Category: UCAN News

Support for Ukraine: Can you help?

If you or anyone you know would like to offer a home to people fleeing Ukraine or for guests who cannot stay with their current host beyond the initial six-month period, please consider becoming a sponsor as part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

The support so far from Uttlesford residents for those affected by the war in Ukraine has been been heart-warming

If you or anyone you know would like to offer a home to people fleeing Ukraine or for guests who cannot stay with their current host beyond the initial six-month period, please consider becoming a sponsor as part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

You can register your interest on the GOV.UK website.

If you would like any advice, guidance or are interested in speaking to people who are already part of the scheme, please get in touch with our Communities Team at communityresponse@uttlesford.gov.uk

Please also share this information with friends and family who may be able to help.

Dunmow Community Fridge is open

Our Community Fridge is open Mon – Fri between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. It will be restocked each day with donated fresh food items.

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.

Vacancy: Community Responder – Fixed Term (6 months)

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

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).

Uttlesford Community Hub is open week days for you to enjoy

Did you know our community hub in Great Dunmow is open every Monday – Friday 9am – 4pm?

Did you know our community hub in Great Dunmow is open every Monday – Friday 9am – 4pm?

This cosy space is for all our community to relax and rest in the warm, read or share the books, play games and puzzles and flick on the kettle!

All ages, genders and abilities welcome 😊

We have lift access for those with additional access needs.

If you need help or support with things like foodbank, winter warmth advice or have need for a handyman then you can ask for a member of the UCAN team to come and have a chat with you. You can find out more about volunteering in the district, and we also host pop-up banks each week for TSB and Barclays customers.

Do drop in to see us and enjoy the space.

UCAN Annual General Meeting 2022

You are cordially invited to join the UCAN trustees and team at our annual general meeting to celebrate our achievements over the past twelve months, and consider the state of the sector and the challenges facing us in the months and year ahead as the third sector community.

Our AGM will be held on Friday 25th November 2022 at Foakes Hall, Great Dunmow, starting at 10.00 a.m.

You are cordially invited to join the UCAN trustees and team at our annual general meeting to celebrate our achievements over the past twelve months, and consider the state of the sector and the challenges facing us in the months and year ahead as the third sector community.

When: Friday 25th November 10.00 a.m. – 12.00 p.m.

Where: Foakes Hall, Great Dunmow. There is parking on site and close by

Light refreshments will be provided.

Alongside our guest speak (to be announced shortly) we will also have representation from a number of Uttlesford voluntary organisations promoting their work and opportunities for the people of Uttlesford, and there will be a chance to network and connect with colleagues.

We do hope you can join us.

RSVP please to connect@ucan.org.uk

UCAN is now a National Databank Centre

We are delighted to share that UCAN have been successful in becoming part of the UK National Databank powered by Good Things Foundation and its partners Virgin Media O2, Vodafone and Three.

A lack of digital skills and access can have a huge negative impact on a person’s life, leading to poorer health outcomes and a lower life expectancy, increased loneliness and social isolation, less access to jobs and education

It can mean paying more for essentials, financial exclusion, an increased risk of experiencing poverty. People who are digitally excluded also lack a voice and visibility in the modern world, as government services and democracy increasingly move online.

What’s more, it’s those already at a disadvantage – through age, education, income, disability, or unemployment – who are most likely to be missing out, further widening the social inequality gap.

We are delighted to share that UCAN have been successful in becoming part of the UK National Databank powered by Good Things Foundation and its partners Virgin Media O2, Vodafone and Three.  This is to support individuals experiencing health inequalities and who are digitally excluded.  The Databank supports UCAN supplying SIM cards to vulnerable individuals who are experiencing lack of mobile connectivity and data.     

In particular, we are supporting the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine by offering support with mobile data to refugees also from other countries arriving in the UK who are escaping war and persecution. 

For more information contact our Digital project lead Ali Firth – email ali.firth@westessexcan.org or visit the digitalshare website to apply for a data donation www.digitalshare.org

UCAN and Volunteer Uttlesford are coming together

We are delighted to announce that UCAN and Volunteer Uttlesford are joining forces. Together, we will be better able to support communities to thrive and to improve the quality of life of people in Uttlesford

We are delighted to announce that UCAN and Volunteer Uttlesford are joining forces. Together, we will be better able to support communities to thrive and to improve the quality of life of people in Uttlesford

As well as championing and supporting the local voluntary sector, and improving policy and service delivery, UCAN remain committed to Volunteer Uttlesford’s focus on the promotion, facilitation and development of volunteering across Uttlesford.

Susan and Tessa from Volunteer Uttlesford will now be running the Volunteer Centre at UCAN and are contactable by
emailing volunteer@ucan.org.uk. Our volunteering telephone number remains the same – 01799 510525.

Please follow us on social media to keep in touch on our exciting journey together

Facebook: @UttlesfordCAN

Twitter: @UttlesfordCAN

Fundraising Quiz Night

Join us on Friday 21st October 2021 at the Rowena Davey Centre in Great Dunmow for a night of food and fun, all in support of our work within the Uttlesford Community

We’re delighted to be brining back our Autumn Quiz Night after a two year break due to the pandemic. We’re looking forward to seeing friends old and new for a fun night of games, tasty food, drinks and some laughs.

When: Friday 21st October 2022 starting at 7.30 p.m.

Where: Rowena Davey Centre, Chequers Lane, Great Dunmow. Parking on site.

What: A fun quiz night with a two course meal, cash bar, games, prizes and fun

Price: £12.50 per person.

How To Book

Click on the Add to Cart button below. You can choose the number of tickets on the following page.

Alternatively call the office on 01371 878400 to book your tickets and pay by card on the telephone. All tickets must be paid for in advance due to catering.

We will contact you to confirm the number of meat free meals required. We are offering two dinner options:

  • Beef Lasagne with side salad, followed by warm chocolate brownie and icecream
  • Plant based Lasagne, dairy free and egg free, followed by Biscoff Cup Cake.

Please note: Our meals will be prepared fresh on the day. Dinners will be provided by Enterprise East and both options are cooked in an environment that contains allergens including dairy, nuts, wheat and dairy. Please let us know if you have a food related allergy. Thank you.

We hope you can join us for this great change to relax and have some fun in aid of a good cause. See you soon!

Dunmow Dementia Cafe Summer Outing 2022

This week 40 Dunmow Dementia Cafe members headed off to Gotha Gardens at Pembroke Farm in Herts

This week 40 Dunmow Dementia Cafe members headed off to Gotha Gardens at Pembroke Farm in Herts

The gardens were created 35 years ago and consist of several themed areas, with different planting schemes.

On arrival we had a home made cake and sat chatting in the sunshine. This was followed by a tour of the gardens by the owner of the property, and a light lunch before heading home. 

The weather was not too hot and everyone had such a lovely day. 

Days out like this, which are well supported by our team of volunteers are a real boost to all who attend.

If you would like to find out more about the Dementia Cafe then please call Uttlesford Community Action on 01371 878400 and speak to Jacqui Davies.

Our regular Dementia Cafe activities take place weekly on Monday morning, at the Rowena Davey Centre in Chequers Lane. Those living with dementia, their carers and those who have experience of dementia are all welcome.