Working with you to make a bigger difference

Communities 1st aims to support local communities to thrive through support, knowledge, voice, infrastructure and innovation.

About Communities 1st

We are a membership organisation dedicated to supporting the voluntary community, faith, CIC, social enterprises and small-medium sized businesses based or working within the districts of St Albans, Hertsmere and Welwyn Hatfield.

Our mission is to work with people across all sectors to make a positive impact on the wellbeing of local people through support, knowledge, voice, infrastructure and innovation.

More About Us

Our Services

Your Community Hub: A friendly space for help, learning and volunteering

Centre for Voluntary Service: Supporting Charities and community groups for the districs of St Albans, Hertsmere, and Welwyn Hatfield

Making a Difference: Empowering local volunteering

Wellbeing Support: Connecting you with help and wellbeing services

Let's Give: Bringing volunteers and charities together

Creative Community Cafes: Inspiring connections through creativity and conversations

Able2Enable: Supporting journeys into volunteering and employment

Adult Skills and Community Learning: Learn something new, one step at a time

Communities Thirst

Community Services: Essential Services that make a difference

Employment Support: Unlocking potential, building careers

Activities and Events: Out and about with Communities 1st

Travel Link: Bringing mobility and independence to our community

Welcome Spaces: Inclusive spaces where everyone belongs

Better Days Hubs: Have a better day, every day

Better Business: Linking business with the community

Beyond Borders: Seamless transitions for a brighter future

Research Engagement Network: Bringing people and research together

Trestle Arts Base

Para Dance UK

Autumn 2025

Somebody getting tech assistance from another.

Volunteering

Volunteer driver and shopper

Learning and Skills

Training digital access to healthcare

Communities 1st and Trestle Theatre Company join together

Older People’s Service Guide Banner

Compassionate Community Connector

Trestle School of Drama - Free Taster Sessions -Weekly Term Sessions

Latest News

CEO Blog - Leadership at the Edge: Ethics, Judgement and Hope

19th November 2025

Leadership today feels different. Not simply harder, but heavier. The pace of change is accelerating, expectations are high, and the time available…

Policy Pulse November

5th November 2025

Welcome to the latest edition of our Policy Pulse Newsletter, your monthly update on key developments within our sector. In these…

Upcoming Events

Hertsmere Day Trip To Ayletts Garden Centre

Wed, 19/11/2025 - 09:30 - 14:00

3 Rivers & Watford Day Trip To Ayletts Garden Centre

Wed, 19/11/2025 - 09:30 - 14:00

A new you

Wed, 19/11/2025 - 10:00 - 15:00

Through The Decades Autumn Term 2025

Wed, 19/11/2025 - 11:00 - 11:30

Creative Community Cafés - Aberford Community Centre

Wed, 19/11/2025 - 13:00 - 16:00

Latest Volunteering

Trustee Meeting Minute Taker for Broxbourne Big Local

Opportunity Type: Micro-volunteering

Hospital Information Service Volunteer for Herts Vision Loss

Opportunity Type: Long-term Commitment

Ecommerce dispatch volunteer - Mondays for Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care

Opportunity Type: Long-term Commitment

Garston - shop volunteers for Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care

Opportunity Type: Long-term Commitment

Two smiling female Communities 1st staff members in branded tops, promoting a friendly welcome.

Communities 1st Volunteer

A stack of 'Guide to services for older people in St Albans City and District' leaflets from St Albans Council and Communities 1st.

Your Community Hub front of store

An older woman happily disembarking an accessible minibus, assisted by a uniformed Communities 1st staff member, showing transport services.

diverse group of people meeting around a table, writing and collaborating, representing community project planning and engagement.

Two Communities 1st staff members standing next to a banner promoting Watford's Shopper Bus service, showing support for independent living.

Communities Thirst

A collection of Trestles Theatre face masks with different expressions and skin tones, representing diversity, emotion, and inclusive community engagement. Trestle Theatre Co

Two older women smiling and chatting over drinks, with a background banner listing Communities 1st services like 'Advice & Guidance' and 'Wellbeing and Resilience'.

Our Partners

Befriending Networks

Community transport association

CVS Bedfordshire

East herts district council

Elstree and Borehamwood town council

Wenta Gold+ - Net Zero Future

Healthy Herts Workplace

Herts welcome refugees

Historic england

Community Alliance Broxbourne and East Herts

A Healthier Future

British Red Cross

North Herts CVS

PowWer

Rainbow Services

Spirit of 2012

St Stephens Parish

Green Alliance

VCSEP

Volunteer Now

Volunteer Scotland

Volunteering Matters

WCVA CGGC

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council

West Herts Hospital Trust