"Take a step into the unknown, you will be so glad you did!"

It is truly heart-warming to see the impact that volunteering can have on individuals and communities. Edwin's story is a testament to the power of giving back and finding a sense of purpose. As a refugee from Honduras, Edwin faced numerous challenges when he arrived in the UK. However, his determination and commitment to making a positive difference led him to reach out to GoVolHerts and express his interest in volunteering at Stagenhoe. Upon meeting Edwin, it was evident that his dedication knew no bounds. Despite having to walk for over two hours to get to our meeting, he arrived with a smile on his face and a willingness to contribute. With the help of our Spanish-speaking staff members, we were able to communicate effectively and explain the volunteering role to Edwin. Since joining our team, Edwin has been volunteering three days a week, working diligently within the grounds of Stagenhoe. His hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed, and we are incredibly grateful for the contributions he has made to our organisation. Edwin's commitment to his role is truly inspiring, and his presence has enriched our Stagenhoe family. While Edwin's volunteering efforts have undoubtedly benefited our organisation, it is important to recognise the personal benefits he has gained as well. Through volunteering, Edwin has found a sense of worth, a routine, and a sense of normality. These intangible rewards are invaluable and contribute to his overall well-being and integration into the community. But Edwin's impact doesn't stop there. His wife, Nilda, has also joined our team, thanks to the support we provided her in obtaining a food hygiene qualification. Nilda now works alongside our kitchen staff, further strengthening our Stagenhoe family. Additionally, Edwin's friends, Evelyn and Daniel, have also become part of our community, assisting with various tasks within the grounds. The story of Edwin and his loved ones is a testament to the transformative power of volunteering. It showcases how a simple act of giving back can not only benefit an organisation but also provide individuals with a sense of purpose, belonging, and stability. At Stagenhoe, we are incredibly grateful for Edwin's dedication and the positive impact he has made on our organization. We are proud to have him, Nilda, Evelyn, and Daniel as part of our family, and we look forward to continuing this journey together. If you are considering volunteering, we encourage you to take that step. You never know the profound impact you can have on both yourself and the community around you. “I am very grateful that I can help Stagenhoe and give back to the community. It is a pleasure and it helps me to get out of the hotel and receive love from everybody” Edwin If you would like more information about volunteering here at Stagenhoe please contact [email protected]

Meet the lovely Margaret, a volunteer for Waterways Experiences. What prompted you to join Waterways Experiences? My husband Malcolm had been volunteering for Reachout and then Waterways Experiences and was obviously enjoying it so much that I decided to join him. What role(s) do you have in WExp? I am on the Bookings team and man the phones one day a week, taking calls and answering emails about booking trips on our boats and other general queries. If anyone has a query about anything they always call the booking line first as we’re number 1 in the options! It is great talking to people, finding out about them, what they like, and how WExp can help them. I am crew on the widebeams and Sheldrake 3 but don’t get out as often as I’d like. I’ve also volunteered for 2 Enables and am due to do another one and a young carer’s weekend this year. What do you enjoy most about being with Waterways Experiences? I love talking to people on the phone and meeting all the different people who hire our boats from groups of elderly people from care homes, to learning impaired adults who join in on the locks and steering with such enthusiasm, to kids and their parents who are obviously having a good time. Also the joy of being out on the water in our lovely bit of Hertfordshire. What do you say to your friends about working for Waterways Experiences? I'll tell everybody about WExp! I say we are a wonderful group of people. We are friendly and enthusiastic about what we do and it is great fun. What do you do outside of WExp? I have 3 grandchildren and meet up with them (and their families) regularly. I take the bookings for the Royal Bank of Scotland (Natwest) Inland Waterways club who own 2 narrowboats that we hire out to members. I do the weekly newsletter and serve (administer the wine) for some services in our local parish church. I am a director and am company secretary and do the accounts for the company that Malcolm and a friend ran building and hosting websites. This has mostly closed down but I’ve still got some work to do. I keep chickens and have a large garden which never gets as much attention as it needs. Anything else you’d like to add? Working on ‘Bookings’ is rewarding because you get to talk to potential clients, find out what they would like, and tell them how wonderful WExp is - though most of them know already. More help is always appreciated so if you know a reasonable amount about how WExp works and could be available to answer the phone and answer emails between 9 & 5 a few days a month please get in touch. Find out more here https://www.govolherts.org.uk/o/7217845-/opportunities

Leecliffe Big Local is a resident led charity funded by the National Lottery and Local Trust, and has been making Borehamwood a better place to live since 2010. They have many projects mainly working in partnerships with other organisations, churches, schools, youth clubs etc. One of their projects is Chatter Tables. It is a safe place for local residents to meet, have a cuppa and a chat. Many residents may feel lonely and isolated especially since Covid and Chatter Tables has been established to tackle exactly that! Chatter Tables is located at St Michael and All Saints Church in Brook Road, every Monday between 12pm and 3pm. Two wonderful volunteers ensure that the place is set up on time to welcome the attendees and making them welcome! One of our volunteers is Francis. Francis also known as Frank or “the man with the bright flowery shirts” has been volunteering since December 2022, after retiring from his heating engineering job in June that year. After sorting things at home he started to get bored as he likes to keep himself busy. He likes things to be organised and tidy. Francis loves talking to people and considers himself as a “people’s person” so no wonder why Chatter Tables appealed to him! He says: “I want to help the local community”. Francis comes every Monday to set up, makes cups of hot drinks, putting biscuits out and chatting to people. He works very well with the other volunteer Sandra and together they make the best team ever. If anyone would like to volunteer for Chatter Tables or other projects such as gardening in schools or working with young people, please contact [email protected] or 07525236408 or checkout the live volunteering opportunities here https://www.govolherts.org.uk/o/Leecliffe-Big-Local/opportunities