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GoVolHerts, with our host charity North Herts & Stevenage CVS, has responded to the Government’s consultation on its proposals to include volunteering as a factor that may be used to reduce the proposed new qualifying period for people seeking settled status in the UK. The consultation suggests this could result in a possible reduction of three to five years. As the countywide volunteering service for Herts, GoVolHerts agrees that volunteering plays a vital role and makes an invaluable contribution to our lives and communities across the country. We see the scale, range of participation, and impact of volunteering every day in our county. We believe that everyone has something to contribute, and we support everyone to get involved in volunteering. We are not in support of the proposal for volunteering to be a formal factor in reducing the period for UK settled status application. Our response is based on the following principles and observations: Volunteering is a free and positive choice, of mutual benefit, and it should never be coerced or something people feel pressurised to do. Proposals to make volunteering a faster track route to settled status would distort the relationships between organisations and people that make volunteering so special. The volunteer’s choice to gift their time, attention, skills, experience, and more, has meaning and impact; volunteering loses value when participation is driven primarily by transactional considerations of personal benefit. The proposal risks placing voluntary organisations in a position where their recording or evidencing of participation could influence someone’s right to settle. VCSFE organisations are neither designed nor resourced to fulfil this role. Voluntary organisations are expressing concern about the extra administrative burden likely to be entailed by this proposal. Volunteering is not free and the proposals would have a significant impact on those managing volunteers. There are significant questions about the workability of this proposal for already overstretched VCFSE organisations. What would qualify as ‘volunteering’? Would organisations be under pressure to create qualifying opportunities? How would participation be evidenced? How would organisations address existing barriers — such as language needs and DBS requirements — without additional support? And how would volunteer managers manage the pressure to recruit, provide enhanced support to, and potentially retain individuals who may not be a suitable match for volunteering roles, given their vulnerable circumstances and the consequences for them of not volunteering? At a time of social division with asylum seekers, refugees and other migrants facing hostility, the proposals around volunteering could create unsatisfactory volunteering arrangements which risks backfiring and stoking further dissatisfaction and division. People shouldn’t be placed under pressure to volunteer, without regard for whether it’s accessible, suitable or safe for them to do so. Some individuals, especially those in vulnerable situations, may be particularly put at risk by this. Many people coming to the UK already do seek to take part in volunteering, but in practice there are currently barriers to volunteering (and people don't have an equal ability to take part). Barriers include location; lack of power to stay in one location; lack of transport; language skills; difficulties of conducting identity and safeguarding checks; personal circumstances, including physical issues and trauma. We would welcome efforts to reduce barriers to volunteering and support people such as asylum seekers to more easily be able to get involved. This requires investing in support and infrastructure for volunteering in the VCSFE sector, so people who want to volunteer can do so freely and safely, in ways that work for communities and VCSFE organisations.

Half term periods can feel a little overwhelming if you're not sure what to do being out of routine. However, with schools closed and many workplaces a little quieter, half term offers a flexible window to get involved in meaningful one-off or short term volunteering activities. Whether you have a few hours or a few days, there are plenty of ways to make a difference in your community. These can be formalised opportunities, like those listed on the GoVolHerts website, or informal volunteering that you organise yorself. Here are some inspiring ideas to consider: Support a Local Food Bank Food banks often experience increased demand during school holidays, when families who rely on free school meals need extra support. Volunteers are typically needed to: Sort and organise donations Pack food parcels Assist with distribution Help with stock checks Collect items from supermarkets Drop off parcels to those in need Even a single shift can make a real impact. It’s hands-on, practical, and deeply rewarding. Help at Community Clean-Up Events Half term is a great time to get outdoors. Many local councils and community groups organise litter picks or park clean-ups during school breaks. You can: Join an organised clean-up event Gather a group of friends or colleagues and start your own Focus on parks, riversides, city/town centres, streets Not only does this improve the local environment, but it’s also a fantastic activity to involve children in, teaching them about sustainability and community pride. And if you can't find one to get involved in, one not organise one yourself! Volunteer with Youth Programmes With children out of school, youth clubs and community centres often run holiday activities and need extra support. You could help with: Arts and crafts sessions Sports activities Reading support Mentoring programmes SEN provisions This is particularly impactful if you enjoy working with young people and want to help create a safe, engaging space for them during the break. Visit Care Homes Loneliness can increase during holiday periods, where family members may be away and not able to