uk/camdenplan
www.camden.gov.uk/ccm/content/council-and-democracy/publications-and-finances/twocolumn/camden-financial-challenge-.en?page=3.
Proposal forms will need to be returned by the 6th November 2015, officers intend to consider the proposals during November, and discuss with ward members and relevant Cabinet Members. Decisions are expected to be made by the beginning of December. Further information please contact the named officers above.

Stepping Stones Fund
All interested charities and social enterprises in the Greater London area are invited to an information session about the Stepping Stones Fund, a £1m social investment readiness grant programme of City Bridge Trust and UBS.
The second round of the Fund is now open for applications. This programme provides grants and risk finance to enterprising organisations that wish to prepare themselves for social investment in order to improve their social outcomes. There are three strands you can consider:
1. obtain capacity building support that will help you better access social investment in the future
2. pilot new ways, ideas or business models aiming for better social outcomes
3. secure risk finance that can catalyse a social investment package.
The deadline for applications is 12 o’clock on 16th November, 2015.
For more information and to register for a place on:
29th October

Free Sport
About FreeSport – FreeSport is part of the Mayor’s Sports Legacy Programme, enabling organisations and community groups to apply for grants between £400 and £1,500 to run free sports activities for Londoners. We fund activities of all kinds of activities from football or rugby to circus or ‘chairobics’!
Projects must:
· Provide a minimum of 8 hours activity, with 70% of participants taking part in at least six hours.
· Ensure that 10% of participants consider themselves to have an impairment, disability or need assistance to take part in activities.
· Aim for 20% of participants being inactive (not done any physical exercise for four weeks) prior to taking part in the sessions.
We offer guidance and support to applicants about how they can deliver these targets. FreeSport aims to inspire people of all ages and abilities to try a new sport, but also to inspire organisations to run sports sessions more regularly.
How to apply – It’s a straight forward process and we have lots of information for those who may never have applied for a grant before. Applications open until 26 October 2015 – Midday. FreeSport activities must take place between the 15 January 2016 and 15 April 2016.
To find out more about FreeSport, you can visit: www.london.gov.uk/freesport

The Edge Fund
The Edge Fund support work run by and for communities facing discrimination and injustice. We fund work carried out by individuals and grassroots groups in Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England that find it difficult to get funding elsewhere. Specifically, we fund work that challenges abuses of power and aims to change society by bringing an end to the systems that cause injustice. While applicants may be working on short term reforms, ​we are looking for applicants that ultimately aim to end or replace these systems with a just alternative, rather than trying to improve or reform them.
To apply for a grant of up to £3,000 you need to answer 5 questions in no more than 2 pages. The deadline for applications is 5pm Sunday 25 October. Read more.

Crowdfunding?
Don’t forget that there is a dedicated page on Spacehive just for Camden projects. And set up costs are free to Camden groups. Find out more at Spacehive Camden.

Don’t forget to sign up to Funding Central for free email funding alerts. Go to www.fundingcentral.org.uk/

Health and Safety for Marginalized Communities 26th November, am, free
Too many people are working in dangerous and unhealthy conditions – and often working long hours for low pay. Job insecurity pushes people to keep their heads down and just get on with the job, even if it’s risking their health. Lots of people may not have the help and support of a trade union. If this sounds like you, then make that change. Attend the VAC/London Hazards Centre training and have some fun learning about your rights and how to enforce them.
Targeted in particular at migrant workers, unpaid carers, cleaners and people working in the hospitality industry. Some of the most marginalised people – probably working long hours, in dangerous conditions and on low pay. More information and booking at the VAC website.

VAC’s Mental Health Training Programme for BMER groups
Are you a BMER group or do you work with BMER communities? If so, then our Mental Health Training Programme is for you! Our next courses are as follows:
• Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 22nd and 29th October)
• Stigma and Mental Health (half-day workshop: 2nd November)
• Youth Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 12th and 19th November)
• Introduction to Mental Health Awareness (one day workshop: 9th December)
• Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 9th and 16th February 2016)
For more information about our any of our courses, please go to https://vac.org.uk/events/category/health-mental-health/. Click on the course you are interested in and follow the instructions to book your place and pay by card (if applicable). The charge for our Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid training courses is heavily subsidised at only £25 per person. All other mental health workshops are free.
Please note that VAC can only accept bookings from organisations working with BMER communities based in Camden, or which serve Camden BMER residents. Places are limited on each course to a maximum of two people per organisation. If you have any queries, please contact us on our team email address: mentalhealthteam@vac.org.uk

VAC has a full programme of courses coming up: Click here to find out more. All courses are £25 for members (unless otherwise stated).

Upbeat & Kings Cross Timebank & present: Kings Cross Open Mic – Halloween Spooktacular
Friday 30th October 2015 6-9 pm at
The Crypt Holy Cross Church Cromer Street WC1H 8JU. World Music, International Dance & Special Guests. Come along to perform, dress up or just to enjoy the evening.Everyone welcome.
Entry: £2.50 or 3 time-credits(Free for performers) Ticket includes free food.
Any proceeds made will go towards running the next Open Mic event
For more information contact Lucia – T: 07762151783 E: upbeat@upbeatmusic.org

Kentish Town Community Centre Annual General Meeting and Bake-off!
Saturday 24th October 12.15pm – 4pm
We’re excited to announce our next Bake-Off happening alongside our Annual General Meeting. Hear what we’ve been up to, suggest things KTCC should focus on over 2016 and eat some tasty cake. A special children’s category means everyone can get baking this Autumn, so get practicing! Free, open to all. http://www.ktcc.org.uk/

A Patient Group meeting at Camden CCG that has been organised for patients with a Long Term condition.
The Patient Group has been organised for the 19th October from 5.30pm – 7.30pm in ROOM 4LM1, 4th Floor Stephenson House, Camden CCG, 75 Hampstead Road. Food and Refreshments will be provided. Anyone who is available to come at this time will be very welcome. Notify reception that you have arrived for the Camden Care Planning Patient Group and you will be taken up to the room
If interested you can contact Ade by email ( Adetola.Adeniran@camdenccg.nhs.uk).

Ageing Better in Camden Launch 12th November 2015
This morning only event aims to answer all your questions about Ageing Better in Camden – what it is; what it offers; how you can get involved. It is open to all and is aimed particularly at older people and people and organisations working with older people. It will have workshops, information stalls and introductory speeches. Please register at ageingbetterincamden@ageukcamden.org.uk or telephone 02072390400.
Ageing Better in Camden has published the Invitation to Tender information for the St Pancras and Somerstown Community Action Project. Please fill in the form to register your interest in tendering (and you will receive emails of any questions and answers that other bidders post). Deadline back 19th November 2pm. http://www.ageuk.org.uk/camden/ageing-better-in-camden/

Young Women and the Construction Industry – Participants and Partners Needed + Event on 26th October
Budding Builders is a Construction Youth Trust programme which helps to remove barriers to employment by providing young people with an opportunity to learn new, demand-led skills in a variety of different trades; offer CSCS card training and support; and clear progression routes into work or further training.
There is a course in Camden starting the 26th of October, in partnership with Kings Cross Construction Skills Centre. The aim is to target young women who are considering the industry as a career. The course will provide an introduction to the trades, raise awareness about the industry, support and advise the women with future plans and opportunities. We pride ourselves on making the industry accessible to all and inspire people to go beyond our short courses. The course will be led by an experienced female carpenter and we will have female guest speakers to talk to our budding female operatives.
The success of our projects depends on the partnerships we create. We are seeking organisations that would like to refer women onto our October course and organisations who would like to act as our community practical partner for our 2016 projects. Please get in contact with Nicola Mason on 0207 467 9540 or nicola.mason@constructionyouth.org.uk

Inspiring Trusteeship – a governance conference for London, Greater London Volunteering
Monday, 16 November 2015 from 10:00 to 16:00
City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, SE1 2AA, London, United Kingdom
Inspiring Trusteeship is our free event for everyone interested in the governance of London’s voluntary and community sector.
Join us and over 200 other delegates for: plenary sessions with Dr Alice Maynard, the Association of Chairs and other speakers looking at new perspectives on governance, and looking at what makes an effective Chair/CEO relationship; workshops on legal issues affecting Trustees, and tips on recruiting Trustees; and a networking lunch to meet with people involved in charity governance from across London, in a marketplace of organisations able to provide you with information and support on charity governance.
To register click here

Volunteering Fairs
Autumn is one of the most popular times of the year for people wanting to start volunteering.
Wednesday 21st October 12-2pm at the Working Men’s College
To book your place and to find our more information have a look at Eventbrite

London for All
London for All / LVSC have a full programme of courses available for the voluntary sector. Go to the London for All website for full details.

Camden Carers’ Service
Has a full range of events and activities for unpaid carers in Camden. Find out more on the Camden Carers’ Service website www.camdencs.org.uk/activities

Don’t forget that Camden TDS run a full programme of course which are subsidised or free for voluntary sector partner organisations. There is a link to a list of partner organisations on the home page.

Find more Training Opportunities at www.vac.org.uk

The Evelyn Oldfield Unit Is recruiting 2 part-time posts
Research for Action and Influence Tutor (Ref: RAI)
Women’s Development Worker [Supporting Women Project] (Ref: SWP)
The Evelyn Oldfield Unit is a high profile refugee and migrant-led second-tier organisation at the forefront of developing the capacity of the refugee and migrant sector. The Unit is passionate about the values of gender equality, cultural diversity, community leadership and creating a step change towards more inclusive services for refugee and migrant clients of the refugee, migrant and mainstream voluntary sector.
We are looking for 2 energetic and organised people who are highly passionate in working with people from different cultural backgrounds to join the small team of the charity. Both posts are part-time:
• Research for Action + Influence Tutor 2 ½ days – 17 ½ hours per week (Ref: RAI)
• Women’s Development Worker [Supporting Women Project] 3 days – 21 hours per week (Ref: SWP)
The Research for Action and Influence Tutor will lead on the accredited research programme comprising 3 modules (research, action and influence and presentation skills). He/ she will co-ordinate, deliver, monitor and evaluate the project.
The female* Women’s Development Worker [Supporting Women Project] will design, co-ordinate, deliver, monitor and evaluate the project Supporting Women Project.
Both posts are fixed term until the 31st of July 2016.
*NB the post-holder for the Supporting Women Project must be female as per the funder’s requirements. The post is exempt under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1.
Salary: Scale PO2 pt35 – £33,583 including ILW pro-rata
For an application pack, please email to mulat@evelynoldfield.co.uk or please send a 65p A4 SAE to the Director, Evelyn Oldfield Unit (EOU), 356 Holloway Road, London N7 6PA
or download the packs from here

Mildmay Community Parntership seeks Centre Assistant
Closing Date: Friday 30th October 2015
Hours: 15 per week – £10/hour Fixed Term Contract: 12 months Mildmay Community Partnership is a membership organisation and registered charity working with and for the community of Mildmay, a ward of Islington in north London. MCP manages the Mildmay Community Centre, an award-winning Passivhaus building available to hire for events, training and community projects. This is an exciting opportunity to join the organisation at a key point in its development. Working alongside the Centre Manager you would help to ensure that the Mildmay Community Centre is a vibrant, well-managed facility that operates for the benefit of local residents.
The Centre Assistant needs to be self-reliant, energetic able to work on their own initiative and to prioritise activities. The ongoing success of the Centre will depend heavily on the organisational skills of the Centre Assistant and their ability to communicate effectively with all members of the community.
To apply, send your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability, when you are available and your motivation for the role by email to mildmaycp@gmail.com (with the subject line ‘Re: Application for Centre Assistant’).

Solace seeks Volunteers
Complex Needs Refuge Support Volunteer
We are looking for a volunteer to work in our Complex Needs Refuge in Camden. This is an extremely varied role which includes helping with the day to day running of the refuge and supporting women with complex needs affected by Domestic/Sexual Violence. The right volunteer must have an understanding and experience working with women affected by Domestic/Sexual Violence, Mental Health and Substance Misuse.
Please contact Ammarah Ahmad for the information pack and application form. The deadline to submit applications is by 5pm on Wednesday 28th October 2015. Email: volunteering@solacewomensaid.org Tel: 020 7619 1350
Psychology Project Volunteer
This is an exciting new role to develop a Psychologically Informed Practice (Environments) at our Complex needs refuge. This role gives the successful candidate the opportunity to take ownership of a project that actively assists our refuge to support our service users with complex needs on the road to recovery and independence. It will help develop research skills and practical application of knowledge in a live environment. A Psychology qualification ideally degree or above and awareness of the impact of Domestic and Sexual Violence is essential for this role.
Please contact Ammarah Ahmad for the information pack and application form. The deadline to submit applications is by 5pm on Wednesday 28th October 2015. Email: volunteering@solacewomensaid.org Tel: 020 7619 1350

Home Start Camden seeks Volunteers
Are you a parent or do you have parenting experience? Would you like to enhance your skills to offer friendship and support to families with young children? Can you give 3-4 hours weekly, to visit a family with young children who may be going through a difficult time?
Family Support Volunteer
Next Preparation Course Starting 17th November to 10th December
Every Tuesday & Thursday in Kentish Town
Certificates awarded & expenses paid
For information pack ring 020 7424 1603 email: info@homestartcamden.org
www.homestartcamden.org.uk

North London Rape Crisis seeks helpline volunteers
Volunteers needed to provide support to women and girls age 13+ who have experienced any form of sexual violence at any time in their lives. The volunteers will be required to commit to 12 months post training and to attend a 9 week training course on Fridays from 4th December 2015 to 12th February 2016 excluding the two bank holidays in December. You are required to attend 80% of the sessions to be able to proceed to working on the helpline. You will need to have an interest in working with survivors of sexual violence and will have the opportunity to work towards an OCN accredited qualification for ‘Professionals Working in the Sexual Violence Sector’ at level 2 or 3.
Please contact Ammarah Ahmad for the information pack and application form. The deadline to submit applications is by 5pm on Monday 26th October 2015.
Ammarah: Email: volunteering@solacewomensaid.org Tel: 020 7619 1350

The Mayor’s Office for Policing And Crime currently have some vacancies for Camden’s Independent Custody Visitors Scheme
Details about the role and how to apply are on the MOPAC website.
Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) are members of the local community who volunteer to visit police stations unannounced to check on the treatment and welfare of people held in police custody. Their recommendations can require the police to make improvements for the welfare of detainees. Working as part of a local panel, they play a valuable role in maintaining public confidence in this important area of policing.

Age UK Camden seeks Personal Health Budgets Direct Payments Support Worker
(17.5 hours per week) Fixed Term Contract up to 30th September 2016
Local Government Scale SO1 £28,845-£30,525pa pro rata for 17.5 hours £14,422.50-£15,262.50 plus 6% contributory pension.
Personalisation Support In Camden (PSIC) is a subsidiary of Age UK Camden. It is a new venture, which has been set up to provide Direct Payments support to under 65’s in Camden until a new disability user led organisation is established.
You will promote the direct payments service, with particular emphasis on Personal Health Budgets for Mental Health service users and also assist in providing support to disabled people, including those with learning difficulties, under 65 years of age, mental health service users, and parents of Disabled Children who wish to receive or are receiving direct payments from the London Borough of Camden.
If you are interested in the above vacancy please see the application pack including the full job description and person specification at the following link to our website www.ageukcamden.org.uk or email jobs@ageukcamden.org.uk.
The closing date for receipt of completed application forms is 9 am on Monday 19th October 2015 and interviews will be held on Friday 30th October 2015.

Somers Town Community Association seeks Operations Manager
Permanent position £35,000 (Pro Rata £30,000) per annum 30hrs a week.
You will have the skills to identify and implement a diverse range of enterprise models whilst also providing leadership. You will demonstrate the ability to support and develop the competence and expertise of our staff team, particularly our youth and community café teams. This represents an excellent opportunity for a highly motivated Operations Manager to make their mark, help shape, strengthen and expand our services.
The successful candidate will have excellent written and verbal communication with strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise, plan and manage workload effectively.
Email: admin@somerstown.org.uk or telephone 0207 388 6088 for a full application pack – Closing date 30 October 2015 at 5.00pm

Volunteer Vacancy at VAC
Do you live, work or volunteer in Camden? Would you like to support people in your community to improve their health and their access to services that will help them to maintain good health and wellbeing? Do you want to develop experience and skills in the field of public health? Can you commit at least 2 hours per week?
VAC is offering free Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH) Level 1 training to those who want to volunteer their time to become Community Health Advocates. The RSPH Level 1 training is a two days course, with a 20 question multiple choice test at the end of the second day of training. It could provide a useful skill set and experience for people who may be interested in following a health related career path in the future.
After completing the training, VAC will support local teams of volunteers to act as links between community based services and GPs. You may wish to take advantage of additional opportunities to increase your knowledge, for example smoking cessation, cancer awareness, diabetes etc.
In return for your commitment to the project for 2 hours a week we offer support, out of pocket expenses and other professional development opportunities. Details on the VAC website.
Mandira Manandhar (Mon, Tues and Thurs) 020 7284 6573 or email: mmanandhar@vac.org.uk
Peter Simonson (Mon and Thurs) 020 7284 6568 or email: projectsupport@vac.org.uk

Budding Builders from Construction Youth Trust
Budding Builders is a Construction Youth Trust programme which helps to remove barriers to employment by providing young people with an opportunity to learn new, demand-led skills in a variety of different trades; offer CSCS card training and support; and clear progression routes into work or further training.
There is a course in Camden starting the 26th of October, in partnership with Kings Cross Construction Skills Centre. The aim is to target young women who are considering the industry as a career. The course will provide an introduction to the trades, raise awareness about the industry, support and advise the women with future plans and opportunities. We pride ourselves on making the industry accessible to all and inspire people to go beyond our short courses. The course will be led by an experienced female carpenter and we will have female guest speakers to talk to our budding female operatives.
The success of our projects depends on the partnerships we create. We are seeking organisations that would like to refer women onto our October course and organisations who would like to act as our community practical partner for our 2016 projects. Please get in contact with Nicola Mason on 0207 467 9540 or nicola.mason@constructionyouth.org.uk

Are you looking to employ an assistant to help with your care needs? CamdenPAs can help you.
CamdenPAs.org.uk is a new service that makes it easy to find a personal assistant (PA) and puts you in control of your care and support.
If you have care needs, you can employ a PA to help you to live as independently as possible.
CamdenPAs features an online ‘marketplace’ for you to browse through a list of profiles of PAs in the borough. Profiles give details about the services they provide, their skills, experience and personal interests.
You can look through the list to find suitable matches and choose someone you like to help support you.
When you find a match you can contact the PA to arrange an interview and see how you get on. If you like them you can then work out contract details such as hours, duties and wages, and hire them.
If you do not find anyone suitable, you can set up your own a profile describing your requirements and interests, for PAs to look through and contact you.
You can employ a PA whether you receive a direct payment or fund your own care. If you receive direct payments you can get support with the employment from Personalised Support In Camden or AgeUK Camden.
Become a PA
If you’re a PA looking for work or are just starting out, CamdenPAs can help you. As well as helping you finding a job, the site features advice on looking for work, becoming a PA and where to get training.
Why not set up your profile today? Find out more, visit: camdenpas.org.uk or p hone: 020 7278 4437

Socially Responsible Recruiting
A new, award-winning skills matching service that connects employers with skilled and experienced people to do one-off or part-time jobs has launched in Camden, with a strong social benefit ethic.
“There is a very large number of people in Camden who are fantastically skilled and work-ready but are off the radar to employers because they’re not looking for full-time work and aren’t constantly scouring the job ads,” says Jonathan Collie, founder of Trading Times.
These people are highly skilled over 50s, and family carers. Trading Times brings them to you. It’s free to candidates. It costs you only £35, and only when you are connected to the perfect candidates.
Paul Fordham of Abbey Community Centre in Camden said: “”We posted our occasional job opportunity on Trading Times because we at the Abbey Community Centre recognise the value of the flexibility that can come with age. Trading Times offers a tailored means to directly target opportunities at an older group that the vast majority of other job sites simply do not seem to tap.”
Register at https://tradingtimes.org.uk/ and let Trading Times match you with the right local people for your needs.

Find Jobs and Volunteering opportunities at https://www.vac.org.uk/

Camden Council and Camden’s Voluntary and Community Sector Consultation
LB Camden’s consultation can be found here. The proposals can be found in a downloadable document here. You can give your views directly to the council via an online questionnaire.

Camden Consultations
Other consultations out at the moment include a consultation on Camden Future Libraries and Camden VCS strategy and changes to early education and childcare and children’s centre services. You can find all Camden consultation on the Wearecamden consultation hub.

FREE VAC Membership for Unfunded Groups: Voluntary Action Camden Small organisations with no paid staff and a turnover of less than £1,500 can now join for FREE. To take advantage of this offer just fill in the membership on the online form here.

Camden Council’s Voluntary and Community Sector Consultation; Camden50 Volunteering Awards; Young Women and the Construction Industry – Participants and Partners Needed; Office with Consulting Rooms to Let; Engagement Event- Integrated Early Years Service;Kentish Town Community Centre Annual General Meeting and Bake-off; Patients with a Long Term condition; Rewards for Volunteers in Camden; The Reach Project; Give and Take Days; Well-Beeing Garden weekly workshop; Kings Cross Open Mic – Halloween Spooktacular; New Community Development National Occupational Standards; Leadership programme for healthcare staff; + jobs, volunteers, events, training, offers and resources.

Camden Council’s Voluntary and Community Sector Consultation
You can find out more information about the consultation, including how to submit your responses by clicking on this link here. The deadline for responses is Wednesday 4th November 2015 at 5pm.
We are also running three events as part of the consultation.
· Mon 12 Oct 2015 6.30pm-8pm at Voluntary Action Camden, 293 -299 Kentish Town Road, London, NW5 2TJ, Map
· Thu 15 Oct 2015 10.30am-12 noon at Fitzrovia Centre, 2 Foley Street, London, W1W 6DL, Map
· Fri 16 Oct 2015 2.30pm-4pm at Swiss Cottage Community Centre, 19 Winchester Road, London, NW3 3NR, Map
Spaces may be limited – to book your place, please email vcs@camden.gov.uk, and do include any access requirements that you may have.
 

Camden50 Volunteering Awards – closing date 21 October
There is still time to apply for a prestigious award as a Camden50 volunteer. We have already received some fantastic nominations from a very wide range of charities, organisations and individuals – so now is the time for you too to let us know about a Camden volunteer who is making a real difference. The judging panel will include: The Mayor of Camden Councillor Larraine Revah, Tulip Siddiq MP, Keir Starmer MP and members of the Camden Youth Panel. Further information from the Camden50 website at Camden.gov.uk/camden50volunteeringawards or email volunteering@camden.gov.uk or call 0207 974 6457.

Young Women and the Construction Industry – Participants and Partners Needed
Budding Builders is a Construction Youth Trust programme which helps to remove barriers to employment by providing young people with an opportunity to learn new, demand-led skills in a variety of different trades; offer CSCS card training and support; and clear progression routes into work or further training.
There is a course in Camden starting the 26th of October, in partnership with Kings Cross Construction Skills Centre. The aim is to target young women who are considering the industry as a career. The course will provide an introduction to the trades, raise awareness about the industry, support and advise the women with future plans and opportunities. We pride ourselves on making the industry accessible to all and inspire people to go beyond our short courses. The course will be led by an experienced female carpenter and we will have female guest speakers to talk to our budding female operatives.
The success of our projects depends on the partnerships we create. We are seeking organisations that would like to refer women onto our October course and organisations who would like to act as our community practical partner for our 2016 projects. Please get in contact with Nicola Mason on 0207 467 9540 or nicola.mason@constructionyouth.org.uk

Office with Consulting Rooms to Let – Good Price, Great Location
VAC has a medium size office to let that would suit a small organisation needing space for approximately 4 or 5 desks. Unusually, we are able to offer a up to 4 private consulting rooms as well. Conveniently located in Kentish Town will all usual mod cons. Contact Kevin at VAC knunan@vac.org.uk

Invitation to Engagement Event – Commissioning 2016/17: Integrated Early Years Service. Children’s Centres Stay and Play Drop-in Services for Children under 5 years and their Families
Camden Council has made a commitment to ensuring that children’s centre stay and play drop-ins are needs-led and provide a flexible offer which will ensure the Council maximises the impact of services to improve life chances for those who would otherwise be at a disadvantage in future years.
As part of the Council savings programme, the budget for commissioning drop-in services has reduced. From April 2016, the budget for commissioning drop-ins is £100K.
In order to start the process you are invited to a meeting on Wednesday 14th October 2015 at 3.00pm at ORT House, 126 Albert Street, NW1 7NE to hear more about the commissioning approach, timescales, priority areas for location of services and the new model of delivery. This will also be an opportunity to comment on the new model and consider how this would work in practice.
If you are interested in hearing more about the commissioning process and would like to attend the meeting, please confirm your attendance with Sabrina Dooknah (Office Manager, Regent’s Park Children’s Centre) via email: sabrina.dooknah@camden.gov.uk or telephone: 0207 974 8948.
Further information about Camden’s children’s centres is available via www.camden.gov.uk/childrenscentres
If you would like to discuss any of the above in advance of the meeting you can contact:
• Liam Hall (Locality Manager) on telephone 07825 707 001 or email liam.hall@camden.gov.uk or
• Sylvia Gilbert (Locality Manager) on telephone 07932 410 562 or email Sylvia.gilbert@camden.gov.uk

Kentish Town Community Centre Annual General Meeting and Bake-off!
Saturday 24th October 12.15pm – 4pm
We’re excited to announce our next Bake-Off happening alongside our Annual General Meeting. Hear what we’ve been up to, suggest things KTCC should focus on over 2016 and eat some tasty cake. A special children’s category means everyone can get baking this Autumn, so get practicing! Free, open to all. http://www.ktcc.org.uk/

A Patient Group meeting at Camden CCG that has been organised for patients with a Long Term condition.
The Patient Group has been organised for the 19th October from 5.30pm – 7.30pm in ROOM 4LM1, 4th Floor Stephenson House, Camden CCG, 75 Hampstead Road. Food and Refreshments will be provided. Anyone who is available to come at this time will be very welcome. Notify reception that you have arrived for the Camden Care Planning Patient Group and you will be taken up to the room
If interested you can contact Ade by email ( Adetola.Adeniran@camdenccg.nhs.uk).

Rewards for Volunteers in Camden
Volunteer Centre Camden is offering two ways to reward you for volunteering in Camden.
Volunteer Centre Camden is happy to be partnering Value You to offer volunteers who’ve completed 100 hours of volunteering a discount card for local businesses in Camden as well as a certificate to recognise the valuable contribution that volunteers make to Camden. You can read all about it here: http://volunteercentrecamden.org.uk/value-you-100-hour-volunteering-certificate/
And Volunteer Centre Camden will be taking 45 volunteers in Camden on a free tour of the Houses of Parliament on Monday 16th November as an extra special thank you for all of your hard work in making Camden a better place. Many thanks also to MPs Tulip Siddiq and Keir Starmer for making this possible. (If you are a volunteer, you will need to ask your supervisor to sign you up.) You can read all about it here: http://volunteercentrecamden.org.uk/reward-your-volunteers-with-houses-of-parliament-tour/

The Reach Project
A new activities club for older, isolated women of ALL cultural backgrounds
Join us on Mondays from 10am – 1pm
Starting with the following dates:
12th October 2015 at Camden Cypriot Women’s Organisation, 2c Falkland Rd, NW5 2PT
19th October 2015 at The Charlie Ratchford Centre, Belmont St, NW1 8HF
26th October 2015 at Camden Cypriot Women’s Organisation, 2c Falkland Rd, NW5 2PT
For Arts, Crafts, Games, Knitting & Basic IT workshop
Tea, Coffee and Biscuits will be provided
Please call Androulla on 020 7267 7194 for more information or email info@ccwo.org.uk

Give and Take Days
Your chance to pass on things you no longer need and pick up something you do for FREE.
Camden on Sunday 11 October 2015 at Highgate Library Civic and Cultural Centre, Children’s Corner, Croftdown Road, London, NW5 1HB.
The event will run from 12 until 3 pm – You can donate from 12 to 1.45 pm and take items for free from 2 to 3 pm.
You can donate books, DVDs/CDs, garden ware, IT, tools, clothes/shoes, small furniture, small electrical items and toys. We also accept: large furniture and white goods. We will NOT accept broken or unsafe items.
Items too large? You can have large furniture and white goods collected for free email manuela@lcrn.org.uk or text 07811237329.
Repair workshop – you will have the opportunity to repair your own electrical items and learn the most common DIY by participating to our repair workshop.

Well-Beeing Garden weekly workshop
4:00pm, Thursday 15th October
Kentish town health centre, 2 Bartholomew Road, London NW5 2BX (map)
Join us for our weekly workshop in the Well-Beeing Garden instructed by professional gardeners you will gain an insight in to the community garden that is based on ideas of healthy living.
Each week there will be different gardening activities to try.
Please get in touch if you would like more information: info@freespacegallery.org

Upbeat & Kings Cross Timebank & present: Kings Cross Open Mic – Halloween Spooktacular
Friday 30th October 2015 6-9 pm at
The Crypt Holy Cross Church Cromer Street WC1H 8JU. World Music, International Dance & Special Guests. Come along to perform, dress up or just to enjoy the evening.Everyone welcome.
Entry: £2.50 or 3 time-credits(Free for performers) Ticket includes free food.
Any proceeds made will go towards running the next Open Mic event
For more information contact Lucia – T: 07762151783 E: upbeat@upbeatmusic.org

Federation for Community Development Learning Community Development National Occupational Standards
The new summary and tree poster for the Community Development National Occupational Standards 2015 are available to download from www.fcdl.org.uk

On The Bride’s Side
King’s College London presents: On the Bride’s Side, subverting migration discourse in Europe.
A Palestinian poet and an Italian journalist met five Palestinians and Syrians in Milan, fleeing the Syrian war, and decided to organize a fake wedding to help them complete their journey to Sweden to ask for political asylum. From Milan to Stockholm, the wedding cortege crossed Europe over a four day journey of three thousand kilometers with a friend dressed up as the bride and a dozen wedding guests.
This journey brings out the stories, hopes and dreams of the five refugees and their rather special “traffickers”, and reveals a transnational, supportive and irreverent Europe that rejects and ridicules the laws and restrictions on immigration and defends people’s right to travel. A documentary and a political act, a real and fantastic story,
On the Bride’s Side challenges our perception of migration, asylum seekers, and borders, transforming masses into people and numbers into names.
15 October 2015
Edmond J Safra Lecture Theatre, King’s College London
For more information and booking, please follow this link

Leadership programme for all healthcare staff in Camden.
The Programme will run every Wednesday afternoon from 2pm to 6pm, for 8 weeks, beginning on Wed 7th October and ending on Wed 25th November.
The programme is suitable for all health and social care staff from across Camden, including medical, pharmacy, dental and optometry staff, health care assistants, practice nurses, voluntary sector and social care staff. All participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance after completing the 8 week programme.
bookings@greenlightpharmacy.com

Bank Paperwork
Has your bank recently asked you to complete unnecessary paperwork or jump through bureacratic hoops in relation to your group’s or organisation’s account? If you’ve had a recent experience drop us an email in confidence to Knunan@vac.org.uk

Free training, outings and events for unpaid carers in Camden
For a full list of events of carers in Camden please visit the Camden Carers website.

Healthwatch Camden
Latest Information DIgest is on the Healthwatch Camden website.
Catch up with the latest Camden news and what’s happening on Our Blog

The Camden Capacity Building Bulletin is produced monthly, targeting the community and voluntary sector in Camden. It provides up to date/recently live information and news on funding and training. To access the latest information please follow the Link www.camden.gov.uk/cbbulletin

Homestart Camden, North London Rape Crisis, MOPAC, Somers Town Community Association, VAC, Age UK Camden and Camden PA are recruiting. See Jobs and Volunteers section below.

Camden Shares. The website for exchanges in Camden. www.camdenshares.org.uk

You can join in on Facebook. Like us if you like us.

Follow all the Camden Voluntary Sector news on OneCamden on Twitter.

You can read more about all of these stories on our news page at www.vac.org.uk/new

Intolerance for Event on Tolerance
The Conservative Party reacted to unsubstantiated allegations against Muslim charities by removing their right to speak at conference. David Ainsworth of Civil Society, says this is unacceptable behaviour from the country’s ruling party.

