Making A Difference Volunteer Update

Thank you for another wonderful week of volunteering.

We have heard positive things from all projects, and especially from the Computers and a Cuppa. One of our volunteers told us that a few weeks ago, one lady "came along and said she had just programmed her new Smart TV and was very pleased with herself." You really are helping your communities!

As you will be aware the weather today is very hot, the Met Office has issued a Red Weather Warning meaning Extreme Heat. Keep hydrated, wear sun cream, and remember to look after yourself – We have curtailed a number of services so volunteers are not going out in the extreme weather. Please take care and keep an eye out for any one who may be more vulnerable in the heat.

Click here to learn about heat exhaustion and heatstroke symptoms from the NHS website. If you begin to feel ill, do telephone 111 and in an emergency, ring 999.

This week we will be launching our new website! This will mean that our current website will be unavailable from 5pm on Wednesday until 2pm on Thursday (fingers crossed).  The new website will have additional functionality on the volunteer dashboard and should be clearer to navigate.

You may also be interested in the opportunities the NHS is offering through its Reservist Programme (there is more information about this below), if this is something that appeals to you please contact us at podadmin@communities1st.org.uk.

As many families are hit with the rising cost of food during the summer can be a particular issue.  Hertsmere Borough Council are organising a programme of free meals throughout the summer holidays which are available from 4 collection points.  Volunteers are needed to collect the meals from a preparation kitchen in Watford and take them to the distribution points.  If you can help please sign up on your dashboard.

In case you are trying to contact us, I wanted to mention again that we have a new main phone number which is 01727 649900. If you telephone the old number, you will be asked to hang up and redial.

Thank you again for all that you do.

Best wishes for the week ahead,

Stephen Craker

Chief Executive 
Free Webinars
SAFE Security Advice for Everyone by CST
Free SAFE Webinars

SAFE: Security Advice for Everyone is running FREE webinars through July - October 2022, sharing security knowledge.

Each webinar will run for one hour. They are delivered by CST (Community Security Trust) which protects British Jews from antisemitism and related threats. Click here to visit their website.

CST suggest that their webinars will benefit anyone who supports people in their local community and wants to make their community as safe as possible.

SAFE Webinar Programme

• 21st July at 2pm, Event security for your community (Appropriate security measures to ensure the safety of large numbers of people). Register here.

• 27th July at 2pm, Incident prevention (How to recognise hostile reconnaissance in an increasing difficult security environment). Register here.

• 7th September at 2pm, Basic security (An introduction to security for places of worship and faith communities). Register here.

• 14th September at 2pm, Conflict Management (Effective communication in high stress situations). Register here.

• 21st September at 7pm, Organising security (Security and risk management, and how to develop a security plan). Register here.

• 29th September at 7pm, Hate crime and your community (How to deal with racial and religious hatred – especially in the digital age). Register here.

• 20th October at 2pm, Online security (How to protect yourself and your community from online threats). Register here.

• 26th October at 2pm, Women’s safety (Simple tips to keep you safe during your busy daily life). Register here.
Volunteer / Training Opportunities

 

 

 

 

We have lots of training opportunities available for anyone who would like to expand their skill set or try something new! 

 

September & October

 

Anybody Can Volunteer training session

Date: Thursday 22 September

Time: 11:00-12:00

Register here.

 

A New You training course including sessions on Team Work, Being Assertive, Stress Awareness and Communication/Life Skills

Dates: Wednesday 28 September - Thursday 6 October

Times: 09:30-14:30
Register here.

 

You can see and book into all our future training sessions through our online events calendar.
Are you feeling the effects
of the cost-of-living crisis?

Our Meet and Eat classes are back as we're all feeling the effects of the cost-of-living crisis. Meet and Eat classes are a chance to learn new skill; you will learn to cook a tasty, healthy meal on a budget.

We have two FREE drop-in sessions in on 19th July and 26th July running at Windsor Hall in Borehamwood (WD6 4EE). Then, we will hold an introductory class prior to a whole week of sessions in August.

