WECAN (West Essex Community Action Network) is a partnership between Rainbow Services (Harlow), CVSU (Council for Voluntary Services Uttlesford) and VAEF (Voluntary Action Epping Forest). A Company Limited by Guarantee,

WECAN exists to build stronger links and opportunities between the voluntary and community sector, commissioners, statutory partners and businesses for the benefit of the community in West Essex, and to facilitate and coordinate bids which add capacity and value to local service delivery. We will do this through partnership working and acting as lead body for sector partners on large pieces of work which benefit West Essex as a whole.

Our first piece of work is a good example of this. In 2019 WECAN was awarded a grant by Essex County Council to deliver the United in Kind programme across West Essex. RCCE is providing this service across the rest of the county. We have dedicated United in Kind coaches in each district who are working to raise awareness of loneliness and isolation, recruiting Community Champions, developing ‘acts of kindness’ and providing communities with workshops and support to deliver their own activities. https://www.unitedinkind.org/ 

For support in planning and delivering activities in your area, or for help and advice on how to overcome loneliness and isolation, please contact the United in Kind Coach in your district:

Epping Forest
Nick Robinson
nick.robinson@westessexcan.org

Harlow
Sarah Ayling
sarah.ayling@westessexcan.org