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

Summer holidays can feel long, especially when you’re trying to keep kids entertained, off screens, and doing something meaningful. If you're looking for free, fun ways to spend time together as a family while making a positive impact, volunteering might be the perfect fit. Across Hertfordshire, there are a wide variety of ways to get involved, whatever your family's interests — from cheering on young runners to building bug hotels or gardening alongside your children. Discover the Joy of Junior Parkrun (and How to Get Involved) Looking for something active, social and community-focused? Junior Parkrun is a free, weekly 2k event held every Sunday morning for children aged 4–14 — and it’s not just about running. Junior parkruns are organised entirely by volunteers, and families are at the heart of it. You might find a mum marshalling with her toddler in tow, a grandparent high-fiving kids at the finish line, or siblings volunteering side-by-side. The atmosphere is always welcoming, inclusive and full of energy. You don’t need any previous experience to join in as a volunteer. Roles include: Timekeeping Barcode scanning Course marshalling Token sorting Cheering! Volunteering as a family is a great way to model community spirit and encourage physical activity, while also building new friendships. Many young people also use it to complete their Duke of Edinburgh Award volunteering hours — and often inspire the rest of their family to join in. Find your nearest parkrun event at parkrun.org.uk , then get in touch with the event team to volunteer. Whether you help out once or every week, your support makes a difference.

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.