Making A Difference Volunteer Update

I hope you are enjoying the milder weather, and as the temperatures rise we are reminded of the wonder of our planet and all its beauty. This week is Earth Week, and more popularly this Saturday is World Earth Day. EARTHDAY.ORG is a charity working with 75k+ partners in their mission to help mobilize the future of our planet and all those living on it. 

There are a variety of planned volunteer events in Hertfordshire to help support the movement, including a Litter Pickers Summer Clean Up and a Make Ware Beautiful clean up. Why not help out, or create your own event? You can find out more on the earthday.org website. 

Look out for more information on volunteering activities taking place as part of The Big Help Out over the Coronation weekend.  Shopmobility are looking for volunteers in St Albans, more information on this and other opportunities are in this newsletter.

If you get up to anything interesting, be sure to let us know via our socials, or alternatively you can send us an email HERE.

 

Wishing you all the best for the week ahead,

Stephen Craker

Chief Executive
Meet Stephen Craker
International Nurses Project 

Buddies Needed in the Cambridgeshire Area

Maybe you have friends and family in the North Herts or Cambridgeshire area that can help to support and befriend our new international NHS recruits?

Drivers Needed for Airport Pick-Ups

This would mainly include airport pickups for our international recruits, who would greatly appreciate seeing a friendly face upon their arrival to the UK!
Become a Buddy Today!

We have recently been supporting new international NHS arrivals in Bishops Stortford and Welwyn Garden City. 

We will cover all your expenses for these activities, such as parking and mileage reimbursement. 
GET IN TOUCH
The Big Help Out Campaign
A Campaign to Get More People Volunteering - 8th May 23
 

The Big Help Out campaign aims to promote volunteering and increase participation among those who traditionally do not volunteer. By showcasing the benefits of volunteering and encouraging more people to get involved, the campaign is helping to create a culture of volunteering and community involvement in the UK.

Shopmobility in St Albans is looking for volunteers on 8th May.  Shifts can be booked via your dashboard.

Help us spread the word by sharing information on the upcoming Big Help Out event! More information can be found on our website and social media channels. 
 
FIND OUT MORE HERE
Urgent Volunteer Roles
Become a Digital Champion
 

Comfortable with Technology and know your way around the internet?

This role will mainly include helping out at our Bushey Library Computers and a Cuppa sessions on Thursdays from 12-2pm. These sessions will help clients with: 

  • Setting up passwords
  • Printing documents
  • Learning how to use smart phones and tablets
  • Helping to make the most of using apps

Training for this role will be provided! 
 
GET IN TOUCH
A Snippet from our Volunteer Blog

 

Cheryl*, in her sixties, is a volunteer with Communities 1st. She has undertaken two very different roles – collecting and delivering oxygen monitors to vulnerable people and being a telephone befriender. Cheryl’s experience highlights the important part that volunteers can play in being the eyes and ears in the community, being aware of possible concerns, and, as necessary, passing on information.

Delivering Oxygen monitors... And telephone befriending

“When Covid struck, I worked at home for a week and then, coincidentally, I retired, as I had been planning for some time.  I had time on my hands, and wanted to help, and fight the pandemic.  I’d read about Communities 1st, and I was quickly signed up as a volunteer.”

“I enjoyed delivering the oxygen monitors,” she explained.  “It was very straightforward.  I’d get a call from Communities 1st, collect the monitor, and then deliver it to the vulnerable person in the community.  Job done!” 

We went on to talk about Cheryl’s befriending role.   Cheryl telephoned June* regularly, each week, for about a year.  Telephone befrienders phone people with a long-term health condition, offering chat, a listening ear, understanding, and information.   “I was pleased to phone June, and I think this drew on my skills,” Cheryl explained. “I feel the relationship went well but I soon realised that June was very poorly, in considerable pain, and with some mental health needs.  The calls could be quite challenging and to tell the truth at times I felt out of my depth.   I felt there could be safeguarding concerns. I would phone Communities 1st for their help and ask them to take action.”

*(Not her real name)

To read more about Cheryl and other's volunteering experiences with Communities 1st, check out our volunteer blog by clicking on the button below.

If you think you have an experience you would like to share, get in touch HERE
VISIT THE VOLUNTEER BLOG HERE
Busy Bee Garden Development Project
Green Fingered Volunteers Needed! 
 

We say Hello to Spring by launching our Busy Bee Communities 1st Garden Development Project.

