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.

This week, we held a pop-up Volunteer Centre at Services for Young People in St Albans on Catherine Street. We will be giving volunteering support and guidance to young people who are looking to develop new skills, improve their CV and give something back to the local community. If you are interested, please send us an email to book an appointment!

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!

Robert Varney

Assistant Manager – Volunteer Centre & Enterprise Development

Communities 1st  

People & Learning Advisor to the Board with St Albans Community Bank.

St Albans Community Bank are looking for a volunteer People & Learning Advisor to help them people plan, give advice and help with guidance on all people-related matters. This role will be key to helping the Board deliver its mission and thrive. This role will help you to develop skills while playing a vital role in helping the local community. They are looking for a volunteer to help for the equivalent of 1 day per week (working flexibly). 

• Apply here.

IT Volunteer with Bushey Museum Trust

Bushey Museum are looking for a volunteer to help oversee their IT Operations. This role would require the volunteer to help with troubleshooting and upgrades. This role is a hybrid role as much of the work could be done remotely.

• Apply here.

Event Volunteer for Redbourn Community Group

Redbourn Classic's is an event that helps raise crucial funds for Redbourn Community Group. This year’s event will showcase a selection of classic cars and motorbikes, and host exhibits and stalls. They are looking for volunteers for several different roles including Event Setup, Event Steward, and Clear Away Volunteers.

Apply here

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.

• Apply here

Volunteers for Canoe World Championship.

ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help in showcasing the world's best canoe slalom athletes competing at the Lee Valley White Water Centre, between 18 - 24 September 2023. There are a range of volunteer roles available across the event, both pre-event and during the competition. You don’t need to be an expert in 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. For more information visit: https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/lee-valley/white-water-centre

If interested, please email volunteer@communities1st.org.uk

Volunteer Publicity Officer with Elstree & Borehamwood Museum

Elstree and Borehamwood Museum are seeking highly organised individuals to develop PR campaigns and write marketing materials like newsletters, social media posts, and press releases. This role will require the volunteer to be the point of contact for external and internal communication.

• Apply here.

Befriender with St Albans Good Neighbour Scheme

St Albans Good Neighbour Scheme are looking for Befrienders in the St Albans area to help with their befriending service. The befriending service helps provide regular contact and companionship for those who are isolated or lonely, in their own home.

• Apply here.

Inpatient unit reception volunteer with Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care

Rennie Grove Peace is looking for volunteers to help with their Inpatient Unit reception. Their inpatient unit is a calm and comfortable space where volunteers will work alongside administrative and reception staff to support the main reception and ensure things run smoothly.            

• Apply here.

Social Media Marketing Volunteer with Herts Schools Outreach (HSO)

Herts Schools Outreach is looking for a Social Media Marketer. We would like to recruit a volunteer for 1-2 hours each day or 1 day per week, for a period of six months (with a one-month trial period). The role of the Social Media Marketing Volunteer will be to assist the Communications & Marketing Manager in promoting HSO’s activities and raising brand awareness using social media platforms.

• Apply here.

Trustee with St Albans Shopmobility

Shopmobility are looking for a Trustee to join their team. The overall role of the Shopmobility Trustees is to contribute to the development of strategy, using skills and knowledge from their areas of expertise. They must also have a commitment to the Shopmobility ethos, museum and values, and act as a “Champion” on behalf of Shopmobility. The role of a Trustee may appeal to people from various backgrounds, with an interest in working as a member of a team or a committee member. Shopmobility is looking for people with experience in Finance and Accounting, Fundraising, Business Development, Social Care or Leadership and Management.

• Apply here.

Trustee with RSPCA Stort Valley Branch

RSPCA Stort Valley are looking for Trustees to help with the governance of the organisation.
As the Chair of the Branch, you will direct the Branch Committee meetings and ensure they are properly run, in line with the governing document. You will take the lead in ensuring that trustees comply with their duties and ensuring the charity is well governed. As the Treasurer of the Branch, you will take the lead on preparing financial reports and presenting these at the Branch committee meeting. You will liaise with professional advisors and oversee the preparation of the annual accounts. You may also take the lead in preparing the annual budget. As a Trustee you will have the opportunity to use your professional skills to help deliver animal welfare during this unprecedented animal welfare crisis.                          

• Apply here.

Chairperson Euro Youth Mental Health

Euro Youth Mental Health are searching for a Chairperson to join their Trustee board. As a small not-for-profit group with a big vision, this role is a fantastic opportunity for anyone who enjoys helping a small organisation grow and improve. This will be an online-based role for a minimum of 3 hours a month, and as the development of the group progresses reduce to 3 hours a quarter, 3 management committee meetings and an Annual General Meeting annually (to be agreed).

• Apply here

Minibus Driver/Transportation with Herts Vision Loss

Herts Vision Loss are looking for volunteers with an empathetic nature who enjoys company and has a current driving licence to help them with transporting some of their service users. They are looking for regular or occasional drivers for the transportation of visually impaired people at the request of the charity. Minibus drivers for outings/trips. Minibus drivers must be over 21 and no specific driving qualification is required as the post is a volunteer role.

Apply here.

Volunteer Drivers with Hertsmere Mencap

Hertsmere Mencap supports 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 in collecting members, accompanying them to the local clubs, and helping with picking up from the club, taking them to their front door when necessary.

Apply here.

We are hosting the next edition of our Volunteers Managers Stronger Together Network meeting on the 13th of September from 2 pm- 3:30 pm. If you are a Volunteer manager we would love to see you as this network offers the chance for Volunteer Managers to come together, discuss challenges, share best practice and network.

Register Here.

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.

• Apply here.

Neighbourly Walks                                     

We are looking for some volunteers who would like to support people through our Neighbourly Walks scheme. We know how beneficial walking can be for the mind and the body, and we want to support as many people in the community as we can to maintain their independence and get some fresh air while doing it. In particular we are looking for a volunteer who is trained in supporting individuals with visual impairments. The client would like support on a neighbourly walk twice a month, based in AL3 area.

• Apply here.

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.

Apply here.