Food Survey; VAC Resources; Q+A with Royal Free and UCLH; TV Licences for over 75s; Support for Volunteer Managers; Camden Safeguarding Children’s Board Training; Intro to Office 365; Updated Charity Commission guidance + news + Resources + funding + jobs + volunteers and more
Feature
Camden Food Survey
The Covid-19 pandemic has revealed gaps in the food security situation for many Camden residents and work is under way at the council and public health to look at the situation in more depth. A survey has been produced to get a snapshot of the food status in Camden in order to start thinking about longer term sustainability.
Are you involved in food delivery, food banks, meals service, food coops in Camden? If so please complete this survey.
Resources
On 9th July we hosted a workshop with Locality on Re-Opening Community Buildings. You can view the presentation, video, and a range of resources including risk assessment templates on the VAC website here.
Healthwatch Camden Hosts Online Q+A Meeting with Royal Free Hospital and University College Hospital
Join an online Q&A event with Kate Slemeck, Chief Executive of the Royal Free Hospital and Marcel Levi, Chief Executive of University College Hospital.
Tuesday 4th August 5.30-6.30pm.
A chance to ask questions about how routine hospital services are returning after the Covid-19 lockdown, what changes patients will experience when accessing services and how we can all keep safe.
Register now: Via Zoom or register or by calling: 020 7383 2402
TV Licence for over 75s
From 1 August, anyone 75 and over who is not in receipt of Pension Credit will no longer receive a free TV licence. There are between 150,000 and 200,000 Londoners of state pension age eligible for Pension Credit who are not claiming it. Please let your members and users know. Full details in this letter.
Support for Volunteer Managers from VCC
Volunteer Manager Cafes continue through the Summer, on Tuesdays to Thursdays 10am-5pm to the end of August you can book a free online video or telephone chat with our Best Practice Manager Shafia.
The next online Volunteer Managers’ Forum is on Tues 18 Aug. Details soon.
Camden Safeguarding Children’s Board Training
10 September 2020 — 9.30am-4.00pm
Designated Safeguarding Lead — New DSLs
18 September 2020 — 9.30am-1.00pm
Early Years and the Impact of Abuse
18 September 2020 — 9.30am-12.30pm
Designated Safeguarding Lead — Refresher Session
24 September 2020 — 10.00am-11.30am
Counter Extremism and WRAP Full details and how to apply here
Introduction to Office 365 from VAC
The Covid-19 crisis has seen an unprecedented number of organisations needing to move their back-office operations and services online, providing staff with access to emails and files remotely. Many have struggled with this as they lack the resource or know-how to get started.
This workshop will introduce you to the Office 365 platform (O365) and some of the key applications that facilitate remote working and collaboration. Using a live demo, we will show you what O365 is and what it does, with a deep dive into some of its main applications. Sign up on the VAC website.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for the charity sector
See the Funding pages on VAC’s website for all the latest information.
Somers Town Big Local and the Crick Covid-19 Community Fund
Up to £3,000 to local organisations and groups that are responding to the COVID-19 crisis and supporting the community. Applicants have to be located within a mile of the Crick and responding to the COVID-19 situation to the benefit of the local community, either directly or indirectly. More info here.
Maximum grant is £3000. Deadline 29th July. Email engage@crick.ac.uk
Young Camden Foundation – Heads Up Mental Health Fund
£1,000 – £5,000
The mental health and wellbeing of whole societies have been severely impacted by the current crisis and are a priority to be addressed urgently. Research has identified significant and sustained increases in symptoms of depression and anxiety related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Young people have been particularly affected by the crisis.
The idea of these small grants is to support staff, children & young people to be aware of the impact the pandemic has had, and will continue to have, on their emotions and develop mechanisms to cope and keep positive.
Deadlines: 24 July, 31 July 2020. Full details here.
London Community Response – 3rd Wave
Grants to cover up to six months of your costs for the work you are seeking funding for (from the time the grant is awarded), though it can be for a shorter period (e.g. activities over the summer). Where possible we will offer unrestricted grants, though this is more likely if you are applying for a small grant.
Three strands to the current funding programme – crisis, enable and adapt.
Small grants up to £10k. Large grants up to £50k. Full details here.
Coronavirus Community Support Fund
A £200m fimd aimed at small to medium organisations:
~ To increase community support to vulnerable people affected by the COVID-19 crisis, through the work of civil society organisations.
~ To reduce temporary closures of essential charities and social enterprises, ensuring services for vulnerable people impacted by COVID-19 have the financial resources to operate, and so reduce the burden on public services.
Full details on the National Lottery Community Fund website.
