Volunteer Centre Newsletter

Welcome to our Volunteer Centre newsletter.

We are thankful 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 

Click here to go directly to our comprehensive list of Volunteering opportunities

Juli Riley 

Head of Volunteer Centre and Skills  

Communities 1st  

Event Volunteer for Older Persons Day                         Older Persons Day is coming up in St Albans on the 19th of October, where people will be able to come to the Civic Centre to find out useful information on keeping safe and well, having fun and staying independent. We are looking for a couple of volunteers available to welcome people and also to help carry teas and coffees.

Apply here.

Outreach Volunteer for Mind In Mid Herts                 The Stepping Stones service forms an integral part of Mind in Mid Herts outreach services by providing one-to-one outreach support to facilitate a smooth, timely and supportive discharge from hospital back into the community. Be part of an amazing volunteer opportunity by providing one-to-one outreach support to facilitate a smooth, timely and supportive discharge from hospital back into the community.

Apply here.

Community & Events Volunteers for MIND in Mid Herts                                                                          Mind in Mid Herts are looking for enthusiastic, friendly and community minded volunteers to help support their growing Fundraising team both in communities that we support (St Albans, Hertford, Welwyn & Hatfield, Stevenage). This is an exciting time to join their team as you can be part of creating and shaping community Fundraising events, help them build local relationships and networks while raising awareness and vital funds for mental health services in Hertfordshire. You will be helping to build relationships with a range of local businesses, shops, supermarkets, schools and community groups. You will also Support Mind In Mid Herts in planning, organising and supporting of Fundraising events, managing the collection and distribution of collections tins and leafleting/ promoting their fundraising events within the community.

Apply here.

Gardeners for Blessed Earth                                  Blessed Earth are looking for gardeners to help with their allotments. All of the work will take place outside, therefore appropriate clothing should be worn. Some of the work will involve kneeling on the ground with a mat to carry out weeding, other tasks will involve digging, turning over the soil, pruning and shaping plants and shrubs, and you may be asked to assist some of our vulnerable staff. If you have prior gardening experience, you may be asked to help teach other volunteers and help assist the core team. Projects last either half a day or a full day. If the project lasts a full day, food and drink will be provided and regular breaks will be taken. This is totally down to every individual volunteer and they let you do as much or as little as you want to do. 

Apply here.

Volunteer Coordinator for Youth Talk
Are you a people person? Do you enjoy meeting new people, supporting others and working as part of a small team to make a real difference? Youth Talk are looking for a volunteer coordinator to help them develop and lead their volunteering programme. You will help them to co-ordinate, recruit and manage different volunteer roles. You will also help look after their volunteers so that they feel valued and able to share their time meaningfully, develop or learn new skills and ultimately help Youth Talk to achieve more.

Apply here.

Introduction to becoming a Trustee

Ahead of our next Trustee Speed Matching Session, we have arranged an information session on Tuesday 1st November with NCVO governance consultant and long serving trustee Sue Pearlman.

Sue will be sharing her insights into the world of trusteeship, the benefits of the role, what good governance of charities and community organisations looks like and what may be expected from trustees in various positions on a board. She will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about the wonderful world of trusteeship.

Apply here.

Speed Match Trustee event for Volunteers

This event enables organisations seeking to recruit volunteer trustees to ‘virtually’ meet potential candidates, and those interested in becoming trustees to find a local organisations they would like to support.

There will be a series of short presentations that may include graphics/videos (three minutes max) from organisations who want to recruit volunteer trustees. We suggest these presentations include who you are, your governance structure and aims, trustee positions available including role descriptions and skills you're looking for in volunteer trustees. ls. Apply here.

Family Activities Volunteer - School Holiday Availability Only

Noah’s Ark provides regular Family Activities including Family Days, Parent Groups, Siblings’ Groups and Noah’s Ark (referred) Children’s Groups. These activities are designed to provide fun and free days out, allowing children and families the opportunity to meet others in similar situations and to take part in new activities in accessible environments. They are looking for Volunteers to help assist with these groups by playing and reading with the toddlers and overall supporting throughout the activities. Experience of working with children, young people or families is desirable but not essential. They welcome volunteers from all backgrounds with all sorts of skills. Apply here.

Business Advisor

Young enterprises are looking for volunteer Business Advisors with Business skills and the ability to impart these skills and communicate well with teenagers.  Most teams have their ‘’Board Meeting’’ once a week either in school time or after (about an hour). Training is given and all Business Advisors to ensure they are aware of what is required. Apply here.

Social media assistant for Herts Schools Outreach Herts Schools Outreach is a support service to promote and enhance positive mental health change for children and young people. They are looking for a Social Media Assistant to help support the organisation. A Social Media Assistant will create schedules and post content across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok to help raise awareness of their service and to increase followers and online presence. Keeping up to date on social media trends and researching all relevant additional content is also desired.

