GoVolHerts Newsletter

Baldock Young at Heart Club is a small friendly social club for older community members from in and around Baldock. They're looking for musicians, entertainers, or singers to perform for their members for a small fee or donation. The club runs once a month, every second Wednesday, from 2pm - 4pm in the Baldock Community Centre. It is staffed entirely by volunteers and their members pay a small fee to attend, so there are limited funds. They recognise the importance of connection and entertainment can uplift, spirits, bring joy and help overcome feelings of sadness and loneliness which some older people experience. If you are interested in supporting the group and bringing your musical talents to entertain and delight, please contact Karen Ellington on 07814516436 The club is also open to new members. For those living in Baldock with mobility issues, there is a community bus which can pick up and drop home for a small fee. Unfortunately they don’t have any qualified carers so they can only host non-dementia or non-independent community members unless a carer can come with them (they would not charge the fee to carers). They look forward to hearing from anyone interested in joining them either as a member or entertainer.

Almost 4 million people in the UK experience chronic loneliness, which can lead to other mental health issues and isolation and this can get worse with older age. There are organisations across the county looking for volunteer befrienders who can visit people in their own homes, or at social clubs, and provide effective support for children and young people, families, people with mental ill-health, those with learning disabilities, and older people. Befriending can also help reduce the burden on statutory services which people may mistakenly use as they seek social contact. Befriending offers a supportive, reliable relationship by connecting a volunteer befriender to socially isolated individuals. So, if you're a good listener, you're reliable and you love a natter over a cuppa, why not spend a few hours a week helping older people feel less alone? If this is you, befriending could provide you with friendship, access to a range of different activities, increased self-confidence and even a new direction in life! Age UK Hertfordshire are seeking befrienders in Stevenage, Letchworth and surrounding areas. Apply now and you will be matched with an older person, providing friendship and sharing news, views and interests. As a Visiting Scheme Befriender - you will regularly visit an older person in their own home, perhaps for a cup of tea and a chat. See befriender opportunities with Age UK Hertfordshire

The Hertfordshire Volunteer Fair and Big Help Out Event organised by GoVolHerts returned to Hitchin Market Place, on Friday 7 June with almost 30 charities and organisations represented. Each year, The Big Help Out runs a national campaign that champions volunteers and highlights their positive impact. This event coincided with Volunteers’ Week celebrating its’ 40 th Anniversary. The sun came out and many people stopped by to chat to stallholders about their charity work and how to get involved as volunteers. One stallholder had over 60 people interested in becoming a volunteer, and many others were encouraged to look at the opportunities to further their career choices or gain work experience. Take a look at some of the photos from the event on Google Drive We were visited by local dignitaries including the Deputy Lieutenant and The High Sheriff of Hertfordshire. They each spent several hours speaking to each stallholder, we really appreciated their time and dedication to spend time at our event. We also would like to extend a huge thank you to the Town Rangers at Visit Hitchin, who helped with setting up stalls, and supporting us throughout the day. Stalls included: Barnardo's Blind Veterans UK Celtic Harmony CPRE Hertfordshire, The Countryside Charity Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Garden House Hospice Care GoVolHerts Groundwork East HCC Shared Care Hertfordshire Gardens Trust Hertfordshire Mind Network Herts Sport and Physical Activity Partnership Hitchin Pantry MCR Pathways Mind in Mid Herts North Herts & Stevenage Community Transport Service NSPCC NYAS - National Youth Advocacy Service ParkPlay (Active in the Community CIC) Pets in Need Herts Reach Out Riding for the Disabled RNLI St John Ambulance Stand-by-me Bereavement Support The Red Shed The Triangle Community Garden Turning Point GoVolHerts is a free one-stop hub for volunteering in Hertfordshire which supports people in finding their ideal volunteering opportunity by connecting them with 610 volunteering opportunities with over 380 charities via their website www.govolherts.org.uk . It is a project funded by Hertfordshire County Council and operated by North Herts and Stevenage Community Voluntary Service. This event has been made possible by the support of Visit Hitchin.