Newsletter Archives - Page 43 of 52 - Voluntary Action Camden

Voluntary Action Camden e-bulletin 16th December 2016

by Kevin Nunan16 December 2016

Highlights

Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STPs) Further Update; Camden Intergenerational Network (CIN) meeting; Small charities in crisis but fear not…here comes the government; HR Support from VAC; PPG Newsletter; Cancer training; Wild Bunch Club Christmas Special; Recovery College; Christmas 2016 Volunteering Opportunities + funding jobs, volunteers, events, training, offers and resources.

Feature

Council Agrees Far Reaching Changes to Care in Camden

“Camden Council’s Cabinet last night agreed to the Council’s proposed approach to developing a new adult social care strategy for older people and disabled people in Camden, including a revised savings and investment programme. It also agreed with plans to change how the Council commissions activities and services for these residents during the day, moving to a more neighbourhood based network of support across Council and voluntary sector organisations.
Cabinet agreed on plans to consult on revisions to the current contributions policy to make sure it is fair and in line with the Care Act 2014.. It also approved plans to consult on the development of two specialist centres in the borough – one at Kingsgate resource centre, specialising in services for older people and one at the new Greenwood centre, specialising in services for people with learning disabilities and people with mental ill-health.
These consultations will run in parallel, starting in January, with residents urged to have their say. Read the full statement here.”

NEWS & POLICY

Camden

Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STPs) Further Update
NCL scrutiny committee held two consultation meetings. Councillors from across the political spectrum from the five north London boroughs expressed the depth of anxiety in councils about the proposals. NHS leaders have warned that full consultation on the plans is impossible. There is an interesting article in Huffington Post on STPs. Councils have warned that there is not enough for primary care funding. And the National Health Executive has warned that requests in the plans for capital exceed the available funds.

Camden Intergenerational Network (CIN) meeting
The next Camden Intergenerational Network (CIN) meeting will be held on Thursday 19th January 2017 at Age UK Camden, Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square WC1H 9NA from 10am-12pm. Anyone with an interest in intergenerational activities is more than welcome to attend and meet others from Camden. If you have any questions, please email Corinna Gray at ageingbetterincamden@ageukcamden.org.uk You can find out more about CIN at http://www.ageingbetterincamden.org.uk/camden-intergenerational-network/

Small charities in crisis but fear not…here comes the government
Toby Blume, Chair of Barnet Giving looks at The excellent ‘Commissioning in Crisis’ report from the Lloyds Bank Foundation which recently set out how ‘broken commissioning threatens the survival of small charities’. And then reviews the governments response – , a programme to help get small charities into the public service supply chain.

HR Support from VAC
Caroline Jepson, VAC’s HR Advisor has a new telephone number – 020 7284 6551. Her e-mail remains the same – cjepson@vac.org.uk. At present, due to funding from Camden, Caroline can provide free HR advice and support to Camden voluntary organisations employing staff. Get in touch to discuss your HR consultancy needs, from recruitment to redundancy and everything in-between.
VAC’s HR support aims to help trustees and managers understand employment law and to have robust HR procedures that reflect good practice so fewer workplace issues arise, and HR crises are averted or managed effectively. Caroline normally works at the VAC office on Thursdays but, to suit your requirements for one-to-one support, is available on other days by arrangement.
See also the free HR training available to Camden groups listed in this bulletin under Training.

PPG Newsletter
You can read the latest Camden Patient Participation Group Newsletter here.

Highlight Cancer – free training for hairdressers, barbers & others
Talk Cancer workshops will run each month for ten months, the first of which is taking place on 25th January 13:00-16:30. Workshops are for anyone in roles such as the above (or similar) based in Camden, and neighbouring boroughs.
Spaces can be booked for free at Eventbrite. For queries contact priya.yoganathan@nhs.net

Wild Bunch Club Christmas Special – Tuesday 20th December 2016 – 7pm-11pm
‘A club night run by people with learning difficulties for everyone’
Electrowerkz in Angel. Something for everyone from 16 DJs in 2 rooms.
For further info contact siren@elfrida.com or ring the Elfrida Society on 020 7359 7443.

Recovery College
Recovery College Spring term starts 4 January 2017. Enrolment opens 16 December.
If you would like to find out more about the courses take a look at the Recovery College Spring 2017 course guide.

Looking for love (stories)
Refugee Week coordinator Counterpoints Arts is looking for love stories about people from different walks of life – immigrants and refugees, young and old, African and Middle Eastern, European and Indian, men and women, gay and straight. The stories will delve beyond the labels of ‘refugee’ and ‘asylum seeker’ to celebrate something that we all share. If you have a suggestion, or for more information, email emily@counterpointsarts.org.uk.

Office Space Wanted in Camden
Space needed for social enterprise providing enterprise skills training and employability skills, supporting startups and running education programmes for children.
If your organisation has space and would like to raise funds by hosting us, please get in touch. Please note leases and complex licence agreements can be avoided, so don’t worry if you can’t provide these.
We are looking for space for 5 to 30 people and could combine more than one smaller location. Perhaps you have an unused social space, bar, hall, office or basement that we could use? It does not need to be pristine! We will redecorate and fit the space, and provide broadband (which we will happily share with you if that’s useful) and everything else that’s needed.
Please contact Jack Wratten on jackwratten@gmail.com or 07711502041

Free HR Courses for Camden Organisations
The Communities and Third Sector team at Camden Council are offering Camden voluntary and community groups a series of HR training workshops. See Other Events section below for full details.

Refugee Therapy Centre, VAC, Kings Cross Construction Centre, Refugee Therapy Centre, Age UK Camden and Camden PA are recruiting. See Jobs and Volunteers section below.

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

National

NCVO site attempts to address public ignorance of charities
NCVO have started work on a website to try to dispel myths and educate the public about what charities do and how they work. You can view the website at howcharitieswork.com

FUNDING

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

Working in Barnet or with Barnet Residents? You may be eligible to apply to the The Barnet Giving Fund
Apply by January 13, 2017 for a small grant of £1,000 – £5,000. Grant decisions will be made in March 2017.
Apply for grants under the following themes:
1. Community Links
2. Resilience and independence
Applications from organisations with an annual turn-over of less than £150,000 are very welcome.
Applications are accepted ONLY through the London Community Foundation’s online application portal. Guidelines, access to the application form and application guidance can be found here:
http://www.londoncf.org.uk/grants/available-grants/barnet.aspx

Bid for Better scheme 2017
The Bid for Better scheme awards grants of up to £400 towards activities or equipment to:
~ improve patient experience
~ promote mental wellbeing
~ or make our services more accessible.
As well as Trust service users, we would like to encourage bids from external organisations whose service users would be benefitted in any of the above ways and benefit two or more patients or users.
In the past, Bid for Better has awarded funding for projects such as:
~ new toys and games for the children’s waiting room at the Tavistock Centre.
~ a recipe of life cooking session for Congolese parents and their teenage children.
~ cameras for the City and Hackney Community Photography Project to support a project which uses creative approaches to engage with patients who struggle with traditional therapies.
~ an outdoor gazebo ‘chill zone’ for young people at Camden Kaleidoscope.
If you would like to apply for up to £400 for your project or idea then we will ask you to complete an application form giving us as much detail as possible. You can apply online.
or you can request a form by post or email by contacting the PPI team: ppi@tavi-port.nhs.uk
The closing date for applications is Thursday 2nd March 2017.
To be considered for funding you must be a Member of the Trust. If you are not a member already it is really easy to join via the Trust website. web: www.tavistockandportman.nhs.uk
If you have questions or need help contact by telephone on 020 8938 2068 or email or you can pop into the PPI office on the ground floor of the Tavistock Centre, 120 Belsize Lane, London NW3 5BA

Heritage Lottery Young Roots
Grants from £10,000 to £50,000
Apply for a grant of £10,000-£50,000 to help young people aged 11 to 25 to explore their heritage, from green spaces, museums, and historic sites to language, local memories and youth culture. Full details at https://www.hlf.org.uk/looking-funding/our-grant-programmes/young-roots

GALAXY Hot Chocolate Fund opens on 7th November
Through the Fund, Galaxy will be donating seventy awards of £300 to warm hearted community projects and people. The fund is open from 7 November to 26th February. For information go to www.galaxyhotchocolate.com

Bright Ideas Fund is open
The Community Business Bright Ideas Fund aims to give your community group the support and tools to start setting up your community business. It will also give your group the early stage finance that you need need to carry out consultation with local people and feasibility studies to develop a community business idea the community wants and needs.
A programme of support and grants of up to £20,000 is available to develop your community business idea. See full details at the Locality website.

Food for London
In 2016/17 the Fund will shine a light on the disconnect between the high levels of food poverty that exist in London and the tonnes of surplus food that is thrown away, sent to anaerobic digestion or is fed to animals. Food for London will provide support to groups and charities who are using creative ways to repurpose surplus food or provide solutions to address hunger and food waste in London. Grants of between £1,000 and £20,000 are available to support work where there is clear evidence of benefit to those experiencing food poverty, disadvantage or isolation in London.
Full details and how to apply are available on the London Community Foundation website.

VAC EVENTS

Governance in the Voluntary and Community Sector
18 May 2017 – 22 June 2017 6 Thursday evenings 17:30-20:30 in Camden
A short course for members of governing bodies or anybody who is interested in developing the
knowledge and skills required to be a member of a governing body in the voluntary or community sector. With the knowledge gained from this course you can become an effective participant in the governance of new and existing organisations. Full details at the Mary Ward website.

VAC’s Mental Health Training Programme for BMER groups
Are you a BMER group or do you work with BMER communities?
For more information about our any of our courses, please go to https://vac.org.uk/events/category/health-mental-health/. Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid training courses are 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. Contact mentalhealthteam@vac.org.uk

OTHER EVENTS

Crossroads Women’s Centre invites children and their mums / dads / nans / carers to a Kids’ Party – Saturday 17 December 2-4pm
with Captain Fantastic 2.30-3.30pm
Entrance and refreshments free.
Party Games, Face Painting, Pizza Snacks, Lucky Dip, Tea & Cake
25 Wolsey Mews, Kentish Town NW5 2DX
Tel: 0207 482 2496 contact@crossroadswomen.net Web: www.crossroadswomen.net

Middle Eastern Women & Society Organisation Celebration Event
Community Celebration: Green Towers Community Centre 7 Plevna Road Edmonton London N9 0BU
Saturday; 17 December 2016, Start: 12.00pm
Food and drink. Traditional Middle Eastern Fashion Show. Lots of entertainment.
Everybody is welcome! For more information please contact 07958145666

St Pancras and Somers Town Living Centre Celebrating Christmas Around the World
Saturday 17th December 12.00 – 3.00pm, 2 Ossulston Street, NW1
Festive fun, crafts, carols and dance performances. hello@thelivingcentre.org 07958 164725

Discover Songwriting – FREE 6-week course starting Tues 10 Jan 2017
Explore lyric writing and melody in this fun and relaxed 6-week course to help express your feelings, boost your confidence and feel good. No experience necessary! There will be song templates in a few different genres to choose from. Over the course you will write and develop lyrics to create your own individual song and have the chance to record it in weeks 5/6.
Each session is 2 hours and will contain a combination of warm-ups, practical exercises, listening, discussion, a little music history and very light theory.
The Kentish Town Health Centre, 2 Bartholomew Road, NW5. Tuesdays from 10.01.17 for 6 weeks.
Group 1: 10am – 12 midday. Group 2: 1pm – 3pm.
Spaces are limited so email ibmuso@gmail.com today to book your free place. Please include which group you’d like to attend and your contact details.

National Theatre Community Programme – Introduction to Performance
Wed 18-Jan – Wed 15-March, 7pm-9pm, £180
A chance to explore different approaches to performance in a safe and supportive environment.
Led by theatre director Michael Bryher, this nine-week course is most suitable for those who have not had any prior training. (£144 Concessions, Bursaries Available)
Apply Now before Sun 18-December https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

True Honour Awards 2017 Ceremony
6-9pm Tuesday 7th March 2017, The University of Law, 2 Bunhill Row, London EC1Y 4TY
Book at eventbrite. Nominations are opne: True Honour Award nominations

An introduction to intergenerational working Wed 18 January 2-17 9.45am – 4.30pm
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. Free
Training and Development Centre, Crowndale Centre, 218-220 Eversholt Street, London NW1 1BD
To book your place go to www.camdentds.co.uk, search for the course and request a place.
For queries and to make bookings without an account, please email tdsonline@camden.gov.uk or contact Vanda Carter – vanda.carter@camden.gov.uk / 020 7974 2810.

Do You Need Health and Safety Training?
VAC and London Hazards are planning health and safety training for community groups in Camden.
The training is free. To find out more contact Kevin – knunan@vac.org.uk

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

JOBS AND VOLUNTEERING

Age UK Camden Vacancies
Primary Care Navigator
Local Government Scale SO1 £29,133 – £30,830 pa fixed term contract to March 2018 plus weekend allowance plus 6% contributory pension. (This post may be extended subject to funding)
The Navigator will support those aged 60+ with long term conditions and their carers to access timely care and community support services. Close work with GPs and other practice staff is required as is accurate record keeping using IT systems. Through timely intervention and care co-ordination, unnecessary hospital admissions, GP appointments and residential placements will be reduced.
Closing date: Wednesday 18th January 2017 – 5pm
Interview date: Wednesday 25th January 2017
Direct Payments Support Worker (part-time)
Salary S01 £29,133 to £30,830 including LW pro rata for 21 hours/week (actual £17,479.80 to 18,498 pa), initial until September 2017 with possibility of extension
You will promote the direct payments service, and assist in providing support to older people including from BME communities who wish to receive or are receiving direct payments from the London Borough of Camden.
Essential requirements: knowledge and understanding of the main principles of direct payments; understanding of and commitment to the social model of disability; understanding of the issues/needs relating to older people; experience of giving information and advice to individuals and groups; excellent numeracy, case management and communication skills; good initiative; ability to use Microsoft Word and Excel.
Closing date for receipt of completed application forms is 5pm on Monday 16th January 2017. Interviews will be held on Monday 23rd January 2017.
Personal Health Budgets Direct Payments Support Worker
(17.5 hours per week) Fixed Term Contract to 31st March 17 – ideally to start asap
Local Government Scale SO1 £29,133 – £30,830 pro rata for 17.5 hours 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.
Please note that as this post requires someone as soon as possible we will be considering applications as they are received and interviewing on a rolling basis.
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. A secondment may be considered

Camden Carers Centre Vacancies
Project Manager, Working for Carers Programme
£22,400 per annum (£28,000 FTE) 28 per week
Location: Camden and Central South London locations
Camden Carers Centre has an exciting opportunity for a Project Manager to develop, plan and implement the new Working for Carers programme. This project is jointly funded by the Big Lottery Fund and the European Social Fund.
The post holder will be responsible for developing a comprehensive employment support project for unemployed and economically inactive unpaid carers across Camden, Merton, Richmond, Kingston, Sutton, Wandsworth; Central South London. The project will need to include a range of activities that can be tailored to meet individual carers’ needs, including one-to-one support, peer and group activities and time-limited in-work support to enable sustainable employment. This project will be delivered as part of a wider programme of activity across all London boroughs aimed at developing an effective and replicable service delivery model for employability support services supporting unpaid carers.
Employment Personal Adviser (2 posts)
£20,000 [£25,000 FTE] 28 per week
Location: Chalk Farm
Camden Carers Centre has a fantastic opportunity for 2 Employment Personal Advisers to deliver engaging employment support activities as part of the new Working for Carers programme. This project is jointly funded by the Big Lottery Fund and the European Social Fund.
Your focus will be on delivering engaging activities that enable unemployed and economically inactive unpaid carers aged 25 and over across Camden, Merton, Richmond, Kingston, Sutton, Wandsworth and Central South London to address their personal barriers to entering, returning to or sustaining employment. These tailored activities will include one-to-one support, peer and group activities and time-limited in-work support to enable sustainable employment.
For both posts you can download an application pack from our website: www.camdencs.org.uk. If you have problems downloading the application pack you can request one via email: info@camdencarers.org.uk, or telephone 020 7428 8950. Only applicants who have the right to work in the UK or have a valid visa or work permit for a minimum of six months at the time of application will be considered for the role.
Closing date for applications is midnight on 21st December 2016 with interviews on Friday 6th January 2017 at our offices in Chalk Farm

Christmas 2016 Volunteering Opportunities
Thinking of volunteering over Christmas? Head over to the Volunteer Centre Camden website to see a range of opportunties.

Hopscotch Asian Women’s Centre seeks Bengali speaking Care Coordinator (maternity cover) for the Homecare Service.
Care Coordinator (maternity cover), 21hrs per week (participate in the on call rota) £23, 122 pro rata incl. ILW Closing date: Wednesday 21st December 2016 at 12.00pm
For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Melissa McClelland, Registered Homecare Manager. For all other details and an application pack, please contact Ruksana Begum, HR Administrator: Tel: 020 7388 8198 E-mail: info@hopscotchawc.org.uk : www.hopscotchawc.org.uk

Could you be a volunteer tour guide at Highgate Cemetery?
Whether you love Highgate Cemetery for its beautiful tranquillity, its interesting stories or its spotlight on Victorian history, Highgate Cemetery is a wonderful place to volunteer. Guides needed for weekends and weekdays. No previous experience necessary, full training provided. Apply by Wednesday 14 January to secure a place on a new year training course. Elle Hazlewood
Volunteering Manager, Highgate Cemetery E: elle@highgatecemetery.org T: 020 8347 2474

Kings Cross Jobs
You can view a constantly changing range of job vacancies on the Kings Cross website. For the latest news on jobs sign up to job alerts.

The Refugee Therapy Centre Seeks Two Posts
Bi-Lingual Psychodynamic Counsellor/Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist
Sessional, depending on the need of clients and Centre requirements
Deadline: 5th January 2016
The person interested to join our team on intercultural therapy must be a qualified Psychoanalytical Psychotherapist resistered with BAP, BCP, or UKCP-CPJA, or Psychodynamic Counsellor fully accredited by BACP.
Priority will be given to those fluent in Arabic, Farsi and Turkish language, with some experience of working with refugees, asylum seekers and other minorities.
Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist/ Clinical Psychologist
Sessional, depending on clients need and Centre’s requirements
Deadline: 6pm 5th January 2017
The person interested to join our team of intercultural therapists must be a qualified Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist / Clinical Psychologist and be registered as such with ACP, BAP, BPC, or UKCP-CPJA or fully accredited by BACP.
Experience of working with Refugees and Asylum Seekers or other ethnic minorities is desirable.
To apply, please send your recent CV and covering letter detailing your suitability for the role to:
Refugee Therapy Centre, 1A Leeds Place, Tollington Park, London N4 3RF
Suitable candiadates are interviewed soon after their application and shortlising.
Job pack on http://www.refugeetherapy.org.uk/get-involved/vacancies/bi-lingual-counsellorpsychotherapist.aspx
For further information, please write to: info@refugeetherapy.org.uk.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. *RTC is committed to Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults and will carry out enhance DBS and full pre-employment checks of selected candidates, as well as two references.

