From Volunteer to Chair: My Journey with GoVolHerts

Looking to give back to your community but not sure where to start? The upcoming Virtual Volunteer Fair is the perfect chance to explore a wide range of opportunities across Hertfordshire and find a role that suits your skills, interests, and availability.

One volunteer who found his path through GoVolHerts is Peter Hopkins, now Chair of Trustees at Young Carers Crew.

“In 2022, I wanted to get back into volunteering to give something back to the community, but wasn’t sure where to start. A contact recommended GoVolHerts, a platform connecting people in Hertfordshire with meaningful volunteer roles. So off I went! In searching the site, I came across a role as a Trustee for Young Carers Crew – a charity supporting young people who care for family members with illness or disability. The description explained that trustees help guide the charity’s strategy, ensure good governance, and support its fundraising efforts. With many years business experience in senior roles, I felt that a trustee role was one where I could make a real difference.”

Peter applied through GoVolHerts and was soon welcomed onto the board of trustees.

“It took a few meetings to get to know everyone and to start making a contribution. Initially I took on responsibility for fundraising strategy, and had a number of successes with local government and foundation grants. I have since moved on to take the role of Treasurer, with the added responsibilities of Charity Commission reporting and dealing with HMRC queries – and this has certainly enabled me to develop new skills! I have recently taken on the additional role of Chair of Trustees, and as I reflect on the last three years, I certainly feel that I’ve been able to make a difference to the governance of the charity, ensuring we are in a good place financially to continue to support young carers in our area.”

The experience has been rewarding not just for Peter but also for the charity.

“As a charity, we continue to use GoVolHerts to recruit new trustees and volunteers, and to bring new sets of skills to the group! I would certainly recommend the site to any charity looking to engage volunteers with their purpose, and thanks to all the team for their continued support!”

Peter’s story is just one example of how volunteering can open doors, build new skills, and make a real difference. If you’re curious about how you could get involved, the Virtual Volunteer Fair is a fantastic place to start.

Peter Hopkins, Chair of Trustees, Young Carers Crew