Let's Give Newsletter - 4 September 2026

Let's Give Newsletter
Friday 4, September 2026

It has certainly been a very hot summer and now we can look forward to the Autumn!

We have been busy updating and adding to our volunteer database! There are many opportunities to learn new skills and support the community.

Communities 1st and Welwyn & Hatfield Borough Council are excited to be hosting our upcoming Welwyn & Hatfield Volunteer Fair on Thursday 10 September. This event is a great chance to explore the wide variety of volunteering opportunities available across Welwyn Hatfield and meet local organisations in person. The fair is perfect for anyone considering volunteering for the first time, looking for a new opportunity, or keen to learn more about local community initiatives. Please find more information below.

In the meantime, we hope you enjoy this edition of Let's Give and all the latest volunteering roles, training opportunities, and updates from us.

Best wishes,

Kelly Wright
Voluntary Sector and Partnerships Manager

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Welwyn & Hatfield Volunteer Fair

Communities 1st is excited to host a volunteer fair, where charities will showcase and promote their current available volunteering opportunities.

If you are interested in volunteering, feel free to drop by! No registration is required.

When: 10 September 2026
Time: 11:30am to 1:30pm
Where: Welwyn Garden City Town Centre, Howardsgate, AL8 6HA

Spotlight

Elstree & Borehamwood Museum Front of House Volunteer

We are seeking friendly, enthusiastic and reliable volunteers to run the front of house operation at the museum. You will need to be polite and have an ability to engage with people of all ages and backgrounds.

You will be responsible for guiding our visitors around our facility, answering queries in person or on the telephone, managing the sale of souvenirs and publications, and recording the cash or card payments in a simple ledger. Punctual and reliable people of all ages are invited to join our friendly team.

Apply Here

Volunteer Mentor - MCR Pathways

Are you empathetic and understanding? Do you have an hour each week to make a positive difference in a young person’s life? MCR Pathways is seeking enthusiastic volunteers to join our mentoring community!

We are currently looking for mentors in schools in Stevenage, Cheshunt, Tring, Hemel, and Hertford.

As a Volunteer Mentor, you will meet with the young person for one hour each week in their school (between 9am - 3pm) over the next year.

Apply Here

Volunteer Hospital Assessor - Herts Community NHS Trust

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust is asking for volunteers to help with assessing the environment within their inpatient rehabilitation units as part of the national NHS Patient Led Assessments of the Care Environment programme (PLACE).

Assessors will work as part of a small team in two inpatient units based in Welwyn Garden City and an inpatient unit in Bishops Stortford. The assessments generally take a full day with time for breaks and assessors are supported by the Estates Team. The assessments look at areas such as cleanliness, condition and appearance and food.

If you are interested in getting involved as an assessor please email volunteer@communities1st.org.uk

Travel and parking expenses will also be paid.

Let's Give

Let volunteering opportunities find you by creating your own personal profile on Communities 1st’s Let’s Give website!

If you’re interested in volunteering, you can showcase your skills, experience, relevant qualifications, interests, and availability, and we’ll do the rest, matching you with organisations looking for volunteers.

You won’t need to share any personal contact information, as we handle all the brokerage and put you directly in touch with organisations interested in your support.

Join Let’s Give and start making an impact today!

Sign Up

Longer Term Volunteering Roles

Volunteer Project Support with Trinity Community - St. Albans Mencap ( Hatfield )

St Albans Mencap is launched a new Hatfield service on 5 Aug 2026.

We’re seeking Volunteer Support Workers for Wednesdays to help adults with learning disabilities and mental health conditions enjoy meaningful activities. One day a week to start, with plans to grow.

Volunteer Support Workers will help adults with learning disabilities and mental health conditions take part in meaningful activities, build confidence, and enjoy a safe, inclusive day service.

Apply Here

Re-engage Volunteer Call Companion

Our Call Companion service connects a volunteer with an older person, aged 75 or over, who is experiencing loneliness and isolation. As a Call Companion volunteer, you’ll make a regular phone call, typically once a week, to foster friendship, enjoyment and conversation.

This role is home-based and fits around your availability.

No personal details are ever shared with your match, with calls made via our secure befriending platform.

To keep our services free for older people, we can’t pay expenses for this role. You’ll be over 18 and able to commit to 12 months of volunteering (approximately 26 hours over a year).

Apply Here

Ad-Hoc Youth Talk Volunteer

Want to help in small but meaningful ways? Join Youth Talk as an Ad Hoc Volunteer. Support simple tasks around St Albans when you have time and help us raise awareness and keep our services running for local young people.

Our charity’s activities take place within the St Albans District, and as such volunteers need to be based locally to ensure they can easily access and participate in our community events.

A vehicle or access to a vehicle is required.

