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As the cost of living increase continues to impact upon us, Communities 1st are working in partnership with charities including NCVO and The Community Transport Association in calling for an immediate review of the approved mileage rate that can be claimed by volunteers, owing to its…

Well done to the Lionesses on their recent triumph in the Euros. It was a great achievement and amazing to watch. Our New website has launched, so do be sure to come and check it out! We would like to thank you for your patience while the website has been experiencing some glitches. …

Thank you for another wonderful week of volunteering. We have heard positive things from all projects, and especially from the Computers and a Cuppa. One of our volunteers told us that a few weeks ago, one lady "came along and said she had just programmed her new Smart TV and was very…

In this newsletter we hope to offer you a variety of ideas on how to keep you busy, informed and entertained in this coming week.    Remember that you can find help with the cost of living crisis by contacting the following organisations: The Healthy Hub St Albans and District…

Claire started volunteering with Communities 1st as a response to the COVID epidemic.  She hadn’t any experience of volunteering in this country and, to be honest, she hadn’t heard of Communities 1st!  However, her experience has been very positive, and she was keen to tell me that she found the…

Elly might have helped you at a vaccination centre or brought you your shopping. Many more of you may have heard her voice on local radio! Elly O’Mera is a volunteer with both Communities 1st and  Radio Verulam! Like many volunteers, Elly supports more than one group and her experience highlights…

V is also the name by which a very special lady likes to go by when she is doing voluntary work for Communities 1st.  Born in Europe, V came to England over 35 years ago and first lived in West London.  She explained to me that her name can be quite difficult to pronounce, so when she is…

Ben started as a volunteer shopper with Communities 1st in 2020, as the Covid epidemic was sweeping the country, and he has continued ever since. Ben, who is in his early forties and living in St Albans, hadn’t done any voluntary work before, but it was a wish to help tackle the pandemic that drove…

“Doing shopping for frail, elderly and vulnerable people who can’t get out is such a vital service. It’s a real lifeline,” Mary told me as I chatted with her while she drove home! She was, of course, on speaker phone so she could reassure me that she was driving safely. It soon became apparent that…

Both in their late 80's, Betty and John have now enjoyed 65 years of marriage. They met up when John was completing National Service in the R.A.F., moved to Wembley, and have juggled working lives with bringing up two daughters. Betty managed various temporary jobs until she finally retired at 65…

It all started with Beryl's Blue Bus. A few years ago, Beryl noticed an unusual wagon off-loading shoppers outside her local Sainsburys and enquired who the bus was for. She learned that this was one of the many helpful services provided by Communities 1st and, now in her late 80s, Beryl is so…

March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Sign up to our online Talk Cancer Workshop, that will help arm you with the tools needed to raise cancer awareness in your community. The session will help you encourage people to make healthy changes, access local services and visit their GP promptly with…

We continue to provide lots of training opportunities to our volunteers, to help you challenge yourself and further develop your skill set.  Volunteers are still required to help staff at Herts and Essex Community Hospital in Bishop Stortford. The shifts here have resumed and the hospital has…

This week is Random Acts of Kindness Week, a movement that aim to 'make kindness the norm!' The RAK Foundation website is full of ideas for kind acts you could do at home. Today they suggest reaching out to someone who brings joy and happiness into your life. Next Thursday, 24th February, Keech…

Coral, a volunteer with Communities 1st, found that chatting about cake helped her to engage with Nigerian nurses working at the Lister Hospital! The nurses found cake both a source of comfort and entertainment! What is it about the English and their cake? Coral is supporting the International…

The Help in a Hospital projects are now all up and running, with shifts available to book on your dashboard in the community activities section. Early feedback from the volunteers and the hospitals has been extremely positive; the project is making a real difference. Volunteers are still very…

Shopping delivery, prescription collection, and pulse oximetry volunteers  To claim expenses please sign up to our dashboard and upload your expenses here, in order to speed up this process. Click here and create a login using the same email address that you originally signed up with. You…

Despite vaccination centres going through a quiet spell, there are still plenty of volunteering opportunities you can get involved in with us!  We are now welcoming international nurses to Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow. We are looking for friendly volunteers around Harlow who would like…

It's still not too late to make some new year's resolutions, including starting a new hobby that gets you moving, or going 'dry' for the rest of January!   This week's Fantastic Friday newsletter includes all sorts of information and resources, from services to help you get your shopping, to…

  During 2021     2021 has been a challenging year for many people, but we are very proud of how our volunteers and staff have continued to provide much needed support to communities through difficult times. Across Hertsmere, St Albans, Broxbourne & East Herts, over 1,800…