Author: Richard Corby

Community Responders help residents retain their independence

It’s almost a year since we secured funding to enable the Community Response Hub to employ two dedicated Community Responders. The role of a responder is to help isolated and vulnerable Uttlesford residents to retain their independence and access help, support and services they might otherwise not be able benefit from

It’s almost a year since we secured funding to enable the Community Response Hub to employ two dedicated Community Responders. The role of a responder is to help isolated and vulnerable Uttlesford residents to retain their independence and access help, support and services they might otherwise not be able benefit from

The range of support requests we have received from local people has been diverse to say the least – from arranging dog walking for people in hospital, to rehoming beloved animals when their owners could no longer care for them, through to getting residents out and about and feeling safe again through walking buddies activities and recovery groups post-COVID.

This week we had another unusual request, and one that Community Responder Andy came up with an inventive solution for! An elderly lady has been experiencing some problems with her vision recently, and while she still lives independently in her own home, she was growing increasingly worried about venturing outside and tripping over on the steps from her door, or the pavement outside. Andy assessed the walkways and while they were clear of removeable obstacles, there were some clear trip hazards. Discussing what would work best for the lady, he came up with the solution of popping off to buy a large can of white lining paint, and set about marking out all the edges on the property. He also created a long line along the edge of the garden path, so she could follow this and anticipate where the bend and steps up would be. The resident is delighted with the improvements and is feeling more confident about being out and about again.

If you have an unusual problem, or need some practical help and support around the home, give the Community Responders a call on 03333 408218 or email connect@ucan.org.uk

Fowler Smith and Jones accepting grant applications for consideration

Fowler, Smith and Jones, the charitable trust that supports charities in Essex is accepting applications for funding, to be considered at their next trustee meeting in September 2022.

The Essex-based charitable trust that supports charities in our county, is now accepting applications for funding to be considered at their next meeting in September

FSJ incorporates three Trusts established at different times by the Fowler Family, Albert & Florence Smith and Edward Cecil Jones. They were all very much ‘Essex people’ and lived in the South-East of the county. The Trust now makes awards throughout the county.

The Trust distributes, on average, £400-500,000 annually to between 120-150 organisations principally for projects within the county. As with many funds, the recent economic climate has reduced the value of the fund, but judicious investment has enabled the Trust to maintain its income.

Applications for core funding, project-based initiatives, refurbishment of premises and also equipment costs may all be considered for awards.

For further information on what can be funded and how to apply visit https://fsjtrust.org.uk/

Our new Mobile Community Hub is on the road!

Earlier this year UCAN was awarded a grant to improve access to services across the district. We’re ready to hit the road with our new mobile hub!

Earlier this year UCAN was awarded a grant to improve access to services across the district. We’re ready to hit the road with our new mobile hub!

CVS organisations across Essex were provided with funding to help communities recover from COVID, and improve the ways that residents are able access help and support in their area. Uttlesford is unique in Essex, in that it covers a large geographic area (some 200 square miles) and we have an older population who are scattered in rural locations across the district. Travel links between these outlying villages and the main centres of Saffron Walden and Great Dunmow are not ideal, and make getting to locations where they can seek advise and support problematic.

Our solution is to bring those services to residents, through the deployment of a new Mobile Community Hub. We have used our grant funding to purchase a former Police mobile office, and fit it out as a small community centre. Our team will be touring the district throughout the Autumn and Winter, with regular stops each week so that residents can come over for tea, coffee and chat, but also talk to someone face-to-face about any issues or problems they may be experiencing where they live. UCAN Community Responders can help with a range of challenges, including access to food and medicines, befriending (by telephone and in person), installation of key safes and video doorbells, minor home improvements, garden maintenance and more! In collaboration with our Social Prescribers and Home from Hospital team, we can also provide wrap-around support before and after hospitalisation, and arrange delivery of hot meals, food parcels and collection and delivery of equipment. One of our most requested services is the installation of key safes for carer and emergency service access.

We will be publishing our “schedule” of locations and dates on Facebook community pages, our website and shared through partner organisations. You don’t have to have a problem to come and say hello – we’re always up for a chat over coffee and cake – and we’ll even provide it!

For more information on UCAN community services email connect@ucan.org.uk or telephone 03333 408218.

Meet the Team at Leading Roding on 26th July 2022

Our Community Response Team will be joining colleagues from Uttlesford District Council, Essex Fire and Rescue, Essex Police and a host of other voluntary agencies in Leading Roding on 26th July 2022.

Local residents can come along for free tea, coffee and biscuits served from our mobile cafe – a converted horse trailer fully equipped to provide a host of hot and cold drinks! Jake and Lindsay will also be on hand to help with your challenges and concerns, ranging from needing a key safe installed to how to get online.

The Multi-agency event is on Tuesday 26 July from 11am – Holloway Crescent, Leaden Roding, Dunmow, Essex CM6 1QD. We look forward to seeing you then!

Drop In for coffee at Pam’s Place Thaxted

Pam’s Place in Thaxted is open every Friday morning for a relaxing cuppa, some cake and a good chat!

News from our friends at Pam’s Place – the recently relaunched Thaxted venue for the community

“We were very excited last Friday when we were presented with a brand new sign for our “Drop In” coffee mornings. We would like to thank Leigh and Pro-Laminates of Sawbridgeworth for creating and donating the sign.”

Mike one of our Trustees, seen below, will be busy this week finding the perfect place to hang it ready for this weeks Drop In.

