Category: Community

Great support for Volunteer Fair

Thank you to everyone who attended the Volunteer Fair at Saffron Walden Town Hall on Tuesday 3rd June 2025.

Particular thanks to the team at Saffron Walden Town Council who were instrumental in bringing the community together for this dual event celebrating the value of volunteering this #VolunteersWeek2025 and supporting local voluntary sector organisations to increase awareness of volunteer opportunities currently on offer.

Amongst organisations in attendance were: 8 Day Weekend, Action for Family Carers, Audley End House, Citizens Advice Uttlesford, CraftAbility, EACH, Home Start, Mind in West Essex, Saffron Hall, Saffron Cricket Club, Saffron Walden Museum and Uttlesford Community Travel.

For information on current volunteering opportunites with UCAN and other charities in Uttlesford, take a look at the Volunteer Essex website.

This event was our first collaboration with the new Mayor of Saffron Walden, Cllr Ahmed, who has chosen UCAN as his Charity of the Year 2025-2026, and we are looking forward to working with the Mayor’s team across the next twelve months.

Pictured above (L to R) are Richard Boyce, Chair of UCAN Trustees, the Mayor Cllr Ahmed, Deputy Mayor Cllr Jeanette Curtis and Clive Emmett, Lead Officer of UCAN.

Future of UCAN Walking Buddies scheme secured with National Lottery Funding

A new grant of £20,000 will help our community to thrive over the next two years.

Walking Buddies pairs up volunteers with beneficiaries who have lost the confidence to go out of their home for a walk by themselves. This pairing enables beneficiaries to get out walking whilst building new connections and friendships, thereby contributing to both improved mental and physical health and reducing social isolation in what is a very rural area of Essex.

We have had 175% increase in referrals in the last year and this demand is still growing. With funding for the voluntary sector in decline, it has been a difficult few months and we weren’t sure how much longer we could keep this programme running, but now thanks to The National Lottery grant, we will be able to dedicate a team member to managing Walking Buddies, we can recruit and train more volunteers, and increase awareness of the service and its health benefits.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer walker, please email volunteer@ucan.org.uk for more information.

People interested in being matched with a volunteer can call us on 01371 404525, apply through Uttlesford Frontline or email connect@ucan.org.uk

Volunteers Week 2025

UCAN will be promoting and celebrating #VolunteersWeek2025 in our role as the Volunteer Centre for Uttlesford

Volunteers’ Week is an annual UK-wide campaign held from the first Monday in June to celebrate and recognise the contributions of volunteers. This year’s celebration runs from Monday 2nd – Sunday 8th June.

Launched in 1984, this initiative has been running for over 40 years, providing organisations and communities a platform to thank current and past volunteers for their invaluable efforts.

The campaign highlights the diversity and unity of volunteer work across the UK. In its 40th year, the campaign underwent a rebrand, introducing a vibrant identity to inspire continued engagement.

Our main event this year will the the Volunteer Recruitment Fair in Saffron Walden on Tuesday 3rd June, organised and hosted in connect with the fabulous team from Saffron Walden Town Council. Pop in to the Town Hall on Market Day to find out about volunteering roles available in the district with a host of voluntary sector partners available to meet and discuss the needs of their charity/organisation.

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

Photo ID now required when voting at polling stations

From Thursday 4 May, when voting at a polling station you will be required to provide a valid form of photo identification

From Thursday 4 May, when voting at a polling station you will be required to provide a valid form of photo identification

Valid forms of Voter ID include a passport, drivers licence, blue badge, older person’s bus pass, or a number of other forms of Voter ID.

If you don’t have an approved ID, you will need to apply for a free ‘Voter Authority Certificate’ (VAC) to take with you when you vote.

Voter ID is not required if you vote by post.

You can also be ready for voting this year by ensuring you are registered to vote. If you need to apply you must do so before midnight on Monday 17 April.

Charity Fashion Show

On Friday 10th December high fashion will hit the runway at Saffron Walden Town Hall, in a charity evening being organised by the students and team from local voluntary organisation Enterprise East.

Join the team from Enterprise East and Café Cornell for an evening of fashion, talent and style – all in a good cause!

On Friday 10th December high fashion will hit the runway at Saffron Walden Town Hall, in a charity evening being organised by the students and team from local voluntary organisation Enterprise East.

Tickets are £20 each and include a glass of bubbles and canapes on arrival and a Christmas gift bag.

To buy your tickets please visit: https://www.enterpriseeast.org/christmas-fashion-show/ or call the team on 07535 609248. Email info@enterpriseeast.org

Event starts at 7pm. We hope you can make it!