Voluntary Sector Briefing

Our latest members newsletter contains a huge range of information to support your organisation including a wealth of new training opportunities. Member organisations can also receive our monthly funding newsletter, packed full of potential funding opportunities. 

We understand that the cost-of-living is already impacting upon the voluntary sector and will continue to do so.  We also understand that together we are stronger; working on joint projects or funding applications can share the load and offer even more to our service users and members.  But also, just taking the time to come together with other voluntary sector organisations, to share challenges and hear other experiences and views can be transformational, and could even be the start of a fruitful relationship.  Communities 1st offer lots of opportunities for groups to meet, including at the Weekly Drop-ins and the Stronger Together Networks; see below for details. 

We are delighted that our conference and AGM, the first to take place in person since 2019, will offer an additional opportunity for VCFSE organisations to come together to share experiences and learn from an excellent panel of speakers. See below for details, we look forward to seeing you there! 

Finally, do take a few minutes to look at our new and improved website which gives details of all C1st services for individuals and organisations.

Stephen Craker

Chief Executive

Save the Date

Save the date for Communities 1st AGM and Annual Conference, which will take place in person at Oaklands College St Albans Campus on Thursday 27 October from 1pm to 6pm. The theme is 'Strengthening Communities, Building Connections' and we have an exciting line up planned. More information coming soon.

Communities 1st Membership Renewal

Communities 1st membership year runs from 1 May until 30 April (it is a yearly membership, not a rolling membership)

Due to a planned upgrade to our website and CRM, we have chosen to send out membership renewal notices a little late this year. You should have received your membership renewal email.

Membership of Communities 1st is very competitively priced, starting at just £30 per year and offers voluntary sector organisations a huge range of fantastic benefits including:

• Support with all areas of small group development
• Advice on locating sources of funding and writing funding applications
• Access to a monthly funding newsletter, packed full of information about potential sources of funding
• Guidance on governance and policy development
• Promotion of volunteer vacancies
• Promotion of events and activities
• Access to networking events including the Stronger Together Networks.  

All of the above activities are for C1st member organisations only. From mid October services will no longer be accessible by organisations who do not renew their membership. 

For any queries about membership benefits, or to check the membership status of your organisation please email memberservices@communities1st.org.uk.

Warm Spaces (also known as Warm Hubs or Warm Places)

Warm Spaces are community spaces open over winter months, providing people struggling to heat their homes with somewhere to get warm, stay warm and enjoy a little company and some hot refreshments. Some warm spaces offer additional activities, a hot meal and information and signposting.

To provide a coordinated approach and to support local communities, we would like to encourage all partners providing warm spaces and activities this winter to register here. This information will appear on Communities 1st website and will be available to the general public.

To view the register of warm spaces, please click here.

Information about existing provisions will help local communities to access warm and safe venues. It will also help other emerging hubs to make an informed decision on what other activities are needed in the area.

Information about existing provisions will help local communities to access warm and safe venues. It will also help other emerging hubs to make an informed decision on what activities are needed in the area. 

If you are interested in offering your space as a Warm Space, but would like more information, please email memberservices@communities1st.org.uk.

Virtual Weekly Drop-in Support Sessions

Did you know, that as a member of Communities 1st, we can offer you support on a wide range of topics, including funding, governance and policies and volunteer recruitment, as well as opportunities to network and work with other voluntary sector organisations? Our weekly Virtual Drop-in Support Sessions for voluntary sector organisations take place every Wednesday at 11am via Zoom. Drop in to tell us what you are working on, what support you need and to connect with other local voluntary sector organisations.

The sessions are friendly, informal and constructive. Come along anytime you need to. 

To register please click here

Stronger Together Networks

The Stronger Together Network Meetings are held quarterly, in February, May, September and November by Zoom.

Each Stronger Together Network gives an opportunity for organisations working in a similar field to network, share experiences and challenges and work together. 

There are 7 Stronger Together Networks:

Communities 1st are delighted to introduce new Stronger Together Network to our popular quarterly programme of STNS.  The new session is aimed at Volunteer Managers and the first session will take place on 16 November.  This network offers the chance for Volunteer Managers to come together, discuss challenges, share best practise and network.

Please register here to attend.  

Mental Health Network: A positive and welcoming network of mental health providers, facilitating meetings, networking, sharing of ideas and discussions of best practice to meet the needs of their service users.

Children & Young People Network: A network to provide space for organisations working to support and help children & young people to meet, network, create and share information and ideas across county.

