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

Trestle Arts Base Venue Hire Banner

Older People’s Service Guide Banner

Compassionate Community Connector

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

Latest News

Fantastic Friday Update

9th January 2026

Happy New Year and a very warm welcome back to our newsletter! We hope you had a wonderful festive break and are…

Future Focus

6th January 2026

Happy New Year! We hope you had a lovely time over the festive season and wish you the best for the upcoming year! Our…

Upcoming Events

Culture and Learning Stronger Together Network

Wed, 14/01/2026 - 10:00 - 11:00

Introduction to Air Frying (Royston)

Wed, 14/01/2026 - 10:00 - 13:00

Through The Decades Spring Term 2026

Wed, 14/01/2026 - 11:00 - 11:30

Primary After School Club Spring Term 2026

Wed, 14/01/2026 - 16:15 - 16:45

Dance Club Secondary and Young Adults Spring Term 2026

Wed, 14/01/2026 - 17:00 - 17:30

Latest Volunteering

Shopper Service - Support Bus Buddies for Communities 1st

Opportunity Type: Long-term Commitment

Coffee Cart Marketing Manager Volunteer for Communities 1st

Opportunity Type: Long-term Commitment

Volunteer Administrator for One YMCA

Opportunity Type: Long-term Commitment

Communities Thirst (coffee barista) for Communities 1st

Opportunity Type: Long-term Commitment

Group of four people at Hert Pride 2025

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.

Trestle small slider slider image 5

Jason John speaking from a stage to a packed auditorium

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

St Albans & District Foodbank - Together with Trussel

Volunteer now - Connect, Build, Change

North Herts CVS

NHS - East and North Hertfordshire Teaching - NHS Trust

PowWer

Rainbow Services

St Stephens Parish

Green Alliance

VCSEP

Volunteer Now

Volunteer Scotland

Volunteering Matters

WCVA CGGC

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council

West Herts Hospital Trust