Navigate to:

Spotlight  |   Features, News and Policy  |   Funding   |   Events and Training   |
Jobs and Volunteering   |   Surveys, Resources and Opportunities

Upcoming Training & Events

• Creating Safe Spaces – Trauma Informed Services and Workplaces. (In partnership with Hopscotch) Crowndale Centre 218 Eversholt Street, 28 January 2025, 10:00 am – 12:15 pm
• Understanding Domestic Abuse & Dealing with Disclosures. (In partnership with Tender) Crowndale Centre 218 Eversholt Street, 5 February 2025, 9:30 am – 1:00 pm

Civil Society’s study of Charity Commission data concluded that the total asset worth of the top 10 richest charities in England and Wales reached £67.7bn at the end of 2023, a growth of 1% from the previous year. The figure represented 27% of the charity sector’s total assets in 2023, while assets in the entire charity sector increased by 2% to total £255bn.

Camden publish Climate Action Plan review

Camden Council’s current Climate Action Plan enters its final year in 2025, before the next installment launches, covering the period from 2026-2030. To find out more about the plan which includes the goal of making Camden a zero carbon borough by 2030, visit the homepage which has information on the scope of the project, upcoming events and a timeline. You can read the recently published Climate Action Plan review here.

Plea to keep soft opt-in for charity email marketing

A new bill on Data Usage and Access, which is currently going through parliament, proposes the removal of a soft opt-in option for charities’ email marketing. Organisations such as Oxfam and McMillan have called for an amendment to the bill in a letter to Peter Kyle (science, innovation and technology secretary) claiming that it could cost charities nearly £300m in annual donations. 

Every week VAC checks various sources for the latest funding opportunities relevant for Camden groups.

You can visit our website for a round up of the latest opportunities added this week: Search for Funding – Voluntary Action Camden (vac.org.uk).

We’ve included a selection of the latest funds below but check out our new funding portal for many more opportunities.

If you need help sourcing or applying for funds, get in touch with our consultancy service, free for all Camden groups!

• We Make Camden Project Fund to support organisations making a difference to residents in the borough. Local not-for-profit organisations can now apply for grants between £5,000 and £20,000 a year to support a range of projects that make a difference to Camden communities. Link includes details of guidance, drop in sessions and webinars to inform about the fund, as well as the application form. 
• Ford Britain Trust for projects that focus on education, environment, children, the disabled, youth activities and projects that provide clear benefits to the local communities close to the trust’s UK locations.
• African Health Policy Network for Black and Global Majority-led organisations that are working to improve the health and well-being of Black and Global Majority communities whilst challenging and disrupting structural and systemic racism and racist practices.
• Stef & Philips Foundation is offering grants to support organisations that deliver projects and activities that support individuals and families who are living in emergency or temporary accommodation across London.
• The Idlewild Trust supports the arts, culture and conservation in the national arena, for example the conservation of cultural heritage of recognised national and international importance in museums, libraries, galleries, historic buildings, or landscapes accessible to the public
• Hinrichsen Foundation offers one off grants for individuals, organisations or charities in the UK that work in the field of contemporary music in the classical tradition.

Digital Arts for neurodiverse children & young people

Explore all things digital such as filmmaking, animation and coding in these relaxed sessions from Holborn Community Association for neurodiverse children and young people and those with social communication difficulties. On Wednesdays, starting 15th January 2025. To book, email sudiksha@holborncommunity.co.uk or call 02074052370 (option 1 or 3).

Drug & Alcohol support drop in service

Change Grow Live’s Camden Drug and Alcohol Service supports residents 18+ to address drug/alcohol use. Services include: detox, treatment, counselling, harm reduction, activities to improve quality of life. If you’re using alcohol or drugs, live in Camden and want to get support, the best way to do this is by coming to our assessment drop-in service. You can visit Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 12-4pm at Kings Studios, NW1 0JR. Flexible locations, including GP surgeries and remote support, are available. Contact: 020 3227 4950 or camden.referrals@cgl.org.uk.

HCA – Male Carers

HCA have started a piece of work for Male Carers in Camden. A carer is someone of any age who, without payment, provides care and support to a partner, friend, relative or neighbour who could not manage without their help. At HCA, as part of our Male Carers Groups, we will give you time to talk about your caring situation, what you need, while also offering a space for you to meet new people and engage in welcoming, fun and free social activities. If you would like to talk more about this project, please feel free to get in touch, by emailing andrew@holborncommunity.co.uk or calling Millman Street Community Centre on 02074052370 (option 2).

Spring 2025 Digital Skills Courses from Camden ACL

Make a new year’s resolution to improve your digital skills! Camden Adult Community Learning can help you to improve your basic smartphone & laptop skills, sharpen up your CV, design a website, start using AI, try out digital photography, become a podcaster, or gain an OCN London microcredential in spreadsheets or presentation software. Courses are FREE for local residents, running across Camden community organisations and local libraries. For course information, click here, and to enrol, click here.

End-of-Year Celebration at LAH with Orquesta Estelar and Coro de Clave

Join Latin American House for an evening of music and joy! Enjoy performances by Orquesta Estelar and Coro de Clave. Celebrate the end of the year in a vibrant, festive, and culturally enriching atmosphere. Don’t miss this unique experience! Taking place on Friday 20th December, make sure to pre-book your free tickets here.

Join in LGBT History Month 2025

LGBT Charity forum⁺ is curating the programme for Camden & Islington LGBT History Month 2025 and all the community is invited to join in the celebration of local LGBT culture, heritage and history. Events take place in February and the theme for 2025 is Activism and Social Change. To be featured in the official programme for Camden & Islington LGBT History Month please email info@forumplus.org.uk. The closing date for entries is Friday 10^th January.