Apply here.

Clerk to the Board for Herts Schools Outreach        HSO run 5 programs within their service, to benefit all children and young people from all works of life. They are looking for a clerk to the board to help support the Trustees with the running of the charity. The role of a Clerk is to ensure the smooth running of meetings, prepare meeting agendas, take accurate minutes, and maintain the effective governance of the Trustee Board. munication and listening skills via telephone and face-to-face.

Apply here.

 
Volunteer retail assistant for Willow Foundation           Willow Foundation are looking for retail assistants to help manage our shops. The main objective of the role is to help the Shop Manager maximise sales by providing a high standard of customer service, stock of good quality and quantity, safe efficient procedures. Full training will be provided to ensure volunteers feel confident in their tasks and that all shop activities are carried out in line with Retail standards and guidelines. Volunteers are encouraged to share their ideas, support other team members and attend occasional shop meetings.

Apply here.

Conservation Assistant for Celtic Harmony                   Do you have an interest in Celtic heritage, crafts or archery and an enthusiasm to work outdoors? Then this could be the role for you! Celtic Harmony’s skilled conservation team need help to conserve the natural habitats of Bourne Wood and maintain access facilities for visitors. Activities vary from conservation work such as woodland management to wattle fencing to working on the herb garden. Gain traditional craft and conservation skills, meet new people and spend time outdoors in the relaxing, friendly environment of Celtic Harmony Camp. 

Apply here.

Retail Volunteer (St Albans) for Rennie Grove               Rennie Grove are looking for volunteers, aged 14 upwards, who are able to work as part of a fun loving, busy team, able to follow instructions, are physically fit (volunteers will be standing a lot of the time), are personable and polite, organised and reliable and willing to learn. Their friendly, busy shop in Victoria Street is seeking volunteers. You will be working as part of a team, under the guidance and direction of the retail manager and retail assistant manager. Retail volunteers help in many varied tasks including selecting goods from those donated, preparing and pricing, using the till and providing a cheerful and helpful service to customers and callers. We will work with the time you have to give - Mondays to Saturdays.

Apply here.

Community Ambassador Volunteer for Peace Hospice Care.                                                                  

Peace Hospice Care are looking for Community Ambassadors who can help them to spread the word about what they do and why it matters and to represent Peace Hospice Care externally through visits to community organisations, healthcare settings, faith groups, schools and, occasionally, local businesses. It will help to educate the public about the role of the Hospice in supporting patients and their families with life-limiting illness, from early diagnosis, throughout their illness and, for families and carers, through to bereavement care. As a charity, they rely on local community support and the Community Ambassador role will help to explain how they are funded, their need for ongoing support and the impact of their services and how individuals, families and health and care professionals can access, and find out more about, their services.

Apply here.

Sports & Activity Volunteering Roles

Sports clubs and physical activity programmes across the county are opening up, with increasing opportunities for you to get involved. Below is a list of opportunities available right now which will enable you to stay active and support a local sports club.

To express an interest please email Jeremy at volunteer@communities1st.org.uk

• Fencing Hertfordshire
  Promotions and advertising, session support, events organisers, fundraisers
• Potters Bar Town Football Club
  Ground maintenance team; Minibus drivers & assistant coaching volunteers
• Colney Heath Ladies FC
  Social media/press assistance & fundraising support
• St Albans Bowling Club
  Refreshments volunteers for match days
• Special Olympics St Albans
  Support volunteers for athletes with learning disabilities
• Old Albanian Cricket Club
  Volunteer scorers & umpires, a safeguarding lead, membership administrative support
• St Albans Cricket Club
  Under 11s assistant coach, occasional bar work
• Oxhey Jets FC
  Grounds keeping and general maintenance
• Abbotts Langley Cricket Club
  Social media and website admin, membership secretary, junior cricket coaches, junior cricket umpire, assistant groundskeeper
• Bushey Cricket Club
  Groundskeeper, umpires & scorers
• Rickmansworth and Watford Sea Cadets
  Administration and general assistant
• North Watford Bowls Club
  Grounds and lawn maintenance, participate in friendly bowls matches
• LGDA Football Club
  Youth football coaches for female teams
• Watford Netball League & Kath Worrell Junior League
  League & fixtures secretaries
• Watford Amateur Boxing Club
  Coaching assistants for young boxers
• Para Dance UK
  Trustees
• West Herts Warriors Basketball
  Coaches

Volunteer Ride Leaders in Herts
British Cycling need volunteers who are enthusiastic about leading entry level or family friendly bike rides. Benefits include FREE Ride Leader training, free Ride Leader kit and access to a supportive network. Head to their website to find out more about their programmes.