Ubele Fundraising Support for BAME Organisations
Every Thursday at 3:30pm Ubele host fundraising webinars on a variety grant funds that are available with techniques on writing better applications. These webinars are free of charge and the presentations/resources are uploaded on our website.
Registration for Fundraising Webinars here.
Coming Soon
Power to Change, Locality, The Ubele Initiative and Social Investment Business on behalf of the National Lottery Community Fund Covid-19 Community-Led Organisations Recovery Scheme for community organisations in England who are facing difficulties caused by Covid-19. Up to £100k. Opens 28 July. Free webinar on Thursday 23 July from 3.30-5pm where you will be able to find out more about the fund and application process and take part in a live Q&A.
Community Impacts – Social Action Fund 22nd July
The Social Action Fund is a partnership between Camden Council and Camden Giving and is part of the Community Impacts programme.
The fund will support a broad range of local organisations and Camden residents to deliver activities that increase social action and support community cohesion and resilience. Providing funding directly to residents and grassroots groups supports the generation of initiatives and activities best suited to the needs of the local community.
Organisations will be able to apply for small grants of £500-£1,500 for projects lasting up to 12 months. See Camden Giving website.
The fund opens for applications on Wed 22nd July until the 12th August.
Voluntary Action Forums: (web page here)
Wed 29 July tba SPLN (Social Prescribing Learning Network) Venturing Out (date tbc)
Keep in eye on our Events Calendar to book and for more info.
Camden Voluntary Action Forum
The forum is open to all Camden voluntary and community groups and organisation, community activists, social entrepreneurs, volunteers and anyone interested in local voluntary action.
Safeguarding Courses:
VAC is working with funders so that safeguarding courses can continue online. Further details to come. There are some basic safeguarding videos on the home page and on the COVID19 Update page.
Tel: 020 7 284 6575 | Email: dogunyemi@vac.org.uk email (Mon – Wed)
Public Health England has launched an updated Psychological First Aid (PFA) digital training module, aimed at all frontline and essential workers and volunteers.
The course aims to increase awareness and confidence to provide psychosocial support to people affected by COVID-19. The course is free, and no previous qualifications are required. It takes around 90 minutes to complete and the learner can complete it at their own pace.
Bloomsbury FC Holiday Football Camp
3 locations: Acland Burghley, Kings Cross Academy, Castlehaven.
10am – 3pm (staggered drop off/pick up)
Week 1: Mon 20th Jul – Fri 24th Jul
Week 2: Mon 27th Jul – Fri 31st Jul
Week 3: Mon 3rd Aug – Fri 7th Aug
Further weeks tbc
Ages: 7-11 (school years 2 – 6)
Full price from – £40 per day to Full bursary rate – £8 – varies by location.
E: info@bloomsburyfootball.com M: 07561 705 232
Book now: www.bloomsburyfootball.com
Women+Health online group classes via Zoom
Aiming too help people feel calm, grounded, & centred during lockdown. We are currently running 4 online classes per week:
~ Tuesdays at 1pm, ‘Mindfulness for Women’ with Camilla (women only)
~ Wednesdays at 6:30pm, ‘Yoga Nidra’ with Lina (men & women welcome)
~ Thursdays 6:30pm, ‘Gentle Hatha Yoga’ with Diana (men & women welcome)
~ Fridays at 1pm, ‘Sound Healing’ with Catherine (men & women welcome)
All classes are donation classes – and all money we receive goes towards helping Women+Health survive while our doors are closed. The classes are FREE if people cannot donate.
All info to join classes and to donate can be found on our JustGiving page:
Respect online domestic abuse training
Respect has secured funding from the London Community Response Fund to offer free online training to Frontline Workers who support or have an interest in service users with domestic abuse issues.
Workers from the third sector; local authorities; counsellors/therapists; university lecturers, students or researchers; police; housing officers; healthcare staff; policy-makers etc. – as long as the organisation they work for or the services they provide are based in Greater London.
Working with women using violence in intimate relationships 16-29 July
Better engagement with perpetrators 31 July-13 August
Adolescent to parent violence and abuse 15-28 August Apply here. Any questions, please email abigail.jones@respect.uk.net
How to Volunteer and How to Recruit Volunteers in Camden
Volunteer in Camden at Time to Spare.
Volunteer for the NHS at GoodSAM.
Join a neighbourhood Mutual Aid group.
Organisations that are signed up to Time to Spare can now request volunteers through a brokerage team making it much easier to access the volunteers. The brokers can help match volunteers with voluntary and community organisations who have a need for verified/ vetted volunteers. The service will also help to verify or carry out new DBS check with volunteers.You can use the Brokerage service to request volunteers with specific skills or background.