Commissioning Under Attack
Kathy Evans of Children England recently said that commissioning was broken. Now Barnardo’s have also publicly criticized public sector contracts and have called for reform.

100 Neighbourhood Referendums
One hundred communities across the country have now taken control of development in their local area by voting for the adoption of their Neighbourhood Plans. London is lagging behind the rest of the country – with the exception of Camden. Read more about this story at Locality and the Huffington Post.

See the Funding pages on VAC’s website for all the latest information.

Opportunity for capital funding for VCS organisations in Camden Town with Primrose Hill Ward
The Council is in receipt of money arising from a property development in Camden Town with Primrose Hill Ward, as a result of Section 106 (S106) obligations on property developers, under Camden’s Planning Guidance.
This opportunity relates only to money provided to improve community facilities, it does not relate to S106 money received for other purposes, such as infrastructure and parks and open spaces.
The community building or facility must be one of the following:
• Owned by the organisation
• Occupied on a long-term lease
• Owned by the council
If your voluntary & community sector organisation would like to make a proposal for S106 capital money for community facilities, and your premises and service provision fits these criteria, please contact jeff.hopwood@camden.gov.uk or adam.demosthenous@camden.gov.uk.
A proposal form will be supplied, to easily enable response to the following:
• A brief description of the proposal, including how much money you are seeking – an estimate is fine at this stage
• Any relevant deadlines
The form will also ask for information about:
• How an allocation would ensure that the recipient’s facilities / services are available for the local community
• Whether the organisation or facility has received S106 Community Facilities funding before
• Whether the capital project has any match funding or pledges of match funding
• How the proposal will address Camden Plan priorities and the Council’s investment tests:
www.camden.gov.uk/camdenplan
www.camden.gov.uk/ccm/content/council-and-democracy/publications-and-finances/twocolumn/camden-financial-challenge-.en?page=3.
Proposal forms will need to be returned by the 6th November 2015, officers intend to consider the proposals during November, and discuss with ward members and relevant Cabinet Members. Decisions are expected to be made by the beginning of December. Further information please contact the named officers above.

Last Chance! – Mishcon Green Fund now open to projects in London
Through the Mishcon Green Fund we will provide grants up to £2,000 per project to initiatives that have a positive environmental impact and which are situated within London. There is a total of £15,000 available in the pot for 2015.
All applications need to be submitted by midnight on Sunday, 11th October 2015. Before applying please read the application guidelines and criteria here, there are some tips for answering the questions in there too.
Please note this grant is available for non-formal community groups, charities and not-for-profit organisations in London. It’s not open for profit making entities.
Please use the online application form.
If you’re having any problems or questions, please email us on mishcongreenfund@projectdirt.com.

Stepping Stones Fund
All interested charities and social enterprises in the Greater London area are invited to an information session about the Stepping Stones Fund, a £1m social investment readiness grant programme of City Bridge Trust and UBS.
The second round of the Fund is now open for applications. This programme provides grants and risk finance to enterprising organisations that wish to prepare themselves for social investment in order to improve their social outcomes. There are three strands you can consider:
1. obtain capacity building support that will help you better access social investment in the future
2. pilot new ways, ideas or business models aiming for better social outcomes
3. secure risk finance that can catalyse a social investment package.
The deadline for applications is 12 o’clock on 16th November, 2015.
For more information and to register for a place on:
15 October 2015
29th October

Free Sport
About FreeSport – FreeSport is part of the Mayor’s Sports Legacy Programme, enabling organisations and community groups to apply for grants between £400 and £1,500 to run free sports activities for Londoners. We fund activities of all kinds of activities from football or rugby to circus or ‘chairobics’!
Projects must:
· Provide a minimum of 8 hours activity, with 70% of participants taking part in at least six hours.
· Ensure that 10% of participants consider themselves to have an impairment, disability or need assistance to take part in activities.
· Aim for 20% of participants being inactive (not done any physical exercise for four weeks) prior to taking part in the sessions.
We offer guidance and support to applicants about how they can deliver these targets. FreeSport aims to inspire people of all ages and abilities to try a new sport, but also to inspire organisations to run sports sessions more regularly.
How to apply – It’s a straight forward process and we have lots of information for those who may never have applied for a grant before. Applications open until 26 October 2015 – Midday. FreeSport activities must take place between the 15 January 2016 and 15 April 2016.
To find out more about FreeSport, you can visit: www.london.gov.uk/freesport

The Edge Fund
The Edge Fund support work run by and for communities facing discrimination and injustice. We fund work carried out by individuals and grassroots groups in Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England that find it difficult to get funding elsewhere. Specifically, we fund work that challenges abuses of power and aims to change society by bringing an end to the systems that cause injustice. While applicants may be working on short term reforms, ​we are looking for applicants that ultimately aim to end or replace these systems with a just alternative, rather than trying to improve or reform them.
To apply for a grant of up to £3,000 you need to answer 5 questions in no more than 2 pages. The deadline for applications is 5pm Sunday 25 October. Read more.

Crowdfunding?
Don’t forget that there is a dedicated page on Spacehive just for Camden projects. And set up costs are free to Camden groups. Find out more at Spacehive Camden.

Don’t forget to sign up to Funding Central for free email funding alerts. Go to www.fundingcentral.org.uk/

Health and Safety for Marginalized Communities 26th November, am, free
Too many people are working in dangerous and unhealthy conditions – and often working long hours for low pay. Job insecurity pushes people to keep their heads down and just get on with the job, even if it’s risking their health. Lots of people may not have the help and support of a trade union. If this sounds like you, then make that change. Attend the VAC/London Hazards Centre training and have some fun learning about your rights and how to enforce them.
Targeted in particular at migrant workers, unpaid carers, cleaners and people working in the hospitality industry. Some of the most marginalised people – probably working long hours, in dangerous conditions and on low pay. More information and booking at the VAC website.

VAC’s Mental Health Training Programme for BMER groups
Are you a BMER group or do you work with BMER communities? If so, then our Mental Health Training Programme is for you! Our next courses are as follows:
• Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 22nd and 29th October)
• Stigma and Mental Health (half-day workshop: 2nd November)
• Youth Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 12th and 19th November)
• Introduction to Mental Health Awareness (one day workshop: 9th December)
• Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 9th and 16th February 2016)
For more information about our any of our courses, please go to https://vac.org.uk/events/category/health-mental-health/. Click on the course you are interested in and follow the instructions to book your place and pay by card (if applicable). The charge for our Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid training courses is heavily subsidised at only £25 per person. All other mental health workshops are free.
Please note that VAC can only accept bookings from organisations working with BMER communities based in Camden, or which serve Camden BMER residents. Places are limited on each course to a maximum of two people per organisation. If you have any queries, please contact us on our team email address: mentalhealthteam@vac.org.uk

VAC has a full programme of courses coming up: Click here to find out more. All courses are £25 for members (unless otherwise stated).

Ageing Better in Camden Launch 12th November 2015
This morning only event aims to answer all your questions about Ageing Better in Camden – what it is; what it offers; how you can get involved. It is open to all and is aimed particularly at older people and people and organisations working with older people. It will have workshops, information stalls and introductory speeches. Please register at ageingbetterincamden@ageukcamden.org.uk or telephone 02072390400.
Ageing Better in Camden has published the Invitation to Tender information for the St Pancras and Somerstown Community Action Project. Please fill in the form to register your interest in tendering (and you will receive emails of any questions and answers that other bidders post). Deadline back 19th November 2pm. http://www.ageuk.org.uk/camden/ageing-better-in-camden/

Opening Doors London Annual Information Fair
Drop in between 2:00pm and 6:30pm on Thursday 15th October 2014
Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9NA
This is a chance for our older LGBT community to attend an information fair focused on Planning Ahead.
Book your free ticket here: https://odlfair.eventbrite.co.uk
• Key Note Talk at 2pm
• Information Stalls from 3.30pm
• Workshops
• Meditation Session
• Play Reading
• Panel Discussion
• Legal Advice
These activities will be delivered by a variety of community partners that support the LGBT Community.
Contact Kate Hancock kate.hancock@ageukcamden.org.uk or 020 7239 0400.

Inspiring Trusteeship – a governance conference for London, Greater London Volunteering
Monday, 16 November 2015 from 10:00 to 16:00
City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, SE1 2AA, London, United Kingdom
Inspiring Trusteeship is our free event for everyone interested in the governance of London’s voluntary and community sector.
Join us and over 200 other delegates for: plenary sessions with Dr Alice Maynard, the Association of Chairs and other speakers looking at new perspectives on governance, and looking at what makes an effective Chair/CEO relationship; workshops on legal issues affecting Trustees, and tips on recruiting Trustees; and a networking lunch to meet with people involved in charity governance from across London, in a marketplace of organisations able to provide you with information and support on charity governance.
To register click here

Outcome launch and day of celebration for women of the LGBT community
Outcome, the LGBT service of Islington Mind Open day 13th October, 11:45 – 15:45
Tasters from our activities (including head massage and ear acupuncture)
Focus group for ideas for a future women only group.
Poetry reading and other entertainments. Free lunch
Join us at 35 Ashley Road, N19 3AG
RSVP: sigal.avni@islingtonmind.org.uk

Volunteering Fairs
Autumn is one of the most popular times of the year for people wanting to start volunteering.
Wednesday 21st October 12-2pm at the Working Men’s College
To book your place and to find our more information have a look at Eventbrite

London for All
London for All / LVSC have a full programme of courses available for the voluntary sector. Go to the London for All website for full details.

Camden Carers’ Service
Has a full range of events and activities for unpaid carers in Camden. Find out more on the Camden Carers’ Service website www.camdencs.org.uk/activities

Don’t forget that Camden TDS run a full programme of course which are subsidised or free for voluntary sector partner organisations. There is a link to a list of partner organisations on the home page.

Find more Training Opportunities at www.vac.org.uk

Home Start Camden seeks Volunteers
Are you a parent or do you have parenting experience? Would you like to enhance your skills to offer friendship and support to families with young children? Can you give 3-4 hours weekly, to visit a family with young children who may be going through a difficult time?
Family Support Volunteer
Next Preparation Course Starting 17th November to 10th December
Every Tuesday & Thursday in Kentish Town
Certificates awarded & expenses paid
For information pack ring 020 7424 1603 email: info@homestartcamden.org
www.homestartcamden.org.uk

North London Rape Crisis seeks helpline volunteers
Volunteers needed to provide support to women and girls age 13+ who have experienced any form of sexual violence at any time in their lives. The volunteers will be required to commit to 12 months post training and to attend a 9 week training course on Fridays from 4th December 2015 to 12th February 2016 excluding the two bank holidays in December. You are required to attend 80% of the sessions to be able to proceed to working on the helpline. You will need to have an interest in working with survivors of sexual violence and will have the opportunity to work towards an OCN accredited qualification for ‘Professionals Working in the Sexual Violence Sector’ at level 2 or 3.
Please contact Ammarah Ahmad for the information pack and application form. The deadline to submit applications is by 5pm on Monday 26th October 2015.
Ammarah: Email: volunteering@solacewomensaid.org Tel: 020 7619 1350

The Mayor’s Office for Policing And Crime currently have some vacancies for Camden’s Independent Custody Visitors Scheme
Details about the role and how to apply are on the MOPAC website.
Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) are members of the local community who volunteer to visit police stations unannounced to check on the treatment and welfare of people held in police custody. Their recommendations can require the police to make improvements for the welfare of detainees. Working as part of a local panel, they play a valuable role in maintaining public confidence in this important area of policing.

Age UK Camden seeks Personal Health Budgets Direct Payments Support Worker
(17.5 hours per week) Fixed Term Contract up to 30th September 2016
Local Government Scale SO1 £28,845-£30,525pa pro rata for 17.5 hours £14,422.50-£15,262.50 plus 6% contributory pension.
Personalisation Support In Camden (PSIC) is a subsidiary of Age UK Camden. It is a new venture, which has been set up to provide Direct Payments support to under 65’s in Camden until a new disability user led organisation is established.
You will promote the direct payments service, with particular emphasis on Personal Health Budgets for Mental Health service users and also assist in providing support to disabled people, including those with learning difficulties, under 65 years of age, mental health service users, and parents of Disabled Children who wish to receive or are receiving direct payments from the London Borough of Camden.
If you are interested in the above vacancy please see the application pack including the full job description and person specification at the following link to our website www.ageukcamden.org.uk or email jobs@ageukcamden.org.uk.
The closing date for receipt of completed application forms is 9 am on Monday 19th October 2015 and interviews will be held on Friday 30th October 2015.

Somers Town Community Association seeks Operations Manager
Permanent position £35,000 (Pro Rata £30,000) per annum 30hrs a week.
You will have the skills to identify and implement a diverse range of enterprise models whilst also providing leadership. You will demonstrate the ability to support and develop the competence and expertise of our staff team, particularly our youth and community café teams. This represents an excellent opportunity for a highly motivated Operations Manager to make their mark, help shape, strengthen and expand our services.
The successful candidate will have excellent written and verbal communication with strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise, plan and manage workload effectively.
Email: admin@somerstown.org.uk or telephone 0207 388 6088 for a full application pack – Closing date 30 October 2015 at 5.00pm

Volunteer Vacancy at VAC
Do you live, work or volunteer in Camden? Would you like to support people in your community to improve their health and their access to services that will help them to maintain good health and wellbeing? Do you want to develop experience and skills in the field of public health? Can you commit at least 2 hours per week?
VAC is offering free Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH) Level 1 training to those who want to volunteer their time to become Community Health Advocates. The RSPH Level 1 training is a two days course, with a 20 question multiple choice test at the end of the second day of training. It could provide a useful skill set and experience for people who may be interested in following a health related career path in the future.
After completing the training, VAC will support local teams of volunteers to act as links between community based services and GPs. You may wish to take advantage of additional opportunities to increase your knowledge, for example smoking cessation, cancer awareness, diabetes etc.
In return for your commitment to the project for 2 hours a week we offer support, out of pocket expenses and other professional development opportunities. Details on the VAC website.
Mandira Manandhar (Mon, Tues and Thurs) 020 7284 6573 or email: mmanandhar@vac.org.uk
Peter Simonson (Mon and Thurs) 020 7284 6568 or email: projectsupport@vac.org.uk

Budding Builders from Construction Youth Trust
Budding Builders is a Construction Youth Trust programme which helps to remove barriers to employment by providing young people with an opportunity to learn new, demand-led skills in a variety of different trades; offer CSCS card training and support; and clear progression routes into work or further training.
There is a course in Camden starting the 26th of October, in partnership with Kings Cross Construction Skills Centre. The aim is to target young women who are considering the industry as a career. The course will provide an introduction to the trades, raise awareness about the industry, support and advise the women with future plans and opportunities. We pride ourselves on making the industry accessible to all and inspire people to go beyond our short courses. The course will be led by an experienced female carpenter and we will have female guest speakers to talk to our budding female operatives.
The success of our projects depends on the partnerships we create. We are seeking organisations that would like to refer women onto our October course and organisations who would like to act as our community practical partner for our 2016 projects. Please get in contact with Nicola Mason on 0207 467 9540 or nicola.mason@constructionyouth.org.uk

Are you looking to employ an assistant to help with your care needs? CamdenPAs can help you.
CamdenPAs.org.uk is a new service that makes it easy to find a personal assistant (PA) and puts you in control of your care and support.
If you have care needs, you can employ a PA to help you to live as independently as possible.
CamdenPAs features an online ‘marketplace’ for you to browse through a list of profiles of PAs in the borough. Profiles give details about the services they provide, their skills, experience and personal interests.
You can look through the list to find suitable matches and choose someone you like to help support you.
When you find a match you can contact the PA to arrange an interview and see how you get on. If you like them you can then work out contract details such as hours, duties and wages, and hire them.
If you do not find anyone suitable, you can set up your own a profile describing your requirements and interests, for PAs to look through and contact you.
You can employ a PA whether you receive a direct payment or fund your own care. If you receive direct payments you can get support with the employment from Personalised Support In Camden or AgeUK Camden.
Become a PA
If you’re a PA looking for work or are just starting out, CamdenPAs can help you. As well as helping you finding a job, the site features advice on looking for work, becoming a PA and where to get training.
Why not set up your profile today? Find out more, visit: camdenpas.org.uk or p hone: 020 7278 4437

Socially Responsible Recruiting
A new, award-winning skills matching service that connects employers with skilled and experienced people to do one-off or part-time jobs has launched in Camden, with a strong social benefit ethic.
“There is a very large number of people in Camden who are fantastically skilled and work-ready but are off the radar to employers because they’re not looking for full-time work and aren’t constantly scouring the job ads,” says Jonathan Collie, founder of Trading Times.
These people are highly skilled over 50s, and family carers. Trading Times brings them to you. It’s free to candidates. It costs you only £35, and only when you are connected to the perfect candidates.
Paul Fordham of Abbey Community Centre in Camden said: “”We posted our occasional job opportunity on Trading Times because we at the Abbey Community Centre recognise the value of the flexibility that can come with age. Trading Times offers a tailored means to directly target opportunities at an older group that the vast majority of other job sites simply do not seem to tap.”
Register at https://tradingtimes.org.uk/ and let Trading Times match you with the right local people for your needs.

Find Jobs and Volunteering opportunities at https://www.vac.org.uk/

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Survey
UCLH is currently leading a re-design of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) services in Camden, and as part of this programme we are working with The British Lung Foundation to engage with COPD patients. To achieve this we have created an online questionnaire.
COPD encompasses a number of conditions including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, and primarily affects older people who have had long term exposure to cigarette smoke, fumes or dust. There is no cure for COPD but there are treatments to improve symptoms and reduce the occurrence of dangerous exacerbations.
This is an opportunity for any readers suffering from COPD to influence how Camden Services improve going forward.
The questionnaire will be live until Friday 16th October. Click here to go to the survey.

Green Marks of Achievement Drop-in Sessions
The Camden Marks of Achievement certification scheme is a free and externally supported award scheme. These marks are a visible demonstration of your commitment to taking local action to tackle climate change, and can be used as evidence for applying for awards, bidding for contracts, applying for grants, and achieving further certification.
There are three levels of awards (Going Green, Cutting Carbon and Carbon Champion) and a ‘Team Green’ award for staff engagement and behaviour change. Applications are now open and the deadline for applications is 31 October 2015.
For those who are interested in applying but want to discuss their application with us before doing so, we are providing pre-booked half hour slots during our Marks of Achievement Drop-in week, starting 26 October. During this week you can come in to our office to discuss your application face-to-face, or discuss it over the phone.
Deadline for applications is 31 October 2015. Award winners will be recognised on our website and at our Annual Green Drinks.
Marks of Achievement Drop-in Sessions will be held from 26-30 October. To book your half hour slot please email ana.lopez@camden.gov.uk. Please state which days and times you are available. We will be confirming times the week commencing 12 October.

Camden Council and Camden’s Voluntary and Community Sector Consultation
LB Camden’s consultation can be found here. The proposals can be found in a downloadable document here. You can give your views directly to the council via an online questionnaire.

Camden Consultations
Other consultations out at the moment include a consultation on Camden Future Libraries and Camden VCS strategy and changes to early education and childcare and children’s centre services. You can find all Camden consultation on the Wearecamden consultation hub.

FREE VAC Membership for Unfunded Groups: Voluntary Action Camden Small organisations with no paid staff and a turnover of less than £1,500 can now join for FREE. To take advantage of this offer just fill in the membership on the online form here.

Keyboard Shortcuts Tips; Ageing Better in Camden Launch; A Celebration for World Mental Health Day; Indices of Deprivation 2015; Sharing Learning About Domestic Abuse within Asian Communities in Camden; Green Marks of Achievement Drop-in Sessions; Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Survey; Give and Take Days; Camden CCG Patient Participation Group Newsletter; Health and Safety for Marginalized Communities; Using Freedom of Information requests as part of your campaign; Age UK Camden AGM; Inspiring Trusteeship; + jobs, volunteers, events, training, offers and resources.

Speed up your work by becoming a keyboard shortcut wizard
The better you understand how to use your computer to your advantage the more quickly you can get things done. Doing things the long way round, like switching back and forth between the keyboard and mouse, can be time-consuming. But did you know, many of the actions that we undertake on the computer can be performed much faster and easier by getting to grips with a few easy-to-remember keyboard shortcuts? Take a look at this blog for quick and easy to remember guide.
 

Ageing Better in Camden Launch 12th November 2015 (postponed from 16th October)
This morning only event aims to answer all your questions about Ageing Better in Camden – what it is; what it offers; how you can get involved. It is open to all and is aimed particularly at older people and people and organisations working with older people. It will have workshops, information stalls and introductory speeches. Please register at ageingbetterincamden@ageukcamden.org.uk or telephone 02072390400.
Ageing Better in Camden has published the Invitation to Tender information for the St Pancras and Somerstown Community Action Project. Please fill in the form to register your interest in tendering (and you will receive emails of any questions and answers that other bidders post). Deadline back 19th November 2pm. http://www.ageuk.org.uk/camden/ageing-better-in-camden/

A Celebration for World Mental Health Day
October 9th at St Pancras Hospital
VoiceAbility and VAC are supporting the Camden Borough User Group (CBUG) to hold an event to celebrate World Mental Health Day. It will be at the conference Hall, St Pancras Hospital on the 9th October between 11am and 4pm.
If you or anyone you support would be interested in attending, then please print off the attached flyer and spread the word. The event will have a social focus with hot food, music, speakers, performance, stalls and more.
We are also holding a photography competition and all entries will be displayed on the day, there is a flyer attached about this too.
For any further details please contact us at by email or by phone on:
camdenuserinvolvement@voiceability.org Telephone: 020 3355 7113

Indices of Deprivation 2015
The English Indices of Deprivation 2015 have just been published. This provides information that you can use to understand and demonstrate local need. It can help you in funding bids and also can help you when supporting your users.

Sharing Learning About Domestic Abuse within Asian Communities in Camden
Hopscotch Asian Women’s Centre invites you to an event to share information and learning from an innovative project, which aims to tackle domestic abuse within Asian communities in Camden.
This event will share findings from our research, details of the approaches used to empower women at risk of abuse, and the valuable role of Community Leaders in challenging cultural norms. There will be presentations from Hopscotch, the Community Safety Unit and the Imam of Holborn Mosque.
Wednesday, 7th October 2015 10:00am – 12:30pm (Registration and light breakfast from 9.30am)
London Irish Centre, 50-52 Camden Square, London NW1 9XB
Please RSVP by 2nd October, email: info@hopscotchawc.org.uk

Green Marks of Achievement Drop-in Sessions
The Camden Marks of Achievement certification scheme is a free and externally supported award scheme. These marks are a visible demonstration of your commitment to taking local action to tackle climate change, and can be used as evidence for applying for awards, bidding for contracts, applying for grants, and achieving further certification.
There are three levels of awards (Going Green, Cutting Carbon and Carbon Champion) and a ‘Team Green’ award for staff engagement and behaviour change. Applications are now open and the deadline for applications is 31 October 2015.
For those who are interested in applying but want to discuss their application with us before doing so, we are providing pre-booked half hour slots during our Marks of Achievement Drop-in week, starting 26 October. During this week you can come in to our office to discuss your application face-to-face, or discuss it over the phone.
Deadline for applications is 31 October 2015. Award winners will be recognised on our website and at our Annual Green Drinks.
Marks of Achievement Drop-in Sessions will be held from 26-30 October. To book your half hour slot please email ana.lopez@camden.gov.uk. Please state which days and times you are available. We will be confirming times the week commencing 12 October.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Survey
UCLH is currently leading a re-design of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) services in Camden, and as part of this programme we are working with The British Lung Foundation to engage with COPD patients. To achieve this we have created an online questionnaire.
COPD encompasses a number of conditions including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, and primarily affects older people who have had long term exposure to cigarette smoke, fumes or dust. There is no cure for COPD but there are treatments to improve symptoms and reduce the occurrence of dangerous exacerbations.
This is an opportunity for any readers suffering from COPD to influence how Camden Services improve going forward.
The questionnaire will be live until Friday 16th October. Click here to go to the survey.

Give and Take Days
Your chance to pass on things you no longer need and pick up something you do for FREE.
Camden on Sunday 11 October 2015 at Highgate Library Civic and Cultural Centre, Children’s Corner, Croftdown Road, London, NW5 1HB.
The event will run from 12 until 3 pm – You can donate from 12 to 1.45 pm and take items for free from 2 to 3 pm.
You can donate books, DVDs/CDs, garden ware, IT, tools, clothes/shoes, small furniture, small electrical items and toys. We also accept: large furniture and white goods. We will NOT accept broken or unsafe items.
Items too large? You can have large furniture and white goods collected for free email manuela@lcrn.org.uk or text 07811237329.
Repair workshop – you will have the opportunity to repair your own electrical items and learn the most common DIY by participating to our repair workshop.

Camden CCG Patient Participation Group Newsletter
You can read the very first edition of the PPG newsletter here
Follow the link to find out more about what Camden CCG is doing around Patient Public Involvement and comment on Camden CCG’s commissioning intentions

Health and Safety for Marginalized Communities 26th November, am, free
Too many people are working in dangerous and unhealthy conditions – and often working long hours for low pay. Job insecurity pushes people to keep their heads down and just get on with the job, even if it’s risking their health. Lots of people may not have the help and support of a trade union. If this sounds like you, then make that change. Attend the VAC/London Hazards Centre training and have some fun learning about your rights and how to enforce them.
Targeted in particular at migrant workers, unpaid carers, cleaners and people working in the hospitality industry. Some of the most marginalised people – probably working long hours, in dangerous conditions and on low pay. More information and booking at the VAC website.

Using Freedom of Information requests as part of your campaign
Tuesday 13th October 2015
1.30pm – 5.00pm (Please arrive no later than 1.15pm for registration)
Raindance Film Centre (very near Charing Cross/Embankment)
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 can be an extremely powerful campaigning tool. This workshop will take you through how to make a Freedom of Information request to a statutory body, how it should integrate into your wider campaign objectives, and tactical aspects of making requests and using the data that you have gathered. More information and to book go to the Train to Campaign website.

Age UK Camden Annual General Meeting (AGM) 10th November 2015 – Save the Date
Age UK Camden’s 2015 Annual General Meeting will be on Tuesday 10th November, 3.30-5.30pm at Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9NA. The guest speaker is Leisha Fullick, Chair of Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust. After the AGM, from 5.30-8pm, there will be a social event to mark the Charity’s first 50 years as a borough-wide organisation. Age UK Camden was formed as a borough-wide organisation in 1965 initially as Camden Old People’s Welfare Association (OPW) by the merger of smaller/local OPWs covering Hampstead, Holborn and St Pancras. More on the Age UK Camden website www.ageukcamden.org.uk RSVP info@ageukcamden.org.uk

Inspiring Trusteeship – a governance conference for London, Greater London Volunteering
Monday, 16 November 2015 from 10:00 to 16:00
City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, SE1 2AA, London, United Kingdom
Inspiring Trusteeship is our free event for everyone interested in the governance of London’s voluntary and community sector.
Join us and over 200 other delegates for: plenary sessions with Dr Alice Maynard, the Association of Chairs and other speakers looking at new perspectives on governance, and looking at what makes an effective Chair/CEO relationship; workshops on legal issues affecting Trustees, and tips on recruiting Trustees; and a networking lunch to meet with people involved in charity governance from across London, in a marketplace of organisations able to provide you with information and support on charity governance.
To register click here

Opening Doors London Commended in Prestigious European Award
Opening Doors London, the regional Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Trans older people’s service based at Age UK Camden, was highly commended at the 2015 European Diversity Awards on 30th September.
ODL took second place in Marketing Campaign of the Year to winners Barclay’s Bank, beating others on the shortlist including the BBC and VisitSweden.
More at www.openingdoorslondon.org.uk

Free training, outings and events for unpaid carers in Camden
For a full list of events of carers in Camden please visit the Camden Carers website.

Healthwatch Camden
Latest Information DIgest is on the Healthwatch Camden website.
Catch up with the latest Camden news and what’s happening on Our Blog

The Camden Capacity Building Bulletin is produced monthly, targeting the community and voluntary sector in Camden. It provides up to date/recently live information and news on funding and training. To access the latest information please follow the Link www.camden.gov.uk/cbbulletin

Somers Town Community Association, VAC, Construction Youth Trust, Abbey Community Centre, Helen Bamber Foundation, Age UK Camden, Calthorpe Project and Camden PA are recruiting. See Jobs and Volunteers section below.

Camden Shares. The website for exchanges in Camden. www.camdenshares.org.uk

You can join in on Facebook. Like us if you like us.

Follow all the Camden Voluntary Sector news on OneCamden on Twitter.

You can read more about all of these stories on our news page at www.vac.org.uk/new

Charities Under Fire but Camden Charity Leads the Fightback
The Daily Express seems to acknowledge that all of the negative campaining by the press is damaging the whole sector and quotes Esther Rantzen as saying: “The charitable sector depends entirely on trust. Without public belief in its good intentions and careful stewardship, it will collapse.” Alexis Keir of local Camden charity Elfrida Rathbone was given a chance to set the record straight.

‘Why most of what’s written about charities is total rubbish’
Charities – individually and collectively – seem to be under constant attack at the moment. The misdeeds of a minority have opened the floodgates for wide-ranging criticism of the whole sector, much of which seems to be driven by worryingly (and willingly) ill-informed arguments. Read the full article on the DSC website.

Outrage at “grubby backroom deal” over Right to Buy
A proposed agreement between the Government and the National Housing Federation to extend the Right to Buy to 2.3m housing association has been attacked as a “backroom deal” that will result in the loss of much-needed affordable housing. If the Housing Associations accept the ‘voluntary’ agreement they will not be compelled by legislation. Full details at Local Government Executive.

Big Society Dead (Again)
David Walker is the latest broadsheet journalist to pronounce the Big Society idea dead in this week’s Guardian and states that ‘David Cameron’s love affair with the voluntary sector over’.

See the Funding pages on VAC’s website for all the latest information.

Stepping Stones Fund
All interested charities and social enterprises in the Greater London area are invited to an information session about the Stepping Stones Fund, a £1m social investment readiness grant programme of City Bridge Trust and UBS.
The second round of the Fund is now open for applications. This programme provides grants and risk finance to enterprising organisations that wish to prepare themselves for social investment in order to improve their social outcomes. There are three strands you can consider:
1. obtain capacity building support that will help you better access social investment in the future
2. pilot new ways, ideas or business models aiming for better social outcomes
3. secure risk finance that can catalyse a social investment package.
The deadline for applications is 12 o’clock on November 16, 2015.
For more information and to register for a place on:
5th October 2015
15 October 2015
29th October

Free Sport
About FreeSport – FreeSport is part of the Mayor’s Sports Legacy Programme, enabling organisations and community groups to apply for grants between £400 and £1,500 to run free sports activities for Londoners. We fund activities of all kinds of activities from football or rugby to circus or ‘chairobics’!
Projects must:
· Provide a minimum of 8 hours activity, with 70% of participants taking part in at least six hours.
· Ensure that 10% of participants consider themselves to have an impairment, disability or need assistance to take part in activities.
· Aim for 20% of participants being inactive (not done any physical exercise for four weeks) prior to taking part in the sessions.
We offer guidance and support to applicants about how they can deliver these targets. FreeSport aims to inspire people of all ages and abilities to try a new sport, but also to inspire organisations to run sports sessions more regularly.
How to apply – It’s a straight forward process and we have lots of information for those who may never have applied for a grant before. Applications open until 26 October 2015 – Midday. FreeSport activities must take place between the 15 January 2016 and 15 April 2016.
To find out more about FreeSport, you can visit: www.london.gov.uk/freesport

Mishcon Green Fund now open to projects in London
Through the Mishcon Green Fund we will provide grants up to £2,000 per project to initiatives that have a positive environmental impact and which are situated within London. There is a total of £15,000 available in the pot for 2015.
All applications need to be submitted by midnight on Sunday, 11th October 2015. Before applying please read the application guidelines and criteria here, there are some tips for answering the questions in there too.
Please note this grant is available for non-formal community groups, charities and not-for-profit organisations in London. It’s not open for profit making entities.
Please use the online application form.
If you’re having any problems or questions, please email us on mishcongreenfund@projectdirt.com.