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

Gardening Volunteer 

We need volunteers in the Broxbourne area to help people tidy their gardens. If you’re willing to mow a few lawns and pull a few weeds, to allow an isolated person to enjoy their garden, please get in touch with us. Anyone offering their time will be recorded on our system so they can be offered gardening work when it comes up. Apply here.

Community Champions for Communities 1st  
Communities 1st are looking for volunteers to become Community Champions in their local area. This will enable us to reach further into local communities and raise awareness of wider health information and signposting for services. What will I be doing? Engaging with people at the vaccination centres and pop-up vaccination centres and listening to any issues they may have with regards to health concerns and giving information on local services that may be able to help. The Community Champion should also be able to have a meaningful conversation expelling any myths and misinformation that has been given about getting vaccinated. As well as any local information with regards to facilities and services. This might include crime, litter, or vandalism. The volunteer would not be expected to cover all these topics but to focus on areas of interest and what means a lot to you. We are looking for people with the following skills and experience; Committed to working with the community with a passion for helping others, the ability to be able to speak confidently with a variety of different people from various backgrounds. Communities 1st will provide you with the tools and information needed to be able to deliver this message effectively. No formal qualifications are needed for this role, we welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and abilities. Volunteers must be 16 or over to apply. 

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

Hospital Ward Companion                              Communities 1st are looking for Hospital Ward Companions who will be able to commit to consistent regular availability. There will be daytime shifts Monday to Friday when the ward staff team are most active. Some out of hours evening and weekend shifts may be available when required. his role would not be well suited to ad-hoc availability but if a long-term commitment could be made this would be considered. Shifts will generally be approximately 3 hours long but there may occasionally be some variation. You will be asked to help with:

• Answering phones and taking message;
• Answering call bells and taking messages or reassuring patients that staff are coming;
• Talking to confused patients, they often need a little more time and attention so that they stay settled and less anxious;
• Help to dish out meals and drinks;
• Helping patients use i-Pads to video call their families;
• Restocking PPE and other supplies;
• Putting away stock;
• Working as part of the extended hospital team. Apply here

International NHS Buddy
NHS Trusts across Hertfordshire and West Essex are recruiting a number of NHS professionals internationally each month to fill staffing shortages. Communities' 1st is looking for volunteers that can provide wrap-around social support to these professionals. We are looking for volunteers who are sociable, outgoing and have a warm and welcome personality. If you enjoy meeting new people and exploring different places around Hertfordshire, have an open mind, are positive about diversity and are committed to building relationships with people from different backgrounds, this maybe something you will enjoy doing. The role will entail taking the nurses on a tour around the town/area, introducing places of interest, parks, gyms, bus stations, helping with shopping and familiarising with local customs etc. Apply here.

Peer-to-Peer Group Meeting Facilitator                      Do you have experience running meetings? We would love to hear from you. We’re planning to set up peer-to-peer groups to help people with long term illness, and we would like to have someone to help these support groups flow. We’d like to have three people for each group. These groups are set up for the 1st and 3rd Tuesday (Potters Bar), Wednesday (Watford), and Thursday (St. Albans) of the month. If you are interested, please get in touch and let us know.  Apply here.

Treasurer for Borehamwood Foodbank
Borehamwood Foodbank are looking for a person with financial management experience who can take on trustee responsibilities and the tasks of being Treasurer. You will be working with the support of a financial subcommittee and will be responsible for managing a bookkeeper and PAYE specialist. Support with small administrative tasks such as banking or making regular payments will also be available by an administrator.

Apply here.

Trustee for Hertsmere Mencap
Hertsmere Mencap changes people’s lives and the role of a Trustee is challenging and rewarding . As a Trustee, you play an important part in the development of Hertsmere Mencap, helping the team to deliver high quality and innovative services to people in the area. With further growth planned, this is a perfect time to become a Trustee and play a part in Hertsmere Mencap's further development. They are looking for candidates with a solid understanding of accounting practice, commercially aware and with excellent organisational and communication skills. 

Apply here

Trustee for Mind in Mid Herts
Mind In Mid Herts is a well-established local charity supporting the recovery of those experiencing mental health issues. They are immensely proud of what they have achieved over the recent years. They also recognise that there are lots more for them to do to strengthen their base and build for the future. They are therefore seeking new Board members to shape and deliver their strategy over the next period. The average tenure of their trustees is 3-5 years. They particularly recognise the need for locally based trustees and ideally, they would look for a commitment of circa 10-15 hours a month.

The areas where they would welcome skills and expertise are:

• Community & Corporate fundraising knowledge
• Property development and management experience and knowledge
• Major donor relationship building
• People and organisation development 

Apply here.

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.

Apply here.

Volunteer Drivers for 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. Apply here.

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. Apply here.