Volunteer Centre Newsletter

Welcome to our Volunteer Centre newsletter.

We are grateful for the ongoing support of volunteers, constituting the backbone of our communities. Volunteering for all the fantastic organisations and community groups in the local areas.

We aim to support all volunteers in their activities. If you are looking for new volunteering opportunities, please look for new opportunities on our website here or get in touch by emailing volunteer@communities1st.org.uk.

We have split volunteering roles into the following sections: 

Spotlight
Short Term Roles and Micro Volunteering
Longer Term Volunteering Roles 
Trustee Roles 
Driving Roles

We have lots of training opportunities available here for anyone who would like to expand their skill set or try something new!

Juli Riley

Head of Volunteer Centre and Skills 

Communities 1st 

COME AND SEE US!

SPOTLIGHT

Volunteer Assistant with St Albans & District (Diabetes UK) Support Group

St Albans & District (Diabetes UK) Support Group are looking for a volunteer to help them welcome members, prepare and serve tea, coffee and biscuits at their support group evenings on Tuesday 2nd May.

Social Support group Volunteers with MIND in Mid Herts

Mind in Mid Herts is looking for enthusiastic, friendly and reliable volunteers to support groups in St Albans. These groups provide opportunities for people experiencing mental health difficulties to meet and share experiences in a safe space. They are looking for volunteers to help on Mondays (Wellbeing group) and Thursdays (Art group). This is a wonderful opportunity to make a difference and give back to the local community.

Activities Volunteer with Hertsmere Mencap

Hertsmere Mencap is a small charity supporting adults and children with a learning disability. They run a daily activities programme, a weekly evening social club, a youth club (evenings) and a children’s holiday playscheme. They are looking for volunteers to help the Activity Leader with the smooth running of their evening clubs: Tuesday & Thursday nights from 7pm to 9pm in Borehamwood.

Flourish Refugee Group Volunteer with Hertfordshire Mind Network

Hertfordshire Mind Network provide group sessions for refugees and asylum seekers, enabling individuals to connect with others and explore common issues, concerns and share ideas. The purpose of the groups is to assist the group co-ordinator with running a group that supports refugees and asylum seekers who require support with both their wellbeing and practical challenges. They are looking for volunteers who will support the running of the Flourish Group.

SHORT TERM ROLES & MICRO VOLUNTEERING

Health Walk Leaders for Herts Health Walks The Countryside Management Service would like to recruit more volunteers to support existing Hertfordshire Health Walks and set up new, shorter walks for people who are not currently active or are returning to activity after an injury or illness. Join their team of more than 200 volunteers who help others become healthier and happier by walking together outdoors. No experience is necessary. You can lead walks or provide support from the back. Volunteer once a week or once a month it is up to you. Training is free and nationally accredited.

To apply, please email volunteer@communities1st.org.uk

Volunteers for Canoe World Championship. We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help in showcasing the world's best canoe slalom athletes competing at the Lee Valley White Water Centre, Waltham Cross, between 18 - 24 September 2023. There are a range of volunteer roles available across the event, both pre-event and during competition. You don’t need to be an expert about canoe slalom, or have even volunteered before, there will be a role to suit you. Lee Valley White Water Centre is renowned across the globe as one of the best white-water courses in the world and in 2023 will play host to around 300 of the world's best athletes from across 50 countries as they battle it out across a week of high-octane competition.

To apply, please email volunteer@communities1st.org.uk

For more information, please visit the Lee Valley White Water Centre's website.

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 about you and reach out about 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 organisations that have reached out for you.

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.

For more information contact us by email here or call 01727 649953.

LONGER TERM VOLUNTEERING ROLES

Grounds Keeper with Waltham Abbey Royal Gunpowder Mills

Enjoy this impressive environment and become one of the team responsible for ensuring various areas of the site are kept at their best. The key areas of the visitor attraction need to be kept litter free, neat and tidy. There are pathways, lawns, exhibition grounds and a playground. The main tasks are cutting grass, shrubs and brambles, clearing roads & pathways, collecting litter and natural debris. There are occasional projects when changes are made on site, or an area is given a fresh look. All work is aimed towards maintaining this important historic and natural site and making it possible for visitors to enjoy the walks, exhibitions, views and events in safety and comfort.

Patient Volunteer with South and West Hertfordshire Health and Care Partnership

The South and West Hertfordshire Health and Care Partnership is one of three Health and Care Partnerships, under the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care System. It plays an important role in the way health and care is provided for those who live in South and West Hertfordshire. They are looking for Patient Volunteers to join the Care Partnership Co-production Board to help bring together professionals, people who use services, carers, communities and voluntary organisations to deliver services.

Compassionate Communities Group volunteer with Rennie Grove Hospice Care

Rennie Grove are looking for volunteers to help with the running of this Community Hubs/ Compassionate Cafes. Rennie Grove is committed to linking people in our local area who have a desire to help others with those who could benefit from support, therefore promoting and building a self-sustaining Compassionate Community. Compassionate Communities Group volunteers are trained local people who offer their companionship, time, social and emotional support to people towards the end of life, due to age or illness and/or people who are suffering with a loss such as through bereavement.

