In light of the government’s recent advice on 16.03.2020 to close offices and work from home if possible, VAI and Volunteer Centre Islington premises are now closed to the public. We are still working: doing everything we can to support Islington’s Voluntary and Community Sector and local communities.
We will be sharing key information and guidance through our websites, social media and e-news.
We are working in close partnership with key stakeholders including Islington Council, the NHS, and local funders.
Resource Centre Closure
Following government advice, we have closed our shared office space. When we re-open, we will continue to provide community and non-profit organisations a highly discounted office space in Central London.
We offer permanent desk hire for organisations seeking a long term base and hot desking for smaller groups looking for a temporary space in our fully accessible and furnished office.
For all desk hire enquires, please email kim.coates@vai.org.uk
Venue Hire
As soon as we are able to re-open our Resource Centre, we would be thrilled to host your event in one of our modern and accessible rooms.
We offer conference, training and meeting room spaces for voluntary and private sector.
Further information, please go to our webpage or email roombookings@vai.org.uk
Capacity Building Support for Voluntary and Community Groups
During the period of closure of our office due to the Coronavirus uncertainty, Voluntary Action Islington will still provide support to groups as much as possible; this will include telephone and email support and sign posting to specific agencies whenever relevant. We will provide advice on a range of issues including, fundraising, starting up a new community group, governance, policies & procedures, monitoring and evaluation.
We have access to a range of tools and resources. On our Website groups also have access to our Policies, Resources and Toolkits pages.
If you would like telephone support and advice then please contact Yvette Ellis on 07724 515351 between the hours of 10am – 5pm Monday to Friday or send an e-mail to yvette.ellis@vai.org.uk
Check VAI’s covid-19 support page for further information.
Volunteering
Our drop in sessions are cancelled but we will carry on working remotely and supporting the Islington volunteering platform.
We believe that this situation will keep us even more busy than usual. We received lots of enquiring about volunteering and how to contribute during the covid-19 crisis. Some of you might have to stop volunteering activities but there will probably be a lot of organisations that will have a bigger demand from service users and therefore need of additional volunteers.
We asked organisations to tag their available opportunities during this situation under the code COVID19. As soon as they are uploaded volunteers looking for opportunities should be able to search for the keyword COVID19 on the volunteer centre online platform.
Please read the Camden & Islington Public Health checklist to help prevent further spread of the infection whilst volunteering.
Check VAI’s covid-19 support page for further information.
If you need further support please email marta.aparicio@vai.org.uk
Check our social media for updates:
@volaction_is (Twitter)
@vcislington (Twitter)
vcislington (Instagram)
Please note this is a work in progress – more information and resources will be added very soon!
