Top Tips for being a Great Trustee!

This February we're celebrating, as GoVolHerts turns four! And just in time for our anniversary, earlier this month we hit 10,000 registered volunteers and 600 registered organisations , an incredible milestone for our Hertfordshire volunteering community! GoVolHerts itself has built on the earlier success of #TeamHertsVolunteering and we are extremely proud to continue going from strength to strength. Thank you to everyone who's been part of our ongoing development. In this last year we've seen a wider range of opportunities than ever, more volunteers and organisations proactively using the volunteer pool to find connections and a nearly six-fold increase in volunteering applications since GoVolHerts launched! We average around 10,000 visitors a month and receive ever more enquiries. One thing we pride ourselves on at GoVolHerts is that we're not only facilitating a connecting place for organisations and passionate, committed potential volunteers, but with volunteering being our passion, we go much further - to support you, celebrate the unique contribution of volunteers, raise awareness of the benefits of volunteering, showcase the amazing work of local non-profit organisations and the impact it has and help people to get involved in a wide range of opportunities that meet their interests and circumstances. Whilst it is incredible that we have so many of you registered with the site, numbers are not what matter most to us. It's the overall impact of potential for volunteer support for Hertfordshire charities and community groups and their service users. Increasing the number of volunteers means organisations can potentially involve more volunteers from different backgrounds, ages, skills and experiences. With our platform that matches interests and flexibility with relevant positions, it's even easier to connect the two. So whether a charity needs digital support, event help, befriending, admin support, trustees, transport, club management or occasional hands-on assistance, we hope to have something for everyone. To ensure that we go from strength to strength and remain a place that supports both organisations and volunteers, we would love to hear your feedback and experience of the GoVolHerts platform. If you have 5 minutes to spare, you can share your feedback here or if you have additional feedback please do email us [email protected] Thank you so much to every volunteer who has given their time, every charity on a mission and every group that has joined our network. Here's to four more years, and beyond!

Finding Connection After the Festive Season: Why Befriending Matters As the festive season comes to an end, many of us feel a noticeable shift. The cosy catch‑ups, shared meals and time spent with family and friends begin to fade, replaced by quieter routines and a return to everyday life. While there’s comfort in routine, this transition can also highlight how important connection really is. For some, especially those who live alone or feel socially isolated, the post‑festive period can feel particularly lonely - a big drop in the social serotonin can cause us to retreat and not want to leave the house. For those that rely on the support of others to be able to get out, this can have a hugely negative impact. This is where befriending can make a real difference. Befriending is about simple, human connection; taking time to listen, talk and be present for someone else - meeting them where they are at. And while you are supporting someone, you can be flexible too on how you would like to offer your time. It might be a regular phone call, a walk, a chat over a cuppa, or a virtual catch‑up. It doesn’t have to be complicated and it doesn’t have to be a big commitment, but it can have a meaningful impact on both sides. For volunteers, befriending offers a gentle way to stay connected beyond the festive season. It provides a sense of purpose and continuity, helping bridge the gap between the warmth of the holidays and the quieter pace of the new year. It helps those coming to terms with the loss of elderly loved ones in their lives or wanting to make a change to the loneliness elderly and isolated people feel. Many people find that it brings structure to their weeks, introduces them to someone they might never otherwise meet all while offering a deeper sense of belonging within their community. Befriending also reminds us that connection doesn’t always come from large social gatherings. Sometimes, it’s built in small, yet regular moments. As we step into a new year, befriending can be a simple yet powerful way to support others while nurturing connection in your own life too. If you’re considering giving a little time to make a big difference, take a look at our latest befriending opportunities and see what might suit you: Could you be a befriender? | GoVolHerts

Loneliness has become one of the most quietly pervasive challenges of modern life. Recent studies show that as many as 27% of adults in the UK claim to feel lonely 'always or some of the time', which has interestingly seen a 3% increase post Covid. Whether driven by social isolation, changing life circumstances, working from home or simply the ebb and flow of emotional well-being, feeling alone can affect anyone. These feelings often intensify during certain seasons, particularly within the winter months with shorter, darker days, societal pressure and influence for having fun and celebrating, missing friends and family we cannot see or transitional periods like the start of a new school year or moving home. And this is where befriending comes in. What Is Befriending? Befriending is the act of offering companionship, empathy and consistent social contact to someone, or a group, who may be feeling isolated or alone. This could be due to age, loss of family, having left an abusive situation, having needs that require additional support, facing socialisation difficulties because of health or recovery from an operation. Befriending itself can take many forms - from going out for walks and socialising, attending groups, popping over to someone's house for a tea, chatting on the phone, scheduling a virtual catch up... there is an option for everyone. The Benefits of Befriending  Reduced Loneliness and Social Isolation At its core, befriending provides what many people lack: a sense of being seen and heard and primarily, companionship. Regular connection can significantly reduce feelings of loneliness, which, when prolonged, can be as harmful to health as smoking or obesity . Knowing someone cares enough to check in can shift a person’s emotions and benefit overall wellbeing. Improved Mental Well-Being Engaging in meaningful conversation, sharing stories, or simply spending time with someone can boost mood, confidence, and life satisfaction. For individuals dealing with depression, anxiety or grief, companionship can help break cycles of negative thought patterns. Enhanced Physical Health The effects of social connection go beyond emotional benefits. Studies show that supportive social relationships can lower blood pressure, strengthen the immune system, and improve sleep, which can hugely impact those recovering from illness, injury or operation. Personal Growth and Empathy For the person offering friendship, befriending encourages empathy, emotional intelligence and a deeper understanding of human experiences. Giving time to someone else enriches one’s own sense of purpose and belonging. Strengthening Community Fabric Small acts of connection ripple outward. Befriending creates trust and connection within communities; helping create environments where people feel safe, valued and more likely to support one another. A Season for Connection Loneliness may ebb and flow with the seasons, but befriending provides a steady thread of connection through it all. Whether winter’s cold is setting in, holiday lights are flickering, or another season of change approaches, reaching out to someone - friend or stranger - can be transformative for both parties. In a world where many feel invisible, befriending is a reminder that we are wired for connection, strengthened by community, and healed through kindness. Sometimes, the smallest gesture can brighten the darkest season. If you can offer small but regular time to befriend someone in your community, why not check out our befriending opportunities and find one that suits you - Could you be a befriender? | GoVolHerts