Today is the last day of Volunteers' Week, a time when volunteers are celebrated for their efforts and achievements, and a chance for us to say thank you to our own dedicated team of volunteers.
The community response effort that we have helped to coordinate over the past year would not have been possible without volunteers. Our team have created this video, to say thank you to every brilliant volunteer who has given up their time and energy over the course of the pandemic.
Thank you to the compassionate community connector volunteers, the vaccination centre volunteers, the drivers, telephone befrienders, digital champions, brokers and recruiters. Thank you to everyone who has given their time up to help our community.
Next week is Small Charities Week; you can find more information about how to get involved below. Please let us know if your CVFSE needs support of any kind, by emailing memberservices@communities1st.org.uk or calling 01727 814018.
Many thanks,
Stephen Craker
Chief Executive
COMMUNITIES 1ST INFORMATION AND SUPPORT
If you want more information you can visit our website www.communities1st.org.uk/Covid-19Updates or contact our Voluntary Sector support team on 01727 743018.
Weekly coffee mornings for member organisations
Our weekly Virtual Coffee Mornings for voluntary sector organisations are a chance to say hello, tell us what you are working on, what support you need and to hear from other local voluntary sector organisations.
Every Wednesday at 11am.
The sessions are friendly, informal and hopefully useful. Come along whenever you can!
Register using our calendar.
For more information, please email memberservices@communities1st.org.uk or phone Christine on 01727 743018.
Thinking about your group's volunteering activities?
Contact our Volunteer Centre team who can help direct you to volunteering activities you can do safely, whether in person or remotely.
Email: volunteer@communities1st.org.uk
Small charity work is almost here!
During Small Charity Week we are hosting lots of free webinars and advice sessions to support our member organisations, as well as taking the opportunity to shout about the amazing work of our members.
14-19th of June.
Read more on how to get involved or visit the Small Charities website.
THANK YOU VIDEOS FOR OUR VOLUNTEERS
We've put together some videos to say thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers and to give you the opportunity to talk about your experiences volunteering with us.
Watch 'Volunteers in the Spotlight'
Watch 'Life as a Volunteer'
Watch 'Thank you from Communities 1st'
INFORMATION TO SUPPORT VOLUNTARY AND COMMUNITY SECTOR ORGANISATIONS
Member organisations funding newsletter
This month we are launching a new members-only newsletter, which will include all funding opportunities. Organisations who need to renew their membership with us should do this as soon as we contact you, to avoid missing out on important information and funding tips.
St Albans & District Foodbank need new warehouse space
Having supplied over 10,000 emergency food boxes to Hertfordshire locals, SADC foodbank has been given a deadline to move out of their site in Harpenden. If you or anyone you know has any information that could help contact
mpontin@stalbansdistrict.foodbank.org.uk.
Charity organisation seeks office space
HACRO, a charity that works towards caring for and resettling offenders, are looking for a space to expand and develop workshops and training etc.
If you know of an available space, email memberservices@communities1st.org.uk.
Introduction to Hertfordshire’s new Harmful Sexual Behaviours Pathway
This online event is suitable for Safeguarding Leads/Champions within any organisation, along with anyone working with children who wants to understand how to effectively report potential child cases in Hertfordshire.
The Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership Procedures Manual has been updated
The new, updated Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership Manual is available to view here.
Interactive tool for digital resources
With links for individuals and organisations, this document contains useful information to help develop your skills in online services.
Covid-19: Guidance for the safe use of multi-purpose community facilities
The government page outlining how to ensure your community facilities are COVID secure and safe has been updated to reflect step 3 of the Roadmap to Recovery.
Mental Health of Young British Muslims Awareness
Dr. Rosena Allin-Khan, the Shadow Minister for Mental Health is hosting a zoom event to talk about the mental health struggles of young British Muslims.
Tuesday, 22nd June 2021 - 11:00am - 12:30pm.
Peer support for charity and social enterprise leaders
From June, IVAR is running 90-minute drop-in peer support sessions for charity leaders, every week via zoom. This will be a safe space to share challenges, reflect, and hear each others' experiences of leading in uncertainty.
Find out more and book your session here.
Out of Bounds
Natural spaces in our towns and cities have lots of benefits: for our mental and physical health, for communities and for the local economy. However, not everyone has equal access to these benefits. This report by Groundwork looks at the evidence on equity in access to urban nature and how we can address it.
Free finance checklist for charities
Download your free finance checklist for charities by Sage Foundation, in collaboration with Charity Digital and Solid Base Non-Profit Support, here.
Do you know any group who are exceptional and should be put forward for a Queen's Award for Voluntary Service?
If you know of an exceptional volunteer group, running for more than 3 years, which has positively impacted on the lives of others in your local community, you could nominate them for the QAVS. Nominations can be made from 1 April to 15 September.
COULD YOU BE A COVID-19 INFORMATION CHAMPION?
Become a Covid-19 information champion
To ensure our communities are receiving accurate, up to date COVID guidance, we are engaging with COVID Information Champions, in partnership with Community Help Herts. The information champions disperse accurate, current information through their networks, to keep us informed and safe.
Anyone can be a COVID Information Champion. All you have to do is reach out to your community and share information from Hertfordshire County Council. The information is easily shared through social media, email, text messages and online messaging apps, and can also be printed out and used as a poster.
To get involved email Christine at CIChampion@communities1st.org.uk or call 020 3940 4869.
TRAINING AND WEBINARS
Strengthen your impact reporting as a social enterprise
Weds 09 June 10:00-12:00
Preparing your board to be more inclusive Better Boards training
Tues 15 June 19:00- 21:00
Register here.