Transport Network: An informative and informal network of local community transport organisations, providing a great networking and information sharing opportunity and a forum to discuss provision of the different services provided within local schemes.

Disability Network: A fantastic opportunity to meet, learn and talk to other organisations working to help people with disabilities in the locality.

Culture and Environment Network: A network giving a fantastic opportunity for BAME organisations, museums, theatres, cinemas, galleries, parks and leisure centres to come together, share information about their facilities, work and network.

Older People Network: A welcoming space for organisations working with older people to network, to share ideas, activities, and promote good physical and mental health and well-being, reduce isolation and loneliness so older people may live healthy and meaningful lives.

You can find the dates and times for the next STN below: 

• Disability Tuesday 08 November 10:30-12:00 IH

• Transport Tuesday 08 November 14:00-15:30

• Children &Young People Weds 09 November 14:00-15:30

• Older People Tuesday15 November 10:30-12:00   

• Culture & Environment Tuesday 15 November 14:00-15:30

• Volunteer Management Wednesday 16 November 10.30-12.00

• Mental Health Wednesday16 November 14:00-15:30

  You can attend as many STNs as you wish. Please choose the relevant event(s) and register here to attend, or contact Aneta Wujek, Policy & Network Coordinator, for further information on 01727 649944.

Email: memberservices@communities1st.org.uk

Ukraine Peer to Peer Support Sessions

Communities 1st are hosting weekly sessions where Ukrainians can meet other Ukrainians in the UK and hosts can meet other hosts, to come together, chat and make friends. These sessions are open to all, on both the Homes for Ukraine scheme and the Friends and Family visa. 

Come along to:

Aberford Community Centre

• Aberford Rd, Borehamwood WD6 1PN 
• Every Wednesday, 4.00pm - 6.00pm 

St Albans Library

• Level 2 The Maltings, St Albans, AL1 3JQ
• Every Friday, 10.30am - 12.30pm

For more information email us@communities1st.org.uk

Herts with Ukraine Website 

The Herts with Ukraine website is hosted by Community Help Herts, a partnership of voluntary sector organisations delivering projects to support the communities in Hertfordshire. This website provides information and resources to help you if you are sponsoring or supporting Ukrainian guests, or are considering doing so. It also provides a wealth of information and resources to support Ukrainian guests, such as local activities and information on where to go for advice on a range of topics. 

The Herts with Ukraine website aims to be a community resource. If your organisation would like to post something on the Herts with Ukraine website, please email Gary Franklin at Communities 1st  gary.franklin@communities1st.org.uk

Please click here to visit the Herts with Ukraine website. 

Able2Enable

Communities 1st is running the Able2Enable project across St Albans, Hertsmere, Welwyn Hatfield, Broxbourne and East Herts. We are looking for organisations to become Able2Enable Allies, willing to work with us to host a supported volunteer on an ongoing basis.

Volunteering should be accessible and open to all individuals. Sometimes people need a bit of extra support to volunteer and overcome barriers such as a lack of confidence and motivation, difficulty communicating, problems completing application forms or anxiety about travelling to unfamiliar venues and meeting new people. Able2Enable works with these individuals to enable them to get into volunteering positions.

There are many benefits for organisations hosting a supported volunteer. We can offer you a committed volunteer to support your work, access to our ongoing support, training and guidance to make your workplace more accessible and inclusive to our volunteers, and support to ensure that our volunteer is able to take on the role. You will benefit by having a committed volunteer that can support your work and the satisfaction of supporting your local community. Hosting a supported volunteer can also help to diversify your organisation.

If you would like to refer a volunteer needing some extra support, if you are interested in hosting a volunteer through Able2Enable, or simply to know more about the project and its impact within the community, please contact us at able2enable@communities1st.org.uk

Government's Energy Scheme

Help available to protect non-domestic energy customers, including charities and public sector organisations, from rising energy costs. The scheme will cover energy use for 6 months from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023, and is in addition to the Energy Price Guarantee for households.

Organisations do not need to take action or apply to the scheme to access the support. Support (in the form of a p/kWh discount) will automatically be applied to bills and the level of price reduction for each business will vary depending on their contract type and circumstances. 

The scheme will be available to everyone on a non-domestic contract subject to a small number of exclusions (for example organisations that use gas or electricity for the purpose of generating power that they are selling back to the grid, and those that agreed a fixed contract before the 1 April 2022). Organisations on variable contracts will receive a discount, but there will be benefit, in particular, for smaller organisations who have recently moved off fixed tariffs to switch back to one.

