Author: Richard Corby

Six tips for writing effective charity copy

Our friends at localgiving have to put together some handy hints on how to write effective communication and fundraising messages to build support for your charity and voluntary groups

Our friends at localgiving have to put together some handy hints on how to write effective communication and fundraising messages to build support for your charity and voluntary groups

Your charity does amazing things. You know this, we know this – but do your potential donors or volunteers know this?

While it is true that we live in an increasingly visual world, it is important not to underestimate the enduring power of persuasive writing. It (literally) pays to spend time on crafting your copy.

In this blog we give six essential copywriting tips to help you raise awareness and bring in funding for your cause.

https://localgiving.org/about/insights-and-advice/six-tips-for-writing-effective-charity-copy

Active Uttlesford grants now available

Looking to run projects to help people get more physically active or help with recovery from the effects of Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

Looking to run projects to help people get more physically active or help with recovery from the effects of Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

Uttlesford District Council are looking to continue supporting the health and wellbeing of residents and communities across the district.

They are seeking applications for projects that deliver activities to help support local recovery from the pandemic and opportunities for everyone to be physically active.

The grant will be accepting applications until all the grant money has been allocated.

To find out more and apply online visit www.uttlesford.gov.uk/active-uttlesford-grant-scheme

Uttlesford Community Hub Chat Cafe – Saturday 6th August

Free drop-in session this coming Saturday in Great Dunmow. Everyone welcome.

Free drop-in session this coming Saturday in Great Dunmow. Everyone welcome.

Everyone of all ages and genders are welcome to drop in this Saturday for our first CHAT CAFE!

We would love to create a safe and welcoming space for all our community members from ages 0-100!

Where: Uttlesford Community Hub 45 Stortford Road, Great Dunmow CM6 1DQ

When: Saturday 6th August 10am-12pm

Price: FREE!

There will be books aplenty, relaxing music and of course, lots to chat about! Hot and cold drinks will be available for an optional donation.

We can’t wait to welcome you!

Emergency Services Community Fun Day

Save the date! Essex Police and Essex County Fire and Rescue Services will be celebrating Emergency Services Day with a raft of activities on Saturday 10th September 2022

Save the date! Essex Police and Essex County Fire and Rescue Services will be celebrating Emergency Services Day with a raft of activities on Saturday 10th September 2022

Between 10am-2pm officers from Essex Police dog unit, motorcycle unit, firearms unit and recruitment team, will be on Saffron Walden Common.

Please come along to meet all your local emergency services and celebrate Emergency Services Day with them.

*Vehicles will be dependent on emergencies coming in*

Wedding Bells

Celebrating a happy event – the marriage of Clive and Bev on Saturday 30th July 2022.

Congratulations to UCAN Chief Executive Clive Emmett, who married Social Prescriber for North Uttlesford Bev Pope on Saturday 30th July 2022.

Best wishes to the new Mr and Mrs Emmett, from all your friends at Uttlesford Community Action.

Are you worried about money?

Are you worried about money? Our new leaflet can help you find the right support

Are you worried about money? Our new leaflet can help you find the right support

The step-by-step guide will help you to find out where to get help in Uttlesford.

You can access the online interactive version here: http://www.worryingaboutmoney.co.uk/uttlesford

Or download a copy here: https://ifanuk.org/uttlesford-leaflet

With thanks to Independent Food Aid Network for their support in the production of this leaflet.

Friends Against Scams

Fraudsters continue to use social media to target people. Don’t get caught out online. Be Scam Aware

Fraudsters continue to use social media to target people. Don’t get caught out online. Be Scam Aware

Fraudsters are using fake accounts on Instagram to make recommendations or ask for help, which are made to look like they have come from one of your friends or followers.

You are asked to click on or share a link via the message function, which essentially will allow the fraudster to take over your account.

Your account will then be used to promote more scams, in an attempt to get your friends and family to hand over their money as they believe it has come from a trusted source – YOU!

Remember:

If something seems too good to be true or not quite right to you, always check. Especially if it appears to be from someone you know.

Give them a quick call before clicking on any links to make sure the offer or ask is genuine.