London Irish Centre seeks Service Development Manager
Permanent Full Time – 35 hours per week Up to £35,000pa
The Service Development Manager is a key role at the London Irish Centre (LIC) as the postholder will be responsible for influencing and managing relationships with staff and external stakeholders to drive quality improvements as a part of the overall leadership of the LIC.
Application packs are available online
The deadline for applications is 9am Monday 27th July.
Interviews on Tuesday 4th August by Zoom.
Shak seeks Treasurer
Shak (South Hampstead and Kilburn Community Partnership) is a resident led charity based on the iconic Alexandra and Ainsworth estate* in the Kilburn ward of Camden NW London, which is an area of high rates of deprivation and poverty but big potential. Due to the local nature of our organisation we are looking for a trustee who is resident to the area where we operate.
Candidates will need to have or be willing to undertake a DBS check and child protection training.
The deadline for applications is: Friday 26th July
If you would like further information or wish to apply for this role please contact John Boyle by email at johnboyle@shakonline.co.uk enclosing a current CV and cover letter explaining why you are interested in the post.
Somers Town Community Gardener
Reports to Story Garden Manager
3 days a week. September start date. Initially 1 year contract with possibilities for extension based on funding. Salary £24,000 per annum pro rata
Applications deadline Monday 3 August at midday Interviews Friday 7 August
To apply Email your CV and a separate covering letter (maximum two pages) explaining why you are best suited for the role to jobs@globalgeneration.org.uk
St Pancras Community Assoc seeks Volunteer Coordinator
The Golden Years Programme £28,000 pa. full time.
To challenge the effects of isolation among local people aged 60+, by building an activities programme, based on a community centre in NW1.
E-mail: info@spca.org.uk for an application pack.
Deadline for returning completed forms, 9am on 30th July. Interviews are planned for 24th August, either by Zoom or in NW1. Start date October 1st.
Calthorpe Project Treasurer Wanted
Calthorpe Community Garden is currently seeking an enthusiastic individual who understands the importance of strong governance to help enhance the lives of vulnerable people in the community. The Treasurer is an important and valuable part of the Trustee Board assisting in monitoring, understanding and communicating the accounts and budgets to the Board. The Treasurer should be able to highlight any improvements or risks for the financial wellbeing of the Calthorpe. Full details and how to apply on the website.
Director of Kentish Town City Farm
£30,000 – £40,000 per annum +pension Closing date 24 Jul 2020
KTCF are seeking a visionary, strategic and courageous leader to realise our ambitions for the next exciting chapter at Kentish Town City Farm. The Farm Director is the key figurehead for the farm, providing leadership to an experienced and inclusive team of staff and volunteers, and ensuring financial growth. You will share our passion for changing lives by bringing people together, and our belief that every person has a positive contribution to make to the farm. Full details and how to apply here. Closing date: 6th August.
Paid work opportunities for people who have been laid off/ reduced income
Local Adult social care providers are still recruiting, and as they support the NHS to move vulnerable adults out of hospital to stay well at home, their need is growing. Contact Proud to Care.
Camden Social Prescribing and Care Navigation update
Social Prescribing and Care Navigation delivered by Age UK Camden, Voluntary Action Camden and Wish+ is operational, and adapted, as a point of access to services and support during the COVID 19 emergency. Referral form can be found here. Minimum requirements are contact details and permission to contact the person needing support.
Freephone: 0800 193 6067 (please leave a message if no answer)
Secure NHS email (referrals only): camccg.socialprescribingreferral@nhs.net
Community Links email (enquiries and referrals): communitylinks@vac.org.uk
Free support to carers in Camden
Mobilise provide free support for carers, including daily ‘virtual cuppas’, where carers can meet for a chat, some empathy and some uplift . We also offer 1:1 support/coaching calls for carers too, with our in-house carer’s coach (a carer herself). Find out more at the Mobilise website.
VAC Directory updates for reconnecting residents
As organisations start to vary their offer to Camden residents we are eager to hear what is emerging. Care Navigation and Social Prescribing is hearing from many residents are ready to reconnect with social and community activities. Please update the VAC Covid directory so residents can reconnect! If you are already listed on the Covid directory you should have received a link to update your record. Otherwise you can submit a new record using this link: https://www.tfaforms.com/4811729, or get in touch with alexcharles@vac.org.uk
Send your item to knunan@vac.org.uk or info@vac.org.uk by noon on Thursday for publication in the following day’s edition. The e-bulletin comes out every Friday. Submissions should be 50 – 75 words. Please send plain text or a format that can be copied (ie not embedded in an image). Send links to documents rather than attachments. Make sure to include contact details.
