Working with you to make a bigger difference

Communities 1st aims to support local communities to thrive through support, knowledge, voice, infrastructure and innovation.

About Communities 1st

We are a membership organisation dedicated to supporting the voluntary community, faith, CIC, social enterprises and small-medium sized businesses based or working within the districts of St Albans, Hertsmere and Welwyn Hatfield.

Our mission is to work with people across all sectors to make a positive impact on the wellbeing of local people through support, knowledge, voice, infrastructure and innovation.

More About Us

Our Services

Centre for Voluntary Service: Supporting Charities and community groups for the districs of St Albans, Hertsmere, and Welwyn Hatfield

Towards Net Zero: Empowering charities for a sustainable future

Let's Give: Bringing volunteers and charities together

Connected Communities: Building stronger communities by inspiring connection

Better Business: Linking business with the community

Our Health Matters: Advancing health equity for all communities

Research Engagement Network: Bringing people and research together

Better Days Hubs: Have a better day, every day

Creative Community Cafes: Inspiring connections through creativity and conversations

Borehamwood Bowls: Friendly, fun, and open to all

Wellbeing Support: Connecting you with help and wellbeing services

Your Community Hub: A friendly space for help, learning and volunteering

Benefits

Welcome Spaces: Inclusive spaces where everyone belongs

Adult Skills and Community Learning: Learn something new, one step at a time

Employment Support: Unlocking potential, building careers

Able2Enable: Supporting journeys into volunteering and employment

Communities Thirst

Para Dance UK

Community Services: Essential Services that make a difference

Making a Difference: Empowering local volunteering

Travel Link: Bringing mobility and independence to our community

Compassionate Community Connectors: Volunteers helping neighbours

Activities and Events: Out and about with Communities 1st

Community Centres Venue Hire

Trestle Arts Base

Spring 2026

Diverse people smiling together

Volunteering

Volunteer driver and shopper

Learning and Skills

Training digital access to healthcare

Banner about C1st's annual conference and AGM

Communities Thirst: Great Coffee for a Great Cause: Visit our coffee cart at the St Albans Civic Centre for delicious drinks, snacks and volunteering opportunities.- Click here to learn more

Get Involved in Local Community Events - Getting involved in local community events is really important to us. Come along and support Communities 1st as a volunteer in 2026. - Click here to learn more

Free Community Learning: We offer in-person and online courses to fit different learning styles. Choose hands-on experience or the flexibility to learn from anywhere, with small groups for personalised attention. - Click here to learn more

Para Dance Uk Weekly Dance Sessions: Enjoy weekly inclusive dance sessions for all ages and abilities from the comfort of your own home. - Click here to learn more

Trestle School of Drama - Free Taster Sessions -Weekly Term Sessions

Trestle Arts Base Venue Hire Banner

Latest News

CEO Blog – Who Is Missing When a Community Speaks?

11th July 2026

This week, around 160 people came together at our Communities 1st conference in St Albans. The room included charities, faith leaders, volunteers,…

CEO Blog – The 100-Year Life Needs a 100-Year Neighbourhood

12th June 2026

I have spent most of my working life moving between the NHS, local government and the voluntary sector, and the thing that has stayed with me is the…

Upcoming Events

Introduction to Trusteeship

Tue, 14/07/2026 - 10:00 - 12:30

Creative Community Café - Farriers Way Community Centre

Tue, 14/07/2026 - 10:00 - 15:00

Creative Community Cafés - Phillimore Community Centre

Tue, 14/07/2026 - 12:00 - 16:00

English Conversation and Barista Skills 2026

Tue, 14/07/2026 - 16:00 - 17:30

Through The Decades Summer Term 2026

Wed, 15/07/2026 - 11:00 - 11:30

Latest Volunteering

Volunteer Receptionist for Citizens' Advice St Albans District (CASTAD)

Opportunity Type: Long-term Commitment

Administration Support for Herts Vision Loss

Opportunity Type: Long-term Commitment

Group of four people at Hert Pride 2025

Communities 1st Volunteer

A stack of 'Guide to services for older people in St Albans City and District' leaflets from St Albans Council and Communities 1st.

Your Community Hub front of store

An older woman happily disembarking an accessible minibus, assisted by a uniformed Communities 1st staff member, showing transport services.

diverse group of people meeting around a table, writing and collaborating, representing community project planning and engagement.

Two Communities 1st staff members standing next to a banner promoting Watford's Shopper Bus service, showing support for independent living.

Trestle small slider slider image 5

Jason John speaking from a stage to a packed auditorium

Two older women smiling and chatting over drinks, with a background banner listing Communities 1st services like 'Advice & Guidance' and 'Wellbeing and Resilience'.

Our Partners

Befriending Networks

Community transport association

CVS Bedfordshire

East herts district council

Elstree and Borehamwood town council

Round accreditation badge for EMDUK

Wenta Gold+ - Net Zero Future

Healthy Herts Workplace

Herts welcome refugees

Historic england

Community Alliance Broxbourne and East Herts

A Healthier Future

British Red Cross

St Albans & District Foodbank - Together with Trussel

Volunteer now - Connect, Build, Change

North Herts CVS

NHS - East and North Hertfordshire Teaching - NHS Trust

PowWer

Rainbow Services

St Stephens Parish

Green Alliance

VCSEP

Volunteer Now

Volunteer Scotland

Volunteering Matters

WCVA CGGC

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council

West Herts Hospital Trust