For further information on the details of the scheme, see the press release and accompanying guidance.

Mind in Mid Herts Training 

M-ask wellbeing drama programme

This  fun and free programme using theatre techniques is for those suffering from stress, anxiety, depression and other conditions affecting mental wellbeing. You don’t need any experience to take part, everyone is welcome from absolute beginners to the more experienced.

8 week Programme runs:

Date: October 6th, October 13th, October 20th, (No Session 27th Oct), November 3rd, November 10th, November 17th and November 24th.

Time: 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm.

Location: St Albans Mind, 11 Hatfield Rd, St Albans AL1 3RR.

For more information, please call 03303 208100 or email admin@mindinmidherts.org.uk

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Programme

The online programme is an eight-week evidence-based program; which offers mindfulness training to assist people with stress, anxiety and depression. This will be run by our qualified mindfulness practitioner. 

It is a practical approach that trains attention, allowing people to cultivate awareness and therefore enabling them to have more choice and take wise action in their lives. You’ll also receive a workbook to utilise alongside the course and practice skills yourself.

If you have any queries then please get in contact with the training team: admin@mindinmidherts.org.uk

Mental Health Peer Support Training

Do you want to support others with their mental health? Become a Mental Health Peer Supporter! Mind in Mid Herts will be offering training to give you the skills to support others with their mental health and wellbeing.

The current online course dates for this training are below:

• Thursday 29th September, Friday 30th September (2x full days 9.30am to 4.30pm)

Please click here to book your free course. 

Free Cooking Sessions to Sopwell residents

 Sopwell eco-stars is a sub-group of Sopwell Residents Association. They aim to support local people to manage the uncertainties of global warming, ecological breakdown, and related disruptions around food, energy, and the cost of living.

Sopwell eco-stars are offering free cooking sessions to local Sopwell residents and beginners living in the area.

The next date is Saturday 1st October 2-4pm at the Cottonmill Community & Cycling Centre, Old Oak, off Cottonmill Lane. AL1 2EF.

Please contact Kate and Gail with any questions email info@sopwell.org.uk 

End Furniture Poverty have released a guide for those needing help acquiring furniture.

More information about this initiative can be found on End Furniture Poverty website.

The guide they produced is for people who need essential furniture items and white goods, items like beds, sofas, washing machines, cookers, and fridge freezers, but who don’t know where to turn to get help.

A copy of this guide can be downloaded here.

 

Banking disputes registration deadline

There are just six months left for charity sector businesses to register any unresolved banking disputes with the Business Banking Resolution Service. This scheme will close for new complaints on 14th February 2023. You can check via the BBRS online tool whether your banking dispute can be tackled.  

Free SIM cards for Digital Inclusion projects

Vodafone's charities.connected programme has committed to providing more than 50,000 SIMs. Launched last year, this scheme gives every UK charity the chance to apply for free connectivity, helping their digital capacity or that of the individuals and families they support. 

Food and cost of living support information

Hertfordshire County Council have created a webpage which shows all known food banks and providers in Hertfordshire found here: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/foodsupport it would be helpful if you could share this with any service users who you think could benefit. In addition, the District Council has put together a cost of living page on our website which has information on all support available for those struggling: https://www.stalbans.gov.uk/cost-living-support  

New Training Offer for Communities 1st Members

We are offering Communities 1st members access to an extensive programme of e-training. Training will be delivered 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 of up 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 discuss accessing courses for a smaller number of people, please contact Juli Riley, see contact details below. 

If you would like to take up this excellent offer but are not currently a member of Communities 1st, please contact christine.halpin@communties1st.org.uk

Please email Juli Riley, Head of Volunteer Centre and Skills, Communities 1st for further information Juli.Riley@communities1st.org.uk. 

Learning Together Programme from the National Academy for Social Prescribing

The Learning Together Programme offers development opportunities for voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise groups and organisations supporting their communities needs through the delivery of social prescribing activities.

Click here to register

Royal Literary Fund Get it Write Workshops

Thriving Communities in the East of England has partnered with the Royal Literary fund to bring you a series of writing workshops.

Get it Write: Royal Literary Fund – Bid Writing Workshop

The ability to write compelling and successful applications for funding is a vital skill required in any organisation working for the benefit of our communities. Fundraising for our work provides the lifeblood our projects and services need to continue.

This workshop will be delivered through two linked 2-hour sessions that support you to:

• Understand the key principles of writing applications for funding

• Explore issues of content, structure and style in writing funding applications

• Practise skills in marshalling information, formulating ideas and expressing yourself clearly, coherently and concisely.

