Making A Difference Volunteer Update

We hope you are keeping warm and dry this autumn and take a moment to take in all of the bright colours of the changing leaves around us.

What better time of year for Communities 1st to introduce its Communities Thirst Coffee Cart located in the St Albans Civic Centre. We are looking for helpful volunteers who enjoy making lovely hot drinks and catching up with other members of the community to help us with our new coffee cart. If you would like to find out more please continue reading.

If you are looking for fun activities to do over the holidays and half term, why not check out our website for affordable activities in your local area.

With less than 80 days until the festive holidays, Communities 1st is making plans to offer friendly, festive phone calls and door step visits to those who would like one this year. If you would like to help us with any volunteering activities over the holidays, you can find out more below.

As always, please do not forget to visit the Action For Happiness website and check our their Optimistic October calendar to promote more optimism this month.

All the best,

Stephen Craker
Chief Executive

Spooky volunteering opportunities

Would you like to volunteer at our Halloween events this year?

On the 31 October 2024, we are transforming our Creative Community Cafe at the Farriers Way Community Centre into a fun Halloween workshop for the local community.

We will be hosting a Creative Fun with Numbers session from 10am to 1pm, helping people to improve their maths skills all whilst having fun. If you would like to come along to help out, please send us an email or give us a call. You can also volunteer to support the Creative Cafe Halloween crafts and games.

We hope to see you there.

Communities Thirst Coffee Cart

Share your Barista Skills or learn new ones with the Communities Thirst Coffee Cart!

Communities 1st is introducing a new coffee cart to share with the local community! Located at St Albans Civic Centre, it will be open Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm.

Whether you already have experience making delicious hot drinks or if you're looking to learn a new skill, Communities 1st is looking for volunteers to support our Communities Thirst Coffee Cart.

You will get the opportunity to speak to new people, support other volunteers looking to learn new skills, and enjoy a new experience.

If you are interested in volunteering at our coffee cart or you want to find out a little more, you can give us a call or send us an email.

Celebrating Community Transport Week

Find out how you can volunteer and take part in our Community Transport services

From our Community Car Scheme to our shopper bus and day trip services, Communities 1st helps to deliver daily support to those in the community who are unable to get out and about on their own or by public transport.

This year, Community Transport Week is taking place from 14-18 October. We will be taking the time to acknowledge and appreciate all of the hard work and effort that volunteers and everyone else in the community transport sector have put in to help deliver these much appreciated transport services.

'I felt that Communities 1st was very flexible and the driver, like the other drivers, was willing to go the extra mile.' - Community Car, Shopper bus and Day trip user. You can check out the full interview on our Volunteer Blog.

'I don't know what I would do without my shopper bus trip every week' - Welwyn Hatfield Shopper bus user.

'All the drivers are lovely, they're so patient with us taking us out on the day trips so we can have a nice day out.' - Hertsmere Day Trip and Shopper bus user.

'They're a lively bunch, they always manage to put a smile on my face and make me laugh.' - Volunteer driver for the shopper bus.

With just a few quotes from volunteers and service users, you can see how much of an impact the Community Transport services have on the community.

If you would like to help out in any of our community transport volunteering opportunities, you can get in touch with us by sending us an email or giving us a call.

Get Online Week

Become a Digital Champion and share your skills with others

For some of us, using our phone, or accessing our emails is a part of our day to day life and we don't give it a second thought. However this is not the case for everyone. Some people find using technology difficult and at times, intimidating.

In recognition of Get Online Week, which runs from the 14 to the 20 October, why not consider becoming a Digital Champion? You can share your knowledge of IT and technology with people in your local community to help combat isolation and improve their confidence.

If you want to find out more you can send us an email or give us a call.

Helping over the holidays

Would you like to make festive phone calls or take part in doorstep visits this Christmas?

With Christmas just a couple of months away, we are welcoming back our Christmas volunteering opportunities.

The holidays are a time for celebration and joy and if you want to help spread some joy to others this year whether that be through a friendly phone call or a visit to their doorstep, you can volunteer with Communities 1st.

To find out more, get in touch by sending an email or giving us a call.

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

Optimistic October

How to add optimism to your October

Check out the Action for Happiness website to view their Optimistic October calendar for inspiring ideas as to how you can fill each day with some optimism.