Voluntary Action Camden

This week, news that organisations can now join a credit union.  Festivals, bike rides, children’s activities and training events.  Jobs from Abbey Community Centre, and much more.

NEWS

Change in the Law Allows Voluntary Organisations to Join Credit Unions

After many years of waiting, government has finally made changes to credit union regulation which allows expansion in a way that provides more choice in the financial services market. This has led to the development of London Capital Credit Union, based upon the Haringey, Islington & City Credit Union.

With unprecedented demand for affordable credit and particularly as people try to move away from the disgraced High Street Banks, the credit union is now inviting community and voluntary organisations to join as ‘corporate members’. By placing cash reserves on deposit with the credit union organisations can be assured that their money is being used for the benefit of local residents rather than to gamble on international debt and further enrich those in the banking industry.

The credit union is encouraging all local voluntary organisations to join as Corporate Members and also asking for your help to raise awareness of its services to your members and users.

For further information about London Capital Credit Union:

www.credit-union.coop email: info@credit-union.coop or telephone: 020 7561 1786

Cally Festival 2012

The Cally Festival will be taking place this year on Sunday 16th September. Come and celebrate Caledonian Road’s collection of diverse trade, community and art.

The organisers are looking for people to take part in all aspects of the festival; performing, trading, running workshops, volunteering and much more. There is a wealth of information available on the website, where you can use the online application system.

Explore the Heath on two wheels this Sunday

Sunday 22 July, 2pm Outside City of London building, Parliament Hill Fields / Highgate Road, NW5 1QR

Join a trained British Cycling Ride Leader on a Sky Ride Local this Sunday and explore Hampstead Heath on this lovely flat ride for all the family.

This is just one of the many Sky Ride Local rides taking place this summer in the Camden. Sky Ride Local bike rides are fun-filled free rides, led by trained British Cycling Ride Leaders. They are a perfect opportunity for friends and families of all ages and abilities to get out on their bikes and explore the scenery in and around Camden. Rides vary in level so there are rides for all ages and abilities.

Places must be booked in advance. For more information or to book on to the ride please visit http://www.goskyride.com/Search/Details?eventid=5563

Would your organisation like to offer a free parenting course to your service users?

Race Equality Foundation are offering a free course in Camden available to all local families with a child under 5 as part of the CANParent voucher pilot scheme. The course is a condensed version of the Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities programme which has been successfully delivered to over 30,000 parents.

We are looking for community organisation to host the weekly courses. These can either be at the weekend, in the evening, or during the day.

We will provide trained facilitators (available with community language skills) and all course materials, as well as advertising materials. We will also provide refreshments and may be able to contribute to childcare. All you need to do is provide a suitable learning space and encourage your parents, grandparents, foster-carers, step parents and other family members with a parenting role to enrol.

The course runs for 4 weekly sessions, each lasting 2 hours.

If you would like to host this course or have any questions, please call Leandra Box on 0845 226 8264 or email leandra@racefound.org.uk Parents can register for courses at www.strengthening-families.org.uk

Looking for Summer Activities for Children and Young People?

The LoveCamden website has a range of ideas from places, to events, sports activities to arts and outdoors ideas all for children and young people for this summer.

Camden Council are consulting on proposals concerning St Pancras Community Centre (finishing on 5th October). The proposals include a new community centre for St Pancras Community Association on the Richard Cobden School changing rooms site providing activities for children and support for the elderly,

and new open space on the garage site in Bayham Place Estate and a section of the Richard Cobden School playground for all ages. More at the Camden Council website.

Camden People First Present ‘Funky Moves’ a Disco run by people with learning disabilities. Date: Saturday 28th July 2012, 6pm-11pm. £5. Buy in advance to avoid disappointment. At Highgate Newtown Community Centre, 25 Bertram Street, London N19 5DQ.

