Author: Charity Comms

Volunteer Opportunity: Community Fridge Volunteer

Dunmow Community Fridge needs help with picking up food from local suppliers and stocking and maintaining the fridge.

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Dunmow Community Fridge needs help with picking up food from local suppliers and stocking and maintaining the fridge.

Food waste is a big issue in the UK. It is estimated that a third of all food gets wasted. Most of this is avoidable and could have been eaten had it been better managed.

The Dunmow Community Fridge, will help cut food waste and build stronger bonds within the community. Once the food has been collected from our project partners, it can then be offered free of charge to anyone wishing to visit the Community Fridge.

Community Fridge Volunteers are responsible for the collection of food from our suppliers, currently located in the Dunmow area. At present, these collections are made from 8.30am and the fridge stocked shortly thereafter. The Volunteers ensure the fridge is appropriately stocked, cleaned and maintained. Very basic record keeping (such as fridge temperature) is required.

Volunteers can be flexible on their availability. The fridge is open from Monday to Friday and volunteers are encouraged to co-ordinate their availability with others Community Fridge Volunteers already on the rota. The role should take no more than an hour a day. We are particularly looking for a volunteer for a Friday morning.

To find out more:

T: 01371 404525

E: volunteer@ucan.org.uk

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UCAN Community Response team visits Stansted

The UCAN Community Response team was out in Stansted yesterday as part of the UDC Housing Services multi agency event.

It’s great to spend time with partners and colleagues in the community, getting help and support to where it is most needed.

The mobile hub will be at Tesco Great Dunmow thus Friday from 10 am so come and have a chat and let’s see what we can do to make life a little easier.

What does UCAN do? UCAN strengthens communities

You asked for it, and we listened!

The delivery programme of workshops, activities and socials at the Jubilee Hub Saffron Walden will continue to grow and evolve, as the needs of our community change. This is our offer for the next few months. We have created a schedule for everyone – and focused on additionality – providing more, and not just the same as is already on offer elsewhere in the area.

Collaboration is key – and working with Saffron Walden Town Council (who negotiated the lease and manage the building) and Enterprise East (who bring expertise on inclusion, diversity and training) creates a powerful and strong partnership with the experience and passion to deliver for our #community.

What does UCAN do? We use our insight, experience and our partnerships to create better opportunities and happier lives for people in #Uttlesford.

UCAN strengthens communities.

What does UCAN do?

This week we were thrilled to hand over to the people of Barnston a beautiful new community #garden and shelter that we created for ECVYS – Essex Council for Voluntary Youth Services in memory of Sharon Sellens

This week we were thrilled to hand over to the people of Barnston a beautiful new community #garden and shelter that we created for ECVYS – Essex Council for Voluntary Youth Services in memory of Sharon Sellens

This wonderful new community asset increases opportunities for young people in Barnston to spend time together in a safe environment where they can be themselves, and know they are wanted and have somewhere to belong.

Thank you to the funders, volunteers and sponsors who made this dream a reality. This includes UDC Youth Fund, The Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex and Anglia Land Drainage.

What does UCAN do? UCAN builds communities.

Job Opportunity: Acute Social Prescribing Link Worker – PAH Harlow

We have an exciting opportunity to join our Ticket Home team, supporting patient discharge from hospital

We have an exciting opportunity to join our Ticket Home team, supporting patient discharge from hospital

This post will operate within the Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust as part of the Complex Discharge Team to facilitate and expedite hospital discharges. Employed within the Voluntary sector this exciting role is intended to work with individual patients and their families to support effective discharge planning. This is new role intended to act as an expert in voluntary care and in leveraging community voluntary services in support of post-acute hospital care.

This role is part of ambitious plans for transforming care and ensuring timely and appropriate discharge arrangements. The post holder will be expected to operate flexibly and collaboratively with all stakeholders, demonstrating practical skills and excellent communication and co-ordination. The role will be part of a multi-disciplinary team and will be central to the delivery of supported hospital discharge and post-acute care.

The post will be employed by Uttlesford Community Action Network (UCAN), which is working in partnership with the health and social care system to deliver high quality patient care. This role is critical to supporting the systems ambition to optimise hospital discharges and to support effective post-acute care.

The focus of the role will be to support patients admitted to hospital, making decisions for themselves rather than being more dependent upon others. The post holder will be asking ‘What do you need help with?’ and seeking to find solutions that help maintain independence. By having knowledge of community and voluntary support groups and focusing on ‘what matters to me’ the post holder will take a holistic approach, connecting people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support.


The aim of the role will be to help to strengthen personal resilience, to reduce health inequalities by addressing the wider determinants of health and wellbeing and to provide practical support to achieve a safe and timely discharge from hospital. The post holder will work with all patient groups, but particularly with patients that are vulnerable and those with complex care needs which affect their ability to maintain independence.

Download Job Description and Person Specification

To apply

Download and complete our application form, and return with a covering letter. Please note that we do not accept CV’s.

This post will require an Enhanced DBS check and references.

Closing date for applications is midday 20th June 2023.