The Edge Fund
The Edge Fund support work run by and for communities facing discrimination and injustice. We fund work carried out by individuals and grassroots groups in Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England that find it difficult to get funding elsewhere. Specifically, we fund work that challenges abuses of power and aims to change society by bringing an end to the systems that cause injustice. While applicants may be working on short term reforms, ​we are looking for applicants that ultimately aim to end or replace these systems with a just alternative, rather than trying to improve or reform them.
To apply for a grant of up to £3,000 you need to answer 5 questions in no more than 2 pages. The deadline for applications is 5pm Sunday 25 October. Read more.

Crowdfunding?
Don’t forget that there is a dedicated page on Spacehive just for Camden projects. And set up costs are free to Camden groups. Find out more at Spacehive Camden.

Don’t forget to sign up to Funding Central for free email funding alerts. Go to www.fundingcentral.org.uk/

VAC’s Mental Health Training Programme for BMER groups
Are you a BMER group or do you work with BMER communities? If so, then our Mental Health Training Programme is for you! Our next courses are as follows:
• Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 22nd and 29th October)
• Stigma and Mental Health (half-day workshop: 2nd November)
• Youth Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 12th and 19th November)
• Introduction to Mental Health Awareness (one day workshop: 9th December)
• Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 9th and 16th February 2016)
For more information about our any of our courses, please go to https://vac.org.uk/events/category/health-mental-health/. Click on the course you are interested in and follow the instructions to book your place and pay by card (if applicable). The charge for our Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid training courses is heavily subsidised at only £25 per person. All other mental health workshops are free.
Please note that VAC can only accept bookings from organisations working with BMER communities based in Camden, or which serve Camden BMER residents. Places are limited on each course to a maximum of two people per organisation. If you have any queries, please contact us on our team email address: mentalhealthteam@vac.org.uk

VAC has a full programme of courses coming up: Click here to find out more. All courses are £25 for members (unless otherwise stated).

Streets of London music project for people with mental health issues Autumn ’15 -Spring ’16
Band workshops
Wednesdays 12-2pm at Fitzrovia Centre Foley street W1W 6DN
– guided walk on London’s rich music history and eclectic community for inspiration
– performance opportunities
– recording studio experience
The project is free and no personal budget is required.
No previous experience necessary. All welcome
E: lucia@upbeatmusic.org T: 07762151783 W: http://www.upbeatmusic.org

Silver Sunday
Celebrating older Londoners
4 October 2015 12 noon – 4pm at City Hall
Bring your family and friends for fun, food,singing, dancing, quizzes and more.
To get free tickets call 020 7983 4904 or email linda.kiff@london.gov.uk

Opening Doors London Annual Information Fair
Drop in between 2:00pm and 6:30pm on Thursday 15th October 2014
Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9NA
This is a chance for our older LGBT community to attend an information fair focused on Planning Ahead.
Book your free ticket here: https://odlfair.eventbrite.co.uk
• Key Note Talk at 2pm
• Information Stalls from 3.30pm
• Workshops
• Meditation Session
• Play Reading
• Panel Discussion
• Legal Advice
These activities will be delivered by a variety of community partners that support the LGBT Community.
Contact Kate Hancock kate.hancock@ageukcamden.org.uk or 020 7239 0400.

Outcome launch and day of celebration for women of the LGBT community
Outcome, the LGBT service of Islington Mind Open day 13th October, 11:45 – 15:45
Tasters from our activities (including head massage and ear acupuncture)
Focus group for ideas for a future women only group.
Poetry reading and other entertainments. Free lunch
Join us at 35 Ashley Road, N19 3AG
RSVP: sigal.avni@islingtonmind.org.uk

Women making a difference: Social Action in Islington.
Children and Young People’s Voluntary Sector Forum – CYPVSF
Tuesday, 3 November 2015 from 09:30 to 14:00
Women have been at the helm of social change and tackling injustice. In Islington women have been at the forefront of the strong, vibrant and innovative voluntary sector in Islington, challenging our politicians, creating new opportunities and developing and defending crucial services.
As we experience further political change and immense challenges that impact on the lives of children and young people, this work becomes even more essential.
Islington Children and Young People’s Voluntary Sector Forum are hosting this Conference to illustrate and highlight the remarkable impact women have had on our borough and beyond, and the difference that their passion, dedication and commitment has made to the environment and lives of children and young people in Islington.
Keynote speaker will be Shami Chakrabarti, Director of Liberty and there will be
A full buffet lunch will be provided. Early registration is advised due to limited places.

Volunteering Fairs
Autumn is one of the most popular times of the year for people wanting to start volunteering.
Wednesday 7th October 6.30-8pm at the Wellcome Collection
Wednesday 21st October 12-2pm at the Working Men’s College
To book your place and to find our more information have a look at Eventbrite

Caring, Survival & Justice vs. the Tyranny of the Market
Saturday 14 November – Sun 15 November
international women’s conference which the Global Women’s Strike is organising with others, including WinVisible
Venue Wac Arts, Hampstead Old Town Hall, 213 Haverstock Hill, London NW3 4QP. Full wheelchair access
Tel 020 7482 2496 email: gws@globalwomenstrike.net web: www.globalwomenstrike.net

London for All
London for All / LVSC have a full programme of courses available for the voluntary sector. Go to the London for All website for full details.

Camden Carers’ Service
Has a full range of events and activities for unpaid carers in Camden. Find out more on the Camden Carers’ Service website www.camdencs.org.uk/activities

Don’t forget that Camden TDS run a full programme of course which are subsidised or free for voluntary sector partner organisations. There is a link to a list of partner organisations on the home page.

Find more Training Opportunities at www.vac.org.uk

Somers Town Community Association seeks Operations Manager
Permanent position £35,000 (Pro Rata £30,000) per annum 30hrs a week.
You will have the skills to identify and implement a diverse range of enterprise models whilst also providing leadership. You will demonstrate the ability to support and develop the competence and expertise of our staff team, particularly our youth and community café teams. This represents an excellent opportunity for a highly motivated Operations Manager to make their mark, help shape, strengthen and expand our services.
The successful candidate will have excellent written and verbal communication with strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise, plan and manage workload effectively.
Email: admin@somerstown.org.uk or telephone 0207 388 6088 for a full application pack – Closing date 30 October 2015 at 5.00pm

Volunteer Vacancy at VAC
Do you live, work or volunteer in Camden? Would you like to support people in your community to improve their health and their access to services that will help them to maintain good health and wellbeing? Do you want to develop experience and skills in the field of public health? Can you commit at least 2 hours per week?
VAC is offering free Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH) Level 1 training to those who want to volunteer their time to become Community Health Advocates. The RSPH Level 1 training is a two days course, with a 20 question multiple choice test at the end of the second day of training. It could provide a useful skill set and experience for people who may be interested in following a health related career path in the future.
After completing the training, VAC will support local teams of volunteers to act as links between community based services and GPs. You may wish to take advantage of additional opportunities to increase your knowledge, for example smoking cessation, cancer awareness, diabetes etc.
In return for your commitment to the project for 2 hours a week we offer support, out of pocket expenses and other professional development opportunities. Details on the VAC website.
Mandira Manandhar (Mon, Tues and Thurs) 020 7284 6573 or email: mmanandhar@vac.org.uk
Peter Simonson (Mon and Thurs) 020 7284 6568 or email: projectsupport@vac.org.uk

Budding Builders from Construction Youth Trust
Budding Builders is a Construction Youth Trust programme which helps to remove barriers to employment by providing young people with an opportunity to learn new, demand-led skills in a variety of different trades; offer CSCS card training and support; and clear progression routes into work or further training.
There is a course in Camden starting the 26th of October, in partnership with Kings Cross Construction Skills Centre. The aim is to target young women who are considering the industry as a career. The course will provide an introduction to the trades, raise awareness about the industry, support and advise the women with future plans and opportunities. We pride ourselves on making the industry accessible to all and inspire people to go beyond our short courses. The course will be led by an experienced female carpenter and we will have female guest speakers to talk to our budding female operatives.
The success of our projects depends on the partnerships we create. We are seeking organisations that would like to refer women onto our October course and organisations who would like to act as our community practical partner for our 2016 projects. Please get in contact with Nicola Mason on 0207 467 9540 or nicola.mason@constructionyouth.org.uk

Abbey Community Centre in Kilburn is currently recruiting to two vacancies
Centre Operations Manager, full time (35 hours per week). Salary £27,877. Application deadline: Monday 28th September 9am.
Older Men’s Activities (CHAPS project) Coordinator, part time (21 hours per week). Actual salary £15,124. Deadline: Wednesday 7th October 9am.
Both post holders will enjoy 6 weeks annual leave, plus 8 bank holidays (pro rata for part time).
For more information please see www.abbeycc-kilburn.org.uk

Camden Psychotherapy Unit seeks Administration Assistant
The post is £10 per hour for 10 hours per week. Working hours can be flexible according the post holder’s circumstances.
Please send your CV & covering letter via the ‘Apply’ button on the Timewise Jobs website.

Helen Bamber Foundation seeks Welfare & Housing Casework Volunteer
Providing casework and administrative support to the Welfare & Housing Caseworker
Location: Camden, London Minimum 4 month commitment, 2 days per week
The Helen Bamber Foundation provides specialist medical consultation, therapeutic care, legal protection and practical support to survivors of human rights violations, helping men, women and children heal the emotional and physical damage they have suffered through torture, trafficking or other forms of cruelty.
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Welfare & Housing Casework Service, a service aimed at preventing social deprivation and increasing the socio-economic well-being of our client group.
Main Duties & Responsibilities
~ Assisting clients to access asylum support, community care, housing and mainstream benefits, within the remit of prevention of homelessness and destitution
~ Assisting clients to access education, leisure and other opportunities
~ Referring clients internally and externally as appropriate for specialist help with issues that fall outside the remit of the welfare & housing casework service, including health/therapeutic services, referrals to immigration/housing/community care solicitors.
~ Making individual grant applications for clients with welfare and education needs
~ Liaising with statutory bodies (Asylum Support, DWP, local authorities), NHS, solicitors and voluntary agencies to ensure client needs are met
~ Other administrative duties as required, including database management and filing
Please send your CV and short Cover Letter outlining your relevant skills and experience to helen.malpass@helenbamber.org by 7 October 2015. Full job description and person specification available.
Please note that successful candidates will be offered the volunteer position subject to a DBS check and suitable references.

Calthorpe Project seeks Sports Development Manager
The Calthorpe Project is a vibrant community center and garden working to improve the health and wellbeing of residents in and around Kings Cross.
We are looking for an exceptional person to develop and manage a day to day progamme of sporting activities based on our 5-a-side sports pitch. You will engage community groups, young people and the corporate sector and implement a sustainable income maximization strategy.
Salary £29,838 gross annually for flexible 35 hour week.
Download an application pack from our website: www.calthorpeproject.org.uk
Or request a pack by emailing info@calthorpeproject.org.uk
Completed applications can be returned by post or email:
Louise Gates, Calthorpe Project, 258-274 Grays Inn Rd, WC1X 8LH
Deadline for completed applications-12noon Friday September 25th 2015
Interviews – Friday October 9th

Are you looking to employ an assistant to help with your care needs? CamdenPAs can help you.
CamdenPAs.org.uk is a new service that makes it easy to find a personal assistant (PA) and puts you in control of your care and support.
If you have care needs, you can employ a PA to help you to live as independently as possible.
CamdenPAs features an online ‘marketplace’ for you to browse through a list of profiles of PAs in the borough. Profiles give details about the services they provide, their skills, experience and personal interests.
You can look through the list to find suitable matches and choose someone you like to help support you.
When you find a match you can contact the PA to arrange an interview and see how you get on. If you like them you can then work out contract details such as hours, duties and wages, and hire them.
If you do not find anyone suitable, you can set up your own a profile describing your requirements and interests, for PAs to look through and contact you.
You can employ a PA whether you receive a direct payment or fund your own care. If you receive direct payments you can get support with the employment from Personalised Support In Camden or AgeUK Camden.
Become a PA
If you’re a PA looking for work or are just starting out, CamdenPAs can help you. As well as helping you finding a job, the site features advice on looking for work, becoming a PA and where to get training.
Why not set up your profile today? Find out more, visit: camdenpas.org.uk or p hone: 020 7278 4437

Socially Responsible Recruiting
A new, award-winning skills matching service that connects employers with skilled and experienced people to do one-off or part-time jobs has launched in Camden, with a strong social benefit ethic.
“There is a very large number of people in Camden who are fantastically skilled and work-ready but are off the radar to employers because they’re not looking for full-time work and aren’t constantly scouring the job ads,” says Jonathan Collie, founder of Trading Times.
These people are highly skilled over 50s, and family carers. Trading Times brings them to you. It’s free to candidates. It costs you only £35, and only when you are connected to the perfect candidates.
Paul Fordham of Abbey Community Centre in Camden said: “”We posted our occasional job opportunity on Trading Times because we at the Abbey Community Centre recognise the value of the flexibility that can come with age. Trading Times offers a tailored means to directly target opportunities at an older group that the vast majority of other job sites simply do not seem to tap.”
Register at https://tradingtimes.org.uk/ and let Trading Times match you with the right local people for your needs.

Find Jobs and Volunteering opportunities at https://www.vac.org.uk/

Office with Consulting Rooms to Let
VAC has a medium size office to let that would suit a small organisation needing space for approximately 4 or 5 desks. Unusually, we are able to offer a number of consulting rooms as well. Conveniently located in Kentish Town will all usual mod cons. Contact Kevin at VAC knunan@vac.org.uk

Camden Council and Camden’s Voluntary and Community Sector Consultation
LB Camden’s consultation can be found here. The proposals can be found in a downloadable document here. You can give your views directly to the council via an online questionnaire.

New Evelyn Oldfield Women’s Project – Consultation
Please take 10 minutes to fill in this consultation. We are responding to requests to build a new women’s project. We would like to further explore the ideas you have given us so far and have designed this survey as such. We take all of your opinions on board.
Your responses will be confidential and you can choose whether to give your name and organisation.
Anyone can fill in the survey.
If you have any questions, contact Sarah or Alexandra – sarah@evelynoldfield.co.uk / alexandra@evelynoldfield.co.uk.

Camden Consultations
Other consultations out at the moment include a consultation on Camden Future Libraries and Camden VCS strategy and changes to early education and childcare and children’s centre services. You can find all Camden consultation on the Wearecamden consultation hub.

FREE VAC Membership for Unfunded Groups: Voluntary Action Camden Small organisations with no paid staff and a turnover of less than £1,500 can now join for FREE. To take advantage of this offer just fill in the membership on the online form here.

Camden Council consultation; Streets of London music project; Silver Sunday; Psychological Therapies: The Way Ahead for Camden’s BMER Communities; New Evelyn Oldfield Women’s Project – Consultation; Caring, Survival & Justice vs. the Tyranny of the Market; CPU Conference – ‘Love & Loss’ – Why Grief Matter; My Mind is Free; Cook Together, Eat Together; Budding Builders from Construction Youth Trust; + jobs, volunteers, events, training, offers and resources.

Camden Council and Camden’s Voluntary and Community Sector Consultation – Next Steps

On Wednesday we publicized the launch of the council’s consultation with the sector. In case you missed it the consultation can be found here. The proposals can be found in a downloadable document here. VAC is working with the sector to look at ways to help the sector feedback views to the council – further details coming soon. You can also give your views directly to the council via an online questionnaire.The main points of the proposals are:

• Rent support ended and all to pay market rent.
• Rent support may be phased out over three years at the council’s discretion.
• There will be two main programmes; Inequalities and Community Impact.
• All resources will be focused on 8 areas of the borough.
• Inequalities to be addressed are: age,disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation, or the needs of socially marginalised groups.
• Strategic partners will have to address at least one inequality group in one of the 8 areas.
• Strategic partners have to be prepared to work in partnership, share information and be able to bring in external funding.
• Community Impact Initiatives could focus on one theme, one area or both. The council envision about 3 such initiatives happening at any one time.
• To take part you will have to be a registered charity and company limited by guarantee with a track record in Camden.
• Infrastructure support to be reviewed in the light of a forthcoming London Councils and London Funders report.

Proposed timetable is

• December 2015 – Council Cabinet decision on these proposals and on VCS Investment budget reductions
• End of January 2016 – Launch of the Strategic Partners Fund application process
• April 2016 – Deadline for Strategic Partners Fund applications
• May 2016 – Award decisions
• January 2017 – New funding arrangements in place

Interim Arrangements

Organisations currently in receipt of Communities Centres funding, Open Spaces for Young People funding, and those currently benefiting from Rent Relief will have these funding arrangements extended for the nine months up to 31 December 2016 at current levels of funding. An equalities assessment is being undertaken in relation to the investment application process. This will identify key equalities groups who are currently funded by the Council to deliver projects and who may be at risk due to that funding ending in March 2016. These will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

The proposals have been very warmly received in today’s Guardian.

Streets of London music project for people with mental health issues Autumn ’15 -Spring ’16
Band workshops
Wednesdays 12-2pm at Fitzrovia Centre Foley street W1W 6DN
– guided walk on London’s rich music history and eclectic community for inspiration
– performance opportunities
– recording studio experience
The project is free and no personal budget is required.
No previous experience necessary. All welcome
E: lucia@upbeatmusic.org T: 07762151783 W: http://www.upbeatmusic.org

Silver Sunday
Celebrating older Londoners
4 October 2015 12 noon – 4pm at City Hall
Bring your family and friends for fun, food,singing, dancing, quizzes and more.
To get free tickets call 020 7983 4904 or email linda.kiff@london.gov.uk

Psychological Therapies: The Way Ahead for Camden’s BMER Communities
Wednesday 7th October 1:30pm to 4:30pm
Come and tell us your views on how psychological therapies services should best meet the needs of BMER communities in future
This event is hosted by London Borough of Camden’s Mental Health Commissioners and Voluntary Action Camden. It is aimed at Camden BMER community members and Camden voluntary and community sector organisations working with BMER groups
Tea and coffee will be provided. Venue St Pancras Hospital, Conference Hall.
To reserve your place please email: mentalhealthteam@vac.org.uk. Spaces are limited

New Evelyn Oldfield Women’s Project – Consultation
Please take 10 minutes to fill in this consultation. We are responding to requests to build a new women’s project. We would like to further explore the ideas you have given us so far and have designed this survey as such. We take all of your opinions on board.
Your responses will be confidential and you can choose whether to give your name and organisation.
Anyone can fill in the survey.
If you have any questions, contact Sarah or Alexandra – sarah@evelynoldfield.co.uk / alexandra@evelynoldfield.co.uk.

Caring, Survival & Justice vs. the Tyranny of the Market
Saturday 14 November – Sun 15 November
international women’s conference which the Global Women’s Strike is organising with others, including WinVisible
Venue Wac Arts, Hampstead Old Town Hall, 213 Haverstock Hill, London NW3 4QP. Full wheelchair access
Tel 020 7482 2496 email: gws@globalwomenstrike.net web: www.globalwomenstrike.net

CPU Conference – ‘Love & Loss’ – Why Grief Matters
Camden Psychotherapy Unit
Saturday, 3 October 2015 from 09:00 to 18:00
In celebration of Freud’s ground-breaking paper, Mourning and Melancholia, this event will focus on ways of exploring loss and the emotional price paid when loss goes unacknowledged or unresolved. We will address these ideas from the perspectives of psychoanalysis, the arts, philosophy and politics. Talks by:
Ronald Britton psychoanalyst, former president of the British Psychoanalytic Society.
Chaired by David Bell psychoanalyst, former president of the British Psychoanalytic Society.
Giles Fraser priest, philosopher and journalist, columnist in the Guardian and frequent contributor to BBC Radio 4.
Chaired by Margot Waddell psychoanalyst and consultant child psychotherapist.
Special screening of ‘Truly, Madly, Deeply’
followed by a conversation with
Juliet Stevenson, Olivier Award winning and BAFTA nominated stage and screen actor.
Hugh Brody, film director, anthropologist, writer and lecturer.
Full details and booking information at Eventbrite. There are a number of Low Price Tickets at £40 for students, trainees, candidates and those on low income

My Mind is Free at Resource for London 12th October 2015
To raise awareness of World Anti-Slavery Day the Rah Rah Theatre Company has produced a play to stimulate discussion about the injustice of human trafficking within the UK. There are approximately 30 million slaves globally, with about 13,000 in the UK. They include women forced into prostitution, ‘imprisoned’ domestic staff and some workers in fields, on building sites and fishing boats.
My Mind is Free tells the stories of some of the people who have fallen into modern day slavery based on research with anti-trafficking charities. The play is inspired by true life stories. Each performance will have a speaker from an anti-trafficking charity so the audience can find out more about what to do if they think somebody is being trafficked.
My Mind is Free will be performed at Resource for London on Monday 12th of October 2015 at 4pm. Ticket Price: £5 / £2.50 concessions. Tickets are available online here

Pay As You Go Police
The Camden New Journal reports that Hampstead residents are planning to use their own money to pay for extra police officers to patrol their streets. Proposals have been put forward to “crowdsource” £200,000 a year to pay for a team of officers dedicated to policing the leafy streets in the north of the borough.

Cook Together, Eat Together
Cook Together, Eat Together is an introduction to healthy eating for people with learning disabilities where you can learn the positive benefits of eating healthily and add good habits to your life style!
~ Learn how to select healthy foods and their groups.
~ Improve your diet.
~ Understand the benefits of drinking water and keeping hydrated.
~ Prepare and cook healthy nutritious foods.
~ Plan meals to fit your budget.
There will be three eight week courses run over the next year, the first starting on Monday 28th September in Kentish Town from 4pm – 7pm which will be focusing on over 35’s helping to manage pre-existing health conditions.
For more information, contact Laura Murphy on 020 7485 8177 or via email at laura.murphy@thecamdensociety.co.uk

Budding Builders from Construction Youth Trust
Budding Builders is a Construction Youth Trust programme which helps to remove barriers to employment by providing young people with an opportunity to learn new, demand-led skills in a variety of different trades; offer CSCS card training and support; and clear progression routes into work or further training.
We have an upcoming course in Camden starting the 26th of October, in partnership with Kings Cross Construction Skills Centre. The aim is to target young women who are considering the industry as a career. The course will provide an introduction to the trades, raise awareness about the industry, support and advise the women with future plans and opportunities. We pride ourselves on making the industry accessible to all and inspire people to go beyond our short courses. The course will be led by an experienced female carpenter and we will have female guest speakers to talk to our budding female operatives.
The success of our projects depends on the partnerships we create. We are seeking organisations that would like to refer women onto our Oct course and organisations who would like to act as our community practical partner for our 2016 projects. Please get in contact with Nicola Mason on 0207 467 9540 or nicola.mason@constructionyouth.org.uk

Free training, outings and events for unpaid carers in Camden
For a full list of events of carers in Camden please visit the Camden Carers website.

Headway North London
Read the latest news from Headway North London

Healthwatch Camden
Latest Information DIgest is on the Healthwatch Camden website.
Catch up with the latest Camden news and what’s happening on Our Blog

The Camden Capacity Building Bulletin is produced monthly, targeting the community and voluntary sector in Camden. It provides up to date/recently live information and news on funding and training. To access the latest information please follow the Link www.camden.gov.uk/cbbulletin

Camden Psychotherapy Unit, Abbey Community Centre, Helen Bamber Foundation, Age UK Camden, Calthorpe Project and Camden PA are recruiting. See Jobs and Volunteers section below.

Camden Shares. The website for exchanges in Camden. www.camdenshares.org.uk

You can join in on Facebook. Like us if you like us.

Follow all the Camden Voluntary Sector news on OneCamden on Twitter.

You can read more about all of these stories on our news page at www.vac.org.uk/new

Shadow Ministers for Disabled People and Civil Society Appointed
Debbie Abrahams has been appointed as the shadow minister for Disabled People. Anna Turley, MP for Redcar, gets the shadow Civil Society brief, within the Cabinet Office remit, covering the voluntary and community sector. Civil Society News gives some background on Anna and the appointment

How Many Charities Are There?
Pinning down the exact number of charities (in the country or in a borough) is a tricky task – let alone counting the number of unregistered voluntary and community groups. Civil Society Magazine have an interesting article that attempts to reach a credible estimate. For a summary of key third sector statistics NFP Synergy have produced a fact sheet, though it repeats the lower (wrong) number of charities.

Latest Attack on the Sector from the Right Come from the FT and Sun
Civil Society reports that the Financial Times has joined the list of newspapers to attack the sector, calling on the government to force charities to merge and to limit the funding an individual organisation can receive. With almost comic irony the FT points out that there are 581 charities seeking to cure cancer and proposes they merge. Next week we expect to read that they have noticed that there are 581 organisations (in just one square mile) all lending money and that they too will have to merge.
The Sun’s article on Thursday has been criticized as ‘plain wrong’.

Fundraising review
Public disquiet at fundraising practices by a handful of national charities has led to fresh proposals for the regulation of fundraising. NAVCA have responded by pointing out that: “This scandal has involved a small number of large charities behaving badly. The report makes a useful contribution to putting things right, but I think it should have made a sharper distinction between these misbehaving charities and the vast majority of small local charities that work hard and with integrity to retain the trust of their supporters.”

Large charities bidding ‘for someone else’s work’ is wiping out the women’s sector
Women’s Aid CEO is reported in Civil Society as saying that the sector needed to address the problem that local authority contracts were being awarded to larger charities offering cheaper but fewer services than existing grass roots organisations.
“It’s really easy for large charities to come in and take a contract because it is the acceptable face of the charity sector, compared with a woman who is an abuse survivor and who has built up services since the 1980s,” she said.
Neate said the growth ambitions of large charities was an “uncomfortable topic” for the sector in general.
“Why is it that we have allowed ourselves to get into a situation where bidding competitively for someone else’s existing work is completely unquestioned?” she said.

See the Funding pages on VAC’s website for all the latest information.

Free Sport
About FreeSport – FreeSport is part of the Mayor’s Sports Legacy Programme, enabling organisations and community groups to apply for grants between £400 and £1,500 to run free sports activities for Londoners. We fund activities of all kinds of activities from football or rugby to circus or ‘chairobics’!
Projects must:
· Provide a minimum of 8 hours activity, with 70% of participants taking part in at least six hours.
· Ensure that 10% of participants consider themselves to have an impairment, disability or need assistance to take part in activities.
· Aim for 20% of participants being inactive (not done any physical exercise for four weeks) prior to taking part in the sessions.
We offer guidance and support to applicants about how they can deliver these targets. FreeSport aims to inspire people of all ages and abilities to try a new sport, but also to inspire organisations to run sports sessions more regularly.
How to apply – It’s a straight forward process and we have lots of information for those who may never have applied for a grant before. Applications open until 26 October 2015 – Midday. FreeSport activities must take place between the 15 January 2016 and 15 April 2016.
To find out more about FreeSport, you can visit: www.london.gov.uk/freesport

Mishcon Green Fund now open to projects in London
Through the Mishcon Green Fund we will provide grants up to £2,000 per project to initiatives that have a positive environmental impact and which are situated within London. There is a total of £15,000 available in the pot for 2015.
All applications need to be submitted by midnight on Sunday, 11th October 2015. Before applying please read the application guidelines and criteria here, there are some tips for answering the questions in there too.
Please note this grant is available for non-formal community groups, charities and not-for-profit organisations in London. It’s not open for profit making entities.
Please use the online application form.
If you’re having any problems or questions, please email us on mishcongreenfund@projectdirt.com.

The Edge Fund
The Edge Fund support work run by and for communities facing discrimination and injustice. We fund work carried out by individuals and grassroots groups in Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England that find it difficult to get funding elsewhere. Specifically, we fund work that challenges abuses of power and aims to change society by bringing an end to the systems that cause injustice. While applicants may be working on short term reforms, ​we are looking for applicants that ultimately aim to end or replace these systems with a just alternative, rather than trying to improve or reform them.
To apply for a grant of up to £3,000 you need to answer 5 questions in no more than 2 pages. The deadline for applications is 5pm Sunday 25 October. Read more.

Crowdfunding?
Don’t forget that there is a dedicated page on Spacehive just for Camden projects. And set up costs are free to Camden groups. Find out more at Spacehive Camden.

Don’t forget to sign up to Funding Central for free email funding alerts. Go to www.fundingcentral.org.uk/

VAC’s Mental Health Training Programme for BMER groups
Are you a BMER group or do you work with BMER communities? If so, then our Mental Health Training Programme is for you! Our next courses are as follows:
• Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 22nd and 29th October)
• Stigma and Mental Health (half-day workshop: 2nd November)
• Youth Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 12th and 19th November)
• Introduction to Mental Health Awareness (one day workshop: 9th December)
• Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 9th and 16th February 2016)
For more information about our any of our courses, please go to https://vac.org.uk/events/category/health-mental-health/. Click on the course you are interested in and follow the instructions to book your place and pay by card (if applicable). The charge for our Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid training courses is heavily subsidised at only £25 per person. All other mental health workshops are free.
Please note that VAC can only accept bookings from organisations working with BMER communities based in Camden, or which serve Camden BMER residents. Places are limited on each course to a maximum of two people per organisation. If you have any queries, please contact us on our team email address: mentalhealthteam@vac.org.uk

VAC has a full programme of courses coming up: Click here to find out more. All courses are £25 for members (unless otherwise stated).

Camden Physical Disabilities Forum
Tuesday 29th September 2015, from 6 to 7:30 pm at Charlie Ratchford Resource Centre, Belmont St, London NW1 8HF.
Former and new forum participants are invited to help shape the agenda for the meeting. Do you have any suggestions of topics for discussion, information or decision for the coming meeting? If so, please let Valeria know no later than Friday 4th September. email Valeria.CarrizoCollie@camden.gov.uk

Opening Doors London Annual Information Fair
Drop in between 2:00pm and 6:30pm on Thursday 15th October 2014
Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9NA
This is a chance for our older LGBT community to attend an information fair focused on Planning Ahead.
Book your free ticket here: https://odlfair.eventbrite.co.uk
• Key Note Talk at 2pm
• Information Stalls from 3.30pm
• Workshops
• Meditation Session
• Play Reading
• Panel Discussion
• Legal Advice
These activities will be delivered by a variety of community partners that support the LGBT Community.
Contact Kate Hancock kate.hancock@ageukcamden.org.uk or 020 7239 0400.

Camden Family Members Reference Group
Carers and mental health looking after yourself and the person you care for
Wednesday 30th September 2015 10:30am – 1pm
Centre 404, 404 Camden Road, N7 0SJ
The Family Members’ Reference Group is a group for all carers of an adult with a learning disability in.
For more information contact Beth on: beths@centre404.org.uk tel: 020 7697 1336

Outcome launch and day of celebration for women of the LGBT community
Outcome, the LGBT service of Islington Mind Open day 13th October, 11:45 – 15:45
Tasters from our activities (including head massage and ear acupuncture)
Focus group for ideas for a future women only group.
Poetry reading and other entertainments. Free lunch
Join us at 35 Ashley Road, N19 3AG
RSVP: sigal.avni@islingtonmind.org.uk

ArchWay With Words ‘Festival of Superstar Authors & Spellbinding Speakers’ 10th- 18th October with a spectacular line-up headed by Joan Bakewell.
Novelists include Esther Freud, Tracy Chevalier, Matt Baylis, Penny Hancock, Ben Okri and Jake Arnott. There’s also a feast of non-fiction with biographies, histories of London, a guide to cracking cryptic clues, an oral history project and the marvellous ‘London Sound Survey’.
Live poetry readings feature some of the greatest exponents and the comedian Phill Jupitus performs a comedy set as ‘Porky Poet’ and also presents his book about Breakfast Radio.
Science is well represented with a talk from the mathematician and pre-eminent cryptographer Dr Simon Singh, who is bringing his original Enigma Machine and demystifying the famously complex equipment. Other scientists include Dr Sophie Scott the ‘laughter neuroscientist’ and Professor Peck of the British Antarctic Survey, both with fabulously entertaining and informative talks.
Programmes and tickets are available online: http://www.archwaywithwords.com/
and the library at Archway: Hamlyn House, Highgate Hill, N19. Tel: 020 7527 7820

Women making a difference: Social Action in Islington.
Children and Young People’s Voluntary Sector Forum – CYPVSF
Tuesday, 3 November 2015 from 09:30 to 14:00
Women have been at the helm of social change and tackling injustice. In Islington women have been at the forefront of the strong, vibrant and innovative voluntary sector in Islington, challenging our politicians, creating new opportunities and developing and defending crucial services.
As we experience further political change and immense challenges that impact on the lives of children and young people, this work becomes even more essential.
Islington Children and Young People’s Voluntary Sector Forum are hosting this Conference to illustrate and highlight the remarkable impact women have had on our borough and beyond, and the difference that their passion, dedication and commitment has made to the environment and lives of children and young people in Islington.
Keynote speaker will be Shami Chakrabarti, Director of Liberty and there will be
A full buffet lunch will be provided. Early registration is advised due to limited places.

