I would like to wish Happy Eid to all our community who are celebrating this week, Eid Mubarak. All of us at Communities 1st are sending you warm wishes of joy and happiness. 

Following the government announcement on lifting Covid Restrictions from today, we have carefully considered this new advice alongside the risk assessments and safety measures we have introduced during the past 16 months. We will continue to ensure that our services remain as safe as possible for everyone. 

Written by one of our volunteers:

The Small Acts of Kindness gift bag project was delivered in conjunction with Welwyn Hatfield Centre for Voluntary Service. 

Anything but a dumb blonde, Aly concluded her 30 years of police service by working in an Intelligence Unit. Coming from a sporting family, Aly was still keen to maintain her fitness after retirement by cycling, walking, and recently even white-water rafting!

Razzle Dazzle are a Dance Supply shop based in Hemel Hempstead, with a wide range of uniforms, tutus, shoes and accessories for Girls, Boys and Adults. This amazing locally-based organisation is working with Para Dance UK  over 2021-22 to show the community locally and nationally that no matter what the ability that Everyone Can Dance!

There is a lot to celebrate as #Kind July Begins, and for many, the easing of government restrictions will bring immense relief. We know this will mean a lot of you will be returning to work and reconnecting with family and friends. We hope those of you who will be leaving us have had a good experience and will consider returning soon! 

Amongst Wimbledon, the Euros (c'mon England), and the Olympic/Paralympic Games, we have an exciting array of sports volunteering opportunities to get involved in!  See below for further details and how to get in touch.

Written by one of our volunteers:

After trying out a wide range of volunteering roles, Rod was encouraged and uplifted by the many acts of kindness he encountered with people in the Hertfordshire community, who give up their time for the less fortunate. A resident of Welwyn Garden City, Rod first became involved as a volunteer within the Welwyn & Hatfield Community & Voluntary Service, after previously working as a trustee for a Mental Health Charity. From here, other roles steadily evolved.

With Kind July well underway we continue to reflect on the incredible impact that simple acts of kindness can have. We'd like to encourage anyone that can to “do something kind” every day during July, and hopefully continue this trend in their everyday lives. After all, kindness isn’t only for July! 

Para Dance UK the NGB for Para Dance Sport and Inclusive Dance and LimbPower the National Disability Sports Organisation for amputees and individuals with limb impairments have come together with Youth Sport Trust to enable more of our community to dance, using the knowledge of both organisations we have developed materials for children, young people and the wider community that may not or cannot get out into the community, but still want to keep active.

Written by one of our volunteers:

Phil reckons he retired too early. Whilst it did give him more time to enjoy his golf, he found that he missed the contact he'd had with so many people during his career as a Post Office Manager.

Instead of simply settling into his early retirement, Phil decided to start getting up early to do volunteering stints at Vaccination Centres. While he was living in Hitchin, Phil had tried part-time work in security at Luton Airport, but that was before Covid 19.

Volunteering is good for us! It can provide fantastic opportunities to improve both our mental and physical health. We've heard first-hand from many of you that giving your time during this difficult period had a positive effect on your mental health. When you give your time meaningfully you can counteract stress, anger, and anxiety.