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When Jenny Bridger first arrived at Penniwells Riding for the Disabled (RDA), she wasn’t just looking for something to do. Having recently left hospital, Jenny was already involved in riding for the disabled and volunteering gave her a sense of purpose at a time when recovery felt uncertain. Penniwells became a place where she could channel her motivation into something positive, helping others while rebuilding her own confidence. So strong was that connection that Jenny chose to remain in Hertfordshire after leaving hospital, simply so she could stay involved. That was over ten years ago. “I wanted to prove that people in hospital can volunteer,” Jenny explains. While still an inpatient, she went out for the day, not for shopping trips or days out, but to volunteer at the yard. The Penniwells team were incredibly supportive, always ensuring someone was nearby if she needed help and allowing her role to grow gently and safely over time - at her own pace. She began with stable work and learning how the yard operated, gradually building confidence and understanding how each RDA group worked. As her confidence grew, so did her involvement - from fundraising challenges like marathons, abseiling and fancy-dress events, to creating sensory tracks and social media posting, and now with a hands-on involvement building wooden animals for the yard. “I’ll often take my screwdriver up to put things up for them,” she laughs. “Being able to get involved in as much or as little as possible - especially with my mental health - is really important.” That flexibility has allowed Jenny to remain involved through health appointments, setbacks and milestones alike. Sometimes she even travels with the group to competitions and shows. "Volunteers don't just give their time, they give people the confidence to believe in themselves. Volunteering fills a space in your heart that you didn't know was empty and we cannot do any of it without the support of our volunteers. The riders and volunteers both benefit from feeling very much part of the Penniwells Team and family, " says Sarah Healing, Penniwells Centre Manager. Beyond the stables, Jenny has supported Pony Club sessions on Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons, hoping to one day train as a leader for this group. She has encouraged riders to get involved in arts, crafts and creative writing and taken on the “extra bits” that busy staff don’t always have time for. Penniwells, part of the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), supports around 140 riders a week and requires many volunteers to support them. For Jenny, what the organisation has given her goes far beyond numbers. “I’m very grateful for what they give me,” she says. “They gave me a sense of security when I was moving into a new area and allowed me to start an independent life. It’s been a constant for me.” Jenny set herself a personal goal: if she could volunteer consistently for a year with no relapses or hospital admissions, she would consider moving into a more formal role. She achieved that - and went on to become a volunteer with Mind Network, where she works part time leading part of their experience team, helping to develop training whilst encouraging others to use their experiences to improve mental health services. Still, when times are hard, Penniwells remains her anchor. “When I’ve had major struggles, the first place I’ve gone back to is Penniwells,” she explains. “Being around animals is a huge passion for me, so if I don’t want to be there, that’s a sign I need to check in with myself.” One moment stands out above all others. Jenny formed a deep bond with a particular mare - so deep that she now has her tattooed on her back. “She told me to go home,” Jenny recalls. “She nudged me towards the stable door - like she was saying, ‘You’re not well enough to be here today.’ That horse represents RDA and Penniwells to me. It’s a space I can always go back to, even if it’s just for ten minutes.” That sense of safety and acceptance is central to Jenny’s experience. “There’s no demand, no pressure. It’s about what you feel comfortable with.” She strongly believes in the RDA motto - ‘It’s what you can do that counts’ - and believes it can be applied it to everyone, not just riders. “They’ll always find something you’re confident with. You don’t need experience; you can come and learn.” For Jenny, volunteering has been mutually beneficial. “Everyone helps out, regardless of ability or disability. It’s about showing people: you can do this .” Volunteering has also given her friendship, routine and community - things she didn’t have after spending four years in hospital. Penniwells’ inclusive, LGBTQ+-friendly environment helped her feel safe and confident, and for many people, she says, volunteering can be a stepping stone to work, part of a health plan, or simply a place to belong. “People volunteer for lots of reasons,” Jenny says. “Not just because they want to do something good - don’t worry about being judged for that. If it works for you and helps you, that’s fantastic.” She’s clear that charities benefit just as much as volunteers do and take real pride in the progress people make. “You might think you’re helping someone else, but actually, it’s about what it can do for you too. That gratitude flows both ways.” “I may never be able to work full time,” she reflects, “but if I can do things that make me feel like I’m doing something good, that matters.” For Jenny, volunteering has always been more than a role. “Volunteering is where I could be myself.” 

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

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