Volunteers are needed in GP practices!
Voluntary Action Camden (VAC) would like to hear from you! We are training volunteers to become Community Health Advocates in local GP practices.
• 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.
For more information, please contact Mandira Manandhar, Health Advocate Volunteer Co-ordinator (Mon, Tues and Thurs) 020 7284 6550/07930669417 or email: mmanandhar@vac.org.uk
Peter Simonson on 020 7284 6550 or email: projectsupport@vac.org.uk
The RSPH training is provided FREE by on the understanding that participants are available to volunteer for the project and able to attend the regular training and support sessions.

Are you looking to employ an assistant to help with your care needs? CamdenPAs can help
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 phone: 020 7278 4437

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

OFFERS, RESOURCES & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Share your views on dentistry in Camden
Healthwatch Camden represents the views of local people and we have the power to influence the delivery and design of local services.
We want to know what you think about dentists in Camden. Please take five minutes to fill in our online survey and have your say: www.tinyurl.com/HWCdental
Whether you visit the dentist regularly or hardly at all, what you say will help us get a better picture of services in Camden and push for improvements. We’ll use the information to create a report about services which will include recommendations to decision makers and service providers.
You can also call us to take the survey over the phone (we’ll call you straight back!) 0203 771 3930.

Bus Consultation
TfL are consulting on changes to a number of bus routes and services which will affect Camden residents. Especially routes routes 3, 6, 8, 15, 22, 23, 25, 46, 73, 137, 172, 242, 332, 390, 425, 452, C2, N2, N3, N8, N15, N22 and N73. Details at TfL website.

North Central London Sustainability and Transformation Plan
Camden Council have now held two public meetings about the STP. You can read a summary of the STP here or the full publication here. You can read the Leader of Camden Council’s statement here and Camden CCG statement about the STP here, Campaigners have raised concerns. A major consultation with patients, the public and VCS is expected soon. Navca’s advice for the voluntary sector can be found here. Two notable quotes about STPs are:
“locally, the best source of support for linking with the voluntary sector is frequently the council for voluntary services (CVS)…”
“In many ways, STPs represent a complex ‘workaround’ to the fragmentation and complexity introduced by the Health and Social Care Act”.
You can read Healthwatch Camden’s statement to today’s consultation meeting STP here.

Camden Consultations
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.

Voluntary Action Camden e-bulletin 9th December 2016

by Kevin Nunan9 December 2016

Highlights

National Warning that Commissioning is in Crisis; Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STP) Latest ; Bus Consultation; National Theatre Community Programme; HR Support from VAC; Crossroads Women’s Centre Party; Christmas Markets; PPG Newsletter; Volunteer Centre Camden; Share your views on dentistry; Discover Songwriting; Barnet Giving Fund; Bid for Better; Christmas 2016 Volunteering Opportunities + funding jobs, volunteers, events, training, offers and resources.

Feature

National Warning that Commissioning is in Crisis

Lloyds TSB Foundation are warning that Broken Commissioning Threatens the Survival of Small Charities and warns of widespread closure of small charities. The report warns that we “urgently need common sense reforms to ensure small charities are able to compete for contracts on a level playing field. This isn’t about spending more money, but making better use of the funds that are available”. The Guardian has picked up the story and writes: “Research finds government’s ‘shockingly complicated’ tendering processes threatens the survival of smaller charities. Smaller charities are being shut out of competition for government and council contracts by “shockingly complicated”, bureaucratic and inappropriate processes…”
The future of many smaller charities with priceless local knowledge and connections is being put at risk by their inability to comply with the myriad requirements and paperwork that typifies official tendering, the analysis suggests.” Civil Society also has an article about commissioning in crisis.
Lloyds TSB Foundation have published a thoughtful article about their reasons for sounding the alarm as well as “Championing Small Charities” containing practical suggestions for funders including:
~ Work with local charities to better understand who they work with, the existing services in your area and learn from their expertise about what support is needed
~ Ensure any commissioning involves contract sizes and processes proportionate to what you are trying to achieve to allow small charities to have a fair chance of succeeding
~ Use grants wherever possible
~ Improve transparency in commissioning and supply chains and challenge bad practice
~ Provide core, long term funding for small and local charities

NEWS & POLICY

Camden

Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STP) Latest
Have Your Say on the Sustainability and Transformation Plans for Camden. The meeting for voluntary and community organisations is on 14th Dec 5–7:30 at the Town Hall, Judd St. Full details at http://bit.ly/2h2234b
You can read Healthwatch Camden’s statement to today’s consultation meeting STP here.

Christmas Markets
This weekend there are Christmas Markets everywhere including West Hampstead at West End Green, Queens’ Crescent Market, and Primrose Hill.

PPG Newsletter
You can read the latest Camden Patient Participation Group Newsletter here.

Volunteer Centre Camden
You can read the latest Volunteer Centre Camden newsletter, including news on the Volunteer Awards and Christmas volunteering here.

Refugee Therapy Centre, VAC, Kings Cross Construction Centre, Refugee Therapy Centre, Age UK Camden and Camden PA are recruiting. See Jobs and Volunteers section below.

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

National

Advice for Daniel Blake
If you saw I, Daniel Blake and wondered what advice he should have been given, then the advisers at the Zacchaeus 2000 Trust have put their heads together and come up with some answers. Their assessment is revealing. Merely the fact that it took an entire team of knowledgeable and experienced case workers tells you something.

Four human rights and equality watchdogs snubbed by minister for disabled people after raising serious concerns about response to report that found it guilty of “grave or systematic” violations of the UN disability convention
The UN’s committee on the rights of persons with disabilities (CRPD) said last month that the UK government had discriminated against disabled people across three key parts of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Now the UK’s official independent mechanism (UKIM) for monitoring implementation of the convention – the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland and the Scottish Human Rights Commission – has called on the UK government to “urgently reconsider” its response to the UN report. Read more at Disability News Service.

Standard Article Defends Charity for Business Sake
In an unusual move the Standard has written an article in defence of charity. Not only is that unusual but it is on the city page, written by the business editor. It seems that falling trust across institutions is beginning to alarm the city.

FUNDING

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

VAC EVENTS

OTHER EVENTS

CPPEG open meeting Monday 12th December (2-4pm) at St Pancras Hospital
The presentations and presenters for CPPEG open meeting on the 12th December are as follows:
Presentation 1: What are Camden CCG plans for digital communications between patients and General Practices?
Presentation 2: What is the patient experience telling Central and North West (CNWL) NHS Foundation Trust?
Please RSVP: Martin Emery, t Tel: 020 3688 1755 Email: martin.emery@camdenccg.nhs.uk

True Honour Awards 2017 Ceremony
6-9pm Tuesday 7th March 2017, The University of Law, 2 Bunhill Row, London EC1Y 4TY
Book at eventbrite. Nominations are opne: True Honour Award nominations

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

JOBS AND VOLUNTEERING

Christmas 2016 Volunteering Opportunities
Thinking of volunteering over Christmas? Head over to the Volunteer Centre Camden website to see a range of opportunties.

Kings Cross Jobs
You can view a constantly changing range of job vacancies on the Kings Cross website. For the latest news on jobs sign up to job alerts.

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

OFFERS, RESOURCES & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Moneytalk Camden North – Financial Education Facilitator Training Courses in 2017
Moneytalk Camden North is a project based on the award winning financial literacy resource Made of Money, developed by anti-poverty charity Quaker Social Action. It aims to help groups talk about money and its impact on their lives, as well as learn vital money management skills.
We will train you to use the resources and approach to support your own client groups.
In January (18th & 25th) we are running a 2-day training course aimed specifically at those working with groups using languages other than English.
We will also be running 2-day comprehensive training courses on 9th & 16th March, 11th & 12th July and 4th & 11th October click here to find out more and download a booking form.
Contact: mtcn@qsa.org.uk tel: 020 8983 5047

Counselling Space Needed
Street Talk which is an outreach counselling service for women in street based prostitution and women who have escaped from traffickers. Until recently we had pro bono office space and a counselling space, that has come to an end and we badly need both a space where we can see women for counselling as well as just one room as an office. Contact Pip hockton pippahockton@gmail.com

Camden Consultations
You can find all Camden consultation on the Wearecamden consultation hub.

Voluntary Action Camden e-bulletin 2nd December 2016

by Kevin Nunan2 December 2016

Highlights

Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STP) Update; Camden Young People and Refugees; 25% London; Early Action Insights event on Mental Health; Strategic Partners Event; Report your energy data; HR Support from VAC; CPPEG open meeting; Camden Council’s Transition Support Development Grant; Volunteer Awards Camden; Moneytalk Camden North; Chair of Young Camden Foundation; Christmas 2016 Volunteering Opportunities + funding jobs, volunteers, events, training, offers and resources.

Feature

Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STP) Update

Following the public meetings that the council held on the North London Sustainability and Transformation Plan you can view the presentation slides from the meeting here.
The Cabinet next meets on 14 December and it will consider the Council’s response to the draft North Central London Sustainability and Transformation Plan (NCL STP). You will be able to view the Council’s response on the Camden website in the Council and Democracy pages at http://www.camden.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/council-and-democracy/ closer to the date of the Cabinet meeting.
The full NCL STP draft document and a summary document are available on the Camden website.
If you would like feed in ideas or comments on the draft STP document, please send them to the NCL STP office at nclstpmo@nhs.net.
You can read the views of Healthwatch Camden on the STP here.

NEWS & POLICY

Camden

Camden Young People and Refugees
A short film about the refugee crisis seen through the eyes of a group of teenagers from Camden as they encounter activists, artists and those directly involved. Featuring Syrian refugee and activist Ahmad al-Rashid, AOI World Illustration award winner Olivier Kugler, the Jewish Museum, ice&fire theatre and campaigner Onjali Rauf who has been organizing aid with her charity Making Herstory.

25% London. Collecting the opinions of 500 young Londoners
Get involved via twitter and facebook @LondonsFuture . More info here.
The pledges will be collated into a photo montage and will be show to key city decision makers to inform their future projects. Any young person who enters is in with the chance of winning £100 or other prizes in our random draw. There is also an online survey for young people to complete.

Early Action Insights event on Mental Health Friday 9th December from 9.30am-12pm
The Early Action Task Force and Big Lottery Fund are hosting an insights event to launch a report looking at how we can act earlier to promote mental health and prevent mental illness.
Join us for a discussion involving practitioners who are pioneering early action in practice, and policymakers working in the field of mental health. The event will be chaired by BLF Chief Executive Dawn Austwick and include presentations from Mancroft Advice Project and Haringey Thinking Space.
More information, and to book a place at Eventbrite.

Strategic Partners Event
Camden held an event for it’s new Strategic Partners on Wednesday. The treasurer of Somali Youth Development Resource Centre gave one of the speeches and welcomed the decision to award the new community building at the Plimsoll building to SYDRC and Dragon Hall.

Report your energy data and receive your green mark of achievement
You can now report your carbon emissions online. CCCA have also updated the criteria of the Marks of Achievement so members who report their energy data and commit to put actions in place to reduce the energy consumption are automatically awarded the Going Green Mark. You can submit your data until 30 December. Follow the link: reporting carbon emissions form.

CPPEG open meeting Monday 12th December (2-4pm) at St Pancras Hospital
The presentations and presenters for CPPEG open meeting on the 12th December are as follows:
Presentation 1: What are Camden CCG plans for digital communications between patients and General Practices?
Presentation 2: What is the patient experience telling Central and North West (CNWL) NHS Foundation Trust?
Please RSVP: Martin Emery, Deputy Head of Engagement Tel: 020 3688 1755 Email: martin.emery@camdenccg.nhs.uk

Camden Council’s Transition Support Development Grant
Are you affected by rent support transition funding? Have you applied for the Transition Support Development Grant? If you need confidential advice and support on how to take your plans forward contact Kevin or Simone at VAC, email knunan@vac.org.uk or shensby@vac.org.uk 020 7284 6550.

Volunteer Awards Camden
Congratulations to all those who took part and the many award winners, but especially our own volunteer award winner Hasel Hooshier – well done and many thanks to all! VCC facebook page.

Young Camden Foundation, Refugee Therapy Centre, VAC, Hopscotch, Kings Cross Construction Centre, Camden Carers Centre, Refugee Therapy Centre, Manor Gardens, Headway North London, Age UK Camden and Camden PA are recruiting. See Jobs and Volunteers section below.

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

National

Lloyds Bank Foundation Director Warns Lords Committee that the Value of Small Organisations is being lost
He argues that the bar for the third sector is often set higher than that demanded of other sectors. Small charities in particular face an ill-informed presumption that they’re not good at reporting or measuring their impact.
“Over the years I’ve met countless small charities and I am yet to meet one that isn’t interested in improving impact measurement. But they struggle to find any money to fund formal evaluations, so they focus on measures that relate directly to their day-to-day work. Many use industry-recognised methods, such as the Outcomes Star, that create a different, nuanced conversation with their beneficiaries at the point of “sale”. Most public and private businesses would give their eye teeth for that degree of bespoke customer experience.
From speaking with small and medium-sized charities, we hear their experiences of working with commissioners obsessed with standardising how they measure impact across diverse services. Where accountability for local provision ends up being outsourced to a small charity, commissioners frequently insist on a payment-by-results contract with often damaging effects on the charity’s ability to deliver local services.
Society can’t afford to have these services, or the impact they have on local communities, trivialised in this way. We need to measure impact through the eyes of a person receiving the service: as a good business would its consumers.”
Read the article here.

FUNDING

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

VAC EVENTS

OTHER EVENTS

The scourge of modern day slavery – Has the Slavery Act 2015 made any difference?
Monday December 5, 2016 from 3:30 to 6:00 Bindmans LLP, 236 Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1X
Join us as we approach Human Rights day 2016. The event is designed to provide insightful information on human trafficking and its issues. The speakers will discuss and explore how the Slavery Act and European legal tools have helped to prevent the causes of human trafficking.
RSVP as soon as possible. Limited seats available.

True Honour Awards 2017 Ceremony
6-9pm Tuesday 7th March 2017, The University of Law, 2 Bunhill Row, London EC1Y 4TY
Book at eventbrite. Nominations are opne: True Honour Award nominations

Best practice working with and for older LGBT people workshop
Tuesday 6th December 10.am – 1pm at Lumen Church & Community Centre
Please register your details here https://equalitiesdec16.eventbrite.co.uk – where you will also find more information and the full programme

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

JOBS AND VOLUNTEERING

Chair of Young Camden Foundation
We are looking for a Chair for our Board of Trustees. If you have strategic and organisational leadership and management experience gained in the private, public or not-for-profit sectors and wish to support our new approach then we would like to hear from you.
Job profile and application form available from the Camden council website.
Please send the completed application form, along with your CV, to david.jaggs@camden.gov.uk before the closing date, which is 5pm on Friday 9 December.
Find out more about the Young Camden Foundation: Email eugene.griffin@camden.gov.uk or david.jaggs@camden.gov.uk. See also John Lyon’s Charity website

Christmas 2016 Volunteering Opportunities
Thinking of volunteering over Christmas? Head over to the Volunteer Centre Camden website to see a range of opportunties.

Kings Cross Jobs
You can view a constantly changing range of job vacancies on the Kings Cross website. For the latest news on jobs sign up to job alerts.

Camden Carers Centre seeks Project Manager, Working for Carers Programme
£22,400 per annum (£28,000 FTE) Fixed term to 30 September 2019 28 per week
Working in Camden and Central South London locations
Camden Carers Centre has an exciting opportunity for a Project Manager to develop, plan and implement the new Working for Carers programme. This project is jointly funded by the Big Lottery Fund and the European Social Fund.
The post holder will be responsible for developing a comprehensive employment support project for unemployed and economically inactive unpaid carers across Camden, Merton, Richmond, Kingston, Sutton, Wandsworth; Central South London. The project will need to include a range of activities that can be tailored to meet individual carers’ needs, including one-to-one support, peer and group activities and time-limited in-work support to enable sustainable employment. This project will be delivered as part of a wider programme of activity across all London boroughs aimed at developing an effective and replicable service delivery model for employability support services supporting unpaid carers.
Applicants must be willing to work outside of office hours to manage service delivery at sites across Camden, Merton, Richmond, Kingston, Sutton, Wandsworth (as required) and undergo screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
You can download an application pack from our website: www.camdencs.org.uk. If you have problems downloading the application pack you can request one via email: info@camdencarers.org.uk, or telephone 020 7428 8950
Closing date is 12am 4th December; interviews Monday 12th December at our offices in Chalk Farm

Refugee Therapy Centre seeks Volunteer Administrative Assistant
Accountable to: Fundraising and Office Manager
Flexible Working Hours – minimum of up to 2 days a week
Opening hours: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10.00am – 7:00pm including one hour lunch
This is a varied and challenging post, providing secretarial and administrative support to a very busy charity. It is important that the post-holder is flexible, highly self-motivated and able to work to strict deadlines. Due to the nature of the work an appreciation of confidentiality at all times is essential. The successful applicant should be able to work with a wide range of people and have a welcoming disposition. S/he needs to have proven ability in secretarial skills, organisational capacity, IT familiarity, as well as an ability to efficiently time manage.
You will find the Job Pack here: http://www.refugeetherapy.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer.aspx
If you would like to apply as a volunteer, and are able to make a minimum of 6-8 months of committment, please complete the Volunteer Application and Equal Opportunities Form, and together with your CV and covering letter send it to us by post at:
Refugee Therapy Centre, 1A Leeds Place, Tollington Park, London, N4 3RF
For further information about volunteering opportunities, please send an email to info@refugeetherapy.org.uk
RTC is committed to Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults and will carry out enhance DBS and full pre-employment checks of selected candidates, as well as two references.

Hopscotch Asian Women’s Centre seeks Employment Advisor
35 hrs per week 3 year contract £28,183 incl. ILW
For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Isabelle Terrisson, Senior Operations Manager. For all other details and an application pack, please contact Ruksana Begum, HR Administrator: Sunday 4th December 2016 at midnight.
Tel: 020 7388 8198 E-mail: info@hopscotchawc.org.uk Web:www.hopscotchawc.org.uk
Please do not send CVs as they will not be considered.

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

OFFERS, RESOURCES & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Looking for some new office accommodation?
Training Link has some office space available Monday to Wednesday starting in January. Can accommodate two people comfortably. Reasonable inclusive charge. Also suitable for 1-1s and small meetings. We are situated in Somers Town at the back of the British Library. Accessible building and excellent transport links. Interested? Email Peter Lush on director@traininglink.org.uk

Camden Consultations
You can find all Camden consultation on the Wearecamden consultation hub.

Voluntary Action Camden e-bulletin 25th November 2016

by Kevin Nunan25 November 2016

Highlights

the Autumn Statement; North Central London Sustainability and Transformation Plan; the People’s Transformathon; Age UK Camden AGM; Camden Volunteer Awards; Get Together Camden; King’s Cross Story Palace; Camden Care Choices; Early Action Insights event on Mental Health; Counselling Space Needed; Transition Support Development Grant; MEWSO Newsletter; IKWRO True Honour Awards; + funding jobs, volunteers, events, training, offers and resources.

Feature

How will the Autumn Statement affect the voluntary sector?

