Corporate Volunteering

Summer is over, the clocks have gone back and with darker, colder nights settling in, comes a re-focus of priorities. For many, that focus includes more on family and doing good, but for some it means more time doing things that matter. In a world that often feels busy, hurried and increasingly disconnected, it can be easy to underestimate the difference we can make simply by being there for someone. Yet sometimes, the smallest gestures have the biggest impact. A friendly conversation over tea, a shared story and laugh, a listening ear or a familiar face can mean more than we ever realise. This is the heart of befriending, reminding people that they matter through connection, from as little as an hour a week. Loneliness: More Common Than We Think Loneliness can affects all of us, and varying stages of life. But for those that are at risk of going into hospital, or having just come out of hospital, whom have limited mobility or struggling with mental health challenges, living on your own or being separated from family can escalate loneliness and social isolation and take a real toll on physical and mental wellbeing. Loneliness is not just about being alone; it is about missing that sense of connection, belonging and being considered. It can leave people feeling invisible, even when the world around them continues to move at full speed. But a little human connection can help change that; a regular visit, a weekly phone call or an hour spent chatting over a cup of tea can give someone something to look forward to. It can break up a quiet week, bring a smile to their face and remind them that they are not forgotten. "Having Carol has made a huge difference to my life, I feel like I have a friend I can trust." Client of Be-friending service, Reach Out The Power of an Hour Imagine giving just one hour of your week to someone who would genuinely value your time, whose week could be made by your interaction... who may not otherwise have contact with the outside world or access to human connection. There is no need for grand plans, expensive outings or transforming someone's home. Sometimes, the most meaningful thing you can offer is simply yourself. An hour of befriending might mean: Sharing a conversation. Taking the time to ask about someone’s day, listen to their stories and show a genuine interest in their life. Sharing a laugh. Finding humour in everyday moments and creating memories that brighten an otherwise ordinary day. Sharing stories. Listening to the fun and wisdom from someone's life, whilst also sharing the mundane everyday experiences too. Sharing a cup of tea. Sitting together without rushing, enjoying the comfort of companionship and allowing conversation to flow naturally. Maybe with the addition or a biscuit or a slice of cake! Sharing interests. Talking about favourite books, watching a programme, discussing the garden or seeing photos of loved ones. Sharing a little of the outside world. For those who would appreciate it, a short walk or a simple trip out can bring a welcome change of scenery. These moments might seem small and insignificant to the person giving their time. But to someone experiencing loneliness, they can become the highlight of the week. That is the power of an hour. It is not measured by how much you achieve, but by the difference your presence can make. A Friendship That Makes a Difference Befriending is about much more than filling an hour in someone’s diary. It is about building trust, creating a sense of routine and consistency in what can feel like an uncertain world, and developing a friendship that genuinely cares. To try and ensure a relationship that lasts, many befriending charities will match volunteers and client's together based on things like similar interests or experiences, culture or religion, allowing for a friendship to develop naturally rather than feeling forced or hard work. Whereby an hour of volunteering actually turns into of an hour of catching up with a friend. It is easy to think that making a difference requires a huge commitment. We may believe we are too busy, too inexperienced or not quite the right person to volunteer. But befriending shows us that making a difference does not have to be complicated and is something that everyone and everybody is able to do. And perhaps, in the process, it could brighten your week, too. Do you have an hour to spare? Check out our latest befriending opportunities and get ready to make a difference:

Becoming a Trustee is a great opportunity to make a meaningful difference, contribute to positive change and help shape the future of an organisation from the top down. Whether supporting a charity, community group, school, foundation or other not-for-profit organisation, trustees play a vital role in ensuring that an organisation remains focused on its purpose, operates responsibly, legally and ethically and delivers the greatest possible impact. Yet, despite the importance of the role, there is a lack of awareness and there are still misconceptions about what it means to be a trustee. Some people believe it is a position reserved for wealthy individuals, experienced professionals or those who have plenty of spare time. Others assume that trustees simply attend meetings, sign documents and offer advice from a distance. In honour of Trustees' Week, let's dispel those misconceptions, uncover what the role really entails and encourage you to consider what could turn out to be your ideal opportunity to offer your time, experience and skills in support of a cause that matters to you. Misconception 1: You Have to Be an Expert to Become a Trustee One of the biggest barriers to becoming a trustee is the belief that you need to be an expert in finance, law, leadership or governance. While professional credentials are valuable, trustees bring much more than just technical expertise. There are many differing organisations to get involved with and they benefit from people with different backgrounds, experiences, perspectives and skills. You might have experience in community work, education, business, communications, fundraising, project management or you may have lived experience or a strong understanding helpful to the organisation's mission. These experiences could be just as important as formal qualifications. Being a trustee is also an opportunity to learn. You can develop your understanding of governance, strategic planning, financial oversight and leadership while contributing to an organisation's mission. Which in turn can help with a career shift, or progression. Reality: You do not need to know everything before you start. Unless otherwise stated, your willingness to learn, ask questions, think critically and act in the organisation's best interests are what matter most. Misconception 2: Being a Trustee Is Just About Attending Meetings For some, the word trustee brings to mind a diary of meetings, lengthy reports and formal discussions. Although meetings are an important part of the role, trusteeship involves much more than that. Trustees help set an organisation's strategic direction, monitor its performance, oversee its finances, manage risks and ensure it remains accountable for its decisions. They must be prepared to read papers, ask challenging questions, contribute to discussions and follow up on agreed actions. The level of involvement will vary depending on the organisation, its size and its needs. Some trustees may also support safeguarding, fundraising, attend events, build relationships, digital security or share specialist knowledge. An effective board requires a diverse selection of minds, experience and areas covered to promote a healthy, sustainable organisation. Reality: Effective trusteeship requires interest in the progression and sustainability of an organisation. You'll need to attend meetings but it's your overall engagement and input that's important - your participation and commitment are key to the organisation's long term success. Misconception 3: You Need to Be Wealthy or Well Connected Another common misconception is that trustees must be wealthy, have influential contacts or be able to make significant donations. This belief can discourage those considering applying for a role, particularly those from underrepresented communities or people who have valuable lived experience but limited financial resources. Although fundraising and networking may be part of a trustee's responsibilities, trustees are not expected to fund an organisation themselves. Their contribution may come through their knowledge, time, judgement, advocacy and ability to help the organisation make informed decisions. A trustee who understands the needs of the community an organisation serves may offer insights that cannot be measured in financial terms. Reality: Your value as a trustee is not determined by your bank balance or contact list, but instead your contribution, commitment and consistency to supporting your organisation. Misconception 4: Trustees Have Unlimited Time and Availability Given the importance of the role, some people assume that the work of a trustee is all-consuming and may leave little time for other responsibilities. In reality, whilst trusteeship does require commitment, the time required varies considerably between organisations and roles but is rarely more than a few hours a week with the need to be available for periodic board meetings and key events. Some periods, such as key fundraising dates or the end of the financial year, may be busier than others, but these should be given to you in advance to help manage your diary. The important thing is to understand the expected commitment before accepting a role and to be realistic about what you can offer alongside work, family life and other responsibilities. Organisations should also be clear about expectations and provide appropriate support to help trustees fulfil their duties. Reality: You don't need extensive availability to be an effective trustee - many busy people fit it into their lives - but you do need to be reliable, prepared and consistent. Misconception 5: You Cannot Become a Trustee Without Previous Board Experience Another misconception is that trustee opportunities are only open to those who have already served on a board or held senior leadership roles within an organisation, be it charitable or otherwise. While previous experience can be helpful, it is generally not essential and new trustees can bring fresh perspectives and challenge established ways of thinking. If you are considering becoming a trustee for the first time, look for organisations that clearly explain their expectations and offer appropriate support. Reality: You do not necessarily need previous board experience. You need the right approach, a willingness to develop and learn, and a genuine commitment to the organisation's purpose. Do you now feel more open to becoming a trustee? If you are thinking about it, but still unsure, it might be worth reflecting on these questions: Am I passionate about the organisation's purpose or the community it serves? Am I willing to learn about governance and take my responsibilities seriously? Can I contribute useful skills, knowledge, experience or a different perspective? Am I prepared to ask questions, challenge constructively and work collaboratively? Can I commit the time needed to fulfil the role effectively? If you'd like to find out more on becoming a trustee, why not watch our How to Become a Trustee video. Or, have you become inspired to find your dream trustee role?

GoVolHerts already helps people find ways to volunteer across Hertfordshire. Now, in an exciting development enabled by the Volunteering for Health Hertfordshire and West Essex programme, we're looking at how to make it easier for people to do more. Volunteer Profile+ is a pilot scheme which will enhance our existing GoVolHerts platform. Launching early next year, it will give volunteers the option to add information about their experience, skills, training and checks to their profile. For volunteers this means they can keep all their volunteering information in one place and it can help them apply for other opportunities without having to provide the same information repeatedly. For organisations, it could mean less administration, additional information about potential volunteers and getting new volunteers involved more quickly. This isn't about encouraging volunteers to move from one organisation to another. We know local organisations invest time in their volunteers, and those relationships matter. The aim is to make it easier for people to get what they want to from their volunteering, and where appropriate, to extend or better utilise their skills. We hope it will enable people to give their time more easily and more quickly. That's the thinking behind Volunteer Profile+: a stronger, more connected volunteering ecosystem, where people can easily develop in their volunteering and organisations can better benefit from people who want to give their time. A new development thanks to the work of many volunteering partners This development is possible through the Volunteering for Health programme, which has brought together partners across health, care, local government and the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector to explore how volunteering can better support people and communities across Hertfordshire and West Essex. The functionality is being developed by Deedmob , the technology provider behind GoVolHerts, and will build on our existing platform. From theory to action Months in the planning, we're now moving from exploring the idea to designing it – with volunteers and organisations, not just for them. Over the coming months, that means speaking to volunteers, people who don't currently volunteer and volunteer managers about what they need from a Volunteer Profile and how it could work in practice. Want to be involved in designing this? There'll be plenty of opportunities as the new enhanced profile is designed and tested. Survey : Volunteer Profile+ Engagement Survey – Fill in form Focus Groups - you can choose from either: Online - Thursday 19th November, 7:00pm–8:00pm via Microsoft Teams. In person - Monday 23rd November, 10:30am–12:00pm, at the North Herts CVS office in Hitchin. We will provide hot drinks and pastries. As a thank you for taking part in a focus group, participants will receive a gift voucher. Why take part? Your insight could make a real difference. By sharing your experiences and ideas, you will help shape Volunteer Profile+ so it works better for volunteers and organisations. The session will be a friendly, informal conversation—there is nothing to prepare, and no right or wrong answers. We would love to hear your perspective. There will be further opportunities to get involved and share your views as the development progresses. To be part of this, or find out more, email [email protected] . What matters most Ultimately, this is about a shared ambition: Making it easier for people to do good locally – and making it easier for organisations to benefit from that goodwill. About Volunteering for Health Volunteering for Health is a national programme designed to develop improved volunteering infrastructure to reduce barriers to volunteering. The programme has been funded by NHS Charities Together, with NHS England and NHS CW+. The Volunteering for Health Hertfordshire & West Essex programme is one of 15 partnerships selected to deliver activity: the partnership has focused on increasing capacity, developing an enhanced Volunteer Profile for passporting, and reducing inequalities. Find out more: Volunteering for Health - CW+