For advice about what to do visit if think you have been a victim of a scam visit www.essex.police.uk/CP

Humanitarian Hub operation helping Ukrainian refugees has been extended for a further period at Stansted Airport

Since the start of May, UCAN Staff and Volunteers have been providing help and support for refugees arriving at Stansted Airport after fleeing the conflict in the Ukraine. We operate a ‘Humanitarian Hub’ eighteen hours a day, seven days a week

Since the start of May, UCAN Staff and Volunteers have been providing help and support for refugees arriving at Stansted Airport after fleeing the conflict in the Ukraine. We operate a ‘Humanitarian Hub’ eighteen hours a day, seven days a week

This month alone we have helped over 2,000 refugee adults and children arriving in the UK from Europe, many who have had to flee their home country with nothing but the clothes they stand up in, a few possessions and the hope of a safe place to stay in England, Scotland or Wales.

Stansted Airport is one of the busiest hubs in the country, and is operated by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers who work from 9.00 a.m. through to 12.30 a.m. each day of the week, in shifts of 4 to 8 hours. They are local people who want to “do our part” for no recognition or reward, and offer a warm welcome to distressed people who may have been travelling non-stop for two or three days.

On arrival at Stansted, the Ukraine Support Team give a warm welcome and assess the immediate needs of the travellers. This can be a smile of encouragement, a cup of coffee and a bite to eat, or might be more complex with assistance needed in finding a place to live. Thanks to the kindness of the Vodafone Foundation, we are able to provide UK mobile sim cards with calls and data, to help the refugees during their onward journey to their final destination. For those staying in the airport for a little while, we have blankets, pillows and food vouchers, toys and games for the children and can make sure everyone feels safe, welcome and wanted.

The Ukraine Support Hub has been made possible thanks to the commitment of local people, and UCAN and Volunteer Uttlesford working closely together once again to respond to a crisis situation. We would like to acknowledge the generosity of the food vendors at the airport, the MAG Staff Team, National Express and the Rail Companies who have donated subsidised meals, bottled water, food vouchers, toys, games and toiletries. Small gifts make a huge difference.

Thank you everyone.

VVU Community Grants open for applications from 15th August

The 2022-2024 VVCS grant round is for local not for profit voluntary or community clubs or organisations based in (and therefore delivering in) Essex, Southend and Thurrock only, and ECVYS are looking to fund projects that meet their stated aims and can run from April 2023- 31st March 2024.

Essex Council for Voluntary Youth Services – ECVYS – is the umbrella charity for youth organisations operating across Essex – whether small voluntary groups or larger charities. They have just announced details of the VVU Community Grants for 2022-2024, with applications being considered from 15th August

The 2022-2024 VVCS grant round is for local not for profit voluntary or community clubs or organisations based in (and therefore delivering in) Essex, Southend and Thurrock only, and ECVYS are looking to fund projects that meet their stated aims and can run from April 2023- 31st March 2024.

Groups can apply for up to £20,000 to deliver support and interventions for children, young people, young adults and families (families must include children and young people, and ‘young person’ is defined as up to the age of 25). Projects must demonstrate how they have a positive impact on issues relating to crime and anti-social behaviour and violence and vulnerability. This may include early intervention work, gang & ‘county lines’, and child criminal exploitation projects.

For further information on eligibility and grant criteria, please visit the ECVYS website:

https://ecvys.org.uk/funding-news/

A Healthy Start for Mums to be and families with children under 4 years

If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk.

Do you receive Universal Credit? You may be eligible for the NHS Healthy Start Scheme that will help with the cost of buying food and milk

If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk.

If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops. We’ll add your benefit onto this card every 4 weeks.

You can use your card to buy:

  • plain liquid cow’s milk
  • fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables
  • fresh, dried, and tinned pulses
  • infant formula milk based on cow’s milk

You can also use your card to collect:

  • Healthy Start vitamins – these support you during pregnancy and breastfeeding
  • vitamin drops for babies and young children – these are suitable from birth to 4 years old

Find our more and apply online here: www.healthystart.nhs.uk