Apply Here

Trustee Roles

Trustee with H'arts in Mind

We are an inclusive mental health Arts Charity run by people with lived experience. Who do we support? people with mental health or physical health challenges who have an interest in Art. We have an amazing steering team of volunteers and trustees. We welcome BAME, LGBT, disability groups.

As a Trustee with legal experience, you will play a key role in the strategic decision-making of the organisation, ensuring we operate within the law and adhere to best practices in governance. Your legal expertise will be invaluable in providing insight on legal matters, risk management, and compliance to help steer our charity towards continued success.

Apply Here

Chair with Special Olympics
St. Albans

Special Olympics St Albans (SOSA) is looking for an enthusiastic and committed volunteer to become our next Chair.

This is a fantastic part-time opportunity to lead a vibrant, inclusive charity that transforms the lives of children and adults with intellectual (learning) disabilities through the power of sport.

Home based, but with visits to St Albans.

Apply Here

Trustee Meeting Minute Taker with Broxbourne Big Local

As a Minute Taker Volunteer, you will play a crucial role in our organisation by accurately recording and documenting the proceedings of our monthly meetings. This is an excellent opportunity for students interested in gaining hands-on experience in an administrative capacity within a not-for-profit organisation charity.

Apply Here

Communities1st Roles

Volunteer Driver with Communities 1st

We are looking for volunteer drivers required to drive either their own cars or our MPV’s and Minibuses. Volunteers are needed to help people in Borehamwood, Shenley and Potters Bar who are unable to use public transport, attend health appointments, and reduce social isolation.

If you possess driving skills, a clean license, roadworthy car, are honest and reliable, and have good timekeeping, we would love to hear from you. We’re always in need of people willing to help us deliver our transport service.

Our new scheme supports the NHS locally to fulfil GP and vaccination appointments, as well as hospital visits. If you're willing to drive a larger vehicle, we also run a much-needed shopper bus service, other projects and trips.

Apply Here

Community Hub Helper with Communities 1st

Communities 1st are looking for Hub Helpers to volunteer at our Community Hub in Borehamwood.

As our Hub helper, your main roles will be to greet people when coming into the hub, admin tasks like helping visitors fill out application forms, and offering assistance with any queries they may have.

This opportunity is suitable for those people who would like to get office-based experience and community hub experience.

Once a number of sessions have been completed we will be happy to provide a reference.

Apply Here

Gardening Volunteer with Communities 1st

We are looking for green-fingered volunteers to help us help our community to work alongside staff undertaking various light duties in the garden.

No formal qualifications are required to volunteer with us but this role would suit a keen gardener and at least some experience of gardening is desirable.

We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and abilities.

We offer this role in Hertsmere, St Albans, and Welwyn Hatfield districts.

Apply Here

Training And Events

A New You course - St Albans

Take charge of your life! Build confidence, feel more in control, more positive about yourself and your future, and take steps towards work or a new direction. This free four-day interactive and engaging course covers:

Teamwork - Work better with others and feel more confident in a team
Assertiveness - Communicate calmly and clearly in everyday situations
Stress Awareness - Understand stress and simple ways to manage it
Communication/Life Skills - Speak about yourself in a way that helps you shine, in interviews or life in general
Participants will need to attend all four days of this course.

When: Monday 14, Thursday 17, Monday 21, Thursday and 24 September 2026
Time: 10am to 3pm
Where: The Apex Room, Trestle Theatre Company, Russet Drive, St Albans AL4 0JQ

Register Here

Online Prevent Session

Prevent is part of the UK Government counter terrorism strategy known as CONTEST that aims to support those who are susceptible to radicalisation. Its aim is to stop individuals from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. This training session will help you understand the role you can play in supporting those that need it.

This Prevent session offers an in-depth look at national and local trends that will support your understanding of Prevent and the current threats, risks and vulnerabilities in the wake of an evolving terror threat.

Key topics that will be covered include:

The current terrorist threat level in the UK
Relevant legislation and terminology relating to terrorism and extremism
Groups, movements and narratives in the terrorist and extremist space
How to raise concerns if you feel you know of somebody who is at risk of radicalisation.
This session may contain sensitive content.

When: 16 September
Time: 2pm-3pm
Location: Online

Register Here

Dementia Friends Information Session

Nobody wants to hear the news that they have developed dementia, which is currently the biggest killer in the UK, ahead of heart attacks, strokes and cancer. There is a lot of fear and stigma attached to a diagnosis, which can make living with dementia (and caring for someone with it) very hard.

Join us to for a presentation by Jan Payne (a Dementia Friends Ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Society) to learn more about dementia and the ways we can all help to improve the quality of life for those living with it.

Please note this is an online general information session and not a medical presentation and will last about 45 minutes. At the end there will be an opportunity, for those who wish to do so, to join over 3 million people in the UK, by becoming a Dementia Friend.

When: 23 September 2026
Location: Online
Time: 12pm-1pm

Register Here