Philip Hammond gave his first Autumn Statement yesterday and in it announced growth in the years up to 2020-21 would be lower than previously predicted.
~ Banking fines – a further £102m will be committed over the next 4 years to support Armed Forces and Emergency Services charities
~ Tampon Tax Fund – £3m will go to Comic Relief to distribute to a range of women’s charities
~ Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme – will be amended to make it more accessible and flexible
~ Gift Aid Digital – will simplify the process for donors making digital donations
In NAVCA’s response, Neil Cleeveley, Chief Executive, said;
“On a day when all the talk is about the nation’s multi-billion pounds public finances, it is important to remember that small investments can make a huge difference to people’s lives. The Chancellor has acted in a disappointingly traditional manner. I would argue for a more radical approach to match these very changed times.”
“There is a growing consensus that inequality not only hurts people and communities but hampers long-term economic performance. As a society we need a debate about how we want wealth and power distributed. As part of this I would like the Chancellor to recognise the many ways in which charities support people to improve their own lives rather seeing charities’ relationship with the state being defined in terms of public service delivery.”
More reactions from the voluntary sector in Civil Society and The Guardian and NCVO.
A complete failure to mention health and social care has caused alarm among local authorities and the NHS. The Kings Fund said that “the government will have to look again…” Camden Council said “Today’s failure to address this crisis is as saddening as it is staggering.”

NEWS & POLICY

Camden

Introducing the People’s Transformathon – an Everyone Included™ Tier 4 event
Stanford Medicine X is excited to introduce The People’s Transformathon, hosted by the Edge NHS. The National Health Service (NHS), one of the worlds largest and highest ranked health care systems, is the first health care agency to host an Everyone Included™ Tier 4 event. This interactive, online event will begin on Monday, November 28th from 12PM to 8PM GMT.
The People’s Transformathon brings together patients, caregivers, providers and staff from around the world to connect, share and learn from each other. Through a panel discussion and a series of sessions based on the Six Principles for Engaging People and Communities, the Transformathon hopes to demonstrate the power of co-production in health care. There will be sessions on Equalities, Co Production, vcs partnerships etc. Participants will have to join the conversation through WebEx and on social media using the hashtag #CoPro2016 Learn More and Register.

Successful Age UK Camden AGM highlights the need for our work
At our AGM on 17 November, guest speaker, Janet Morrison, Chief Executive of Independent Age, an organisation that supports older people to live independently, said: “Thanks for the great community and amazing work. We all have lots to learn from you”. Janet was joined by Deputy Mayor of Camden, Councillor Richard Cotton who said that: “There’s never been a greater need for organisations like Age UK Camden”. Read the full story

Camden Volunteer Awards
Congratulations to all the winners and nominees at the Camden Volunteer Awards last night. You can catch up on the events on the VCC facebook page and at #2016CVA on twitter.

New magazine Get Together Camden for over 55s
Get Together Camden aims to raise awareness of Age UK Camden services and local social opportunities as well as being a useful tool to help people connect with their community. There’s thought provoking articles, information on activities and new places to discover.
Get in touch if you would like to be involved in the next edition Sassaka.amena@ageukcamden.org.uk

King’s Cross Story Palace and will run from January 2017 – December 2018
The King’s Cross Story Palace project will focus on the social and community heritage of the King’s Cross area, paying particular attention to the stories of underrepresented groups. The project will emphasise the experiences of long-term residents, newcomers, workers, revellers, local groups and organisations as well as significant events and sites of interest. It will highlight the stories of this key London area for those who have lived, worked and played there.
We will be hiring several new staff members the next few months, starting with two Community Officers and a Participation & Public Engagement Officer, to be based partially in our Clerkenwell offices and in King’s Cross. See jobs section below for full details. See https://www.historypin.org/en/

Camden adult social care has launched a new online marketplace: Camden Care Choices
Provider event Tuesday 29th November. You can attend one of the three sessions being held: 10am-11.30am, 11.30-1pm or 1.30-3pm. Come and find out more
Register for tickets at Eventbrite
If your organisation has not registered on the new Camden Care Choices yet, please kindly do so to ensure you are listed in the directory of services. The marketplace will allow users including resident and professionals to find the care and support services you are offering.
Please use the link below to register (and click the word “register” at the top of the tool bar). After registering you will need to validate your email within 7 days.
http://camdencarechoices.camden.gov.uk/ For enquiries please email ccc@camden.gov.uk

Early Action Insights event on Mental Health
The Early Action Task Force and Big Lottery Fund are hosting an insights event to launch a report looking at how we can act earlier to promote mental health and prevent mental illness.
Please join us for a discussion involving practitioners who are pioneering early action in practice, and policymakers working in the field of mental health. The event will be chaired by BLF Chief Executive Dawn Austwick and include presentations from Mancroft Advice Project and Haringey Thinking Space.
For more information, and to book a place contact Rosie rosalie.hayes@community-links.org

Middle Eastern Women & Society Organisation Newsletter and Celebration Event
You can view the latest edition of the Middle Eastern Women & Society Organisation Newsletter here.
Community Celebration: Green Towers Community Centre 7 Plevna Road Edmonton London N9 0BU
Saturday; 17 December 2016, Start: 12.00pm
DJ, Dance, entertainment for children and Food. Come along with your family members, children and friends. Food and drink available. Traditional Middle EasternFashion Show. Lots of entertainment.
Everybody is welcome! For more information please contact 07958145666

Camden Intergenerational Network Newsletter
Read the latest edition of the newsletter online here.

True Honour Awards 2017 Ceremony
IKWRO Celebrating individuals and organisations who take a stand against “honour” based violence
6-9pm Tuesday 7th March 2017, The University of Law, 2 Bunhill Row, London EC1Y 4TY
Book at eventbrite.
Know a person or organisation who you think should be celebrated for taking a stand against
“honour” based violence? Nominate them for a True Honour Award here

Camden Giving, VAC, Hopscotch, Kings Cross Construction Centre, Camden Carers Centre, Refugee Therapy Centre, Manor Gardens, Headway North London, Age UK Camden and Camden PA are recruiting. See Jobs and Volunteers section below.

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

National

What is Sustainability?
A new research report on Sustainability from IVAR looks at the way sustainability means different things to different funders and how to think more usefully about sustainability. Read more here.

Small charities ‘priced out of council contracts’
Small charities are being “priced out and scaled out” of bidding for local authority contracts and it is “inevitable” that charities will take over some local government services, local government representatives have told the Lords Select Committee on Charities.
Appearing before the committee, Daniel Hurford, head of policy at the Welsh Local Government Association, and Robert Light, a Kirklees councillor, both said that the funding cuts faced by councils and the shift from grants to contracts had had a negative impact on local charities.
Hurford said that despite a general understanding from the charity sector that local authorities were facing severe budget reductions, “there is increasing tension over how that funding is distributed to the sector”.
He said there was a risk that smaller organisations “are priced out and scaled out of the market” and the increasing focus on larger contracts with bigger organisations meant the charity sector risked losing “some of the value it brought as a body, both as a potential deliverer of services but also as a representative body, as an advocate and as having local community ties”.

FUNDING

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

VAC EVENTS

OTHER EVENTS

.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.
For 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.
Wednesday 18 January 2-17 9.45am – 4.30pm. Free
Training and Development Centre, Crowndale Centre, 218-220 Eversholt Street, London NW1 1BD
To book your place go to www.camdentds.co.uk, search for the course and request a place.
For queries and to make bookings without an account, please email tdsonline@camden.gov.uk or contact Vanda Carter – vanda.carter@camden.gov.uk / 020 7974 2810.

The Camden Sensory Needs Forum ‘The Future of the Forum – Making Engagement Work‘
A forum for blind and partially sighted residents and residents who are d/Deaf, deaf-blind or hard of hearing.
A forum for family carers of people with sensory needs in Camden.
A forum that gives you direct links to Camden councillors as well as links to Council staff and staff from local health organisations.
The venue and meeting are fully accessible. British Sign language interpreters and a Speech to Text Reporter provided. Chaired by Councillor Sally Gimson 3.00 pm – 5.00 pm 1st December 2016 at Charlie Ratchford Centre, Belmont Street NW1 8HF
For transport to help you attend please contact: David Robinson at Camden Council tel: 020 7974 4239 mobile: 0791 755 9419 sms text only

Do You Need Health and Safety Training?
VAC and London Hazards are planning health and safety training for community groups in Camden. We want to target those who may not have had such training before. Do you have staff, volunteers or users who could benefit from this training? The course could cover areas such as: The main UK health and safety laws; Who is responsible for health and safety at work; Who enforces health and safety; Basic risk assessment; Sources of information and support.
The training is free. To find out more contact Kevin – knunan@vac.org.uk

House of Memories dementia awareness
Workshops for family carers are being held at The British Museum on Thursday 1 December 2016. Run by National Museums Liverpool and commissioned by the Department of Health, workshops will take place twice-daily from 9:30am – 12:30pm and 1:30pm – 4:30pm.
Free places can be booked by emailing learning@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk or calling 0151 478 4240.

Camden SAPB safeguarding adults conference
Working together towards lives free from abuse – Wed 30 November 2016
This year’s conference will focus on how we can work together more efficiently and share information to keep Camden residents safe.
The conference will be an excellent opportunity for front-facing practitioners working with Camden communities to get together and share their experiences, as well as learn from each other’s practice.
The event is free to attend for anyone working or volunteering with Camden adults, Holiday Inn Bloomsbury, Coram Street, London WC1N 1HT 9:00-17:00. Book your place HERE.

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

JOBS AND VOLUNTEERING

Historypin Community Officers wanted
Historypin and The Building Exploratory are looking for two experience community officers to help deliver a partnership project exploring the heritage of King’s Cross over the past 100 years.
King’s Cross Story Palace is a two year heritage engagement project supported by the National Lottery, through the Heritage Lottery Fund. Over the course of the project the team will work with partner organisations, individuals and communities in King’s Cross to engage diverse audiences and record their stories, research local history, deliver workshops, events and exhibitions, publications and a digital archive to be hosted on historypin.org.
We are looking for two Community Officers to work directly with audience groups and partners in the area. For full details on the project and the role please download the job pack:
To apply send your CV and a covering letter to recruitment@historypin.org by 9:00am Wednesday 30th November 2016. No agencies please.
Interview Dates: 7th, 8th or 9th December – first round / 14th, 15th or 16th December – second round.

Historypin seeks Participation and Public Engagement Officer
Participation and Public Engagement Officer, full time
Historypin and The Building Exploratory are looking for an experienced participation and public Engagement Officer to help deliver a partnership project exploring the heritage of King’s Cross over the past 100 years.
King’s Cross Story Palace is a two year heritage engagement project supported by the National Lottery, through the Heritage Lottery Fund. Over the course of the project the team will work with partner organisations, individuals and communities in King’s Cross to engage diverse audiences and record their stories, research local history, deliver workshops, events and exhibitions, publications and a digital archive to be hosted on historypin.org.
We are looking for a Participation and Public Engagement Officer to train volunteers and deliver public events. For full details on the project and the role please download the job pack:
To apply send your CV and a covering letter to recruitment@historypin.org by 9:00am Wednesday 30th November 2016. No agencies please.
Interview Dates: 7th, 8th or 9th December – first round / 14th, 15th or 16th December – second round

Director of Camden Giving Salary £40,000 (pro rata – 3 days per week)
Camden Giving is a place based giving initiative; a bottom-up, collaborative approach with the aspiration to make Camden a fairer and more inclusive place to live and work. It will raise and pool donations to support grassroots community initiatives. It will also establish a shared vision that includes community activism, volunteering, new opportunities to collaborate, goodwill and connections.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced person who excels at working with individuals and organisations. You will also have excellent relationship building skills, experience of project management, identifying and securing income streams from various sources and the setting up a new organisation.
You will be supported by and work closely with the Steering Group, a committed group of people from the public, private, and voluntary sectors. The key focus of this post will be to build the Camden Giving network and assist in the setting up this new and dynamic initiative. Visit www.camdengiving.org.uk/jobs to apply. Closing Date Friday 2nd December.

Hopscotch Asian Women’s Centre seeks Administrative and Finance Assistant
35 hrs per week 3 year contract £20,645 incl. ILW
Closing date: Monday 28th November 2016 at 23.59pm
For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Isabelle Terrisson, Senior Operations Manager. For all other details and an application pack, please contact Ruksana Begum,
Tel: 020 7388 8198 E-mail: info@hopscotchawc.org.uk Web: www.hopscotchawc.org.uk

The Refugee Therapy Centre seeks Admin Assistant to the Director of Education & Training
Part-time Working Hours: Up to 2 days a week Salary: £18,000 pro rata
Closing Date for application: 5pm 28th November. Interviews: w/c 2nd December
With a keen eye for detail, strong organisational, IT and communication skills, the Administrative Assistant will provide administrative support to the Director of Education and Training in all areas of her work. The candidate has to be intuitive, flexible, with excellent secretarial skills, and be able to use MS software package to a high standard.
A job description and application pack with further information can be found on our
website: http://www.refugeetherapy.org.uk/get-involved/vacancies/administrativeassistant.aspx .

Age UK Camden seeks Campaigns and Communications Officer (Opening Doors London)
Contract to end June 2017 – will be extended subject to funding
S01 scp29-31 £29,133 – £30,830 pa pro rata 21 hours per week
Closing date 28th November 2016 midday, Interviews Monday Monday 5th December 2016
Opening Doors London is the largest provider of information and support services with and for older Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans people in the United Kingdom. We aim to ensure that older LGBT* people live happier, healthier and independent lives free from prejudice and discrimination. Everything we do is informed by the lived experience of LGBT older people.
IPlease see the application pack including the full job description and person specification at the following link in our website www.ageukcamden.org.uk or email jobs@ageukcamden.org.uk.

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

OFFERS, RESOURCES & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Local Offer
The Local Offer sets out information about support for children and young people (aged 0-25) with special educational needs and disabilities, and their families. During November 2016, we will be seeking your feedback on the Local Offer to see what you think about the Local Offer as a whole, as well as the website. What’s good, what’s not so good and how can it be improved.
If you’re a parent or carer, you can send your feedback online here.
If you’re a young person, you can send your feedback online here.
If you would like a paper version, a version in another format or for more information, you can email localoffer@camden.gov.uk or call 020 7974 6345. Visit www.localoffer.camden.gov.uk to find out more.

Debt Advice Service Seeks VCS Partners
Within Camden the report estimates as many as 39,000 are struggling with money and bills.
Capitalise is a London wide free debt advice network of voluntary organisations which for the last 10 years has been delivering free face-to-face advice which is independent, accredited, non-judgmental.
We have a central Hub which anyone can ring to locate their nearest advice centre – Freephone 0808 164 2480 – and begin their journey to being debt free.
We are eager to work with the voluntary groups in Camden and identify how we can help any of your service users (or staff/volunteers) who may be struggling with money and bills.
To find out more about Capitalise we currently have some pages on the Toynbee Hall website (http://www.toynbeehall.org.uk/our-partners ) whilst our new site is being finalised (www.capitalise.org.uk) – If you would like discuss Capitalise, how we can work together or would like to have some posters sent to you please contact michael.dunlop@toynbeehall.org.uk

Camden Consultations
You can find all Camden consultation on the Wearecamden consultation hub.

Voluntary Action Camden e-bulletin 18th November 2016

by Kevin Nunan17 November 2016

Highlights

STP Meeting; new online marketplace: Camden Care Choices; White Ribbon Day; Transition Support Development Grant; office accommodation; Celebrate UN Children’s Day; Unlocking the UK’s Sound Heritage; Camden Intergenerational Network Newsletter + funding jobs, volunteers, events, training, offers and resources.

Feature

Camden Council meeting about the North Central London Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP).

24 November at Kingsgate Resource Centre,
208 Webheath, Palmerston Road, London, NW6
The meeting is a chance for Camden residents to:
· Hear about the financial challenges for the NHS and social care services;
· Hear about proposals for health and social care integration set out in the North Central London STP
· Hear about the Council’s initial responses to the STP and its developing plans for Adult Social Care
· Ask questions and provide feedback on the proposals to help inform the Council’s future thinking and input into these plans going forward.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/camden-council-public-meeting-health-and-adult-social-care-in-camden-tickets-29274486778?aff=es2 See National News below for more news about STPs.

NEWS & POLICY

Camden

White Ribbon Day 2016
Friday 25 November is White Ribbon Day and the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will be affected by domestic violence or abuse in their lifetime. Don’t let your staff be a statistic. This month we are inviting local businesses and organisations to work with us to help support staff across Camden who may be suffering in silence. www3.camden.gov.uk/notlove/

Celebrate UN Children’s Day 2 – 6pm 19th November at Kentish Town Community Centre
Cadfa Youth Links with Palestine family and young people’s day. Dabkeh, tombola, spoken word, music, henna, card making, penalty shoot out, bake sale, Skype session with young people in Abu Dis, Palestine. Entrance free – collection for girls football team visit to UK. www.cadfa.org

Unlocking the UK’s Sound Heritage
Take part in a workshop and listen to the sounds and memories of people and places that have been documented by the British Library. Tuesday 22 November 12 – 2pm and 2 – 4pm, and Wednesday 23 November 11.30 – 1.30pm. Contact chandan.mahal@bl.uk

Camden Intergenerational Network Newsletter
Read the latest edition of the newsletter online here.

Healthwatch Camden News
You can view the latest weekly news digest at the Healthwatch Camden website.

Camden Community Radio
What’s on in Camden (November); Anna Freud walks; Irish and African Culture; Bedlam at Wellcome; The Slam in Kings Cross; Listen here.

Free Pilates Classes Every Monday, 1.30 – 2.30pm
@ The Old Fire Station, 84 Mayton Street, N7 6QT
All Abilities welcome. Ideal for helping with stress, anxiety and developing muscle tone. Aids concentration and generally lifts your mood!
For information call 0207 607 9794 or visit www.hng.org.uk

Camden Patient Participation Groups Newsletter
You can read the latest newsletter online here.

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

National

More on STPs
A new report from the Kings Fund looks at how STPs are being developed. The report is based on a series of interviews with senior NHS and local government leaders and looks at how STPs have been developed in four parts of the country. It was largely reported as secret plans for cuts.

FUNDING

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

VAC EVENTS

OTHER EVENTS

Somali Family Kitchen Taster
10AM To 12 noon 21 November 2016
A free one day session to learn about healthy eating and new healthy recipe ideas.
At Kingsgate Community Centre, 107 Kingsgate Road, London NW6 2JL
Telephone: 020 7974 6736 Email: healthandwellbeingteam@camden.gov.uk
Please note that this taster session is only open to Somali families living in Camden and Islington.

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.
For 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.
Wednesday 18 January 2-17 9.45am – 4.30pm. Free
Training and Development Centre, Crowndale Centre, 218-220 Eversholt Street, London NW1 1BD
To book your place go to www.camdentds.co.uk, search for the course and request a place.
For queries and to make bookings without an account, please email tdsonline@camden.gov.uk or contact Vanda Carter – vanda.carter@camden.gov.uk / 020 7974 2810.

