Volunteer Blog

... It fits in with the rest of my life “I’m pleased to be able to give something back. When my mum and dad were alive, several people helped them and now it’s my time to help others. I know that just a small amount of support can keep older people going.” Andy, in his late fifties and living in…

“I was in a state of complete shock when I was diagnosed as having breast cancer. I just could not believe it. Cancer had never been on my radar. Young people of my age just don’t get cancer. This can’t be right.” Georgie was explaining to me her reaction to being diagnosed with cancer in May 2021…

Team Venn - a powerful partnership Helen and Mike Venn, who have been married for nearly 43 years, have lived in Croxley Green for almost forty years.  Mike is retired, having worked in telecommunications/IT, and Helen is a semi-retired primary school teacher. In their retirement they make a…

Linda* is a busy volunteer who has contributed to several areas of Communities 1st work. She is involved in shopping, has supported Afghan refugees, and been a telephone befriender. When I called, she was having work carried out on her home. The loud banging disturbed her dog, Spot, who retaliated…

Linda* is a busy volunteer who has contributed to several areas of Communities 1st work. She is involved in shopping, has supported Afghan refugees, and been a telephone befriender. When I called, she was having work carried out on her home. The loud banging disturbed her dog, Spot, who retaliated…

Robin Cattle, in his sixties and living in Welwyn Garden City, is a volunteer driver. For over thirty years, he sat behind a desk when he worked in banking. Now that he has retired, he has decided that he wants to do practical tasks. He told me that “in my early life, practical skills did not come…

"nothing is more important than the community and people" and that is one of the reasons why Jeremy volunteers. He strongly believes that "volunteering is very satisfying and gives a sense of purpose. It also, makes me grateful for what I've got." Jem Silverstone, in his early sixties, has lived…

Cheryl*, in her sixties, is a volunteer with Communities 1st.  She has undertaken two very different roles – collecting and delivering oxygen monitors to vulnerable people and being a telephone befriender.  Cheryl’s experience highlights the important part that volunteers can play in…

Simon, like many of our volunteers, started volunteering during the COVID pandemic when he helped at a vaccination centre.  He has since become a volunteer driver and what came across from my chat with Simon is his great enthusiasm for the work.  This is perhaps a little surprising…

Claire started volunteering with Communities 1st as a response to the COVID epidemic.  She hadn’t any experience of volunteering in this country and, to be honest, she hadn’t heard of Communities 1st!  However, her experience has been very positive, and she was keen to tell me that she…

Elly might have helped you at a vaccination centre or brought you your shopping. Many more of you may have heard her voice on local radio! Elly O’Mera is a volunteer with both Communities 1st and  Radio Verulam! Like many volunteers, Elly supports more than one group…

V is also the name by which a very special lady likes to go by when she is doing voluntary work for Communities 1st.  Born in Europe, V came to England over 35 years ago and first lived in West London.  She explained to me that her name can be quite difficult to pronounce, so when…

Ben started as a volunteer shopper with Communities 1st in 2020, as the Covid epidemic was sweeping the country, and he has continued ever since. Ben, who is in his early forties and living in St Albans, hadn’t done any voluntary work before, but it was a wish to help tackle the pandemic that drove…

“Doing shopping for frail, elderly and vulnerable people who can’t get out is such a vital service. It’s a real lifeline,” Mary told me as I chatted with her while she drove home! She was, of course, on speaker phone so she could reassure me that she was driving safely. It soon became apparent that…

Both in their late 80's, Betty and John have now enjoyed 65 years of marriage. They met up when John was completing National Service in the R.A.F., moved to Wembley, and have juggled working lives with bringing up two daughters. Betty managed various temporary jobs until she finally…

It all started with Beryl's Blue Bus. A few years ago, Beryl noticed an unusual wagon off-loading shoppers outside her local Sainsburys and enquired who the bus was for. She learned that this was one of the many helpful services provided by Communities 1st and, now in her late 80s, …

Coral, a volunteer with Communities 1st, found that chatting about cake helped her to engage with Nigerian nurses working at the Lister Hospital! The nurses found cake both a source of comfort and entertainment! What is it about the English and their cake? Coral is supporting the International…

Sue Horne could almost be regarded as a professional volunteer - except that she never submits an invoice! For over 35 years Sue has been devoting her time to a wide variety of volunteering roles. These have included supporting witnesses attending St. Albans Crown Court, lending support to the '…

Polly has lived in Borehamwood for some 33 years. She loves her small home, which has a cottage like feel, and when she moved there she was "a bit of a DIY fanatic', decorating and even tackling “the electrics.”  Now in her mid-70s and with a poorly back, sadly…

Judy is a regular user of Communities 1st transport, Handyperson, and shopping delivery services. After being born in Canada and living in the USA, Judy has now lived in Borehamwood for over twenty years. She has serious health needs and believes that Communities 1st has provided her with a…