Volunteer Centre Newsletter

Welcome to our Volunteer Centre newsletter.
 

We recently attended the Herts Sports Partnership’s Active Local conference. It was great to hear about the brilliant work volunteers have been doing to help the physical wellbeing of residents in Hertfordshire through the use of targeted sports groups. If you are interested in sports volunteering, check out what we have to offer here.

We would also like to remind you that Communities 1st is working hard to organise friendly Christmas calls and door-to-door visits for people who would otherwise be alone this festive season. If you are interested and would like to help us with the calls or the door-to-door visits please do get in touch!

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!

Wishing you a happy Christmas!

Jane Yates

Volunteer Centre and Community Coordinator

Communities 1st  

Christmas Volunteers with Open Door

Open Door is looking for dedicated individuals to join them on Boxing Day. Volunteers need to be competent cooks, willing to prepare a Boxing Day banquet to serve 17 guests. All food will be provided and must be cooked on site. Open Door believes that together, they can make a difference in the lives of the homeless during this challenging time of the year. So, if you're passionate about giving back to the community and spreading love, they would be honored to have you with them.

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.

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.

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.

Activities and Engagement Volunteer with Leecliffe Big Local

Leecliffe Big Local are looking for volunteers to support the running of the Friday Night Project in directly engaging with the young people attending the project. The Friday Night Project is located at the Hertswood Academy in Borehamwood. It provides young people with a safe space to hang out, Play sports and engage in activities that raise aspirations. There are around 130 young people who are attending the project. By volunteering at the Friday Night Project, you will be supporting young people to be engaged and motivated, able to express their feelings, giving some advice and support.

Apply here.

Casual Events Helper with Youth Talk 

Youth Talk need event helpers to help us at local fundraising events. They are looking for a good communicator and someone who enjoys working in a team with new people. Above all you will need enthusiasm and stamina if able to join us for longer events. Youth Talk are here to make sure young people in the St Albans District get the best possible mental health support. Their vision is that every young person can talk to someone, whatever is worrying them. by providing free, confidential counseling services delivered by qualified counsellors, they make sure everyone from 13-25 in the area can access this, whatever their background or circumstances.

Apply here.

Remote Family Support Volunteer for Family Lives

Family Lives operates a free confidential helpline for anyone experiencing difficulties in their family or relationship. Our volunteers take calls from parents and carers on a wide range of subjects. They are looking for volunteers who have experience of parenting or working with children and young people, are good listeners and are willing to learn.

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.

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.

Volunteer Van Driver's Assistant with Isabel Hospice

Isabel Hospice are looking for Volunteer Van Driver Assistants Supporting their retail operations, you will be out and about working with their Drivers, helping on events, donation days and deliveries. Flexible days and hours are available during the week or at weekends.

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.

Able2Enable Admin Assistant with Communities 1st

Able2enable takes a holistic approach to support individuals to develop key life skills, improve wellbeing and increase employability skills. We encourage individuals to grow within their capabilities by providing them with coaching and wellbeing support, training opportunities and supported volunteering placements. We are looking for a Volunteer Admin Assistant to support the project with tasks like Following up clients to schedule appointments, emailing organisations about Able2Enable, researching volunteer and employment opportunities for clients and Working with the lead on specific tasks relevant to Able2Enable.

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.

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.