Half day Pension Credit Workshop
To discover how your organisation can make a difference to the lives of older people who are missing out on their entitlements.
Tuesday 27th October at Age UK, Tavis House, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9NA
From: 10.30 am (registration from 10.00) – 1.00 pm (followed by lunch and networking)
The Workshop will provide:
· A brief history of Pension Credit
· Resources available to organisations
· Guest speakers describing different approaches that organisations use to encourage take-up
· Interactive discussion and learning
· An opportunity to pledge activity to improve the lives of older people.
A more detailed agenda and directions to the venue will be available nearer the time.
Don’t miss out – reserve your place today by emailing AGEACTION.ALLIANCE@DWP.GSI.GOV.UK
Workshop places are limited. Attendance is on the understanding that following the event organisations will actively promote Pension Credit take-up among older people you are in contact with.

Volunteering Fairs
Autumn is one of the most popular times of the year for people wanting to start volunteering.
Wednesday 7th October 6.30-8pm at the Wellcome Collection
Wednesday 21st October 12-2pm at the Working Men’s College
To book your place and to find our more information have a look at Eventbrite

Measuring The Impact Of Your Volunteering Programme For Beginners
Thursday 1st October 10am-1pm at The Wellcome Trust in Euston
You will receive a copy of the NCVO measuring impact toolkit (£35) to take away. With that in mind, free places will be £35+booking fee and the rest will be £94+booking fee.
To book your place and to find our more information have a look at Eventbrite.

Outcome’s, Islington Mind LGBT service, annual Open Day
29th of September 11:00 – 15:30.
This is an opportunity to visit the service that we offer every Tuesday to our LGBT community.
Our guests will be offered tasters from our activities and therapies (such as art and animation workshops, ear acupuncture and head massage and open doors to our counsellor and to ‘Mind Scape’, LGBT paranoia and beliefs support group, facilitators) and MSH Wellbeing – will also offer taster therapies on this event.
Information about Outcome and the services that we offer will be available all day.
We will serve the most popular best curry (known as Outcome Curry) in town (for £3) at 1:00 in our dining area and at 14:30 will close the day with raffles.
Please RSVP to sigal.avni@islington.mind.org.uk

Royal Albert Hall Friendship Matinee 9th October 3pm
The Music of Bond with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Tickets only £5 for members and users of voluntary and community groups and carers. Book online at www.royalalberthall.com or tel: 020 7589 8212.

A celebration for World Mental Health Day
October 9th at St Pancras Hospital
VoiceAbility and VAC are supporting the Camden Borough User Group (CBUG) to hold an event to celebrate World Mental Health Day. It will be at the conference Hall, St Pancras Hospital on the 9th October between 11am and 4pm.
If you or anyone you support would be interested in attending, then please print off the attached flyer and spread the word. The event will have a social focus with hot food, music, speakers, performance, stalls and more.
We are also holding a photography competition and all entries will be displayed on the day, there is a flyer attached about this too.
For any further details please contact us at by email or by phone on:
camdenuserinvolvement@voiceability.org Telephone: 020 3355 7113

London for All
London for All / LVSC have a full programme of courses available for the voluntary sector. Go to the London for All website for full details.

Camden Carers’ Service
Has a full range of events and activities for unpaid carers in Camden. Find out more on the Camden Carers’ Service website www.camdencs.org.uk/activities

Don’t forget that Camden TDS run a full programme of course which are subsidised or free for voluntary sector partner organisations. There is a link to a list of partner organisations on the home page.

Find more Training Opportunities at www.vac.org.uk

Abbey Community Centre in Kilburn is currently recruiting to two vacancies
Centre Operations Manager, full time (35 hours per week). Salary £27,877. Application deadline: Monday 28th September 9am.
Older Men’s Activities (CHAPS project) Coordinator, part time (21 hours per week). Actual salary £15,124. Deadline: Wednesday 7th October 9am.
Both post holders will enjoy 6 weeks annual leave, plus 8 bank holidays (pro rata for part time).
For more information please see www.abbeycc-kilburn.org.uk

Camden Psychotherapy Unit seeks Administration Assistant
The post is £10 per hour for 10 hours per week. Working hours can be flexible according the post holder’s circumstances.
Please send your CV & covering letter via the ‘Apply’ button on the Timewise Jobs website.

Helen Bamber Foundation seeks Welfare & Housing Casework Volunteer
Providing casework and administrative support to the Welfare & Housing Caseworker
Location: Camden, London Minimum 4 month commitment, 2 days per week
The Helen Bamber Foundation provides specialist medical consultation, therapeutic care, legal protection and practical support to survivors of human rights violations, helping men, women and children heal the emotional and physical damage they have suffered through torture, trafficking or other forms of cruelty.
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Welfare & Housing Casework Service, a service aimed at preventing social deprivation and increasing the socio-economic well-being of our client group.
Main Duties & Responsibilities
~ Assisting clients to access asylum support, community care, housing and mainstream benefits, within the remit of prevention of homelessness and destitution
~ Assisting clients to access education, leisure and other opportunities
~ Referring clients internally and externally as appropriate for specialist help with issues that fall outside the remit of the welfare & housing casework service, including health/therapeutic services, referrals to immigration/housing/community care solicitors.
~ Making individual grant applications for clients with welfare and education needs
~ Liaising with statutory bodies (Asylum Support, DWP, local authorities), NHS, solicitors and voluntary agencies to ensure client needs are met
~ Other administrative duties as required, including database management and filing
Please send your CV and short Cover Letter outlining your relevant skills and experience to helen.malpass@helenbamber.org by 7 October 2015. Full job description and person specification available.
Please note that successful candidates will be offered the volunteer position subject to a DBS check and suitable references.

Age UK Camden is Recruiting:
Advice Team Manager – Full-Time – Ref 1
Scale PO2 £33,579-£36,186, plus 6% contributory pension.
Human Resources Manager – Full-Time – Ref 2
Scale S02 £31,323-£32,964 plus 6% contributory pension
Good Neighbours Scheme Co-ordinator – Part-Time (28/35) – Ref 3
Scale S01 £28,845-£30,525 plus 6% contributory pension, pro rata for part-time
The Advice Team Manager post is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic, focussed, creative and multi-tasker to make a real difference to the lives of older people in Camden. You will manage a dedicated and experienced team of staff and volunteers delivering information and advice in person, by phone and on-line. Welfare rights and management experience essential.
Are you an experienced HR professional who enjoys a busy and rewarding environment? Age UK Camden’s Human Resources Manager (with support from a part-time assistant) provides a full HR service from routine recruitment through staff advice and policy review to supporting the occasional restructuring.
The Good Neighbours Scheme Co-ordinator runs a befriending service in the NW3 area with 60 clients and 50 volunteers – assessing isolated mostly home-bound older people, matching and supporting the pairings. You need experience of supervising volunteers and project co-ordination and excellent organisational and inter-personal skills.
Posts 1 and 2 are based in Tavistock Square and post 3 is based in Hampstead. AUC offers a season ticket or bicycle loan facility. Posts 1 and 2 are open to job-share.
For further details and an application form visit our website www.ageukcamden.org.uk or email jobs@ageukcamden.org.uk or telephone 020 7239 0400. No CVs, no agencies please.
Closing date (all posts): Monday 5th October, 9.30am
Interviews: Ref 1 –27th October; Ref 2 – 22nd October; Ref 3- 26th October.

Calthorpe Project seeks Sports Development Manager
The Calthorpe Project is a vibrant community center and garden working to improve the health and wellbeing of residents in and around Kings Cross.
We are looking for an exceptional person to develop and manage a day to day progamme of sporting activities based on our 5-a-side sports pitch. You will engage community groups, young people and the corporate sector and implement a sustainable income maximization strategy.
Salary £29,838 gross annually for flexible 35 hour week.
Download an application pack from our website: www.calthorpeproject.org.uk
Or request a pack by emailing info@calthorpeproject.org.uk
Completed applications can be returned by post or email:
Louise Gates, Calthorpe Project, 258-274 Grays Inn Rd, WC1X 8LH
Deadline for completed applications-12noon Friday September 25th 2015
Interviews – Friday October 9th

Are you looking to employ an assistant to help with your care needs? CamdenPAs can help you.
CamdenPAs.org.uk is a new service that makes it easy to find a personal assistant (PA) and puts you in control of your care and support.
If you have care needs, you can employ a PA to help you to live as independently as possible.
CamdenPAs features an online ‘marketplace’ for you to browse through a list of profiles of PAs in the borough. Profiles give details about the services they provide, their skills, experience and personal interests.
You can look through the list to find suitable matches and choose someone you like to help support you.
When you find a match you can contact the PA to arrange an interview and see how you get on. If you like them you can then work out contract details such as hours, duties and wages, and hire them.
If you do not find anyone suitable, you can set up your own a profile describing your requirements and interests, for PAs to look through and contact you.
You can employ a PA whether you receive a direct payment or fund your own care. If you receive direct payments you can get support with the employment from Personalised Support In Camden or AgeUK Camden.
Become a PA
If you’re a PA looking for work or are just starting out, CamdenPAs can help you. As well as helping you finding a job, the site features advice on looking for work, becoming a PA and where to get training.
Why not set up your profile today? Find out more, visit: camdenpas.org.uk or p hone: 020 7278 4437

Socially Responsible Recruiting
A new, award-winning skills matching service that connects employers with skilled and experienced people to do one-off or part-time jobs has launched in Camden, with a strong social benefit ethic.
“There is a very large number of people in Camden who are fantastically skilled and work-ready but are off the radar to employers because they’re not looking for full-time work and aren’t constantly scouring the job ads,” says Jonathan Collie, founder of Trading Times.
These people are highly skilled over 50s, and family carers. Trading Times brings them to you. It’s free to candidates. It costs you only £35, and only when you are connected to the perfect candidates.
Paul Fordham of Abbey Community Centre in Camden said: “”We posted our occasional job opportunity on Trading Times because we at the Abbey Community Centre recognise the value of the flexibility that can come with age. Trading Times offers a tailored means to directly target opportunities at an older group that the vast majority of other job sites simply do not seem to tap.”
Register at https://tradingtimes.org.uk/ and let Trading Times match you with the right local people for your needs.

Find Jobs and Volunteering opportunities at https://www.vac.org.uk/

Share your views on Camden’s green spaces
Camden Council has launched a grounds maintenance survey asking people what they value most about Camden’s parks and open spaces. The contract which looks after these areas is due to end in 2017, presenting an opportunity to explore how green spaces across the borough could be maintained differently and achieve financial savings. Share your views by completing the online survey available at camden.gov.uk/greenspaces. The survey will be online until 30 October 2015.

Help Us Help You – Complete the VAC Survey
VAC provides a range of services and support to the voluntary and community sector and social enterprises in Camden. With further cuts and policy changes anticipated in Camden the knock on effect to local organisations is going to be challenging.
We would appreciate it if you could complete our short questionnaire to help VAC understand what support or services you are likely to need from VAC over the next couple of years and how we can help best advocate on your behalf for the sector.
The survey consists of 13 short questions and shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes to complete. You can also opt to keep your responses anonymous if you prefer to do so.
You can complete the survey via the following Survey Monkey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5ZLH8M6
Or on our website, at: https://vac.org.uk/influence/surveys-and-polls/survey-what-support-do-you-need-from-vac/
All completed surveys will be entered into a prize draw for a £20.00 cash prize!

Camden Consultations
Various consultations are out at the moment including a consultation on Camden Future Libraries and Camden VCS strategy and changes to early education and childcare and children’s centre services. You can find all Camden consultation on the Wearecamden consultation hub.

FREE VAC Membership for Unfunded Groups: Voluntary Action Camden Small organisations with no paid staff and a turnover of less than £1,500 can now join for FREE. To take advantage of this offer just fill in the membership on the online form here.

ArchWay With Words; Psychological Therapies: The Way Ahead for Camden’s BMER Communities; Opening Doors London Annual Information Fair; Camden Family Members Reference Group; Outcome launch and day of celebration for women of the LGBT community; Free Yoga for People with Sensory Needs; The Tricycle Theatre offer; Share your views on Camden’s green spaces; How do we build a fairer London?; Camley Street Harvest Festival; Camden Arts Centre’s New Online Archive; + jobs, volunteers, events, training, offers and resources.

Camden Council and Camden’s Voluntary and Community Sector Consultation – Next Steps
In December 2014, Camden Council started a process to develop a stronger and more sustainable strategic relationship between the Council and Camden’s Voluntary and Community Sector.This was followed by an engagement process from 18th May to 12th July this year. On Monday 21st September the council will begin the final stage of the process, consulting with the sector on their proposals. VAC will be emailing everyone on Monday with full details. Please look out for our email.

How do we build a fairer London?
The London Fairness Commission is hosting a public debate in the Old Library of the Guildhall on Monday the 21st September, doors opening at 6.00pm for a 6.30pm start and finishing at 8pm.
Responding to the question ‘How do we build a fairer London’, the event will feature a panel of influential speakers, journalists and policy makers in conversation with an audience of Londoners.
Panellists include:
– Yasmin Alibhai-Brown – The Independent and London Evening Standard columnist.
– Liz Meek – Chair of Centre for London.
– Simon Walker – Director General of the Institute of Directors.
– Zoe Williams – Guardian columnist.
The event will be introduced by Lord Victor Adebowale, Chair of the London Fairness Commission, and Jeremy Mayhew, Chairman of the City Bridge Trust. Book here.

ArchWay With Words ‘Festival of Superstar Authors & Spellbinding Speakers’ 10th- 18th October with a spectacular line-up headed by Joan Bakewell.
Novelists include Esther Freud, Tracy Chevalier, Matt Baylis, Penny Hancock, Ben Okri and Jake Arnott. There’s also a feast of non-fiction with biographies, histories of London, a guide to cracking cryptic clues, an oral history project and the marvellous ‘London Sound Survey’.
Live poetry readings feature some of the greatest exponents and the comedian Phill Jupitus performs a comedy set as ‘Porky Poet’ and also presents his book about Breakfast Radio.
Science is well represented with a talk from the mathematician and pre-eminent cryptographer Dr Simon Singh, who is bringing his original Enigma Machine and demystifying the famously complex equipment. Other scientists include Dr Sophie Scott the ‘laughter neuroscientist’ and Professor Peck of the British Antarctic Survey, both with fabulously entertaining and informative talks.
Programmes and tickets are available online: http://www.archwaywithwords.com/
and the library at Archway: Hamlyn House, Highgate Hill, N19. Tel: 020 7527 7820

Psychological Therapies: The Way Ahead for Camden’s BMER Communities
Wednesday 7th October 1:30pm to 4:30pm
Come and tell us your views on how psychological therapies services should best meet the needs of BMER communities in future
This event is hosted by London Borough of Camden’s Mental Health Commissioners and Voluntary Action Camden. It is aimed at Camden BMER community members and Camden voluntary and community sector organisations working with BMER groups
Tea and coffee will be provided. Venue St Pancras Hospital, Conference Hall.
To reserve your place please email: mentalhealthteam@vac.org.uk. Spaces are limited

Opening Doors London Annual Information Fair
Drop in between 2:00pm and 6:30pm on Thursday 15th October 2014
Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9NA
This is a chance for our older LGBT community to attend an information fair focused on Planning Ahead.
Book your free ticket here: https://odlfair.eventbrite.co.uk
• Key Note Talk at 2pm
• Information Stalls from 3.30pm
• Workshops
• Meditation Session
• Play Reading
• Panel Discussion
• Legal Advice
These activities will be delivered by a variety of community partners that support the LGBT Community.
Contact Kate Hancock kate.hancock@ageukcamden.org.uk or 020 7239 0400.

Camden Family Members Reference Group
Carers and mental health looking after yourself and the person you care for
Wednesday 30th September 2015 10:30am – 1pm
Centre 404, 404 Camden Road, N7 0SJ
The Family Members’ Reference Group is a group for all carers of an adult with a learning disability in.
For more information contact Beth on: beths@centre404.org.uk tel: 020 7697 1336

Outcome launch and day of celebration for women of the LGBT community
Outcome, the LGBT service of Islington Mind Open day 13th October, 11:45 – 15:45
Tasters from our activities (including head massage and ear acupuncture)
Focus group for ideas for a future women only group.
Poetry reading and other entertainments. Free lunch
Join us at 35 Ashley Road, N19 3AG
RSVP: sigal.avni@islingtonmind.org.uk

Free Yoga for People with Sensory Needs
Sense, the national charity that works with people who experience sight and hearing impairments, is running a friendly yoga and stretching group. Parents, carers and support workers are welcome to come along and join in as well.
Wednesdays 30 September – 2 December 2 – 3.30pm at Pancras Square Leisure, 5 Pancras Square, London, N1C 4AG
Places are limited – to book a place on the sessions, or for more information, please contact Ian Carpenter. ian.carpenter@sense.org.uk 020 7014 9318

The Tricycle Theatre are looking to engage with a group of local people and organisations from Camden to help spread the word about their new play
A Wolf In Snakeskin Shoes is a fresh take on Molière’s Tartuffe, set in a world of fast-food tycoons and megachurches is a wicked new comedy that rocks the foundations of trust, faith and redemption.
The event will take place at Tricycle Theatre on Thursday 24 September at 6.30pm.
For those who attend the meet and greet event, the Tricycle will offer one free ticket to a preview of the show and an exclusive, limited discounted tickets offers for the preview period to be shared with family, friends and community.
If you would like to attend this event please email bidmosaku@btinternet.com by Monday 21 September.

Share your views on Camden’s green spaces
Camden Council has launched a grounds maintenance survey asking people what they value most about Camden’s parks and open spaces. The contract which looks after these areas is due to end in 2017, presenting an opportunity to explore how green spaces across the borough could be maintained differently and achieve financial savings. Share your views by completing the online survey available at camden.gov.uk/greenspaces. The survey will be online until 30 October 2015.

Camley Street Harvest Festival Friday, 25th September
We are also celebrating our 40th anniversary this year. You are invited to join a night of: dancing on live music around bonfire; delicious organic food grown on our site at Camley; Street and cooked by chefs from Alara Health Store and Bumble Bee;
share the joy of eating locally and support our local producers – the Daily Fish and the INS; welcome the coming of autumn and to warm up with a seasonal cider.
Like always, no tickets needed, but RSVP to ensure there’s a goody bag waiting with your name on. https://www.facebook.com/events/620047314768611/

Camden Arts Centre’s New Online Archive
This new archive is under development – but let’s you look back to shows and exhibitions as far back as 1993. View it here.

Free training, outings and events for unpaid carers in Camden
For a full list of events of carers in Camden please visit the Camden Carers website.

Headway North London
Read the latest news from Headway North London

Healthwatch Camden
Latest Information DIgest is on the Healthwatch Camden website.
Catch up with the latest Camden news and what’s happening on Our Blog

The Camden Capacity Building Bulletin is produced monthly, targeting the community and voluntary sector in Camden. It provides up to date/recently live information and news on funding and training. To access the latest information please follow the Link www.camden.gov.uk/cbbulletin

Helen Bamber Foundation, HomeStart Camden, Best Start 4 Families, The Calthorpe Project, BTEG, One Housing, AgeUK Camden, VAC and Camden PA are recruiting. See Jobs and Volunteers section below.

Camden Shares. The website for exchanges in Camden. www.camdenshares.org.uk

You can join in on Facebook. Like us if you like us.

Follow all the Camden Voluntary Sector news on OneCamden on Twitter.

You can read more about all of these stories on our news page at www.vac.org.uk/new

First Ever Shadow Minister for Mental Health Appointed
Singing and clothing have featured heavily in the media’s reporting of the new shadow cabinet overshadowing the appointment of the first ever Shadow Minister for Mental Health. The BMA’s General Practice Committee has welcomed Labour’s decision to create a dedicated shadow cabinet mental health role for the first time, after leader Jeremy Corbyn named Luciana Berger as shadow minister for mental health.

Charities asked to help map civil society response to refugee crisis
Two charities which support international philanthropy have asked civil society organisations to contribute to a survey which will map the sector’s response to the refugee crisis.
The survey is conducted by the European Foundation Centre, a body for trusts and foundations in Europe, and Alliance, a not-for-profit magazine for international philanthropy. Full story at Civil Society magazine.

 

See the Funding pages on VAC’s website for all the latest information.

Grant Programme for Inter Faith Week 2015
Small Grants Programme for events organised by and for young people focused around Inter Faith Week 15-21 November 2015
The Trust will be awarding small grants up to £500.00 for organisations running events or projects connected with Inter Faith Week 2015
Grants are awarded for proposals for inter-faith activities by children and young people from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and other faiths and those of no formal faith in understanding and co-operation. The age range for young people is 11-25 years.
Priority will be given to projects which:
~ Actively involve young people in planning, running, and evaluation of the project.
~ Promote positive action i.e. young people from different backgrounds coming together to address shared problems like improving green spaces.
~ Are run by non-statutory organisations, such as youth clubs, scout/guide groups, local voluntary and community organisations.
Grants can provide part-funding. Grants are not available for converting young people to a different faith.
Grants are given only to UK based organisations and are given for the agreed purposes set out in the completed grant application form. Grants are for use in accordance with the Trust’s charitable objectives. The Inter Faith Youth Trust as funder takes no responsibility for carrying out the work.
Download the Application form from this page
Closing date for applications is 15 September 2015.

The Edge Fund
The Edge Fund support work run by and for communities facing discrimination and injustice. We fund work carried out by individuals and grassroots groups in Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England that find it difficult to get funding elsewhere. Specifically, we fund work that challenges abuses of power and aims to change society by bringing an end to the systems that cause injustice. While applicants may be working on short term reforms, ​we are looking for applicants that ultimately aim to end or replace these systems with a just alternative, rather than trying to improve or reform them.
To apply for a grant of up to £3,000 you need to answer 5 questions in no more than 2 pages. The deadline for applications is 5pm Sunday 25 October. Read more.

Crowdfunding?
Don’t forget that there is a dedicated page on Spacehive just for Camden projects. And set up costs are free to Camden groups. Find out more at Spacehive Camden.

Don’t forget to sign up to Funding Central for free email funding alerts. Go to www.fundingcentral.org.uk/

VAC’s Mental Health Training Programme for BMER groups
Are you a BMER group or do you work with BMER communities? If so, then our Mental Health Training Programme is for you! Our next courses are as follows:
• Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 22nd and 29th October)
• Stigma and Mental Health (half-day workshop: 2nd November)
• Youth Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 12th and 19th November)
• Introduction to Mental Health Awareness (one day workshop: 9th December)
• Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 9th and 16th February 2016)
For more information about our any of our courses, please go to https://vac.org.uk/events/category/health-mental-health/. Click on the course you are interested in and follow the instructions to book your place and pay by card (if applicable). The charge for our Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid training courses is heavily subsidised at only £25 per person. All other mental health workshops are free.
Please note that VAC can only accept bookings from organisations working with BMER communities based in Camden, or which serve Camden BMER residents. Places are limited on each course to a maximum of two people per organisation. If you have any queries, please contact us on our team email address: mentalhealthteam@vac.org.uk

VAC has a full programme of courses coming up: Click here to find out more. All courses are £25 for members (unless otherwise stated).

Women making a difference: Social Action in Islington.
Children and Young People’s Voluntary Sector Forum – CYPVSF
Tuesday, 3 November 2015 from 09:30 to 14:00
Women have been at the helm of social change and tackling injustice. In Islington women have been at the forefront of the strong, vibrant and innovative voluntary sector in Islington, challenging our politicians, creating new opportunities and developing and defending crucial services.
As we experience further political change and immense challenges that impact on the lives of children and young people, this work becomes even more essential.
Islington Children and Young People’s Voluntary Sector Forum are hosting this Conference to illustrate and highlight the remarkable impact women have had on our borough and beyond, and the difference that their passion, dedication and commitment has made to the environment and lives of children and young people in Islington.
Keynote speaker will be Shami Chakrabarti, Director of Liberty and there will be
A full buffet lunch will be provided. Early registration is advised due to limited places.

Half day Pension Credit Workshop
To discover how your organisation can make a difference to the lives of older people who are missing out on their entitlements.
Tuesday 27th October at Age UK, Tavis House, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9NA
From: 10.30 am (registration from 10.00) – 1.00 pm (followed by lunch and networking)
The Workshop will provide:
· A brief history of Pension Credit
· Resources available to organisations
· Guest speakers describing different approaches that organisations use to encourage take-up
· Interactive discussion and learning
· An opportunity to pledge activity to improve the lives of older people.
A more detailed agenda and directions to the venue will be available nearer the time.
Don’t miss out – reserve your place today by emailing AGEACTION.ALLIANCE@DWP.GSI.GOV.UK
Workshop places are limited. Attendance is on the understanding that following the event organisations will actively promote Pension Credit take-up among older people you are in contact with.

Influencing Change London
Influencing Change is a five day training programme for campaigners. It is designed to support individuals and groups to gain the capabilities and confidence they need to successfully influence decision makers and others.
The programme is delivered by the Sheila McKechnie Foundation and is spread over five months. It is for London-based individuals and groups that want to gain influence and campaign for change. Participants will learn how to develop a campaign strategy, work effectively with the media and use a range of campaign tactics to address their campaign issue and gain support from stakeholders.
Day 1: Tuesday 13th October 2015
Day 2: Thursday 26th November 2015
Day 3: Thursday 7th January 2016
Day 4: Thursday 25th February 2016
Day 5: Tuesday 15th March 2016
Further information www.smk.org.uk or contact megan.poyiadzis@smk.org.uk.
The closing date for applications is 12 noon, Monday 14th September.

Urban Food Fortnight and Edible Gardens Open Day
11 to 27 September 2015
The Capital’s celebration of the fabulous ultra-local produce being grown, produced and cooked on our doorstep. For more information and what’s on visit Urban Food Fortnight.
It’s also Edible Gardens Open Day on Saturday 19 September 2015 to celebrate the season’s hard work and bountiful harvests. Explore this map to find a garden in your local area or further afield.

New Courses at Maiden Lane Community Centre
Tuesday 22nd & Wednesday 23rd September 2015.
1. Improve your internet skills
Find out how to search the internet more effectively and manage your email account.
(You need to have some understanding of using the internet).
Tuesdays 10am-12pm
2. Computing for beginners
A complete introduction to using computers
Tuesdays 1-3pm
3. Create a website for business or pleasure using the free WordPress software
Wednesdays 10am-12pm
To book a place: Call 020 7267 9586
Maiden Lane Community Centre, 156 St Paul’s Crescent, NW1 9XZ
Visit camden.gov.uk/adultlearning
Email adultlearning@camden.gov.uk Call 020 7974 2148

Dementia: Research & Practice
A course for small older people’s organisations
Tuesday 29th September, 2015 10:00am – 12:00midday (followed by lunch)
At Age UK London, 1st Floor, 21 St Georges Road, London, SE1 6ES
This workshop will involve a presentation of recent research findings and will give you a chance to talk about good dementia-friendly practice and find out how this can benefit your organisation.
Anyone interested should email Ben Donovan bdonovan@ageuklondon.org.uk.

Camden Physical Disabilities Forum
Tuesday 29th September 2015, from 6 to 7:30 pm at Charlie Ratchford Resource Centre, Belmont St, London NW1 8HF.
Former and new forum participants are invited to help shape the agenda for the meeting. Do you have any suggestions of topics for discussion, information or decision for the coming meeting? If so, please let Valeria know no later than Friday 4th September. email Valeria.CarrizoCollie@camden.gov.uk

Volunteering Fairs
Autumn is one of the most popular times of the year for people wanting to start volunteering.
Wednesday 7th October 6.30-8pm at the Wellcome Collection
Wednesday 21st October 12-2pm at the Working Men’s College
To book your place and to find our more information have a look at Eventbrite

Measuring The Impact Of Your Volunteering Programme For Beginners
Thursday 1st October 10am-1pm at The Wellcome Trust in Euston
You will receive a copy of the NCVO measuring impact toolkit (£35) to take away. With that in mind, free places will be £35+booking fee and the rest will be £94+booking fee.
To book your place and to find our more information have a look at Eventbrite.

Outcome’s, Islington Mind LGBT service, annual Open Day
29th of September 11:00 – 15:30.
This is an opportunity to visit the service that we offer every Tuesday to our LGBT community.
Our guests will be offered tasters from our activities and therapies (such as art and animation workshops, ear acupuncture and head massage and open doors to our counsellor and to ‘Mind Scape’, LGBT paranoia and beliefs support group, facilitators) and MSH Wellbeing – will also offer taster therapies on this event.
Information about Outcome and the services that we offer will be available all day.
We will serve the most popular best curry (known as Outcome Curry) in town (for £3) at 1:00 in our dining area and at 14:30 will close the day with raffles.
Please RSVP to sigal.avni@islington.mind.org.uk

Urban Harvest
Saturday 26th September 11am – 4pm at Kentish town health centre NW5 2BX
A wonderful Urban Harvest Festival celebrating local food and local growers as well as giving you the chance to take part in a huge range of events: building a wormary, making tea from plants in the garden, creating plant based dyes, sing away about food and press apples to name but a few.
All of this will be taking place in our Well-Beeing Garden
Everyone is welcome and all activities are free
The event is run by Kentish Town Transition and Kentish Town Improvement Fund
See more at: www.projectdirt.com

Royal Albert Hall Friendship Matinee 9th October 3pm
The Music of Bond with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Tickets only £5 for members and users of voluntary and community groups and carers. Book online at www.royalalberthall.com or tel: 020 7589 8212.

A celebration for World Mental Health Day
October 9th at St Pancras Hospital
VoiceAbility and VAC are supporting the Camden Borough User Group (CBUG) to hold an event to celebrate World Mental Health Day. It will be at the conference Hall, St Pancras Hospital on the 9th October between 11am and 4pm.
If you or anyone you support would be interested in attending, then please print off the attached flyer and spread the word. The event will have a social focus with hot food, music, speakers, performance, stalls and more.
We are also holding a photography competition and all entries will be displayed on the day, there is a flyer attached about this too.
For any further details please contact us at by email or by phone on:
camdenuserinvolvement@voiceability.org Telephone: 020 3355 7113

Made of Money
Tues 22nd & Wed 23rd September 2015
Award-winning financial education project, offered as two day facilitator training
We’ll equip you to deliver flexible content around savings, credit, debt, communication,
coping with consumer culture, and children & money
Sliding costs from £100 to £350; in-house trainings also available
100% of trained facilitators would recommend Made of Money to other organisations
Made of Money is a project of Quaker Social Action (QSA) www.quakersocialaction.org.uk/madeofmoney

London for All
London for All / LVSC have a full programme of courses available for the voluntary sector. Go to the London for All website for full details.

Camden Carers’ Service
Has a full range of events and activities for unpaid carers in Camden. Find out more on the Camden Carers’ Service website www.camdencs.org.uk/activities

Don’t forget that Camden TDS run a full programme of course which are subsidised or free for voluntary sector partner organisations. There is a link to a list of partner organisations on the home page.

Find more Training Opportunities at www.vac.org.uk

Helen Bamber Foundation seeks Welfare & Housing Casework Volunteer
Providing casework and administrative support to the Welfare & Housing Caseworker
Location: Camden, London Minimum 4 month commitment, 2 days per week
The Helen Bamber Foundation provides specialist medical consultation, therapeutic care, legal protection and practical support to survivors of human rights violations, helping men, women and children heal the emotional and physical damage they have suffered through torture, trafficking or other forms of cruelty.
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Welfare & Housing Casework Service, a service aimed at preventing social deprivation and increasing the socio-economic well-being of our client group.
Main Duties & Responsibilities
~ Assisting clients to access asylum support, community care, housing and mainstream benefits, within the remit of prevention of homelessness and destitution
~ Assisting clients to access education, leisure and other opportunities
~ Referring clients internally and externally as appropriate for specialist help with issues that fall outside the remit of the welfare & housing casework service, including health/therapeutic services, referrals to immigration/housing/community care solicitors.
~ Making individual grant applications for clients with welfare and education needs
~ Liaising with statutory bodies (Asylum Support, DWP, local authorities), NHS, solicitors and voluntary agencies to ensure client needs are met
~ Other administrative duties as required, including database management and filing
Please send your CV and short Cover Letter outlining your relevant skills and experience to helen.malpass@helenbamber.org by 7 October 2015. Full job description and person specification available.
Please note that successful candidates will be offered the volunteer position subject to a DBS check and suitable references.