How can you help to address health inequalities? 22 November 2016, 10.30am -1pm
Arlington House, 220 Arlington Road, Camden NW1 7HE
Local NHS organisations need to work with local communities and voluntary organisations to ensure they address equality in health services. Specifically, to ensure that everyone has improved health outcomes, better access to services, and have better patient experience.
This workshop will provide an overview of how your local NHS is doing this and explore how voluntary organisations and individuals can be empowered to better engage with local health to improve access to services, and patient experience for people from diverse communities. Register on line at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-can-you-help-to-address-health-inequalities-tickets-28757667959

Mental Health Working: Employment Support Day Tuesday 15th November 2016
Hear success stories from people who have got into work and guest speakers.
Working can have a positive effect on your mental health wellbeing. With the right support in the right job, you can enjoy a fulfilling and lasting career
Free advice, information on training, in work support, volunteering, employment options and benefits.
Guest speakers from; Volunteer Centre Islington; The Recovery College; Welfare Benefit Information and Other support agencies.
Conference Hall, St Pancras Hospital, 4 St Pancras Way, London NW1 0PE 10am to 3pm
Refreshments provided. Contact Details: 0300 456 8206 or mhworking@remploy.co.uk

‘Made of Money’ is running a 2 day Facilitator Training in London on 7th & 8th December
We also offer ‘in house’ trainings for any organisation or group of organisations to suit you.
‘Made of Money’ is an award winning financial literacy resource, developed by anti-poverty charity Quaker Social Action. It aims to help groups talk about money and its impact on their lives, as well as learn vital money management skills. It is ideal to help front line workers offer support to those on low income, particularly in the run up to the introduction of Universal Credit, and welfare benefit changes.
The cost per person for the 2-day training, (incl lunch), depending on the size of your organisation (£100 for small organisations).
You will also need a set of workshop resources, charged at a subsidised rate of £115. This gives you everything you need to run Made of with groups and 1:1 sessions. (These can be shared within the organisation or between groups of organisations) Contact mompartner@qsa.org.uk

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

JOBS AND VOLUNTEERING

Kings Cross Construction Skills Centre seeks Administration Support Volunteer
Are you looking to improve your skillset or develop a new skillset?
This is a fantastic experience to build on Administrative skills in a fast and busy environment with in the construction training environment.
You will be based Kings Cross Construction Skills centre supporting the Admin staff:
General Administrative Support
• Reception duties, answering telephone calls taking bookings
• Filing
• Meet and Greet visitors
• Updating spreadsheets, Word Documents, Monthly Reports
• Attending meetings and learning to take Minutes
• Updating management information system
Helping the team with any Admin work they may require assistance on. No Experience Necessary Must be 16+
Essential Skills:
• Motivated
• Good time-keeping
• Good Communication skills, verbal and written
• Good I.T Skills especially in excel and word
We will provide a laptop to use on the placement. Working hours will be accommodating to individual’s circumstances.
If you know anyone who is interested, please ask them to forward their CV to: Andrew.connor@camden.gov.uk or or Jukela.khatun@camden.gov.uk

Camden Carers seeks Family & Carer Support and Information Worker
Camden Frail and Elderly MDT (Multi Disciplinary Team) Lead (f/t)
You will be part of a team working to deliver a comprehensive and quality information, support and advocacy service for carers. You will help Identify carers from all communities in the London Borough of Camden who care for a family member, partner or friend who has a disability or long-term illness. Working with the Service Manager you will take a lead on attending and identifying carers at Camden’s Frail and Elderly Locality MDTs
You must have excellent communication skills along with knowledge of the policies and issues impacting on carers, safeguarding, support planning, local services and experience of working with people who need support. It is essential that you are able to work with people from local diverse communities and have/be DBS checked. Salary: £28,700 f/t
Download info and application form: www.camdencs.org.uk/get-involved
For further information or to talk to someone please call 020 7428 8950 and ask to speak to the Support & Information Service Manager, Caroline Allouf
Closing date: 12am Sunday 20th of November 2016 Interviews: Thursday 1st of December 2016

Headway North London seeks Volunteer Treasurer
We are currently seeking a volunteer treasurer with professional knowledge to assist in managing our accounting procedures including salary, accounts, statutory bodies, statistics etc. Headway North London is a very small registered charity and we rely on the support of volunteers and trustees.
The treasurer will sit on the Board of Trustees and report directly to the Chair of Trustees, Colin Shieff.
If you would like to volunteer please contact enquiries@headwaynorthlondon.org with a brief CV or resume. Please do contact us also if you have any questions. www.headwaynorthlondon.org

Trustee Vacancies in Camden
If you would like to become a Camden trustee, then visit the Volunteer Centre Camden trustee recruitment pages where you will find information about the vacancies available in Camden.

Turkish-speaking Bilingual Maternity Mentor (Maternity cover position)
Hours: 16 hours per week
Salary: £9,557 (pro-rata for 16 hours per week based on full-time salary of £21,503.25)
This is an exciting opportunity for a committed and motivated individual to join our Bright Beginnings Project, which works to improve the health and well-being of pregnant women, new mothers and families from refugee and migrant backgrounds in Islington and neighbouring boroughs.
Due to the nature of this role, it is for female applicants only and is exempt under Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010.
For a pack, email norma@manorgardenscentre.org or download at www.manorgardenscentre.org/jobs
Closing date Friday 25th November at 5pm. Provisional interview date: Monday 5th December (PM)
The successful candidate will need to be available to start in role on Monday 16th January 2017

Age UK Camden (PSIC) seeks:
PSIC (Personalisation in Camden) Payroll Officer (Direct Payments) – Part-Time
Salary range S01 £29,133 to £30,830 pa pro rata
21 hours per week, initial fixed term contract to end Sept 2017 (with the possibility of an extension)
Make a difference for disabled people by using your numerical and IT skills in this rewarding role.
You and a co-worker will provide the payroll service for disabled clients in receipt of direct payments and manage their HR needs when applicable (ie keeping track of holiday, managing their pension needs, payroll invoices etc).
Please see the application pack including the full job description and person specification at our website www.ageukcamden.org.uk or email jobs@ageukcamden.org.uk.
The closing date for receipt of application forms is Friday 25th November 2016 9.30 am
and interviews will be held on Wednesday 7th December 2016

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

OFFERS, RESOURCES & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Camden Consultations
You can find all Camden consultation on the Wearecamden consultation hub.

Voluntary Action Camden e-bulletin 11th November 2016

by Kevin Nunan17 November 2016

Highlights

Exciting Opportunity to lead Camden Giving; North Central London Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) Public Meetings; Faith and Politics Debate; Camden Council’s Transition Support Development Grant; The Camden Sensory Needs Forum; How can you help to address health inequalities? Clean Break Information Day; Somali Family Kitchen Taster; An introduction to intergenerational working; Camden Community Radio; The British Library celebrates Global Entrepreneurship Week; + funding jobs, volunteers, events, training, offers and resources.

Feature

Exciting Opportunity to lead Camden Giving

Director of Camden Giving Salary £40,000 (pro rata – 3 days per week)
Camden Giving is a place based giving initiative; a bottom-up, collaborative approach with the aspiration to make Camden a fairer and more inclusive place to live and work. It will raise and pool donations to support grassroots community initiatives. It will also establish a shared vision that includes community activism, volunteering, new opportunities to collaborate, goodwill and connections.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced person who excels at working with individuals and organisations. You will also have excellent relationship building skills, experience of project management, identifying and securing income streams from various sources and the setting up a new organisation.
You will be supported by and work closely with the Steering Group, a committed group of people from the public, private, and voluntary sectors. The key focus of this post will be to build the Camden Giving network and assist in the setting up this new and dynamic initiative. Visit www.camdengiving.org.uk/jobs to apply.

NEWS & POLICY

Camden

Camden Council has organised two meetings about the recently published North Central London Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP).
These meetings are being held on:
· 16 November at Regent High School, Chalton St, Kings Cross, London NW1 1RX
· 24 November at Kingsgate Resource Centre, 208 Webheath, Palmerston Road, London, NW6 2JU
The meetings are a chance for Camden residents to:
· Hear about the financial challenges for the NHS and social care services;
· Hear about proposals for health and social care integration set out in the North Central London STP
· Hear about the Council’s initial responses to the STP and its developing plans for Adult Social Care
· Ask questions and provide feedback on the proposals to help inform the Council’s future thinking and input into these plans going forward.
Camden residents will be able to register attendance at either of the events via Eventbrite and the relevant links to the two events are below:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/camden-council-public-meeting-health-and-adult-social-care-in-camden-tickets-29248806969?aff=es2
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/camden-council-public-meeting-health-and-adult-social-care-in-camden-tickets-29274486778?aff=es2

Faith and Politics Debate
Thursday 17 November 2016, 6 – 8.30pm, Camden Town Hall, Judd Street, London WC1H 9JE
As part of Interfaith Week, Camden is holding a debate on Faith and Politics.
The Panel includes:
Suresh Grover, Director of the Monitoring Group. The Monitoring Group is a leading anti-racist charity that promotes civil rights.
Yasmin Rehman, Coordinator of the London Violence against Women and Girls Consortium.
Gita Sahgal, Co-founder and Executive Director of the Centre for Secular Space.
Kier Starmer MP, Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras.
Our speakers will share their perspective on Faith and Politics and then the audience will be invited to ask questions and share their views.
You are invited to sign up and be part of this FREE event. Please visit Eventbrite via this link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/faith-and-politics-public-debate-tickets-29079170582

The Camden Sensory Needs Forum
A forum for blind and partially sighted residents and residents who are d/Deaf, deaf-blind or hard of hearing.
A forum for family carers of people with sensory needs in Camden.
A forum that gives you direct links to Camden councillors as well as links to Council staff and staff from local health organisations.
A forum to discuss services that matter to you
The venue and meeting are fully accessible. British Sign language interpreters and a Speech to Text Reporter provided. Chaired by Councillor Sally Gimson 3.00 pm – 5.00 pm 1st December 2016 at Charlie Ratchford Centre, Belmont Street NW1 8HF
Agenda item ‘The Future of the Forum – Making Engagement Work’.
For transport to help you attend please contact: David Robinson at Camden Council tel: 020 7974 4239 mobile: 0791 755 9419 sms text only

How can you help to address health inequalities? 22 November 2016, 10.30am -1pm
Arlington House, 220 Arlington Road, Camden NW1 7HE
Local NHS organisations need to work with local communities and voluntary organisations to ensure they address equality in health services. Specifically, to ensure that everyone has improved health outcomes, better access to services, and have better patient experience.
This workshop will:
· provide an overview of how your local NHS is doing this
· explore how voluntary organisations and individuals can be empowered to better engage with local health to improve access to services, and patient experience for people from diverse communities
· hear your suggestions of what works in better engagement with local communities to improve their health. Register on line at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-can-you-help-to-address-health-inequalities-tickets-28757667959

Clean Break Information Day
Friday 2nd December at Clean Break, NW5
We offer free education and training in the arts specifically for women who have experience of the criminal justice system and/or are at risk of offending due to alcohol/substance misuse or mental heath needs.
Places are limited. Please email outreach@cleanbreak.org.uk to request a booking form.

Somali Family Kitchen Taster
10AM TO 12 noon 21 November 2016
A free one day session to learn about healthy eating and new healthy recipe ideas.
At Kingsgate Community Centre, 107 Kingsgate Road, London NW6 2JL
Telephone: 020 7974 6736 Email: healthandwellbeingteam@camden.gov.uk
Please note that this taster session is only open to Somali families living in Camden and Islington.

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.
Wednesday 18 January 2-17 9.45am – 4.30pm. Free
Training and Development Centre, Crowndale Centre, 218-220 Eversholt Street, London NW1 1BD
To book your place go to www.camdentds.co.uk, search for the course and request a place.
For queries and to make bookings without an account, please email tdsonline@camden.gov.uk or contact Vanda Carter – vanda.carter@camden.gov.uk / 020 7974 2810.

Camden Community Radio
What’s on in Camden (November); Anna Freud walks; Irish and African Culture; Bedlam at Wellcome; The Slam in Kings Cross; Listen here.

The British Library celebrates Global Entrepreneurship Week 14-19 November
A packed programme of events to inspire people everywhere to explore their potential as self-starters and innovators – its Global Entrepreneurship Week.
Book your free tickets now by clicking on the links below. Please note that these events are high demand, hence we suggest you reserve your place as soon as possible.
What next for my business idea? Monday 14 Nov 11.00-12.00, Business & IP Centre
This workshop will show you how to identify the information that you need to turn a business idea into a commercially successful business and where this can be found.
How to protect your business from potential cyber threats and be more productive with Microsoft, Monday 14 Nov 13.00-14.00, Business & IP Centre
Cybercrime is one of the biggest threats to modern business and it’s no wonder that security is one of the biggest concerns of businesses moving to the cloud. Using effective software systems are one way of ensuring you can keep up with the market, and your competitors, enabling you to work smarter and keep your greatest asset – your business information – safe.
James Marshall, Microsoft’s Chief Technologist for Small and Medium Businesses will show you can mitigate risks. You’ll get practical and tactical guidance on how to detect and protect your business from cyber threats.
Question Time for Entrepreneurs Monday 14 Nov 2016, 19.00-21.30 Conference Centre (book your FREE ticket now with the promo code BLGEW2016)
Take this unique opportunity to quiz big-hitting entrepreneurs and leading business experts on how they went from small start-ups to big-time successes,

Camden Patient Participation Groups Newsletter
You can read the latest newsletter online here.

Kingsgate Community Centre (KCA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Charles E. Small as it’s new Executive Director.
Charles brings significant management experience to the centre building and transforming community & arts focused organisations of various sizes including The Drum in Birmingham.
The Board of Trustees looks forward to working together with Charles to foster a new period of growth and success for KCA under his dynamic leadership.

Hopscotch, Camden Carers Centre, Refugee Therapy Centre, Manor Gardens, Headway North London, Age UK Camden and Camden PA are recruiting. See Jobs and Volunteers section below.

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

National

Damning Verdict from UN Human Rights Commission on UK treatment of Disabled People
High profile stories have kept some important news off the front page. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has investigated the UK’s treatment of Disabled People since welfare reforms were introduced and the ILF was closed. In a damning and unprecedented verdict the report finds that “the Committee considers that there is reliable evidence that the threshold of grave or systematic violations of the rights of persons with disabilities has been met in the State party.” Furthermore the state knew that their would be an adverse impact on people with disabilities. “There have been disproportionate adverse affects on the rights of people with disabilities.” Measures taken by the state have had a discriminatory affect on disabled people. “Large number of persons with disabilities have been affected (e.g. 13,900 persons with disabilities have lost their Motability schemes and therefore their adapted cars, upon implementation of Personal Independence Payment up to February 2016; 492,180 had been placed in the Employment and Support Allowance work-related activity group by end of 2015; 41,792 Employment and Support Allowance work-related activity group sanctions were handed out up to March 2014.”
The committee also regretted the level of cooperation at central and local level; “The Committee regrets that local authorities and councils did not cooperate with it during the visit, despite several invitations addressed to them to participate. The Committee would have appreciated it if the first meeting agreed with the central government had been held on the first day of the visit. That meeting was instead postponed to the last day.”
The report report find curtailment of a number of basic human rights of people with disabilities and in a number of areas the changes have been discriminatory.
The DWP disputed the facts, and the committee went through a rigorous “verification exercise in which the facts that appeared to be controversial were cross-checked with data collected from a variety of sources, including parliamentary inquiries, reports of the independent monitoring body of the Convention, official statistics, reports and data originating from other government departments or units, entity governments, research institutes, service providers, academic centres, independent experts, former government officers, grass-roots non-governmental organizations, organizations of persons with disabilities and individuals. In some cases, some State party’s statements were not supported by evidence collected by the investigation. In others, the State party indicated that no data were available.” You can download the full report at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights website (link at bottom of page).

FUNDING

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

Timberland “My PlayGreen” – very short deadline!
Timberland “My PlayGreen”: Grants of up to £5000 for London-based projects improving green spaces
Timberland have launched a new funding scheme called “My PlayGreen”,which is looking to support the creation, maintenance or improvement of green spaces in London. The primary goal is to improve the access to trees and green spaces to urban populations, and more specifically to urban children.
Grants up to £5000 are available for community organisations with plans to support sustainable and local projects in the greater London area.
Deadline for submissions is Tuesday 22nd November.
For more information and details of how to apply, click here.

Smoking Cessation Service – Provider Event for the commissioning of Stop Smoking Services 16th November 2016 – 9.30am – 12.30pm
At LIFT, 45 White Lion St, London N1 9PW
This event is being organised by Camden and Islington Councils. It is aimed at organisations who are interested in delivering services to support people who want to stop smoking.
The aim is to provide three levels of service: Self Help; Community Support; Specialist addiction
There is a keen interest to utilise community assets. Camden and Islington Councils would like to see Voluntary and Community being involved individually or in a partnership.
Contract start date – April 2017. Duration – 2 years with an extension option
If you are interested in attending the event or require further details, please contact Joana Heliotrope. Email: Joana.Heliotrope@camden.gov.uk

Localgiving Offering Free Membership and Match Funding
You can join Localgiving and take advantage of;
· One year’s free membership of Localgiving
· £300 ring-fenced Match Funding
· Access to a London development fundraising expert
· Dedicated tech and processing support from the Holborn HQ
· A tailored online fundraising training programme
In addition to the £300 pounds match funding through the London Development Programme, groups are also eligible to take part in the ”Grow Your Tenner” campaign we launched on October 18th. You can join Localgiving here using the promo code ”LONDON75” and there is more information about the Grow Your Tenner campaign here.

VAC EVENTS

OTHER EVENTS

Green Infrastructure and Air Quality
24th November 17:30 – 20:30 at University College London, Chadwick Building G07, London WC1
Green Infrastructure (open green space, parks, gardens, street trees, green roofs, green walls, rain gardens and ponds) have many potential benefits such as reducing water pollution, local flood risk, improving human health and wellbeing as well as enhancing local biodiversity.
At this event we will explore the role of Green Infrastructure in London with a specific focus on what we know of the impacts on air pollution. We want to engage with community groups, academics, planners, policy makers and practitioners about what is known in relation to green infrastructure and how we can work together to improve our knowledge .
The event will include some short, thought-provoking, presentations from keynote speakers on air quality and green infrastructure. After the presentations there will be a debate about the subject.
More information here or contact Ana Bernardo at a.bernardo@lsx.org.uk or 0207 234 9404.

