Making A Difference Volunteer Briefing

With spring well and truly here, we hope that you have all had the opportunity to enjoy some of the lovely warm weather we have had over the last few weeks.

We are looking forward to seeing you at our next Virtual Coffee Morning which will be hosted over zoom tomorrow from 10am to 10:30am. If you haven't done so already, please do register to attend using the link in the article below.

With lots of very exciting and new volunteering opportunities available, why not explore this week's newsletter to find out what volunteering opportunities are out there for you? If you have any questions about the opportunities, contact information will be provided below.

Don't forget to check out the Action For Happiness Mindful March calendar for daily tips and tricks on how you can stay mindful this month.

All the best,

Stephen Craker
Chief Executive

Join us at our next virtual coffee morning

Tomorrow we are hosting the next Virtual Coffee Morning session over zoom, where we take 30 minutes to catch up and discuss everything Volunteering.

Virtual Coffee Mornings are a great opportunity to ask any questions you might have about volunteering, to bring up any areas of improvement and just to say hello and to welcome the weekend with a friendly catch up.

We hope to reach as many of you as possible and have the opportunity to chat.

If you are available and you would like to come, please register by clicking the button below.

We can't wait to see you there!

Register Here

Volunteer at Community Help Hertfordshire's Social Supermarket!

Are you passionate about helping others and having a positive impact in your community? The Hertfordshire Social Supermarket, delivered by Community Help Hertfordshire (CHH), is a project that requires the support from dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers who are looking to give back to the community.

What is the Social Supermarket?

Social Supermarkets support local communities by providing a range of food and essential goods at a lower cost than a traditional supermarket. With the support of Hertfordshire County Council, CHH will be hosting pop-ups across Hertfordshire for residents experiencing financial hardship.

What will you be doing?

Some of the duties for the Social Supermarket will include:

Greeting and assisting customers, including vulnerable individuals
Helping to stock and organise products
Assisting with check out and handling transactions
Ensuring good hygiene standards are kept
Engaging with the community and raising awareness

How can I get started?

If you are interested in learning more or becoming a volunteer, please email us here or give us a call. We look forward to hearing from you and getting you started on this exciting new opportunity!

Volunteer at a Creative Community Cafe

Are you passionate about providing a welcoming and inclusive space that allows people to explore their creativity, all while meeting new people and engaging with others?

If you are, then you may like to volunteer at one of our Creative Community Cafes.

If you have strong communication skills, work great in a team and have a passion for community cohesion, we would love to hear from you.

This volunteering opportunity will allow you to gain a hands-on experience in community engagement and event coordination; build new skills and meet people from diverse backgrounds all while enjoying a friendly and supportive environment, whilst making a meaningful impact in the local community.

If you would like to find out more about becoming a Creative Community Café volunteer, you can give us a call or send us an email.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

'Man, you're a lifesaver' Potters Bar Event

This is a free event in Potters Bar inviting men to have conversations about their health and wellbeing.

There will be stalls offering advice, information, and guidance from organisations such as Prostate Cancer UK, the Better Health Bus, the Liver Screening Bus, and Healthy Hubs. Health awareness talks will also take place throughout the afternoon. A limited number of mini health checks will be offered by local GP practices, along with free refreshments and more.

The 'Man, you're a life saver' event is taking place on Monday, 17 March, from 1pm to 4pm at the Wyllyotts Theatre in Potters Bar, EN6 2HN. All are welcome and there is no need to book.

For more information call 02082072277 or email community.services@hertsmere.gov.uk

Healthwatch Hertfordshire - Smoking Survey

Around 9% of Hertfordshire residents smoke, and many are struggling to give up.

Healthwatch Hertfordshire is working with Public Health at Hertfordshire County Council to better understand smoking habits and experiences in the county.

If you smoke, used to smoke, or if you're the friend/family member of people who smoke, they would love to hear from you. Please take part in the survey below to share your experience to help this initiative.

Click here to complete the survey

Save the date! Annual conference and AGM

Communities 1st Annual Conference for the VCFSE sector

We are excited to announce that we have begun planning our annual conference for the VCFSE sector which will take place on Thursday 26 June at Verso Vineyard Church in St Albans. We are developing a programme of informative talks, insightful workshops, and as usual, plenty of opportunities to network. Please save the date in your diaries and watch out for further information in the coming months.

Your Dashboard

What is Your Dashboard?

Your Dashboard is the hub of all things volunteering. Access your Dashboard to:

Sign up for volunteering opportunities, shifts and events
Feedback on volunteering you have done
Submit expense claims

Visit Your Dashboard

Important Contact information

Transport volunteering - You can reach the travel team by calling 01727649980 or by emailing travel@communities1st.org.uk

Handyperson and Gardening volunteering - You can reach the handyperson team by calling 01727649980 or by emailing handy@communities1st.org.uk

Shopping support volunteering - You can reach the shopping support team by calling 01727649980 or by emailing community.help@communities1st.org.uk

Telephone Befriending volunteering - You can reach the befriending team for support by calling 01727649980 or by emailing volunteering@communities1st.org.uk

For queries relating to your expenses, volunteer dashboard or urgent concerns - You can reach us by calling 01727649980 or by emailing community.help@communities1st.org.uk

On call management - If you take part in volunteering opportunities outside of office hours and you have an emergency, you can contact the on call management team on 01727649985.