Volunteer Opportunity – Wellbeing Telephone Call Volunteer

Ticket Home is the UCAN home from hospital scheme helping patients to safely be discharged from hospital and return home.
Volunteers are needed to make post discharge wellbeing telephone calls.

Volunteers are needed to make post discharge wellbeing telephone calls to check in with the patient and ensure they have everything they need and feel connect and cared for.

This is an occasional role, for volunteers with computer confidence and access to a telephone. The purpose of the call is to make sure the patient has everything they need to safely be at home. Questions will provided and responses are logged directly into our patient management system – Ticket Home. You will be supported by our Ticket Home Coordinator and will be given training

Skills needed:

  • Good communication skills
  • Kind, patient and compassionate
  • Good people skills
  • Calm and adaptable
  • Basic IT skills
  • Ability to use own initiative

For further information:

Contact us on T: 01371 404525

E: volunteer@ucan.org.uk

Volunteer Opportunity – Family Support Volunteer

Support families by offering emotional support and guidance.

Your offer of time and support, as a volunteer, can mean the world to a family. Becoming a parent, whether it’s the first or the fourth time, can be an isolating experience.

Home-Visiting Volunteers offer families support and encouragement in their home by visiting them once a week for a period of six months. They develop a relationship with the family and encourage positive parenting and school readiness. They encourage the family to explore, reflect and come up with their own solutions. They can offer practical support within the home such as reading to a child.

Skills needed:

No formal qualifications required as full training will be given.

Parenting experience or experience of working with families and children.

For further information:

Contact us on T: 01371 404525

E: volunteer@ucan.org.uk

Volunteer Opportunity – Support your local Libraries

Saffron Walden and Dunmow Libraries are looking for volunteers to support their activities.


Saffron Walden Library:

Warm Welcome Mornings Friday 10.30 – 12.30. Volunteers are needed to help with setting up, meet and greet, serving refreshments and socialising with the attendees.

Computer Support Volunteer. Helping library customers who need support to use either the computers in the library or their own devices. This might be through regular sessions, or specific IT surgery events.

Dunmow Library:

Baby and Toddler Rhyme Time Weds 9.30-10, Fri 10-10.30. Volunteers are needed to deliver the rhyme sessions, and support the development of children by sharing your enjoyment of books and rhymes.

Skills needed:

  • Warmth and friendliness.
  • Ability to interact with people of all ages.
  • Practical and ‘hands on’.
  • A good team worker, able to work with library staff and other volunteers.
  • Can set up and clean down area, including tea and coffee making.

For further information:

Contact us on T: 01371 404525

E: volunteer@ucan.org.uk

Volunteer Opportunity: Chairman and Secretary

A local charity based in Thaxted who offers craft activities to adults living with physical disability is looking for a Chairman and Secretary to support the work of the charity.

A local charity based in Thaxted who offers craft activities to adults living with physical disability is looking for a Chairman and Secretary to support the work of the charity.

The Chairmans role would involve chairing the Trustee meetings (presently four times per year), promoting the charity, liaising with the Treasurer and Secretary to ensure the charity meets its regulatory obligations, supporting the funding co-ordinator as well as fund raising initiatives. The Centre is run by a volunteer manager on a day to day basis but the Chairman will need to take an interest in the work being done and help with decision making if needed.

The secretary’s role would include:

  • Organisation of quarterly committee meetings including preparation and issue of the agenda.
  • Preparation and issue of meeting minutes.
  • Organisation of an AGM including circulation of invites and agenda.
  • Set up of meeting and provision of documents for attendees.
  • Maintaining the file of minutes electronically and hard copy.

For further information

Contact us on:

Telephone: 01371 404525

Email: volunteer@ucan.org.uk

Volunteer Opportunity: Walking Buddies

UCAN is looking for volunteers who would be happy to walk with Beneficiaries in one of two roles:

1) Become a Walking Buddy – involves walking on a one-to-one basis with a Beneficiary. The walking time, length of walk and route is up to the Volunteer and Beneficiary to arrange together.  Some Beneficiaries simply wish for a gentle walk around their block, whilst others may like a longer route. 

2) Lead a Walking Group – involves meeting at a particular point and time with a group of residents who would like to walk in a group for a set time (around an hour).  This may be a weekly or fortnightly activity.

Beneficiaries may be:
 vulnerable people;
 people who feel anxious about going out alone; 
 people who are new to the area who would like to be shown where to walk.

If you would like to join us walking on either of these roles, please let us know!

