Making a Difference Volunteer Update

Tomorrow is the start of Self Care September.  We are aware of how much you give to the community and next month is a time for you to reflect on how to look after yourself.  The Action for Happiness have produced a calendar with a simple idea for every day to help you reflect, to remind yourself to take time out for yourself or to appreciate your self. If after looking at the suggestion for 26 September you feel inspired we have plenty of volunteering opportunities.  More information on how to access the calendar is below.

September is also the The Festival of Learning Have a Go Month, and it’s a time to appreciate learning and its benefits. It’s been almost 30 years since the Adult Learners’ Week campaign was initiated. The idea behind the campaign was to encourage adults to pursue education, no matter their age. This was done to inspire people to learn and transform their lives, eventually leading to the creation of the Festival of Learning Have a Go Month, a campaign with innovative methods to make education accessible to adults. 

Wishing you all the best for the week ahead,

Stephen Craker

Chief Executive
Meet Stephen Craker

Self Care September
Look after yourself this month

You can download the Action for Happiness Self Care Calendar from here.

Hetfordshire Residents have your say
Hertfordshire County Council Residents Survey

If you live in Hertfordshire, the county council is inviting you to share your views on its services, your local area and what is important to you.

With a vision to create a cleaner, greener, healthier and safer Hertfordshire, the council wants to hear your views to help shape how they support every resident, business and community across it.

The 10 minute survey is available at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/residentsurvey until 15 September 2023.

 

Helping people get connected

Do you have the skills to help someone get connected.

In the modern world you can become increasingly isolated and be unable to access services if you cannot keep up with digital technology.  Our Digital Champions help provide advice in becoming confident with new technology. If you feel you can help please get in touch  volunteering@communities1st.org.uk or give us a call on 01727 649970.

Community Car Drivers needed  

Do you have a few hours to spare?

We are currently looking for any drivers that could spare a few hours now and again to help taking people in Hertsmere to attend health appointments or social activities.  You would use your own vehicle and all mileage expenses are paid.  Please give us a call on 01727 649980 or email volunteering@communities1st.org.uk

International Recruit Buddies

Become a volunteer buddy to support newly recruited international NHS employees in Cambridge

Do you know anyone in the Cambridge area who would be interested in providing vital support to newly arrived international NHS recruits?

This support could include: meeting the new arrival at their accommodation and helping them to settle in, showing them around the town centre, helping them register with a GP and dentist, explaining how to use public transport, supporting them in their search for long term accommodation by attending estate agents meetings with them, generally offering them a helping hand and answering their questions. 

We will of course cover any expenses, such as parking costs or car mileage, incurred carrying out this role. 

Anyone interested in providing buddy support to international NHS recruits, should email us at volunteering@communities1st.org.uk or give us a call on 01727 649970. 

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.

 

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.