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National Volunteers’ Week may be over for another year but that doesn’t mean we’ll stop being grateful for the dedication and kindness of our volunteers. It was incredible to get the chance to meet some of you in person last week. We will be organising more opportunities to connect with you…

Written by one of our volunteers: That's the view of Lesley Landes who has lost well over 10lbs in weight since becoming a volunteer and, more incredibly, is now no longer suffering from diabetes. As far as Lesley is concerned, she is in absolutely no doubt that all the activity, as well as being…

Isobel Hatfield (Partnerships and Development Coordinator at Communities 1st) was joined by Peggy Sharp (Community Engagement, Equality and Grants Officer at SADC) and Alison Glennie (Community Engagament Project Officer at SADC) to hold an information event on the St Albans…

Today is the last day of Volunteers' Week, a time when volunteers are celebrated for their efforts and achievements, and a chance for us to say thank you to our own dedicated team of volunteers.  The community response effort that we have helped to coordinate over the past year would not have…

Next week is National Volunteers’ Week, a time when volunteer contributions to society are recognised and celebrated. With the amazing feats, you have helped us achieve over the past year, including over 100,000 hours supporting vaccination centres and countless more helping the community response…

This July our annual conference is taking place, a time when we reflect on the challenges of the last year, and examine what we would like to do differently in the future. We want to explore how the past year has impacted the VCFSE sector, and how we might use our collective experience to help…

With the Paralympic Games only a few months away, a new digital, illustrated jigsaw has been released in celebration of the sports and organisations who promote the heritage of disability sport. The ‘Animal Para Games’ is a beautifully illustrated artwork created by Jessica Hartshorn, transformed…

This week is Mental Health Awareness week. For many, the gradual easing of lockdown will bring opportunities to reconnect with family and friends, do things we enjoy like playing sports, and return to work that we value. For others, the prospect of a lockdown ending will bring difficult …

This week is mental health awareness week, so remember to do something good for your mind. Whether it’s talking to a friend, going for a walk or just taking a few deep breaths, a few small actions can make a big difference. If you think someone you know might be struggling with their mental health…

Written by one of our volunteers: Throughout the long winter months of lockdown, local Hertfordshire resident Lesley tried to keep herself busy. She bought herself , planned new home projects, and invested in some tapestry making kits and piano music. Although the lockdown was a…

Written by one of our volunteers: At the beginning of lockdown in March 2020, Alison found herself unexpectedly living on her own. The Nursery where she worked had closed and her Mum was self-isolating elsewhere. She felt a little lonely and wanted to find something to do to keep busy, as well as…

As things start to re-open and we return to some normality, we must ensure we don't brush over the deep-rooted, systemic inequalities in our society that the pandemic has exposed. Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities are less well served by mainstream provision…

Thanks to the government’s #CultureRecoveryFund we can continue to be #HereForCulture. Para Dance UK are thrilled to be launching a new programme, especially designed for social dancers, on getting back into inclusive dance. Tour Of The Floor will let you explore different dance genres from…

Thanks to the government’s #CultureRecoveryFund we can continue to be #HereForCulture. Para Dance UK are thrilled to be launching a new programme, especially designed for social dancers, on getting back into inclusive dance. Tour Of The Floor will let you explore different dance genres from…

Thanks to the government’s #CultureRecoveryFund we can continue to be #HereForCulture. Para Dance UK are thrilled to be launching a new programme, especially designed for social dancers, on getting back into inclusive dance. Tour Of The Floor will let you explore different dance genres from…

Written by one of our volunteers: As the true impact of coronavirus became increasingly real for the strained NHS, and families and individuals losing loved ones, many of you embarked on a quest to find something useful to do. Ann…

Over the course of the pandemic, here at Communities 1st we have had a mixture of working from home and in the office. Speaking to colleagues across the voluntary sector has got me thinking; how do we support our member organisations as they reopen their spaces, and how will we work…

Summer Festival   Para Dance UK is pleased to announce that the booking system for our first online competition, Summer Festival, is now open! Click on the link to go to our Eventbrite page where you’ll find the rules, terms and conditions. Please read these before you book. https://…

Written by one of our volunteers: The lockdown has left many with a sudden quiet in their usually busy lives. There are hours of free time but not a lot of exciting things to fill it with! Many people have chosen to heed the collective call-to-arms and use their free time to volunteer, providing…

Written by one of our volunteers: During the last year life has changed a lot for all of us, many of us facing incredibly difficult challenges and hardship. However, when we reflect on our communities, neighbours, friends and families, stories of selfless people and acts shine out like stars. Jenny…