Please send completed applications to clive.emmett@ucan.org.uk

UCAN Vacancy: Mobile Hubs Coordinator

We are a local charity, looking to employ an enthusiastic and self-motivated person to coordinate the outreach work we undertake to engage with local residents.

We are a local charity, looking to employ an enthusiastic and self-motivated person to coordinate the outreach work we undertake to engage with local residents. Our work includes delivering different initiatives relating to Loneliness and Isolation, Digital Exclusion, Health Promotions and other awareness raising or signposting events.

We have a Mobile Community Hub and a Mobile Horsebox Café, allowing us to connect with people in the more remote and rural areas of Uttlesford.  We also take the mobile units to various events with a variety of partners. Your role will be to coordinate the deployment of these vehicles to locations throughout the district on a regular route so that residents know when to expect them, and how to access help and support in their location. These are multi-agency events, so in addition to ensuring the vehicles are ready, staffed, and the locations are suitable and risk assessed, you will also be liaising with partners within the voluntary sector and statutory services to ensure their awareness, readiness and participation.

UCAN Mobile Community Hub – in deployment mode

Our coffee trailer is a converted horse trailer and is towed by our company vehicle. The mobile hub is a completely self-contained former mobile police station so has all the facilities we need to provide services to the community. Due to the class of the vehicle, there are restrictions on who can drive it. You will need to be able to drive a Class B1 vehicle. You can check this on your photo driving license by looking at the reverse, which will have dates against B1 if you are able to drive this type of motor on your current driving license.

The candidate will need a full clean driving license, and will preferably have experience of towing trailers, however full training will be provided for the successful candidate.  You will be able to recruit and support volunteers, plan rotas, and take a hands-on practical approach to ensuring our fleet is ready for deployment to events and in crisis situations.

Fixed term contract for 9 months.

Two days per week.

Salary £12.82 per hour.

For a job description of the role please email connect@ucan.org.uk

We look forward to hearing from you.

Volunteer Opportunity: Lunchtime Cook – Newport Meet and Eat

Newport Meet and Eat are looking for people with a background or interest in cooking to join their friendly team of volunteers. To prepare, cook and serve up meals on the premises.

Newport Meet & Eat, is a group which provides social interaction, a cooked 2 course meal and drinks free of charge to the local community

They are looking for people with a background or interest in cooking to join their friendly team of volunteers. To prepare, cook and serve up meals on the premises.

Lunches are served from 12.30 and you will have access to the kitchen from 10am, if you require time to prepare the meal.

You will be supported by other volunteers who can help prep, wash-up and shop for ingredients where needed.

It would be great to have somebody with ideas to help plan their menus and oversee the working of the kitchen.

All equipment is provided and all expenses for ingredients will be reimbursed.

Skills

Ideally a background in cooking, either professionally or as a hobby.

Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate or being willing to achieve this (costs will be covered)

Ability to work as part of a team.

Further Information and to Apply

For further information, and to register your interest, please visit our page on the Volunteer Essex website: https://www.volunteeressex.org/opportunities/volunteer-lunchtime-cook-13737/

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 T: 01371 404525 E: volunteer@ucan.org.uk

 

Line fault at our Dunmow Offices

A BT OpenReach fault is causing disruption to comms at our Dunmow location

A BT OpenReach fault is causing disruption to comms at our Dunmow location

Due to a line fault in our area, there is disruption to our telephone and internet service at our Dunmow site today. We apologise for any inconvenience.

OpenReach are working to resolve the issue.

UCAN responds to the crisis in Sudan

The voluntary sector has played a vital role in repatriation of British citizens, meeting their immediate needs for shelter, food and medical attention. Working with colleagues from UDC we are now finding housing for the hundreds of people who were evacuated, while continuing to support them on a daily basis.

Last week we were contacted by DLUHC and asked if we could help with the evacuation of British citizens from Sudan

Twenty-four hours later we had established a Humanitarian Aid Centre (HAC) operating twenty hours a day, manned by UCAN staff and volunteers, supported by the British Red Cross. We were later joined by St. John’s Ambulance and Re:Act.

The HAC provided a welcome point for the hundreds of evacuees arriving at our International Border in Stansted. Once processed by Border Force, our team on the ground welcomed the British and Sudanese citizens, triaging their immediate needs and transporting them to the HAC where food, clothing, shelter and supplies were immediately available to the men, women and children. Emotional support was provided by the Red Cross – with many of the evacuees having experienced a traumatic journey to safety. Once assessed, travellers were supported with hotel accommodation and transport, onward travel to destinations across the UK where they had family, friends or homes, and we acted as a point of liaison with local authorities across England who were going to receive an influx of people who would need emergency accommodation.

The voluntary sector has played a vital role in repatriation of British citizens and their families. Working with colleagues from UDC we are now finding housing for the hundreds of people who were evacuated, while continuing to support them on a daily basis.

We also want to acknowledge everyone who supported us and looked after us on the ground, from the airport, to the hotels, bus drivers, cab drivers, retailers and everyone in between. Huge gratitude to the Emergency team from ECC who fought for what we needed, when we needed it.

We are one community working together for good.

Thank you.