Connect & Grow Through Gardening and Contact with the Natural World

In 2024 Mark was considering what activity he could do to have fun, keep busy, contribute to his community and use his skills. He saw on Facebook that GoVolHerts was hosting a volunteer fair in Hitchin town centre, so he went along to meet charities and find out what sort of opportunities they might have to get involved. On the day, he got talking to the people at the Herts Fire & Rescue Service stand. Having recently retired from a demanding role as a marine engineer who used to have responsibility for fire-fighting on board oil tankers and gas carriers, their volunteering roles seemed like a great fit and an interesting opportunity to use his skills and experience for the benefit of the community. He started to volunteer with the service shortly afterwards as part of a team of volunteers. He is involved in a variety of different activities, including helping at public education events across the county, fitting smoke detectors and interviewing for the King's Trust. GoVolHerts recently met him supporting a busy Older Persons Learning & Safety event in Stevenage, organised by volunteers from Herts Fire & Rescue. Mark really enjoys getting out and about and the variety of his role, in which he is typically active 2-3 days a month. GoVolHerts was delighted to hear about Mark's experiences and to know that we played our part in helping him find the right role. We celebrate all the wonderful volunteers at Herts Fire & Rescue service, who are keeping our communities safe and supported. Click here to see their current volunteering roles and find out if it's the right fit for you too. If this isn't the right role for you, don't hesitate to search for other roles or to attend our forthcoming Hertfordshire Volunteer Fair on Friday 6th June in Hitchin! Learn more here.

NYAS is a leading rights-based charity who provide advocacy and legal representation to children and vulnerable adults when important decisions are being made about them. Hear our volunteers story below: "Volunteering as an Independent Visitor for the National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS) is a profoundly rewarding experience. My journey began with a desire to make a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable young people navigating the complexities of the care system having worked in this area over 10 years ago. For nearly three years I have been supporting one young person, I have seen them grow and become a young adult. Supporting them through the challenges of moving foster homes and schools. Every 4-6 weeks we get together and have fun, whether going to the cinema, out for food, bouldering or just going for a walk. All these activities have allowed us to build a genuine connection, providing a reliable and trusted presence in their life, they feel comfortable to share and ask questions. It is wonderful to be part of their life. Volunteering with NYAS has reinforced my belief in the crucial role of community support in empowering the next generation. Witnessing the positive changes and growth in the young person I support highlights the tangible impact that dedicated volunteers can have on building a brighter future for vulnerable individuals. The experience has not only positively influenced the young person I support but has also fostered my personal growth. Understanding the nuances of the care system and advocating for the rights of these young people has expanded my empathy and deepened my commitment. Ensuring I am a consistent and positive presence in the life of the young person I support continues to be a source of inspiration for me, my family and my friends." Feeling inspired? Why not apply for a mentor role at NYAS .

The Upcycling department at Garden House Hospice Care is a fantastic place to volunteer, offering a creative and rewarding way to give back. This initiative transforms damaged or outdated furniture into high-quality, unique pieces through sanding, painting, decoupage, and reupholstering. Volunteers of all skill levels contribute, learning new techniques while making a real impact. Depot Manager Natalie Read share below how crucial volunteers are to the department, bringing diverse skills and enthusiasm to every project. More than just an eco-friendly effort, upcycling helps fund vital hospice care while reducing waste. With a dedicated shop at The Depot in Letchworth and a strong sense of teamwork, it’s a welcoming and fulfilling environment for anyone passionate about sustainability, craftsmanship, and community. Can you tell us about the Upcycling department at Garden House Hospice Care and what kind of work you do there? The Upcycling Team take furniture donations which can’t be sold in shops as they are damaged or unfashionable and we sand, paint, decoupage and reupholster those items to make them beautiful. We also make bags and cushions from donated fabric. I have a team of 30 volunteers who all bring different skills - we have grown over the last four years from a team of three, starting off with a few pieces to compliment stock in our Hitchin shop, to now having our own upcycling shop at The Depot in Letchworth. Why is upcycling important for the Hospice and how does it contribute to the overall mission of Garden House Hospice Care? Upcycling means taking furniture donations that would otherwise go to landfill, which is extremely important for the environment. It also means that we create a unique, high-quality product for customers in our community, raising vital funds so the Hospice can continue to care for patients, their families and carers. Volunteers play a big role in charity work. How important are they to the Upcycling department and what kind of tasks do they help with? Our volunteers are important across all departments; in Upcycling specifically, we look for specialised skills like upholstery or painting. However, we do love volunteers who are flexible; many are happy to be sanding down a table one day, then helping curate homeware to compliment furniture in The Depot Shop the next! Our shop is open six days a week now, so our Upcycling volunteers are very busy making beautiful furniture during the week and then assisting customers on a Saturday. What skills or qualities make a great volunteer in the Upcycling department and do people need any previous experience to get involved? It does help if Upcycling volunteers have some experience in painting, sewing or fixing as it is quite a fast-paced environment, and we pride ourselves on our high-quality products. However, we also run workshops for people to learn new skills too. The greatest skills are those shared by all the volunteers across Trading including in the shop, online, sorting and van volunteers: an enthusiasm for the charity and an eye for a good quality donation. Can you share any memorable success stories of volunteers making a difference or a particularly special item that was upcycled? Wow, so many items spring to mind! I particularly like it when the team’s complimentary skills come together. We have had customers who want to furnish their whole houses in upcycled furniture, which is a great team effort, as we have to look out for suitable sizes and styles and then custom paint them. We had one client who wanted bedroom furniture and said we could be as adventurous as we wanted! Joanna, one of our very talented volunteers took this on and created an amazing bedroom suite out of Stag furniture with eclectic wallpaper, mismatched donated knobs and of course a little bit of gold. It was absolutely fabulous, and the customer was thrilled! Apply for a volunteer role at Garden House Hospice Upscaling House here .