Volunteer Centre Newsletter

Welcome to our Volunteer Centre newsletter.
 

With Christmas fast approaching Communities 1st are organising friendly phone calls and door step visits to those in the community who may be isolated or find it harder to get out of the house. We hope to offer this option to members of the community throughout the festive period and we would like to give our volunteers the opportunity to spread some Christmas joy!
 

If you have some spare time and want to reduce others feeling social isolation all while spreading some Christmas joy, then please do get in touch here. You could take part in Christmas visits or perhaps making some friendly telephone calls to those in your community this festive season. If you are interested please get in touch here.

If you have any questions or queries about volunteering, please do not hesitate to get in touch. You can email us here, or give us a call on 01727 649950. To explore our volunteering opportunities, please click here.

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  

Office Receptionist with The Living Room

The Living Room are a charity based in Hertfordshire that supports adult residents committed to abstaining from their addiction. They are looking for volunteer receptionists to help them at their St Albans and Watford locations. Tasks include welcoming their clients, making drinks and answering the phone.

Apply here.

Volunteer Newsletter Editor with Hertbeats

Heartbeats is an organisation that aims to provide exercise opportunities, practical advice, information and help to cardiac patients and their families in the St Albans and Harpenden area. Heartbeats are wanting to re- start issuing quarterly newsletters to their 180 members, a practice which stopped during covid. They are looking for a volunteer with the ability to use Word, Excel and desktop publishing. Volunteers will need to have good organisation skills and ability to use the website mailing system to send out the bulk emails.

Apply here.

Tennis Club Volunteers with Hertsmere Borough Council

The Tennis Lawn Association are looking for volunteers to help at their Tennis Club in Borehamwood. Volunteer activators are needed to help with running the clubs. You will be part of a small team volunteering to deliver sessions weekly. Activities include completing registers and walks in on the site, ensuring equipment is in the correct location. They require at least two activators to run each session. You do not need to be a good tennis player but being good with people and great fun is desirable!

Apply here.

Volunteers for Kilo Sale with Isabel Hospice

Isabel Hospice is holding its first Kilo Sale and are looking for volunteers to help with their salesroom. Based in the Norton Building on Saturday 18th November between 9:30am and 3:30pm. Some of the tasks include helping the public with sizes and prices of clothes, weighing clothes for purchase, sorting, re stocking and being a great Isabel Hospice ambassador.

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.

Apply here.

Drop In Volunteers with Centre 33 St Albans

Centre 33 are looking for volunteers to assist them at their drop in centres. These centres provide an opportunity for those who are homeless, sofa-surfing, otherwise in unsecure accommodation, and those who are in accommodation but have difficulties in coping, to get a warm meal, a hot shower, some supplies and a space to meet others. Both of the spaces they need volunteers to help at are in are in St Albans. These drop in centres are run entirely by volunteers, and both day and evening sessions are managed by a team leader. This role could see you cooking and serving meals, cleaning up at the end of the session, chatting with attendees and full training will be provided. You can read more about this opportunity using the link below. 

Apply here.

Support Volunteer with H’arts in Mind.

H’arts in Mind is a mental health charity that supports people's wellbeing through art and friendship. They are looking for volunteers to support their charity and activities that are going on. Tasks include serving customers on the till area, keeping an eye on art in store, advising them about their well being drop-in art sessions. Volunteers would need to be reliable, polite, discreet, empathetic and tolerant as people attending their sessions may have mental or physical challenges. They offer free parking, petrol/ bus fares expenses, free refreshments, a free space in one of their art workshops and an inspiring Art Gallery environment to work in!

Apply here.

Event Volunteer with Friends of Care Homes. 

The Friends of Care Homes are looking for volunteers to help at their Saturday Singing Circle. This role requires volunteers to get involved with singing and games. We also ask volunteers to help with supplying snacks, cold drinks, tea and coffee. Friends of Care Homes supports seniors in the community who may be isolated, disabled or people who are living with Dementia and anyone who enjoys music!

Apply here.

Retail and Trading New Goods Distribution Volunteer with Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care.

