Author: Richard Corby

The Great Dunmow Community Fridge – a joint project of UCAN and St. Mary’s Church aims to reduce food waste and enable people in need to benefit from free fresh food

We are delighted to announce that the Community Fridge in Great Dunmow has been officially opened today. Staffed by a team of local volunteers, and funded by UCAN and St. Mary’s Church, Great Dunmow, the community fridge is a repository for donated fresh food items, being supplied by Dunmow Coop. The items are close to date or have a best before date that is recently passed – but they are still all too good to waste! This join venture aims to reduce food waste and get food to people who can make use of it.

Sophie Davis, project lead for UCAN said “We are excited to open the fridge today, and it wouldn’t have been possibly without the support and goodwill of the Dunmow community. The Coop have been fantastic in providing the food, and our team of volunteers will operate the fridge day-to-day keeping it stocked, rotating the food and cleaning, as well as checking the temperature and making sure everything is running well. We are sure the fridge will be a great new resource for the community.”

Food in the fridge is free to people who can make good use of it. The Uttlesford Community Hub at 45 Stortford Road, Great Dunmow is open Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. No appointment needed. Please bring a bag.

You can also donate in support of the Community Fridge by clicking here

UCAN is a community charity serving the residents of Uttlesford. We provide a range of support services including the Community Response Hub, Ticket Home hospital discharge and the Essex Shed Network. We also provide outreach services through our Mobile Community Hub, Drinks with Community Links mobile coffee trailer and will shortly be opening a new Community Hub in Saffron Walden, in partnership with Enterprise East and Saffron Walden Town Council.

Due to a BT Openreach system-wide fault, our main office number is unavailable

We apologise for the current unavailability of 01371 878400 which is due to a BT Openreach system failure.

To contact us please use our hub number 03333 408218 or 01371 404474.

Thank you

Uttlesford Community Action Network has a fixed-term vacancy for a Community Responder to support residents with requests received via our Community Response Hub

Covid-19 has affected all aspects of our society along with the current cost of living crisis. There has been profound disruption to people’s lives and livelihoods and a significant impact on people’s physical, and mental health as well as their wellbeing.

Uttlesford Community Response Hub has been established in response to these needs and we are therefore looking for a highly motivated, practical individual to provide support, signposting, and engage with residents and communities in specific tasks whilst connecting them with health, the voluntary sector and other social services or support such as
volunteers to ensure that all Uttlesford residents in need get the support they require.

The successful candidate will be working alongside our other Community Responder. We are looking for someone who has good practical and people skills. This role would suit someone with a hands-on approach and will involve driving to different locations across West Essex, so access to own vehicle is essential. Training will be given to those unfamiliar
with the health, social care and voluntary sectors.

Download our Job Description and Person Specification

Please call 01371 878400 for an informal conversation about the role. No CV’s will be accepted, please email jacqui.davies@ucan.org.uk to request an application form.

Please return your completed application form to the above email by 17:00hrs on the 21st of December 2022. Interviews will commence the week beginning 9th of January 2023.

Please be aware that this role will require an Enhanced DBS check and two satisfactory. References are to be provided and the completion of a 2-month Probationary period. This role will also require the ability to drive and have access to a vehicle for use at work (Mileage will be paid).