Food and drinks will be on sale. Wheelchair access. Dj’s on the night: Dj MM, Dj Ras B, Dj Pipps, Big MC. Entry for over 18’s only. Phone: 0207-482-3539 E-mail: info@camdenpeoplefirst.co.uk

Charity in the News

Director of Voluntary Action Westminster warns of the big hole in the big society and calls for a more coherent policy towards the voluntary and community sector, especially at local level. You can read the full article on the The Guardian website.

Can you Wait ’till 2030? The Government has announced that the £675M of lottery money diverted to the Olympics won’t be returned to the sector until 2030/31. Full story on Third Sector.

Volunteer Centre Camden has just launched its Innovations in Volunteering project to members. The idea behind the project is to work with 4-6 VIOs at a time to develop innovative ways to engage and utilise volunteers. Initially, the project is going to focus on volunteer recruitment and we’re currently inviting expressions of interest from any member organisation who would like to explore this area. We will then work together as a small group for around 6 months before disseminating findings and sharing good practice. For more information please email cam@volunteercentrecamden.org.uk or call 020 7424 9990.

Kilburn Neighbours, Volunteer Centre Camden, and Pirate Castle are recruiting. See Jobs and Volunteers section below.

Camden Shares. The website for exchanges in Camden. Current offers include Italian lessons and IT Training. Current requests include; help with Facebook and piano lessons. You can view all of the available offers at www.camdenshares.org.uk

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

FUNDING NEWS

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

Carers Trust are delighted to announce the launch of their new small grants programme, Young Carers Can… Grants of up to £2,500 will be awarded to provide fun, social and structured activities that will tackle social exclusion and improve the self-esteem of young carers. Applications are sought from Third Sector/not for profit organisations that wish to provide support activities for young carers across the UK.

Please find further information and application details at: http://tinyurl.com/youngcarerscan

Grants from The Jack Petchey Foundation.

There are a number of grants available from the Jack Petchey Foundation. Two notable ones are Individual Grants for Volunteering and the Achievement Award Scheme. Full details are available on the Jack Petchey Foundation website.

O2 Think Big is aimed at young people (aged 13-25) that are full of great ideas, energy and enthusiasm and need support and money to turn ideas into reality

Think Big are giving young people the chance to deliver community projects in their local area. Grants of up to £300 are available for Think Big community projects. Young people can also go on to apply for a Think Bigger project. This comes with a whole lot more support and money (up to £2500). Visit the O2 Think Big website for full details.

Innovation and Development Fund

Camden Council have now launched another round of funding from the Innovation and Development fund and are actively seeking new ideas that address ingrained social problems. They are looking for new, bold and better solutions to those issues we have yet to really overcome or areas where the existing solution is simply out of date.

The fund is open to:

• not-for-profit organisations based/operating in Camden

• all Camden residents

• non-constituted groups based/operating in Camden

The Council can invest in ideas put forward by individuals or non-constituted groups, but will then match you with a local voluntary and community organisation that has the skills and resources to support your idea. An applicant may only lead on one application but they may partner on more than one application. See the application form and guidance available here.

The fund is not open to:

• statutory organisations

• organisations making a surplus or profit which is not reinvested for social benefit

• organisations promoting political or religious beliefs/practice

Deadline – Midnight, Sunday 12th August

Small grants for volunteering

Volunteer Centre Camden has been funded by the London Borough of Camden to provide small grants for volunteering. In 2012 the priority for these grants will be providing volunteering opportunities for people aged 14-17. For full details and to apply online please go to the Volunteer Centre Camden website.

Trust for London Newsletter. The latest Trust for London Newsletter is now available and gives details of the revised priorities and funding areas. You can view the Newsletter here.

VAC EVENTS

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

VAC are running Quality Assurance Surgeries. Please contact Somanah Achadoo for more information or to arrange an hour surgery session. Sachadoo@vac.org.uk

OTHER EVENTS

TONIGHT! Upbeat & Kings Cross Timebank & present: KINGS CROSS OPEN MIC – OLYMPIC SPECIAL

Friday 20th July 2012, 6-9 pm at The Crypt, Holy Cross Church, Cromer Street, WC1H 8JU

World Music, International Dance & Special Guests. Come along to perform, join our drum circle, dress up or just to enjoy the evening. Everyone welcome.