Free English classes
Starting Monday 21st November to Monday 12th December, 10 – 11.30.
Held at the Hpod, Cumberland Market, off Varndell Street, NW1 3RH.
Receive a £35 voucher & a certificate!
You will connect with people at www.learnwithe3.com and make friends at classes! Contact us to build your confidence speaking English at work, at the supermarket, at the doctor and at your children’s school.
~ Are you over 18?
~ Do you need English?
~ Are you unemployed?
~ Do you need work skills?
~ Do you have the right to remain?
If the answer is ‘YES’, join us! Get basic English lessons on your phone, online and in groups.
Practise your new English skills by doing community work, volunteering or opening a market stall
To book your place, contact West Euston Partnership on 020 7388 7932 or email David.hermanstein@camden.gov.uk

Camden adult social care is launching a new online marketplace: Camden Care Choices
Provider event Tuesday 29th November. You can attend one of the three sessions being held: 10am-11.30am, 11.30-1pm or 1.30-3pm. Come and find out more
Register for tickets at Eventbrite
If your organisation has not registered on the new Camden Care Choices yet, please kindly do so to ensure you are listed in the directory of services. The marketplace will allow users including resident and professionals to find the care and support services you are offering. You will be required to describe your service, complete some steps and where applicable you will be able to upload images and descriptions of services or products offered i.e. handrails, walking stick etc. This will enable people to find local services they want to help them live independently, with the benefit of a potential increase in the number of people using your service.
Please use the link below to register (and click the word “register” at the top of the tool bar). After registering you will need to validate your email within 7 days.
http://camden.assistdirect.co.uk/
If you have any enquiries please email ccc@camden.gov.uk

Mental Health Working: Employment Support Day
Tuesday 15th November 2016
Employment opportunities and speed interviews available on the day!
Hear success stories from people who have got into work and guest speakers from:
Working can have a positive effect on your mental health wellbeing. With the right support in the right job, you can enjoy a fulfilling and lasting career
Free advice, information on training, in work support, volunteering, employment options and benefits.
Guest speakers from; Volunteer Centre Islington; The Recovery College; Welfare Benefit Information and Other support agencies.
Conference Hall, St Pancras Hospital, 4 St Pancras Way, London NW1 0PE 10am to 3pm
Refreshments provided. Contact Details: 0300 456 8206 or mhworking@remploy.co.uk

Camden SAPB safeguarding adults conference
Working together towards lives free from abuse – Wed 30 November 2016
This year’s conference will focus on how we can work together more efficiently and share information to keep Camden residents safe.
The conference will be an excellent opportunity for front-facing practitioners working with Camden communities to get together and share their experiences, as well as learn from each other’s practice.
A detailed conference programme will be circulated closer to the date. The event is free to attend for anyone working or volunteering with Camden adults, but we strongly advise booking your place early to avoid missing out. Holiday Inn Bloomsbury, Coram Street, London WC1N 1HT 9:00-17:00
Book your place HERE.

Free HR training workshops for Camden voluntary and community groups
Free and will take place between 9.45 and 1pm at the Town Hall Judd Street.
The workshops are for managers and trustees of voluntary and community groups based in Camden.
Managing Misconduct Wednesday 16th November 2016
This workshop will focus on managing employees who are underperforming due to misconduct
The training will reflect the ACAS Code of Practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/managing-misconduct-registration-27067000126
Handling Workplace Investigations Wednesday 7th December 2016
There are many occasions when an employer may wish to undertake an internal investigation including as part of the disciplinary and grievance process
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/handling-workplace-investigations-registration-27067050276
Staff Appraisals Thursday 12th January 2017
Appraisal is a two-way process of looking backwards to analyse past job performance, and looking forward into the future with a view to improving future performance.
The overall objective of an effective appraisal scheme should be to help each employee to maximise his or her job performance for the joint benefit of the employee and the organisation.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/staff-appraisals-registration-27067569830
Managing Sickness Absence Thursday 9th February 2017
The aim of this workshop is to increase managers’ confidence and ability to manage staff absence.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/managing-sickness-absence-registration-27067617974
Managing Restructure Wednesday 15th March 2017
Many voluntary and community organisations are considering some kind of restructuring in response to the current economic climate. This might include closing a team, amalgamating core functions, general downsizing or some sort of relocation.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/managing-a-restructure-registration-27067674142
Managing Difficult Conversations at Work Wednesday 12th April 2017
Most of us dislike confrontation; we sometimes avoid it which can often lead to even more difficulty, misunderstandings and possible conflict.
In the current climate of continued economic uncertainty, we may find ourselves working with reduced budgets, constant organisational change and ongoing performance issues, as people try to make sense of all this.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/managing-difficult-conversations-at-work-registration-27067711253
The workshops will be run by Shirley Briggs. Shirley is an independent HR consultant. Her background is in social housing where she worked as a HR manager for a number of large housing associations. She managed the PEACe (HR) service at LVSC from 2006-2016 supporting many hundreds of voluntary and community organisations with HR and employment law advice, consultancy and training. She is also a trained workplace mediator.

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

JOBS AND VOLUNTEERING

Hopscotch Asian Women’s Centre seeks Administrative and Finance Assistant
35 hrs per week 3 year contract £20,645 incl. ILW
Closing date: Monday 28th November 2016 at 23.59pm
For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Isabelle Terrisson, Senior Operations Manager. For all other details and an application pack, please contact Ruksana Begum, HR Administrator:
Tel: 020 7388 8198 E-mail: info@hopscotchawc.org.uk Web: www.hopscotchawc.org.uk

The Refugee Therapy Centre seeks Admin Assistant to the Director of Education & Training
Part-time Working Hours: Up to 2 days a week Salary: £18,000 pro rata
Closing Date for application: 5pm 28th November. Interviews: w/c 2nd December
With a keen eye for detail, strong organisational, IT and communication skills, the Administrative Assistant will provide administrative support to the Director of Education and Training in all areas of her work. The candidate has to be intuitive, flexible, with excellent secretarial skills, and be able to use MS software package to a high standard. You should also be committed to confidentiality and the ethos of the Refugee Therapy centre.
A job description and application pack with further information can be found on our
website: http://www.refugeetherapy.org.uk/get-involved/vacancies/administrativeassistant.aspx .

Age UK Camden seeks Campaigns and Communications Officer (Opening Doors London)
Contract to end June 2017 – will be extended subject to funding
S01 scp29-31 £29,133 – £30,830 pa pro rata 21 hours per week
Closing date 28th November 2016 midday, Interviews Monday Monday 5th December 2016
Opening Doors London is the largest provider of information and support services with and for older Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans people in the United Kingdom. We aim to ensure that older LGBT* people live happier, healthier and independent lives free from prejudice and discrimination. Everything we do is informed by the lived experience of LGBT older people.
If you are interested in applying for this role, please see the application pack including the full job description and person specification at the following link in our website www.ageukcamden.org.uk or email jobs@ageukcamden.org.uk.

Camden Carers seeks Family & Carer Support and Information Worker
Camden Fraility and Elderly MDT (Multi Disciplinary Team) Lead (f/t)
You will be part of a team working to deliver a comprehensive and quality information, support and advocacy service for carers. You will help Identify carers from all communities in the London Borough of Camden who care for a family member, partner or friend who has a disability or long-term illness. Working with the Service Manager you will take a lead on attending and identifying carers at Camden’s Frail and Elderly Locality MDTs
You must have excellent communication skills along with knowledge of the policies and issues impacting on carers, safeguarding, support planning, local services and experience of working with people who need support. It is essential that you are able to work with people from local diverse communities and have/be DBS checked.
Salary: £28,700 f/t
Download info and application form: www.camdencs.org.uk/get-involved
For further information or to talk to someone please call 020 7428 8950 and ask to speak to the Support & Information Service Manager, Caroline Allouf
Closing date: 12am Sunday 20th of November 2016 Interviews: Thursday 1st of December 2016

Headway North London seeks Volunteer Treasurer
We are currently seeking a volunteer treasurer with professional knowledge to assist in managing our accounting procedures including salary, accounts, statutory bodies, statistics etc. Headway North London is a very small registered charity and we rely on the very generous support of volunteers and trustees who help keep us going.
The treasurer will sit on the Board of Trustees and report directly to the Chair of Trustees, Colin Shieff.
If you would like to volunteer please contact enquiries@headwaynorthlondon.org with a brief CV or resume. Please do contact us also if you have any questions. www.headwaynorthlondon.org

Trustee Vacancies in Camden
If you would like to become a trustee, then go to the Volunteer Centre Camden trustee recruitment pages where you will find information about the vacancies available in Camden.

Turkish-speaking Bilingual Maternity Mentor (Maternity cover position)
Hours: 16 hours per week
Salary: £9,557 (pro-rata for 16 hours per week based on full-time salary of £21,503.25)
This is an exciting opportunity for a committed and motivated individual to join our Bright Beginnings Project, which works to improve the health and well-being of pregnant women, new mothers and families from refugee and migrant backgrounds in Islington and neighbouring boroughs.
Due to the nature of this role, it is for female applicants only and is exempt under Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010.
For a recruitment pack, please email norma@manorgardenscentre.org or download via www.manorgardenscentre.org/jobs
Closing date for applications: Friday 25th November at 5pm.
Provisional dates for interviews: Monday 5th December (PM)
The successful candidate will need to be available to start in role on Monday 16th January 2017

Age UK Camden (PSIC) seeks 2 Posts
Personal Health Budgets Direct Payments Support Worker
(17.5 hours per week) Fixed Term Contract up to 31st March 2017
Local Government Scale SO1 £29,133 to £30,830 pa pro rata for 17.5 hours (£14,566.50 to £15,415 pa) 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.
PSIC offers a contributory pension, membership of a health cash plan and a season ticket or bicycle loan facility. The post is based at Phoenix Road, London, NW1 with easy access via Euston and Kings Cross main lines or Euston Square tube.
The closing date for receipt of completed application forms is 9 am on Friday 18th November 2016 and interviews will be held on Thursday 24th November 2016
PSIC (Personalisation in Camden) Payroll Officer (Direct Payments) – Part-Time
Salary range S01 £29,133 to £30,830 pa pro rata
21 hours per week, initial fixed term contract to end Sept 2017 (with the possibility of an extension)
Make a difference for disabled people by using your numerical and IT skills in this rewarding role.
You and a co-worker will provide the payroll service for disabled clients in receipt of direct payments and manage their HR needs when applicable (ie keeping track of holiday, managing their pension needs, payroll invoices etc).
If you are interested in the either vacancy please see the application pack including the full job description and person specification our website www.ageukcamden.org.uk or email jobs@ageukcamden.org.uk.
The closing date for receipt of application forms is Friday 25th November 2016 9.30 am
and interviews will be held on Wednesday 7th December 2016

Age UK Camden seeks Dementia Wellbeing Worker
Scale S01 Scp 29 to 31 £29,133 to £30,830 pa FTE incl. London Weighting. Pro rata £23,306.40 to £24,664 pa for 28 hours (one year contract)
We have remodeled our dementia offer here at Age UK Camden and are excited about launching our new Dementia Wellbeing Service in January 2017. The new model will provide more flexibility and ongoing support to people living with memory loss and dementia in Camden to live well and stay independent for as long as possible whilst ensuring that they have choice and control.
Working to the Dementia Wellbeing Co-ordinator you will be responsible for managing a caseload of clients and providing practical and emotional support to meet their needs. This will include an initial home visit where you will work closely with the individual, their family and carers to produce a personalised wellbeing plan. Ongoing support will include weekly, bi-weekly or monthly visits to the client’s home directed by the clients wishes and needs.
Closing date: Monday 14th November 9.30 am Interview date: Monday 21st November
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.

Christmas Volunteering
Volunteer Centre Camden is looking for Christmas volunteering opportunities so that they can add them to their volunteering advent calendar. This could be anything for individuals or groups from one-off events to seasonal volunteering which can take place over a number of days in December or early January. If yes, contact Operations Manager Sheila with all of the details.

Volunteers are needed in GP practices!
Voluntary Action Camden (VAC) would like to hear from you! We are training volunteers to become Community Health Advocates in local GP practices.
• 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.
For more information, please contact:
Mandira Manandhar, Health Advocate Volunteer Co-ordinator (Mon, Tues and Thurs) 020 7284 6550/07930669417 or email: mmanandhar@vac.org.uk
Peter Simonson on 020 7284 6550 or email: projectsupport@vac.org.uk
Please note, we cannot book people on to the course without discussing the project with them first. The RSPH training is provided FREE by on the understanding that participants are available to volunteer for the project and able to attend the regular training and support sessions. After 2 months in placement Health Advocate Volunteers will have access to other VAC training free of charge subject to availability.

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

OFFERS, RESOURCES & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Are You Interested in Being Involved in Improving Mental Health Services?
In North Central London an experts by experience reference group is being developed to help develop work to support the population to live well.
The requirements:
1. You live in Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey or Islington
2. You have experience of mental ill health, either personally or of someone close to you
3. You are interested in being involved in the development of work to improve support for mental ill health across these boroughs
If you meet the above requirements you may be interested in applying to be part of the North Central London Mental Health Programme Experts by Experience Reference Group.
To find out more and apply, please apply here Application deadline 18th November 2016

Healthwatch Camden has moved
The new address is Healthwatch Camden, 150 Ossulston Street, Somers Town, London, NW1 1EE
Telephone – 020 3771 3930 email info@healthwatchcamden.co.uk

VAC has moved to Euston
Don’t forget, our new address is Voluntary Action Camden is 29- 31 Hampstead Rd, London NW1 3JA. Opening hours, email addresses and phone numbers all remain the same.

Camden Consultations
You can find all Camden consultation on the Wearecamden consultation hub.

Voluntary Action Camden e-bulletin 4th November 2016

by Kevin Nunan4 November 2016

Highlights

Trustees’ Week; Governance Course for Trustees; Making Digital Work: 12 Questions for Trustees; New Chairs’ briefing session; New Open University Leadership Courses; Charity Commission Annual Report Templates; Improving Mental Heatlh Services; Best practice working with and for older LGBT people; Green Infrastructure and Air Quality; Smoking Cessation Service Provider Event; ‘; + funding jobs, volunteers, events, training, offers and resources.

Feature

Trustees’ Week

This year’s Trustees’ Week is 7-13 November. You can find out more on the Trustees’ Week website. This week’s e-bulletin has a trustee theme, with articles on demonstrating impact, making digital work for your organisation and trustees under pressure; events around London; trustee vacancies; courses for trustees such as Mary Ward’s Governance course and more – all aimed at trustees. We hope that if you are staff or a volunteer that you forward this to your trustees and encourage them to sign up for their own weekly copy (just email info@vac.org.uk to be subscribed).

NEWS & POLICY

Camden

Making Digital Work: 12 Questions for Trustees
If you’re interested in how digital can add value to your charity and are unsure where to start, have a look at the new tool. The contains 12 questions to get you started. Download it from the Charity Commission website.

New Chairs’ briefing session
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm, Monday 12 December 2016 at Charities Aid Foundation, London EC4
This workshop is aimed at Chairs who are new in post or about to take up the post.
The focus is on the role in practice, for example looking at preparing and chairing board meetings, working with your CEO/lead officer, as well as building a collaborative and effective governing body. The session will also explore the leadership skills and knowledge that will make you the most effective Chair you can become – and the support that you might need.
The event is free to members of the Association of Chairs who also have priority booking. Non-members are welcome to attend at a cost of £40. Our thanks to CAF for hosting the event.
The briefing will be repeated on Wednesday 8 February, 2:00pm – 5:00pm also at CAF in London
Full details and booking on the Association of Chairs website.

New Open University Leadership Courses
The Centre for Voluntary Sector Leadership (CVSL) is a new initiative developed by the Open University Business School. The Centre aims to provide voluntary sector organisations with access to free leadership development modules and research-led insight. Find out more at the OU website.

Charity Commission Annual Report Templates for small charities
Template to help non-company charities with incomes of less than £500,000 prepare their trustees’ annual report and accruals accounts in accordance with Charities SORP FRS 102. Download it here.

Are You Interested in Being Involved in Improving Mental Heatlh Services?
In North Central London an experts by experience reference group is being developed to help develop work to support the population to live well.
The requirements:
1. You live in Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey or Islington
2. You have experience of mental ill health, either personally or of someone close to you
3. You are interested in being involved in the development of work to improve support for mental ill health across these boroughs
If you meet the above requirements you may be interested in applying to be part of the North Central London Mental Health Programme Experts by Experience Reference Group.
To find out more and apply, please apply here Application deadline 18thNovember 2016

Green Infrastructure and Air Quality
24th November 17:30 – 20:30 at University College London, Chadwick Building G07, London WC1
Green Infrastructure (open green space, parks, gardens, street trees, green roofs, green walls, rain gardens and ponds) have many potential benefits such as reducing water pollution, local flood risk, improving human health and wellbeing as well as enhancing local biodiversity. There is also some evidence that green infrastructure can reduce the impact air pollution. However, there are substantial gaps in the research about these benefits and any associated costs and risks.
At this event we will explore the role of Green Infrastructure in London with a specific focus on what we know of the impacts on air pollution. We want to engage with community groups, academics, planners, policy makers and practitioners about what is known in relation to green infrastructure and how we can work together to improve our knowledge .
The event will include some short, thought-provoking, presentations from keynote speakers on air quality and green infrastructure. After the presentations there will be a debate about the subject.
More information here or contact Ana Bernardo at a.bernardo@lsx.org.uk or 0207 234 9404.

Camden Patient Participation Groups Newsletter
You can read the latest newsletter online here.

Kings Cross Vacancies, Being Human Festival, Living Centre Partnership, Somers Town Job Hub, Simon Community, Age UK Camden and Camden PA are recruiting. See Jobs and Volunteers section below.

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

National

Trustees Feel Under Pressure
More than a quarter of charity trustees have considered quitting because of pressure, survey finds
Research carried out in partnership with Third Sector indicates that almost three quarters of board members think the demands on them are increasing and almost a quarter thought that the pressure had become too much. Read the full article in Third Sector.

Demonstrating impact essential for smaller charities
New research by Think:Learn:Do commissioned by NAVCA highlights difficulties smaller charities have when using data to demonstrate their value. The research, titled In Sickness and in Health, also looked at how local infrastructure can best support them to overcome these difficulties.
This research shows that more needs to be done to support charities to demonstrate impact. Without this support commissioners may wrongly disinvest in smaller charities. The lack of evidence may mean that services providing value for money and producing the best outcomes are overlooked.

Call for action to tackle growing ethnic segregation across UK
Expert on community cohesion reveals figures that show rapid decline of white population in some areas. “It is clear we cannot carry on with a laissez-faire approach to integration in our country. Integration is a two-way street and all parts of society have a role to play in preventing the UK becoming more fragmented. The Guardian

FUNDING

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

Smoking Cessation Service – Provider Event for the commissioning of Stop Smoking Services 16th November 2016 – 9.30am – 12.30pm
At LIFT, 45 White Lion St, London N1 9PW
This event is being organised by Camden and Islington Councils. It is aimed at organisations who are interested in delivering services to support people who want to stop smoking.
The aim is to provide three levels of service:
· Self Help
· Community Support
· Specialist addiction
There is a keen interest to utilise community assets. Camden and Islington Councils would like to see Voluntary and Community being involved individually or in a partnership.
Contract start date – April 2017
Duration – 2 years with an extension option
If you are interested in attending the event or require further details, please contact Joana Heliotrope. Email: Joana.Heliotrope@camden.gov.uk

Bringing people together
Origin Housing is a charitable housing and care provider, founded in the 1920’s as a slum clearance organisation but with a belief that “housing is not enough”.
Crowdfunder is working with Origin Housing to bring people together and build stronger communities in the north London and Hertfordshire area.
We have £13,500 of extra funding to distribute to projects that make those neighbourhoods a great place to live.
Add your idea to Crowdfunder and gather support to prove its potential impact.
When you hit 25% of your target, you could get up to 50% of your total fundraising target – up to £1,000. And once you hit your target, you can make your idea happen and make a difference.Find out more at http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/plus/origin/origin-housing

VAC EVENTS

OTHER EVENTS

Camden SAPB safeguarding adults conference
Working together towards lives free from abuse – Wed 30 November 2016
This year’s conference will focus on how we can work together more efficiently and share information to keep Camden residents safe.
The conference will be an excellent opportunity for front-facing practitioners working with Camden communities to get together and share their experiences, as well as learn from each other’s practice.
A detailed conference programme will be circulated closer to the date. The event is free to attend for anyone working or volunteering with Camden adults, but we strongly advise booking your place early to avoid missing out. Holiday Inn Bloomsbury, Coram Street, London WC1N 1HT 9:00-17:00
Book your place HERE.

