New Groups
We offer a variety of services to voluntary and community groups in Camden to enable them to better meet their aims and objectives and to work together on issues of shared concern. For new groups we offer a “Clearing House” system. This system helps us assess groups’ needs and make sure that they get the best possible support from us.
When a group first contacts VAC and asks for support we ask for some further information and then discuss their request at a fortnightly “Clearing House” meeting. At the meeting the group is allocated a key worker. The key worker then contacts the group and agrees on the work that needs to be done. This can range from help with writing a constitution, registering as a charity, completing a funding application, developing a business strategy, or finding premises from which to work. We also help and advise groups and individuals wishing to develop a social enterprise.
The Clearing House route is good for groups who are perhaps unsure about their needs, or who think they may need lots of different kinds of support and are not sure where to start. As well as accessing us through the Clearing House, groups can directly contact any of our services. Click on links on the left to find out more about a particular service or here to download our current Service Handbook.
‘Their help was invaluable in helping us get started because we didn’t really know where to begin and it felt quite overwhelming.’
‘I find the staff a great resource, very knowledgeable. They will always try to help.’
‘After (VAC staff member) visited, we were much clearer about a way forward. We have now been in touch about fundraising, policies, and registration as a charity and each time the staff have been so helpful.’
Contact:
Ashley Charles/Monica Crooks (Jobshare)
Tel: 020 7284 6553 (Typetalk: 18001-020 7284 6553)
Email: Building Administrator