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I have spent most of my working life moving between the NHS, local government and the voluntary sector, and the thing that has stayed with me is the distance between how policy describes people's lives and how those lives are actually lived. Nowhere is that gap clearer at the moment than in the way…

I have spent most of my working life around health and social care, volunteering, local government and the slow business of getting different parts of a place to pull together. After enough years of that, you notice a pattern in how we talk about what comes next. We are very good at describing what…

With another sunny week ahead, we hope you are all enjoying the lovely weather spring has to offer. Check out our upcoming events section below, where you can find out where Communities 1st will be over the next few months, and how you can take part! We are…

Welcome to the April edition of the Training Track newsletter, your gateway to exceptional training opportunities. We’re excited to spotlight some upcoming courses led by our talented colleagues from the Royal Literary Fund. Join Heidi Williamson as she shares her…

ke  Let's Give NewsletterFriday 17 April Welcome to the latest edition of the Let's Give newsletter! Spring is in full swing and, with warmer days on the way, several of our member organisations are now recruiting…

Before I ran a charity, I spent years working alongside patients trying to find their way through the health system. What stayed with me was how often the person in front of me had more to offer than the system was set up to notice. They had knowledge about their own lives, ideas about what would…

Love of ice cream! Interest in history! Respect for the voluntary sector, particularly Communities 1st, and a passion for coffee, of course, which was really why we were meeting. Just some of things, I took away from my meeting with Stella, which I felt we had in common. I found Stella to be a warm…

April is a natural time to reset and refocus. The clocks have moved forward and Easter arrives early this year so it is a good opportunity to think about what is next, and start taking practical steps towards the right job for you. This month, we are focusing on employability as a journey. It…

 Making a Difference 2 April 2026  With the clocks now having moved forward and the evenings staying lighter for longer, it really feels like spring has arrived. This time of year often brings a renewed sense of…

    After more years of service than she cares to remember to Communities 1st and its predecessor, Community Action Hertsmere, Sue Pearlman stood down as a trustee last year.  Over the years, within the voluntary sector, she has been a volunteer, a paid member of staff, a chief…

Let's Give NewsletterFriday 20 March Welcome to the latest edition of the Let's Give newsletter! This week’s Let’s Give newsletter is full of exciting ways to get involved in your community from hands‑on roles supporting…

Making a Difference 19 March 2026 The sunshine has definitely brought out a fresh wave of energy for spring, giving us all some much-needed momentum! It’…

Welcome to this latest edition of Fantastic Friday!   In March, we proudly celebrate International Women's Day and Women's History Month. While we show our appreciation and gratitude for the women in our lives, this is also a global call to action for women's…

 Let's Give NewsletterFriday 6 March Welcome to the latest edition of the Let's Give newsletter! This week's newsletter is packed with a wide range of ways to get involved in volunteering; from hands‑on roles supporting local…

Making a Difference 6 March 2026  We hope you are having a good week! March is here with many exciting events, new activities, training courses, and volunteering opportunities. If you're looking to donate your time and…

Civil society is currently spoken about in expansive terms. Trusted. Rooted. Innovative. Capable of reaching people the formal system cannot. It is positioned as central to prevention, to integration, to strengthening neighbourhoods and bringing lived experience into decision-making. National…

Let's Give NewsletterFriday 20 January Welcome to the latest edition of the Let's Give newsletter! Our next Introduction to Volunteering session is fast approaching and taking place next week. If you are looking to take…

Making a Difference 19 February 2026 Welcome back to the latest edition of our Making a Difference newsletter! While nature is working hard behind the scenes to bring us spring, you can also make a meaningful impact through…

This issue of Training Track is filled with exciting professional development opportunities. One of the highlights to look forward to is a Community Banking webinar hosted by Unity Trust Bank. This session will delve into essential financial governance concepts, setting…

With every day that passes, spring is creeping ever closer. It's lovely to see tiny buds starting to appear on the blossom trees and the last rays of daylight lingering a little longer. As we move through this seasonal transition, we hope the changing landscape brings…