Age UK Camden is Recruiting:
Advice Team Manager – Full-Time – Ref 1
Scale PO2 £33,579-£36,186, plus 6% contributory pension.
Human Resources Manager – Full-Time – Ref 2
Scale S02 £31,323-£32,964 plus 6% contributory pension
Good Neighbours Scheme Co-ordinator – Part-Time (28/35) – Ref 3
Scale S01 £28,845-£30,525 plus 6% contributory pension, pro rata for part-time
The Advice Team Manager post is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic, focussed, creative and multi-tasker to make a real difference to the lives of older people in Camden. You will manage a dedicated and experienced team of staff and volunteers delivering information and advice in person, by phone and on-line. Welfare rights and management experience essential.
Are you an experienced HR professional who enjoys a busy and rewarding environment? Age UK Camden’s Human Resources Manager (with support from a part-time assistant) provides a full HR service from routine recruitment through staff advice and policy review to supporting the occasional restructuring.
The Good Neighbours Scheme Co-ordinator runs a befriending service in the NW3 area with 60 clients and 50 volunteers – assessing isolated mostly home-bound older people, matching and supporting the pairings. You need experience of supervising volunteers and project co-ordination and excellent organisational and inter-personal skills.
Posts 1 and 2 are based in Tavistock Square and post 3 is based in Hampstead. AUC offers a season ticket or bicycle loan facility. Posts 1 and 2 are open to job-share.
For further details and an application form visit our website www.ageukcamden.org.uk or email jobs@ageukcamden.org.uk or telephone 020 7239 0400. No CVs, no agencies please.
Closing date (all posts): Monday 5th October, 9.30am
Interviews: Ref 1 –27th October; Ref 2 – 22nd October; Ref 3- 26th October.

Are you a Parent or do you have Parenting experience?
Would you like to enhance your skills to offer friendship and support to families with young children?
Can you give 3-4 hours weekly, to visit a family with young children who may be going through a difficult time?
Next accredited training courses:
23rd Sept to 15th Oct 2015 Every Wednesday & Thursday in Kentish Town
16th Oct to 11th Dec 2015 Every Friday in Abbey Road Community Centre
Certificates awarded & expenses paid
For information pack ring 020 7424 1603 email: info@homestartcamden.org web: www.homestartcamden.org.uk

Best Start 4 Families – Family Learning in Prisons
Training for volunteers wanting to work alongside family learning tutors in prisons
Saturday 26th September 2015 10 am – 3pm
Learning Unlimited, 9-11 Endsleigh Gardens, London WC1H 0EH
A FREE training opportunity
Best Start for Families is a project based in two London prisons. The aim of the project is to
run family learning provision for prisoners and their families. We are recruiting volunteers
to work alongside and support family learning tutors during family and children’s visits in
prisons. You will need to have good people skills, communication skills and an interest in
working with families and reducing re-offending.
Please contact: Foufou Savitzky beststartforfamilies@gmail.com or Tel: 07949603968

Calthorpe Project seeks Sports Development Manager
The Calthorpe Project is a vibrant community center and garden working to improve the health and wellbeing of residents in and around Kings Cross.
We are looking for an exceptional person to develop and manage a day to day progamme of sporting activities based on our 5-a-side sports pitch. You will engage community groups, young people and the corporate sector and implement a sustainable income maximization strategy.
Salary £29,838 gross annually for flexible 35 hour week.
Download an application pack from our website: www.calthorpeproject.org.uk
Or request a pack by emailing info@calthorpeproject.org.uk
Completed applications can be returned by post or email:
Louise Gates, Calthorpe Project, 258-274 Grays Inn Rd, WC1X 8LH
Deadline for completed applications-12noon Friday September 25th 2015
Interviews – Friday October 9th

Age UK Camden seeking Honorary Treasurer
Age UK Camden is recruiting to the volunteer role of Treasurer, to work closely with other trustees and the organisation’s Finance Manager and CEO. More details are on the NCVO website https://www.ncvo.org.uk/practical-support/governance/trustee-bank/vacancy-search/607?view=vacancy Age UK Camden’s CEO Gary Jones says “It’s an important role and we’re a complex organisation with a subsidiary charity and a £2mil+ turnover, and the lead role in the isolation-reduction programme Ageing Better in Camden. We also face cuts, tenders and a pension deficit, but have many strengths including strong financial management and staff, and a broad services offer and funding base”.

One Housing seeks:
Deputy Manager
£25,000 pa 37.5 hours a week 7 – day rota
Islington and Camden
One Housing are now looking for a Deputy Manager to manage a team of Care Assistants and lead high standards of person centered care and outcome based support services.
Closing date: 30th September 2015
Full details and how to apply available online.
Care Assistants
Full-time, part-time, flexible hours and night work
£15,370 pa pro rata
Islington and Camden
One Support is the housing, care and support arm of One Housing – one of the largest and fastest growing providers of housing, care and support services across London and the South East.
For more information, or to apply please visit the website.
Closing date: 30th September 2015
RECRUITMENT OPEN DAY
If you would like to talk to us directly, join us at our open morning on 24th September 2015 between 2pm and 5pm at our Roseberry Mansions Extra Care Service in Kings Cross. We will arrange to give you a tour of the building, meet our staff and customers and get a real feel for what we provide. We will also be able to offer initial interviews all afternoon. So please bring your CV with you. Please call 020 8821 4478 to book your visit.

Volunteer Role and VAC to Update Website and Database
This role is ideally suited to someone who wants to learn how to edit and update a website using WordPress. It is also suited to anyone looking to gain some experience of volunteering in an office environment with a view to finding or returning to employment. No prior experience is necessary or required as training will be given.
Role Title: Website and Data Entry Volunteer
Responsible to: ICT Training and Communications Support Worker
Salary Scale: Voluntary position
Hours: 1-2 days per week – max 14 hours/week (Tuesday & Wednesday)
Location: VAC, 293 – 299 Kentish Town Road, London NW5 2TJ.
Role Purpose
~ To keep the VAC website up-to-date with the latest funding opportunities as they relate to the local Camden Voluntary and Community Sector.
~ To update and maintain information on the organisation database, as and when required.
~ To provide other data-entry and administrative assistance to the ICT training and communication support worker and other staff, as and when required.
To apply please forward a CV and cover letter to alexcharles@vac.org.uk more details at www.vac.org.uk

Are you looking to employ an assistant to help with your care needs? CamdenPAs can help you.
CamdenPAs.org.uk is a new service that makes it easy to find a personal assistant (PA) and puts you in control of your care and support.
If you have care needs, you can employ a PA to help you to live as independently as possible.
CamdenPAs features an online ‘marketplace’ for you to browse through a list of profiles of PAs in the borough. Profiles give details about the services they provide, their skills, experience and personal interests.
You can look through the list to find suitable matches and choose someone you like to help support you.
When you find a match you can contact the PA to arrange an interview and see how you get on. If you like them you can then work out contract details such as hours, duties and wages, and hire them.
If you do not find anyone suitable, you can set up your own a profile describing your requirements and interests, for PAs to look through and contact you.
You can employ a PA whether you receive a direct payment or fund your own care. If you receive direct payments you can get support with the employment from Personalised Support In Camden or AgeUK Camden.
Become a PA
If you’re a PA looking for work or are just starting out, CamdenPAs can help you. As well as helping you finding a job, the site features advice on looking for work, becoming a PA and where to get training.
Why not set up your profile today? Find out more, visit: camdenpas.org.uk or p hone: 020 7278 4437

Socially Responsible Recruiting
A new, award-winning skills matching service that connects employers with skilled and experienced people to do one-off or part-time jobs has launched in Camden, with a strong social benefit ethic.
“There is a very large number of people in Camden who are fantastically skilled and work-ready but are off the radar to employers because they’re not looking for full-time work and aren’t constantly scouring the job ads,” says Jonathan Collie, founder of Trading Times.
These people are highly skilled over 50s, and family carers. Trading Times brings them to you. It’s free to candidates. It costs you only £35, and only when you are connected to the perfect candidates.
Paul Fordham of Abbey Community Centre in Camden said: “”We posted our occasional job opportunity on Trading Times because we at the Abbey Community Centre recognise the value of the flexibility that can come with age. Trading Times offers a tailored means to directly target opportunities at an older group that the vast majority of other job sites simply do not seem to tap.”
Register at https://tradingtimes.org.uk/ and let Trading Times match you with the right local people for your needs.

Find Jobs and Volunteering opportunities at https://www.vac.org.uk/

Help Us Help You – Complete the VAC Survey
VAC provides a range of services and support to the voluntary and community sector and social enterprises in Camden. With further cuts and policy changes anticipated in Camden the knock on effect to local organisations is going to be challenging.
We would appreciate it if you could complete our short questionnaire to help VAC understand what support or services you are likely to need from VAC over the next couple of years and how we can help best advocate on your behalf for the sector.
The survey consists of 13 short questions and shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes to complete. You can also opt to keep your responses anonymous if you prefer to do so.
You can complete the survey via the following Survey Monkey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5ZLH8M6
Or on our website, at: https://vac.org.uk/influence/surveys-and-polls/survey-what-support-do-you-need-from-vac/
All completed surveys will be entered into a prize draw for a £20.00 cash prize!

Camden Consultations
Various consultations are out at the moment including a consultation on Camden Future Libraries and Camden VCS strategy and changes to early education and childcare and children’s centre services. You can find all Camden consultation on the Wearecamden consultation hub.

FREE VAC Membership for Unfunded Groups: Voluntary Action Camden Small organisations with no paid staff and a turnover of less than £1,500 can now join for FREE. To take advantage of this offer just fill in the membership on the online form here.

Refugees; Psychological Therapies: The Way Ahead for Camden’s BMER Communities; Urban Food Fortnight and Edible Gardens Open Day; Camden Family Members Reference Group; Torriano Poetry Competition 2015; Influencing Change London; Half day Pension Credit Workshop; MEWSO Workshop: Welfare Benefits and Refugees; Dementia Friendly Tea Service; Somers Town Multicultural Street Festival; The Winch Family Fun Day; St Pancras Community Open Day and Family Fun Day; West Euston Community Festival; + jobs, volunteers, events, training, offers and resources.

A Message from Sarah Hayward, Leader of Camden Council
“A humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Europe of the like not seen since the Second World War. Camden Council is committing to resettle up to 20 refugee families in the borough. We are working with Citizens UK, the Refugee Council, local organisations and other local authorities to offer what help we can to families who are finding themselves in this desperate situation. Camden has a long history of helping refugees and we know there are many people in the borough who want to do something to help.
We have already had offers of support from local residents, landlords and local organisations – if you want to join them, there are many things you can do.
We have set up a Facebook page to help share ideas and information about organisations locally and nationally who you can help by donating your money, time or practical things like clothing – visit the page, share it with your networks and post information there to help spread the word and tell us how you could help. https://www.facebook.com/events/419141928278600/.
How can I help?
• Are you a private landlord with a property to let? Get in touch with us if you would be interested in providing help.
• Would you be interested in fostering? Contact our fostering team or visit Camden.gov.uk/fostering for more information on how to be become a foster carer.
• Are you part of a local organisation who could support refugees? Please get in touch and tell us how.
• We know that a lot of people have been offering to give spare rooms. We are looking into the feasibility of such suggestions but it is likely that this won’t be possible for newly arrived refugees who need more sustainable long-term support. If anyone is interested in doing something similar, please give us your details and we will update you once we have more information.
March on Saturday
At 12pm on Saturday 12 September, thousands of people across the country will march from Marble Arch to Downing Street to show their support for refugees affected by this crisis. At 10:30am we are inviting local people and organisations to meet at Camden Town Hall on Judd Street to walk down to Marble Arch together. We want to demonstrate the support in place in the Camden community. If you are from a local organisation and can offer support to refugees in some way join us at 11am to talk to local councillors and others about your ideas.
Contact us on the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/events/419141928278600/. or email my office on Eloise.shepherd@camden.gov.uk and we will keep you up to date as the situation progresses.”
There is a list of frequently asked questions on the Camden council website.
Camden New Journal also have information on this story.

Psychological Therapies: The Way Ahead for Camden’s BMER Communities
Wednesday 7th October 1:30pm to 4:30pm
Come and tell us your views on how psychological therapies services should best meet the needs of BMER communities in future
This event is hosted by London Borough of Camden’s Mental Health Commissioners and Voluntary Action Camden. It is aimed at Camden BMER community members and Camden voluntary and community sector organisations working with BMER groups
Tea and coffee will be provided. Venue St Pancras Hospital, Conference Hall.
To reserve your place please email: mentalhealthteam@vac.org.uk. Spaces are limited

Urban Food Fortnight and Edible Gardens Open Day
11 to 27 September 2015
The Capital’s celebration of the fabulous ultra-local produce being grown, produced and cooked on our doorstep. For more information and what’s on visit Urban Food Fortnight.
It’s also Edible Gardens Open Day on Saturday 19 September 2015 to celebrate the season’s hard work and bountiful harvests. Explore this map to find a garden in your local area or further afield.

Kentish Town Community Centre September Programme
Including Meditation For Beginners on Wednesdays 12.30pm-1.30pm. This is a drop-in session, all welcome. Suggested donation £2. Visit ktcc.org.uk/activity/meditation for more information. You can view the full list of activities at KTCC online.

Camden Family Members Reference Group
Carers and mental health looking after yourself and the person you care for
Wednesday 30th September 2015 10:30am – 1pm
Centre 404, 404 Camden Road, N7 0SJ
The Family Members’ Reference Group is a group for all carers of an adult with a learning disability in.
For more information contact Beth on: beths@centre404.org.uk tel: 020 7697 1336

Torriano Poetry Competition 2015
First Prize £250 | Second Prize £150 | Third Prize £75
Adjudicator: Ann Drysdale
No entry form required
• Poems should be written in English, to a maximum of 40 lines, typed on a single side
of A4 paper.
• Poems must be original, unpublished and not accepted for publication. No translations.
• A separate sheet of A4 should contain the titles of poems, name and email or postal address and phone number of entrant.
• Entry fees: £3 one poem, £5 for two, £10 for five. Details at the Torriano website.

Influencing Change London
Influencing Change is a five day training programme for campaigners. It is designed to support individuals and groups to gain the capabilities and confidence they need to successfully influence decision makers and others.
The programme is delivered by the Sheila McKechnie Foundation and is spread over five months. It is for London-based individuals and groups that want to gain influence and campaign for change. Participants will learn how to develop a campaign strategy, work effectively with the media and use a range of campaign tactics to address their campaign issue and gain support from stakeholders.
Day 1: Tuesday 13th October 2015
Day 2: Thursday 26th November 2015
Day 3: Thursday 7th January 2016
Day 4: Thursday 25th February 2016
Day 5: Tuesday 15th March 2016
Further informationt www.smk.org.uk or contact megan.poyiadzis@smk.org.uk.
The closing date for applications is 12 noon, Monday 14th September.

Health and Safety for Marginalized Communities
Thursday, 17 September 10:00 am – 1:00 pm | Free
It is targeted in particular at migrant workers, unpaid carers, cleaners and people working in the hospitality industry. Some of the most marginalised people – probably working long hours, in dangerous conditions and on low pay.
See VAC Events section below for more information and how to book.

Half day Pension Credit Workshop
To discover how your organisation can make a difference to the lives of older people who are missing out on their entitlements.
Tuesday 27th October at Age UK, Tavis House, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9NA
From: 10.30 am (registration from 10.00) – 1.00 pm (followed by lunch and networking)
The Workshop will provide:
· A brief history of Pension Credit
· Resources available to organisations
· Guest speakers describing different approaches that organisations use to encourage take-up
· Interactive discussion and learning
· An opportunity to pledge activity to improve the lives of older people.
A more detailed agenda and directions to the venue will be available nearer the time.
Don’t miss out – reserve your place today by emailing AGEACTION.ALLIANCE@DWP.GSI.GOV.UK
Workshop places are limited. Attendance is on the understanding that following the event organisations will actively promote Pension Credit take-up among older people you are in contact with.

MEWSO Workshop: Welfare Benefits and Refugees
This workshop is for all refugees and will discuss recent changes made in the welfare and benefits legislation and how this affects them. The workshop will be held in two languages, Kurdish and Farsi. It will be held in Trinity Church Center, at 15 Nether St. London N12 7NN Thursday, Sept. 17th, 2015
Contact: 07958145666 email: office@mewso.org web: www.mewso.org

Dementia Friendly Tea Service
The service will include familiar hymns and prayers and a short address.
It will be held on the second Sunday of the month.
Next service: Sunday September 13th 2015 3 – 3.30pm. Followed by tea, cakes and time to chat.
Suitable for everyone, including: the frail, elderly and those with dementia.
For more information contact: The Revd Diana Young on 07887296588
Hampstead Parish Church, Church Row, London, NW3 6UU. hampsteadparishchurch.org.uk

Somers Town Multicultural Street Festival
Saturday 12th September 2015 12pm – 7pm Chalton Street
Come and enjoy in the fun for all the family. Celebrate Somers Town
Food, drinks, free activities, henna, face painting and lots more Chalton.street.event@gmail.com

The Winch Family Fun Day
Saturday 12th September at 21 Winchester Road, NW3. Food, drink, games, art, sports etc. info@thewinch.org 020 7586 8731.

St Pancras Community Open Day and Family Fun Day
Sunday 13 September, in St Pancras Gardens. There’s going to be lots of free activities for all the family.

West Euston Community Festival
Saturday 12th September, Hpod and Cumberland Market. Free entertainment, family fun and health activities. Contact 020 7388 7932 www.westeustonpartnership.co.uk

Free training, outings and events for unpaid carers in Camden
For a full list of events of carers in Camden please visit the Camden Carers website.

Headway North London
Read the latest news from Headway North London

Healthwatch Camden
Latest Information DIgest is on the Healthwatch Camden website.
Catch up with the latest Camden news and what’s happening on Our Blog

The Camden Capacity Building Bulletin is produced monthly, targeting the community and voluntary sector in Camden. It provides up to date/recently live information and news on funding and training. To access the latest information please follow the Link www.camden.gov.uk/cbbulletin

Kingsgate Workshops Trust, The Calthorpe Project, BTEG, One Housing, Sobus, Kentish Town Community Centre, VAC and Camden PA are recruiting. See Jobs and Volunteers section below.

Camden Shares. The website for exchanges in Camden. www.camdenshares.org.uk

You can join in on Facebook. Like us if you like us.

Follow all the Camden Voluntary Sector news on OneCamden on Twitter.

You can read more about all of these stories on our news page at www.vac.org.uk/new

Why are charities still being criticized for paying their staff?
Criticism from the media and public shows no sign of abating. Matthew Jenkin in the Guardian asks how the sector should respond

Contract Income Shrinking
The Guardian asks how sustainable are charity contracts for public services? Charities total revenue from government bodies is at its lowest level since 2007-08 with a few larger charities reaping the benefits. The governments’ Big Society czar estimated that contracting would reach £60 billion and dwarf the total amount lost to cuts, but the actual figure is down to £12 billion and concentrated in a few large charities.

Civil Society Still Under Attack by Government
The Commission on Civil Society and Democratic Engagement says that the ‘Gagging’ Act has led to resources having to be shifted to ensure compliance with the Act, rather than achieving their charitable objectives. Commissioners have concluded that the impact of the Act amounts to an infringement on legitimate democratic engagement ahead of the election.

UK’s respect for rights should start with charities at home
The press have been noting the chilling worldwide clampdown on civil society in recent years. Andrew Purkis writes that one factor undermining the capacity of western democracies to speak out is the hostility of Conservative ministers and the board of the Charity Commission towards campaigning by British charities since 2012.

NAVCA has responded to the Trades Union Bill consultation
“As our response says, NAVCA are not experts on trade union issues but we do understand the importance of people joining together to try and make a difference. It feels like this bill is part of the same thinking that led to the Lobbying Act and criticisms of charity campaigning. We should encourage dissent and campaigning. Holding decision makers to account makes for better government.” Full response here.

 

See the Funding pages on VAC’s website for all the latest information.

Grant Programme for Inter Faith Week 2015
Small Grants Programme for events organised by and for young people focused around Inter Faith Week 15-21 November 2015
The Trust will be awarding small grants up to £500.00 for organisations running events or projects connected with Inter Faith Week 2015
Grants are awarded for proposals for inter-faith activities by children and young people from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and other faiths and those of no formal faith in understanding and co-operation. The age range for young people is 11-25 years.
Priority will be given to projects which:
~ Actively involve young people in planning, running, and evaluation of the project.
~ Promote positive action i.e. young people from different backgrounds coming together to address shared problems like improving green spaces.
~ Are run by non-statutory organisations, such as youth clubs, scout/guide groups, local voluntary and community organisations.
Grants can provide part-funding. Grants are not available for converting young people to a different faith.
Grants are given only to UK based organisations and are given for the agreed purposes set out in the completed grant application form. Grants are for use in accordance with the Trust’s charitable objectives. The Inter Faith Youth Trust as funder takes no responsibility for carrying out the work.
Download the Application form from this page
Closing date for applications is 15 September 2015.

The Edge Fund
The Edge Fund support work run by and for communities facing discrimination and injustice. We fund work carried out by individuals and grassroots groups in Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England that find it difficult to get funding elsewhere. Specifically, we fund work that challenges abuses of power and aims to change society by bringing an end to the systems that cause injustice. While applicants may be working on short term reforms, ​we are looking for applicants that ultimately aim to end or replace these systems with a just alternative, rather than trying to improve or reform them.
To apply for a grant of up to £3,000 you need to answer 5 questions in no more than 2 pages. The deadline for applications is 5pm Sunday 25 October. Read more.

Cycling Grants for London
Cycling Grants London is a community grants programme offering grants of up to £10,000 – over 3 years – to fund projects that engage communities across London in safe, enjoyable and inclusive cycling activities.
London is fast becoming a world class cycling city and Cycling Grants London aims to make sure all Londoners benefit from the joys of cycling.
Grants are available for community groups, charities and social enterprises for cycling activities that are tailored to local communities. Examples of activities that can be funded include: guided rides, mechanics training, cycle training and bike hire schemes. The grants can be used to buy equipment, train staff or volunteers and cover running costs.
The deadline to apply is Monday 21 September at 10am.
To find out further information on the funding available, who can apply, how to apply, useful tips and resources to plan your project, visit our website.

Crowdfunding?
Don’t forget that there is a dedicated page on Spacehive just for Camden projects. And set up costs are free to Camden groups. Find out more at Spacehive Camden.

Don’t forget to sign up to Funding Central for free email funding alerts. Go to www.fundingcentral.org.uk/

Health and Safety for Marginalized Communities
Thursday, 17 September 10:00 am – 1:00 pm | Free
It is targeted in particular at migrant workers, unpaid carers, cleaners and people working in the hospitality industry. Some of the most marginalised people – probably working long hours, in dangerous conditions and on low pay.
Too many people are working in dangerous and unhealthy conditions – and often working long hours for low pay. Job insecurity pushes people to keep their heads down and just get on with the job, even if it’s risking their health. Lots of people may not have the help and support of a trade union. If this sounds like you, then make that change. Attend the VAC/London Hazards Centre training and have some fun learning about your rights and how to enforce them. More information and bookings on the VAC website.

VAC’s Mental Health Training Programme for BMER groups
Are you a BMER group or do you work with BMER communities? If so, then our Mental Health Training Programme is for you! Our next courses are as follows:
• Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 22nd and 29th October)
• Stigma and Mental Health (half-day workshop: 2nd November)
• Youth Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 12th and 19th November)
• Introduction to Mental Health Awareness (one day workshop: 9th December)
• Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 9th and 16th February 2016)
For more information about our any of our courses, please go to https://vac.org.uk/events/category/health-mental-health/. Click on the course you are interested in and follow the instructions to book your place and pay by card (if applicable). The charge for our Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid training courses is heavily subsidised at only £25 per person. All other mental health workshops are free.
Please note that VAC can only accept bookings from organisations working with BMER communities based in Camden, or which serve Camden BMER residents. Places are limited on each course to a maximum of two people per organisation. If you have any queries, please contact us on our team email address: mentalhealthteam@vac.org.uk

VAC has a full programme of courses coming up: Click here to find out more. All courses are £25 for members (unless otherwise stated).

New Courses at Maiden Lane Community Centre
Tuesday 22nd & Wednesday 23rd September 2015.
1. Improve your internet skills
Find out how to search the internet more effectively and manage your email account.
(You need to have some understanding of using the internet).
Tuesdays 10am-12pm
2. Computing for beginners
A complete introduction to using computers
Tuesdays 1-3pm
3. Create a website for business or pleasure using the free WordPress software
Wednesdays 10am-12pm
To book a place: Call 020 7267 9586
Maiden Lane Community Centre, 156 St Paul’s Crescent, NW1 9XZ
Visit camden.gov.uk/adultlearning
Email adultlearning@camden.gov.uk Call 020 7974 2148

Dementia: Research & Practice
A course for small older people’s organisations
Tuesday 29th September, 2015 10:00am – 12:00midday (followed by lunch)
At Age UK London, 1st Floor, 21 St Georges Road, London, SE1 6ES
This workshop will involve a presentation of recent research findings and will give you a chance to talk about good dementia-friendly practice and find out how this can benefit your organisation.
Anyone interested should email Ben Donovan bdonovan@ageuklondon.org.uk.

Camden Physical Disabilities Forum
Tuesday 29th September 2015, from 6 to 7:30 pm at Charlie Ratchford Resource Centre, Belmont St, London NW1 8HF.
Former and new forum participants are invited to help shape the agenda for the meeting. Do you have any suggestions of topics for discussion, information or decision for the coming meeting? If so, please let Valeria know no later than Friday 4th September. email Valeria.CarrizoCollie@camden.gov.uk

Get Fit With Arsenal
Arsenal in the Community are recruiting local men aged 30-65 to take part in a 12 week fitness project.
If you are working with any men who fall into this age category want to get fitter at the new Arsenal Hub at Emirates Stadium, they can find out more online.

Volunteering Fairs
Autumn is one of the most popular times of the year for people wanting to start volunteering.
Wednesday 30th September 12-2pm @ The Swiss Cottage LIbrary
Wednesday 7th October 6.30-8pm at the Wellcome Collection
Wednesday 21st October 12-2pm at the Working Men’s College
To book your place and to find our more information have a look at Eventbrite

Measuring The Impact Of Your Volunteering Programme For Beginners
Thursday 1st October 10am-1pm at The Wellcome Trust in Euston
You will receive a copy of the NCVO measuring impact toolkit (£35) to take away. With that in mind, free places will be £35+booking fee and the rest will be £94+booking fee.
To book your place and to find our more information have a look at Eventbrite.

Outcome’s, Islington Mind LGBT service, annual Open Day
29th of September 11:00 – 15:30.
This is an opportunity to visit the service that we offer every Tuesday to our LGBT community.
Our guests will be offered tasters from our activities and therapies (such as art and animation workshops, ear acupuncture and head massage and open doors to our counsellor and to ‘Mind Scape’, LGBT paranoia and beliefs support group, facilitators) and MSH Wellbeing – will also offer taster therapies on this event.
Information about Outcome and the services that we offer will be available all day.
We will serve the most popular best curry (known as Outcome Curry) in town (for £3) at 1:00 in our dining area and at 14:30 will close the day with raffles.
Please RSVP to sigal.avni@islington.mind.org.uk

Free Events from Economic Change CIC
Contract Readiness Event – Jointly run with Bidright UK – Part of a series of events esp for socially motived orgs. http://www.economicchange.co.uk/economic-exchange-event-series
Free Funding Workshops – Run in a Monthly basis: http://www.economicchange.co.uk/fundingworkshops
Measuring social Impact Masterclasses: http://www.economicchange.co.uk/training-workshops
Economic Change CIC work with charities, educational bodies, public sector organisations, social enterprises, ethical businesses, and csr departments.

Urban Harvest
Saturday 26th September 11am – 4pm at Kentish town health centre NW5 2BX
A wonderful Urban Harvest Festival celebrating local food and local growers as well as giving you the chance to take part in a huge range of events: building a wormary, making tea from plants in the garden, creating plant based dyes, sing away about food and press apples to name but a few.
All of this will be taking place in our Well-Beeing Garden
Everyone is welcome and all activities are free
The event is run by Kentish Town Transition and Kentish Town Improvement Fund
See more at: www.projectdirt.com

Royal Albert Hall Friendship Matinee 9th October 3pm
The Music of Bond with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Tickets only £5 for members and users of voluntary and community groups and carers. Book online at www.royalalberthall.com or tel: 020 7589 8212.

Camden CCG’s Annual General Meeting
Wednesday 16 September 2015
Camden CCG Agenda:
12:40pm-1:20pm Lunch/Networking
1:30pm-1:45pm Welcome- Chair of Camden CCG
1:45pm-2:30pm Presentations of:
• 2014/15 accounts
• Key Camden CCG success stories
• Public and patient perspective
2:30pm-2:45pm Open Q&A session – with Chair, speakers and supplementary panel members (incl. Governing Body members)
2:45pm-3:35pm Interactive session-table top discussions on key CCG priorities, with refreshments available
To book your place and for further details, please go to http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/camden-clinical-commissioning-groups-ccg-annual-general-meeting-registration-17793562023

What makes life good for people with long term health conditions
Come to this workshop and turn your ideas into plans!
Friday 18 september 2015, 1.30pm – 3.00pm (refreshments from 1.00pm)
Kingsgate resource Centre, 208 Webheath, Netherwood Street, London NW6 2JU
To learn more and to book your place, contact Frank Dove, LB Camden by Friday 11 September
020 7974 4435 frank.dove@camden.gov.uk

A celebration for World Mental Health Day
October 9th at St Pancras Hospital
VoiceAbility and VAC are supporting the Camden Borough User Group (CBUG) to hold an event to celebrate World Mental Health Day. It will be at the conference Hall, St Pancras Hospital on the 9th October between 11am and 4pm.
If you or anyone you support would be interested in attending, then please print off the attached flyer and spread the word. The event will have a social focus with hot food, music, speakers, performance, stalls and more.
We are also holding a photography competition and all entries will be displayed on the day, there is a flyer attached about this too.
For any further details please contact us at by email or by phone on:
camdenuserinvolvement@voiceability.org Telephone: 020 3355 7113

Deaf Awareness Event
A new initiative to encourage more staff and volunteers to take up Deaf Awareness is now available in Camden.
Signs4Life have set up an introductory workshop in Deaf Awareness to help staff to communicate and engage with their deaf & hard of hearing colleagues, service users, students, and patients in Camden. The Deaf Awareness event will be taking place on Tuesday 22nd September 2015 at Camden Cypriot Women’s Organisation, 2c Falkland Road, London, (NW5 2PT) from 10:30am – 12:30pm. This local initiative is to help identify barriers that deaf people face and explore their culture and community but also to encourage inclusion of all people with sensory, physical or learning disabilities in Camden. Attendance is strictly by booking only (limited places). For further information please contact Sara on info@signs4life.org

Volunteer Management Training
VCC’s Measuring The Impact of Your Volunteering Programme training course will give you practical, user-friendly tools to help you do just that.
Measuring The Impact Of Your Volunteering Programme For Beginners
Thursday 1st October 10am-1pm @ The Wellcome Trust in Euston
You will receive a copy of the NCVO measuring impact toolkit (£35) to take away. With that in mind, free places will be £35+booking fee and the rest will be £94+booking fee.
To book your place and to find our more information have a look at Eventbrite.

New Evelyn Oldfield Unit Research for Action and Influence Course 2015-16
Accredited London Region Open College Network, Level 3
Starting from October, we will run 22 half-day sessions spread over 9 months. We will support RMCO representatives to gain the skills and confidence to be able to research issues of refugee and migrant communities including education, training and employment, welfare and social concerns.
The training is free. Participants will benefit from mentor support, tutorials and one to one support from the tutor.
This is a course for refugees and migrants only. Applicants must be active in a refugee or migrant community organisation working in London (this can be paid or voluntary). English levels have to be sufficient to manage independent report writing.
Please contact Alexandra, EOU administrator on 020 7697 4100 / Alexandra@evelynoldfield.co.uk for further information and/ or to request an application form.