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

JOBS AND VOLUNTEERING

Turkish-speaking Bilingual Maternity Mentor (Maternity cover position)
Hours: 16 hours per week
Salary: £9,557 (pro-rata for 16 hours per week based on full-time salary of £21,503.25)
This is an exciting opportunity for a committed and motivated individual to join our Bright Beginnings Project, which works to improve the health and well-being of pregnant women, new mothers and families from refugee and migrant backgrounds in Islington and neighbouring boroughs.
Due to the nature of this role, it is for female applicants only and is exempt under Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010.
For a recruitment pack, please email norma@manorgardenscentre.org or download via www.manorgardenscentre.org/jobs
Closing date for applications: Friday 25th November at 5pm.
Provisional dates for interviews: Monday 5th December (PM)
The successful candidate will need to be available to start in role on Monday 16th January 2017

London Zoo seeks Community Participation Officer
(Full-Time / 6 Months Fixed-Term Contract)
£29,722 (Inclusive of London Weighting)
ZSL is looking for a Community Participation Officer to join our Discovery and Learning team. This role will work closely with a range of internal ZSL colleagues to research and consult with target audiences for the Heritage Lottery Funded (HLF) redevelopment of the Snowdon Aviary and associated programming and activity.
The position is initially offered as a full-time, 6 months FTC and the working hours are a basic 37.5 hours for this position. The position may also require working away from the main office, either at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo or be required to carry out visits to external conferences and organisations as and when necessary.
Apply online at the ZSL website.
Closing date for applications: Midnight Thursday 10th November 2016
Anticipated date for interviews: Monday 21st November 2016 at ZSL London Zoo

Age UK Camden seeks Personal Health Budgets Direct Payments Support Worker
(17.5 hours per week) Fixed Term Contract up to 31st March 2017
Local Government Scale SO1 £29,133 to £30,830 pa pro rata for 17.5 hours (£14,566.50 to £15,415 pa) 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.
PSIC offers a contributory pension, membership of a health cash plan and a season ticket or bicycle loan facility. The post is based at Phoenix Road, London, NW1 with easy access via Euston and Kings Cross main lines or Euston Square tube.
If you are interested in the above vacancy please see the application pack including the full job description and person specification 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 Friday 18th November 2016 and interviews will be held on Thursday 24th November 2016

Age UK Camden seeks Dementia Wellbeing Worker
Scale S01 Scp 29 to 31 £29,133 to £30,830 pa FTE incl. London Weighting. Pro rata £23,306.40 to £24,664 pa for 28 hours (one year contract)
We have remodeled our dementia offer here at Age UK Camden and are excited about launching our new Dementia Wellbeing Service in January 2017. The new model will provide more flexibility and ongoing support to people living with memory loss and dementia in Camden to live well and stay independent for as long as possible whilst ensuring that they have choice and control.
Working to the Dementia Wellbeing Co-ordinator you will be responsible for managing a caseload of clients and providing practical and emotional support to meet their needs. This will include an initial home visit where you will work closely with the individual, their family and carers to produce a personalised wellbeing plan. Ongoing support will include weekly, bi-weekly or monthly visits to the client’s home directed by the clients wishes and needs.
This is an exciting time for you to join Age UK Camden and to work collaboratively with them to continue to deliver high quality services and further develop the organisation to continue to meet the needs of the older people in Camden.
Closing date: Monday 14th November 9.30 am Interview date: Monday 21st November
These posts are based in Tavis House, Tavistock Square near Euston Station which has excellent transport links. AUC offers a contributory pension, and season ticket or bicycle loan facility.
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.

Vacancies in Kings Cross
Apply online at www.kingscross.co.uk/vacancies
Subscribe to Job Alerts https://kxrecruit.kingscross.co.uk/alerts
Housekeeping/ Cleaning Operative (Permanent)
Retail Team Leader (Permanent) Retail
Bench Security Officer (Permanent) Security
Waiters, Food & Drink Runners (Permanent) Hospitality/catering
Security Officer (Permanent)
Cafe Assistant (Permanent)
Part Time Centre Manager (Permanent) Office/admin/professional
Part Time Employment and Training Adviser (Fixed Term) Human Resources
Night Team Member (Permanent) Retail
Early Morning Retail Team Member (Permanent) Retail
Banqueting Assistant – Event Worker (Permanent)

Senate House is University of London’s Hub for the Being Human Festival
We’re hosting an exciting and diverse programme of events, exhibitions and performances as part of the national festival of the humanities, so if you’re London based and interested in gaining public engagement experience there couldn’t be a better opportunity to get involved!
We are looking for volunteers for a number of different roles, including:
~ Welcoming visitors and audiences during the festival
~ Helping with the smooth running of events
~ Assisting with social media
~ Assisting with this year’s festival evaluation
The Festival runs from 17-25 November (except Sunday 20 and Tuesday 22) and we need volunteers during the day and early evening on all days.
For exact times, to find out more and to sign up, visit http://beinghumanfestival.org/volunteer/

Employment and Training Adviser Somers Town Job Hub
20 hours per week. £29,120 p.a pro rata (£16,640 actual)
The Somers Town Job Hub is a physical centre based in the heart of the community where local people can come to receive employment advice on a one-to-one and group basis, find out about job vacancies, volunteering and benefits; join employability related clubs, activities and training courses; access support for application forms, CVs and interview techniques; find out about other support and advice services linked to their employment situation (e.g. healthcare, childcare, language); and meet and exchange experiences with people in similar circumstances.
Email: kazi@somerstown.org.uk or telephone 0207 388 6088 for an application pack.
Closing date: Midnight 7th November . Interviews week commencing 14th November

Simon Community seeks Volunteer Drivers
The Simon Community is looking for early morning driver volunteers to help drive our tea run van Monday – Friday 0:630-08:30 where serve London street homeless. Can you help?‎
Early morning Tea Runs go out on Monday to Friday 06:30-08:30 People can get some breakfast – a hot tea and coffee, sandwiches and pastries to start the day.
https://www.simoncommunity.org.uk/services.html
Volunteer Applications: https://www.simoncommunity.org.uk/volunteering.html

Volunteers are needed in GP practices!
Voluntary Action Camden (VAC) would like to hear from you! We are training volunteers to become Community Health Advocates in local GP practices.
• 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.
For more information, please contact:
Mandira Manandhar, Health Advocate Volunteer Co-ordinator (Mon, Tues and Thurs) 020 7284 6550/07930669417 or email: mmanandhar@vac.org.uk
Peter Simonson on 020 7284 6550 or email: projectsupport@vac.org.uk
Please note, we cannot book people on to the course without discussing the project with them first. The RSPH training is provided FREE by on the understanding that participants are available to volunteer for the project and able to attend the regular training and support sessions. After 2 months in placement Health Advocate Volunteers will have access to other VAC training free of charge subject to availability.

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

OFFERS, RESOURCES & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Healthwatch Camden has moved
The new address is Healthwatch Camden, 150 Ossulston Street, Somers Town, London, NW1 1EE
Telephone – 020 3771 3930 email info@healthwatchcamden.co.uk

VAC has moved to Euston
Don’t forget, our new address is Voluntary Action Camden is 29- 31 Hampstead Rd, London NW1 3JA. Opening hours, email addresses and phone numbers all remain the same.

Camden Consultations
You can find all Camden consultation on the Wearecamden consultation hub.

Voluntary Action Camden e-bulletin 28th October 2016

by Kevin Nunan28 October 2016

Highlights

‘A Festival of Light’ in Somers Town; Ben Uri Gallery Photo Competition; Local Offer; Debt Advice Service; All Change at West Hampstead; Healthwatch Camden has move; LocalGiving Offer for Camden Groups; Heritage Lottery Young Roots; + funding jobs, volunteers, events, training, offers and resources.

Feature

‘A Festival of Light’ Saturday 29th October 12-3pm

The St. Pancras & Somers Town Living Centre
Featuring workshops from the British Library and others and sharing festivities and tastes of foods from around the world
Announcement of Competition Winners on the day
The Festival of Lights Programme will include Dance/Drama performances
Activities – focusing on Autumn celebrations, such as Diwali, Eid, Halloween, Jewish festivities,Black History, Etc, which will include:
~ Dance/ Drama performances – From Josie Lord’s All Stars Dance group
~ Show & Tell from British Library – Emma Morgan/Community Engagement Manager·
~ Card Making, Rogoli & henna designs and more…From Marcia Gladwin from Working Men’s College/coordinator for Get Into Learning Project
~ Free Festive Food
Somers Town Community Association, 150 Ossulston Street, London NW1

NEWS & POLICY

Camden

Healthwatch Camden has moved
The new address is Healthwatch Camden, 150 Ossulston Street, Somers Town, London, NW1 1EE
Telephone – 020 3771 3930 email info@healthwatchcamden.co.uk

Ben Uri Gallery Photo Competition
Win a photography course worth £285 courtesy of The Mango Lab.
The Ben Uri Gallery & Museum is running a photography competition addressing themes of: DIVISION, INFLUENCE or UNITY inspired by our current exhibition Yalta 1945.
We are inviting you to think, look and photograph the world today, exploring these themes yourself. Winning entries will be of high quality, good composition and contain strong imagery.
Categories: 13-18 year olds and adults (18+) Format: square or cropped to square
To submit: you must email ONE photograph to learning@benuri.org along with your full name, age (if under 18) and the theme you have chosen.
Adult entrants: please donate £5 to our Learning Programme at justgiving.com/benuri.
Entries can be made using any camera, including phones, always using the highest quality setting on your device.
Closing date: Friday 2nd December 2016 The winner and five runners up will have their work displayed in the Ben Uri Gallery and on our website. The winner will receive a complementary photography course at The Mango Lab.
For more information on image formatting email info@themangolab.co.uk For more information on the competition email learning@benuri.org

Debt Advice Service Seeks VCS Partners
Society seems happy to talk about subjects such as politics, sex and religion openly but debt and money (especially money problems) are still very much a taboo topic, and with 17% of London estimated as being indebted (1,500,000+) but only 16% of those seeking help, it is a real issue and one which affects not just the persons financial health but also their physical and mental wellbeing (A picture of Over-Indebtedness: The Money Advice Service (MAS)).
Within Camden the report estimates as many as 39,000 are struggling with money and bills.
Capitalise is a London wide free debt advice network of voluntary organisations which for the last 10 years has been delivering free face-to-face advice which is independent, accredited, non-judgmental.
We have a central Hub which anyone can ring to locate their nearest advice centre – Freephone 0808 164 2480 – and begin their journey to being debt free.
We are eager to work with the voluntary groups in Camden and identify how we can help any of your service users (or staff/volunteers) who may be struggling with money and bills.
To find out more about Capitalise we currently have some pages on the Toynbee Hall website (http://www.toynbeehall.org.uk/our-partners ) whilst our new site is being finalised (www.capitalise.org.uk) – If you would like discuss Capitalise, how we can work together or would like to have some posters sent to you please contact michael.dunlop@toynbeehall.org.uk

Margaret Hepburn 1921-2016: An inspirational woman and mainstay of Age UK Camden
Sadly Age UK Camden Honorary President Margaret Hepburn died on 19 October 2016, aged 95.
Margaret’s involvement with Camden Old People’s Welfare Association began in the 1960s. Following a long period as a trustee, she became Chair from 1982 to 1991 and then Honorary Life President. She was also a former trustee of Hampstead, Wells and Campden Trust.
The funeral is on Friday 4th November, 4pm at Golders Green Crematorium (West Chapel) and the family has kindly said “No flowers, donations to Age UK Camden”

All Change at West Hampstead
Local film maker Anna Bowman has made a couple of short films about the developments happening in West Hampstead. You can view them on Vimeo.

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

National

The Independent Living Fund, one year on
The report, One year on: Evaluating the impact of the closure of the Independent Living Fund, was launched in Parliament with the help of Green Party co-leader Jonathan Bartley and Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell. It looks at what has happened, particularly in the 33 London boroughs, since the Independent Living Fund was closed in 2015.

A Good Society Without Poverty
Creating the world we want to see. A Webb Memorial Trust supplement in this weeks New Statesman. Read the supplement here.

“You Should be More Business-Like!”
The hoariest chestnut in the larder of anti-government conservatives is that government should be run like a business. This assertion is typically just a stalking horse for policies that narrowly benefit conservative patrons — lower taxes on corporations and the wealthy, less regulation, the contraction of social programs … you know the list. President Obama gets it all the time – and here he gently, but firmly sets them straight.

FUNDING

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

Comic Relief – Tech for Good Open to Applications – Deadline Soon
Comic Relief, working together with the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, developed the Tech for Good programme to provide the opportunity for not-for-profit organisations that already have some technological capacity to take their digital innovation projects forward to create social change by delivering new ideas or more effective services.
The funding is for projects that use software and digital technology as a part of a solution to addressing any of the Comic Relief’s UK Main Fund themes of Empowering Women and Girls, Investing in Children and Young People, Building Stronger Communities, Improving Health and Wellbeing.
A wide range of digital initiatives that could lead to social change will be considered for the programme, but the aim is to fund projects that:
~ Are focused on specific user needs.
~ Make best use of web, mobile apps or internet based technologies to deliver a service.
~ Scale effectively (have economies of scale).
~ Challenge existing ways of delivering services.
Projects should be able to make a significant digital step forward within four months and be able to demonstrate digital innovation for the benefit of society or the specific service users the organisation is targeting.
Grants of between £15,000 and £46,500 are available over four months, plus an additional £3,500 to enable access to expert support.
The deadline for applications is 1 November 2016 (3pm). Full details here.

VAC EVENTS

OTHER EVENTS

Roundhouse Invention Bootcamp
Tuesdays, 7-9pm, 1st – 22nd Nov & Saturday 26th Nov, 11am – 3pm
Are you interested in digital and want to use your ideas, experience and skills to go further, helping to hack the obstacles young people face around the issues of mental health? Then follow on and join the Invention Bootcamp, where you’ll work in teams and with experts to create incredible digital and social media projects from scratch, whilst learning new skills.
Mentored by experts at AnalogFolk, a global digital creative agency, you’ll learn how to generate ideas, develop these into digital prototypes, discover more about digital marketing and the media industry as a career, work collaboratively with experts and fellow young creatives, get pitching experience, and more!
For more information, please contact Eve on emundy@mindincamden.org.uk / 020 7241 8978

Trustees’ Week
This year’s Trustees’ Week is 7-13 November. If you are planning an activity for Trustees’ Week you can list it on the Trustees’ Week website here. If you would like help from VAC or have an idea for a Trustee event in Camden then please get in touch with Kevin; knunan@vac.org.uk.

Camden Air Quality Conference 2016
On Wednesday 2 November (6 – 8.30pm), Camden Council invite local residents, students, businesses, public services and community organisations to come together at our free air quality conference and take action to improve the air we breathe.
Air pollution has a major impact on all of us. Nearly 9,500 people die every year in London as a result of poor air quality and action must be taken to change this. Full details and booking at Eventbrite

Camden SAPB safeguarding adults conference
Working together towards lives free from abuse – 30 November 2016
This year’s conference will focus on how we can work together more efficiently and share information to keep Camden residents safe.
The conference will be an excellent opportunity for front-facing practitioners working with Camden communities to get together and share their experiences, as well as learn from each other’s practice.
A detailed conference programme will be circulated closer to the date. The event is free to attend for anyone working or volunteering with Camden adults, but we strongly advise booking your place early to avoid missing out.
The details of the event are as follows:
Wednesday, 30th November 2016
Holiday Inn Bloomsbury, Coram Street, London WC1N 1HT
09:00-17:00. Please arrive promptly, registration starts at 9am.
Book your place HERE.

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

JOBS AND VOLUNTEERING

MacMillan Seeks Lead Volunteer, Practical and Emotional Support Service
North Central London Buddies offer one to one practical and emotional support to people affected by cancer and their carers. Volunteers visit people in their homes or in a public place, providing a listening ear and a helping hand. You’ll be supporting the Macmillan staff with the coordination of support relationships between volunteers and people affected by cancer. This role involves working unsupervised in the community and visiting people in their homes. Support is available from local Macmillan staff and you’ll receive an induction and training, plus access to our lone worker system.
Ideally, you would give at least 5 hours a week between Monday-Friday, 9am-7.30pm lasting for one year or more. Individual times agreed between you and the person you’re supporting.
Contact Rachel 07860950922 or email rmiller@macmillan.org.uk and we’ll discuss the role in more detail, how to apply and answer any questions.

Volunteers are needed in GP practices!
Voluntary Action Camden (VAC) would like to hear from you! We are training volunteers to become Community Health Advocates in local GP practices.
• 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.
For more information, please contact:
Mandira Manandhar, Health Advocate Volunteer Co-ordinator (Mon, Tues and Thurs) 020 7284 6550/07930669417 or email: mmanandhar@vac.org.uk
Peter Simonson on 020 7284 6550 or email: projectsupport@vac.org.uk
Please note, we cannot book people on to the course without discussing the project with them first. The RSPH training is provided FREE by on the understanding that participants are available to volunteer for the project and able to attend the regular training and support sessions. After 2 months in placement Health Advocate Volunteers will have access to other VAC training free of charge subject to availability.

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

OFFERS, RESOURCES & ANNOUNCEMENTS

VAC has moved to Euston
Don’t forget, our new address is Voluntary Action Camden is 29- 31 Hampstead Rd, London NW1 3JA. Opening hours, email addresses and phone numbers all remain the same.

Camden Consultations
You can find all Camden consultation on the Wearecamden consultation hub.

Voluntary Action Camden e-bulletin 21st October 2016

by Kevin Nunan21 October 2016

Highlights

Addressing health inequalities; Free IT help for charities; Camden adult social care online marketplace: Camden Care Choices; Halloween Wild Bunch Club; Roundhouse Invention Bootcamp; CAB AGM ‘Making a Difference in Camden’; Trustees’ Week; Heritage Lottery Young Roots + funding jobs, volunteers, events, training, offers and resources.

Feature

How can you help to address health inequalities?

