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Student Volunteering Week is a great way to get young people involved in opportunities that mean something to them, can further their experience and qualifications but mainly, is a great way to celebrate young people making waves in their communities. Throughout the week commencing 9th February 2026, there were daily themes - Micro-Monday, Transferable Skills Tuesday, Wellness Wednesday, Thankful Thursday, Friendly Friday and Sustainable Saturday and Sunday and it was great to get in and visit North Hertfordshire College students to learn about their volunteering experiences, and what they think about GoVolHerts to then share them on Thankful Thursday. A huge thanks to Poppy, Elle, Grace, Henry, Oscar, Lucia, Ryan, Ash, Shanira and Deanna who shared the impact volunteering has had on their growth and confidence but also a deeper insight into their incredible individual stories. Leadership in Action: Grace, Student Governor Grace, elected Student Governor at the Stevenage campus in July 2025, shared powerful insights into how volunteering has taught her skills in student leadership. After previously serving as a Student Ambassador, she stepped into the Governor role in September 2025, following a formal election and interview process. Since then, she has: Represented student voices at Board level Completed safeguarding and Board training Organised student initiatives and trips Increased use of underutilised VR headsets to support construction students and interview preparation Grace also spoke candidly about the responsibility of her role and how students approach her with real-life issues including challenges at home. She listens, assesses next steps, and when appropriate escalates concerns. Support is available and she highlighted the importance of Student Services - an accessible, stigma-free space where students can, with ease, seek information and assistance on a range of issues from educational to personal. Through volunteering and being in this leadership role, Grace has discovered her passion for supporting people and this has helped her develop her career plans, knowing she'd like to work in therapy in the future. Real Experience, Real Impact Over the course of the afternoon, all students shared a wide range of volunteering journies: Elle volunteered at a Saturday playscheme supporting children with disabilities whilst involved in the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award. She described how it broadened her perspective and taught her to approach every situation by asking, “What does this person need?”. She now volunteers as a Police Cadet leader alongside studying Criminal and Forensic Investigation. Henry was inspired by a sibling to volunteer at a hospice charity shop, gaining retail and customer service experience while meeting new people. Oscar combines his college ambassador role with Police Cadets, highlighting how the programme offers practical qualifications like a BTEC option for those pursuing non-academic routes. Ryan and Ash have spent 4.5 years in Army Cadets, building confidence and learning skills such as First Aid. Shanira , referred through her experience as a young carer, has volunteered in a charity shop, at Lister Hospital and with Leaders Unlocked as part of the Youth Crime Commission - even delivering a speech. She spoke passionately about volunteering as a way for young people to have a voice. Deanna shared her experience of volunteering at two toddler groups - Adventure Tots and Rise and Shine - having become involved through a group at church, but has since realised how much she loves working with children and now wants to combine her artwork to illustrate children's books in the future. What We Learned Whilst there were individual stories, there were three key themes that were repeated: Volunteering builds confidence and employability Students are gaining valuable skills - leadership, safeguarding awareness, customer service, teamwork and resilience, which they feel they wouldn't be able to get outside of volunteering. It must fit around education and other commitments Flexibility is crucial. Students are balancing studies, work placements and personal commitments and so during the day offerings are often not feasible, particularly if there is travel involved. Young people want a voice Volunteering gives students influence, connection and purpose - not just experience for a CV. They want to feel represented in the community but also within these roles so other people can look and say 'I can relate to that, I might be interested in doing that in future'. Looking Ahead Student Volunteering Week at North Herts College reminded us that young people are hugely ambitious individuals who also want to overcome challenges, learn skills and learn about themselves through volunteering. Our focus now is ensuring that opportunities are visible, accessible and aligned with students’ ambitions. If you’re a student looking to gain experience, build confidence or make a difference, explore opportunities through GoVolHerts and start your journey today. We'll be sharing more stories on some of these incredible volunteers in the future so do keep an eye out for those. Find out more on our youth volunteering opportunities here

Youth volunteering plays a vital role in building stronger communities, offering young people the chance to develop skills, experience, confidence and a sense of purpose while giving their time to something meaningful. At Growing Resilience in Teens (GRIT), volunteers are included as part of their community, helping to create stable foundations within their structure, raise funds and support the mission of enabling young people to thrive. GRIT is a charity based in North Hertfordshire that supports the mental health and wellbeing of young people aged 11 to 24. Through group programmes, workshops and one-to-one coaching, GRIT helps young people build confidence, resilience and learn practical tools to cope with life’s challenges, empowering them to feel stronger and more in control of their futures. We spoke to one of GRIT's volunteers, Albert, who manages their Vinted account, not only raising vital funds needed for the charity, but also creating awareness of what the charity do, collecting donations, listing them and posting them. What first inspired you to start volunteering at GRIT and what motivates you to continue? I was actually one of GRIT’s young people back in 2019, so I already knew what a great charity they are. Years later, I was encouraged by the Jobcentre to look into volunteering. They recommended to check out GoVolHerts so I did and I saw GRIT were looking for someone to run their Vinted account and it immediately stood out to me. I’d already been selling on my own Vinted account, so it felt like a perfect match. Volunteering now feels like a full-circle moment and a way to give back. Can you share a moment or experience in your role that was especially rewarding or meaningful? There isn’t one big standout moment. Aside from photographing, packaging and sending items most of the work I do is from my laptop in bed but seeing sales come through and knowing they’re helping fund GRIT’s work is always a good feeling. What is the best part of your volunteering role and why does it stand out to you? The flexibility really stands out to me. Being able to volunteer in a way that fits around my routine while still making a meaningful contribution makes the role enjoyable. How has volunteering changed you or made a difference to your life? Volunteering has given me a sense of purpose. It’s nice having something to focus on that feels productive and worthwhile, rather than just filling time, and knowing it’s actually making a difference. Is there anything you’d like to say to other young people considering volunteering? You don’t have to be perfect or have it all figured out to volunteer. If you’re good at something already, there’s probably a way to use it and still keep it enjoyable. Albert is a great example of how volunteering doesn’t always look the same — and how small, consistent actions can make a big difference. By organising and running GRIT’s Vinted account, Albert helps turn donated items into vital funds that directly support GRIT’s work with young people. His role shows how creativity, organisation and commitment can be just as powerful as being front-and-centre, and how youth volunteering can fit around individual strengths while still making a real impact. See more of GRIT's volunteer opportunities here .

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