Let's Give Newsletter - 21 August 2026

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Let's Give Newsletter
Friday 21 August

The heatwave has been very exhausting and we'd like to start by saying a huge thank you to all the volunteers and staff who have kept the charity running.

Communities 1st and Welwyn & Hatfield Borough Council are excited to be hosting our upcoming Welwyn & Hatfield Volunteer Fair. This event is a great chance to explore the wide variety of volunteering opportunities available across Welwyn Hatfield and meet local charities, community groups, and voluntary 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

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

Resident Engagement Volunteer with One YMCA

One YMCA are looking for a friendly and reliable Resident Engagement Support Volunteer to help create a welcoming and positive environment for residents living in our hostel accommodation. This is a flexible role that will begin with a focus on befriending and social connection. Volunteers will help open the café, serve teas and coffees, and spend time chatting with residents to help build rapport and reduce social isolation.

Apply Here

letter F with colourful circles around it

Remote Volunteer Family Support Worker - National Helpline with Coram Family Lives

Coram Family Lives operate a free confidential helpline for anyone experiencing difficulties in their family or relationship.

We are a national service with home-based call takers county wide.

Our volunteers take calls from parents and carers on a wide range of subjects, including issues around separation and divorce, isolation, depression, bullying and abuse, dealing with behavioural problems, etc.

Apply Here

Volunteer Operator with Willow Foundation in East Herts

This is a great opportunity for an enthusiastic volunteer to join our small and busy shop team. We are looking for someone who can commit to supporting the team on a regular, ongoing basis each week. This role is vital as you will often be the first, main point of contact with customers. Till operators must offer excellent customer service and have the ability to relate to people in a friendly manner. An ability to multitask is beneficial as till operators may have to answer multiple enquiries while serving customers.

Apply Here

PLACE 2026 Patient Assessors

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust are seeking individuals who would be interested in volunteering as patient assessors for the Trust. This is a voluntary role; however, reasonable travel expenses to and from the assessment locations will be reimbursed and full training will be given.

You may be asked to participate in one or more assessments. Assessments can last from two to six hours on any day, depending on the size of the site. In very large hospitals, an assessment might run over more than one day. You may be asked to carry out just part of an assessment.

The Trust is still looking for volunteers to become PLACE volunteers at their Kingsley Green Hospital in Radlett.

If you are interested in the role, please email Volunteer@communities1st.org.uk

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 Social Media Role with Citizens Advice Welwyn Hatfield

We are currently looking for a Social Media Volunteer to build our public profile and improve our communications for the purpose of raising awareness of our services, attracting volunteers, encouraging financial support and sharing information on our impact. In this role, you will have the opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives while positively impacting your community. You will gain valuable knowledge on a variety of issues affecting our clients, such as benefits, debt, employment, and housing. Additionally, you will build on valuable skills in communication, marketing, and advertising.

Apply Here

Student Co-ordinator with Harpenden Trust

The Harpenden Trust Provides a variety of support for families, individuals and other local charitable organisations, all within the AL5 postcode.

Over 500 volunteers are involved in a wide range of projects, from financial support and outings to wellbeing and befriending.

Assisting in the work of the Trust, you will be matching student volunteers to roles where they can gain experiences in a variety of ways.

This role is flexible and home based.

Apply Here

Food Bank Volunteer with Red Trust Bushey

Red Trust Bushey is looking for friendly and compassionate volunteers to help support our local community through our busy Food Bank. As a volunteer, you’ll play a vital role by preparing and providing food parcels, offering warm refreshments and, most importantly, taking the time to listen to and support visitors who may be going through difficult moments.

If you’re someone who cares about making a real difference and can offer a welcoming smile and an empathetic ear, we’d love to have you join our team. Your time could bring comfort, dignity, and practical help to those who need it most.

Apply Here

Trustee Roles

Trustee with Herts Vision Loss

Thought of using some of your time, skills and talents to support a local charity? Looking for something new and a way to use your knowledge and skills to develop your community involvement?

Then think about a Trusteeship role with us.
We would love to hear from you.
No previous experience, either working or volunteering with a charity, is required.

Based in Welwyn Garden City, Herts Vision Loss is a Hertfordshire-wide independent charity providing support to our county’s visually impaired residents.

We are very interested to meet candidates considering utilising their skills with us in a charitable Trustee role, and in particular those with experience or background and skills in legal, financial, accounting.

Apply Here

Treasurer with Sustainable St. Albans

Sustainable St Albans are looking for a new trustee for the treasurer role. This will involve overseeing and reporting on the general finances of the charity.

The overall role of the Treasurer is to maintain an overview of Sustainable St Albans (SSA) affairs, ensure its financial viability and ensure that proper financial records and procedures are maintained. As SSA has no staff the Treasurer does take a greater role in the day-to-day finances of SSA.

Apply Here

Trustee with St. Albans Mencap

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of people with learning disabilities? St Albans Mencap is looking for dedicated trustees to help guide our charity and shape our future.

As a trustee, you’ll play a vital role in overseeing our work, ensuring we continue to provide essential support and services. Whether you have experience in finance, fundraising, governance, or just a strong commitment to inclusion and equality, we’d love to hear from you!

We are particularly keen to hear from people who have strong connections to our local community and share our commitment to supporting people with learning disabilities and their families.

Apply Here

Communities1st Roles

Volunteer Driver with Communities 1st

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. What are they looking for? Driving skills, clean license, roadworthy car, honest and reliable, good timekeeping. 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

Volunteer Photographer with Communities 1st

We are looking for a Volunteer Photographer to help capture images that showcase the work we are doing within the community. Your photos will play an important part in helping us promote our projects, celebrate our volunteers, and highlight the positive impact our work is having on local people.

This is an ad‑hoc role, ideal for someone who enjoys photography, meeting new people, and supporting community initiatives.

Apply Here

Able2Enable BSL Volunteer Interpreter with Communities 1st

Able2Enable takes a holistic approach to supporting individuals to develop key life skills, improve wellbeing, and increase employability skills. We encourage individuals to grow within their capabilities by providing coaching and wellbeing support, training opportunities, and supported volunteering placements.

We offer each individual a tailored approach that explores areas for personal development they would like to focus on. This may include building confidence, developing self-esteem, improving communication skills, and gaining employability skills.

We are looking for individuals with
BSL interpretation skills (qualification or strong practical experience).

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: 27 August 2026
Time: 10:30am to 11:30am
Where: Online

Register Here

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

Hertfordshire Health Walks Volunteer Training

Do you love to walk?

If so, why not become a Health Walk Volunteer and help others experience the health and wellbeing benefits of regular walking?

There’s no need to be super fit or know how to read a map. Volunteering with us is flexible and there is no expectation of a time commitment. The experience is rewarding and benefits your health as well as the health of others. You will meet many like-minded people and explore your local countryside.

When: 4 September 2026
Location: Stevenage

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: 4 September 2026
Location: Stevenage

Register Here