Rennie Grove are looking for volunteers to help with the distribution of new goods. They have a range of specially selected new goods that are distributed to each of their 32 shops for sale, and the team really need volunteers to help them make this process as quick and efficient as possible. The main tasks include sort, pack and prepare New Goods for transportation.

Apply here.

Comms / Social Media Volunteer with Leecliffe Big Local

Leecliffe Big Local are looking for a dedicated Comms / Social Media volunteer with experience, skills, and knowledge of digital and non-digital media to support their organisation with local coverage of our projects and events. This role offers the opportunity to make a difference to residents by increasing their awareness and encouraging their participation in their projects and events. The projects and events that you will promote are free to the residents and aimed at tackling isolation and loneliness, supporting young people and adults with meaningful activities, enhancing the local environment and providing free meals during the winter.

Apply here.

Trustee With Herts Vision Loss

Thought of using some of your time, skills and talents to support a local charity? Looking for something new and a way to use your knowledge and skills to develop your community involvement? Then think about a Trusteeship role with Herts Vision Loss! They are very interested in meeting candidates who are considering utilising their skills in a charitable Trustee role, and in particular those with experience or background and skills in legal, financial, accounting.

Apply here.

Partnership Board member with Leecliffe Big Local

Leecliffe Big Local are looking for dedicated Partnership Board Member volunteers to join their local organisation. The Partnership Board is a resident-led partnership that manages the Big Local programme, including events and projects in their area since 2012. The partnership board appoints its officers and can appoint sub-groups to help it carry out its responsibilities. You will meet on a monthly basis with all the 9 Partnership Board members as well as with a representative of the Local Trust, the Local Trusted Organisation’s representative, the Community Officer, the Volunteer Coordinator and Administration Assistant.

Apply here.

 Chairperson with St Albans Community Bank.

This “hands on” Volunteer Chair role will provide the experience and energy to guide and co-ordinate the Board and help shape the future of the St Albans Community Bank in order to improve the lives of local people and provide a sustainable and profitable future for its Members. The role reports to The St Albans Community Bank Board and its Members.             

Apply here.

Volunteer Drivers with Age Concern UK  

Can you help Age Concern UK for a couple of hours on a Monday or Wednesday to drop off between 9:30am and 10:30am and then take home between 13:30pm and 14:30pm. Age Concern St Albans runs lunch clubs for older people to provide social interaction and combat loneliness. They aim to provide transport to their clients, and they rely on volunteer drivers to help get clients to the clubs. Mileage can be paid for this role.

Apply here.

Transport driver for St Albans Good Neighbour Scheme

St Albans Good Neighbour Scheme are looking for volunteer drivers to help out with the service that they provide for their clients in the local community. The process is that the driver collects the client from their home at a prearranged time. The client is then driven to their appointment/destination. After the appointment is completed the client is driven home. In many cases the driver will need to help the client get their appointment in the hospital and arrange a process where the client can advise the driver they are ready to go home.

Apply here.

Fleet Coordinator with Barbara Bus Fund

Are you a special kind of person looking for a special kind of position? The Barbara Bus Fund is looking to recruit a volunteer to help look after its fleet of 10 wheelchair accessible vehicles based at Head Office, Stanmore. Based at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, the Fleet Coordinator will check vehicles before and after they have been used; keep the vehicles clean, keep accurate records of vehicle faults and communicate with the office. There will be the occasional need to drive the vehicles.  

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.

NHS International Recruit Buddy with Communities 1st

Would you like the opportunity to give something back to the NHS? Why not become a volunteer buddy for newly arriving international NHS recruits? We have opportunities throughout Hertfordshire. Your role would be to welcome your buddy after they arrive in the UK, showing them around their local area, helping them to navigate public transport and look for accommodation. The purpose of this role is to make sure the new recruit feels supported as they get used to their new job and new area, and that they have an opportunity to make a new friend.

Apply here.

Community Car Driver Volunteers

We are looking for volunteer drivers to help our clients in the local community. 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.

Apply here.