Making A Difference Volunteer Update

Although many people are away on their summer holidays we at Communities 1st, with your help, are continuing to support many individuals.  Whether it is making regular phone calls to help individuals feel less isolated, driving our minibuses to take less mobile people shopping or assisting those struggling with coming to terms with the increased complexity of technology.  Many thanks to all of you.

Volunteering not only helps those who are receiving support but being a volunteer is also highly rewarding for the individual as I am sure you know.  I was told this week about a volunteer driver who had visited our office in Ver House.  They were explaining how grateful they were to the clients they drove to hospital appointments, they said they did not want thanking for what they did, they wanted to thank the clients.  Following their retirement they felt very much at a loss until they discovered volunteering, giving them  "a reason to get out of bed for". 

Below is another extract from our Volunteer Blog which has many wonderful stories of the diverse experiences of our volunteers.

If you have not volunteered with us for a while and this has inspired you to get involved again do look on our website at what opportunities are available.

 

Wishing you all the best for the week ahead,

Stephen Craker

Chief Executive
Meet Stephen Craker
Inspiration from our Volunteer Blog
In our Volunteer Blog we have asked some of our volunteers to share their volunteering experience with us.

This week we have a story to share about Linda's experience with us as a volunteer, yet another inspirational volunteering story.

When Linda* started with Communities 1st, she really wanted to be a befriender, but the opportunities weren’t there; instead, she did a lot of shopping. Later she became a telephone befriender. She explained that she would phone an elderly gentleman. I very much enjoyed this. It’s a bit surprising because when you regularly talk to someone you soon find out that you have a lot in common. The befriending came to an end “when very sadly the old boy passed away. I look back fondly on the chats that we had.”

Since 2020, Linda has been shopping for an elderly couple who are quite disabled and then last year she started shopping regularly for an elderly lady. Linda feels that there are real benefits in one person doing the shopping for the service user - “It means that you really get to know them and what they like. The personal touch is so important. If the shop is out of stock of something I can always find a substitute. This works well. I can also look at the dates on the foods and avoid short sell by dates. Sometimes they might put down ‘sausage rolls’, for example, but because I know them, I will know how many they will want and what type.” 

Linda is happy to help. “We’ve built a nice relationship. I think we see each other as friends.  We always have a short chat and a laugh and a joke about everyday things. But I don’t stay long.”  Linda is keen not to intrude. “They don’t need befriending – the couple have a large family and the lady has lots of friends. The arrangement works well, and Communities 1st have made the process very easy. I speak to the girls in the office most weeks. They usually ring me. They’re very helpful.”

*Not her real name

If you would like to volunteer but not sure where to start or what opportunities are available, do not hesitate to contact us by clicking 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 at volunteering@communities1st.org.uk or give us a call on 01727 649970.
Help for School Holidays  
Local offers and activities to help you and your family get the most out of the summer
 

On THIS page, you will find meal deals and low-cost activities available to you and your family during the school summer holidays (July - September 2023).

We endeavour to keep this page regularly updated, but if you know about a deal or activity we're missing, let us know by emailing us@communities1st.org.uk
Can you help at the upcoming summer events?

We are attending various social events throughout the summer and we are looking for helpful volunteers to support us at these events. Tasks involve keeping areas clean and tidy, marshalling, helping stall holders, car park duty and directing bands when they arrive on site. These are fun events, and the focus is on volunteers feeling fully supported whilst enjoying the event themselves.

If you would like to help on these events please contact us by clicking HERE.
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.
GET IN TOUCH
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.