Part one: Monday 10th October, 10am – 12pm.

Part two: Wednesday 26th October, 10am-12pm.

Click here to sign up.

Get it Write: Royal Literary Fund – Report Writing Workshop

Within the voluntary and community sector writing reports is a constant and necessary part of our routine. It’s also an opportunity to convey to those commissioning or funding our work, both current and prospective what we do and how it makes a difference. The quality of our reports has a direct impact on stakeholder opinions of our work and a well written report can put you in the best possible place to secure sustained funding for the future.

These workshops will help you to learn how to write clear, concise reports that convey your message effectively and efficiently. You will be supported to:

• Explore the essential elements of writing a report

• Understand the role of storytelling in reports

• Formulate a structured approach to report writing

• Build skills in selecting and sequencing relevant information

• Practise editing and proofreading.

Part one: Monday 21st November, 10am – 12pm

Part two: Monday 5th December 10am – 12pm

Click here to sign up.

Public Health Hertfordshire

Public Health Hertfordshire would like to create some drug and alcohol training and would appreciate your feedback. They are particularly keen on understanding the current knowledge on drugs and alcohol and where they can enhance learning in Hertfordshire. They would also like to know how you would like this training to be delivered and what subjects you would like covered.



Thank you in advance for completing this anonymous survey by Friday 17th October.

To access the survey please click here.

New Leaf College

New Leaf College offers hope for the future despite life's challenges, opportunity, learning from other student's experiences and equipping students with skills to make changes to support their wellbeing. 

For the Autumn term the college will return to the classroom, offering 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.

Communications and Campaigns Officer

Hours: 30+ hours to full-time, 18-month contract with a view to becoming permanent 

Salary: £22,350 - £24,104 p.a. pro rata

How To Apply:

You can view the full details of the role here. 

For an informal chat about the role, please contact Helen at Communities 1st on 020 3940 4869 or Helen.Ives-Rose@communities1st.org.uk.

About The Role:

Communities 1st are looking for individual who will support the effective delivery of a Communities 1st brand that aims to increase awareness of the charity. Working across traditional and digital channels including the website, social media, and print publications, the post-holder will help communities 1st tell its story by creating compelling content about the work being undertaken.

Assistant Manager: Finance and Administration



Hours: 30 hours

Fixed term to 31 March 2024

Salary: Circa £29,000 pro rata

Full Details: 

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 Assistant Manager: Finance and Administration will be responsible for Finance function in its entirety, supporting and ensuring the achievement of the organisation's strategic and financial objectives, ensuring that the function can help facilitate further growth and development of the organisation.

You can view the full details of this role here.

Community Engagement Officer

Hours:30 hours

18-month contract 

Salary: £12.06 / hour 

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:

Working initially in Hatfield with Welwyn Hatfield CVS , we are seeking a creative and self-motivated individual to work sensitively with both the local communities and agencies to develop and deliver a programme of projects and activities to address local issues and needs. The Community Engagement Officer will undertake a range of activities supporting covid recovery working with the local community and deliver the agreed targets and outcomes.

You can view the full details of this role here. 

Community Engagement Officer

Hours:30 hours

18-month contract 

Salary: £12.06 / hour 

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:

Working initially in Hatfield with Welwyn Hatfield CVS , we are seeking a creative and self-motivated individual to work sensitively with both the local communities and agencies to develop and deliver a programme of projects and activities to address local issues and needs. The Community Engagement Officer will undertake a range of activities supporting covid recovery working with the local community and deliver the agreed targets and outcomes.

You can view the full details of this role here. 

Clerk to Trustees                        

The Charity of Sarah Duchess of Marlborough & The Charities of Thomas Lathberye and Richard Raynshaw

Both charities provide almshouse accommodation in St Albans for eligible residents aged over 60.  There is a total of 43 flats, which are unfurnished and self-contained.  Residents must be able to live independently as no additional support is provided.

Hours: variable but approx. 60 per month.

Hourly rate:  £32

Location: St Albans office but some home working is possible. 

The charities are separate but are looking for one person to provide professional administrative support to manage all aspects of the day to day running of the 2 charities.  The role includes estates management as well as general administration and charity governance.  A knowledge of property management and charity governance is desirable but not essential.

For more information please contact 07483 351094  admin@csdom.org.uk or clerk.lathberye.raynshaw@outlook.com

To apply send a CV to djg6160@hotmail.co.uk

Closing date: 30 September 2022

Start date: to be agreed