Voluntary Sector Briefing

Christmas is fast approaching and for many, this can be a time of additional pressure or stress. It is important to remember to try to take time out, to relax and recharge in order to look after our physical and mental health. Please click here for some ideas on how to maintain personal wellbeing. 

Building on our work to advocate on behalf of the voluntary sector, Communities 1st are working to develop policy position statements on a number of important issues.  Our statements aim to reflect the collective voice of the sector.  If you would like to be a part of this conversation or want to know more, please come along to our Stronger Together Networks (see below) or come along to one of our topic specific focus groups - dates will be posted in this newsletter.

Stephen Craker

Chief Executive

UKCharityWeek is an annual campaign raising awareness and fundraising for charities. Our CVS supports many charities, local and national; we're looking forward to sharing some exciting news from those charities this week! Visit our website for more information.

The UK Health Security Agency's recent release of the flu and COVID-19 vaccination briefing pack outlines the winter vaccination program, statistics, social media content, and additional resources to share within your networks. You can access the pack here. 

The latest Good Childhood Report uncovers concerning youth dissatisfaction. 10% of surveyed children (ages 10-17) reported low wellbeing in May-June 2023, while nearly a third expressed discontent in specific life areas. This unacceptable trend demands attention. Explore the report's findings here. 

Home-Start Hertfordshire (HSH) is a charity that is dedicated to helping parents and their young children by providing much-needed emotional and practical support.

Volunteer Family Mentors play a crucial role in empowering vulnerable families to overcome challenges and build a better future for themselves and their children.

Following a comprehensive training program, Volunteers will either go on to support families through 1:1 support, in the form of weekly home visits, or they can become a group volunteer, supporting families attending one of our weekly family groups. 

The demand for Home-Start's services has been increasing, particularly in light of the recent global pandemic that has disproportionately affected families. Many parents and caregivers are facing an array of issues, including financial pressures, mental health issues, isolation and domestic abuse. 

"Our volunteer Mentors are the heart and soul of our organisation. The support they provide is unique; because the same volunteer visits the family each week, sometimes for up to 9 months, they build a trusted and non-judgemental relationship that enables parents to feel safe “

Suzy Moody, CEO

Home-Start is inviting individuals from all walks of life, backgrounds, and experiences to join their team. By committing as little as two to three hours per week, whilst you’re matched to a family, volunteers have the opportunity to make a significant difference, not only in the lives of struggling families but also in their own self-development.

You are invited to our festive-holiday catch up!

Communities 1st is happy to share the dates of this year’s upcoming Christmas events for December 2023 and we can’t wait to see you there!

Volunteers, clients and members of staff are all welcome, so we hope to see you as we share a festive hot chocolate and a chat together.

It is a small gesture to say thank you for all the help and support received this year and we hope you can make it!

If you are interested in coming along, please click here to register (so that we have enough mince pies!)

• Tuesday, 5th December 2023, 4pm - 6pm
  
  37 Bairstow Close, Borehamwood, WD64TB. 
  
  Register here. 
• Wednesday, 6th December 2023, 4pm - 6pm
  
  "Bollescroft" Cock Lane, Hoddesdon, Broxbourne, EN11 8BE
  
  Register here.
• Thursday, 7th December 2023, 4pm - 6pm
  
  The Jubilee Centre, Catherine Street, AL35BU St Albans
  
  Register here.

Save the date

The Stronger Together Networks will return in January. Please save the dates below. For more information about all twelve of our Stronger Together Networks, please click here.

