Volunteer Centre Newsletter

Welcome to our Volunteer Centre newsletter.

We are grateful for the ongoing support of volunteers, constituting the backbone of our communities. Volunteering for all the fantastic organisations and community groups in the local areas.

We were also pleased to hear about how enjoyable and rewarding volunteering has been for one of the volunteers that we placed with Youth Talk in their latest newsletter. The volunteer has gone on to help Youth Talk complete the 6 Point Promise accreditation which is a Hertfordshire wide accreditation aiming to raise awareness of the need for good practice in volunteer management. Read the blog here.

We aim to support all volunteers in their activities. If you are looking for new volunteering opportunities, please look for new opportunities on our website here or get in touch by emailing volunteer@communities1st.org.uk.

We have split volunteering roles into the following sections: 

• Spotlight
• Short Term Roles and Micro Volunteering
• Longer Term Volunteering Roles 
• Trustee Roles 
• Driving Roles 

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

Robert Varney

Assistant Manager – Volunteer Centre & Enterprise Development

Communities 1st  

Sight Life Assistance with Herts Vision Loss

Herts Vision Loss is a local charity providing a wide range of support and services to visually impaired people, their families and carers in Herts. They are looking for volunteers to help with running the charity’s informal working- age group which meets to chat, have fun, go on outings and trips and generally help to alleviate social isolation.

Apply here.

Volunteer with Bushey Festival.     

Bushey Festival are looking for volunteers to help with their festival on the 9th of July at King George’s Recreation Ground. This year they are celebrating 40 years of the festival, so it is a very special year. You will be working alongside committee members who have been running the park event for several years and who are all very friendly and approachable. Tasks involve keeping areas clean and tidy, marshalling, helping stall holders, car park duty and directing bands when they arrive on site. You will be given full instruction and they will provide food and drink for those who volunteer. It is a fun event, and the focus is on volunteers feeling fully supported whilst enjoying the event themselves.

Apply here.

Social Group Volunteers for Mind In Mid Herts

Mind in Mid Herts is looking for enthusiastic, friendly and reliable volunteers to support groups in St Albans. These groups provide opportunities for people experiencing mental health difficulties to meet and share experiences in a safe space. The groups looking for volunteers to support take place on Monday (Wellbeing group) and Thursday (Art group).                                       

Apply here.

Health Walk Leaders for Herts Health Walks

The Countryside Management Service would like to recruit more volunteers to support existing Hertfordshire Health Walks and set up new, shorter walks for people who are not currently active or are returning to activity after an injury or illness. Join their team of more than 200 volunteers who help others become healthier and happier by walking together outdoors. No experience is necessary. You can lead walks or provide support from the back. Volunteer once a week or once a month it is up to you. Training is free and nationally accredited.

To apply, please email volunteer@communities1st.org.uk 

Volunteers for Canoe World Championship.

We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help in showcasing the world's best canoe slalom athletes competing at the Lee Valley White Water Centre, between 18 - 24 September 2023. There are a range of volunteer roles available across the event, both pre-event and during competition. You don’t need to be an expert about canoe slalom, or have even volunteered before, there will be a role to suit you. Lee Valley White Water Centre is renowned across the globe as one of the best white-water courses in the world and in 2023 will play host to around 300 of the world's best athletes from across 50 countries as they battle it out across a week of high-octane competition. For more information visit: https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/lee-valley/white-water-centre

To apply, please email volunteer@communities1st.org.uk

Front of House Volunteer with Elstree & Borehamwood Museum

Elstree and Borehamwood Museum are seeking friendly, enthusiastic and reliable volunteers to run the front of house operation at the museum. They are looking for polite volunteers who have the ability to engage with people of all ages and backgrounds. The role will require you to be responsible for guiding their visitors around their facility, answering queries in person or on the telephone, managing the sale of souvenirs and publications, recording the cash or card payments in a simple ledger. Punctual and reliable people of all ages are invited to join their friendly team.

Apply here.

Compassionate Neighbours Group Volunteer for Peace Hospice Care

Peace Hospice Care are looking for volunteers to help at their Community Hub. Compassionate Communities Group Volunteers are trained local people who offer their companionship, time, social and emotional support to people towards the end of life due to age or illness and/or people who are suffering with a loss in any format like bereavement in a group setting like a Community Hub and/or Compassionate Café.

Apply here.

Service Volunteer with St Albans and District Shopmobility

Shopmobility is a service that provides manual wheelchairs and electric mobility scooters to help people, who may have limited mobility, to get around in St Albans City Centre. Their aim is to support people with limited mobility to improve their quality of life and reduce social isolation. The service has a stock of a manual wheelchairs which can be hired out to Shopmobility members for a small charge per day. They are looking for volunteers to support their services.

Apply here.

