Volunteer Blog

Written by one of our volunteers: The Small Acts of Kindness gift bag project was delivered in conjunction with Welwyn Hatfield Centre for Voluntary Service.  Anything but a dumb blonde, Aly concluded her 30 years of police service by working in an Intelligence Unit. Coming from a…

Written by one of our volunteers: After trying out a wide range of volunteering roles, Rod was encouraged and uplifted by the many acts of kindness he encountered with people in the Hertfordshire community, who give up their time for the less fortunate. A resident of Welwyn Garden City, Rod first…

Written by one of our volunteers: Phil reckons he retired too early. Whilst it did give him more time to enjoy his golf, he found that he missed the contact he'd had with so many people during his career as a Post Office Manager. Instead of simply settling into his early retirement, Phil decided to…

Written by one of our volunteers: That's the view of Lesley Landes who has lost well over 10lbs in weight since becoming a volunteer and, more incredibly, is now no longer suffering from diabetes. As far as Lesley is concerned, she is in absolutely no doubt that all the activity, as well as being…

Written by one of our volunteers: Throughout the long winter months of lockdown, local Hertfordshire resident Lesley tried to keep herself busy. She bought herself , planned new home projects, and invested in some tapestry making kits and piano music. Although the lockdown was a…

Written by one of our volunteers: At the beginning of lockdown in March 2020, Alison found herself unexpectedly living on her own. The Nursery where she worked had closed and her Mum was self-isolating elsewhere. She felt a little lonely and wanted to find something to do to keep busy, as well as…

Written by one of our volunteers: As the true impact of coronavirus became increasingly real for the strained NHS, and families and individuals losing loved ones, many of you embarked on a quest to find something useful to do. Ann…

Written by one of our volunteers: The lockdown has left many with a sudden quiet in their usually busy lives. There are hours of free time but not a lot of exciting things to fill it with! Many people have chosen to heed the collective call-to-arms and use their free time to volunteer, providing…

Written by one of our volunteers: During the last year life has changed a lot for all of us, many of us facing incredibly difficult challenges and hardship. However, when we reflect on our communities, neighbours, friends and families, stories of selfless people and acts shine out like stars. Jenny…

Written by one of our volunteers: With an end to the restrictions getting tantalisingly close, feelings of hope and positivity are in the air. You may be making plans: to hug your loved ones, to welcome new babies or pets, to celebrate milestones reached during the lockdown, perhaps even to grieve…

Written by one of our volunteers: Despite us all having unique stories to tell about our pandemic experience, we can all empathise with the feeling of being isolated and alone. We are only beginning to discover the true impact lockdown restrictions have on mental health, and the depth of loneliness…

Written by one of our volunteers: Up and down the country people continue to take an ‘all hands to the pump’ approach to caring for vulnerable individuals in their communities. Volunteer organisations like Communities 1st, together with a wide range of local volunteer…

Written by one of our volunteers: What makes people volunteer? Volunteers might say they want to connect to the community, feel involved and make a difference. During the pandemic, these people really have been making a huge difference in our communities, beavering away silently and regularly for…