Let's Give Volunteering Newsletter

Welcome to your latest addition of Let’s Give.

As we approach autumn, we are reminded of the generosity that continues from our let’s Give volunteers.

We have small acts of kindness and collective efforts that are making a lasting impact on our communities. Together we can build a legacy that will continue to grow.

In this edition, we will spotlight volunteering opportunities both short term and long term, along with training and events. Most training is available online and free!

Best wishes,

Julie Yorston
Assistant Manager Volunteer Centre

The Brookmans Park Rotary Club takes Santa and his sleigh around the local community to bring festive cheer and raise funds. They are looking for volunteers to help tow Santa’s sleigh – usually early evening for a couple of hours in December.

Practical Conservation Volunteers create and restore wildlife habitats and work to improve access to the countryside. Their Wednesday group undertakes a wide range of activities in numerous parks and woodlands in the south and west of Hertfordshire, as well as improving Rights of Way access. Task days usually run from 10am-3pm.

Mama Cacao is looking for a proactive, organised communicator with strong social media skills, a flair for writing creative content and an interest in ethical consumerism - particularly chocolate, sustainability and environmental issues, environmental education or women’s empowerment. There will be some creative freedom and you get to help shape a non-profit in its infancy.

Mind in Mid Herts is looking for volunteers to provide one-to-one support to clients who are leaving their Community Support Service, through their new six-week Step Down service.

Volunteers will support people with complex mental health needs in the community; help them to engage with other services and encourage them to access social and recreational activities. They will also be there to help improve the wellbeing of individuals by using a holistic approach – offering a listening ear for people to talk about their thoughts and feelings and improving the lives of others by supporting them to live independently in their community.

If you are a caring and outgoing person, HILs would love for you to help as a volunteer at their Kingfisher Dementia Club. The Club is a welcoming, inclusive club for people living with mild to moderate dementia, memory loss, or for anyone who simply wants to join in with the fun! They run a range of activities every day, such as crafts, games, singing, quizzes. They are looking for volunteers to help them with the smooth running of the activities at their club.

St Albans & District Talking Newspaper creates an audio programme designed for those in the St Albans & District whose visual impairment puts them at risk of being excluded from what is happening around their local community. They are seeking an additional producer to provide backup or to job-share with existing producers. The task is to follow a programme template creatively, drawing on an established team of readers and guests to record, create and deliver an audio programme that is of value to their listeners. They are looking for someone who has either relevant experience or a creative instinct or a love of radio.

Hertsmere Mencap supports 250 children and adults with learning disabilities and their families and carers. They run a minibus service taking members to regular social clubs in Borehamwood, St Albans and Hatfield on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Friday evenings. You will only be expected to volunteer once every few weeks as part of a rota, an average of 3 hours per month. You will be assisting the driver collecting members, accompanying them to the local clubs, and helping with picking up from the club, taking them to their front door when necessary.

Jersey Farm Day Centre is looking for a driver. In this role, you will be required to collect the minibus from a designated pick-up point, pick up clients from their homes, and bring them to Jersey Farm Community Centre. After 3pm, you will take clients home and return the minibus.

Can you spare a couple of hours now and again to join the pool of minibus drivers at the Harpenden Trust? The role requires drivers to do mainly short trips around town to take their clients to social events and activities. The trust is committed to embracing diversity and promoting equality and inclusion. They will provide the appropriate training for all their volunteers.

Join us at the St Albans or Broxbourne Volunteer Fair

Are you curious about what’s going on in your local area? Want to connect with community groups and charities making a difference?

Come along to one of our Volunteer Fairs in St Albans or Broxbourne and:

• Meet local organisations and learn about the support and services they offer
• Explore a wide range of volunteering opportunities – there’s something for everyone!
• Find out how you can get involved and make a positive impact in your community

Whether you're looking to volunteer or simply want to discover more about what's available locally, these events are a great way to get inspired and connected.

When: Monday, 13 October 2025            Time: 7pm to 9pm                              Where: The Spotlight, High Street                Hoddesdon, EN11 8BE

When: Wednesday, 29 October 2025      Time: 10am to 12pm                          Where: Trestle Theatre Russet Drive            St Albans, AL4 0JQ

An awareness session, that will serve as an introduction for Staff and volunteers in the Voluntary Sector, Healthcare staff, and the wider public on what Advance Care Planning (ACP) is. The session will include an opportunity to start thinking and talking about end-of-life care wishes and preferences. This session is for those who wish to explore more about ACP and what to include, for example Lasting Power of Attorney, ReSPECT, Advance Decisions to refuse treatment, and will introduce you to some of the templates that can be used to facilitate the process either for yourself, your loved ones, or those that you are working with.

Being aware of your mental health can substantially reduce long term physical and mental health conditions and the stigma around it. Join this online session to learn how to:

• Recognise stress and anxiety and other mental health conditions
• Understand what support is available to people with mental health conditions
• Manage stress in day-to-day life.

Wednesday 8 October, 10am-11:30am. Click the button to register. 

This course will help you understand sight loss and how to support people living with sight loss. It will introduce you to common sight loss conditions and how they affect vision. It will also cover the role of volunteers in supporting people with vision loss and the help they can seek.

Monday 13 October, 11am- 12noon. Click the button to register. 

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 our coffee cart and make it a success. You’ll have the opportunity to connect with new people, develop a range of skills, and – if you’re interested – mentor others who are eager to learn but may find it a little more challenging.

Whether you can give a few hours or more each week, your time and energy will make a meaningful difference. Every cup you serve helps support our programme, which assists individuals working towards a better future.

We are looking for volunteers to support clients on a Neighbourly Walk.

Walking is hugely beneficial for both mind and body, and we want to help as many people in the community as possible to maintain their independence and enjoy some fresh air while doing so. The Neighbourly Walk service gives volunteers the opportunity to meet community members who may be elderly, have long-term health conditions, or feel lonely, helping them get outside and reconnect with their community.

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 and helping them to feel less lonely and more supported.