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It’s Not Just About Services: What We’ve Learned and What’s NextBy Stephen Craker, Chief Executive of Communities 1st As CEO of Communities 1st, I come to this work from a background in health and social care, having worked across the statutory and voluntary sectors. That experience continues…

I hope you have been able to enjoy the sunny weather we have been having. This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and the theme is community - celebrating the power and importance of community. As I'm sure you are aware, volunteering is a wonderful activity to connect with our…

With the vibrant greens of spring now in full swing, we also turn our attention to an important focus next week: Mental Health Awareness Week. This is a vital time to remember the importance of our emotional wellbeing and to reach out and support one another. Just as the weather…

Welcome to the May edition of the Future Focus newsletter, where you'll find exciting opportunities for training, employment support, and guidance. It’s Dying Matters Week from 6 - 12 May.  It’s a great time to reflect on the importance of conversations that help break…

Spring is in full swing, and so is the spirit of giving! Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen a steady increase of new faces joining our Let’s Give community and stepping up to make a difference. It’s heartening to witness this growing momentum and the eagerness of individuals who…

We hope you had a wonderful Easter. Welcome back to our little corner where we share with you exciting events and training courses for the coming weeks! As spring continues to bloom, we would like to remind you the two important focus of April: Stress Awareness Month and Autism…

This year, we will be supporting the St Albans Spring Festival by providing a calm and relaxing space for visitors to take a break. If you would like to support the event and find out more about the volunteering opportunities available, please continue reading.  As spring…

Welcome to the April edition of the Training Track newsletter. We hope that you enjoyed the long Easter weekend and made the most of the good weather whilst it lasted. The CVS team is delivering four upcoming training workshops for the Spring programme, including Recruiting,…

From health to wealth – why the next chapter of Get Britain Working must be written locally By Stephen Craker, Chief Executive of Communities 1st   Work is more than wages; it is connection, confidence and community.  When ill‑health or disadvantage locks people out of good…

This week is a beautiful blend of celebration and community focus. As we approach Easter, with its themes of renewal and hope, we also shine a light on Parkinson's Awareness Week, emphasising support and understanding. We believe in fostering connections and growth, just like…

We recently ran a very successful Let’s Give campaign to highlight everyone’s amazing skills and to reignite interest from local charities. We are delighted to say that we had 40 new people registering on the Let's Give portal which means more organisations can fill their…

Spring has well and truly sprung and I am sure we are all enjoying the sunshine and lighter evenings. With the new season upon us, the CVS team is looking forward to providing you with lots of opportunities and resources, to continue to support the growth, efficiency and…

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Welcome to the April edition of Future Focus. Domestic abuse is a hidden crime, and statistics show that around three women a week die by suicide because of domestic abuse. These figures are shocking and disheartening. Understanding how to support individuals living with abuse…

Beyond Boundaries: Reinventing Community Resilience By Stephen Craker, Chief Executive of Communities 1st   Right now, our communities stand at a unique crossroads. The landscape around us is shifting significantly - local government is reorganising, the NHS is embracing neighbourhood-based…

Welcome to the March edition of the Training Track newsletter. The CVS team is here to support your organisation to reach its full potential by enhancing expertise and capacity. We are excited to share the latest training programmes, workshops and events. We trust that you will find…

With spring well and truly here, we hope that you have all had the opportunity to enjoy some of the lovely warm weather we have had over the last few weeks.  We are looking forward to seeing you at our next Virtual Coffee Morning which will be hosted over zoom tomorrow from…

I hope you have had a great couple of weeks. As we move into March, we're excited to share some wonderful opportunities with you. Spring is on the horizon, and we're ready to help you grow and flourish. Whether you're looking to expand your skills with our training courses, or…

I hope you have had a great couple of weeks. As we move into March, we're excited to share some wonderful opportunities with you. Spring is on the horizon, and we're ready to help you grow and flourish. Whether you're looking to expand your skills with our training courses, or…