visit as often. Care homes and community elderly support groups often welcome volunteers to spend time with residents. Simple activities include: Playing board games or hosting bingo Reading aloud Hosting craft sessions Having a friendly chat Going for a walk Sometimes, your time and presence are the most valuable gifts you can offer. Support Local Charities with Admin or Digital Skills Not all volunteering is front-facing. Many charities need short-term help with: Social media support Website updates Photography Event planning Data entry or admin tasks Collecting donation pots Leaflet drops Accountancy Bid-writing If you have professional skills in marketing, finance, IT, or communications, half term is a perfect opportunity to offer pro bono support. Get Involved in Animal Welfare A great one for families to get involved! Animal shelters and rescue centres often need volunteers for: Dog walking Cleaning and maintenance Assisting with adoption days Fundraising support Feeding times For animal lovers, this can be an especially fulfilling way to spend time during the break, as well as offering valuable work experience for those wishing to pursue a career in animal sciences or care. Organise a Fundraising Challenge If structured volunteering isn’t possible, consider organising your own mini fundraising challenge over half term. Ideas include: A sponsored walk, run, swim or other activity A bake sale A community quiz night An online fundraising campaign This is a great way to involve friends, family, or even colleagues in supporting a cause close to your heart. Volunteering isn’t just about helping others, it benefits you too. It's a great way to create a routine as well as boost your mood and mental wellbeing, connect with people and strengthen your CV/experience if you are looking for work or a career change. And by getting involved in one off or short term volunteering like during half term, it allows you to try something new without committing long-term. If you’re not sure where to begin, why not check out our one-off and short term opportunities by changing the 'Type' on this page to fit your availability. This half term, consider swapping just a small portion of your downtime for something that gives back. You might be surprised at how much of a difference you can make even in just a few hours.

People of all genders can feel disconnected at different stages of life. Whether due to work, family changes, health challenges or social circumstances. But research and lived experience show that many men experience barriers to forming and maintaining close social connections, often because of cultural expectations around independence and emotional self-reliance, even more so as they get older. One survey found that around 27% of men report feeling lonely frequently or always and that men are often less likely than women to seek support when they feel isolated or struggling emotionally. Although loneliness affects all people, this highlights how social norms can make it harder for men - and anyone socialised to downplay emotional needs - to reach out and build connection. How does this connect with volunteering? Volunteering isn’t just about giving time: it’s a structured way to meet people, develop friendships, feel valued and contribute to something bigger than ourselves. That sense of purpose and social contact can dramatically reduce feelings of isolation. It creates social opportunities embedded in action rather than in direct emotional disclosure. Taking part in a shared activity can make opening up and forming bonds much easier. And the benefits go both ways: recent UK data shows that volunteering isn’t just meaningful for volunteers, it’s vital for communities too . Many community services rely on volunteers to support people’s wellbeing and day-to-day lives. One great example of this work in action are the Community Transport services run across the county by voluntary and community organisations. They bring volunteers together to provide friendly transport services for people who find it hard to or cannot access public transport, particularly older people and those with health needs. But beyond the practical help of getting someone to a medical appointment or social group, these volunteer drivers often become one of few points of human interaction each week, offering moments of conversation, laughter and connection. North Herts & Stevenage Centre for Voluntary Service (NHCVS) runs one such scheme and they will be hosting a special online talk on Thursday 26th February , called Transport for Connection , which explores how community transport can help combat loneliness and strengthen social bonds for both passengers and volunteers alike. If you’re thinking about managing your own loneliness or want more connection, there are many ways to get involved depending on your interests and availability: Volunteer Driver – Offer journeys to people who need friendly support getting around; a perfect fit if you enjoy driving and meeting new people. Event Support – Help organise or run local community events, from talking to attendees to assisting with set up and running. Befriending and support roles – Be a regular friendly face for someone who’d appreciate companionship or help with errands. Online or remote volunteering — If getting out regularly is tricky, many organisations offer digital volunteering opportunities, including mentoring, monitoring helplines, admin support or if you're particularly experienced, a trustee role. People of all genders need community, care and connection, and volunteering is one of the most accessible routes to build those things, especially for people who might not naturally seek out new social spaces. If you’ve ever wondered whether volunteering could be right for you, maybe as a way to meet people, learn new skills, or simply make a difference — there’s likely a role out there that fits you . Have a look at our current opportunities to see what matches your interests or skills - Volunteer in your community | GoVolHerts