We are looking for volunteers who are interested in gardening to help with two of our projects.

The gardening volunteer roles are:

  • To provide a gardening service to our clients who are no longer able to maintain their own gardens as part of our Handyperson service

  • To be part of the team of gardeners to create and maintain the gardens with the help of the community groups in the area

These projects will:

  • Enable residents to continue to enjoy staying in their own homes
  • Help develop positive relationships, mutual understanding, and respect between members of the local community through the activity of gardening.
  • Promote participants mental health and wellbeing with by working outdoors as part of outdoor community activity, involving gentle exercises while planting.
  • Provide participants a catalyst to act locally and encourage dynamic change, creating positive impact for our planet, educate about biodiversity and nature.
  • Create sustainable, eco – friendly urban gardens.

We need you if you have the personal qualities below:

  • An interest in gardening
  • Commitment to the project
  • Good communication skills
  • Able to travel around the Borough to attend the sessions
  • Availability for once or twice a week for two hours between May and September

Do you want to be involved in this exciting fun filled and rewarding project?
 
GET IN TOUCH
Let Volunteering Roles Come to You!

Communities 1st is launching Let’s Give, a new service for volunteers. You will be able to create your own space on our website, so that organisations can find out more about you and reach out regarding their volunteering roles.

You won’t need to display any personal contact information as we will do all the brokerage, so we will put you in touch with the given organisation.

It’s a great way to showcase your skills and experience to local community groups and can help match you with a role where you can make a real difference.
EMAIL US
Creative Community Cafes 
Weekly Creative Community Cafe Project
 

Do you enjoy arts and crafts, knitting, drawing and other hobbies? If so this is the volunteering role for you! If you have a hobby you would like to share with others, please get in touch. 

Each week you can get involved with creative activities, make new friends, and enjoy chatting over a coffee and free refreshments. These sessions can be an important opportunity for members of the community, allowing them time each week to socialise, get out of the house and try new things. 

Join us every Monday from 10:30am-12:30pm, at Windsor Hall, Borehamwood, with more locations to come!
 
APPLY ON OUR WEBSITE
Number Ninjas

We are looking for volunteers who would be interested in supporting members of the local community to access the help of our Multiply Project. 

The Multiply project aims to improve people's numeracy skills, to help them in their every day life, by offering maths boosting courses. These will include shopping on a budget, make do and mend and make do and cook.

We are looking for volunteers to become Number Ninjas. Number Ninjas will help us:

  • Identify the learning needs of local residents
  • Engage and refer suitable candidates for tailored tutoring support.

If you are interested in this opportunity, email us or call 01727 649950.
Training Opportunities

Training courses are available to our volunteers all year round. You can learn about all the topics we cover and register for dated sessions by clicking here.
Mental Health Awareness Training

 

There is an increasing acknowledgement of the importance of the role of mental health in the wellbeing of individuals and the community as a whole.  Being aware of your mental health can substantially reduce long term physical and mental health conditions and the stigma around it. 

This in person awareness session is aimed at volunteers in Foodbanks and Warm spaces across Hertfordshire.

Please note this training is via Zoom. 

Date: Tuesday 25th April

Time: 10am to 12pm 

Register here.
Deaf Awareness Training 

Participants coming to this session will gain the confidence and basic skills to communicate with those who are living with deafness and hearing loss. It will enable them to understand deafness, signs that someone can’t hear you, body positions and communicating.

Please note this training is via Zoom. 

Date: Wednesday 26 April

Time: 10am to 12pm 

Register here.
How to Claim Expenses

New Volunteer Expenses Claim Form

We have a new volunteer expense request form. If you don't have it, please email us and we will send it to you.

For Shopping Delivery and Prescription Collection Expenses

  • To claim expenses, please sign up to our dashboard and upload your expenses there. Click here to create a login using the same email address that you originally signed up with. You will then see a list of your completed and pending activities.
  • Please submit expense claims the same week that you carried out your shop, and if appropriate, provide a photo of your receipt. If an expense is not claimed in a timely manner it can lead to a client going into arrears, which can cause them stress and confusion. We appreciate your help with this.
  • If this is your first shop, you will first need to email us your bank details  so you can be reimbursed.

For Drivers, Litter Pickers and Other Roles' Expenses

  • You will have been sent an expense claim form when you confirmed your job. To claim your expenses, please complete this and return it to the sender.