An Organisation That Says “Why Not?”
It’s three months since I started working for Camden Giving, yet it sometimes feels like three years…in a good way! I’ve long been a fan of the organisation, I used to work for another charity that shared the same work space and I was always amazed by how such a small team made such a massive impact. Now that I work here it’s been a bit like getting a behind the scenes peak at your favourite magicians tricks, without being disappointed!
Instead of magic tricks there’s just a lot of hard work, a constant sense of curiosity and the refusal to stand still. The team are all so embedded in Camden and it comes across in everything they do, whether they grew up here, have worked here in a variety of roles or just simply because they have taken the time to really get to know the community. I have a running joke with my manager Dan that he seems to know everybody in Camden. It’s impossible for him to grab a bit of lunch, jump on a bus or have a stroll down Camden High Street without bumping into someone he knows. A lot of my colleagues have similar relationships with the borough and it really comes across with how they approach their work.
In the last twelve weeks I’ve really been given the opportunity to throw myself into the role. I’ve visited amazing organisations that have received funding from Camden Giving and seen the incredible work they are doing in action. I tasted plums grown on a tree in the garden of West Hampstead Womens Centre, saw the incredible music studio available to young people at Corams Fields Youth Centre and harmonised with some supremely talented singers at an Amka Nzuri Melody Women session. If I wanted to visit all the amazing organisations that have received funding I think it would take me about twelve thousand weeks. To be given a snap shot of how important the decisions our panels make was so important and inspirational and really got me excited about what lay ahead.
Speaking of our panels. Wow. I’d often wondered how the process worked, I’d read about participatory grant making and thought it sounded incredible but nothing prepared me for how interesting it would be to see them in action. I have been blown away by how seriously the panels take their roles, whether it’s reading and re reading applications, making sure that they are covering all areas of the borough and each of the missions and lastly how many lovely friendships are built between people of very different ages, personalities and backgrounds. I’ve also learnt that carrying takeaway food for eighteen people up a flight of stairs is one of the best arm workouts in the business!
I think something that sums up Camden Giving for me is our weekly connections meeting. As a team we will all get together and share anything that looks like it might be of interest to the community. We will also bring to the virtual table any requests that people have made for assistance. Nine times out of ten someone will be able to connect people with what they need, making the borough feel that little bit smaller and a lot friendlier. Looking for a part time job? Someones snapped a picture of a café that’s hiring. Need some tables for a community event? We’ve just heard that The Holiday Inn are doing a furniture clear out and are happy to donate them. Need some stilts and a snow machine for a music video? Ok…you might have to leave that with us, get back to you next week.
I’m thrilled to be working at an organisation that brings people together at a time of such division, brings joy into the world when things can sometimes feel a bit bleak and most importantly goes that extra mile because that’s what people deserve.
Instead of asking “Why” this is a place that asks “Why not” and Camden is all the better for it.