22 November 2016, 10.30am -1pm
Arlington House, 220 Arlington Road, Camden NW1 7HE
Local NHS organisations need to work with local communities and voluntary organisations to ensure they address equality in health services. Specifically, to ensure that everyone has improved health outcomes, better access to services, and have better patient experience.
This workshop will:
· provide an overview of how your local NHS is doing this
· explore how voluntary organisations and individuals can be empowered to better engage with local health to improve access to services, and patient experience for people from diverse communities
· hear your suggestions of what works in better engagement with local communities to improve their health
Register on line at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-can-you-help-to-address-health-inequalities-tickets-28757667959

NEWS & POLICY

Camden

More Free IT help for charities
CITA provides a range of FREE services to help charities be more effective through their use of technology. We work with charities with an income up to £5m, but have helped lots of small to medium sized charities with a range of income.
As a charity you can apply for one of the following free services, which are all delivered by volunteer IT experts:
· Tech Surgery – Don’t know where to start with your IT issues? Our free 2 hour Tech Surgery is designed to help you understand how IT can help support your charity what options might be available.
· IT Consultancy – Do you need help to define and scope an IT related project?
If you have identified a requirement for a specific IT project our service can match you with an independent volunteer who can help you define and scope your project.
· IT Project Delivery – Do you need some hands-on help to implement an IT related project?
Our free IT Project Delivery service helps charities find the right technical skills for an IT project.
If you are unsure where to start on your IT issues then sign up as a charity here https://members.charityithelp.org.uk/sign-up and apply for a Tech Surgery.

Halloween Wild Bunch Club
Wednesday 26th October at Electrowerkz in Angel
For further info contact siren@elfrida.com or ring the Elfrida Society on 020 7359 7443

CAB AGM ‘Making a Difference in Camden’
Tuesday 25 October 6pm-7.30pm
Camden Centre, Bidborough Street Entrance, WC1H 9AU.

2016 Camden Volunteer Awards – nominations invited – Last Chance
Volunteer Centre Camden are hosting the 2016 Camden Volunteer Awards at the Camden Centre in King’s Cross on Thursday 24 November.
The evening will be a celebration of the achievements of Camden’s volunteers. Camden organisations can nominate one or two individual volunteers or one group of volunteers. The closing date for nominations is 5pm on Thursday 27 October. Volunteers can be nominated online. If you need a paper form, please email Sheila Norris at sheila@volunteercentrecamden.org.uk or call 020 7424 9990.

VAC has moved to Euston
Don’t forget, our new address is Voluntary Action Camden is 29- 31 Hampstead Rd, London NW1 3JA. Opening hours, email addresses and phone numbers all remain the same.

Camden Community Radio
Listen to online radio about all things Camden. Camden Community Radio.

Being Human Festival, Living Centre Partnership, Somers Town Job Hub, Cultural Cooperation, Refugee Therapy Centre, Simon Community, Age UK Camden and Camden PA are recruiting. See Jobs and Volunteers section below.

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

National

More than £1bn for troubled families ‘has had little impact’
Study of flagship social policy suggests small number of positive or negative results in tackling addiction and truancy, Full story in the Guardian.
Statistical expert and researcher Jonathan Portes is less forgiving in his blog: “with the publication of the evaluation of the Troubled Families Programme (TFP), we have a perfect case study of how the manipulation and misrepresentation of statistics by politicians and civil servants – from the Prime Minister downwards – led directly to bad policy and, frankly, to the wasting of hundreds of millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money.” Read the blog here.

FUNDING

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

Comic Relief – Tech for Good Open to Applications
Comic Relief, working together with the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, developed the Tech for Good programme to provide the opportunity for not-for-profit organisations that already have some technological capacity to take their digital innovation projects forward to create social change by delivering new ideas or more effective services.
The funding is for projects that use software and digital technology as a part of a solution to addressing any of the Comic Relief’s UK Main Fund themes of Empowering Women and Girls, Investing in Children and Young People, Building Stronger Communities, Improving Health and Wellbeing.
A wide range of digital initiatives that could lead to social change will be considered for the programme, but the aim is to fund projects that:
~ Are focused on specific user needs.
~ Make best use of web, mobile apps or internet based technologies to deliver a service.
~ Scale effectively (have economies of scale).
~ Challenge existing ways of delivering services.
Projects should be able to make a significant digital step forward within four months and be able to demonstrate digital innovation for the benefit of society or the specific service users the organisation is targeting.
Grants of between £15,000 and £46,500 are available over four months, plus an additional £3,500 to enable access to expert support.
The deadline for applications is 1 November 2016 (3pm). Full details here.

VAC EVENTS

VAC’s Mental Health Training Programme for BMER groups
Are you a BMER group or do you work with BMER communities?
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. Contact mentalhealthteam@vac.org.uk

OTHER EVENTS

Discover Camden Carers services at their New Premises
An informal drop in to meet our staff and discover the range of services on offer. You’ll also be able to see our new premises, enjoy light refreshments and have a chance to ask any questions.
Wednesday 26th October 2016, 26pm
At our new premises: Charlie Ratchford Resource Centre, Belmont St, London, NW1 8HF
CCS is a partnership of carer organisations in Camden, funded by London Borough of Camden and NHS Camden. www.camdencs.org.uk // 020 7428 8950

New Camden Society Course
The Camden Society has teamed up with The Regency Training Foundation to deliver a course aimed for helping people with learning disabilities to:
Improve communication skills Raise Confidence; Achieve Personal Goals; Learn How to Manage Stress; Build Better Relationships; Sleep better; Feel Better
The course runs for six weeks Starting on Monday 31st October 11am – 3pm At The Camden Society, 60 Holmes Road, Kentish Town
If you are interested and would like to book a place on the course you will need to complete a referral form by 24th October
Please contact Laura Murphy On 020 7485 8177 Laura.murphy@thecamdensociety.co.uk

Citizens Advice Camden ‘Making a Difference in Camden’ Launch of Annual Review & AGM
Tuesday 25 October, 6pm-7.30pm
Camden Centre, Bidborough Street Entrance, WC1H 9AU.
(Opposite Dolphin Pub) Refreshments available
RSVP to Paul.cottrell@camdencabservice.org.uk

Camden Safer Neighbourhoods Board Volunteers Fair and AGM
Wednesday 26 October, 6.30 pm, in the Council Chamber, Camden Town Hall, Judd Street, London WC1H 9JE. Come and find out what volunteering opportunities there are available in your area to help reduce crime and antisocial behaviour.
If you are a member of a voluntary/community organisation involved with crime prevention or crime reduction and you would like to recruit new volunteers, please email Peter Ward .

Free HR training workshops for Camden voluntary and community groups
Many small to medium sized organisations do not have the resources to directly purchase HR support on an ongoing basis. In our experience, badly handled employment issues in small to medium sized organisations can destabilise the organisation and affect its delivery.
A robust HR function enables organisations to be more sustainable by strengthening the leadership of an organisation, supporting staff, trustees and volunteers effectively and by preventing crises.
Free and will take place between 9.45 and 1pm at the Town Hall Judd Street.
The workshops are for managers and trustees of voluntary and community groups based in Camden.
Managing Misconduct Wednesday 16th November 2016
This workshop will focus on managing employees who are underperforming due to misconduct
The training will reflect the ACAS Code of Practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/managing-misconduct-registration-27067000126
Handling Workplace Investigations Wednesday 7th December 2016
There are many occasions when an employer may wish to undertake an internal investigation including as part of the disciplinary and grievance process
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/handling-workplace-investigations-registration-27067050276
Staff Appraisals Thursday 12th January 2017
Appraisal is a two-way process of looking backwards to analyse past job performance, and looking forward into the future with a view to improving future performance.
The overall objective of an effective appraisal scheme should be to help each employee to maximise his or her job performance for the joint benefit of the employee and the organisation.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/staff-appraisals-registration-27067569830
Managing Sickness Absence Thursday 9th February 2017
The aim of this workshop is to increase managers’ confidence and ability to manage staff absence.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/managing-sickness-absence-registration-27067617974
Managing Restructure Wednesday 15th March 2017
Many voluntary and community organisations are considering some kind of restructuring in response to the current economic climate. This might include closing a team, amalgamating core functions, general downsizing or some sort of relocation.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/managing-a-restructure-registration-27067674142
Managing Difficult Conversations at Work Wednesday 12th April 2017
Most of us dislike confrontation; we sometimes avoid it which can often lead to even more difficulty, misunderstandings and possible conflict.
In the current climate of continued economic uncertainty, we may find ourselves working with reduced budgets, constant organisational change and ongoing performance issues, as people try to make sense of all this.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/managing-difficult-conversations-at-work-registration-27067711253
The workshops will be run by Shirley Briggs. Shirley is an independent HR consultant. Her background is in social housing where she worked as a HR manager for a number of large housing associations. She managed the PEACe (HR) service at LVSC from 2006-2016 supporting many hundreds of voluntary and community organisations with HR and employment law advice, consultancy and training. She is also a trained workplace mediator.

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

JOBS AND VOLUNTEERING

British Library and Cultural Cooperation offer paid traineeship
At the end of the traineeship young people will come away with a QCF Diploma in Cultural Heritage, Level 3. Cultural Cooperation’s SOCL programme exists to increase workforce diversity across the heritage sector by enabling young people from sections of the population historically under-represented at decision-making levels in UK heritage receive paid training within its institutions. Do you know a young person who could apply for this exciting opportunity?
You can read all about the traineeship here. https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/SOCLApplication2

The Refugee Therapy Centre seeks Admin Assistant to the Director of Education & Training
Part-time Working Hours: Up to 2 days a week Salary: £18,000 pro rata
Closing Date for application: 5pm 11th November. Interviews: the 25th November
With a keen eye for detail, strong organisational, IT and communication skills, the Administrative Assistant will provide administrative support to the Director of Education and Training in all areas of her work. The candidate has to be intuitive, flexible, with excellent secretarial skills, and be able to use MS software package to a high standard. You should also be committed to confidentiality and the ethos of the Refugee Therapy centre.
A job description and application pack with further information can be found on our
website: http://www.refugeetherapy.org.uk/get-involved/vacancies/administrativeassistant.aspx .

Living Centre Partnership seeks Somers Town Living Centre Manager
£35,000 p.a, (pro-rata) Closes 29 Oct 2016
We are looking for a highly motivated person to make their mark and be part of one of the most amazing new facilities to be developed in Somers Town for generations.
the local Living Centre Partnership has won the contract to deliver the brand new Living Centre in the Francis Crick Institute and we are now looking to recruit a Living Centre Manager to help make this happen. Full details, application pack at the Guardian jobs.

Volunteers are needed in GP practices!
Voluntary Action Camden (VAC) would like to hear from you! We are training volunteers to become Community Health Advocates in local GP practices.
• 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.
For more information, please contact:
Mandira Manandhar, Health Advocate Volunteer Co-ordinator (Mon, Tues and Thurs) 020 7284 6550/07930669417 or email: mmanandhar@vac.org.uk
Peter Simonson on 020 7284 6550 or email: projectsupport@vac.org.uk
Please note, we cannot book people on to the course without discussing the project with them first. The RSPH training is provided FREE by on the understanding that participants are available to volunteer for the project and able to attend the regular training and support sessions. After 2 months in placement Health Advocate Volunteers will have access to other VAC training free of charge subject to availability.

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

OFFERS, RESOURCES & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Camden Consultations
You can find all Camden consultation on the Wearecamden consultation hub.

Voluntary Action Camden e-bulletin 30th September 2016

by Kevin Nunan30 September 2016

Highlights

NHS England tell teams developing STPs to talk to local CVSs; CPPEG open meeting; Camden Air Quality Conference; Black History Month; Highgate Neighbourhood Plan; Celebrating 50 Years of Henderson Court; Free HR Courses for Camden Organisations; Opportunity for capital funding in Kings Cross; Tavistock and Portman clinic Annual General Meeting; It’s all in your MIND – Real Talk debate for 14 – 21 year olds; Opportunity for London based Deaf/Disabled Musicians; Camden Community Radio; National Schools’ Conference on Combatting “Honour” Based Violence; Autism Friendly Cinema; What’s on at Centre 404 + funding jobs, volunteers, events, training, offers and resources.

Feature

Camden Funders Fair

Over 50 groups came to the Camden Funders Fair held at the Wellcome Foundation on Euston Road. Funders present included London Community Foundation, John Lyons Foundation, the Nationwide Foundation, St Pancras Welfare Trust and others. There were also stands from Hubbub crowdfunding and attendees had an opportunity to do a Grantfinder session (our online portal to funding opportunities) and to talk to Business in the Community about corporate support. The morning was rated a great success. Look out for future funding workshops and events from VAC.

NEWS & POLICY

Camden

NHS England tell teams developing STPs to talk to local CVSs
Engaging Local People, new guidance from NHS England for teams developing STPs in the 44 footprint areas, says they should engage with the voluntary sector. And the best way to do this, according to the guidance, is through their “local CVS or development and support agency”.
The guidance makes clear that charities and community groups are key stakeholders and says that “the best source for support for linking with the voluntary sector is frequently the council for voluntary services (CVS), sometime is called a local development and support agency”.
Also NHS England has published the NHS Operational Planning and Contracting Guidance 2017 – 2019. This emphasises the importance of STPs. The guidance says that “STPs are more than just plans. They represent a different way of working, with partnership behaviours becoming the new norm…although STPs are relatively new, we see them as having a significant ongoing role in the NHS.”

VAC has moved to Euston
Voluntary Action Camden is now based in the same building as West Euston Partnership at 29- 31 Hampstead Rd, London NW1 3JA. Opening hours, Email addresses and phone numbers all remain the same.

CPPEG open meeting, Monday 10th October
2-4pm at St Pancras Hospital.
The presentations and presenters for CPPEG open meeting on the 10th October are as follows:
Presentation 1: Musculoskeletal procurement (decision taken and lessons learnt)
Speakers:
• Dr Tom Aslan, Hampstead Group Practice GP and Camden CCG MSK Clinical Lead
• Simon Pearson, Patient Representative
Presentation 2: How Camden Clinical Assessment Service (CCAS) benefits patient access and experience?
Speakers:
• Dr Jeremy Sandford, Hampstead Group Practice GP and CCAS Programme Clinical Lead
• Sonia Castang, CCAS Manager

Black History Month at the British Library
On Thursday 6th October the British Library will host an evening of performances, lectures and discussion celebrating Black History Month, hosted by the British Library Labs Project and Eccles Centre for American Studies. The Library is offering a limited number of FREE tickets to Camden Residents. Get in touch with Emma.Morgan@bl.uk or 07595 464 363 for more details or to book.

IWM and The Centre for Hidden Histories – Exploring black people’s involvement in the First World War
Saturday 15 October, 2pm – 5:30pm, IWM London, Lambeth Road, London SE1 6HZ
Exploring black people’s involvement in the First World War
More than one million black people from Africa, the Americas, and Europe were actively involved in the First World War. This workshop will look at how their experiences can be followed through official and private records and how their contributions are remembered in Britain today.
The event will feature talks from historians of Black Britain, Stephen Bourne, Dr Caroline Bressey, John Siblon, and Anna Maguire, and social commentator and political activist Patrick Vernon.
There will also be the opportunity to find out more about conducting research in this area, learn about IWM’s collections and enjoy free refreshments. Free Tickets: http://bit.ly/BlackpeopleinWW1

Highgate Neighbourhood Plan
Highgate Neighbourhood Forum has submitted their proposed Neighbourhood Plan to Camden Council and Haringey Council, in accordance with the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations 2012. To view the proposed Neighbourhood Plan and supporting documents please go to: www.camden.gov.uk/neighbourhoodplanning
Hard copies of the Plan are available to view at Highgate Library and 5 Pancras Square Library.
Comments on the Plan must be received by Friday 4th November 2016.
By e-mail: planningpolicy@camden.gov.uk or by post to Strategic Planning and Implementation, Regeneration and Planning, London Borough of Camden, Judd Street, London WC1H 9JE.

Celebrating 50 Years of Henderson Court
Tomorrow – Saturday 1st October 12 – 4pm, 102 Fitzjohns Ave, NW3
Photography Exhibition, Food and Drink, Bolder Choir, Live Music www.ageukcamden.org.uk

Free HR Courses for Camden Organisations
The Communities and Third Sector team at Camden Council are pleased to be able to offer Camden voluntary and community groups a series of HR training workshops. The workshops are free and will take place between 9.45 and 1pm at the Town Hall Judd Street. See Other Events section below for full details.

Tavistock and Portman clinic Annual General Meeting
The Tavistock and Portman Clinic has been a proud member of the Camden community since 1967.
Our 2016 Annual General Meeting will shine a light on how our unique training, rooted in clinical practice, enables professionals to engage thoughtfully and effectively with some of the challenges they face working in the health, education and social care sector.
An open discussion with our Chief Executive, Paul Jenkins and Chair Paul Burstow, will follow where we’ll reflect on the Trust’s work over the last year and discuss what we’ll be focussing on in the future.
Please join us – this year’s AGM takes place from 430pm on Wednesday 5 October in the Lecture Theatre at the Tavistock Centre (120 Belsize Lane, NW3 5BA).
More info: https://tavistockandportman.nhs.uk/about-us/news/stories/changing-minds-changing-lives/

It’s all in your MIND – Real Talk debate for 14 – 21 year olds in Camden
Wednesday 12th October 2016
Time: 5pm – 7.30pm Camden Town Hall, Council Chamber, Judd Street, London WC1H 9JE
Free food and drink along with a goody bag
For free tickets, call 020 7974 5450 email sandra.soteriou@camden.gov.uk
You can also book your free ticket at eventbrite.co.uk

Opportunity for London based Deaf/Disabled Musicians – in partnership with WAC Arts
The ‘Emerge’ commission is the fourth and final new commission opportunity for London based Deaf / Disabled musicians. We have release 4 commissions, in partnership with 4 exciting organisations from across London. Full details at DrakeMusic.org

Camden Community Radio
Listen to online radio about all things Camden. Camden Community Radio.

Women and Health Blue Plaque Sponsored Walk Saturday 8th October
Join W+H for a relaxed and informative stroll along 22 plaques commemorating women of history whose creativity and courage has left the world a better place. And the sponsorship money raised will help us fund our services for the women of today.
For more information and to book a free ticket, book at Eventbrite
www.womenandhealth.org.uk
www.facebook.com/womenandhealth @wahcamden

National Schools’ Conference on Combatting “Honour” Based Violence
Youth for Change, IKWRO and Not in my Classroom have joined together to run the very first National Schools’ Conference on Combatting “Honour” Based Violence for safeguarding professionals, teachers, school staff and students.
Join us for a day of training, collaboration and discussion, including:
~ Workshops delivered by experts on FGM, child and forced marriage and “honour” based violence;
~ Youth advocacy workshops for students; and
~ Panel session and Q&A with influential representatives from the education sector.
Tue 18 October 2016, 10:00 – 16:00 at Winchmore School, Laburnum Grove, London N21
Booking and further details at Eventbrite.

Autism Friendly Cinema
Cineworld host an autism friendly cinema screening on the first Sunday of every month at 11am.
Cineworld’s next autism friendly film screening is Pete’s Dragon on Sunday 2nd October at 11am.
Find out more

What’s on at Centre 404
Dates for Your Diary – Groups & Workshops at Centre 404. View the newsletter online.

Ageing Better In Camden
Read the latest Ageing Better in Camden newsletter here.

