Making A Difference Volunteer Briefing

The St Albans Spring Festival is taking place this Sunday 18 May from 10am to 5pm in the city centre. Communities 1st will be attending this vibrant street event to provide information, promote wellbeing and offer a quiet a space for those who may feel overwhelmed form the atmosphere.

It's not too late to volunteer to support us on the day across the following key roles:

• Stage assistance - Help manage a designated area near the main music stage to ensure individuals with disabilities have access to comfortable and appropriate seating. Volunteer while enjoying the performance!
• Wayfinding support - Walk around the festival site providing maps and event information to the public
• Quiet Zone Support - Assist staff in the Quiet Zone Tent where members of the public can take a break from the noise. Volunteers will help maintain a calm, welcoming atmosphere.

Shift Times

• Morning shift: 10:45am - 2pm
• Afternoon shift: 1:45pm - 5pm

If your availability is slightly different please still get in touch, we would still appreciate your help and support.

To register your interest or find out more, please email or call.

We offer a variety of online training courses every month so check out our website for more details here. The next one is a Dementia Friends session on 21 May. See the details below.    

This session provides key insights into what dementia is and how you can help. Please note this is a general information session and not a medical presentation. Learn new ways to help to improve the quality of life for those living with it. 

At the end there will be an opportunity, for those who wish to do so, to join over 3 million people in the UK, by becoming a Dementia Friend.

Date: 21 May
Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Location: Online
Speaker: Jan Payne, Dementia Friends Ambassador, Alzheimer’s Society                      

Would you feel confident enough to act in an emergency? Practice life-saving skills with the help of Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Free CPR Awareness sessions are being run by fire crews at Borehamwood and Elstree Fire Station and the Hertsmere Community Safety Partnership.

At the sessions, participants will learn about the recovery position, how to deal with an unconscious person who isn't breathing, CPR and how to use a defibrillator.

The sessions will take place at Borehamwood Fire Station on these following dates:

• Thursday 29 May, 7pm to 8:30pm
• Friday 20 June, 10am to 11:30am
• Wednesday 16 July, 7pm to 8:30pm
• Friday 15 August, 10am to 11:30am

For more information and to book your place, please email or call 0208 207 7801.

 Hertfordshire’s ‘It’s Never Too Late to be Active’ campaign is back again, to help work-age adults become more active.

By joining the campaign, you’ll receive a 12-week activity voucher that gives you access to discounted classes or activity sessions across the county, so that you can try a new activity each week of the campaign. You will also have the opportunity to win a £150 shopping voucher.

Whether you’re starting from zero or wanting to do more, just 10 minutes of physical activity a day has enormous benefits to your physical and mental health - now and in the future. Some is good, more is better.

So, give it a go! Use the button below to sign up to Never Too Late or drop-in to your local library from 12 May 2025 and keep your body strong, your mind sharp and spark the energy you need to keep doing the things you love.

Join us at the next Communities 1st Virtual Coffee morning hosted on zoom on Friday 30 May. A friendly way to connect to share your experiences, hear about opportunities and learn how others are making a difference.

It’s an opportunity to answer your questions and to discuss how we can improve your volunteering experience even better.

Grab a hot drink and enjoy good company and conversation.

To register your attendanc or for more information, please email help@communities1st.org.uk or call 01727 649930

Find out more about Half-Term Activities and sessions available below 

Your Dashboard is the hub of all things volunteering. Access your Dashboard to:

• Sign up for volunteering opportunities, shifts and events
• Feedback on volunteering you have done
• Submit expense claims

Transport volunteering - You can reach the travel team by calling 01727649980 or by emailing travel@communities1st.org.uk

Handyperson and Gardening volunteering - You can reach the handyperson team by calling 01727649980 or by emailing handy@communities1st.org.uk

Shopping support volunteering - You can reach the shopping support team by calling 01727649980 or by emailing community.help@communities1st.org.uk

Telephone Befriending volunteering - You can reach the befriending team for support by calling 01727649980 or by emailing volunteering@communities1st.org.uk 

For queries relating to your expenses, volunteer dashboard or urgent concerns - You can reach us by calling 01727649980 or by emailing community.help@communities1st.org.uk 

On call management - If you take part in volunteering opportunities outside of office hours and you have an emergency, you can contact the on call management team on 01727649985.

Thank you for reading this newsletter. If you'd like to speak to us please call 01727 649900 or email help@communities1st.org.uk.

You can also follow us on social media.

Registered Charity: 1187164

Main Office: 1st Floor Ver House, Park Estate, Frogmore, St Albans, AL2 2WH.

Your Community Hub: 5 Leeming Road, Borehamwood, WD6 4EB.

You can also find us at:
The Hub, Civic Centre, St Peters Street, St Albans, AL1 3JE and Better Days Hubs across Hertfordshire.