Author: Charity Comms

Could you help shape the future of UCAN?

Uttlesford Community Action Network (UCAN) is the charity at the heart of our community. Our primary mission is to reduce loneliness and isolation amongst our population and enable people to live independent but supported and connected lives.

As a trustee with UCAN, you will have the opportunity to make a real difference to people’s lives. We are a small organisation so your skills, knowledge and experience will have a direct and real impact.

This is an exciting time to join UCAN as we navigate what is next through a review and planning process. You’ll have an essential role in contributing towards the future direction of our Charity.

 We are a small, dynamic and forward-thinking organisation that is not afraid of change or challenge!

Key Responsibilities:

• Legal and Governance Duties
• Financial Responsibility and Risk
• Safeguarding
• Strategic Leadership
• Supporting the Management

We are keen to recruit trustees with a broad range of backgrounds. We are also looking for a trustee with financial or accounting experience.

Meetings are held approximately eight times per year remotely and Face to Face.

To find out more:

T: 01371 404525

E: richard21boyce@btinternet.com

Fellaship Group volunteers are needed to lead and supervise a men’s social group in the Jubilee Hub Saffron Walden

We’re looking for friendly, reliable volunteers to help supervise our Fellaship Men’s Group.

The group meets every Wednesday from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Jubilee Hub for a relaxed afternoon of socialising, board games, and a chat over tea or coffee.

As a volunteer, you’ll help create a welcoming, inclusive environment, support conversations and activities, and be a friendly presence for everyone attending.

If you enjoy meeting new people and would like to make a positive difference in your community, we’d love to hear from you.

Skills needed:

Good interpersonal and communication skills, non-judgemental approach, motivational and empathetic,  ability to work in a team. 

To find out more:

T: 01371 404525

E: volunteer@ucan.org.uk

 

We are looking for volunteers to help with the cooking at our light lunch Club in The Jubilee Hub Saffron Walden. If you are passionate about cooking and supporting the community, this could be the perfect role for you!

Our Lunch Clubs provide a warm, welcoming space where people can enjoy good food and great company. Volunteers help with preparing lunches, setting up, chatting with guests, and creating a positive atmosphere for everyone who attends.

Whether you’re an experienced cook or simply enjoy helping others, we would love to hear from you.

Tasks include:

• Preparing and cooking light lunches such as jacket potatoes, soup and beans on toast etc.
• Ensuring food hygiene standards are adhered to.
• Socialising with service users.
• Help clearing up.

We will be serve basic hot lunches on:
Monday – 12.15pm to 1.45pm
Wednesday – 12.15pm to 1.45pm

Skills needed:

Volunteers will need a food hygiene certificate (which we will provide if needed)

For further information:

Contact us on T: 01371 404525

E: volunteer@ucan.org.uk

Volunteers are needed to make post discharge wellbeing telephone calls to check in with the patients who have recently been discharged from hospital and ensure they have everything they need and feel connect and cared for.

This is an occasional role, for volunteers with computer confidence and access to a telephone. The purpose of the call is to make sure the patient has everything they need to safely be at home. Questions will provided and responses are logged directly into our patient management system – Ticket Home. You will be supported by our Ticket Home Coordinator and will be given training

Skills needed:

• Good communication skills
• Kind, patient and compassionate
• Good people skills
• Calm and adaptable
• Basic IT skills
• Ability to use own initiative

For further information:

Contact us on T: 01371 404525

E: volunteer@ucan.org.uk

Based in Thaxted, CraftAbility offers craft activities to adults living with physical disability

The Centre has been at the heart of Thaxted for over 60 years. It is open 2 days a week and is manned entirely by an amazing group of volunteers. It provides creative activities in a welcoming and caring environment. Without a new manager it will have to close.

CraftAbility is the working title of Thaxted Centre for the Disabled, a registered charity serving Uttlesford.

For further information and to apply please email volunteer@ucan.org.uk or call 01371 404525

The Fry Art Gallery is looking for a volunteer Treasurer to join their Board of Trustees and help look after the Gallery’s finances.

This is an important role in a friendly, volunteer-run organisation. They are looking for someone who is comfortable with numbers, organised and willing to take on the day-to-day bookkeeping and the overall oversight of the Gallery’s finances.

Key duties include maintaining accounting records, reconciliation of stock records for merchandise sales, bank accounts and related banking activities, preparation of bi-monthly reports for Trustees, preparing the Annual Report and Accounts for submission to the Charity Commission, providing advice and reporting on other financial matters.

Skills Needed

This is an ideal role for someone with finance related skills, such as a retired accountant, finance director or manager with experience of bookkeeping, accounting or financial administration.

For further information:

Contact us on:

T: 01371 404525

E: volunteer@ucan.org.uk

Little Dunmow Community Buildings Trust is looking for an enthusiastic Volunteer Centre Manager for their new community building in Little Dunmow.

This exciting opportunity exists to be in at the start of a new enterprise. Little Dunmow Community Building is being built with the intention of opening to the public in Autumn 2027. The Community Centre Manager is the main driver of the Little Dunmow Community Building, establishing and working with a team to put in place strategies and policies to enable the Centre to become an efficient and sustainable business. Initially the role will be mainly remote with regular face-to-face meetings.

Tasks could include:

• Working closely with the Transition Manager prior to opening
• Establish a meaningful management structure
• Actively participate in recruitment (staff and volunteers) and, using planned pathways, allow colleagues to reach their full potential
• Manage room hire, marketing, business development, fundraising, purchasing, cost control, HR, facilities, strategic planning and volunteers. Advise trustees of resources required for these tasks
• Work closely with trustees, employees, consultants, contractors, volunteers and local organisations
• Manage finances within specified budget and thresholds
• Maintain business continuity through constant monitoring of performance against procedures, policies and plans. Periodic review of performance and suggest amendments to policies if required
• Keep the Board of Trustees informed of progress through periodic reports. Subject matter and frequency to be agreed

Skills needed:

• A commitment to the aims of the Trust and the role
• An ability to think independently and to manage a team
• Understanding of Health & Safety and safeguarding
• A willingness to devote the necessary time (estimated an average of 16hrs per week) and effort
• Excellent customer-facing communication skills, confident in social media use
• A broad range of skills and an ability to keep accurate records
• An enquiring mind and ability to spot opportunities

They are looking for people who live or work in the local area or have a connection with it.

For further information:

Contact us on T: 01371 404525

E: volunteer@ucan.org.uk