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“I owe Communities 1st such a lot,” Gabriela explained to me over a delicious cup of coffee at the Communities Thirst coffee point in the St Albans Civic Centre where she gives her time as a volunteer. Gabiela continued, “Communities 1st has helped me learn English, taught me new skills, and given…

Welcome to our Volunteering Vision Newsletter — a space where we share ideas, insights, and updates on how we’re reimagining volunteering for the future. As valued members and partners, your role is vital in building a more responsive, inclusive, and impactful volunteering…

Welcome to the June edition of Future Focus where you will find exciting opportunities for training, employment support and guidance for employment support. June heralds the meteorological start of summer which means we will be spending more time outdoors. While it’s important to…

Communities 1st Annual Conference for charities, groups and volunteers Registration is now open! I’m pleased to invite you and your amazing volunteers to Communities 1st’s Conference for local charities, groups, and volunteers on Thursday, 26 June at The Vineyard in St Albans. It’s going to be a…

Join us at an event near you for Volunteers' Week 2025 Volunteers' Week 2025 (2 - 8 June) is coming up and we want to say a BIG thank you to you, our amazing volunteers! You are invited to join us at one of our get togethers, to not only celebrate the…

We hope you had a wonderful week under the sunshine and ready to unwind with this week's newsletter. The last week of May marks National Dementia Week, a crucial time for us to come together as a community to raise awareness, offer support, and foster a deeper understanding for…

I am pleased to be able to share these training opportunities with you. As well as the formal training sessions, we are also offering a series of free awareness sessions which may be useful not only to you and your team members, but also to any volunteers or anyone you may…

As we move into the summer months with lighter evening and long sunny days Let’s Give is an ideal platform for you to display your interests, hobbies, and skills. We’re here to help empower individuals to support and contribute their time, skills, and experiences. This newsletter…

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…

Brian Hudson’s Thursdays start when, at 9:30, he picks up a gentleman who lives is St Albans and gives him a lift to his mother who lives near the Galleria, in Hatfield. He then makes his way to the Communities 1st office, Ver House, in Park Street, probably arriving around 10:20. Brian spends his…

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…