Voluntary Sector Briefing

Welcome to the latest edition of our Voluntary Sector Briefing.

With Autumn in full swing, why not learn something new and practical?

Communities 1st can support your staff and organisation with numeracy skills.

Our tailored numeracy distance learning sessions can cater for specific sector and business requirements. Our training focuses on enhancing numeracy skills such as Excel, data presentation, customer service, personal budgeting and  time management. By investing in training, your staff will gain confidence and knowledge required to significantly improve your organisations output.  Contact training@communities1st.org.uk or call 01727 649960.  

Enjoy the last few warm days and please do get in touch if we can provide support.

Stephen Craker

Chief Executive

Black History Month 2023

Black History Month recognises and celebrates the invaluable contributions of black people to British society. It also serves as an opportunity to inspire and empower future generations.

Black people have always been at the forefront of social justice movements, fighting against oppression and paving the way for change. However, despite their countless contributions to society, the achievements of black women, in particular, have too often been overlooked or forgotten. That is why, this year, Black History Month will be celebrating the exceptional achievements of black women.

We view this as the perfect opportunity to showcase the contributions of some of the incredible black women, working for and leading our communities in our Member’s Spotlight section below.

Click here for more Black History month resources, information and events.  

New Trustee Investment Guidance from the Charity Commission

The Charity Commission has issued new guidance for trustees on how to make investment decisions. It was revised after a legal case called for more precise guidance to assist trustees in deciding how to invest their charities' funds with a focus on the potential environmental impact. The guidance outlines key principles for trustees to follow when making investment choices, provides examples of different approaches, and includes an overview of social investment. It also specifies what trustees should include in their investment policies.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has launched a new Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund

The fund is for organisations that support people and communities under severe pressure because of the increased cost of living.



The funding is part of a package of over £100m announced in the 2023 Spring Budget for charities and community organisations.

Delivered in partnership with The National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF), the Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund will support organisations across England to deliver critical cost of living services.

Organisations will be able to apply for funding to maintain or expand these services from now until the end of March 2024.

Youth Investment Fund

In the upcoming phase of the Youth Investment Fund, the government plans to construct and renovate youth centres, benefiting approximately 12,000 young individuals. This initiative aims to enhance access to constructive after-school activities, with the establishment of new centres and the revitalisation of existing ones. To read more about the plans, click here. 

Communities 1st Membership Renewal

Communities 1st membership year runs from 1st of June to 31st May each year.



You should by now have received an email inviting you to renew your membership with Communities 1st. Please check your emails and renew at your earliest convenience.

Did you know that membership of Communities 1st entitles you to a host of member benefits including access to funding support, free promotion of your volunteer vacancies and discounted training.  Please click here to learn more or contact memberservices@communities1st.org.uk

Free Library services for refugees and asylum seekers

A reminder that asylum seekers and refugees on low income can access Hertfordshire’s many library services for free. 

Asylum seekers can use their ARC card or IND document as proof of their ‘low income’ status.  The ‘low income’ membership (as for all Hertfordshire library cards) is free, the concessions are: 

• Lower charges to borrow talking books
• Lower overdue charges on books and talking books
• No reservation charges on Hertfordshire stock 

Money Talk Toolkit for Professionals

New research by the Money and Pensions Service and the Personalised Care Institute shows that over the last six months, half of health and care professionals report a rise in money-related health issues – but the majority feel unequipped to have financial conversations. There is now a new ‘Money Talk Toolkit’ to help health and care professionals to tackle the issue.

It provides a collection of free courses and resources, designed to help them to discuss money worries with patients using personalised care approaches that recognise the wider factors, such as financial wellbeing, that can impact on a person’s health. Money-talk (personalisedcareinstitute.org.uk)

Homes for Ukraine guidance update: Learn to speak, read and write English

DLUHC has updated the learn to speak, read and write English: Homes for Ukraine guidance, which includes added details on the government funding for STEP Ukraine, an English language and employment support programme for up to 10,000 Ukrainians across the UK. Enrolment to the programme is on a rolling basis, those interested are encouraged to register as soon as possible to secure a place in the programme.

The aim of STEP Ukraine is to help Ukrainians improve their English language skills and gain new employment or employment more in line with their skill level through the provision of English language training and employment support. The STEP Ukraine programme is delivered by World Jewish Relief in partnership with the British Council.

FREE Training for Your Staff and Volunteers

Do you have staff or volunteers who do not have a GSCE grade C/4 level Maths? We can offer courses free of charge to improve the number confidence of your workforce. Through a wide range of short learning sessions including Excel, Managing Personal Finances and Presenting Data, these can all be accessed online in your own time. If you, your staff or volunteers are interested please email training@communitites1st.org.uk for more information, or call us for a chat on 01727 649950.

Digital Training Offer for Communities 1st Members

We are offering Communities 1st members access to an extensive programme of e-learning. Training is available from the following categories:

• Digital Skills 
• Equality, Diversity & Inclusivity 
• Essential Skills 
• Food and Hygiene
• Health & Safety 
• Leadership & Management 
• Mental Health & Wellbeing 
• Personal Development 
• Policy & Legislation 

All training is available now. 

£125 gives access to 25 people per organisation to any of the courses. 

£200 gives access to any of the courses to 50 people per organisation. 

If you would like to take up this excellent offer but are not currently a member of Communities 1st, please contact memberservices@communities1st.org.uk.

Please email Juli Riley, Head of Engagement and Skills, Communities 1st for further information Juli.Riley@communities1st.org.uk. 

New Leaf College

New Leaf College offers hope for the future despite life's challenges, offering opportunities, learning from other student's experiences and equipping students with skills to make changes to support their wellbeing. 

The college offers sessions in Stevenage, Watford, Ware and Hemel Hempstead as well as continuing to provide sessions online. 

They would like to work with partners who may be able to offer access for residents to join their online sessions from a local venue. If you can provide a venue, please call 01442864966 or contact louisa.whorrod@nhs.net. 

Please visit the New Leaf College here.

Cleaner/Caretaker

Hours: 7.5 hours

Salary: £10.80 / hour 

Full Details: You can view the full details of this role here. 

How to Apply: 

You can send your application for this role via email to us@communities1st.org.uk or you can call us on 01727 649900.

About The Role: 

The Cleaner / Caretaker role is to provide a comprehensive cleaning service at the Phillimore Community Centre managed by Communities 1st and to provide occasional holiday cover for office cleaning at Ver House.

The successful applicant will be required to open and close the community centre for occasional hirers as required both during the week and at weekends. Regular hirers of the centres have their own keys and do not need this service.

Cleaner / Home Helper

Hours: Flexible part-time hours. Work is available Monday to Friday between 9am and 4.30pm.

Location: Work locally across Hertfordshire.

Salary: £11.10 per hour PLUS paid holiday pay.

How to Apply: To apply please send an email to recruitsouth@ageukherts.org.uk or call 01923 627 055

About the role:

The work involves cleaning, shopping and other domestic duties such as changing bedlinen and helping with the laundry. You always see the same regular clients, allowing you to become that vital contact that keeps them independent and living in their own home.

For full details of the role please go to Age UK Hertfordshire | Become a Home Helper. No application deadline