Voluntary Sector Briefing

Welcome to the latest edition of our Voluntary Sector Briefing.

It was inspiring to watch the London Marathon on Sunday and to hear the amazing tales of the runners endurance. Even more remarkable is the news that at the time of writing, over £67 million has been raised for good causes!

Many of our member organisations will be holding smaller scale fundraising activities over the summer months and if you are, we would like to hear from you. We would love to publicise your activities and achievements on our social media platforms, please email details to communitystories@communities1st.org.uk. If you need advice about fundraising or writing funding applications, please contact us at memberservices@communities1st.org.uk

Stephen Craker
Chief Executive

Charity Commission Strategy 2024-2029

The Charity Commission has published its new five year strategy The Commission says it intends to ‘send a strong signal of our continuing ambition to be an expert regulator that is fair, balanced and independent’.

They’ve identified five priority areas:

• Being fair and proportionate in their work and clear about their role
• Supporting charities to get it right, but taking robust action where they see wrongdoing and harm
• Speaking with authority and credibility, free from the influence of others
• Embracing technological innovation and strengthening how they use data
• Empowering and enabling their people to deliver excellence in regulation.

The Big Help Out 

The Big Help Out is an annual campaign that takes place this year from 7th- 9th June aims to promote volunteering as a way to benefit both communities and individuals especially 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.

We would love to share your Big Help Out volunteer vacancies through our Volunteer Centre. This is open to the public so everyone can search for their perfect role by topic, type, location, organisation name, and time of day. You can also upload your vacancies to the Big Help Out Website here.

For over 40 years, St Albans Good Neighbour has stood as a trusted charity supporting our community. Established in October 1980, we are run entirely by dedicated volunteers. Our mission remains steadfast: to extend a helping hand to any local resident in need, particularly seniors facing health challenges, isolation, or difficult circumstances.
Today, with a team of 145 volunteers serving 1095 clients, our reach continues to grow. We're proud to offer assistance; whether it’s providing transportation to medical or social appointments, aiding with shopping, tackling household or garden tasks, or simply offering companionship to combat loneliness, we're here to lend a hand.

Our helpline operates daily from 9:00 am to 1:00pm, ensuring assistance is available every day of the year. We are constantly seeking new volunteers to join us in various roles, including drivers, helpers for practical tasks, shoppers, companions, and duty officers managing our helpline. Any amount of time offered is welcomed with many of our volunteers taking on multiple roles, finding immense fulfillment in the impact they make on our clients' lives.

If you are interested in volunteering with us then you can find our opportunities here. If you would like to access our services as a client then contact us on 01727 830713 or visit our website here for more information. Join us in building a stronger, more caring community together.

Become a Member Today!

Do you need help finding fundraising opportunities?

Do you need support to raise your organisation’s profile? Want to attend training sessions, gain advice on business planning, and network with other VCFSE organisations?

Our Partnerships Team at Communities 1st supports the vital role that voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations play in our vibrant and diverse communities. Whether you need help in identifying the right fundraising opportunities, advice on governance or business planning, or to find new ways to raise your organisation’s profile and reach new audiences, our Partnerships Team are here to help your organisation adapt and thrive.

Join our membership to access:

• One-to-one support sessions

• Grant funding advice and support

• Planning and marketing support

• Networking opportunities

• Partnership development

• Training sessions

• Monitoring & Evaluation Support

• Advice about setting up an organisation

For more information contact memberservices@communities1st.org.uk or call 01727 649940.

Have your say now on the new draft Local Plan for Hertsmere

You can have your say from today on the future of Hertsmere, with a public consultation on their new draft Local Plan now open until 29 May 2024.

The Local Plan matters to all of the borough’s communities as it maps out the strategy and vision for Hertsmere until 2040. It focuses on a number of key areas, notably housing and employment site allocations, and the revisions that have been made since the previous consultation in 2021.

To take part in the consultation, which will be open until midday on Wednesday 29 May 2024, please click the link here

The Great Big Green Week

The Great Big Green Week is taking place between the 8th- 16th June and is the UK’s biggest ever celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature.

Every year, people come together to unleash a wave of support for action to protect the planet. Tens of thousands of people in every corner of the country celebrate the heartfelt, brave, everyday actions being taken to stand up for nature and fight climate change.

If you are hosting an event for The Great Big Green Week, we would love to hear what you have planned so that we can promote these events on our website! Please email us at memberservices@communities1st.org.uk.

Digital Training Offer for Communities 1st Members
We are offering Communities 1st members access to an extensive programme of e-learning. Training is available 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 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 take up this excellent offer but are not currently a member of Communities 1st, please contact memberservices@communities1st.org.uk.