Entry: £2.50 or 3 time-credits (Free for performers)

Ticket includes free food. Any proceeds made will go towards running the next Open Mic event

For more information contact: Lucia – T: 078 6077 8133 E: upbeat@upbeatmusic.org

‘From Start to Finish: Energy Projects Made Easy’

The Camden Climate Change Alliance is taking place during the week of the 13th-17th August. We’re saving you the hassle of Olympic Games transport and showing off our upcoming new website by hosting online a group of toolkits, videos and guides to help your organisations successfully implement an energy efficiency project.

Each day we’ll have a particular theme (included will be lighting, heating, IT, recycling and more!), and will launch resources which will inform and inspire.

We’ll also have a panel of experts from organisations large and small who will be able to answer your questions, and we’ll also provide toolkits and guides to help you on your way.

So whatever your question, we’ll be able to help. From

What’s the payback period on installing a new boiler?

To is the feed-in tariff system still worthwhile?

And what funding is available for energy efficiency building improvements for SMEs?

We can answer all these questions and more! Submit your questions now to get answers from successful individuals who have been there and done it. Email camdencca@camden.gov.uk

Volunteer Centre Camden are able to offer a few places on training courses to help you work more productively. There are a small number of places left on the following courses. If you are interested please email Hayley@volunteercentrecamden.org.uk. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis, and non attendance will be charged at £75 per session.

‘Making meetings magic’, is booked for 16th August. This will help you make the most of time you spend in meetings, and hopefully reduce the number of hours you spend in meetings too.

‘Emotional intelligence in leadership and management’ will be on 21st August.

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 VOLUNTEERS

Kilburn Neighbours, Abbey Community Centre seek Community TIME Camden Coordinator

18 months fixed term contract. Funded by the Big Lottery Fund in association with the Daily Mail newspaper (extension of project subject to securing further external funding)

21 per week (must include Mondays and Wednesdays) £13,752 actual (£22,920 full time equivalent)

Would you like the opportunity to take on a key role in launching a thriving new community project for the 50 plus age group?

The Abbey Community Centre in Kilburn, NW London, has been awarded funding from The Big Lottery Fund, in association with the Daily Mail newspaper, to set up and run a community time and skills exchange (timebank) for people aged 50 plus in Camden.

This exciting new role will enable the right person to make their mark in community work. You will be a key part of the project from the very start and be able to see at first hand, the meaningful difference that this project makes to peoples’ lives.

To apply for the position, please download an application form from the Abbey Community Centre’s website: http://abbeycc-kilburn.org.uk/news.html.

Closing Date: 5pm on Monday 6th August 2012. Interviews: Thursday 23rd August 2012.

Volunteer Centre Camden seeks Best Practice Support Manager, SO 2, £30351pro rata plus 6% pension contribution. 37.5 per week. Contract until May 2014.

VCC are looking for someone who has an excellent knowledge of best practice in volunteer involvement, and is passionate about sharing this expertise. Successful candidates will have managed volunteers in at least 2 different settings.

The Manager will provide a quality service to volunteer involving organisations in Camden, primarily through one to one support. The focus of the role is to enable groups to grow and develop their volunteer involvement in line with recognised best practice. You will do this through taking a positive, and supportive approach. Managing a team of volunteer membership coordinators’ you will ensure that Volunteer Centre Camden is able to deliver an excellent service, and become recognised as a valued partner. The service developed will be inclusive, adaptable and able to respond well to the external environment. The Best Practice Support Manager will be responsible for monitoring outputs and outcomes, and managing external communications with members and prospective member organisations.

Details of the post and how to apply can be found on our website http://www.volunteercentrecamden.org.uk/pages/recruitment.html.

Volunteer Centre Camden is committed to equality and diversity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

The deadline for completed applications is 9am 23rd July. Interviews will be held on 6h August 2012.

