Author: Richard Corby

Work for UCAN as a Community Responder

We are looking to recruit a Community Responder to join our Community Hub/Ticket Home team.

Based in Dunmow, you will be a sociable and outgoing person, with the skills and experience needed to undertake simple maintenance tasks like install key safes, video doorbells, move furniture, deliver shopping and prescriptions and undertake fire safety checks. Occasional gardening also undertaken for people in need. We provide all the tools and equipment.

This is a part-time post working 22.5 hours per week. Appointment subject to Enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references, plus relevant experience.

Many of our service users are older adults or have additional needs and it is essential that the post holder is comfortable with communicating with and supporting sometimes lonely people, while observing confidentiality and professional boundaries.

Essential that postholder has a full driving license and is confident in driving small van and other company vehicles.

For more information and to apply email richard.corby@ucan.org.uk

Changes to DBS checking

In April 2022 the DBS announced some changes to the manual ID evidence checking procedure.

The new guidance is a result of a yearlong consultation including trialing by a small number of organisations, the changes introduced

  • Widen the range of documents that can be used to verify evidence including the inclusion of some digital documents for the first time.
  • Align requirements for UK and non-UK applicants so the 3-route process is available to both.
  • Change the process for checking evidence virtually where face to face is not possible.
  • Removes the requirement to see an evidence document with a current address on.
  • Require a record of evidence documents to be held for two years by evidence checkers.

The new guidance came into effect from 22nd April 2025 however there is a six-month transition period to enable organisations to update their processes with the new approach. Full details including scenarios and step by step guides are available here.

Maldon and District Community Voluntary Service will be holding a webinar for evidence checkers on 3rd June 2025. More details here.

E-Portal-Essex is now live!

E-Portal-Essex is your online hub for supporting Essex’s voluntary sector. From starting out to refining policies, we offer expert guidance and resources tailored to your needs

This new service will be a one stop shop for organisations of all sizes to find information on a range of topics relevant to the voluntary and community sector. From initial start up advice to health checking your policies and processes.

The E-Portal has been commissioned by Essex County Council as part of their new approach to voluntary and community sector infrastructure support. The project is being delivered by a partnership of Maldon and District CVS, UCAN, Pipe Media and Touch Point Change Consulting.

The E-Portal will be a continuous evolving platform with the aim of becoming the one stop shop for organisations of all sizes to find information on a range of topics relevant to the voluntary and community sector.

Visit E-Portal-Essex

New VR Wellbeing sessions at the Jubilee Hub Saffron Walden

Starting at Jubilee Hub Saffron Walden on Monday 24th March – Free VR Wellbeing sessions

Drop in between 2pm and 4pm at the 3 Hill Street, Saffron Walden and try out our virtual reality headsets and seated exercise. Rob will be on hand to guide you through the experiences – choose from visiting anywhere in the world, to doing under the sea or even into outer space. You can also try out our pedals so you can paddle a canoe or ride a bike – without having to leave the chair.

Light refreshments provided. Do come and see us!

Thanks to Active Essex for supporting us.

Are you the missing piece of the jigsaw?

Training available with Essex Safeguarding Children Board

If you work in a public facing role, where you may encounter or work alongside children who have been victims of exploitation, then this session is for you.

You will be able to expand your knowledge about spotting the signs of exploitation and understand how to respond.

There are two sessions coming up in March – find out more and book a place 👇

https://www.escb.co.uk/learning-and…/every-contact-counts

Celebrating the life of Bev Emmett

We were all shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of Clive’s beloved wife Bev, who died in January.

The family have planned a celebration of Bev’s life, which will take place at Old Park Natural Burial Ground, Coppice Lane, North End, Great Dunmow on Thursday 27th February starting at 12.30 p.m. Everyone is welcome. After the service attendees are invited to stay on and share memories of Bev. Light refreshments will be provided.

The family has requested no flowers. If you would like to make a donation in Bev’s memory, they have chosen an animal charity – The Cinnamon Trust – to benefit. An online giving page can be found at: http://beverlyemmett.muchloved.com/

Our thoughts are with Clive and family at this most difficult of times. Bev was not only a friend, but an energetic volunteer and before moving into the veterinary world caring for her beloved animals, was a much-valued Social Prescriber serving the residents of Uttlesford.

Inaugural UCAN Barn Dance is a load of fundraising fun!

We were delighted to host The Gentlemen of iO on Friday 29th November for our very first fundraising barn dance, which took place at Foakes Hall in Great Dunmow.

We were delighted to host The Gentlemen of iO on Friday 29th November for our very first fundraising barn dance, which took place at Foakes Hall in Great Dunmow.

Thank you to everyone who came and supported us and danced the night away. Much gratitude also to the UCAN fundraising team of volunteers who provided a splendid Ploughman’s meal for over 120, and the lovely people who operated the cash bar for us. In total we raised £1,800 on the night – much needed funding that will support our work with lonely and isolated people in Uttlesford.

If you were unable to join us this time, but would like to support the work of UCAN, please consider making a donation by clicking here.

Volunteer Opportunity: Walking Buddies

UCAN is looking for volunteers who would be happy to walk with Beneficiaries in one of two roles:

1) Become a Walking Buddy – involves walking on a one-to-one basis with a Beneficiary. The walking time, length of walk and route is up to the Volunteer and Beneficiary to arrange together.  Some Beneficiaries simply wish for a gentle walk around their block, whilst others may like a longer route. 

2) Lead a Walking Group – involves meeting at a particular point and time with a group of residents who would like to walk in a group for a set time (around an hour).  This may be a weekly or fortnightly activity.

Beneficiaries may be:
 vulnerable people;
 people who feel anxious about going out alone; 
 people who are new to the area who would like to be shown where to walk.

If you would like to join us walking on either of these roles, please let us know!

Email: volunteer@ucan.org.uk Tel: 01371 404525

Reaching Communities with our mobile hub

On Wednesday our community outreach team were in Newport with the UCAN Charity Mobile Community Hub. Across the week we are out and about visiting rural communities in Uttlesford, bringing to them services and support they might not otherwise be able to access. Our team includes Community Responders, Advisors and Social Workers and we carry with us a raft of information on help that is available to residents – most of it free!

Thank you to the people of Newport for being so welcoming and responsive – especially local resident Susan Vance who helped us make the arrangements and raise awareness of our visit. We had a bumper day with our highest engagement numbers so far.

If you’d like our mobile community hub to come to you, drop an email to connect@ucan.org.uk and we’ll arrange a visit.

Thanks also to our UCAN Volunteer Centre team who recruited a great bank of volunteer supporters to help us deploy the mobile hub and support members of the public.

Next week we are in Great Dunmow outside the Coop, with thanks to Dunmow Town Council for the invitation.

See you soon!