Making A Difference Volunteer Update

I hope that you have made plans to enjoy the many bank holiday weekends during May, including taking part in lots of the activities scheduled for the Kings Coronation. This is a great chance to get together with family, friends and the local community. For a list of events in and around Hertfordshire this coming weekend, click HERE.

Don't forget, if you want to get involved in some volunteering over the Coronation Weekend, the Big Help Out initiative will be actively running across the UK with plenty of opportunities to get stuck in. Find out more about how you can get involved in your local area HERE. 

Many of you will be heading to the polling station today to cast your votes for the local elections. Please do remember that you are now required to show photo ID. Please note if you have lost your ID, you can apply for an emergency proxy vote until 5pm today. 

 

Wishing you all the best for the week ahead,

Stephen Craker

Chief Executive
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Latest Volunteering News
Better Business Initiative

The Better Business scheme promotes and creates new working partnerships between local businesses and the VCFSE Sector.

A special thank you to the volunteers from Octopus Energy who visited our office last week to help give our entrance hall a lick of paint! 

There are so many opportunities to volunteer, even in conjunction with your employer. If you or someone you know is looking for a way to spend their volunteer leave, get in touch today! 
GET IN TOUCH
The Big Help Out 2023 Campaign
A Campaign to Get More People Volunteering - 8th May 23
 

The Big Help Out campaign aims to promote volunteering and increase participation among those who traditionally do not volunteer. By showcasing the benefits of volunteering and encouraging more people to get involved, the campaign is helping to create a culture of volunteering and community involvement in the UK.

Shopmobility in St Albans is looking for volunteers on 8th May.  Shifts can be booked via your dashboard.

Help us spread the word by sharing information on the upcoming Big Help Out event! More information can be found on our website and social media channels. 
 
FIND OUT MORE HERE
Join in with our #VolunteerReady initiative
#VolunteerReady
 

Would you like to make a difference in your local area?

Volunteering is a great way to share your skills, learn something new, and connect with your local community.

Check out our Twitter page HERE!

#Communities1st
 
EXPLORE OUR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES HERE
International Recruit Buddies 

Buddies Needed in the Cambridgeshire Area

Maybe you have friends and family in the North Herts or Cambridgeshire area that can help to support and befriend our new international NHS recruits?

Drivers Needed for Airport Pick-Ups

This would mainly include airport pickups for our international recruits, who would greatly appreciate seeing a friendly face upon their arrival to the UK!
Become a Buddy Today!

We have recently been supporting new international NHS arrivals in Bishops Stortford and Welwyn Garden City. 

We will cover all your expenses for these activities, such as parking and mileage reimbursement. 
GET IN TOUCH
Urgent Volunteer Roles
Become a Digital Champion
 

Comfortable with Technology and know your way around the internet?

This role will mainly include helping out at our Bushey Library Computers and a Cuppa sessions on Thursdays from 12-2pm. These sessions will help clients with: 

  • Setting up passwords
  • Printing documents
  • Learning how to use smart phones and tablets
  • Helping to make the most of using apps

Training for this role will be provided! 
 
GET IN TOUCH
GET IN TOUCH
Let Volunteering Roles Come to You!

Communities 1st is launching Let’s Give, a new service for volunteers. You will be able to create your own space on our website, so that organisations can find out more about you and reach out regarding their volunteering roles.

You won’t need to display any personal contact information as we will do all the brokerage, so we will put you in touch with the given organisation.

It’s a great way to showcase your skills and experience to local community groups and can help match you with a role where you can make a real difference.

You can do this by logging into your dashboard and editing your Volunteer Centre profile – scroll down to the section on External Volunteer Opportunities.
GET IN TOUCH
Upcoming Training Opportunities

If you are a volunteer who currently works with children or are interested in roles volunteering with children you may be interested in the specialist safeguarding training we are running later this month, full details HERE
SIGN UP HERE
Creative Community Cafes 
Weekly Creative Community Cafe Project
 

Do you enjoy arts and crafts, knitting, drawing and other hobbies? If so this is the volunteering role for you! If you have a hobby you would like to share with others, please get in touch. 

Each week you can get involved with creative activities, make new friends, and enjoy chatting over a coffee and free refreshments. These sessions can be an important opportunity for members of the community, allowing them time each week to socialise, get out of the house and try new things. 
 
APPLY ON OUR WEBSITE
Number Ninjas

We are looking for volunteers who would be interested in supporting members of the local community to access the help of our Multiply Project. 

The Multiply project aims to improve people's numeracy skills, to help them in their every day life, by offering maths boosting courses. These will include shopping on a budget, make do and mend and make do and cook.

We are looking for volunteers to become Number Ninjas. Number Ninjas will help us:

  • Identify the learning needs of local residents
  • Engage and refer suitable candidates for tailored tutoring support.

If you are interested in this opportunity, email us or call 01727 649950.

Training courses are available to our volunteers all year round. You can learn about all the topics we cover and register for dated sessions by clicking here.
How to Claim Expenses

New Volunteer Expenses Claim Form

We have a new volunteer expense request form. If you don't have it, please email us and we will send it to you.

For Shopping Delivery and Prescription Collection Expenses

  • To claim expenses, please sign up to our dashboard and upload your expenses there. Click here to 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 expense claims 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 with this.
  • If this is your first shop, you will first need to email us your bank details  so you can be reimbursed.

For Drivers, Litter Pickers and Other Roles' Expenses

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