Let's Give Newsletter - 12 June 2026

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Let's Give Newsletter
Friday 12 June

Welcome to the latest edition of the Let's Give newsletter!

As we step into the summer months, there's many different volunteering roles available in your local communities. In this edition, you’ll find updates on events, volunteering, and training. We have included volunteer opportunities not only from us, but also our community partners. A quick reminder that registration is now open for our conference taking place on Thursday, 9 July in St Albans. With expert speakers and workshops tailored specifically for volunteers and groups alike, there is something inspiring for everyone! All the details are below.

Best wishes,

Kelly Wright
Voluntary Sector and Partnerships Manager

Booking Is Now Open!
Communities1st Annual Conference

Communities 1st Annual Conference for Volunteers and the Charity Sector - 9 July 2026

We are excited to announce that booking is now open for our annual conference for volunteers and local charities which will take place on Thursday 9 July at Verso Vineyard Church in St Albans.

We look forward to welcoming volunteers and local voluntary and community groups for a day of informative talks, insightful workshops, and of course, plenty of networking opportunities!

This year, we have introduced something new: a facilitated panel discussion on "Holding communities together in unsettled times". We have four experts on the panel and it looks set to be thought provoking and interesting.

Visit our dedicated conference webpage here or via the button below for more information, to see the agenda, and to book your place.

Book Your Place

Spotlight

Kitchen Support Volunteer with St Albans Mencap

Hertfordshire Mind Network provides group sessions for carers, enabling individuals to connect with others in similar roles and explore common issues, concerns, and ideas. These groups are designed to give carers time away from their busy caring responsibilities, offering opportunities to share experiences, gather information, and meet new people who understand the realities of day-to-day caring.
Hertfordshire Mind Network is seeking volunteers to support the delivery and running of its Carers Peer Support Service.

Apply Here

Social Media and communication with Broxbourne Big Local

Broxbourne Big Local is seeking a passionate and creative Social Media and Communications Volunteer to support the organisation in promoting its initiatives and increasing its online presence. The ideal candidate will have an enthusiasm for social media, digital marketing, and content creation. In this role, the volunteer will assist in developing promotional materials, creating engaging content, and managing social media channels to help raise awareness and drive engagement for Broxbourne Big Local’s work.

Apply Here

Eco Hub Volunteer with The Green House

Would you like to give a little time to help people in St Albans live more sustainably?

The Green House is looking for friendly volunteers to help bring our eco hub to life. Whether you enjoy chatting with people, creating social media, organising events or connecting with the community, there’s a role for you. No expert knowledge needed, they will support you and show you where to find information

Apply Here

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 for Let's Give Here

Longer Term Volunteering Roles

Conservation gardening Volunteer with Celtic Harmony

As a gardening volunteer, you’ll help maintain a peaceful environment for visiting groups. You will be tending to the spiral herb garden and surrounding green spaces. Some of your key responsibilities would be supporting garden improvement projects, keeping outdoor spaces tidy and safe for visitors, and support other tasks based on the site's needs.

Apply Here

Social Media Volunteer with HAWA multicultural services

HAWA multicultural services is seeking a creative and enthusiastic individual to run their social media. As a volunteer, you will play a crucial role in enhancing their social media presence and engaging with their audience. You should have strong written and verbal communication skills and a good knowledge of using social media platforms.

Apply Here

Lunch Club Volunteer with Age Concern St Albans

Age Concern St Albans is looking for volunteers to help run our lunch clubs. Every Wednesday and Friday we provide a opportunity for older people to meet up for chat, entertainment and a cooked lunch. Could you help engage with our clients, make tea and coffee, cook or serve lunch and run games and activities.

Apply Here

Driving Roles

Volunteer Minibus Drivers for Hertsmere Mencap

Hertsmere Mencap is looking for volunteer minibus drivers to join a rota to drive their members to their Tuesday evening social club in Borehamwood and Thursday evening social club in St Albans. They are looking for people who can create friendly, relaxed and constructive relationships with people with learning disabilities, good communicators, good drivers, and those who are ready to take part in, or start, a singalong!