Community Support Service Volunteer for Hertfordshire Mind Network

Hertfordshire Mind Network are looking for volunteers who will provide one-to-one support to clients who are leaving our Community Support Service, through our new six-week Step Down service. You will support people with complex mental health needs in the community; help them to engage with other services and encourage them to access social and recreational activities. You will be there to help improve the wellbeing of an individual by using a holistic approach – offering a listening ear for people to talk about their thoughts and feelings and improving the lives of others by supporting them to live independently in their community.                               

Apply here.

Number Ninjas

The Multiply project aims to improve people's numeracy skills by offering maths-boosting sessions. On topics such as basic numeracy, Shopping on a Budget, and Family Budget, these sessions will help people in their everyday lives. 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.

Apply here.

Handyperson     

Communities 1st deliver a Handy Person Service designed to help those 60+ or on benefits, living in Hertsmere and St Albans & District to help with tasks they are unable to carry out themselves. We are looking for Handy Person Volunteers to help us help our community. We ask volunteers to undertake various light practical duties that may include changing lightbulbs, moving furniture and shopping for materials etc. We are a busy service and are looking for some friendly and caring volunteers to help fulfil demand. We can offer flexible hours, which suit both you and our clients’ needs. If you have a few hours to spare and would enjoy doing a bit of DIY whilst helping people who would really struggle to manage it themselves, please give us a call to discuss this opportunity further.

Apply here.

Neighbourly Walks                                     

We are looking for some volunteers who would like to support people through our Neighbourly Walks scheme. We know how beneficial walking can be for the mind and the body, and we want to support as many people in the community as we can to maintain their independence and get some fresh air while doing it. In particular we are looking for a volunteer who is trained in supporting individuals with visual impairments. The client would like support on a neighbourly walk twice a month, based in AL3 area.

Apply here.

Independent Director Volunteer with Isabel Hospice

Isabel Hospice are looking for an independent Director to provide specialist high level advice and insight as part of the Isabel Hospice Trading Ltd Board to help identify and deliver vision and strategy and oversee the delivery of operating plans that enable the maximisation of profits for the Charity. They are seeking volunteers who share their charitable values, who bring significant experience from the retail sector at a strategic level.

Apply here

Trustee with RSPCA Stort Valley Branch

RSPCA Stort Valley are looking for Trustees to help with the governance of the orgnaisation.
As the Chair of the Branch you will direct the Branch committee meetings and ensure they are properly run, in line with the governing document. You will take the lead in ensuring that trustees comply with their duties and ensuring the charity is well governed. As the Treasurer of the Branch you will take the lead on preparing financial reports and presenting these at the Branch committee meeting. You will liaise with professional advisors and oversee the preparation of the annual accounts. You may also take the lead on preparing the annual budget. As a Trustee you will have the opportunity to use your professional skills to help deliver animal welfare during this unprecedented animal welfare crisis.

Apply here.

Trustee with Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust

Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust are looking for a Trustee with a background in ecology and land management, law and compliance or finance and business management to join their organisation to support their vision of a Wilder Hertfordshire. You will bring your expertise and experience to help us achieve our Strategic aims, and as a member of the Board will oversee our governance, risk management and financial sustainability. You will have the opportunity to support their advocacy work with partners and funders. You will need to attend quarterly Council meetings, the AGM and Committee meetings.

Apply here

Transport Driver Volunteer with The Friends of Care Homes

The Friends of Care Homes is a registered charity that put-on music-based events every weekend for our seniors, the isolated and the lonely, plus anyone who enjoys music. They are looking for a bus support worker to support our driver in the Borehamwood area on Sunday Afternoons.

Apply here.

Volunteer Drivers with Hertsmere Mencap

Hertsmere Mencap support 250 children and adults with learning disabilities and their families and carers. They run a minibus service taking members to regular social clubs in Borehamwood, St Albans and Hatfield on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Friday evenings. You will only be expected to volunteer once every few weeks as part of a rota, an average of 3 hours per month. You will be assisting the driver collecting members, accompanying them to the local clubs, and helping with picking up from the club, taking them to their front door when necessary.

Apply here.

Volunteer Drivers for Minibuses or own vehicles

Drivers required to drive either their own cars or our MPV’s and Minibuses Volunteers are needed to help people in Borehamwood, Shenley and Potters Bar who are unable to use public transport, attend health appointments, and reduce social isolation. What are they looking for? Driving skills, clean license, roadworthy car, honest and reliable, good timekeeping. We’re always in need of people willing to help us deliver our transport service. Our new scheme supports the NHS locally to fulfil GP appointments, as well as hospital visits. If you're willing to drive a larger vehicle, we also run a much-needed shopper bus service, other projects and trips. Expenses can be claimed at 45p/mile.