Art Group Volunteer with Guideposts Trust

The St. Albans and Harpenden Friendship Scheme runs a weekly art group in Harpenden, on a Friday morning 10am to 12.30pm for adults with a learning disability. They would like a volunteer to assist the members with their art and craft activities. No experience necessary as they will offer training to fit the role. Volunteer required to assist adults with a learning disability with their art and craft activities. Setting up and clearing away is helpful. The art group meets weekly 10am to 12.30pm but availability can be flexible.

Transport Driver Volunteer with The Friends of Care Homes

The Friends of Care Homes is a registered charity that put-on music-based events every weekend for our seniors, the isolated and the lonely, plus anyone who enjoys music. They are looking for a bus support worker to support our driver in the Borehamwood area on Sunday Afternoons.

COMMUNITIES 1ST VOLUNTEERING ROLES

Hospital at Home Volunteer

We are looking for volunteers who can devote some time out of their day to attend home visits with individuals in the community who need some help using their Doccla kits. These kits can monitor vitals from home, and allow patients to be monitored from home, rather than attending time consuming medical appointments.

These will be individuals who have been recently discharged from hospital or who are being closely monitored by health professionals and need a little bit of help. This kit is very simple to use, and we will give you full training on how to help individuals use it.

Handyperson

Communities 1st deliver a Handy Person Service designed to help those 60+ or on benefits, living in Hertsmere and St Albans & District to help with tasks they are unable to carry out themselves. We are looking for Handy Person Volunteers to help us help our community. We ask volunteers to undertake various light practical duties that may include changing lightbulbs, moving furniture and shopping for materials etc. We are a busy service and are looking for some friendly and caring volunteers to help fulfil demand. We can offer flexible hours, which suit both you and our clients’ needs. If you have a few hours to spare and would enjoy doing a bit of DIY whilst helping people who would really struggle to manage it themselves, please give us a call to discuss this opportunity further.

Number Ninjas

The Multiply project aims to improve people's numeracy skills by offering maths-boosting sessions. On topics such as basic numeracy, Shopping on a Budget, and Family Budget, these sessions will help people in their everyday lives. 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.

TRUSTEE ROLES

Treasurer for St Albans Folk at the Festival

St Albans Folk at the Festival is a small organisation made up entirely of volunteers. It was set up to work with local folk music and dance groups to organise the annual St Albans Folk Festival. They are looking for a hands-on treasurer who enjoys folk music and dance and will join the organising group to take responsibility for their finances and prepare annual accounts.

Trustee with Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust

Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust are looking for a Trustee with a background in ecology and land management, law and compliance or finance and business management to join their organisation to support their vision of a Wilder Hertfordshire. You will bring your expertise and experience to help us achieve our Strategic aims, and as a member of the Board will oversee our governance, risk management and financial sustainability. You will have the opportunity to support their advocacy work with partners and funders. You will need to attend quarterly Council meetings, the AGM and Committee meetings.

Trustee with Citizens Advice East Herts

Redbourn Community Group has been supporting and connecting the Village for over 40 years. Three of our longest serving Trustees are ‘retiring’ so they are looking for people who are enthusiastic about Redbourn and who wish to make a significant contribution to take their place.

Our Next Anyone Can Volunteer sessions will take place on:

27th April 2023 (11am-12pm)
25th May 2023 (11am-12pm)

For more information contact us by email here or call 01727 649953.

DRIVING ROLES

Volunteer Drivers with Hertsmere Mencap

Hertsmere Mencap support 250 children and adults with learning disabilities and their families and carers. They run a minibus service taking members to regular social clubs in Borehamwood, St Albans and Hatfield on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Friday evenings. You will only be expected to volunteer once every few weeks as part of a rota, an average of 3 hours per month. You will be assisting the driver collecting members, accompanying them to the local clubs, and helping with picking up from the club, taking them to their front door when necessary.

Van Driver/ Crew Member for Emmaus Hertfordshire

Emmaus Hertfordshire source furniture via house clearances and one-off item donations. Driving a van or being part of their van team, moving donations into our warehouse and then into their shops is an essential part of their operations. In their house clearance service, you would be involved in packing goods and loading them to and from the van. You could be involved in both van driving and house clearance packing or just one of these roles.

Volunteer Drivers for Minibuses or own vehicles

Drivers required to drive either their own cars or our MPV’s and Minibuses Volunteers are needed to help people in Borehamwood, Shenley and Potters Bar who are unable to use public transport, attend health appointments, and reduce social isolation. What are they looking for? Driving skills, clean license, roadworthy car, honest and reliable, good timekeeping. We’re always in need of people willing to help us deliver our transport service. Our new scheme supports the NHS locally to fulfil GP and vaccination appointments, as well as hospital visits. If you're willing to drive a larger vehicle, we also run a much-needed shopper bus service, other projects and trips. Expenses can be claimed at 45p/mile. Note, you may be required to travel further afield than your immediate local area.