Let's Give Volunteering Newsletter

With the new year well underway, it's the perfect time to reflect on how we can make a meaningful difference in our communities. Volunteering offers a unique opportunity to connect with others, build new skills, and create positive change. Whether you're looking to try something new or continue a passion from last year, we’ve compiled a list of exciting volunteer opportunities to help you get involved. In this newsletter, you’ll find a variety of opportunities whether you’re interested in supporting local charities, helping with environmental initiatives, or offering your expertise to those in need.

We have split volunteering roles into the following sections: 

• Spotlight
• Short term roles and micro volunteering
• Longer term volunteering roles 
• Driving roles 

We aim to support all volunteers in their activities. If you are looking for more volunteering opportunities, please look for opportunities on our website using the button below or get in touch by emailing volunteer@communities1st.org.uk.

Julie Yorston
Assistant Manager Volunteer Centre

Music for my Mind is looking for a vibrant, confident communicator to help them spread the word about the wellbeing benefits of personalised music listening for people living with dementia and those who care for them. Your passions for music, social media, blogging and content creation will help grow their online presence. You will help them connect with 1,000 families to use the Music for my Mind Playlist Maker and gather their feedback on its usability and effectiveness. They are looking for someone who can commit to a minimum of 5 hours a week, more if possible. There is no office so this is a fully remote role.

Abbey View Community Athletics Track is looking for Trustees to join the the newly formed Abbey View Community Athletics Track (AVCAT) Charity. You would join the leadership team of dedicated trustees, who are engaged in the advancement of sport in Hertfordshire, for the public's benefit, through the provision of the athletics track at Abbey View.

Willow Foundation is looking for someone who can commit to supporting the team on a regular, ongoing basis each week. This is a great opportunity for an enthusiastic volunteer to join our small, but busy shop team. This role is vital as they are often the main, or first 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.

The Countryside Management Service would like to recruit more volunteers to support existing Hertfordshire Health Walks and set up new, shorter walks for people who are not currently active or are returning to activity after an injury or illness. Join their team of more than 200 volunteers who help others become healthier and happier by walking together outdoors. No experience is necessary. You can lead walks or provide support from the back. Volunteer once a week or once a month it is up to you. Training is free and nationally accredited.

Highfield Helpers are a group of people who help with the upkeep of Highfield Park, help the environment, get to meet new people and support a charity all in one go! It’s also a great way to get fit for free. No experience is needed as you’ll be working alongside park staff.

They meet at the Visitor Centre, Hill End Lane (opposite Frobisher Road) every Tuesday at 9.30am. You can stay as long or as little as you like up to 4pm.

Mind in Mid Herts is looking for mental health buddies to provide a professional, supportive relationship to people being referred to the new Suicide Prevention Service and will meet their client on a weekly basis for a time-limited period. During this time, the Buddy will support their individual to develop independence and resilience using self-help techniques. Being a Mental Health Buddy means giving some of your time to someone who will be in a difficult place; listening, being reliable, offering hope and ultimately supporting them to develop self-help skills and engage in activities with the aim to better manage their mental health.

Jersey Farm Day Centre is looking for volunteers to help at their community centre. Volunteers are needed to help set up the hall from 10:30am. During the day, you will interact with their clients and help with serving morning tea/coffee. At lunchtime, they serve clients a hot two course meal. Volunteers then help with the washing up on a rota basis. In the afternoon, they have various forms of entertainment during which clients may require some help. Clients return home at 3pm and volunteers will be needed to help with clearing the hall.

Hertsmere Mencap is a charity supporting over 200 children and adults with learning disabilities. They are looking for volunteers to help run their dynamic and vibrant Youth Club on a Thursday evening from 7pm–9pm in Borehamwood (WD6).

What you will do:

• Engage with youth: help facilitate activities, games and discussions
• Create fun: Contribute to a lively and welcoming environment
• Be part of a community: work with a dynamic team
• Build skills: Enhance your leadership, communication and teamwork abilities

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 process is that the driver collects the client from their home at a prearranged time. The client is then driven to their appointment/destination. After the appointment is completed 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.

Redbourn Community Group is looking for car drivers and minibus drivers to take residents to medical appointments and continue their seasonal programme of outings. They offer the opportunity to do flexible volunteering. Flexible volunteering is really about the ability to help out by offering your services as a volunteer, as and when it suits you, with no regular pattern of commitment or a minimum stipulated number of hours each week.

Rennie Grove Peace Hospice van drivers are a key element of their Retail and Trading operation. They ensure that both new and donated items are moved between their shops, Ecommerce centre and Retail and Trade hub to ensure that they maximise the income they can generate for the benefit of their patients and their families. They provide key support to their fast-moving retail environment, where no two days are the same.

Whether you're a seasoned barista or looking to learn the art of creating the perfect cup of coffee, you can volunteer to help us run the coffee cart and make it a success. You'll have the opportunity to connect with new people, develop various skills and - if you're interested - mentor those who are also eager to learn but find it a bit harder than others.

Whether you're able to give a few hours or more a week, your time and energy will be making a meaningful difference. Every cup you serve will help fuel our programme that supports individuals who are working towards a better future.

Are you looking to get out and about more this year? With our transport services, you can volunteer as a Communities 1st driver.

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.