Made of Money
Tues 22nd & Wed 23rd September 2015
Award-winning financial education project, offered as two day facilitator training
We’ll equip you to deliver flexible content around savings, credit, debt, communication,
coping with consumer culture, and children & money
Sliding costs from £100 to £350; in-house trainings also available
100% of trained facilitators would recommend Made of Money to other organisations
Made of Money is a project of Quaker Social Action (QSA) www.quakersocialaction.org.uk/madeofmoney

London for All
London for All / LVSC have a full programme of courses available for the voluntary sector. Go to the London for All website for full details.

Camden Carers’ Service
Has a full range of events and activities for unpaid carers in Camden. Find out more on the Camden Carers’ Service website www.camdencs.org.uk/activities

Don’t forget that Camden TDS run a full programme of course which are subsidised or free for voluntary sector partner organisations. There is a link to a list of partner organisations on the home page.

Find more Training Opportunities at www.vac.org.uk

Are you a Parent or do you have Parenting experience?
Would you like to enhance your skills to offer friendship and support to families with young children?
Can you give 3-4 hours weekly, to visit a family with young children who may be going through a difficult time?
Next accredited training courses:
23rd Sept to 15th Oct 2015 Every Wednesday & Thursday in Kentish Town
16th Oct to 11th Dec 2015 Every Friday in Abbey Road Community Centre
Certificates awarded & expenses paid
For information pack ring 020 7424 1603 email: info@homestartcamden.org web: www.homestartcamden.org.uk

Best Start 4 Families – Family Learning in Prisons
Training for volunteers wanting to work alongside family learning tutors in prisons
Saturday 26th September 2015 10 am – 3pm
Learning Unlimited, 9-11 Endsleigh Gardens, London WC1H 0EH
A FREE training opportunity
Best Start for Families is a project based in two London prisons. The aim of the project is to
run family learning provision for prisoners and their families. We are recruiting volunteers
to work alongside and support family learning tutors during family and children’s visits in
prisons. You will need to have good people skills, communication skills and an interest in
working with families and reducing re-offending.
Please contact: Foufou Savitzky beststartforfamilies@gmail.com or Tel: 07949603968

Kingsgate Workshops Trust Volunteer Opportunity
We have an opportunity to offer some work, to possibly a retired person, involving handyman type work. We are keen to consider someone that perhaps had to retire when maybe they didn’t want to, or someone who might be isolated after retirement, or even someone younger who might be struggling to find work. Ideally we are looking for someone who has a breadth of knowledge, who would be able to do small jobs across the board such as plumbing, carpentry, general DIY.
Kingsgate Workshops Trust, 110 – 116 Kingsgate Road, London, NW6 2JG Tel: 020 7328 7878 www.kingsgateworkshops.org.uk
email: rowena@kingsgateworkshops.org.uk

Calthorpe Project seeks Sports Development Manager
The Calthorpe Project is a vibrant community center and garden working to improve the health and wellbeing of residents in and around Kings Cross.
We are looking for an exceptional person to develop and manage a day to day progamme of sporting activities based on our 5-a-side sports pitch. You will engage community groups, young people and the corporate sector and implement a sustainable income maximization strategy.
Salary £29,838 gross annually for flexible 35 hour week.
Download an application pack from our website: www.calthorpeproject.org.uk
Or request a pack by emailing info@calthorpeproject.org.uk
Completed applications can be returned by post or email:
Louise Gates, Calthorpe Project, 258-274 Grays Inn Rd, WC1X 8LH
Deadline for completed applications-12noon Friday September 25th 2015
Interviews – Friday October 9th

Moving on Up seeks Intern
Moving on Up is a joint initiative from Trust for London, the City of London’s charity, City Bridge Trust and the Black Training and Enterprise Group (BTEG). It aims to increase the employment rates of young black men in London over the next two years.
Moving on Up now wants to recruit a skilled and committed intern for six months who will be focused on developing and implementing a media and social media campaign which aims to encourage employers to ensure their job recruitment processes are free from negative stereotypes of young black men,
Salary: London living wage, currently £9.15 p/h Duration: six months
This post would suit someone with an interest in communications, media and social media. It would be ideal for someone who is studying for or has completed a degree in communications, media or similar subjects. Application pack online
Black Training and Enterprise Group: 020 7832 5840, Email: Jeremy@bteg.co.uk
The closing date for applications is 5 pm on 21 September 2015

Age UK Camden seeking Honorary Treasurer
Age UK Camden is recruiting to the volunteer role of Treasurer, to work closely with other trustees and the organisation’s Finance Manager and CEO. More details are on the NCVO website https://www.ncvo.org.uk/practical-support/governance/trustee-bank/vacancy-search/607?view=vacancy Age UK Camden’s CEO Gary Jones says “It’s an important role and we’re a complex organisation with a subsidiary charity and a £2mil+ turnover, and the lead role in the isolation-reduction programme Ageing Better in Camden. We also face cuts, tenders and a pension deficit, but have many strengths including strong financial management and staff, and a broad services offer and funding base”.

One Housing seeks:
Deputy Manager
£25,000 pa 37.5 hours a week 7 – day rota
Islington and Camden
One Housing are now looking for a Deputy Manager to manage a team of Care Assistants and lead high standards of person centered care and outcome based support services.
Closing date: 30th September 2015
Full details and how to apply available online.
Care Assistants
Full-time, part-time, flexible hours and night work
£15,370 pa pro rata
Islington and Camden
One Support is the housing, care and support arm of One Housing – one of the largest and fastest growing providers of housing, care and support services across London and the South East.
For more information, or to apply please visit the website.
Closing date: 30th September 2015
RECRUITMENT OPEN DAY
If you would like to talk to us directly, join us at our open morning on 24th September 2015 between 2pm and 5pm at our Roseberry Mansions Extra Care Service in Kings Cross. We will arrange to give you a tour of the building, meet our staff and customers and get a real feel for what we provide. We will also be able to offer initial interviews all afternoon. So please bring your CV with you. Please call 020 8821 4478 to book your visit.

Organisational Development Officer Job Opportunity
Sobus are looking for an Organisational Development Officer to deliver the new strategy to better support the voluntary sector in Hammersmith and Fulham. Someone who can pro-actively support the voluntary sector to grow, secure income, develop new meaningful partnerships and become better at evaluating its impact.
Salary: £31,460 – 34,120 per annum (depending on experience)
Hours: Full time 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent (subject to funding)
Closing date: Tuesday 22 September 2015 at 12noon
Interviews: Week Commencing 12th October 2015
To apply visit our website to download an application pack
Further information: email Shad.Haibatan@sobus.org.uk

Kentish Town Community Centre currently have 2 part time Youth worker vacancies
KTCC are looking for enthusiastic and experienced individuals to join the youth team, the roles are focused on 2 core youth projects, working with young people aged 11-19 in Kentish Town.
For more information or to apply please visit www.ktcc.org.uk
Closing date for applications is 21st September 2015.

Volunteer Role and VAC to Update Website and Database
This role is ideally suited to someone who wants to learn how to edit and update a website using WordPress. It is also suited to anyone looking to gain some experience of volunteering in an office environment with a view to finding or returning to employment. No prior experience is necessary or required as training will be given.
Role Title: Website and Data Entry Volunteer
Responsible to: ICT Training and Communications Support Worker
Salary Scale: Voluntary position
Hours: 1-2 days per week – max 14 hours/week (Tuesday & Wednesday)
Location: VAC, 293 – 299 Kentish Town Road, London NW5 2TJ.
Role Purpose
~ To keep the VAC website up-to-date with the latest funding opportunities as they relate to the local Camden Voluntary and Community Sector.
~ To update and maintain information on the organisation database, as and when required.
~ To provide other data-entry and administrative assistance to the ICT training and communication support worker and other staff, as and when required.
To apply please forward a CV and cover letter to alexcharles@vac.org.uk more details at www.vac.org.uk

Are you looking to employ an assistant to help with your care needs? CamdenPAs can help you.
CamdenPAs.org.uk is a new service that makes it easy to find a personal assistant (PA) and puts you in control of your care and support.
If you have care needs, you can employ a PA to help you to live as independently as possible.
CamdenPAs features an online ‘marketplace’ for you to browse through a list of profiles of PAs in the borough. Profiles give details about the services they provide, their skills, experience and personal interests.
You can look through the list to find suitable matches and choose someone you like to help support you.
When you find a match you can contact the PA to arrange an interview and see how you get on. If you like them you can then work out contract details such as hours, duties and wages, and hire them.
If you do not find anyone suitable, you can set up your own a profile describing your requirements and interests, for PAs to look through and contact you.
You can employ a PA whether you receive a direct payment or fund your own care. If you receive direct payments you can get support with the employment from Personalised Support In Camden or AgeUK Camden.
Become a PA
If you’re a PA looking for work or are just starting out, CamdenPAs can help you. As well as helping you finding a job, the site features advice on looking for work, becoming a PA and where to get training.
Why not set up your profile today? Find out more, visit: camdenpas.org.uk or p hone: 020 7278 4437

Socially Responsible Recruiting
A new, award-winning skills matching service that connects employers with skilled and experienced people to do one-off or part-time jobs has launched in Camden, with a strong social benefit ethic.
“There is a very large number of people in Camden who are fantastically skilled and work-ready but are off the radar to employers because they’re not looking for full-time work and aren’t constantly scouring the job ads,” says Jonathan Collie, founder of Trading Times.
These people are highly skilled over 50s, and family carers. Trading Times brings them to you. It’s free to candidates. It costs you only £35, and only when you are connected to the perfect candidates.
Paul Fordham of Abbey Community Centre in Camden said: “”We posted our occasional job opportunity on Trading Times because we at the Abbey Community Centre recognise the value of the flexibility that can come with age. Trading Times offers a tailored means to directly target opportunities at an older group that the vast majority of other job sites simply do not seem to tap.”
Register at https://tradingtimes.org.uk/ and let Trading Times match you with the right local people for your needs.

Find Jobs and Volunteering opportunities at https://www.vac.org.uk/

Age UK Don’t Cut Care Petition
Older people should be able to live well, not just survive, and the right care and support can help them do this.
But ferocious cuts to home care and community services – like meals on wheels, home carers, and day centre care – mean that many older people are forced to sacrifice their dignity because they can’t get the support they need.
Age UK is calling on the Government to invest in care for older people.
Please show your support – sign our petition.

Help Us Help You – Complete the VAC Survey
VAC provides a range of services and support to the voluntary and community sector and social enterprises in Camden. With further cuts and policy changes anticipated in Camden the knock on effect to local organisations is going to be challenging.
We would appreciate it if you could complete our short questionnaire to help VAC understand what support or services you are likely to need from VAC over the next couple of years and how we can help best advocate on your behalf for the sector.
The survey consists of 13 short questions and shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes to complete. You can also opt to keep your responses anonymous if you prefer to do so.
You can complete the survey via the following Survey Monkey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5ZLH8M6
Or on our website, at: https://vac.org.uk/influence/surveys-and-polls/survey-what-support-do-you-need-from-vac/
All completed surveys will be entered into a prize draw for a £20.00 cash prize!

Camden Consultations
Various consultations are out at the moment including a consultation on Camden Future Libraries and Camden VCS strategy and changes to early education and childcare and children’s centre services. You can find all Camden consultation on the Wearecamden consultation hub.

FREE VAC Membership for Unfunded Groups: Voluntary Action Camden Small organisations with no paid staff and a turnover of less than £1,500 can now join for FREE. To take advantage of this offer just fill in the membership on the online form here.

Camden50: Exceptional Volunteers Sought for Volunteering Awards; Get Fit With Arsenal; September Lunchtime Volunteering Fair; Outcome’s, Islington Mind LGBT service, annual Open Day; Health and Safety for Marginalized Communities; Writing Better and Effective Funding Applications; Camden Physical Disabilities Forum; Camden Ageing Network Meeting; ‘Introduction to Marketing’ workshops; + jobs, volunteers, events, training, offers and resources.

Camden50: Exceptional Volunteers Sought for Volunteering Awards
Camden celebrates its 50th birthday as a borough this year. As part of the celebrations Camden are looking for ten exceptional volunteers to receive a certificate and thanks from the Mayor on behalf of the vast number of people who give their time every day to help others. There are ten categories for nominations
• Young person (under 18)
• Older person (60 plus)
• Trustee
• New volunteer (started volunteering within the last year)
• Long standing volunteer (more than five years)
• Volunteer who has overcome a personal challenge to volunteer (perhaps a disability or speaking English as a second language)
• Volunteer who has transformed lives
• Online/ remote or helpline volunteer
• Employee volunteer who volunteers through their workplace
• Group of volunteers who have made an exceptional contribution
There is also a special award for the most exceptional person who has volunteered in the borough of Camden for 50 years.
The nomination form is here: http://camden50.co.uk/camden50-exceptional-volunteers-sought-for-volunteers-awards
Any individual or organisation can nominate a volunteer and it is a quick and simple process. The awards are open to anyone who volunteers in Camden, except for Camden staff who may not enter. The judging will be done by an independent panel. The awards ceremony will be on Thursday 19 November 2015 at 6.00pm Camden Town Hall, Judd Street, WC1H 9JE. All are welcome to attend.
Please download and complete the nomination form and email it to volunteering@camden.gov.uk. Call or email for further information: 0207 974 6457.
The closing date for nominations is 5pm on Wednesday 21 October 2015.

Get Fit With Arsenal
Arsenal in the Community are recruiting local men aged 30-65 to take part in a 12 week fitness project.
If you are working with any men who fall into this age category want to get fitter at the new Arsenal Hub at Emirates Stadium, they can find out more online.

September Lunchtime Volunteering Fair
September is one of the most popular times of the year for people wanting to start volunteering.
Wednesday 30th September 12-2pm @ The Swiss Cottage LIbrary
To book your place and to find our more information have a look at Eventbrite

Outcome’s, Islington Mind LGBT service, annual Open Day
29th of September 11:00 – 15:30.
This is an opportunity to visit the service that we offer every Tuesday to our LGBT community.
Our guests will be offered tasters from our activities and therapies (such as art and animation workshops, ear acupuncture and head massage and open doors to our counsellor and to ‘Mind Scape’, LGBT paranoia and beliefs support group, facilitators) and MSH Wellbeing – will also offer taster therapies on this event.
Information about Outcome and the services that we offer will be available all day.
We will serve the most popular best curry (known as Outcome Curry) in town (for £3) at 1:00 in our dining area and at 14:30 will close the day with raffles.
Please RSVP to sigal.avni@islington.mind.org.uk

Kentish Town Community Centre September Programme
You can view the full list of activities at KTCC online.

Health and Safety for Marginalized Communities
Thursday, 17 September 10:00 am – 1:00 pm | Free
It is targeted in particular at migrant workers, unpaid carers, cleaners and people working in the hospitality industry. Some of the most marginalised people – probably working long hours, in dangerous conditions and on low pay.
See VAC Events section below for more information and how to book.

Writing Better and Effective Funding Applications 22 September 2015
This training aims to increase refugee and migrant community organisations’ chances of making their funding applications more appealing through tried and tested in-classroom simulations followed by practical support in completing funding applications.
This training session will focus on writing better applications and will be followed by another session (15/10/2015) for participants to have the opportunity for their draft funding applications to be reviewed or completed. Therefore, in order to get more out of this training session, participants are advised (if possible) to bring a draft funding application or a A4 description of the project they want to fundraise for.
Lido Centre, 63 Mattock Ln, London W13 9NZ (Ealing)
Lunch will be provided and travel expenses will be reimbursed for participants from Migrant and Refugee Community Organisations (copy of your receipt required).
To book a place and to confirm your attendance please use the online booking facilities here or contact Ezechias Ngendahayo by phone on 02073461163, or by email at ezechias.ngendahayo@refugeecouncil.org.uk

Camden Physical Disabilities Forum
Tuesday 29th September 2015, from 6 to 7:30 pm at Charlie Ratchford Resource Centre, Belmont St, London NW1 8HF.
Former and new forum participants are invited to help shape the agenda for the meeting. Do you have any suggestions of topics for discussion, information or decision for the coming meeting? If so, please let Valeria know no later than Friday 4th September. email Valeria.CarrizoCollie@camden.gov.uk

Camden Ageing Network Meeting
Councillor Larraine Revah Camden’s Champion for Older people invites you to attend the Camden Ageing Network 2-4pm on 9th September 2015 in The Council Chamber, Camden Town Hall, Judd Street, WC1
The meeting provides an opportunity for you to hear and ask questions about many new projects and initiatives
The meeting will include update from
• Camden’s older peoples commissioner
• Age UK Camden on new projects and initiatives in Camden for older citizens
• Kilburn Older Voices Exchange presents what KOVE is currently doing with Ageing Better Camden and to show their new film A Nice Cup of Tea.
• Community Programmes: provision for local adults at the British Museum
Plus more to be confirmed. Please call: 0207 974 1459 for more information

‘Introduction to Marketing’ workshops
In partnership with Time&Talents – One Westminster. These workshops provide a fantastic introduction to a topic many of us find overwhelming.
Wednesday 9 September 9.30am – 1.00pm Lunch provided
45 Mortimer St, London W1W 8HJ (near Oxford Street)
FREE for charities and community organisations
To attend please email Davide Marullo d.marullo@onewestminster.org.uk with your contact details and the name of the organisation.

Free training, outings and events for unpaid carers in Camden
For a full list of events of carers in Camden please visit the Camden Carers website.

Camden and Islington Public Health
The latest edition of the newsletter is available online.

Healthwatch Camden
Latest Information DIgest is on the Healthwatch Camden website.
Catch up with the latest Camden news and what’s happening on Our Blog

The Camden Capacity Building Bulletin is produced monthly, targeting the community and voluntary sector in Camden. It provides up to date/recently live information and news on funding and training. To access the latest information please follow the Link www.camden.gov.uk/cbbulletin

Kingsgate Workshops Trust, The Calthorpe Project, BTEG, One Housing, Sobus, Kentish Town Community Centre, VAC and Camden PA are recruiting. See Jobs and Volunteers section below.

Camden Shares. The website for exchanges in Camden. www.camdenshares.org.uk

You can join in on Facebook. Like us if you like us.

Follow all the Camden Voluntary Sector news on OneCamden on Twitter.

You can read more about all of these stories on our news page at www.vac.org.uk/new

‘Those who decry charity campaigning today are demonstrating a huge deficit of historical understanding’
Former Charity Commissioner Andrew Purkis has hit back at the governments lack of understandinf of the role of campaigning in shaping society in a recent Cass Business School lecture. In an interview with Third Sector magazine he says that politicians hostility to the sector is due to their perception that charity campaigning was undermining their cuts strategy.
For an example of the more extreme charity bashing articles, try reading this article from the Telegraph.

Stop grovelling and stand up for yourself
An article in the Guardian says that “charities have been receiving a monstering of late – justifiably in part – but they need to show some spine and remind people why they matter.”

See the Funding pages on VAC’s website for all the latest information.

The Edge Fund
The Edge Fund support work run by and for communities facing discrimination and injustice. We fund work carried out by individuals and grassroots groups in Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England that find it difficult to get funding elsewhere. Specifically, we fund work that challenges abuses of power and aims to change society by bringing an end to the systems that cause injustice. While applicants may be working on short term reforms, ​we are looking for applicants that ultimately aim to end or replace these systems with a just alternative, rather than trying to improve or reform them.
To apply for a grant of up to £3,000 you need to answer 5 questions in no more than 2 pages. The deadline for applications is 5pm Sunday 25 October. Read more.

Cycling Grants for London
Cycling Grants London is a community grants programme offering grants of up to £10,000 – over 3 years – to fund projects that engage communities across London in safe, enjoyable and inclusive cycling activities.
London is fast becoming a world class cycling city and Cycling Grants London aims to make sure all Londoners benefit from the joys of cycling.
Grants are available for community groups, charities and social enterprises for cycling activities that are tailored to local communities. Examples of activities that can be funded include: guided rides, mechanics training, cycle training and bike hire schemes. The grants can be used to buy equipment, train staff or volunteers and cover running costs.
The deadline to apply is Monday 21 September at 10am.
To find out further information on the funding available, who can apply, how to apply, useful tips and resources to plan your project, visit our website.

The Jack Petchey Foundation small grants for youth programmes
The Small Grants Fund allows those organisations who are running the Achievement Award Scheme well, to apply for a small grant of up to £750 to enhance their work with young people.
Please note that you must already be running the Achievement Award in your school or club, AND you must have recently nominated a Leader Award winner too. For more information on this see How to Apply.

Crowdfunding?
Don’t forget that there is a dedicated page on Spacehive just for Camden projects. And set up costs are free to Camden groups. Find out more at Spacehive Camden.

Don’t forget to sign up to Funding Central for free email funding alerts. Go to www.fundingcentral.org.uk/

Health and Safety for Marginalized Communities
Thursday, 17 September 10:00 am – 1:00 pm | Free
It is targeted in particular at migrant workers, unpaid carers, cleaners and people working in the hospitality industry. Some of the most marginalised people – probably working long hours, in dangerous conditions and on low pay.
Too many people are working in dangerous and unhealthy conditions – and often working long hours for low pay. Job insecurity pushes people to keep their heads down and just get on with the job, even if it’s risking their health. Lots of people may not have the help and support of a trade union. If this sounds like you, then make that change. Attend the VAC/London Hazards Centre training and have some fun learning about your rights and how to enforce them. More information and bookings on the VAC website.

VAC’s Mental Health Training Programme for BMER groups
Are you a BMER group or do you work with BMER communities? If so, then our Mental Health Training Programme is for you! Our next courses are as follows:
• Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 22nd and 29th October)
• Stigma and Mental Health (half-day workshop: 2nd November)
• Youth Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 12th and 19th November)
• Introduction to Mental Health Awareness (one day workshop: 9th December)
• Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 9th and 16th February 2016)
For more information about our any of our courses, please go to https://vac.org.uk/events/category/health-mental-health/. Click on the course you are interested in and follow the instructions to book your place and pay by card (if applicable). The charge for our Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid training courses is heavily subsidised at only £25 per person. All other mental health workshops are free.
Please note that VAC can only accept bookings from organisations working with BMER communities based in Camden, or which serve Camden BMER residents. Places are limited on each course to a maximum of two people per organisation. If you have any queries, please contact us on our team email address: mentalhealthteam@vac.org.uk

VAC has a full programme of courses coming up: Click here to find out more. All courses are £25 for members (unless otherwise stated).

Free Events from Economic Change CIC
Contract Readiness Event – Jointly run with Bidright UK – Part of a series of events esp for socially motived orgs. http://www.economicchange.co.uk/economic-exchange-event-series
Free Funding Workshops – Run in a Monthly basis: http://www.economicchange.co.uk/fundingworkshops
Measuring social Impact Masterclasses: http://www.economicchange.co.uk/training-workshops
Economic Change CIC work with charities, educational bodies, public sector organisations, social enterprises, ethical businesses, and csr departments.

Urban Harvest
Saturday 26th September 11am – 4pm at Kentish town health centre NW5 2BX
A wonderful Urban Harvest Festival celebrating local food and local growers as well as giving you the chance to take part in a huge range of events: building a wormary, making tea from plants in the garden, creating plant based dyes, sing away about food and press apples to name but a few.
All of this will be taking place in our Well-Beeing Garden
Everyone is welcome and all activities are free
The event is run by Kentish Town Transition and Kentish Town Improvement Fund
See more at: www.projectdirt.com

St Pancras Community Open Day and Family Fun Day
Sunday 13 September, in St Pancras Gardens. There’s going to be lots of free activities for all the family.

West Euston Community Festival
Saturday 12th September, Hpod and Cumberland Market. Free entertainment, family fun and health activities. Contact 020 7388 7932 www.westeustonpartnership.co.uk

Royal Albert Hall Friendship Matinee 9th October 3pm
The Music of Bond with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Tickets only £5 for members and users of voluntary and community groups and carers. Book online at www.royalalberthall.com or tel: 020 7589 8212.

Camden CCG’s Annual General Meeting
Wednesday 16 September 2015
Camden CCG Agenda:
12:40pm-1:20pm Lunch/Networking
1:30pm-1:45pm Welcome- Chair of Camden CCG
1:45pm-2:30pm Presentations of:
• 2014/15 accounts
• Key Camden CCG success stories
• Public and patient perspective
2:30pm-2:45pm Open Q&A session – with Chair, speakers and supplementary panel members (incl. Governing Body members)
2:45pm-3:35pm Interactive session-table top discussions on key CCG priorities, with refreshments available
To book your place and for further details, please go to http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/camden-clinical-commissioning-groups-ccg-annual-general-meeting-registration-17793562023

Dementia Carers Training
For carers who are supporting someone with dementia
Session 1- Monday 7th September
Session 2 – Monday 14th September
Session 3 – Monday 21st September
(Arrival 9.45 am) 10.00am – 12.30 pm
Light Refreshments will be provided on the day
For general information or to book a place, please call Camden Carers Centre on 0207 428 8950 Or alternatively email Zakeera

Streets of London Music Project
For people with mental health issues
Autumn 2015 – Spring 2016 Band Workshops
Wednesdays 12-2pm at Fitzrovia Centre Foley Street W1W 6DN
– Guided Walk on London’s rich music history and eclectic community for inspiration
– Performance opportunities
– Recording studio experience
No previous experience is required
All Welcome
For enrolment / referrals forms – please email: lucia@upbeatmusic.org
Or text/call Lucia at: 07762151783 http://www.upbeatmusic.org

Breathing and Empowerment Workshop for Women
Saturday 19th September 2015 3pm – 5pm
The Venue, 02 Centre, 255 Finchley Road, London NW3 6LU
Women who want to feel more relaxed, confident and inspired to change their lives. Those ready to believe that they can start making those changes!
About workshop: This two hour workshop will introduce you to the benefits of breathing exercises for relaxation, confidence and fitness.
£45.00 Refreshments included.
To reserve your place please book online: http://www.wegottickets.com/event/330497
For any queries do call Heather on 07956 880103 or Catherine on 07980 659169. Email takeamoment2@gmail.com

What makes life good for people with long term health conditions
Come to this workshop and turn your ideas into plans!
Friday 18 september 2015, 1.30pm – 3.00pm (refreshments from 1.00pm)
Kingsgate resource Centre, 208 Webheath, Netherwood Street, London NW6 2JU
To learn more and to book your place, contact Frank Dove, LB Camden by Friday 11 September
020 7974 4435 frank.dove@camden.gov.uk

A celebration for World Mental Health Day
October 9th at St Pancras Hospital
VoiceAbility and VAC are supporting the Camden Borough User Group (CBUG) to hold an event to celebrate World Mental Health Day. It will be at the conference Hall, St Pancras Hospital on the 9th October between 11am and 4pm.
If you or anyone you support would be interested in attending, then please print off the attached flyer and spread the word. The event will have a social focus with hot food, music, speakers, performance, stalls and more.
We are also holding a photography competition and all entries will be displayed on the day, there is a flyer attached about this too.
For any further details please contact us at by email or by phone on:
camdenuserinvolvement@voiceability.org Telephone: 020 3355 7113

Deaf Awareness Event
A new initiative to encourage more staff and volunteers to take up Deaf Awareness is now available in Camden.
Signs4Life have set up an introductory workshop in Deaf Awareness to help staff to communicate and engage with their deaf & hard of hearing colleagues, service users, students, and patients in Camden. The Deaf Awareness event will be taking place on Tuesday 22nd September 2015 at Camden Cypriot Women’s Organisation, 2c Falkland Road, London, (NW5 2PT) from 10:30am – 12:30pm. This local initiative is to help identify barriers that deaf people face and explore their culture and community but also to encourage inclusion of all people with sensory, physical or learning disabilities in Camden. Attendance is strictly by booking only (limited places). For further information please contact Sara on info@signs4life.org

Volunteer Management Training
VCC’s Measuring The Impact of Your Volunteering Programme training course will give you practical, user-friendly tools to help you do just that.
Measuring The Impact Of Your Volunteering Programme For Beginners
Thursday 1st October 10am-1pm @ The Wellcome Trust in Euston
You will receive a copy of the NCVO measuring impact toolkit (£35) to take away. With that in mind, free places will be £35+booking fee and the rest will be £94+booking fee.
To book your place and to find our more information have a look at Eventbrite.

New Evelyn Oldfield Unit Research for Action and Influence Course 2015-16
Accredited London Region Open College Network, Level 3
Are you interested in working towards a qualification whilst gaining some useful and practical skills in research and presentation skills? Then this course is for you.
Starting from October, we will run 22 half-day sessions spread over 9 months. We will support RMCO representatives to gain the skills and confidence to be able to research issues of refugee and migrant communities including education, training and employment, welfare and social concerns.
The training is free. Participants will benefit from mentor support, tutorials and one to one support from the tutor.
Eligibility and how to apply:
This is a course for refugees and migrants only. Applicants must be active in a refugee or migrant community organisation working in London (this can be paid or voluntary). English levels have to be sufficient to manage independent report writing.
Please contact Alexandra, EOU administrator on 020 7697 4100 / Alexandra@evelynoldfield.co.uk for further information and/ or to request an application form.

Prince’s Trust Team Programme
The next Prince’s Trust TEAM Programme at Canalside Activity Centre is starting on 21/09/15.
For 16-25 years old; Unemployed or not in education or training; Available to attend a 12 week course full time
Team is a 12-week personal development course that will help you to develop your employability skills and to move into education, employment or training.
· Get a nationally recognised qualification: “Certificate in Employment, TEAMWORK AND Community Skills”( Entry Level 3, Level 1 or 2)
For information, please do not hesitate to contact Mustapha Elmsioui mustapha.elmsioui@epiccic.org.uk

Made of Money
Tues 22nd & Wed 23rd September 2015
Award-winning financial education project, offered as two day facilitator training
We’ll equip you to deliver flexible content around savings, credit, debt, communication,
coping with consumer culture, and children & money
Sliding costs from £100 to £350; in-house trainings also available
100% of trained facilitators would recommend Made of Money to other organisations
Made of Money is a project of Quaker Social Action (QSA) www.quakersocialaction.org.uk/madeofmoney

London for All
London for All / LVSC have a full programme of courses available for the voluntary sector. Go to the London for All website for full details.

Camden Carers’ Service
Has a full range of events and activities for unpaid carers in Camden. Find out more on the Camden Carers’ Service website www.camdencs.org.uk/activities

Don’t forget that Camden TDS run a full programme of course which are subsidised or free for voluntary sector partner organisations. There is a link to a list of partner organisations on the home page.

Find more Training Opportunities at www.vac.org.uk

Kingsgate Workshops Trust Volunteer Opportunity
We have an opportunity to offer some work, to possibly a retired person, involving handyman type work. We are keen to consider someone that perhaps had to retire when maybe they didn’t want to, or someone who might be isolated after retirement, or even someone younger who might be struggling to find work. Ideally we are looking for someone who has a breadth of knowledge, who would be able to do small jobs across the board such as plumbing, carpentry, general DIY.
Kingsgate Workshops Trust, 110 – 116 Kingsgate Road, London, NW6 2JG Tel: 020 7328 7878 www.kingsgateworkshops.org.uk
email: rowena@kingsgateworkshops.org.uk

Calthorpe Project seeks Sports Development Manager
The Calthorpe Project is a vibrant community center and garden working to improve the health and wellbeing of residents in and around Kings Cross.
We are looking for an exceptional person to develop and manage a day to day progamme of sporting activities based on our 5-a-side sports pitch. You will engage community groups, young people and the corporate sector and implement a sustainable income maximization strategy.
Salary £29,838 gross annually for flexible 35 hour week.
Download an application pack from our website: www.calthorpeproject.org.uk
Or request a pack by emailing info@calthorpeproject.org.uk
Completed applications can be returned by post or email:
Louise Gates, Calthorpe Project, 258-274 Grays Inn Rd, WC1X 8LH
Deadline for completed applications-12noon Friday September 25th 2015
Interviews – Friday October 9th

Moving on Up seeks Intern
Moving on Up is a joint initiative from Trust for London, the City of London’s charity, City Bridge Trust and the Black Training and Enterprise Group (BTEG). It aims to increase the employment rates of young black men in London over the next two years.
Moving on Up now wants to recruit a skilled and committed intern for six months who will be focused on developing and implementing a media and social media campaign which aims to encourage employers to ensure their job recruitment processes are free from negative stereotypes of young black men,
Salary: London living wage, currently £9.15 p/h Duration: six months
This post would suit someone with an interest in communications, media and social media. It would be ideal for someone who is studying for or has completed a degree in communications, media or similar subjects. Application pack online
Black Training and Enterprise Group: 020 7832 5840, Email: Jeremy@bteg.co.uk
The closing date for applications is 5 pm on 21 September 2015

Age UK Camden seeking Honorary Treasurer
Age UK Camden is recruiting to the volunteer role of Treasurer, to work closely with other trustees and the organisation’s Finance Manager and CEO. More details are on the NCVO website https://www.ncvo.org.uk/practical-support/governance/trustee-bank/vacancy-search/607?view=vacancy Age UK Camden’s CEO Gary Jones says “It’s an important role and we’re a complex organisation with a subsidiary charity and a £2mil+ turnover, and the lead role in the isolation-reduction programme Ageing Better in Camden. We also face cuts, tenders and a pension deficit, but have many strengths including strong financial management and staff, and a broad services offer and funding base”.

