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As we bid farewell to 2023, a year of challenges and triumphs, we at Communities 1st are reflecting on our achievements and setting our sights on the opportunities 2024 will bring.  Our mission has always been to bolster and support the VCFSE sector. We are dedicated to ensuring that…

Rebuilding From Burnout   The COVID-19 pandemic marked an unprecedented era for charity and non-profit leadership, introducing new challenges that required swift adaptation and resilience. As a CEO, I navigated our organisation through these uncertain times, which inevitably impacted my…

Thinking that Christmas is almost next week, is mind-blowing! Time has flown by so quickly. We are busily finalising our friendly Christmas calls and door-to-door visits for people who would otherwise be alone this festive season. We know many people struggle with loneliness and…

With 2023 coming to an end, and the holidays fast approaching, Communities 1st would like to wish you a very happy Christmas, and a wonderful New Year. We want to thank you all for your support this year and we hope that you have enjoyed yourselves and are looking forward to a restful…

Welcome to our Volunteer Centre newsletter.   We recently attended the Herts Sports Partnership’s Active Local conference. It was great to hear about the brilliant work volunteers have been doing to help the physical wellbeing of residents in Hertfordshire through the use…

This week we would like to highlight the importance of two campaigns.   "Human Rights Day" will be remembered on the 10th of December and this year's theme is "Freedom, Equality and Justice for All". On Tuesday 12th of December, we will remember those who lost their lives at work…

Christmas is fast approaching and for many, this can be a time of additional pressure or stress. It is important to remember to try to take time out, to relax and recharge in order to look after our physical and mental health. Please click here for some ideas on how to…

December has arrived and planning is well under way for our annual Christmas calls and the door to door visits for the elderly and isolated. Although the festive season will be an exciting time for many of us, we are aware that many people in our communities struggle with loneliness and…

The festive holidays are right around the corner, and Communities 1st recently participated in the annual Christmas Cracker event held in St Albans. We want to say a huge thank you to all of the volunteers that dedicated their time to supporting Communities 1st at the event. We were…

Welcome to our Volunteer Centre newsletter.   With Christmas fast approaching Communities 1st are organising friendly phone calls and door step visits to those in the community who may be isolated or find it harder to get out of the house. We hope to offer this option to…

As we move towards the end of November we get a growing sense of the festive period approaching. We are thrilled to see what December has in store for us!     "16 Days of Action Against Domestic Violence" takes place from Friday 25th of November - Saturday 10th of…

  Volunteering - an opportunity to use the skills learned from your work Picture Penny: she has just turned seventy. Before she retired, Penny worked as a nurse in the community and then in a hospice. She lives in Hatfield, where she was born, with her husband, whose hobbies include trains…

We have some great opportunities to build our awareness of issues affecting our community through key health campaigns, this November   Mitzvah Day falls on Sunday 19th, it's an annual event dedicated to social action through volunteering, where individuals are encouraged to…

We have had a busy start to November at Communities 1st. We started the month by attending the 'Locality 2023 Conference' which was held in Bristol this year. It was a great opportunity to meet with other like-minded organisations with the same passion for bringing the local community…

Talk Money week was observed last week. It is an annual campaign that encourages open conversations about personal finances, money management and financial wellbeing. Communities 1st organise Money management sessions helping people deal with this topic. Maths…

Addressing the Underlying Causes to Food Insecurity   Amidst the economic turbulence, Communities 1st has stood at the forefront, witnessing firsthand the deepening cost of living crisis that is placing undue strain on our community’s families. The need for substantial support mechanisms has…

This week we are welcoming November, a month that brings with it important health related campaigns and awareness events that can affect our community.   Every November, Lung Cancer Awareness Month aims to raise awareness about common symptoms of lung cancer.…

Communities 1st, a dedicated champion of community development and inclusivity, is delighted to announce a significant step in our mission to empower individuals and communities. We have undertaken the responsibility to secure and advance the vital work of Para Dance UK, merging our strengths,…

Welcome to our Volunteer Centre newsletter.   Last week we hosted a Volunteer Fair at the Laura Trott Centre in Broxbourne. It was great to see so many volunteers and organisations attend the event, which turned out to be a great success! If you are local to Broxbourne and…

Days are getting colder and shorter. This only means that our energy consumption is expected to rise along with costs. A few small steps can help manage these costs better. Cooking with an Air Fryer helps reduce precious time and money. Why not learn to cook with one on this free course…