Category: Events

Free Bid Writing Workshop in Uttlesford

Charities and voluntary groups are invited to join us for an interactive session on mastering the art of bid writing.

Delivered by the Active Essex Foundation and hosted by UCAN, charities and voluntary groups are invited to join us for an interactive session on mastering the art of bid writing. Learn tips and tricks, and strategies to help you stand out from the competition.

Fundraising has never been more challenging for community and voluntary organisations across Essex. There is huge demand on grant givers like National Lottery Community Fund and Sport England. There are less grants available from local authorities and NHS. Your fundraising plan needs to think of different ways to bring in income, know where to look for available and relevant grants, and make sure your bids and grant applications stand out.

This in-person workshop is aimed at organisations who want to improve their fundraising and bid writing knowledge and confidence to strengthen income generation.

Tuesday 25th November 2025

9.30am – 12.30pm

Foakes Hall, Great Dunmow

To book your free tickets visit:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/introduction-to-fundraising-and-small-grants-bid-writing-workshop-tickets-1933039466079

Sell our for Town Mayor’s Fundraising Quiz!

The Saffron Walden Town Mayor’s Quiz Night last Friday 17 October at Jubilee Hub was a huge success! It was a sell out evening with 74 people attending, making up 13 teams. The event was held to raise vital funds for Cllr Ahmed’s chosen charity, Uttlesford Community Action Network (UCAN).

The evening was full of fun and laughter with a touch of competitiveness! And after eight rounds of brain-teasing questions, the winners were announced – congratulations to ‘The Golden Moons’ who won eight bottles of wine to share. In second place came ‘The Pacemaker’ and ‘The team with no name’ came a respectable third – a team member said, “The quiz was a fantastic evening of fun, laughter and (friendly) competition – we thoroughly enjoyed it. A huge thank you and well done to the organisers for making it happen!”

Complementary Indian snacks were kindly provided by the Mayor and a wonderful selection of donated raffle prizes aided the fundraising efforts. Town Mayor, Cllr Ahmed said, “Thank you to everyone who came for the Quiz night – what a fantastic evening of fun and community spirit! Together we raised vital funds for UCAN, your support means so much.” Clive Emmett, UCAN Chief Officer, added “The feedback has been positive – thank you to everyone for supporting this event and the work we do in the community. I would also like to extend our thanks to volunteers on the day; UCAN staff, Town Council Officers, Cllr Jeanette Curtis, and family of Cllr Ahmed.”

Open For Volunteers

Join our volunteer team at the Jubilee Hub in Saffron Walden and help serve affordable hot lunches to the community every Monday and Wednesday. A great way to share your kitchen skills, meet new people, and make a difference locally.

Our lovely kitchen at the Jubilee Hub Saffron Walden is almost ready!

Our lovely kitchen at the Jubilee Hub in Saffron Walden is almost ready to open its doors, and we’re now looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join our team. If you have experience in food preparation, catering, or working in a kitchen – or simply a passion for helping others – we’d love to hear from you. This is a fantastic opportunity to support your local community while meeting new people and making a real difference.

We’ll be serving affordable, nutritious hot lunches twice a week to help people stretch their weekly budget a little further. Our menu will include comforting classics like baked potatoes with a choice of fillings and a variety of “things on toast.” Lunchtime service will run on Mondays and Wednesdays from 12pm to 2pm, giving you a regular slot to make a big impact in just a couple of hours each week.

By volunteering with us, you’ll be helping to create a warm, welcoming space where everyone can enjoy good food, friendly conversation, and a sense of community. If you’d like to be part of this rewarding initiative, please email volunteer@ucan.org.uk to register your interest. We can’t wait to welcome you to the Jubilee Hub team.

Bandstand Season 2025; Every Saturday from 21 June – 06 September 2025

It’s not long now until Saffron Walden Town Council’s (SWTC) Bandstand Season.  It starts on 21 June and will run weekly every Saturday until 06 September, between 12 noon and 2pm from the bandstand in Jubilee Garden, CB10 1EH. 