One Housing seeks:
Deputy Manager
£25,000 pa 37.5 hours a week 7 – day rota
Islington and Camden
One Housing are now looking for a Deputy Manager to manage a team of Care Assistants and lead high standards of person centered care and outcome based support services.
Closing date: 30th September 2015
Full details and how to apply available online.
Care Assistants
Full-time, part-time, flexible hours and night work
£15,370 pa pro rata
Islington and Camden
One Support is the housing, care and support arm of One Housing – one of the largest and fastest growing providers of housing, care and support services across London and the South East.
For more information, or to apply please visit the website.
Closing date: 30th September 2015
RECRUITMENT OPEN DAY
If you would like to talk to us directly, join us at our open morning on 24th September 2015 between 2pm and 5pm at our Roseberry Mansions Extra Care Service in Kings Cross. We will arrange to give you a tour of the building, meet our staff and customers and get a real feel for what we provide. We will also be able to offer initial interviews all afternoon. So please bring your CV with you. Please call 020 8821 4478 to book your visit.

Organisational Development Officer Job Opportunity
Sobus are looking for an Organisational Development Officer to deliver the new strategy to better support the voluntary sector in Hammersmith and Fulham. Someone who can pro-actively support the voluntary sector to grow, secure income, develop new meaningful partnerships and become better at evaluating its impact.
Salary: £31,460 – 34,120 per annum (depending on experience)
Hours: Full time 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent (subject to funding)
Closing date: Tuesday 22th September 2015 at 12noon
Interviews: Week Commencing 12th October 2015
To apply visit our website to download an application pack
Further information: email Shad.Haibatan@sobus.org.uk

Kentish Town Community Centre currently have 2 part time Youth worker vacancies
KTCC are looking for enthusiastic and experienced individuals to join the youth team, the roles are focused on 2 core youth projects, working with young people aged 11-19 in Kentish Town.
For more information or to apply please visit www.ktcc.org.uk
Closing date for applications is 21st September 2015.

Volunteer Role and VAC to Update Website and Database
This role is ideally suited to someone who wants to learn how to edit and update a website using WordPress. It is also suited to anyone looking to gain some experience of volunteering in an office environment with a view to finding or returning to employment. No prior experience is necessary or required as training will be given.
Role Title: Website and Data Entry Volunteer
Responsible to: ICT Training and Communications Support Worker
Salary Scale: Voluntary position
Hours: 1-2 days per week – max 14 hours/week (Tuesday & Wednesday)
Location: VAC, 293 – 299 Kentish Town Road, London NW5 2TJ.
Role Purpose
~ To keep the VAC website up-to-date with the latest funding opportunities as they relate to the local Camden Voluntary and Community Sector.
~ To update and maintain information on the organisation database, as and when required.
~ To provide other data-entry and administrative assistance to the ICT training and communication support worker and other staff, as and when required.
To apply please forward a CV and cover letter to alexcharles@vac.org.uk more details at www.vac.org.uk

Are you looking to employ an assistant to help with your care needs? CamdenPAs can help you.
CamdenPAs.org.uk is a new service that makes it easy to find a personal assistant (PA) and puts you in control of your care and support.
If you have care needs, you can employ a PA to help you to live as independently as possible.
CamdenPAs features an online ‘marketplace’ for you to browse through a list of profiles of PAs in the borough. Profiles give details about the services they provide, their skills, experience and personal interests.
You can look through the list to find suitable matches and choose someone you like to help support you.
When you find a match you can contact the PA to arrange an interview and see how you get on. If you like them you can then work out contract details such as hours, duties and wages, and hire them.
If you do not find anyone suitable, you can set up your own a profile describing your requirements and interests, for PAs to look through and contact you.
You can employ a PA whether you receive a direct payment or fund your own care. If you receive direct payments you can get support with the employment from Personalised Support In Camden or AgeUK Camden.
Become a PA
If you’re a PA looking for work or are just starting out, CamdenPAs can help you. As well as helping you finding a job, the site features advice on looking for work, becoming a PA and where to get training.
Why not set up your profile today? Find out more, visit: camdenpas.org.uk or p hone: 020 7278 4437

Socially Responsible Recruiting
A new, award-winning skills matching service that connects employers with skilled and experienced people to do one-off or part-time jobs has launched in Camden, with a strong social benefit ethic.
“There is a very large number of people in Camden who are fantastically skilled and work-ready but are off the radar to employers because they’re not looking for full-time work and aren’t constantly scouring the job ads,” says Jonathan Collie, founder of Trading Times.
These people are highly skilled over 50s, and family carers. Trading Times brings them to you. It’s free to candidates. It costs you only £35, and only when you are connected to the perfect candidates.
Paul Fordham of Abbey Community Centre in Camden said: “”We posted our occasional job opportunity on Trading Times because we at the Abbey Community Centre recognise the value of the flexibility that can come with age. Trading Times offers a tailored means to directly target opportunities at an older group that the vast majority of other job sites simply do not seem to tap.”
Register at https://tradingtimes.org.uk/ and let Trading Times match you with the right local people for your needs.

Find Jobs and Volunteering opportunities at https://www.vac.org.uk/

Age UK Don’t Cut Care Petition
Older people should be able to live well, not just survive, and the right care and support can help them do this.
But ferocious cuts to home care and community services – like meals on wheels, home carers, and day centre care – mean that many older people are forced to sacrifice their dignity because they can’t get the support they need.
Age UK is calling on the Government to invest in care for older people.
Please show your support – sign our petition.

Help Us Help You – Complete the VAC Survey
VAC provides a range of services and support to the voluntary and community sector and social enterprises in Camden. With further cuts and policy changes anticipated in Camden the knock on effect to local organisations is going to be challenging.
We would appreciate it if you could complete our short questionnaire to help VAC understand what support or services you are likely to need from VAC over the next couple of years and how we can help best advocate on your behalf for the sector.
The survey consists of 13 short questions and shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes to complete. You can also opt to keep your responses anonymous if you prefer to do so.
You can complete the survey via the following Survey Monkey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5ZLH8M6
Or on our website, at: https://vac.org.uk/influence/surveys-and-polls/survey-what-support-do-you-need-from-vac/
All completed surveys will be entered into a prize draw for a £20.00 cash prize!

Camden Chinese Community Centre Nursery
The nursery is a well-established facility, which has been in Camden for nearly 30 years. The nursery service aims to provide a happy, healthy, caring and stimulating pre-school environment where children aged between 2 and 5 years old of all nationalities can develop their full potential. The nursery is OFSTED-inspected and rated as good.
Friendly fully qualified staff carefully planning a wide range of activities, including story-time, singing, role-play, cooking, creative activities, physical play, outdoor learning.
Places available please contact email us at nursery@camdenccc.co.uk or call on 020 7485 4156 for more information.
United Reform Church, Buck Street, Camden NW1 8NJ Telephone: 020 7485 4156
Service hours: Monday – Friday, 51 weeks of the year (closed 1 week for Christmas)
core hours: 9:30am – 3:30pm extended hours: 8am – 6pm.

Camden Consultations
Various consultations are out at the moment including a consultation on Camden Future Libraries and Camden VCS strategy and changes to early education and childcare and children’s centre services. You can find all Camden consultation on the Wearecamden consultation hub.

FREE VAC Membership for Unfunded Groups: Voluntary Action Camden Small organisations with no paid staff and a turnover of less than £1,500 can now join for FREE. To take advantage of this offer just fill in the membership on the online form here.

Psychological Therapies: The Way Ahead for Camden’s BMER Communities; New Adult Social Care Market Development Strategy; Camden CCG’s Annual General Meeting; Refurbishment of Falkland Place; Health and Safety for Marginalized Communities; Urban Harvest; St Pancras Community Open Day and Family Fun Day; West Euston Community Festival; Royal Albert Hall Friendship Matinee; New Funding from the Edge and London Cycling; + jobs, volunteers, events, training, offers and resources.

Psychological Therapies: The Way Ahead for Camden’s BMER Communities
Wednesday 7th October 1:30pm to 4:30pm
Come and tell us your views on how psychological therapies services should best meet the needs of BMER communities in future
This event is hosted by London Borough of Camden’s Mental Health Commissioners and Voluntary Action Camden. It is aimed at Camden BMER community members and Camden voluntary and community sector organisations working with BMER groups
Tea and coffee will be provided. Venue St Pancras Hospital, Conference Hall.
To reserve your place please email: mentalhealthteam@vac.org.uk. Spaces are limited and bookings will be confirmed in September

New Adult Social Care Market Development Strategy
‘The Council’s Adult Social Care has developed a Market Development Strategy to foster a stronger more effective partnership between the Council and providers, to ensure the delivery of a more person centred, sustainable, care and support market that ensures the safety of vulnerable adults.
The Market Development Strategy provides a broad overview of social care services and likely changes in the future. This is supported by 6 Market Position Statements that explains how the Strategy will be delivered for different client groups and how Camden Council will work with our care providers.
Providers are encouraged to read the market position statements on http://camden.gov.uk/ccm/content/social-care-and-health/about-social-services-in-camden/market-development/ and use this to inform the ongoing development of your services and any contract opportunities you are responding to.
Our ambition, as set out, is to work co-productively with clients and providers to improve support in Camden. We therefore welcome any comments and ideas from providers relating to our market development strategy.’ You can speak to us at contract monitoring meetings, provider forums, market engagements events or through asccommissioning@camden.gov.uk

Camden CCG’s Annual General Meeting
Wednesday 16 September 2015
Camden CCG Agenda:
12:40pm-1:20pm Lunch/Networking
1:30pm-1:45pm Welcome- Chair of Camden CCG
1:45pm-2:30pm Presentations of:
• 2014/15 accounts
• Key Camden CCG success stories
• Public and patient perspective
2:30pm-2:45pm Open Q&A session – with Chair, speakers and supplementary panel members (incl. Governing Body members)
2:45pm-3:35pm Interactive session-table top discussions on key CCG priorities, with refreshments available
To book your place and for further details, please go to http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/camden-clinical-commissioning-groups-ccg-annual-general-meeting-registration-17793562023

Refurbishment of Falkland Place
Tuesday 15th September 10.30am-12pm.
The format of the session will be a site visit/ walk- around and conversations around specific themes to enable a team of Landscape Architects to develop sketch designs.
Groundwork are also working with Camden Council on developing and implementing designs for Cumberland Market, Camden Gardens, Swiss Cottage Open Space and drawing up a masterplan for St Pancras Gardens.
If you would like to attend a site analysis sessions for any of the above, or if you know of anyone who might be interested in attending please get in touch.
Please confirm your availability by Thursday 3rd September by replying to CamdenParks@groundwork.org.uk

Health and Safety for Marginalized Communities
Thursday, 17 September 10:00 am – 1:00 pm | Free
It is targeted in particular at migrant workers, unpaid carers, cleaners and people working in the hospitality industry. Some of the most marginalised people – probably working long hours, in dangerous conditions and on low pay.
Too many people are working in dangerous and unhealthy conditions – and often working long hours for low pay. Job insecurity pushes people to keep their heads down and just get on with the job, even if it’s risking their health. Lots of people may not have the help and support of a trade union. If this sounds like you, then make that change. Attend the VAC/London Hazards Centre training and have some fun learning about your rights and how to enforce them. More information and bookings on the VAC website.

Urban Harvest
Saturday 26th September 11am – 4pm at Kentish town health centre NW5 2BX
A wonderful Urban Harvest Festival celebrating local food and local growers as well as giving you the chance to take part in a huge range of events: building a wormary, making tea from plants in the garden, creating plant based dyes, sing away about food and press apples to name but a few.
All of this will be taking place in our Well-Beeing Garden
Everyone is welcome and all activities are free
The event is run by Kentish Town Transition and Kentish Town Improvement Fund
See more at: www.projectdirt.com

St Pancras Community Open Day and Family Fun Day
Sunday 13 September, in St Pancras Gardens. There’s going to be lots of free activities for all the family.

West Euston Community Festival
Saturday 12th September, Hpod and Cumberland Market. Free entertainment, family fund and health activities. Contact 020 7388 7932 www.westeustonpartnership.co.uk

Royal Albert Hall Friendship Matinee 9th October 3pm
The Music of Bond with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Tickets only £5 for members and users of voluntary and community groups and carers. Book online at www.royalalberthall.com or tel: 020 7589 8212.

Wild Bunch Club
Wednesday 2nd September it’s the Autumn Club at our favourite venue ‘Electrowerkz’. 7 – 11pm £5 on the door. Wheelchair access, over 18s only. Siren 020 7359 7443

Camden Chinese Community Centre Nursery
The nursery is a well-established facility, which has been in Camden for nearly 30 years. The nursery service aims to provide a happy, healthy, caring and stimulating pre-school environment where children aged between 2 and 5 years old of all nationalities can develop their full potential. The nursery is OFSTED-inspected and rated as good. It offers a range of activities, including:
• Personal, social, and emotional development
• Communications and language
• Mathematics
• Literacy
• Understanding of the world
• Physical development
• Exploring arts and design.
Friendly fully qualified staff carefully planning a wide range of activities, including story-time, singing, role-play, cooking, creative activities, physical play, outdoor learning.
Places available please contact email us at nursery@camdenccc.co.uk or call on 020 7485 4156 for more information.
United Reform Church, Buck Street, Camden NW1 8NJ Telephone: 020 7485 4156
Service hours: Monday – Friday, 51 weeks of the year (closed 1 week for Christmas)
core hours: 9:30am – 3:30pm extended hours: 8am – 6pm.

Healthwatch and Statistics
What is Healthwatch Camden’s role in relation to monitoring targets and statistics? What about areas not covered by targets – equal access to services, or about getting a real say in services? Respond here to have your say.

Free training, outings and events for unpaid carers in Camden
For a full list of events of carers in Camden please visit the Camden Carers website.

Camden and Islington Public Health
The latest edition of the newsletter is available online.

Healthwatch Camden
Latest Information DIgest is on the Healthwatch Camden website.
Catch up with the latest Camden news and what’s happening on Our Blog

The Camden Capacity Building Bulletin is produced monthly, targeting the community and voluntary sector in Camden. It provides up to date/recently live information and news on funding and training. To access the latest information please follow the Link www.camden.gov.uk/cbbulletin

Kentish Town Community Centre, Jobs in Mind, VAC and Camden PA are recruiting. See Jobs and Volunteers section below.

Camden Shares. The website for exchanges in Camden. www.camdenshares.org.uk

You can join in on Facebook. Like us if you like us.

Follow all the Camden Voluntary Sector news on OneCamden on Twitter.

You can read more about all of these stories on our news page at www.vac.org.uk/new

DSC Policy Bulletin
DSC have the answers to a tsunami of bad news hitting the sector – from the Charity Commission attempting to introduce fees, to the fake fundraising crisis, and the new Charities Bill. You can read it all online here.

Public trust in charities is at its lowest for eight years
Relentless negative campaigning by government and the press is finally paying off for them with a significant drop in public trust. Full story at Civil Society magazine.

See the Funding pages on VAC’s website for all the latest information.

The Edge Fund
The Edge Fund support work run by and for communities facing discrimination and injustice. We fund work carried out by individuals and grassroots groups in Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England that find it difficult to get funding elsewhere. Specifically, we fund work that challenges abuses of power and aims to change society by bringing an end to the systems that cause injustice. While applicants may be working on short term reforms, ​we are looking for applicants that ultimately aim to end or replace these systems with a just alternative, rather than trying to improve or reform them.
To apply for a grant of up to £3,000 you need to answer 5 questions in no more than 2 pages. The deadline for applications is 5pm Sunday 25 October. Read more.

Cycling Grants for London
Cycling Grants London is a community grants programme offering grants of up to £10,000 – over 3 years – to fund projects that engage communities across London in safe, enjoyable and inclusive cycling activities.
London is fast becoming a world class cycling city and Cycling Grants London aims to make sure all Londoners benefit from the joys of cycling.
Grants are available for community groups, charities and social enterprises for cycling activities that are tailored to local communities. Examples of activities that can be funded include: guided rides, mechanics training, cycle training and bike hire schemes. The grants can be used to buy equipment, train staff or volunteers and cover running costs.
The deadline to apply is Monday 21 September at 10am.
To find out further information on the funding available, who can apply, how to apply, useful tips and resources to plan your project, visit our website.

The Jack Petchey Foundation small grants for youth programmes
The Small Grants Fund allows those organisations who are running the Achievement Award Scheme well, to apply for a small grant of up to £750 to enhance their work with young people.
Please note that you must already be running the Achievement Award in your school or club, AND you must have recently nominated a Leader Award winner too. For more information on this see How to Apply.

Crowdfunding?
Don’t forget that there is a dedicated page on Spacehive just for Camden projects. And set up costs are free to Camden groups. Find out more at Spacehive Camden.

Don’t forget to sign up to Funding Central for free email funding alerts. Go to www.fundingcentral.org.uk/

VAC’s Mental Health Training Programme for BMER groups
Are you a BMER group or do you work with BMER communities? If so, then our Mental Health Training Programme is for you! Our next courses are as follows:
• Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 22nd and 29th October)
• Stigma and Mental Health (half-day workshop: 2nd November)
• Youth Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 12th and 19th November)
• Introduction to Mental Health Awareness (one day workshop: 9th December)
• Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 9th and 16th February 2016)
For more information about our any of our courses, please go to https://vac.org.uk/events/category/health-mental-health/. Click on the course you are interested in and follow the instructions to book your place and pay by card (if applicable). The charge for our Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid training courses is heavily subsidised at only £25 per person. All other mental health workshops are free.
Please note that VAC can only accept bookings from organisations working with BMER communities based in Camden, or which serve Camden BMER residents. Places are limited on each course to a maximum of two people per organisation. If you have any queries, please contact us on our team email address: mentalhealthteam@vac.org.uk

VAC has a full programme of courses coming up: Click here to find out more. All courses are £25 for members (unless otherwise stated).

Dementia Carers Training
For carers who are supporting someone with dementia
Session 1- Monday 7th September
Session 2 – Monday 14th September
Session 3 – Monday 21st September
(Arrival 9.45 am) 10.00am – 12.30 pm
Light Refreshments will be provided on the day
For general information or to book a place, please call Camden Carers Centre on 0207 428 8950 Or alternatively email Zakeera

Streets of London Music Project
For people with mental health issues
Autumn 2015 – Spring 2016 Band Workshops
Wednesdays 12-2pm at Fitzrovia Centre Foley Street W1W 6DN
– Guided Walk on London’s rich music history and eclectic community for inspiration
– Performance opportunities
– Recording studio experience
No previous experience is required
All Welcome
For enrolment / referrals forms – please email: lucia@upbeatmusic.org
Or text/call Lucia at: 07762151783 http://www.upbeatmusic.org

Breathing and Empowerment Workshop for Women
Saturday 19th September 2015 3pm – 5pm
The Venue, 02 Centre, 255 Finchley Road, London NW3 6LU
Women who want to feel more relaxed, confident and inspired to change their lives. Those ready to believe that they can start making those changes!
About workshop: This two hour workshop will introduce you to the benefits of breathing exercises for relaxation, confidence and fitness.
£45.00 Refreshments included.
To reserve your place please book online: http://www.wegottickets.com/event/330497
For any queries do call Heather on 07956 880103 or Catherine on 07980 659169. Email takeamoment2@gmail.com

What makes life good for people with long term health conditions
Come to this workshop and turn your ideas into plans!
Friday 18 september 2015, 1.30pm – 3.00pm (refreshments from 1.00pm)
Kingsgate resource Centre, 208 Webheath, Netherwood Street, London NW6 2JU
To learn more and to book your place, contact Frank Dove, LB Camden by Friday 11 September
020 7974 4435 frank.dove@camden.gov.uk

A celebration for World Mental Health Day
October 9th at St Pancras Hospital
VoiceAbility and VAC are supporting the Camden Borough User Group (CBUG) to hold an event to celebrate World Mental Health Day. It will be at the conference Hall, St Pancras Hospital on the 9th October between 11am and 4pm.
If you or anyone you support would be interested in attending, then please print off the attached flyer and spread the word. The event will have a social focus with hot food, music, speakers, performance, stalls and more.
We are also holding a photography competition and all entries will be displayed on the day, there is a flyer attached about this too.
For any further details please contact us at by email or by phone on:
camdenuserinvolvement@voiceability.org Telephone: 020 3355 7113

Deaf Awareness Event
A new initiative to encourage more staff and volunteers to take up Deaf Awareness is now available in Camden.
Signs4Life have set up an introductory workshop in Deaf Awareness to help staff to communicate and engage with their deaf & hard of hearing colleagues, service users, students, and patients in Camden. The Deaf Awareness event will be taking place on Tuesday 22nd September 2015 at Camden Cypriot Women’s Organisation, 2c Falkland Road, London, (NW5 2PT) from 10:30am – 12:30pm. This local initiative is to help identify barriers that deaf people face and explore their culture and community but also to encourage inclusion of all people with sensory, physical or learning disabilities in Camden. Attendance is strictly by booking only (limited places). For further information please contact Sara on info@signs4life.org

Engage to Succeed
‘Engage to Succeed’ is an intervention programme developed by the Windsor Fellowship funded by Camden Council that seeks to reduce and re-engage young people aged 18+ who are NEET (not in education, employment or training) or at risk of becoming NEET.
The project is for 2 years and works with young people across Camden.
‘Engage to Succeed’ includes:
• two days of personal and soft skills development training
• personal development focused 1-2-1 mentoring
• volunteering opportunities within Camden
• two Information, Advice and Guidance 1-2-1 sessions focused on employment, education or training for each participant
The project focuses on working with young people aged 18+ from across Camden, to bring together young people that would not normally meet one another thus challenging some of the stereotypes which our experience has shown exist. The programme will also raise community resilience and awareness of cross cultural and community similarities.
Workshops will be available on the following date(s) – with more dates to follow in due course:
Wednesday 2nd September
Register to attend: https://windsorfellowship.wufoo.eu/forms/engage-to-succeed-camden/
Participant Eligibility Criteria
Are you: Aged 18+; A Camden resident and not currently working, studying or doing a course?
Contact Email: robertsd@windsor-fellowship.org; Telephone: 020 7250 8445

Volunteer Management Training
VCC’s Measuring The Impact of Your Volunteering Programme training course will give you practical, user-friendly tools to help you do just that.
Measuring The Impact Of Your Volunteering Programme For Beginners
Thursday 1st October 10am-1pm @ The Wellcome Trust in Euston
You will receive a copy of the NCVO measuring impact toolkit (£35) to take away. With that in mind, free places will be £35+booking fee and the rest will be £94+booking fee.
To book your place and to find our more information have a look at Eventbrite.

Talksafe Over the Rainbow – A Groupwork Programme for LGBTQ Youth aged 16 – 21
Talksafe2 provides free face to face, telephone and online counselling to young people aged 10 to 21. The aim of the Talksafe2 project is to support a young person’s emotional wellbeing with the hope of them making better sexual health choices later on in life. Talksafe offers counselling on any of the issues that young people may be experiencing such as bullying, discrimination, family relationship issues, exam pressures.
Groupwork series for LGBTQ people aged 16 to 21 in central London on Wednesdays starting in October 2015, nearest tube Kings Cross, Euston or Angel.
The group will run for 12 sessions and will focus positively on; Healthy Lifestyles & Relationships; Identity; Self Esteem; Coming Out; Coping with discrimination.
Young people can choose to do all, or drop into some of the sessions.
Talksafe has an interactive website www.talksafe.org.uk where a young person can access information on a wide range of issues and topics. They can also ask a question online in complete confidence, which can be answered by a Peer Mentor, or access our online counselling service.
Terrence Higgins Trust, 314-320 Gray’s Inn Road, London, WC1X 8DP Kris.Black@tht.org.uk Tel: 07768 462 434 or 0207 812 1874

LivingWell Day at KTCC
Wednesday 2nd September 2015 10am – 4pm Free
Relax at Kentish Town Community Centre this September with a free day of activities to feed mind and body.
FREE crèche for Under 5s, meditation, yoga and much more!
– Meditation for Beginners 10.30am and 4pm
– Five Ways to Well-Being 11.15am
– Yoga for Beginners 12pm
– Lunch + Talk on Nutrition 1pm
– Vital Dance + Development 2.15pm
– Art + Music Session 2pm
– Sleep Talk 3.15pm
The centre is wheelchair accessible. If you require additional on-site assistance please ring 020 7482 3212
The creche will operate on a first come first served basis between 10am-1pm. To register your interest or to help out on the day please email isabelle@ktcc.org.uk. More information on the KTCC website.

Writing the short play with Little Pieces of Gold at Torriano Meeting House
A series of five playwriting workshops focusing on the short play. The aim is to enable you to develop your playwriting skills, nurture your writer’s voice and investigate what makes a great short play.
The workshops will be an opportunity to:
Short play showcases are thriving so writing a short piece is an excellent way to develop your playwriting skills and get your work seen. New writing nights can kickstart writing careers as events are frequently attended by producers, directors and literary agents. Writing the short play and being involved with a showcase event is also a brilliant way of collaborating with other theatre makers and forging creative relationships going forward.
Mondays – 5 Oct, 12 Oct,19 Oct, 2 Nov, 9 Nov 7.30 – 9.30 pm
Torianno Meeting House. Cost £80.00. Contact Torriano Meeting House to book
Also the Torrriano Meeting House AGM is at 5.30 – 6.15pm on Sunday 6th September
and there is a Working Group meeting at 6 -7.15pm on Monday 7 September .

New Evelyn Oldfield Unit Research for Action and Influence Course 2015-16
Accredited London Region Open College Network, Level 3
Are you interested in working towards a qualification whilst gaining some useful and practical skills in research and presentation skills? Then this course is for you.
Starting from October, we will run 22 half-day sessions spread over 9 months. We will support RMCO representatives to gain the skills and confidence to be able to research issues of refugee and migrant communities including education, training and employment, welfare and social concerns.
The training is free. Participants will benefit from mentor support, tutorials and one to one support from the tutor.
Eligibility and how to apply:
This is a course for refugees and migrants only. Applicants must be active in a refugee or migrant community organisation working in London (this can be paid or voluntary). English levels have to be sufficient to manage independent report writing.
Please contact Alexandra, EOU administrator on 020 7697 4100 / Alexandra@evelynoldfield.co.uk for further information and/ or to request an application form.

Prince’s Trust Team Programme
The next Prince’s Trust TEAM Programme at Canalside Activity Centre is starting on 21/09/15.
For 16-25 years old; Unemployed or not in education or training; Available to attend a 12 week course full time
Team is a 12-week personal development course that will help you to develop your employability skills and to move into education, employment or training.
· Get a nationally recognised qualification: “Certificate in Employment, TEAMWORK AND Community Skills”( Entry Level 3, Level 1 or 2)
For information, please do not hesitate to contact Mustapha Elmsioui mustapha.elmsioui@epiccic.org.uk

Made of Money
Tues 22nd & Wed 23rd September2015
Award-winning financial education project, offered as two day facilitator training
We’ll equip you to deliver flexible content around savings, credit, debt, communication,
coping with consumer culture, and children & money
Sliding costs from £100 to £350; in-house trainings also available
100% of trained facilitators would recommend Made of Money to other organisations
Made of Money is a project of Quaker Social Action (QSA) www.quakersocialaction.org.uk/madeofmoney

Promoting Change Training
Our enthusiastic trainers have designed this course specifically for professionals across Camden and Islington, and will focus on guiding and supporting learning opportunities by challenging you, reinforcing involvement and maintaining an energetic pace throughout the programme.
By attending the course you will:
· Gain an insight into the key health promotion messages for smoking, healthy eating, physical activity and alcohol consumption
· Understand how to effectively raise the topic of health behaviours in your conversations
· Learn how to effectively shape behaviours to support a healthy lifestyle and encourage independence
· Explore the best way to put these skills and strategies into practice within the context of your own role
Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis so don’t delay – take the next step in your professional development and confirm your place today: http://promotingchangetraining.eventbrite.com
Contact Paula Prince at Whittington Health NHS for dates or for more information:
Email: paula.prince@nhs.net Telephone: 0207 527 1189. Free. I day. 7, 10 or 30 September.

Camden Ageing Network Meeting
Councillor Larraine Revah Camden’s Champion for Older people invites you to attend the Camden Ageing Network 2-4pm on 9th September 2015 in The Council Chamber, Camden Town Hall, Judd Street, WC1
The meeting provides an opportunity for you to hear and ask questions about many new projects and initiatives
The meeting will include update from
• Camden’s older peoples commissioner
• Age UK Camden on new projects and initiatives in Camden for older citizens
• Kilburn Older Voices Exchange presents what KOVE is currently doing with Ageing Better Camden and to show their new film A Nice Cup of Tea.
• Community Programmes: provision for local adults at the British Museum
Plus more to be confirmed. Please call: 0207 974 1459 if you require further information

Tennis for blind and partially sighted people
Liven up your Friday evenings – come and play sound ball tennis at The Globe Tennis Club
190A Haverstock Hill, NW3 2AL behind Belsize Park tube station [Northern line] Buses C11, 168 and 268
We can meet and guide people to the tennis club from Belsize Park tube station, Hampstead Heath Overground station or nearest bus stops.
Every other Friday: 11th and 25th September and so on… From 6pm to 8pm
Sessions are FREE. Equipment and coaching provided. Please wear tennis or tennis-like footwear.
Sessions followed by a social get-together.
Want to know more? Phone Rosemary on 07980 328 959 or email: Rosemary@somerstown.org.uk

Free English Classes
Would you like to speak English better? Then come to our free classes.
Every Monday 6pm-8pm at The Evelyn Oldfield Unit, Resource for London, 356 Holloway Road, N7 6PA
Please contact Alexandra for more information on 0207 697 4105 alexandra@evelynoldfield.co.uk

London for All
London for All / LVSC have a full programme of courses available for the voluntary sector. Go to the London for All website for full details.

Camden Carers’ Service
Has a full range of events and activities for unpaid carers in Camden. Find out more on the Camden Carers’ Service website www.camdencs.org.uk/activities

Don’t forget that Camden TDS run a full programme of course which are subsidised or free for voluntary sector partner organisations. There is a link to a list of partner organisations on the home page.

Find more Training Opportunities at www.vac.org.uk

Organisational Development Officer Job Opportunity
Sobus are looking for an Organisational Development Officer to deliver the new strategy to better support the voluntary sector in Hammersmith and Fulham. Someone who can pro-actively support the voluntary sector to grow, secure income, develop new meaningful partnerships and become better at evaluating its impact.
Salary: £31,460 – 34,120 per annum (depending on experience)
Hours: Full time 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent (subject to funding)
Closing date: Tuesday 22th September 2015 at 12noon
Interviews: Week Commencing 12th October 2015
To apply visit our website to download an application pack
Further information: email Shad.Haibatan@sobus.org.uk

Kentish Town Community Centre currently have 2 part time Youth worker vacancies
KTCC are looking for enthusiastic and experienced individuals to join the youth team, the roles are focused on 2 core youth projects, working with young people aged 11-19 in Kentish Town.
For more information or to apply please visit www.ktcc.org.uk
Closing date for applications is 21st September 2015.