You are most welcome to attend, though please do register your interest as we have just 10 spaces available at each session. To register, call 01727 649900 or email us.

If you are already an excellent cook and have skills and time to share, please get in contact also. Hopefully, this crisis won't last continue for too long, but while it's here we'd like to help anyone struggling.
Our day trip to the RAF Museum

As you know, last week we took users of our shopper bus service to the RAF Museum in Ware. And "a good time was had by all" (reported by the driver).

We will be running lots more day trips for residents with limited access to transport in Three Rivers and Hertsmere, and will need volunteer drivers, as well as volunteers to help people board the bus and chat to them. If you would like a day out or even to help out, please email us or call 01727 649980.
NHS Healthcare Reservist

The NHS Reservist programme is a great opportunity to start your working career if you have been volunteering, unemployed, or have busy lives that you need to juggle. If you want additional training and to broaden your skills the reservist programme is a great way to do this.

A reservist is someone who is passionate about patient care, working with diverse teams and can help the NHS during peak times. You may be a former healthcare professional, working in health care outside of the NHS or you may be considering a career change and interested in a NHS career. Becoming a reservist is a great way to experience the range of NHS career opportunities that suits your lifestyle and circumstances. As an NHS reservist, you’ll be part of a paid, flexible yet reliable workforce. You will be given thorough training and a comprehensive induction.

The roles will differ and depend on the help needed and roles available. Those currently working as an Reservist have been supporting COVID-19 vaccinations, helping to run hospital wards, providing administrative support to wards, or supporting with basic patient feeding/hydration. The NHS will provide you with relevant training modules for these roles and you will be supported by permanent clinical and non-clinical staff.

As a Reservist is that you can work flexibly, however you will be required to fulfill a specific number of days per year for training and working as a reservist.

Other benefits include paid for training undertaken and an Annual Leave entitlement.

If you are interested please get in touch with podadmin@communities1st.org.uk and we will pass your details on.
Help others feel confident to programme their Smart TVs
Join us as a Community Champion

 
Enjoy being outdoors?

 
Volunteer Drivers Needed

We are looking for volunteer drivers using their own car helping to transport cool boxes from Watford to Bushey, Potters Bar and Borehamwood from end of July to help residents who are impacted by the cost-of-living crisis.  

 

We are also seeking assistance with our minibus services.  Volunteers are need to drive our minibus for either day tips or for our shopper service.  To co-inside with this, we are also looking to recruit bus buddies to also assist on our shopper and day trips.

 

Anyone interested in any of the travel volunteer roles please email us or telephone on 01727 649980.
Volunteer Drivers Needed poster

 
Minibus Drivers Needed

 
Become a Bus Buddy
Volunteer as a Bus Buddy

 
Vaccination centre volunteers

Vaccination pop-up centres are on the rise again, with children now being vaccinated and adults returning for boosters.

We now have opportunities at Potters Bar, Bishops Stortford, and in the St Albans area, shifts for which are available to book via your dashboard.
Testimony from a Hospital Volunteer

 
Expenses

Shopping delivery, prescription collection, and pulse oximetry volunteers 

  • To claim expenses please sign up to our dashboard and upload your expenses here, in order to speed up this process. Click here and create a login using the same email address that you originally signed up with. You will then see a list of your completed and pending activities.
  • Please submit these expense claims within the same week that you carried out your shop, and if appropriate, provide a photo of your receipt. If an expense is not claimed in a timely manner it can lead to a client going into arrears, which can cause them stress and confusion. We appreciate your help in this matter.
  • If this is your first shop you will first need to send in your bank details to accounts@communities1st.org.uk, so you can be reimbursed.

Vaccination centre volunteers

  • If you haven't already uploaded your bank details, please do so through your online dashboard. 
  • If you are experiencing financial hardship because of your volunteering expenses, please email podadmin@communities1st.org.uk and we will reimburse you as soon as possible.

Drivers, litter pickers and other roles

  • You will have been sent an expense claim form when you confirmed your job. To claim your expenses please complete this form and return it to the sender.