Completed applications should be emailed to recruitment@volunteercentrecamden.org.uk. Late applications and CV’s will not be considered.

The Pirate Castle – Job Vacancy Role: General Manager

Summary: Reporting to the Trustees, the General Manager has overall responsibility for the charity’s operations, general management and fundraising efforts. Part time applicants will also be considered for the role but Fundraising experience is considered vital. Salary range £30,000 negotiable.

Background: The Pirate Castle is a community charity of long standing and high reputation, located in the heart of Camden Town, London. Following a period of significant investment, the charity has rapidly expanded its operations over recent years, providing charitable, community and private use of its Canal Boats, Canoes and Kayaks and Community Centre Building. For family reasons the current Manager has given notice and the Charity is seeking a replacement. More details about the charity can be found at www.thepiratecastle.org

Please send CV, covering letter and any queries to Charles Brock, charles@thepiratecastle.org

Volunteer Bank

Volunteer Bank is a new service offered by Volunteer Centre Camden, which shall cater for organisations looking for specific skills in their volunteers.

It is to assist organisations in finding the volunteers they need with the experience to back their skills.

Volunteers and organisations will sign up to the service and organisations will look through the bank to find the volunteers with the specific skills they are looking for.

For more information you can visit the website www.volunteerbank.org.uk or alternatively e-mail Kayleigh at kayleigh@volunteercentrecamden.org.uk

Find Jobs and Volunteering
opportunities at www.vac.org.uk/2010/08/jobs-volunteers/

OFFERS

Is a Council home for life? Let Camden Council have your views

For over 30 years, social landlords have only been able to offer lifetime tenancies. The law has changed and social landlords can now offer new tenants fixed term tenancies of five years or longer. This change does not affect existing tenants, who will keep their security of tenure even if they move to another social rented home. If you live in Camden, whether you are a Council tenant or not, Camden Council wants to know if you think they should offer new tenants fixed term tenancies.

The law about who should inherit a Council tenancy after a tenant dies has also changed for new tenancies. The law now only gives partners the right to inherit a tenancy. Should the council allow any other relatives to inherit a Council tenancy.

Please complete the survey by 25 July 2012

Read the factsheet and complete a survey available at: www.camden.gov.uk/homeforlife

Hestia’s women’s services department provides domestic abuse services across nine London boroughs. Hestia provide refuge accommodation, floating support services, independent domestic violence advocates, a MARAC co-ordination service and attached to a number of our services is a peer to peer led support groups which service users have called the Butterfly project. In addition to this Hestia also provide a trafficked women’s refuge and a floating support service, which works with victims of trafficking.

For more information contact Beverley Howes | Domestic Abuse Service Manager (Camden)| Hestia Housing & Support | Mobile: 07964 121 973 | Beverley.Howes@hestia.org | www.hestia.org

Fundraising & Income Generation. VAC will continue to offer fundraising support such as:

1. The fundraising pages on VAC website provides quick access to funding information & tools as required.

2. VAC weekly e-newsletter released every Friday, will provide all news updates on funding environment, opportunities and new trends. Please look out for this regularly. If you do not receive it after the 21st of June, please email knunan@vac.org.uk to request it.

3. The popular Grant finder on-line search engine is still available for you to access anytime free, by coming into VAC to be logged in to use it. VAC members only.

FREE VAC and VCC Membership for Unfunded Groups: Voluntary Action Camden and Volunteer Centre Camden have joined forces to offer you a special membership deal. Small organisations with no paid staff and a turnover of less than £1,500 can now join both organisations for FREE. To take advantage of this offer just fill in the membership form which can be downloaded from the VAC website or you can enter your details via our sector survey here.

Looking
for a meeting room to hire? Or a hall for your activity or an office to
let? Don’t forget to try www.camdencommunityspace.org.uk

You can now follow VAC on Facebook.

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To get discounts on
training, room
hire and many more benefits click here to join
Voluntary Action Camden

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