"I love doing events and engaging with the local community as you get to hear some great stories and meet fantastic people"

Looking for fun, meaningful activities to do with the kids during the summer holidays? Why not try volunteering as a family? The Family Volunteering Club (FVC) offers free, family-friendly volunteering sessions that make it easy and enjoyable for children aged 0–9 years — and the adults in their lives — to give back to their communities. Whether you’ve got toddlers, school-aged children, or both, FVC sessions are designed to be inclusive, engaging, and impactful for every member of the family. What is the Family Volunteering Club? FVC is a charity that creates regular, hands-on volunteering experiences for young children and their grown-ups. The sessions are short, accessible, and always purposeful — giving families a chance to connect with local causes in ways that are fun and age-appropriate. Since launching their Stevenage programme in 2023, FVC has been helping families support a wide range of local organisations through activities like: Gardening and revamping outdoor community spaces Decorating cupcakes to raise money for Lister Hospital Making new mum packs for The Baby Shed Litter picking in Fairlands Valley Park Helping out at local food banks Spending time with elderly residents at local care homes  And this summer, there are even more exciting opportunities for families to get involved! Upcoming Events in Stevenage You Won’t Want to Miss: 🍓 Strawberries and Friendship When: 6th July, 10:00–11:00 Where: Stevenage (exact location shared upon registration) Families are invited to join a heart-warming session of gardening and strawberry picking with residents at a local care home. It’s a lovely opportunity for children to connect with older members of the community while helping maintain and enjoy the garden space. Expect stories, laughter, and lots of strawberries! 🐞 Bug Houses for Church Farm, Ardeley When: 19th July, 10:00–11:00 Where: Church Farm, Ardeley Get crafty and support local biodiversity by helping build bug houses for the farm’s gardens. This session is a fantastic way for kids to learn about insects and their role in the ecosystem, while contributing to a popular local community farm. You can also find the full calendar of events and sign up here: 👉 Family Volunteering Club – Stevenage Events Why Volunteer as a Family? Family volunteering offers more than just a fun day out. It: Builds empathy and teamwork in young children Creates lasting family memories Teaches kids about real-world issues in a positive, hands-on way Helps support important local causes that benefit everyone in the community Whether your family is brand new to volunteering or looking to build on previous experiences, these bite-sized, feel-good sessions are the perfect place to start. Spots fill up quickly , so be sure to book ahead and secure your place! We hope to see you and your little ones out in the community this summer — planting, building, sharing, and smiling together!

At GoVolHerts , we are proud to work in collaboration with an incredible group of partners to promote, support, and celebrate volunteering across Hertfordshire. Together with Watford & Three Rivers Trust ( w3rt.org ), Community Action Dacorum ( communityactiondacorum.org ) and Communities 1st ( communities1st.org.uk ), we form a dedicated countywide network under ' Community Help Hertfordshire ' that champions the value of volunteering and helps create a thriving voluntary sector. Together we offer tailored support to individuals looking to volunteer and to charities and community groups who rely on volunteers to deliver their services. As a network, we share resources, knowledge, and events to ensure that volunteering is accessible to everyone, no matter where they live or what their circumstances may be. At the heart of our work is the belief that volunteering strengthens communities. It connects people, builds confidence and skills, and supports the wellbeing of both individuals and the wider community. We're her to empower people to make a difference and to support the organisations who depend on their time and energy. June is a particularly special month for us , as we celebrate Volunteers' Week (2-8 June). This annual event is a national campaign that recognises the huge impact volunteers have on our society. It’s a chance to say thank you to everyone who gives their time to help others – whether they’ve been volunteering for years or are just getting started. To mark the occasion, there will be events around the county that aim to connect local people with inspiring opportunities. GoVolHerts is participating and hopes to see you at some of these: On Tuesday 3 June , 1-3pm Watford & Three Rivers Trust is holding a Three Rivers Volunteers Network Event at Croxley Park, The Barn, WD18 8AS.The event is a celebration of volunteering and a chance to network with like-minded individuals, share experiences and learn about opportunities to volunteer. On Friday 6th June , 10am-3pm, join us at our Hertfordshire Volunteer Fair in Hitchin town centre. This lively event brings together charities and community groups from across the county, all looking to welcome new volunteers. Then on Saturday 7th June , head to Atria Watford for the Watford Volunteer Fair , organised by our partners at Watford & Three Rivers Trust . It’s a brilliant chance to explore causes you care about and chat directly with the people behind them. These events are open to everyone – whether you have a specific interest, want to gain experience, or just want to give something back. They'll be a great chance to meet charities and volunteers for an informal chat and there'll be plenty of inspiration and information to take away. Our work doesn't stop after Volunteer Week. Throughout the year, GoVolHerts and our partners continue to promote opportunities, share resources, and build connections that support a vibrant and inclusive volunteering culture in Hertfordshire. We invite you to explore what's on offer, meet like-minded people, and discover how you can play a part in your community – whether for a day, a week, or a lifetime. Visit govolherts.org.uk to find out more and start your volunteering journey today.

Explore Local Volunteering Opportunities at GoVolHerts Community Event in Hitchin Our community would not be what it is without the amazing volunteers who give their time freely to help others – and in the process often have a great time themselves! People don’t always realise the huge difference that volunteering makes in our community or that volunteering takes so many shapes and sizes, with hundreds of different organisations and roles that volunteers can be involved in. Our Volunteer Fair is being held on Friday 6th June in Hitchin High Street from 10am - 3pm and will celebrate volunteers in all their glory and, with more than 25 local organisations taking part it will be a wonderful opportunity to learn about the many different types of volunteering and how you could get involved too. Emily Butterworth, Volunteering Development Lead at GoVolHerts, shared: “We’re really looking forward to welcoming everyone to this event in the heart of Hitchin. It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet the incredible people behind our local charities and learn about the vital role volunteers play in their work. We’re delighted to have a wide range of amazing organisations taking part, all eager to share how the public can get involved and the fantastic impact that they can achieve through volunteering. We’re honoured to be joined also by local dignitaries and representatives from our councils. Whether you’re looking to try something new, build confidence, or find a meaningful way to give back, this event is the perfect place to start. Huge thanks to Visit Hitchin for helping us bring it all together.” Visitors will have the chance to connect with the following local charities: Music 24 , MCR Pathways , Age UK Hertfordshire , Willow Foundation , Health & Independent, Living Support , Garden House Hospice Care , NYAS (National Youth Advocacy Service), Brainkind , Mind in Mid-Herts , Tilehouse Counselling, Schoolreaders, North Herts Marie Curie , Carers in Hertfordshire, Citizens Advice North Hertfordshire , Herts Mind Network , Buzzworks Association Hitchin , First Garden Cities Homes , Stand-by-Me Children's Bereavement Services, Crossroads Caring for Life , Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service , Home-Start Hertfordshire , GRIT . The Volunteer Fair in Hitchin is part of Hertfordshire’s celebration of Volunteers Week, a national event to celebrate and showcase the contribution of volunteers in our community. To find out more, visit www.govolherts.org.uk or contact the team at i [email protected]. The fair will take place on the High Street in Hitchin. There is no need for the public to register – just come along at any time from 10am to 3pm. We look forward to seeing you there! GoVolHerts is a free volunteer-matching platform that makes it easy to discover the right opportunity. With hundreds of live roles from almost 500 non-profit organisations, the site connects people with causes that matter to them. GoVolHerts is delivered by North Herts and Stevenage CVS and proudly funded by Hertfordshire County Council.