We were delighted to present Pamela Phillips with our luxury hamper raffle prize
We were delighted to present Pamela Phillips with our luxury hamper raffle prize, following a very successful funding campaign run over eight weeks during operation of the Covid Vaccine Centre in the Lord Butler Leisure Centre Saffron Walden.
All funds raised will support UCAN’s ongoing work supporting isolated and vulnerable people in Uttlesford.
Thank you to everyone who participated.
At the Jubilee Hub Saffron Walden we distributed over 400 hats, scarves and hand warmers knitted by volunteers between four charities – thank you to all those knitters who donated.
This project was run by our enterprising UCAN Volunteering Ambassador, Ann Holloway with assistance from volunteer Pat.
Volunteers knitted and donated, some of whom had knitted in the past but had stopped for whatever reason and this project encouraged them to re-start, providing a new hobby, enjoyment and purpose, knowing that the items were needed by the charities involved. The project benefited both the volunteers who were knitting and of course the charities who were given the items. Over 400 items were knitted.
We will continue to donate any knitted items to these charities, so if people would like to continue knitting, please do so and drop them in to the Jubilee Hub (3 Hill Street) Mon-Fri, 10am-2pm.
Are you interested in volunteering but don’t know where to look?
UCAN Volunteer Centre are hosting a Volunteer Showcase Event to highlight voluntary organisations and their opportunities. Come and find out more!
The delivery programme of workshops, activities and socials at the Jubilee Hub Saffron Walden will continue to grow and evolve, as the needs of our community change. This is our offer for the next few months. We have created a schedule for everyone – and focused on additionality – providing more, and not just the same as is already on offer elsewhere in the area.
Collaboration is key – and working with Saffron Walden Town Council (who negotiated the lease and manage the building) and Enterprise East (who bring expertise on inclusion, diversity and training) creates a powerful and strong partnership with the experience and passion to deliver for our #community.
What does UCAN do? We use our insight, experience and our partnerships to create better opportunities and happier lives for people in #Uttlesford.
UCAN strengthens communities.
This week we were thrilled to hand over to the people of Barnston a beautiful new community #garden and shelter that we created for ECVYS – Essex Council for Voluntary Youth Services in memory of Sharon Sellens
This wonderful new community asset increases opportunities for young people in Barnston to spend time together in a safe environment where they can be themselves, and know they are wanted and have somewhere to belong.
Thank you to the funders, volunteers and sponsors who made this dream a reality. This includes UDC Youth Fund, The Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex and Anglia Land Drainage.
What does UCAN do? UCAN builds communities.
We have an exciting opportunity to join our Ticket Home team, supporting patient discharge from hospital
This post will operate within the Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust as part of the Complex Discharge Team to facilitate and expedite hospital discharges. Employed within the Voluntary sector this exciting role is intended to work with individual patients and their families to support effective discharge planning. This is new role intended to act as an expert in voluntary care and in leveraging community voluntary services in support of post-acute hospital care.
This role is part of ambitious plans for transforming care and ensuring timely and appropriate discharge arrangements. The post holder will be expected to operate flexibly and collaboratively with all stakeholders, demonstrating practical skills and excellent communication and co-ordination. The role will be part of a multi-disciplinary team and will be central to the delivery of supported hospital discharge and post-acute care.
The post will be employed by Uttlesford Community Action Network (UCAN), which is working in partnership with the health and social care system to deliver high quality patient care. This role is critical to supporting the systems ambition to optimise hospital discharges and to support effective post-acute care.
The focus of the role will be to support patients admitted to hospital, making decisions for themselves rather than being more dependent upon others. The post holder will be asking ‘What do you need help with?’ and seeking to find solutions that help maintain independence. By having knowledge of community and voluntary support groups and focusing on ‘what matters to me’ the post holder will take a holistic approach, connecting people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support.
The aim of the role will be to help to strengthen personal resilience, to reduce health inequalities by addressing the wider determinants of health and wellbeing and to provide practical support to achieve a safe and timely discharge from hospital. The post holder will work with all patient groups, but particularly with patients that are vulnerable and those with complex care needs which affect their ability to maintain independence.
Download Job Description and Person Specification
Download and complete our application form, and return with a covering letter. Please note that we do not accept CV’s.
This post will require an Enhanced DBS check and references.
Closing date for applications is midday 20th June 2023.
Please send completed applications to clive.emmett@ucan.org.uk
We are a local charity, looking to employ an enthusiastic and self-motivated person to coordinate the outreach work we undertake to engage with local residents.
We are a local charity, looking to employ an enthusiastic and self-motivated person to coordinate the outreach work we undertake to engage with local residents. Our work includes delivering different initiatives relating to Loneliness and Isolation, Digital Exclusion, Health Promotions and other awareness raising or signposting events.
We have a Mobile Community Hub and a Mobile Horsebox Café, allowing us to connect with people in the more remote and rural areas of Uttlesford. We also take the mobile units to various events with a variety of partners. Your role will be to coordinate the deployment of these vehicles to locations throughout the district on a regular route so that residents know when to expect them, and how to access help and support in their location. These are multi-agency events, so in addition to ensuring the vehicles are ready, staffed, and the locations are suitable and risk assessed, you will also be liaising with partners within the voluntary sector and statutory services to ensure their awareness, readiness and participation.