Self Sufficient Women 5k run

Join SSW for the Women’s only 5K SSW Run Day Event! Lace up your sneakers and get ready to hit the pavement with fellow runners. This in-person event will take place at Parliament Hill Athletic track NW3 2JP, so mark your calendars for Saturday 14 December 11am- 4pm. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just starting out, this event is perfect for the whole family. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to enjoy a day of running, fun, and community.

People’s Museum Christmas fair, party & book launch

Christmas Fair – Phoenix Road Open Space – Friday 13th December 2pm-6.30pm
Live music | Hot food | Market Stalls | Art | Free Clothes Swap | Outdoor Games | Mayor of Camden | Everyone is welcome! | NW1 1TA
Followed by Party & Book Launch at the People’s Museum from 6pm – launching Lotus Stories: folk tales, songs and life stories of Sylheti women with the Mayor of Camden.
People’s Museum, 52 Phoenix Rd, NW1 1ES

Holiday Activities and Food programme – winter 2024-25

The Camden Holiday Activities and Food winter programme runs from 23 December-3 January and is open for children and young people aged 5-16 who live in Camden and are eligible for free school meals. The programme offers free, fun activities and nutritional education – from learning to make healthy meals, to creative activities, including photography, drama, arts and crafts, and sports such as football and basketball. A free hot meal is included as part of each day’s activities.

Children of The Sun with Moon Crescent Blood

Explore an art and poetry exhibition raising awareness for sickle cell disease. Children of The Sun with Moon Crescent Blood is on at the Akanji Studio at Swiss Cottage Gallery from 5 December – 16 January.

Christmas Season at the London Welsh Centre

🚶 Caroline James’ Christmas Walk Through London – 18th December
Discover London’s sparkling Christmas lights on a magical 90-minute walking tour led by the brilliant Caroline James. 

😂 Suspiciously Cheap Comedy – 22nd December
Get ready to laugh the night away with Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Jin Hao Li, Tarot Comedy, and the phenomenal Sara Pascoe.

For tickets and full details, click here.

HCA Door Stop Help Project Coordinator

Holborn Community Association are recruiting a Door Stop Help Coordinator to help vulnerable older people and build a network of volunteers to support them. This role offers the chance to make a real difference for vulnerable older adults and help them build meaningful relationships with others across the community, helping them long term. If you want to apply for this role, you can email on andrew@holborncommunity.co.uk.
Application deadline: Friday 10th January 2025.

Costume Designer-Maker (theatre)

Further Than The Edge Productions C.I.C are currently seeking to collaborate with a Costume Designer-Maker on a Preparatory Scoping activity equivalent to 1 day’s work, in mid February 2025. To work with the writer/director and the puppet designer/maker to assess ways of working, materials, timeframes and costings for a later R&D phase. Closing date: Fri, 20 Dec 2024.

Biodiversity surveying volunteers required for March 2025

Friends of Waterlow Park in Highgate are looking for volunteers to help survey wildlife and botany. Small, friendly groups will meet up and collect data on Saturdays; once a month from March to mid-May, then fortnightly between mid-May and October. A volunteer commented ‘it’s a great way to spend time in the park, you’ll learn a lot about plants, and it’s fun to carry out surveys jointly between families and friends’. You don’t need any experience and everyone is welcome. To register your interest and sign up to join the Biodiversity volunteer mailing list, please contact – Friends of Waterlow Park.

Christmas 2024 Volunteering Roles at VCC

Volunteer Centre Camden has published a round up of Christmas volunteering roles. Check it out now on their website.

Lifeafterhummus Creative chef and community educator

Lifeafterhummus Community Benefit Society are looking for an experienced cook or chef with a passion for people, food waste and sustainability. This role will have a predominant focus on low-fat, high-fibre plant-based / vegan cooking but not exclusively given the nature of the surplus food the organisation collect. The post provides a range of experiences and requires a variety of skills. You will be supported with your ongoing development by the operations Manager. As the café grows, the staffing will grow. 

People’s Museum Story Bike Promoter

Days:        1.5 days per week (with some flexibility)
Location:        People’s Museum Somers Town / outdoor working
Payment:        £12-15 per hour
1.    To help raise awareness of StoryBike as sustainable intergenerational taxi service
2.    To do outreach to engage community and build audience
3.    To develop and evaluate this service
4.    To develop museum awareness through outreach and communications

please email diana@aspaceforus.club with CV to apply.

Blueprint for Developing Volunteering in London

The London Vision and Action Plan for Volunteering has just been published for consultation and is available for review on the London’s Lifelines website. This is a chance for all volunteer stakeholders, groups, organisations and businesses to have their say on how volunteering should be developed across the capital. To see the report and how to give your feedback visit here.

Linking Lives launch Going Deeper conversation resource

Linking Lives UK have released “Going Deeper“, a new resource for use by any organisation that gathers people together regularly. The resource contains a series of questions as conversation starters, and is aimed at at fostering connections and building deeper friendships. Organisations can also download an additional free User Toolkit to complement Going Deeper.

UCLH Birthing Buddies Scheme

Could you support pregnant women and birthing people from your community and be a Birth Advocate? UCLH are recruiting women from different backgrounds to be part of a pilot to provide support to those that are pregnant within their community. They need dedicated individuals based in Camden (18+) who will be trained and compensated to support women through their pregnancy journey. Email uclhmaternityvoices@gmail.com to find out more.

Local VCS Newsletters

If you would like your Camden VCS newsletter added to this list, please email social@vac.org.uk

Looking for a previous newsletter entry? Find it in our archive here

Find presentations, recordings and resources from past forums here

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

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.