Older People

• 09.01.2024 2-3 pm
• 06.03.2024 10-11 am

Children and Young People 

• 10.01.2024 10-11am
• 12.03.2024 10-11am

Culture and Learning

• 16.01.2024 10-11am
• 14.03.2024 10-11am

Environment

• 17.01.2024 10-11am
• 19.03.2024 10-11am

Disability

• 23.01.2024 10-11am
• 21.03.2024 10-11am

Community Spaces

• 06.02.2024 10-11am
• 11.04.2024 10-11am

Mental Health

• 08.02.2024 10-11am
• 16.04.2024 10-11am

Refugees and Asylum Seekers

• 20.02.2024 2-3.30 pm
• 18.04.2024 2-3.30 pm

Transport

• 21.02.2024 10-11am
• 23.04.2024 10-11am

Volunteer Managers

• 14.02.2024 1-2.30pm
• 24.04.2024 1-2.30pm

Digital Inclusion

• 25.01.2024 2-3pm
• 28.03.2024 2-3pm

New St Albans locations for Compassionate Community Cafés

Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care is expanding its Compassionate Cafés in St Albans to support local community members who are struggling with loneliness and isolation after losing a loved one. The Community Engagement team has been organising Compassionate Cafés in various locations across Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire for the past 18 months.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they have noticed a significant increase in the demand for these supportive services as people are experiencing delayed grief. For information on new locations and more details, please visit their website.

Save Energy Stay Warm

People across Hertsmere are being encouraged to check if they are eligible to receive help through the Home Upgrade Grant scheme, which aims to help local householders be warmer in their homes, lower their carbon emissions as well as save money on their fuel bills.

The scheme is being delivered across the region through the Greater South East Net Zero Hub and Hertsmere Borough Council is urging eligible households to apply.

Find out more and apply.

Warm Herts Fund

Hertfordshire County Council and Hertfordshire Community Foundation l have launched their warm space grants, details of which can be found here. This can be used for:

• Extra energy costs
• Staff time
• Volunteer expenses
• Venue hire
• Provision of free or subsidised drinks and food
• Training
• Other relevant costs for example, transport to the venue.

Each organisation would be able to apply for up to £2,000 for the provision of warm spaces.  

Hertfordshire County Council have launched their countywide directory of public spaces and buildings which people can use as a warm, welcoming places as temperatures drop.

Any organisation which registered with Hertfordshire County Council, should be able to log into their account to make sure that their details are up to date for this year. Any new organisation wishing to register with Hertfordshire County Council can register here.

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. 

Spot the Signs and Save a Life

This training addresses the underlying issues related to suicide and drug & alcohol misuse. It identifies the risk factors and educates on the links between these areas to address holistically, situations where they co-exist.  Attendees will explore how to use open and empathetic conversations with individuals in these circumstances.  Frontline staff will be equipped with the knowledge and confidence needed to both identify as well as respond to individuals in crisis.  The in-person session will give the opportunity for attendees to share their own perspectives and contribute to the wider discussions of the importance of understanding these intersecting topics.

Dates:

Tuesday 16th January – 10.00-1.00pm – Welwyn Garden City, Golf Club. Click here to register.

Thursday 22nd February – 10.00-1.00pm – Watford, Stanborough Conference Centre. Click here to register. 

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.

Carers Awareness Monday

St Albans City and District Council are hosting a Carers Awareness Session. Carers in Herts are leading the session and are a community led organisation, working in Hertfordshire and surrounding areas to promote awareness of the issues that affect the Carers. 

Event: Carers Awareness

For: Those working in the community, voluntary and public sectors who would like to increase understanding of the challenges that carers face.

Date: Monday 11th December

Time: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Location: St. Albans Civic Centre

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.

Support Worker to Dietetics

Hours: 

Job Share 17.5 hours per week

(Wednesday 3.5 hours, Thursdays and Fridays, 7 hours)

Salary: £11,969 per annum (£23,938 FTE) 

Full Details: Full details can be found here

How to apply:

To Apply email your CV together with a covering letter detailing how you meet the person specification to recruitment@ageukherts.org.uk 

AUKH is an inclusive organisation which welcomes a wide range of candidates to represent our diverse communities.

Closing date: Sunday 10 December

Interviews: Monday 18 December

About the Role: 

An opportunity to join an exciting partnership between Age UK Hertfordshire and Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust (HCT) in the delivery of the Nutrition and Dietetics Service in West Hertfordshire.  

You will work with the Trust dietitians to provide additional support for people around social malnutrition and its causes, including signposting to other services such as befriending, shopping and transport.

This challenging and rewarding role will involve community outreach across the West Hertfordshire area and will be based with the HCT’s Nutrition and Dietetics Service in St Albans. 

Experience of nutrition is not essential. A full UK driving licence with daily use of a car is essential.

We offer Training and development, contributory pension scheme, health care plan after an initial qualifying period.