Making A Difference Volunteer Update

Hertsmere Borough Council's hot meal programme will be coming to a close next week, and we would just like to take this opportunity to thank all our volunteers who helped make this project a success. Your tireless work has ensured that the hot meals have always made it to their distribution destination, enabling these venues to support many people throughout the summer holidays. You should all be really proud of your dedication to this project. 

With the summer coming to a close, you may find yourself with some extra free time on your hands. If you would like to try a new volunteering role, we have many varied options available. While you may only have experience with one of our roles, that does not mean you are not welcomed to try something new. We offer full debriefing and training for each of our roles, so do not be afraid to try something new, we will be there to support you each step of the way. We value your roles as volunteers and are pleased to be able to offer you free training sessions and webinars. Please browse our website to find about more about the roles we offer. 

Our new website has been launched for a few weeks, and we would encourage you to have a browse and look over the new and improved features. If you are facing any issues with accessing your accounts, do get in touch with us so a staff member can help. 

We hope you have a wonderful week,

Stephen Craker

Chief Executive 
International NHS recruits day out in St Albans

Last weekend we took some NHS international recruits from Watford General Hospital to St Albans city. This was the first trip we have run for the Watford nurses, and a great time was had by all. They explored the Verulamium lakes whilst enjoying some ice cream, then walked up to the cathedral to learn about the history of St Albans. After that, they browsed the Saturday market. 

Watford General Hospital have recently joined this project and their nurses will need the support of our volunteers, so we are especially looking for volunteers from the Watford area. In addition to this, we are expanding this project, so volunteers from all over Hertfordshire are welcomed.

We are planning a full itinerary of days out, so there are plenty of opportunities to help us run these trips as a guide or mini bus driver. These trips take place all around Hertfordshire, so please don't be put off from enquiring if you do not live near the Lister and Watford General Hospitals. We can always meet you at the trip location. Furthermore, non driving volunteers can also join the minibus for a lift to the trip location. Please email us or call 01727 649900 if these roles interest you. Any expenses incurred can be reimbursed. 
Volunteer as a Bus Buddy
 
Day out to Dunelm

This week we took our day trippers out to Dunelm to do some shopping, followed by a pub lunch at the Speckled Hen. Everyone had a lovely time and the sun was shining all day. 

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.
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

• 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.
Volunteering Opportunities

We have lots of varied volunteering roles available on our website. Whether you are just getting started, or want to try a new role, there any many opportunities on offer.

 

Day ops facilitators and volunteers

 

Our Day Opportunities programmes allow people in the community to get out and do various activities including:
-Litter Picking
-Bowls and Croquet
-Computers and a Cuppa
-Garden Club

 

Follow this link to find out more and sign up.

 

Peer to Peer group Facilitator

 

This role would see you helping to run a peer to peer group that allows individuals with long term illnesses to gather and share their feelings. We will also be running Ukrainian support meetings, so we will also need volunteers to help facilitate these.

 

If you would like to help with this, you can find out more information here. If you would like to sign up, please follow this link.

 

Refugee activities volunteers

 

We run day trips and event for refugees as part of our project to support these new arrivals, and we are looking for volunteers to help us with this.

 

-If you could help us as an activity promoter, please sign up here.
 

-If you would like to attend activities as a chaperone, please sign up here.
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

 

Gambling and Related Harm training session
Date: Tuesday 13 September
Time: 11:00-12:30
Register here.

 

Diabetes Awareness training session
Date: Wednesday 14 September
Time: 11:00-12:00
Register here.

 

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.
Can you speak Urdu?

We are looking for someone who can speak Urdu to act as a befriending volunteer for an individual. This would be a weekly commitment of one phone call, lasting around an hour. 

If you think you could help us with this, please contact us on 01727 649900 and speak with a member of staff who can pass you to the befriending team. 
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 you can work flexibly, however you will be required to fulfil 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.
DIY volunteers needed!
 
Volunteer Drivers Needed

We are seeking assistance with our minibus services.  Volunteers are needed 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 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
 
Vaccination Centre Volunteers

The Autumn booster programme will be being rolled out in September with boosters due to be given to the over 50’s and most vulnerable members of the community.  Manor View Practice will be re-starting vaccinations in 3 locations including Bushey, Watford, Borehamwood, and Allum Hall will also be running clinics, these shifts are now available to book on your dashboard.  We will also be supporting North Bedford PCN The De Parys Group with volunteers at their Church Lane site, these shifts are also available to book on your dashboard. 

We would also like to make you aware that LFT test kits are no longer available to staff and volunteers at the vaccination centres and should be ordered free of charge on the government website. When ordering please state that you work at a vaccination centre, and they will be posted to your home address.
Gardening volunteer opportunities
 
Befriending Volunteers
 
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.