Urban Growth Volunteer Assistant with Jobs In Mind
Do you enjoy working outside? Do you want to gain experience of supporting individuals with wide ranging mental health needs? Do you love vegetables? If the answer to all three is yes then please keep reading.
We are a mental health charity whose varied services provide specialist support and advice around problems at work, training and education. Our mission is to understand, support and enable the recovery of those affected by mental health problems.
We have been working across a range of London boroughs for 26 years now with specialist networks in Islington, Camden and Westminster.
Urban Growth is a practical and therapeutic work-based recovery programme based in Camden Town. We provide horticultural training in organic food growing and informal therapeutic support to individuals with mental health problems. Through horticultural training, participants gain personal and vocational skills to improve their mental health, wellbeing and employability.
We are looking for a keen individual to help assist our Urban Growth coordinator on-site for a maximum of two days a week, Monday and Wednesday 10am-3pm.
You will need to be confident in supporting small groups and working with individuals who have a wide range of mental health needs. This role is largely an outdoor role, so please be aware of this when applying.
Apply by sending your CV and a one page covering letter, explaining why you’d be the best person to join our programme as an assistant volunteer.
Deadline 9am, 31st August 2015. Details on www.charityjob.co.uk

Volunteer Role and VAC to Update Website and Database
This role is ideally suited to someone who wants to learn how to edit and update a website using WordPress. It is also suited to anyone looking to gain some experience of volunteering in an office environment with a view to finding or returning to employment. No prior experience is necessary or required as training will be given.
Role Title: Website and Data Entry Volunteer
Responsible to: ICT Training and Communications Support Worker
Salary Scale: Voluntary position
Hours: 1-2 days per week – max 14 hours/week (Tuesday & Wednesday)
Location: VAC, 293 – 299 Kentish Town Road, London NW5 2TJ.
Role Purpose
~ To keep the VAC website up-to-date with the latest funding opportunities as they relate to the local Camden Voluntary and Community Sector.
~ To update and maintain information on the organisation database, as and when required.
~ To provide other data-entry and administrative assistance to the ICT training and communication support worker and other staff, as and when required.
To apply please forward a CV and cover letter to alexcharles@vac.org.uk more details at www.vac.org.uk

Are you looking to employ an assistant to help with your care needs? CamdenPAs can help you.
CamdenPAs.org.uk is a new service that makes it easy to find a personal assistant (PA) and puts you in control of your care and support.
If you have care needs, you can employ a PA to help you to live as independently as possible.
CamdenPAs features an online ‘marketplace’ for you to browse through a list of profiles of PAs in the borough. Profiles give details about the services they provide, their skills, experience and personal interests.
You can look through the list to find suitable matches and choose someone you like to help support you.
When you find a match you can contact the PA to arrange an interview and see how you get on. If you like them you can then work out contract details such as hours, duties and wages, and hire them.
If you do not find anyone suitable, you can set up your own a profile describing your requirements and interests, for PAs to look through and contact you.
You can employ a PA whether you receive a direct payment or fund your own care. If you receive direct payments you can get support with the employment from Personalised Support In Camden or AgeUK Camden.
Become a PA
If you’re a PA looking for work or are just starting out, CamdenPAs can help you. As well as helping you finding a job, the site features advice on looking for work, becoming a PA and where to get training.
Why not set up your profile today? Find out more, visit: camdenpas.org.uk or p hone: 020 7278 4437

Socially Responsible Recruiting
A new, award-winning skills matching service that connects employers with skilled and experienced people to do one-off or part-time jobs has launched in Camden, with a strong social benefit ethic.
“There is a very large number of people in Camden who are fantastically skilled and work-ready but are off the radar to employers because they’re not looking for full-time work and aren’t constantly scouring the job ads,” says Jonathan Collie, founder of Trading Times.
These people are highly skilled over 50s, and family carers. Trading Times brings them to you. It’s free to candidates. It costs you only £35, and only when you are connected to the perfect candidates.
Paul Fordham of Abbey Community Centre in Camden said: “”We posted our occasional job opportunity on Trading Times because we at the Abbey Community Centre recognise the value of the flexibility that can come with age. Trading Times offers a tailored means to directly target opportunities at an older group that the vast majority of other job sites simply do not seem to tap.”
Register at https://tradingtimes.org.uk/ and let Trading Times match you with the right local people for your needs.

Find Jobs and Volunteering opportunities at https://www.vac.org.uk/

Help Us Help You – Complete the VAC Survey
VAC provides a range of services and support to the voluntary and community sector and social enterprises in Camden. With further cuts and policy changes anticipated in Camden the knock on effect to local organisations is going to be challenging.
We would appreciate it if you could complete our short questionnaire to help VAC understand what support or services you are likely to need from VAC over the next couple of years and how we can help best advocate on your behalf for the sector.
The survey consists of 13 short questions and shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes to complete. You can also opt to keep your responses anonymous if you prefer to do so.
You can complete the survey via the following Survey Monkey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5ZLH8M6
Or on our website, at: https://vac.org.uk/influence/surveys-and-polls/survey-what-support-do-you-need-from-vac/
All completed surveys will be entered into a prize draw for a £20.00 cash prize!

Camden Consultations
Various consultations are out at the moment including a consultation on Camden Future Libraries and Camden VCS strategy and changes to early education and childcare and children’s centre services. You can find all Camden consultation on the Wearecamden consultation hub.

FREE VAC Membership for Unfunded Groups: Voluntary Action Camden Small organisations with no paid staff and a turnover of less than £1,500 can now join for FREE. To take advantage of this offer just fill in the membership on the online form here.

VAC Survey; A celebration for World Mental Health Day; Deaf Awareness Event; Psychological Therapies: The Way Ahead for Camden’s BMER Communities; What makes life good for people with long term health conditions; Health and Safety for Marginalized Communities; FGM Study; Supporting women who have no access to legal aid: Introducing McKenzie Friend; training, outings and events for unpaid carers in Camden; Streets of London Music Project; + jobs, volunteers, events, training, offers and resources.

A celebration for World Mental Health Day
October 9th at St Pancras Hospital
VoiceAbility and VAC are supporting the Camden Borough User Group (CBUG) to hold an event to celebrate World Mental Health Day. It will be at the conference Hall, St Pancras Hospital on the 9th October between 11am and 4pm.
If you or anyone you support would be interested in attending, then please print off the attached flyer and spread the word. The event will have a social focus with hot food, music, speakers, performance, stalls and more.
We are also holding a photography competition and all entries will be displayed on the day, there is a flyer attached about this too.
For any further details please contact us at by email or by phone on:
camdenuserinvolvement@voiceability.org Telephone: 020 3355 7113

Deaf Awareness Event
A new initiative to encourage more staff and volunteers to take up Deaf Awareness is now available in Camden.
Signs4Life have set up an introductory workshop in Deaf Awareness to help staff to communicate and engage with their deaf & hard of hearing colleagues, service users, students, and patients in Camden. The Deaf Awareness event will be taking place on Tuesday 22nd September 2015 at Camden Cypriot Women’s Organisation, 2c Falkland Road, London, (NW5 2PT) from 10:30am – 12:30pm. This local initiative is to help identify barriers that deaf people face and explore their culture and community but also to encourage inclusion of all people with sensory, physical or learning disabilities in Camden. Attendance is strictly by booking only (limited places). For further information please contact Sara on info@signs4life.org

Psychological Therapies: The Way Ahead for Camden’s BMER Communities
Wednesday 7th October 2015 1:30pm to 4:30pm
At Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, St Pancras Hospital, Conference Hall, 4 St Pancras Way, London NW1 0PE
Come and tell us your views on how psychological therapies services should best meet the needs of BMER communities in future
This event is hosted by London Borough of Camden’s Mental Health Commissioners and Voluntary Action Camden. It is aimed at Camden BMER community members and Camden voluntary and community sector organisations working with BMER groups
Tea and coffee will be provided
To reserve your place please email: mentalhealthteam@vac.org.uk. Spaces are limited and bookings will be confirmed in September

What makes life good for people with long term health conditions
Come to this workshop and turn your ideas into plans!
Friday 18 september 2015, 1.30pm – 3.00pm (refreshments from 1.00pm)
Kingsgate resource Centre, 208 Webheath, Netherwood Street, London NW6 2JU
To learn more and to book your place, contact Frank Dove, LB Camden by Friday 11 September
020 7974 4435 frank.dove@camden.gov.uk

Health and Safety for Marginalized Communities
Wednesday, July 15 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm | Free
It is targeted in particular at migrant workers, unpaid carers, cleaners and people working in the hospitality industry. Some of the most marginalised people – probably working long hours, in dangerous conditions and on low pay.
Too many people are working in dangerous and unhealthy conditions – and often working long hours for low pay. Job insecurity pushes people to keep their heads down and just get on with the job, even if it’s risking their health. Lots of people may not have the help and support of a trade union. If this sounds like you, then make that change. Attend the VAC/London Hazards Centre training and have some fun learning about your rights and how to enforce them. More information and bookings on the VAC website.

No local authority area in England and Wales free from FGM
A series of maps and data tables visualising FGM prevalence data in England and Wales can be viewed on the City University London’s website.

Supporting women who have no access to legal aid: Introducing McKenzie Friend
19th August 2015
This is a course for refugee or migrant women from community organisations designed to introduce the McKenzie Friend scheme. This is where those who have to attend court but do not have access to legal aid can bring a ‘McKenzie Friend’ with them.
The course will run on the 16th of September in the Resource for London, 356 Holloway Road from 9.30-1.00pm.
Please see the Evelyn Oldfield website for further details.

Free training, outings and events for unpaid carers in Camden
Tuesday 25th: Dementia Carers Group, 11am–1pm, on welfare rights/carers’ benefits, with speaker from Mary Ward Legal Centre.
Thursday 27th: London Greeters Walk, 10am – 12pm, a two-hour walk starting and ending at Russell Square station.
Craft workshop, 2.30 – 4.30pm, create art in a friendly, social environment
Friday 28th: Leisure Afternoon for People with Dementia and their Carers, 2 – 4pm
Tel: 020 7428 8950 for more details or to book.

Streets of London Music Project
for people with mental health issues
Autumn 2015 – Spring 2016 Band Workshops
Wednesdays 12-2pm at Fitzrovia Centre Foley Street W1W 6DN
– Guided Walk on London’s rich music history and eclectic community for inspiration
– Performance opportunities
– Recording studio experience
No previous experience is required
All Welcome
For enrolment / referrals forms – please email: lucia@upbeatmusic.org
Or text/call Lucia at: 07762151783 http://www.upbeatmusic.org

Healthwatch Camden
Latest Information DIgest is on the Healthwatch Camden website.
Catch up with the latest Camden news and what’s happening on Our Blog

The Camden Capacity Building Bulletin is produced monthly, targeting the community and voluntary sector in Camden. It provides up to date/recently live information and news on funding and training. To access the latest information please follow the Link www.camden.gov.uk/cbbulletin

Kentish Town Community Centre, Jobs in Mind, VAC and Camden PA are recruiting. See Jobs and Volunteers section below.

Camden Shares. The website for exchanges in Camden. www.camdenshares.org.uk

You can join in on Facebook. Like us if you like us.

Follow all the Camden Voluntary Sector news on OneCamden on Twitter.

You can read more about all of these stories on our news page at www.vac.org.uk/new

Are CVSs Losing Their Voice?
Councils for voluntary service have traditionally spoken up on behalf of the local voluntary sector, but with cuts to budgets and changes in local funding arrangements some fear that voice is being lost. Third Sector reports.

Kids Company
Many more articles have been written about Kids Company but few are worth reading. One exception is Simone Abram’s article in the Conversation which points out that many charities are struggling with rising demand, falling funding, dwindling reserves and spiralling monitoring demands. Full cost recovery rarely happens and administration costs are often unrealistically low. Do you turn people away when target numbers are exceeded or do you respond to need?

Social Media Fail
It’s easy to get started with social media but there are many pitfalls to catch out the unwary – even if you have a large, professional, well funded team like the Department for Work and Pensions. They fell victim to two social media traps. Firstly they chose a hashtag in use by someone else and then the hashtag was hijacked. The DWP launched a pro work experience campaign with the hashtag #WEcan. Unfortunately this hashtag is already in widespread use on facebook by a number of campaigns including the Wellness Education Cannabis Advocates of Nevada. On twitter the hashtag #WEcan was hijacked by opponents of Workfare who feel that the campaign is all part of the governments plans to remove benefits from under 21s and bring in forced boot camps and more workfare.

Austerity State: how has the council’s budget changed?
Between 2009/10 and 2014/15 spending by England’s local authorities was cut by a fifth — more than twice the rate of spending cuts to the rest of the UK public sector. The FT Local Cuts Checker database brings together a myriad of data to allow you to explore the impact of those cuts.

Fairness Commissions: Understanding how local authorities can have an impact on inequality and poverty
A new report by New Economics Foundation (NEF), funded by Trust for London, explores the role of Fairness Commissions in tackling poverty and inequality at a local level.
In the face of severe spending cuts, many local authorities are struggling to tackle growing levels of inequality and poverty. Others are exploring fresh and participative approaches to improving the lives of their residents in difficult financial circumstances. Download the report here.

See the Funding pages on VAC’s website for all the latest information.

The Jack Petchey Foundation small grants for youth programmes
The Small Grants Fund allows those organisations who are running the Achievement Award Scheme well, to apply for a small grant of up to £750 to enhance their work with young people.
Please note that you must already be running the Achievement Award in your school or club, AND you must have recently nominated a Leader Award winner too. For more information on this see How to Apply.

The Good Neighbourhood Fund
Grants of between £5,000 and £10,000 per year over two years, are available to support work benefitting people aged 18 or over in the following areas: Health and/or Wellbeing and Inclusion
Proposals must promote or encourage integration and/or inclusion through project delivery. This could include:
~ Health and wellbeing projects that bring people of different backgrounds, faiths, gender, cultures, sexuality, ages together through the group’s work
~ Projects with a health/wellbeing focus that are actively tackling issues such as exclusion and isolation
Funding is available for projects, or core funding for organisations whose work fits with the fund themes, and funding is available to continue existing work, and/or for new work or pilots.
Organisations must have an average annual income of less than £200,000
Priority will be given to:
~ Small organisations working to support a defined local community
~ Resident or user led groups
~ Organisations demonstrating a clear understanding of the needs of their community
~ Work which shows innovation for either the organisation and/or sector
Deadline: 5pm, Monday 7th Sept 2015. Full details at London Community Foundation

Crowdfunding?
Don’t forget that there is a dedicated page on Spacehive just for Camden projects. And set up costs are free to Camden groups. Find out more at Spacehive Camden.

Don’t forget to sign up to Funding Central for free email funding alerts. Go to www.fundingcentral.org.uk/

VAC’s Mental Health Training Programme for BMER groups
Are you a BMER group or do you work with BMER communities? If so, then our Mental Health Training Programme is for you! Our next courses are as follows:
• Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 22nd and 29th October)
• Stigma and Mental Health (half-day workshop: 2nd November)
• Youth Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 12th and 19th November)
• Introduction to Mental Health Awareness (one day workshop: 9th December)
• Mental Health First Aid (two-day course: 9th and 16th February 2016)
For more information about our any of our courses, please go to https://vac.org.uk/events/category/health-mental-health/. Click on the course you are interested in and follow the instructions to book your place and pay by card (if applicable). The charge for our Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid training courses is heavily subsidised at only £25 per person. All other mental health workshops are free.
Please note that VAC can only accept bookings from organisations working with BMER communities based in Camden, or which serve Camden BMER residents. Places are limited on each course to a maximum of two people per organisation. If you have any queries, please contact us on our team email address: mentalhealthteam@vac.org.uk

VAC has a full programme of courses coming up: Click here to find out more. All courses are £25 for members (unless otherwise stated).

Engage to Succeed
‘Engage to Succeed’ is an intervention programme developed by the Windsor Fellowship funded by Camden Council that seeks to reduce and re-engage young people aged 18+ who are NEET (not in education, employment or training) or at risk of becoming NEET.
The project is for 2 years and works with young people across Camden.
‘Engage to Succeed’ includes:
• two days of personal and soft skills development training
• personal development focused 1-2-1 mentoring
• volunteering opportunities within Camden
• two Information, Advice and Guidance 1-2-1 sessions focused on employment, education or training for each participant
The project focuses on working with young people aged 18+ from across Camden, to bring together young people that would not normally meet one another thus challenging some of the stereotypes which our experience has shown exist. The programme will also raise community resilience and awareness of cross cultural and community similarities.
Workshops will be available on the following date(s) – with more dates to follow in due course:
Wednesday 2nd September
Register to attend: https://windsorfellowship.wufoo.eu/forms/engage-to-succeed-camden/
Participant Eligibility Criteria
Are you: Aged 18+; A Camden resident and not currently working, studying or doing a course?
Contact Email: robertsd@windsor-fellowship.org; Telephone: 020 7250 8445

Volunteer Management Training
VCC’s Measuring The Impact of Your Volunteering Programme training course will give you practical, user-friendly tools to help you do just that.
Measuring The Impact Of Your Volunteering Programme For Beginners
Thursday 1st October 10am-1pm @ The Wellcome Trust in Euston
You will receive a copy of the NCVO measuring impact toolkit (£35) to take away. With that in mind, free places will be £35+booking fee and the rest will be £94+booking fee.
To book your place and to find our more information have a look at Eventbrite.

Talksafe Over the Rainbow – A Groupwork Programme for LGBTQ Youth aged 16 – 21
Talksafe2 provides free face to face, telephone and online counselling to young people aged 10 to 21. The aim of the Talksafe2 project is to support a young person’s emotional wellbeing with the hope of them making better sexual health choices later on in life. Talksafe offers counselling on any of the issues that young people may be experiencing such as bullying, discrimination, family relationship issues, exam pressures.
Groupwork series for LGBTQ people aged 16 to 21 in central London on Wednesdays starting in October 2015, nearest tube Kings Cross, Euston or Angel.
The group will run for 12 sessions and will focus positively on the following themes:
· Healthy Lifestyles & Relationships
· Identity
· Self Esteem
· Coming Out
· Coping with discrimination
· Coping with stress
Young people can choose to do all, or drop into some of the sessions.
Talksafe has an interactive website www.talksafe.org.uk where a young person can access information on a wide range of issues and topics. They can also ask a question online in complete confidence, which can be answered by a Peer Mentor, or access our online counselling service.
Terrence Higgins Trust, 314-320 Gray’s Inn Road, London, WC1X 8DP Kris.Black@tht.org.uk Tel: 07768 462 434 or 0207 812 1874

LivingWell Day at KTCC
Wednesday 2nd September 2015 10am – 4pm Free
Relax at Kentish Town Community Centre this September with a free day of activities to feed mind and body.
FREE crèche for Under 5s, meditation, yoga and much more!
– Meditation for Beginners 10.30am and 4pm
– Five Ways to Well-Being 11.15am
– Yoga for Beginners 12pm
– Lunch + Talk on Nutrition 1pm
– Vital Dance + Development 2.15pm
– Art + Music Session 2pm
– Sleep Talk 3.15pm
The centre is wheelchair accessible. If you require additional on-site assistance please ring 020 7482 3212
The creche will operate on a first come first served basis between 10am-1pm. To register your interest or to help out on the day please email isabelle@ktcc.org.uk. More information on the KTCC website.

Writing the short play with Little Pieces of Gold at Torriano Meeting House
A series of five playwriting workshops focusing on the short play. The aim is to enable you to develop your playwriting skills, nurture your writer’s voice and investigate what makes a great short play.
The workshops will be an opportunity to:
Short play showcases are thriving so writing a short piece is an excellent way to develop your playwriting skills and get your work seen. New writing nights can kickstart writing careers as events are frequently attended by producers, directors and literary agents. Writing the short play and being involved with a showcase event is also a brilliant way of collaborating with other theatre makers and forging creative relationships going forward.
Mondays – 5 Oct, 12 Oct,19 Oct, 2 Nov, 9 Nov 7.30 – 9.30 pm
Torianno Meeting House. Cost £80.00. Contact Torriano Meeting House to book
Also the Torrriano Meeting House AGM is at 5.30 – 6.15pm on Sunday 6th September
and there is a Working Group meeting at 6 -7.15pm on Monday 7 September .

New Evelyn Oldfield Unit Research for Action and Influence Course 2015-16
Accredited London Region Open College Network, Level 3
Are you interested in working towards a qualification whilst gaining some useful and practical skills in research and presentation skills? Then this course is for you.
Starting from October, we will run 22 half-day sessions spread over 9 months. We will support RMCO representatives to gain the skills and confidence to be able to research issues of refugee and migrant communities including education, training and employment, welfare and social concerns.
The training is free. Participants will benefit from mentor support, tutorials and one to one support from the tutor.
Eligibility and how to apply:
This is a course for refugees and migrants only. Applicants must be active in a refugee or migrant community organisation working in London (this can be paid or voluntary). English levels have to be sufficient to manage independent report writing.
Please contact Alexandra, EOU administrator on 020 7697 4100 / Alexandra@evelynoldfield.co.uk for further information and/ or to request an application form.

Prince’s Trust Team Programme
The next Prince’s Trust TEAM Programme at Canalside Activity Centre is starting on 21/09/15.
For 16-25 years old; Unemployed or not in education or training; Available to attend a 12 week course full time
Team is a 12-week personal development course that will help you to develop your employability skills and to move into education, employment or training.
· Get a nationally recognised qualification: “Certificate in Employment, TEAMWORK AND Community Skills”( Entry Level 3, Level 1 or 2)
For information, please do not hesitate to contact Mustapha Elmsioui mustapha.elmsioui@epiccic.org.uk

Made of Money
Tues 22nd & Wed 23rd September2015
Award-winning financial education project, offered as two day facilitator training
We’ll equip you to deliver flexible content around savings, credit, debt, communication,
coping with consumer culture, and children & money
Sliding costs from £100 to £350; in-house trainings also available
100% of trained facilitators would recommend Made of Money to other organisations
Made of Money is a project of Quaker Social Action (QSA) www.quakersocialaction.org.uk/madeofmoney

Promoting Change Training
Our enthusiastic trainers have designed this course specifically for professionals across Camden and Islington, and will focus on guiding and supporting learning opportunities by challenging you, reinforcing involvement and maintaining an energetic pace throughout the programme.
By attending the course you will:
· Gain an insight into the key health promotion messages for smoking, healthy eating, physical activity and alcohol consumption
· Understand how to effectively raise the topic of health behaviours in your conversations
· Learn how to effectively shape behaviours to support a healthy lifestyle and encourage independence
· Explore the best way to put these skills and strategies into practice within the context of your own role
Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis so don’t delay – take the next step in your professional development and confirm your place today: http://promotingchangetraining.eventbrite.com
Contact Paula Prince at Whittington Health NHS for dates or for more information:
Email: paula.prince@nhs.net Telephone: 0207 527 1189. Free. I day. 7, 10 or 30 September.

Camden Ageing Network Meeting
Councillor Larraine Revah Camden’s Champion for Older people invites you to attend the Camden Ageing Network 2-4pm on 9th September 2015 in The Council Chamber, Camden Town Hall, Judd Street, WC1
The meeting provides an opportunity for you to hear and ask questions about many new projects and initiatives
The meeting will include update from
• Camden’s older peoples commissioner
• Age UK Camden on new projects and initiatives in Camden for older citizens
• Kilburn Older Voices Exchange presents what KOVE is currently doing with Ageing Better Camden and to show their new film A Nice Cup of Tea.
• Community Programmes: provision for local adults at the British Museum
Plus more to be confirmed. Please call: 0207 974 1459 if you require further information

Training from HEAR
Supporting LGBT+ Asylum Seekers and Refugees – 10 September 2015
10am to 1pm (arrival from 9.30am). Voluntary Action Islington/LVSC, 200a Pentonville Road, N1 9JP (close to Kings Cross station). Trainer: Jess McIntyre, Reach Out.
This training develops themes and topics from other popular HEAR training on supporting refugees and asylum seekers and on supporting LGB people and Trans Awareness, and reflects HEAR’s commitment to training on more complex intersectional topics. This training is for anybody that may work with or support asylum seekers or refugees. Learn, in a supportive and open learning environment, how to provide safe spaces for vulnerable people with complex needs.
Gender Recognition Act – 4 November 2015
10am-1pm (arrival from 9.30am) Fitzrovia Community Centre, 6 Foley Street, W1W 6DL (Central London, West End, close Googe Street and Tottenham Court Road). Trainer: Lee Gale.
Whatever your type of service or beneficiary group you will at some point find that trans people are included amongst those who need your service or support. As well as a broader awareness of trans issues, it is important to be aware of the relevant equalities legislation. The Gender Recognition Act 2004 (GRA) is a very important piece of legislation for the rights of trans people in the UK. It enables many trans people to get legal recognition of their affirmed gender and allows them to change their birth certificate to reflect this, giving privacy rights and dignity to people in the UK. To book your place please email the HEAR Coordinator: hear@reap.org.uk stating your name, organisation, organisation postcode, and whether you have any access or dietary requirements or book online.

Tennis for blind and partially sighted people
Liven up your Friday evenings – come and play sound ball tennis at The Globe Tennis Club
190A Haverstock Hill, NW3 2AL behind Belsize Park tube station [Northern line] Buses C11, 168 and 268
We can meet and guide people to the tennis club from Belsize Park tube station, Hampstead Heath Overground station or nearest bus stops.
Every other Friday: 14th and 28th August; 11th and 25th September and so on… From 6pm to 8pm
Sessions are FREE. Equipment and coaching provided. Please wear tennis or tennis-like footwear.
Sessions followed by a social get-together.
Want to know more? Phone Rosemary on 07980 328 959 or email: Rosemary@somerstown.org.uk

Free English Classes
Would you like to speak English better? Then come to our free classes.
Every Monday 6pm-8pm at The Evelyn Oldfield Unit, Resource for London, 356 Holloway Road, N7 6PA
Please contact Alexandra for more information on 0207 697 4105 alexandra@evelynoldfield.co.uk

London for All
London for All / LVSC have a full programme of courses available for the voluntary sector. Go to the London for All website for full details.

Camden Carers’ Service
Has a full range of events and activities for unpaid carers in Camden. Find out more on the Camden Carers’ Service website www.camdencs.org.uk/activities

Don’t forget that Camden TDS run a full programme of course which are subsidised or free for voluntary sector partner organisations. There is a link to a list of partner organisations on the home page.

Find more Training Opportunities at www.vac.org.uk

Kentish Town Community Centre currently have 2 part time Youth worker vacancies
KTCC are looking for enthusiastic and experienced individuals to join the youth team, the roles are focused on 2 core youth projects, working with young people aged 11-19 in Kentish Town.
For more information or to apply please visit www.ktcc.org.uk
Closing date for applications is 21st September 2015.

Urban Growth Volunteer Assistant with Jobs In Mind
Do you enjoy working outside? Do you want to gain experience of supporting individuals with wide ranging mental health needs? Do you love vegetables? If the answer to all three is yes then please keep reading.
We are a mental health charity whose varied services provide specialist support and advice around problems at work, training and education. Our mission is to understand, support and enable the recovery of those affected by mental health problems.
We have been working across a range of London boroughs for 26 years now with specialist networks in Islington, Camden and Westminster.
Urban Growth is a practical and therapeutic work-based recovery programme based in Camden Town. We provide horticultural training in organic food growing and informal therapeutic support to individuals with mental health problems. Through horticultural training, participants gain personal and vocational skills to improve their mental health, wellbeing and employability.
We are looking for a keen individual to help assist our Urban Growth coordinator on-site for a maximum of two days a week, Monday and Wednesday 10am-3pm.
You will need to be confident in supporting small groups and working with individuals who have a wide range of mental health needs. This role is largely an outdoor role, so please be aware of this when applying.
Apply by sending your CV and a one page covering letter, explaining why you’d be the best person to join our programme as an assistant volunteer.
Deadline 9am, 31st August 2015. Details on www.charityjob.co.uk

Volunteer Role and VAC to Update Website and Database
This role is ideally suited to someone who wants to learn how to edit and update a website using WordPress. It is also suited to anyone looking to gain some experience of volunteering in an office environment with a view to finding or returning to employment. No prior experience is necessary or required as training will be given.
Role Title: Website and Data Entry Volunteer
Responsible to: ICT Training and Communications Support Worker
Salary Scale: Voluntary position
Hours: 1-2 days per week – max 14 hours/week (Tuesday & Wednesday)
Location: VAC, 293 – 299 Kentish Town Road, London NW5 2TJ.
Role Purpose
~ To keep the VAC website up-to-date with the latest funding opportunities as they relate to the local Camden Voluntary and Community Sector.
~ To update and maintain information on the organisation database, as and when required.
~ To provide other data-entry and administrative assistance to the ICT training and communication support worker and other staff, as and when required.
To apply please forward a CV and cover letter to alexcharles@vac.org.uk more details at www.vac.org.uk

Are you looking to employ an assistant to help with your care needs? CamdenPAs can help you.
CamdenPAs.org.uk is a new service that makes it easy to find a personal assistant (PA) and puts you in control of your care and support.
If you have care needs, you can employ a PA to help you to live as independently as possible.
CamdenPAs features an online ‘marketplace’ for you to browse through a list of profiles of PAs in the borough. Profiles give details about the services they provide, their skills, experience and personal interests.
You can look through the list to find suitable matches and choose someone you like to help support you.
When you find a match you can contact the PA to arrange an interview and see how you get on. If you like them you can then work out contract details such as hours, duties and wages, and hire them.
If you do not find anyone suitable, you can set up your own a profile describing your requirements and interests, for PAs to look through and contact you.
You can employ a PA whether you receive a direct payment or fund your own care. If you receive direct payments you can get support with the employment from Personalised Support In Camden or AgeUK Camden.
Become a PA
If you’re a PA looking for work or are just starting out, CamdenPAs can help you. As well as helping you finding a job, the site features advice on looking for work, becoming a PA and where to get training.
Why not set up your profile today? Find out more, visit: camdenpas.org.uk or p hone: 020 7278 4437

Socially Responsible Recruiting
A new, award-winning skills matching service that connects employers with skilled and experienced people to do one-off or part-time jobs has launched in Camden, with a strong social benefit ethic.
“There is a very large number of people in Camden who are fantastically skilled and work-ready but are off the radar to employers because they’re not looking for full-time work and aren’t constantly scouring the job ads,” says Jonathan Collie, founder of Trading Times.
These people are highly skilled over 50s, and family carers. Trading Times brings them to you. It’s free to candidates. It costs you only £35, and only when you are connected to the perfect candidates.
Paul Fordham of Abbey Community Centre in Camden said: “”We posted our occasional job opportunity on Trading Times because we at the Abbey Community Centre recognise the value of the flexibility that can come with age. Trading Times offers a tailored means to directly target opportunities at an older group that the vast majority of other job sites simply do not seem to tap.”
Register at https://tradingtimes.org.uk/ and let Trading Times match you with the right local people for your needs.

Find Jobs and Volunteering opportunities at https://www.vac.org.uk/

Ageing Better in Camden: St Pancras and Somerstown Community Action Project
A briefing meeting for interested organisations was held on 10th August. If you would like the powerpoint from that meeting, please contact Judy Harrington on judy.harrington@ageukcamden.org.uk.
This project aims to:
· Build a group of active and involved older people working together to improve their lives and their community
· Create an environment where older participants are less lonely and socially isolated
· Improve the lives and community of people living in St Pancras and Somerstown.
The ITT documentation will be published w/b 28th September 2015
The deadline for submission will be 19th November 2pm.
There will be an interview for applications shortlisting, with a panel consisting of older people and Ageing Better in Camden Strategic Board members or appointees, the fortnight beginning 30th November 2015.
The successful organisation will be informed by the end of December 2015, with a project start date of 1st April 2016.
If any of you want any support working up a partnership bid, or looking at working in partnership, Kevin Nunan at VAC is able to provide support. Please email him on knunan@vac.org.uk
Please contact Judy Harrington judy.harrington@ageukcamden.org.uk or Corinna Hyman Corinna.hyman@ageukcamden.org.uk

Camden Consultations
Various consultations are out at the moment including a consultation on Camden Future Libraries and Camden VCS strategy and changes to early education and childcare and children’s centre services. You can find all Camden consultation on the Wearecamden consultation hub.

FREE VAC Membership for Unfunded Groups: Voluntary Action Camden Small organisations with no paid staff and a turnover of less than £1,500 can now join for FREE. To take advantage of this offer just fill in the membership on the online form here.

We’re just like you. We’re teachers, business executives, parents, retirees, students…you name it. But the one thing we all have in common is our dedication to change. And the more volunteers we have, the bigger impact we can all make. Together. Learn More about what it means to be a volunteer.