Social enterprise discussion forum
Weds 16 June 11:00-12:00
Fundraising for boards: What do you need to know?
Fri 18 June 10:00-12:00
INFORMATION TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS
Vaccine Resources:
- COVID vaccine information video in Arabic
- COVID vaccine information video in Urdu
- Herts Care Providers Association
- Herts and West Essex Health and Care Academy website
- BBC Asian Network Resources
Bedtime Stories
Our volunteers have been creating bedtime stories, for you and your families to enjoy at home. These stories are a great opportunity to help your children improve their literacy skills.
Email: bedtimestories@communities1st.org.uk to get access to our bedtime stories videos!
Hertfordshire Family Centre Services
The Hertfordshire Family Centre is running various courses for families, including 'Families Feeling Safe', 'Parenting Puzzle' and 'Welcome to the World'.
LLBiH Masterclass Sessions
The Live Longer Better in Hertfordshire movement is very excited to invite you to the first of the LLBiH Masterclass Sessions which will be led by Sir Muir Gray. The webinar will delve into the theory that underpins the national movement and discuss what we can all be doing to help develop this work further in our Hertfordshire. Read more.
Online Mindfulness for Daily Living
Come along to Oaklands College's five week mindfulness course that's exclusively for our volunteers! You'll learn how to practice techniques such as mindful meditation and you'll be able to reap the benefits of physical ad mental health that mindfulness can provide. Starting June 17th 7-9pm. Sign up here.
Living with Diabetes Virtual Workshop
People living with diabetes in the Hertfordshire area are invited to join our virtual education session. There will be expert healthcare professionals running workshops on diet, day to day management, foot care and mental health. As well as a chance to ask any questions. Read more.
HENRY Online Healthy Families Programme
The HENRY programme is completely free to join for parents and carers of children aged 0-5 and offers plenty of classes to help support you in getting your child off to a great start.
Starting 7th June 6.30-7.30pm
Read more.
Virtual Hospitals
NHS will be holding a virtual session to hear about ‘Virtual Hospitals’, how they work and their purpose particularly for patients with COPD or heart failure and building on the service delivered to COVID patients. We want to gather thoughts, views and experience on being treated virtually using digital technology. Tuesday 8 June 2-3pm. To sign up email heather.aylward@nhs.net
Thank You Day
Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on so many people, and it’s tested us in ways we never expected. But for many of us, it has also bought us closer together. Closer to our families and to our communities. So please join in with your friends, neighbours and communities and take part in the country’s first ever national Thank You Day on the 4 July. And let’s say thank you together. Read more.
CCSU Violence Against Women and Girls Survey
The County Community Safety Unit (CCSU) are currently producing a needs assessment on Violence Against Women and Girls. The survey is open to males and females of all ages to enable them to compare experiences and feelings of safety between males and females, therefore we ask that the survey is referred to generally as the “Hertfordshire Personal Safety Survey” to ensure that men and boys are also encouraged to take part in the survey. Take part here.
Volunteer and Support Group Coordinator Needed
Hertfordshire County Council are looking for someone to manage and coordinate key tasks in the delivery of Hertfordshire’s Lifelong Links Triple Offer to Young Parents who are Care Experienced. The job will involve setting up, developing and managing a volunteer scheme that matches Volunteers and Young People who are parents. Read more.
Hertfordshire Libraries and partners looking for two artists in residence as part of a new project
This brand new, exciting opportunity will give the chosen artists the chance to work alongside library staff in unique and varying studio spaces. Working in our libraries, artists will be able to raise the profile of their work amongst library users, the local community and beyond.
To learn more email: library.promotions@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Mount Vernon Cancer Services Review
The NHS is reviewing the services provided at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, and they want to hear from as many people as possible so they make the best possible changes. To decide what the best options for the future will be, they would like to organise services in ways that provide the best modern care for patients, including access to research trials and new technology and treatments, from good quality facilities. Share your views and ideas here.
The Herts Big Weekend is Back!
The Herts Big Weekend is running from 26th June until 23rd July, and is all about giving Herts residents the chance to discover the array of fantastic things to see and do on their doorstep. This year they are focusing on building confidence to support their industries recovery.
British Cycling's Volunteer Bike Rides
British Cycling are looking for volunteers who are enthusiastic about leading entry level or family-friendly bike rides. Benefits include free Ride Leader training, a free Ride Leader kit and access to a supportive network.
Sign up to the webinar here.
Lifelong Links]
If you are a young parent who was or is in care, Lifelong Links can offer support packages. Read more.
Antenatal and Postnatal online social group
The Hertfordshire Family Centre Service is now running an antenatal and postnatal online social group, for current or future mums, dads, and families to meet other parents. For more information email hertsfamilycentres.org or call us on: 0300 123 7572. Book here.
British Cycling's Breeze Champions
Become one of British Cycling's Breeze Champions and lead fun and friendly women-only bike rides in your local area. Benefits include free Ride leader training, Free Breeze Champion Kit and access to a supportive network. Come along to their webinar to find out more information about becoming a volunteer. Read more.
Female Service Support Administrator
- Herts Area Rape Crisis
- 20 hours per week £12ph
An exciting administrative opportunity to work for a Hatfield based charity supporting female survivors of sexual violence. Looking for someone to work, with enthusiasm, flexibility and organizational skills. Read more.
Digital Inclusion Project Lead Wanted
- West Essex Community Action Network
- West Essex
- 37 hours per week
This person will be working with Local Authorities, VCS groups and health partners to provide both access to technology and data, as well as directed support to BAME and MH communities to enable them to benefit from virtual interventions and services. Read more.