Author: Charity Comms

Fab Science half-term fun

If you are looking for a fun activity to support kids during half term, Fab Science sessions should fit the bill. The two-hour family activity is taking place on Monday and Thursday and includes lunch.

Fab Science aims to inspire a new generation of scientists, bringing practical workshops to children aged 5-11. A two-course lunch will follow the amazing ‘experiments’.

The two sessions are arranged by Wholesome Charity.

  • Monday 16th February, 11.00am – 1.00pm at Carver Barracks Community Centre, 1 Rowney Avenue, Elder Street, CB10 23YB
  • Thursday 19th February, 11.00am – 1.00pm at Takeley Silver Jubilee Hall, 4 Dunmow Road, Takeley CM22 6QX

Please note – booking is essential to take part. To book, contact enquiries@wholesome.charity / Amanda on 07933 623 762

Image by Syeda Saira from Pixabay

Free Marketing Workshop for the VCS

UCAN in partnership with the Active Essex Foundation and Your Essex Community are pleased to offer a free half-day marketing and communication workshop for voluntary groups based or working in Uttlesford.

Marketing Techniques for Voluntary Sector Groups working in Rural Settings

Foakes HallGreat Dunmow, England

Thursday, Mar 26 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm GMT

Marketing charity services in rural settings is often difficult because of a combination of structural, social, and resource challenges.

Limited internet access and fewer local media outlets reduce the effectiveness of digital and traditional advertising. Rural residents often rely on personal networks and may be cautious of outside organizations, meaning charities must build trust gradually. Cultural differences, privacy concerns, and limited resources further complicate communication, making it harder for charities to raise awareness and connect people with the services they offer.

Join UCAN and marketing specialist Rachel Topps and learn with us how to reach your audiences, develop marketing techniques and the methods that help to get your messaging to the people who will benefit from it the most.

How to Book

To book your free tickets please visit:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/marketing-techniques-for-voluntary-sector-groups-working-in-rural-settings-tickets-1982511751015

Volunteer Opportunity – Our Gardens Need You!

Volunteers needed to maintain, restore and enhance these Historic England Grade II registered gardens near Great Dunmow.

Would you like to join a happy and friendly group of volunteers who maintain, restore and enhance these Historic England Grade II registered gardens near Great Dunmow.

Our regular day volunteering in the Gardens is Thursday when we have volunteers helping across the Gardens on all aspects of gardening: from digging and planting, to weeding, cutting back, pruning, dead heading, composting and garden maintenance jobs.

Smaller groups also come in on Mondays, Wednesdays and some Saturdays.

For further information:


Contact us on T: 01371 404525 E: volunteer@ucan.org.uk

Mental Health and Suicide Awareness Training

We’ve teamed up with John Ryan from Happy 2 Health You, Uttlesford District Council and Maldon & District CVS to offer free mental health and suicide awareness training. It’s aimed primarily at those in farming and rural communities. 🚜 🚜

Please join us for a supportive day explaining the mental health challenges faced by farmers, how to recognise early signs and much more.

When: Wednesday 28th January, 9am-4pm

Where: Saffron Walden Building Society Community Link, Market Square, Saffron Walden

Book your place now and learn how to help a friend, colleague or family member

Volunteer Opportunity: Meet and Greet – Audley End House and Gardens

Meet and Greet Volunteers  provide a friendly welcome for visitors. 

Meet and Greet Volunteers provide a friendly welcome for visitors. 

Meet and Greet volunteers provide a warm and friendly welcome to visitors, including coach parties and pre-booked groups. As the first point of contact, you’ll:

  • Provide a brief orientation to the site including information about any events or activities and park closing times

  • Provide welcome information to coach parties

  • Ensure group leaders know where to pay for admission

  • Advise people where to park

  • Ensure all those visiting check in at admissions

  • Advise people on where to find guidebooks etc.

  • Assist people with disabilities to access mobility scooters or golf cart

Sessions run from 10am to 4pm (5pm in the summer holidays) every day of the week from March to November with flexible sign-up to suit your availability; there is also the option to do a half-day.

Throughout the rest of the year, there are opportunities to volunteer at the weekends when the site is open to the public.

Skills needed:


  • Confident, effective communicators

  • A team player, who have a positive attitude to working with visitors to enhance their visit

  • Volunteers in this role will have to stand for long periods and will have to spend time outside in all weathers

For further information:

 Contact us on Tel: 01371 404525  Email: volunteer@ucan.org.uk

Christmas and New Year Opening Times

We will be closing for Christmas on Tuesday 23rd December 2025 and will
re-open on Monday 5 January 2026. A Community Responder will be available for urgent prescriptions on the mornings of Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 December.

Please call 01371 404474 for help on those days.

Thank you for all your support this year. We wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Have you had your flu jab?