Email: volunteer@ucan.org.uk Tel: 01371 404525

Guide and Brownie Group Leaders needed for Saffron Walden

Be part of Girlguiding and help run meetings for our young members.

Be part of Girlguiding and help run meetings for our young members.

We are looking for volunteer leaders, for our Guide and Brownie Groups in Saffron Walden.
Girlguiding offers opportunities for learning many transferable skills; organisation and planning, completing risk assessments and first aid to name a few.
It also gives the opportunity for exploration and magical moments as you share the fun that our young members have.

Skills needed:

  • Enthusiasm to inspire
  • A desire to learn and experience new things
  • Time – evenings once a week during term time.

We also offer flexible Guiding where any time is valued and can contribute to role sharing.

For further information

Contact us on:

Telephone: 01371 404525

Email: volunteer@ucan.org.uk

Volunteer Opportunity: Event Helper for Talliston House and Gardens

We are looking for volunteers to help out at Talliston House and Gardens on their private group days and events in Great Dunmow.

We are looking for volunteers to help out at Talliston House and Gardens on their private group days and events in Great Dunmow.

Tasks would include:

  • Welcoming and directing guests.
  • Setting up food and equipment for events.
  • Decorating and setting up the house and gardens.
  • Helping to tidy up after events.

Skills needed:

  • Problem solving skills.
  • Good attention to detail.
  • Customer service skills.
  • Basic computer skills.

For further information:

Contact us on T: 01371 404525 E: volunteer@ucan.org.uk

Volunteer Opportunity: Adult Friendship Volunteer

Adult Friendship Volunteers support adults who have a range of disabilities in a variety of social and leisure activities and settings.

Adult Friendship Volunteers support adults who have a range of disabilities in a variety of social and leisure activities and settings.

The role of volunteers within this project is to befriend and support participants to access activities which will promote their self-confidence, independence, social and life skills. This can include accessing the local community in small groups and participating in activities that are of interest to the adults using this service. Regular social meetings are held in Uttlesford on a Tuesday evening where many members meet and participate in activities as a larger group.

Skills needed:

  • Supporting adults to participate in a range of social and leisure opportunities of mutual interest.
  • Using initiative to help in a situation where another member of the group, either member, staff or volunteer, may need support.
  • Becoming a member of a friendly, committed team.
  • Expressing ideas for new/different activities.
  • Attending volunteer meetings & training sessions relevant to the role.
  • To follow the guidelines and policies, including those designed to protect well-being of vulnerable adults.

For Further information:

Contact us on T: 01371 404525  E: volunteer@ucan.org.uk

To register your interest: Click Here

Volunteer Opportunity: Caretaker/Maintenance Volunteer at Saffron Walden Museum

Saffron Walden Museum is one of the oldest purpose-built museums in the country. 

Saffron Walden Museum is one of the oldest purpose-built museums in the country. We are looking for volunteers to help staff at Saffron Walden Museum with keeping the museum in a good condition so that it is tidy, organised and welcoming for visitors.

Tasks would include:

  • Helping to paint walls and exhibition display equipment
  • Helping to fix fixtures, fittings, furniture and other equipment
  • Helping out with practical and technical tasks
  • Carrying out tasks as directed by Museum staff
  • Referring to Museum staff when uncertain of a situation
  • Notifying Museum staff of any potential health and safety issues

Skills needed:

  • Good customer service skills – you need to be friendly, outgoing and have good communication skills
  • Enjoy working as a team
  • DIY practical skills e.g. carrying out basic repairs, painting and decorating, using tools
  • Good Attention to detail
  • Ability to work to set guidelines
  • Enjoy working independently
  • Security and health and safety conscious
  • Good physical health – the role would include activities such as lifting materials and equipment and using ladders

For further information:

Contact us on T: 01371 404525

E: volunteer@ucan.org.uk

Volunteer Opportunity: Tour Guide for Talliston House and Gardens

We are looking for volunteers to help out at Talliston House and Gardens as tour guides for small groups. Talliston is a house and gardens in Great Dunmow

We are looking for volunteers to help out at Talliston House and Gardens as tour guides for small groups.

Volunteers would be needed for a few hours on the last weekend of every month, and occasionally to guide private groups on the weekdays.

Skills needed:

  • Communication skills
  • Customer service skills
  • Basic computer skills
  • Interest and knowledge of history
  • Sensitivity and understanding

For further information:

Contact us on T: 01371 404525 E: volunteer@ucan.org.uk