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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

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!

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 .