Don’t forget the Drop In coffee mornings run every Friday from 10am – 1pm. We serve coffee and tea with delicious freshly made cakes and scones. We do not charge but ask for a small donation. Next week we will be serving savoury options too!

Pam’s Place is at Vicarage Close, Thaxted, CM6 2QW (accessed via the Margaret Street Public Car Park).

Directory of Social Change: Funds Online service

Funds Online makes finding the right funder simple, efficient and puts all the information you need at your fingertips.

The Directory of Social Change offers a great service for finding grants, which organisations can access on a flexible subscription basis. Funds Online makes finding the right funder simple, efficient and puts all the information you need at your fingertips. The service lists over 8000 sources of funding, including private and statutory grants, and enables you to track grant applications and the success of your team in securing funding.

Find out more information here.

My Community: All the latest tools, tips and ideas to make your community an even better place to live

My Community is a website for people and organisations who are passionate about their communities. Whether setting up a foodbank or planning finances, we all need a little help at times. My Community is the go-to place for this support.

Importantly, these are resources you can trust. All the content on My Community has been curated, written, designed or hand-picked by leading voluntary sector organisations who truly understand what communities need to survive and thrive, including NAVCA.

Check it out here

Introducing Uttlesford Community Action Network

We are very proud of our new identity and believe that it provides clear alignment with what we as an organisation aim to achieve and delivering action remains at the forefront of what we do.

We are very proud of our new idenity and believe that it provides clear alignment with what we as an organistaion aim to achieve and delivering action remains at the forefront of what we do.

Directed by our insights and local knowledge, we will continue to build a portfolio of services and projects to address unmet needs in Uttlesford, delivered in collaboration with local partners in the voluntary sector and beyond.

If you need to get in touch you can contact us at:  connect@ucan.org.uk

Stay connected and keep up to date with all our latest news and service offerings on our social media channels – Facebook and Twitter name @UttlesfordCAN

#community #rebrand #publichealth #uttlesford #newidentity #voluntarysector

Ukraine Support in Uttlesford

Uttlesford has a fantastic reputation for being a supportive community, and our residents have risen to the challenge time and again to support those in need. This was demonstrated throughout the pandemic, and latterly through our response to the Afghanistan situation. This kindness and generosity is being shown once again as we welcome refugees into the district, who have been affected by the conflict in the Ukraine.

Together with partners from Uttlesford District Council, Citizens Advice Uttlesford and TouchPoint Stansted, our Community Responders are actively working with people arriving from the Ukraine into Stansted Airport

Uttlesford has a fantastic reputation for being a supportive community, and our residents have risen to the challenge time and again to support those in need. This was demonstrated throughout the pandemic, and latterly through our response to the Afghanistan situation. This kindness and generosity is being shown once again as we welcome refugees into the district, who have been affected by the conflict in the Ukraine.

Our team of Community Responders are working with refugees from point of arrival at Stansted Airport. Passengers are currently triaged by the Red Cross on arrival, and then provided with hotel accommodation, or given access to transport to continue their journey to their final destination in the UK. For those staying within our district who do not have a host family in place, we are meeting with them daily to support with the provision of food and other essentials, providing access to phones and internet to help with arranging more permanent accommodation, access to Universal Credit and other advise, as well as mental health support for those affected by trauma as a result of the conflict.

We are working closely with the refugees to help them get to where they want to be. Most will transit out of Uttlesford, but for those that are remaining, or still in transition, we are providing a full package of support to help them feel safe and welcome here.

It is likely in the coming days and weeks that we will be calling on Uttlesford residents once again to help with our new guests. Please watch our social media channels (Facebook/Twitter) and this website for updates and appeals for help.

We acknowledge the support of the voluntary sector once again in immediately addressing the challenges presented to us, and thank you for your continued commitment.

Magic Little Grants 2022 has launched today and is open for applications

Localgiving is working with People’s Postcode Lottery, a grant-giving charity funded by Players of People’s Postcode Lottery, to offer charitable organisations the opportunity to apply for 2,650 grants of £500.

The Magic Little Grants Fund provides charitable organisations the opportunity to access funding to deliver a range of projects which fit one or more of the below funding themes:

  • Improving mental wellbeing
  • Enabling community participation in the arts
  • Preventing or reducing the impact of poverty
  • Supporting marginalised groups and promoting equality
  • Improving biodiversity and green spaces
  • Enabling participation in physical activity
  • Responding to the climate emergency and promoting sustainability 
  • Increasing community access to outdoor space

Organisations must either be in their first year of operation or have an annual income under £250,000. Funding can be used to launch new projects, support existing ones, or cover core costs associated with ongoing work.

Please note that schools are eligible to apply if they are a registered charity. Groups in Northern Ireland are not eligible to apply for this funding. Groups may only apply once in 2022 for a grant.

It only takes 15 minutes to apply and if successful, you’ll receive funding within six weeks. 

If you’re new to Localgiving and your Magic Little Grant application is successful, alongside the £500 grant you will also be awarded a year of free membership (funded by the the Players of the People’s Postcode Lottery). This means that you will not have to pay the £80 + VAT membership fee, but you will still be required to set up a direct debit upon registration. All applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application via email, regardless of whether they are successful or not, within two months of their submission.

Make sure to enter the promocode MLG2022 to claim your free annual membership as part of the grant. You need to complete the Localgiving validation process before you are able to submit your application. 

Click here to register and apply