The flu season is upon us and the number of people infected is higher than we usually see at this time of the year. A strain of ‘Influenza A’ is the main type of flu people are catching and unfortunately it’s associated with more severe illness and higher death rates than other types, particularly among the elderly.

Flu is highly infectious and can lead to serious illness. Experts nationally are predicting that we are likely to see a worse flu season than we have experienced for many years. 

The flu vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and others around you.

People most at risk of serious illness can get a free vaccination – here’s how you can book your free flu vaccine today:

  • Speak to your GP practice
  • Online, search ‘NHS pharmacy vaccine’
  • NHS app
  • Call 119 (translator available)

If you are not eligible for a free vaccination, you can pay for a flu jab from a participating local pharmacy.

Let’s keep each other safe this winter.

To see who is eligible for a free vaccination, visit:  https://www.hertsandwestessex.ics.nhs.uk/your-health-and-care/vaccinations/flu-vaccines/

It takes about two weeks following the flu vaccination to build up immunity against the virus, so it’s important to book in as soon as possible and well ahead of the festive season.

Vaccination against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and COVID is also important for those eligible. Information here RSV vaccine – NHS and here COVID-19 vaccine – NHS

Free Bid Writing Workshop in Uttlesford

Charities and voluntary groups are invited to join us for an interactive session on mastering the art of bid writing.

Delivered by the Active Essex Foundation and hosted by UCAN, charities and voluntary groups are invited to join us for an interactive session on mastering the art of bid writing. Learn tips and tricks, and strategies to help you stand out from the competition.

Fundraising has never been more challenging for community and voluntary organisations across Essex. There is huge demand on grant givers like National Lottery Community Fund and Sport England. There are less grants available from local authorities and NHS. Your fundraising plan needs to think of different ways to bring in income, know where to look for available and relevant grants, and make sure your bids and grant applications stand out.

This in-person workshop is aimed at organisations who want to improve their fundraising and bid writing knowledge and confidence to strengthen income generation.

Tuesday 25th November 2025

9.30am – 12.30pm

Foakes Hall, Great Dunmow

To book your free tickets visit:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/introduction-to-fundraising-and-small-grants-bid-writing-workshop-tickets-1933039466079

Sell out for Town Mayor’s Fundraising Quiz!

The Saffron Walden Town Mayor’s Quiz Night last Friday 17 October at Jubilee Hub was a huge success! It was a sell out evening with 74 people attending, making up 13 teams. The event was held to raise vital funds for Cllr Ahmed’s chosen charity, Uttlesford Community Action Network (UCAN).

The evening was full of fun and laughter with a touch of competitiveness! And after eight rounds of brain-teasing questions, the winners were announced – congratulations to ‘The Golden Moons’ who won eight bottles of wine to share. In second place came ‘The Pacemaker’ and ‘The team with no name’ came a respectable third – a team member said, “The quiz was a fantastic evening of fun, laughter and (friendly) competition – we thoroughly enjoyed it. A huge thank you and well done to the organisers for making it happen!”

Complementary Indian snacks were kindly provided by the Mayor and a wonderful selection of donated raffle prizes aided the fundraising efforts. Town Mayor, Cllr Ahmed said, “Thank you to everyone who came for the Quiz night – what a fantastic evening of fun and community spirit! Together we raised vital funds for UCAN, your support means so much.” Clive Emmett, UCAN Chief Officer, added “The feedback has been positive – thank you to everyone for supporting this event and the work we do in the community. I would also like to extend our thanks to volunteers on the day; UCAN staff, Town Council Officers, Cllr Jeanette Curtis, and family of Cllr Ahmed.”

Volunteer Opportunity: Adult Friendship Volunteer

Adult Friendship Volunteers support adults who have a range of disabilities in a variety of social and leisure activities and settings.

Adult Friendship Volunteers support adults who have a range of disabilities in a variety of social and leisure activities and settings.

The role of volunteers within this project is to befriend and support participants to access activities which will promote their self-confidence, independence, social and life skills. This can include accessing the local community in small groups and participating in activities that are of interest to the adults using this service. Regular social meetings are held in Uttlesford on a Tuesday evening where many members meet and participate in activities as a larger group.

Skills needed:

  • Supporting adults to participate in a range of social and leisure opportunities of mutual interest.
  • Using initiative to help in a situation where another member of the group, either member, staff or volunteer, may need support.
  • Becoming a member of a friendly, committed team.
  • Expressing ideas for new/different activities.
  • Attending volunteer meetings & training sessions relevant to the role.
  • To follow the guidelines and policies, including those designed to protect well-being of vulnerable adults.

For Further information:

Contact us on T: 01371 404525  E: volunteer@ucan.org.uk

To register your interest: Click Here