Our coffee trailer is a converted horse trailer and is towed by our company vehicle. The mobile hub is a completely self-contained former mobile police station so has all the facilities we need to provide services to the community. Due to the class of the vehicle, there are restrictions on who can drive it. You will need to be able to drive a Class B1 vehicle. You can check this on your photo driving license by looking at the reverse, which will have dates against B1 if you are able to drive this type of motor on your current driving license.
The candidate will need a full clean driving license, and will preferably have experience of towing trailers, however full training will be provided for the successful candidate. You will be able to recruit and support volunteers, plan rotas, and take a hands-on practical approach to ensuring our fleet is ready for deployment to events and in crisis situations.
Fixed term contract for 9 months.
Two days per week.
Salary £12.82 per hour.
For a job description of the role please email connect@ucan.org.uk
We look forward to hearing from you.
A BT OpenReach fault is causing disruption to comms at our Dunmow location
A BT OpenReach fault is causing disruption to comms at our Dunmow location
Due to a line fault in our area, there is disruption to our telephone and internet service at our Dunmow site today. We apologise for any inconvenience.
OpenReach are working to resolve the issue.
The voluntary sector has played a vital role in repatriation of British citizens, meeting their immediate needs for shelter, food and medical attention. Working with colleagues from UDC we are now finding housing for the hundreds of people who were evacuated, while continuing to support them on a daily basis.
Twenty-four hours later we had established a Humanitarian Aid Centre (HAC) operating twenty hours a day, manned by UCAN staff and volunteers, supported by the British Red Cross. We were later joined by St. John’s Ambulance and Re:Act.
The HAC provided a welcome point for the hundreds of evacuees arriving at our International Border in Stansted. Once processed by Border Force, our team on the ground welcomed the British and Sudanese citizens, triaging their immediate needs and transporting them to the HAC where food, clothing, shelter and supplies were immediately available to the men, women and children. Emotional support was provided by the Red Cross – with many of the evacuees having experienced a traumatic journey to safety. Once assessed, travellers were supported with hotel accommodation and transport, onward travel to destinations across the UK where they had family, friends or homes, and we acted as a point of liaison with local authorities across England who were going to receive an influx of people who would need emergency accommodation.
The voluntary sector has played a vital role in repatriation of British citizens and their families. Working with colleagues from UDC we are now finding housing for the hundreds of people who were evacuated, while continuing to support them on a daily basis.
We also want to acknowledge everyone who supported us and looked after us on the ground, from the airport, to the hotels, bus drivers, cab drivers, retailers and everyone in between. Huge gratitude to the Emergency team from ECC who fought for what we needed, when we needed it.
We are one community working together for good.
Thank you.
The Jubilee Hub is a community centre with a focus on family, children and young people and community. The partnership brings together the experience, insight and expertise of the three community focused organisations to deliver a programme of inclusive activities.
The Jubilee Hub is a community centre with a focus on family, children and young people and community. The partnership brings together the experience, insight and expertise of the three community focused organisations to deliver a programme of inclusive activities. We launched our initial schedule on Monday 17th April 2023, which will run for the next three months while we conduct a more in-depth consultation with the community. These initial activities are the ones requested by residents at our pop-up sessions in the build-up to our soft launch.
Monday morning – Meet Up Monday – 10 am to 12 pm from Monday 17th April 2023
The Jubilee Hub is open each Monday morning as part of the national “Meet Up Mondays” campaign to promote inclusion and reduce loneliness and isolation. We provide free tea, coffee, biscuits and chat, and the chance to make some new friends and share your life experiences. We will occasionally have guests of interest and some games to play.
Monday afternoon – Singing for the Soul – 2 pm to 3pm from Monday 17th April 2023
Join us each Monday afternoon for a sing along. If the weather is nice, we’ll gather outside around our beautiful band stand. Selection of music styles and no particular singing ability required – we are singing songs we love just for the fun of it. Light refreshments available to attendees for small donation.
Wednesday afternoon – Tools Down – 2pm to 4pm – starting soon
A spin-off from our very successful Men in Shed project “Essex Shed Network”, Tools Down is for men who can’t make it to a physical men’s shed for health or practical reasons. We provide a range of table-based making and mending activities, as well as a chance to chat and socialise. Light refreshments available to attendees for small donation.
Thursday Morning – Health Matters (including My Weight Matters) – 10 am to 12 pm – starting soon
Join our health matters team each Thursday morning for advice and support with leading a healthier and more active life. We will have representatives on hand from local GP surgeries, health coaches, information about local groups and activities and you can also sign up free to the My Weight Matters weight loss programme, with weekly weigh-ins and support through the programme. Light refreshments available to attendees for small donation.
Friday Morning – Digital Buddies – 10 am to 12 pm from Friday 21st April 2023
Join Ali and Adam each Friday morning for help and guidance with making the most of your technology! We have a particular focus on how to use your smartphone and tablet to access online health service and apps, including how to use the NHS app to make appointments, request medication and access your medical records. This is a drop-in session – no appointment needed. Light refreshments available to attendees for small donation.
Friday Afternoon – Art Group 2pm to 4pm from Friday 21st April 2023. Price £3 per person
An instructor-led weekly art group. This is an inclusive group open to all ages and abilities – you don’t need to be a skilled artist – just have the desire to be creative and express yourself through painting. Light refreshments available for attendees for a donation. There is a small charge of £3 per person per week to attend, so cover instructor and material costs.
Be Part of Our Community
For more information about these activities, use of the Hub by community groups or to find out about our Saffron Walden Community Fridge, please email jubilee.hub@ucan.org.uk You can also follow us on Facebook