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

FREE Training for Your Staff and Volunteers
Do you have staff or volunteers who do not have a GSCE grade C/4 level Maths? We can offer courses free of charge to improve the number confidence of your workforce. A wide range of short learning sessions including Excel, Managing Personal Finances and Presenting Data, can all be accessed online in your own time. If you, your staff or volunteers are interested please email training@communities1st.org.uk for more information, or call us for a chat on 01727 649950.

Financially Supported Level 3 Youth Worker training still available starting May 2024

The East of England and East Midlands Regional Youth Work Unit has a few remaining financially supported places available for the Level 3 Certificate. To be eligible for the Level 3 places you need to be currently delivering Youth Work in either a voluntary or paid capacity, be working with groups or if working with individuals be able to create groupwork projects and be undertaking a minimum of 3 hours work per week with young people. 

For more information about the training click here. To apply for the places please complete the attached application form available here or from robin.konieczny@youthfocuseastandeastmids.org.uk

Free Exercise Sessions at Home

If you know anyone over 65 who would like to receive one-to-one personalised exercise sessions at home, you can refer to HILS’ Active Ageing programme! This service offers 8 weeks of exercise support, for one hour a week with a specially-trained Exercise Instructor. This service has evidenced significant impact in improving mobility, balance, and improving general wellbeing, and is entirely free of charge to the client.

If you would like to refer a client or find out more about eligibility, please visit HILS’ website here or call 0330 2000 103.

Abbey Theatre Plant Sale

The Abbey Theatre Trust's annual plant sale is back! Go along and get some wonderful blooms to brighten up your home and garden as spring is finally here. The event takes place on Sunday the 28th April from 11:30pm- 1:30pm. All proceeds go to support the theatre through the Abbey Theatre Trust (Registered as a charity 247839) and support the making of even more brilliant, accessible local theatre.

For more information click here.

HACRO - The Hertfordshire Association for the Care and Rehabilitation of Offenders celebrates its 50th anniversary.

HACRO is in its 50th year and this is something to celebrate. As part of their celebrations they are hosting an open day at The Hub in Wheathampstead where they will show off some of the things that their participants can be proud of (artwork, music etc).
Light refreshments will be provided.

Thursday 16th May, 11am - 2pm
The Chapel Hub, Wheathampstead United Church, Brewhouse Hill, AL48AG

To register your interest click here

Partnerships and Development Co-ordinator

Hours: 37 hours per week

Salary: £27,852

Full Details: You can view the full details of this role here. 

How to Apply: Application Form

You can send your completed application form and CV for this role via email to us@communities1st.org.uk or you can call us on 01727 649900 for more information.

About The Role:
The Partnerships and Development Co-ordinator will play a pivotal role in enhancing the effectiveness and outreach of VCSE groups, organisations, and networks. The position entails a blend of project management, community engagement, volunteer co-ordination, and sector development. The Coordinator will play a crucial role in bridging connections with local groups, enhancing volunteering opportunities, and using innovative techniques and social media to further our objectives.

Outreach and Partnerships Co-ordinator

Hours: 37 hours per week

Salary: £27,852

Full Details: You can view the full details of this role here. 

How to Apply: Application Form.
You can send your completed application form and CV for this role via email to us@communities1st.org.uk or you can call us on 01727 649900 for more information.

About The Role:
One of our areas of focus is on facilitating co-production between local communities and the public sector to promote inclusive decision-making and service development. Our mission is to empower communities, reduce health inequalities, and ensure that everyone has a voice in the decisions that affect their lives.

As the Outreach and Partnerships Coordinator, you will play a pivotal role in coordinating and delivering a range of projects aimed at fostering co-production between local communities and the public sector and reducing health inequalities. This role requires a proactive and independent approach to project management, stakeholder engagement, and the delivery of outcomes that align with our charity's goals and values. The appointed individual will need excellent people skills, empathy, compassion and awareness of safeguarding.

Cleaner/Caretaker

Hours: 16 hours

Salary: £10.90 / hour 

Full Details: You can view the full details of this role here. 

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 Cleaner / Caretaker role is to provide a comprehensive cleaning service at the Phillimore Community Centre managed by Communities 1st and to provide occasional holiday cover for office cleaning at Ver House.
The successful applicant will be required to open and close the community centre for occasional hirers as required both during the week and at weekends. Regular hirers of the centres have their own keys and do not need this service.

Cleaner

Hours: 4 hours per week (2 x 2hrs) including morning, daytime, evening & weekend work

Salary: £11.50 an hour

Full Details: You can view the full details of this role here. 

How to Apply: 
You can send your application for this role via email to generalmanager@dehavillandmuseum.co.uk 

About The Role: 
The role of the Cleaner is to provide a comprehensive cleaning service at the de Havilland Aircraft Museum,
Salisbury Hall, London Colney, St Albans AL2 1BU, which is managed by the charity that owns and runs the
museum.