Making A Difference Volunteer Update

With another year almost concluded, and Christmas just around the corner, Communities 1st would like to wish you a very happy Christmas, and a wonderful New Year. We hope that whatever you choose to do brings you enjoyment, that you have a restful festive period. 

We would like to thank everyone who has been giving festive calls and doorstep visits to clients within the community. One appreciative client told us that they had found everything in the Small Acts of Kindness bag so helpful and that she wanted to say a big thank you. You have all worked so hard during what proves to always be a very busy time of year to make sure everyone has a call or a visit to look forward to this Christmas time, and for that, we are very grateful. 

Our Warm hubs are still open over the festive season (full details can be found below) and we are looking for some volunteers who would be able to help us run these sessions. Whether you have a hobby you would like to showcase as an activity for the session, or some time to sit down and have a chat and a warm drink with someone, all help is welcomed. If you would like to register some time with us for any of our warm hubs, please call us on 01727 649900 or email us. 

All the best for the week ahead,

Stephen Craker

Chief Executive

Communities 1st will be operating on a slightly different schedule than usual next week, so please be aware there may be a delay in answering emails over the Christmas and New Year period, and the phone lines will only be monitored during the below listed hours. 

Due to the Christmas period, we want to make you aware that any expenses submitted after the 20th of December may take a little while longer to process due to the bank holidays. If you submit your expenses after this time, and have still received nothing by January 6th, please email us and we can look in to this for you. 

We also have a festive warm hub schedule that is slightly different to account for the bank holidays. Phillimore community centre will be moved from Tuesday the 27th of December to Thursday the 29th of December, with the usual hours, which can be found further on in the newsletter. Aberford and Organ Hall will be running as usual. 

We hope you have a lovely, safe and warm Christmas period, and enjoy whatever you do with your time. 

This session will give you the opportunity to learn more about what it is like to live with dementia and turn that understanding into action.

Date: Wednesday 18th January

Time: 11am-12pm

Register here.

An introduction to the British Sign Language and how it can be applied effectively to communicate with those living with deafness and hearing loss.

Date: Wednesday 25th January

Time: 10am-12pm

Register here.

The Samaritans and Hertfordshire County Council are offering free Suicide Prevention training for public sector frontline staff and people working in the voluntary sector in Hertfordshire - this includes you!

Sessions are available throughout December and January. You can view each event and book your place using the button below.

We hope you are already aware of our Warm Welcome Hubs taking place in Radlett and Borehamwood. Now that these are up and running, we need friendly Activities Facilitators to help us organise some activities for the attending guests.

Please be aware, due to the Christmas bank holidays, the Phillimore Centre session will be moved from the 27th of December, to the 29th. 

Activities we could offer include:

• Knitting
• Cooking
• Reading
• Movies

We are open to activity suggestions. If you have a particular hobby you can share, even better. Get in touch by emailing or calling 01727 649950.

If you enjoy or excel at manual jobs like DIY or gardening, We Want You!

We offer a Handyperson and Gardening service for vulnerable people who are elderly, disabled, or have poor mobility.

To learn about available Gardening volunteer opportunities, please click here.

To learn about available Handyperson volunteer opportunities, please click here.

Use the button below if you would like to read more about what this service offers.

Communities 1st has their own group of minibuses, which we use to help us conduct some of our project activities.

We are looking for some volunteers who would like to help us as minibus drivers, in order to facilitate numerous activities throughout the community, from our shopper bus service to driving on day trips for our international nurses project.

Click here to register your interest in volunteering on this activity.

We are looking for meeting facilitators to help out at the support meet-ups we run for Ukrainian guests and hosts in St Albans and Radlett.

We are looking for friendly, compassionate volunteers to help deliver these sessions.

If you are interested in helping out, please email us or telephone 01727 649900.

We are hoping to expand our neighbourly walks support due to increased interest from clients we support.

This service would see you support someone local to you with a walk around their neighbourhood to help reduce isolation while also helping people get some fresh air.  

If you are interested in this opportunity, email us or telephone 01727 649950.

If you have a few hours to spare, consider becoming a volunteer office administrator in one of our offices.

You will be helping us with important tasks such as volunteer recruitment and arranging shopping deliveries.

If you're interested in this role, please email us or call 01727 649950.