Camden Patient Participation Groups Newsletter
Read the latest Camden Patent Participation Groups Newsletter online here.

Coram’s Fields, Macmillan, Evelyn Oldfield, Hopscotch Asian Women’s Centre; Age UK Camden and Camden PA are recruiting. See Jobs and Volunteers section below.

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

National

“Being Black, Going Crazy”
BBC Three joins debate on Black male mental health – http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0482j61/being-black-going-crazy – broadcast on 27th Sept asks the questions that Minority Mental Health, www.minoritymentalhealth.co.uk on 13th October will be trying to answer for people who work in mental health find out some of the solutions to keep people out of the criminal justice system..

Lloyds Bank Foundation urges sector to unite to tackle low pay
Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales has gained Living Wage Friendly Funder accreditation and called upon corporates, charities, and their funders to tackle low pay.
As a Living Wage Friendly Funder, Lloyds Bank Foundation pays its staff the Living Wage and will encourage those seeking funding to pay the Living Wage to posts funded through its grants.
The foundation will also encourage charities, where they can, to pay staff the Living Wage and even to become accredited employers themselves. Full story in Charity Times.

“As public cuts leave people destitute, it’s charity workers like me who pick up the pieces
When I became an outreach worker ten years ago there was still some vestige of a welfare state. The indignity and devastation I see now is astonishing” Full story in the Guardian

FUNDING

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

OCS and Nesta announce £4m for older people’s volunteering projects
The Office for Civil Society and Nesta have launched three grant funds totalling £4m to encourage people over 50 to volunteer.
All three funds are open to organisations to apply for funding for and are the first to be funded through the second phase of the Centre for Social Action.
The three funds are:
~ The Second Half Fund – Sharing Time and Talents for Life: grants of up to £250,000 to support the growth of new ways of mobilising the time and talents of people aged over 50.
~ Join In Stay In: grants of up to £50,000 and significant non-financial support from behavioural science experts for organisations to undertake randomised controlled trials to understand what works best to encourage volunteers to continue to give their time regularly.
~ Give More Get More – Exploring Intensive Volunteering: grants of up to £100,000 to support organisations to trial intensive volunteering placements for people over 50 – approaching or in retirement – that work alongside public services. More details at the Gov website.

The Institute of Fundraising is hosting an event at City Hall on the 9th of November to help small charities to try and overcome their fundraising challenges.
Charities in London are vital for local communities, but many smaller charities are also facing a tough funding climate. This event at London City Hall is a chance for small charities from across the capital to hear fundraising experts talk about how best to fundraise from the public, and offer practical guidance and support to help raise funds for their work.
The event will be a mixture of presentations and workshops, hearing and learning from experts and peers in London’s charity sector on:
• How best to engage with those who may be willing to provide large one off donations to your charity.
• How best to ask members of the public for small, regular donations to support your cause.
• How to improve your community events and one off public fundraising activities.
The event is open to all small charities based within London completely free of charge. Spaces are allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Charities can register at the following link: http://www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk/events-and-training/iofevents/conferences/small-charities-in-london-achieving-great-fundraising-in-your/.

Celebrate – A New Grants Programme from the Big Lottery Fund
When was the last time your local community came together? Grants of between £300 and £10,000 for groups to hold one off events or activities which celebrate their local community.
You could celebrate something from your community’s history or a local hero. Or maybe it could a chance to bring people together to get to know their neighbours better. Full details on the Big Lottery Website.

Deutsche Bank Small Grants Fund
If you are a charity, voluntary or community group with an income of less than £250,000 per annum and you need funding for work focusing on increasing social inclusion and improving well being, this fund may be able to help.
The focus of the Small Grants Fund is to help society’s most disadvantaged and communities on the ground.
Projects may fall into any of the following areas:
~ Projects that promote social inclusion, reduce isolation and disadvantage and improve access to services;
~ Projects that advance people’s physical and mental health, wellbeing and safety
~ Projects that maximize people’s ability to strengthen community cohesion and build social capacity
The maximum grant size is £5,000. The application is online here.

VAC EVENTS

VAC’s Mental Health Training Programme for BMER groups
Are you a BMER group or do you work with BMER communities?
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. Contact mentalhealthteam@vac.org.uk

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

OTHER EVENTS

Equalities Workshop
Age UK London & Opening Doors London are able to offer places to staff and volunteers to participate in an EQUALITIES workshop – best practice working with older LGBT people taking place next Tuesday 4th October from 10.30am until 1.30pm with lunch. The training session will take place at Age UK London’s office which has recently relocated to: 6th Floor, Tavis House, 1 – 6 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9NA
Please share with staff and volunteers and if any would like to attend then either register here https://equalitiesolgbtoct16.eventbrite.co.uk or alternatively please email stynan@ageuklondon.org.uk or call 020 78206776 and leave name and contact details.

Native Spirit Festival celebrates 10th Anniversary
7-16th October 2016
Venues SOAS ~ The Book Club EC2 ~ Opening Night at Hive Dalston E8
Native Spirit Film Festival celebrates a decade of providing a platform for Indigenous Voices with 50+ feature films, docs, shorts and animations and special guests.
More info https://www.facebook.com/NativeSpiritUK twitter @NativeSpiritUK email nativespiritfilms@gmail.com Donations at door £5-12

Tai Chi/ Chi Kung Demystified -move breath and meditate
Every Wednesday, 11:00-12:30 at YMCA oneKX 120 Cromer St, London WC1H 8BS – FREE
No need to book – just come along. Breath, relax, energise all ages and levels of experience welcome come along and see if it suits you. The classes are being supported by camden community sport and physical activity officer Andrew Gilbert.

Talk for Health Men Only Programme 21st October
The FREE 4.5 day Talk for Health programme enables wellbeing and good relationships by teaching:
~ Open and truthful talking
~ Empathic listening
~ Basic counselling skills
~ Tools for better relationships
After the training, you gain access to a network of support groups.
It’s for men who want to take care of their wellbeing and is FREE for those living in Islington and Camden as it is NHS-funded. More details at Eventbrite.
Book a place on a taster session: email info@talkforhealth.co.uk,
call us on 07826 148 461, or text ‘call me’ and we will get in touch with you.

October Volunteer Managers’ Forum + Lunch
18th October, 10.30am-2pm at Kentish Town Community Centre, 17 Busby Place, NW5 2SP
Join us at our next volunteer managers’ forum where we will look at all things volunteer management.
This forum will follow the ‘unconference’ format, which means you are the event organisers / participants on the day. You get out what you put in – so come prepared to muck in.
Integral to the forum will be meeting (and networking with) other volunteer managers in Camden – and lunch is included. Full details and book your free tickets on Eventbrite.

Celebrating Parents and Carers Event
Free family fun day – ‘Healthy Lives and Healthy Minds’
Saturday 22nd October 2016, 2pm – 5pm
Haverstock School, 24 Haverstock Hill, NW3 2BQ
Please read this event brief before filling in the form
Every year we have our Celebrating Parents (in its 11th year) event during Parents week and we invite the Mayor and the Cabinet member for Children Schools and Families. This year’s theme for the event is ‘Healthy Lives and Healthy Minds’.

Free HR training workshops for Camden voluntary and community groups
Many small to medium sized organisations do not have the resources to directly purchase HR support on an ongoing basis. In our experience, badly handled employment issues in small to medium sized organisations can destabilise the organisation and affect its delivery.
A robust HR function enables organisations to be more sustainable by strengthening the leadership of an organisation, supporting staff, trustees and volunteers effectively and by preventing crises.
The Communities and Third Sector team at Camden Council are pleased to be able to offer Camden voluntary and community groups a series of HR training workshops. The workshops are free and will take place between 9.45 and 1pm at the Town Hall Judd Street.
The workshops are for managers and trustees of voluntary and community groups based in Camden. To book a place on the workshops that you would like to attend, please click on the Eventbrite links.
HR Essentials Wednesday 28th September 2016
The aim of this workshop is to raise the awareness of potential and new employers about employment legislation and good practice in the workplace.
http://hr-essentials.eventbrite.co.uk
Managing Poor Performance through Capability Wednesday 19th October 2016
This workshop will focus on managing employees who are underperforming due to lack of capability
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/managing-poor-performance-through-capability-tickets-27066873748
Managing Misconduct Wednesday 16th November 2016
This workshop will focus on managing employees who are underperforming due to misconduct
The training will reflect the ACAS Code of Practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/managing-misconduct-registration-27067000126
Handling Workplace Investigations Wednesday 7th December 2016
There are many occasions when an employer may wish to undertake an internal investigation including as part of the disciplinary and grievance process
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/handling-workplace-investigations-registration-27067050276
Staff Appraisals Thursday 12th January 2017
Appraisal is a two-way process of looking backwards to analyse past job performance, and looking forward into the future with a view to improving future performance.
The overall objective of an effective appraisal scheme should be to help each employee to maximise his or her job performance for the joint benefit of the employee and the organisation.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/staff-appraisals-registration-27067569830
Managing Sickness Absence Thursday 9th February 2017
The aim of this workshop is to increase managers’ confidence and ability to manage staff absence.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/managing-sickness-absence-registration-27067617974
Managing Restructure Wednesday 15th March 2017
Many voluntary and community organisations are considering some kind of restructuring in response to the current economic climate. This might include closing a team, amalgamating core functions, general downsizing or some sort of relocation.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/managing-a-restructure-registration-27067674142
Managing Difficult Conversations at Work Wednesday 12th April 2017
Most of us dislike confrontation; we sometimes avoid it which can often lead to even more difficulty, misunderstandings and possible conflict.
In the current climate of continued economic uncertainty, we may find ourselves working with reduced budgets, constant organisational change and ongoing performance issues, as people try to make sense of all this.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/managing-difficult-conversations-at-work-registration-27067711253
The workshops will be run by Shirley Briggs. Shirley is an independent HR consultant. Her background is in social housing where she worked as a HR manager for a number of large housing associations. She managed the PEACe (HR) service at LVSC from 2006-2016 supporting many hundreds of voluntary and community organisations with HR and employment law advice, consultancy and training. She is also a trained workplace mediator.

‘Made of Money’ is running a 2 day Facilitator Training in London on 5th – 6th October 2016
We also offer ‘in house’ trainings for any organisation or group of organisations to suit you.
‘Made of Money’ is an award winning financial literacy resource, developed by anti-poverty charity Quaker Social Action. It aims to help groups talk about money and its impact on their lives, as well as learn vital money management skills. It is ideal to help front line workers offer support to those on low income, particularly in the run up to the introduction of Universal Credit, and welfare benefit changes.
The cost per person for the 2-day training, (incl lunch), depending on the size of your organisation (£100 for small organisations).
You will also need a set of workshop resources, charged at a subsidised rate of £115. This gives you everything you need to run Made of with groups and 1:1 sessions. (These can be shared within the organisation or between groups of organisations)
Contact mompartner@qsa.org.uk

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

JOBS AND VOLUNTEERING

Living Centre Partnership seeks Healthy Living Centre Manager
£35,000 p.a, (pro-rata) Closes 29 Oct 2016
We are looking for a highly motivated person to make their mark and be part of one of the most amazing new facilities to be developed in Somers Town for generations.
the local Living Centre Partnership has won the contract to deliver the brand new Living Centre in the Francis Crick Institute and we are now looking to recruit a Living Centre Manager to help make this happen. Full details, application pack at the Guardian jobs.

iBug seeks Youth Mental Health Peer Group Facilitator (sessional)
Approx 6 hours per month (split between 2 evenings and an occasional planning meeting and supervision session)
£20 per hour on self-employed sessional basis
iBUG is recruiting for a co-facilitator to lead our two peer support groups for young people (group members are approx. 18-25 years old).
The groups currently run on Wednesday evenings although some flexibility in timings is possible.
We are looking for someone who is able to understand that their own experience of
mental illhealth gives them a unique insight into working with others in a peer-to-peer context.
Please apply by sending a CV and covering letter to ibug@hotmail.co.uk
Closing date: 14th October 2016 Interviews: 20th October 2016

Volunteers are needed in GP practices!
Voluntary Action Camden (VAC) would like to hear from you! We are training volunteers to become Community Health Advocates in local GP practices.
• 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.
For more information, please contact:
Mandira Manandhar, Health Advocate Volunteer Co-ordinator (Mon, Tues and Thurs) 020 7284 6550/07930669417 or email: mmanandhar@vac.org.uk
Peter Simonson on 020 7284 6550 or email: projectsupport@vac.org.uk
Please note, we cannot book people on to the course without discussing the project with them first. The RSPH training is provided FREE by on the understanding that participants are available to volunteer for the project and able to attend the regular training and support sessions. After 2 months in placement Health Advocate Volunteers will have access to other VAC training free of charge subject to availability.

Holborn Community Association have two vacancies
Administrator (PT)
who will take on administration and finance duties across all three HCA sites.
An opportunity has arisen to join Holborn Community Association, a growing & exciting community charity in WC1 – a great location to work in. We are seeking a team player who will bring a clear head and systematic approach to their duties across HCA – including administration, reception and finance responsibilities. Most importantly you’ll be enthusiastic about the work that we do and the community we work with. In return we can offer a varied role in a great, fun place to work.
Due to redevelopment plans for our Bedford House site we are currently advertising this role on a short term basis although there may be opportunity for extension following the period detailed in the contract.
Hours per week: 30 Salary: NJC Scale pt 19 currently £21,781 pro rata (inclusive of London weighting)
Fixed term contract October 2016 – 31 March 2017.
Full DBS (CRB) check will be required
Closing Date: Monday 3rd October 2016 at 12 noon.
Interviews will be held Thursday 13th October 2016
Caretaker
who will take on caretaker duties across all three HCA sites.
Following the retirement of our current caretaker Holborn Community Association is seeking a new caretaker. Working across all three of our centres you will be able to take on general repairs, cleaning and arranging specific work with contractors. Most importantly you’ll be enthusiastic about the work that we do and the community we work with. In return we can offer a varied role in a fun place to work.
Due to redevelopment plans for our Bedford House site we are currently advertising this role on a short term basis although there may be opportunity for extension following the initial period
Hours per week: 22 Salary: 18,612 per annum (pro rata) NJC Scale pt 11
Fixed term contract October 2016 – 31 March 2017.
Full DBS (CRB) check will be required. Closing Date: Monday 3rd October 2016 at 12 noon.
Information packs and application forms are available on our website www.holborncommunity.co.uk or by emailing admin@holborncommunity.co.uk

Kilburn Older Voices Exchange (KOVE) seeks Assistant Co-ordinator
32 hours per month. (£4,438 – eight months) Initial contract from 1stNovember 2016 to 30th June 2017
KOVE requires an Assistant Coordinator to help with organising its community projects. KOVE is a registered charity and we are committed to raising the voice of older people in the Kilburn and West Hampstead area. We are a dynamic community-action initiative, working in partnership with Ageing Better in Camden, funded by the Big Lottery.
The Purpose of the job:
• To engage with and encourage older people to participate in KOVE activities and projects
• On occasions to work with and deputise for the KOVE Coordinator at meetings
• To organise activities and projects
• To assist with the planning of KOVE’s Ageing Better programme.
KOVE’s dynamic community programme includes Bench to Bench walks, cinema club, community forums for older people, the KOVEwatchers initiative and campaigning on issues that older people have raised e.g. the need for community seating, safer road crossings, community toilet scheme and accessible public transport.
This post is based on the successful applicant working freelance. Monthly payments will be made on receipt of an invoice. The post holder will be responsible for his/her own income tax and national insurance contributions. Closing date: 5pm 10th October.
For application information please contact: Mel Wright, KOVE Coordinator: mel.wright@kove.org.uk

Coram’s Fields Seeks 2 Workers
Sessional Youth Worker and Sessional Sports Worker
Hours: Evenings (as and when required) Rate: £9.40 per hour
This is a fantastic opportunity for a highly motivated individual who shares our passion for helping all young people to reach their potential to join our Youth and Sport Team. Coram’s Fields is a well-established, independent Children’s Charity located in the London Borough of Camden which delivers a range of high quality services for young people aged 6-19 years old.
If you require further information about the roles or wish to apply please contact Jonathan: jonathan@coramsfields.org.uk or naz@coramsfields.org.uk
Closing date: 12 pm Friday 7th October 2016
Interview date: week beginning Monday 10th October 2016 (TBC) www.coramsfields.org

2016 Camden Volunteer Awards – nominations invited
Volunteer Centre Camden are hosting the 2016 Camden Volunteer Awards at the Camden Centre in King’s Cross on Thursday 24 November.
The evening will be a celebration of the achievements of Camden’s volunteers. Camden organisations can nominate one or two individual volunteers or one group of volunteers. The closing date for nominations is 5pm on Thursday 27 October. Volunteers can be nominated online. If you need a paper form, please email Sheila Norris at sheila@volunteercentrecamden.org.uk or call 020 7424 9990.

Hopscotch Asian Women’s Centre recruiting a number of Posts
Hopscotch Asian Women’s Centre is currently recruiting for an exciting new Big Lottery/ESF funded employment project. I would be grateful if you could forward the vacancies on to your contacts.
Please see below for details:
Employer Engagement Worker
35 hrs per week 3 year contract £32,200 incl. ILW
Closing date: Wednesday 5th October 2016 at 12.00pm
Administrative and Finance Assistant
35 hrs per week 3 year contract £20,645 incl. ILW
Closing date: Wednesday 5th October 2016 at 12.00pm
For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Isabelle Terrisson, Senior Operations Manager. For all other details and an application pack, please contact Ruksana Begum:
Tel: 020 7388 8198 E-mail: info@hopscotchawc.org.uk Web: www.hopscotchawc.org.uk

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

OFFERS, RESOURCES & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Camden Carers Centre has moved
We can now be found at Charlie Ratchford Resource Centre, Belmont Street, NW1 8HF. We have our own dedicated offices, including quiet space for counselling, health checks and carers’ assessments. Our phone number, email addresses and website remain the same, so you can still get in touch at info@camdencarers.org.uk or 020 7428 8950. You can also find out about our activities for unpaid carers in Camden at http://www.camdencs.org.uk/activities and follow our news on Facebook (www.facebook.com/Camdencarersservice) and Twitter (twitter.com/CamdenCarers)

Opportunity for capital funding for VCS organisations in King’s Cross Ward
The Council is in receipt of money arising from a property development in King’s Cross 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 and adam.demosthenous@camden.gov.uk (please use both to ensure a swift response).
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 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 14th October 2016, officers intend to consider the proposals during October, and discuss with ward members and relevant Cabinet Members. Decisions are expected to be made by the beginning of November. Queries to Jeff or Adam as above

Deaf Achieve
This is a Big Lottery funded project that will continue to deliver free workshops, health groups, job clubs, travel groups, financial capability training and one to one support until 2018. The end of February saw the completion of our first year. We are now well into our second year. These are for the deaf community, aged 18-65, living in any of the London boroughs. If want to know more information about Deaf Achieve please contact: deafachieve2@royaldeaf.org.uk.” also our website links http://www.royaldeaf.org.uk/news/sdfsd/

Camden Consultations
You can find all Camden consultation on the Wearecamden consultation hub.