Apply Here

Volunteer Driver With St Albans Good Neighbour Scheme

St Albans Good Neighbour Scheme is looking for volunteer drivers to help out with the service that they provide for their clients in the local community. The driver collects the client from their home at a prearranged time, and drives them to their appointment/destination. After the appointment, the client is driven home. In many cases the driver will need to help the client get to their appointment in the hospital and arrange a process where the client can advise the driver they are ready to go home.

Apply Here

Volunteer Minibus Drivers With Jersey Farm Day Centre

Jersey Farm Day Centre is looking for drivers to help every Tuesday during school term time. You must be over 21 years of age and must have held a driving licence for at least two years. Drivers are required to collect the minibus from designates pick up point, collect clients from their homes and bring them to the jersey Farm Community Centre. At 3pm, drivers will take clients home and return the minibus.

Apply Here

Communities1st Roles

Emergency Services Training Exercise Volunteer

Communities 1st has been invited to support a large-scale emergency services training exercise on 25 June. The exercise will help police, fire, ambulance and partner organisations practice responding to a major incident involving a large number of people. The event will take place at the Vicarage Road Stadium, Watford. Volunteers are invited to participate by acting as members of the public involved in the simulated incident. Your participation helps emergency services test evacuation procedures, communication, coordination and the management of people during a major event.

This is a training exercise only and no real emergency will take place.

Apply Heree

Telephone Befriender

In an effort to support the local community and combat social isolation, Communities 1st offers different befriending services that allow people to connect with others in their local community, helping them to feel less lonely and more supported. Our telephone Befrienders phone individuals who might be feeling lonely. They call on a regular basis to offer a friendly chat and a listening ear. We hope that volunteers will develop a rewarding relationship with the older people they befriend by offering contact, understanding and information; a few phone calls a month can really make a difference.

Apply Here

Volunteer Drivers

Communities 1st is looking for Volunteer drivers to join the team. From exciting day trips, to essential shopping trips and doctors appointments, the Communities 1st transport service helps to support those in the local community who are unable to confidently use public transport.

By volunteering with Communities 1st as one of our drivers, you will have the opportunity to drive one of our accessible minibuses and get the chance to meet and support those in your community that need it most.

Apply Here

Training And Events

Introduction To Volunteering

If you wish to take your first steps towards volunteering, this one-hour Teams session will aim to answer the how, where, when, why and what of volunteering. The session will cover an overview of volunteering and its roles, the benefits of volunteering, how to research volunteering opportunities, and how to identify your skills.

When: 30 June 2026
Time: 10:30am to 11:30am
Where: Online

Register Here

IT Skills For Work - St Albans

Need to develop your IT skills? This is a basic IT Skills and CV Course run over two days on Monday 15 June and Monday 22 June (9.30am-3.30pm). Build your confidence with computers and learn how to create professional documents and a strong CV.

What you’ll learn:

✔ Basic computer skills
✔ Creating documents (Word or similar)
✔ Writing and updating your CV
✔ Email and internet basics

Perfect for:

Beginners, job seekers, and anyone wanting to improve their IT skills.

Register Here

Sight Loss Awareness

Participants will benefit with a better understanding of sight loss issues, practical skills to assist and guide individuals and communicate more effectively with people with sight loss. They will also benefit with greater knowledge of available resources and services to improve quality of life.

Where: Online
When: 15 June 2026
Time: 11am - 12pm

Register Here

Sight Loss Awareness

This session will feature Nikki’s Story, a video message from Nikki Adams who bravely shares her story of gambling harm. This will be followed by a facilitated discussion for you to ask questions and gain valuable insights on supporting women experiencing harm from gambling.

Where: Online
When: 16 June 2026
Time: 1pm - 2pm

Register Here