A selection of music genres will entertain over the season; from pop / rock to folk and brass bands to contemporary choirs.  The bandstand will be alive for 12 consecutive Saturdays -and it is FREE to attend – just drop in, sit back and enjoy the music.

Said a SWTC spokesperson, “ following on from last year’s success, we are pleased to be offering the bandstand season again, throughout the summer – and are thrilled that Arkwright & Co are backing the Bandstand Season for its third year”, Tom Arkwright added, “Arkwright and Co are delighted to continue to support our local community and look forward to working with SWTC with the upcoming Bandstand Season. We look forward to seeing everyone there over the coming weeks.”

SWTC welcome the financial support from local businesses (Arkwright & Co and De Rosa Music Academy) and Uttlesford District Council (UDC).  Their sponsorship contributes to the well-being of arts and culture in Saffron Walden.  Arkwright & Co are backing the Bandstand Season for its third year.  Said Managing Director, Tom Arkwright, “Arkwright and Co are delighted to continue to support our local community and look forward to working with SWTC with the upcoming Bandstand Season. We look forward to seeing everyone there over the coming weeks.”  De Rosa Music’s Managing Director, Casey Dawkins added,
De Rosa Music Saffron Walden are proud sponsors of the bandstand season. Whilst offering high quality musical tuition, instruments & repairs, playing a wider role within supporting the musical community within Saffron Walden is imperative for us”.  And UDC’s Cllr Richard Freeman added, “I am delighted to make a donation from my Ward Members Initiative Grant – which supports the arts and makes music accessible to all in Saffron Walden over the summer months”.

The Jubilee Hub will be open throughout the Bandstand Season, every Saturday 12 noon – 2pm – with Uttlesford Community Action Network (UCAN) volunteers serving tea, coffee and cake / biscuits.  Said UCAN’s Lead Officer, Clive Emmett, “UCAN are excited to be able to support Saffron Walden Town Council’s Bandstand Season with the help of our local Volunteers. Our Volunteers are so critical to so many projects and events we are involved in and bring the added value element to us as a charity and the community as a whole”.  A SWTC spokesperson added, “as the Mayor Cllr Ahmed’s chosen charity, all funds raised will support the vital work UCAN do, of reducing loneliness and isolation within the community”.

UCAN Charity Fundraising Barn Dance

We’re delighted to announce details of our fundraising barn dance!

We’re delighted to announce details of our fundraising barn dance!
Date:  Friday 29th November 2024 at Foakes Hall, Great Dunmow
Time: 7pm to 11pm with live band, caller, cash bar and games
Price:  Tickets £20 per person including ploughmans meal
To book please visit:
All funds raised support our work in the Uttlesford community.
Hope you can join us!

Crisis Response Volunteers Induction Event

We are pleased to announce that we are holding an induction event to introduce an exciting new Volunteering Opportunity with UCAN covering the Uttlesford District.

We are pleased to announce that we are holding an induction event to introduce an exciting new Volunteering Opportunity with UCAN covering the Uttlesford District.

Saturday 4th May

10am to 12pm

Talbot Rooms, Foakes Hall, Stortford Road, Great Dunmow, CM 6 1DG

 

This opportunity has come about due to the success we have had over recent year in responding to and delivering the Ukrainian Welcome Hub and the Sudanese Humanitarian Assistance Centre at Stansted Airport. Together with all the learning and experience we have acquired through these Volunteer led operations, we now wish to capitalise and expand upon them to create a Crisis Response Team.

We are seeking Volunteers who are interested in being trained in Crisis Response and are able at short notice able to mobilise and respond to crisis and incidents in the Uttlesford District.

This induction event will provide you with an overview of the role, its expectations and the training programme.

If you are interested in joining or finding out more about this team and exciting opportunity, please attend this event to learn more or contact us to register your interest at: volunteer@ucan.org.uk or call us on 01371 404474.