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MONTHLY NEWSLETTER: JANUARY
Welcome back to the monthly Year of Volunteering newsletter! Here we will keep
you informed about what is happening with the campaign, as well as providing
updates on all the activities going on across the county this month and the next.
JANUARY’S THEME
Happy New Year 2017! We hope you all
enjoyed the festive break. As we enter not
only a new month but a whole new year, it
seems fitting that a brand new theme
emerges from the Year of Volunteering.
This January, we are talking about
community safety and protection.
Volunteers play a huge role in making
Hertfordshire a safer place to live, work
and play. Read on to find out just some of
the things they are doing – from young
Cadets supporting the vulnerable elderly
and air ambulance volunteers who
support a life-saving charity, to a
volunteer street pastor who gives his time
to help people get home safely from
Harlow on a Friday night.
ACTIVITIES THIS
MONTH
Herts Sports Partnership are
hosting a park run celebration
event on Tuesday 17th January,
to recognise the people who turn
out in all weathers every week to
make it all happen. Read on to
find out more.
#TeamHerts are hosting two more
Introduction to Volunteering
sessions on Wednesday 18th
January and Thursday 26th
January in Letchworth and
Bishop’s Stortford. Read more
about them further on, including
info about a volunteer showcase
event at East Herts Council.
VOLUNTEER POLICE CADETS EMBARK ON A NEW
PROJECT TO HELP THE ELDERLY
Alzheimer’s & Cadets Helping Intimidated Elderly Vulnerable Victims Engage via
Community Action RAPPAW Engagement
ACHIEVE CARE is a new project to get Hertford & Ware Volunteer Police Cadets,
young people aged 14 to 18 years, to engage in social action to enhance the lives of
elderly residents in the community, including people living with dementia and victims of
crime.
The project not only provides young people with opportunities to build confidence,
interact with vulnerable or intimidated elderly residents and increase their understanding
of the generation gap, but also builds networking opportunities for the elderly and
provides a forum for the Cadets to impart safety advice to reduce the number of elderly
victims in the county.
ACHIEVE CARE brings together partners, such as non-profit organisations working with
vulnerable or intimidated elderly residents in the community, to engage with a diverse
set of residents at various locations. It also works closely with the RAPPAW scheme,
where Hertfordshire Constabulary and PAT (Pets as Therapy) train volunteers and their
dogs to assist in breaking down barriers and help victims and witnesses of crime who
may be feeling alone, vulnerable and in some cases traumatised.
The project involves some smaller gatherings, where Cadets can offer crime advice and
demonstrate computer skills to encourage and empower elderly residents to engage
with each other independently utilising technology. Larger themed gatherings will also
take place, such as tea dances and cinema nights.
KEEP OUR HELICOPTERS SAVING LIVES
Do you want to save lives in the New Year? That’s what we do at the Essex & Herts Air
Ambulance, a crucial charity that has been in flight for twenty years.
Our life-saving service is only possible thanks to our group of dedicated volunteers who
give their time, energy and skills to this worthy cause.
From helping out at fundraising events and bucket collections, to raising vital funds or
awareness, using professional skills in our offices and shops or hosting talks at schools
and events, there are many ways volunteers help Essex & Herts Air Ambulance.
Spreading the word and educating people about the work of the Essex & Herts Air
Ambulance is a major responsibility for our volunteers – whether it’s attending one of our
700 annual events or shaking buckets at a local supermarket – our volunteers are a vital
part of the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance family, and the charity is proud to have such
hardworking brand ambassadors.
If you would like to learn more about how you could keep our helicopters saving lives,
please visit our website or phone our Volunteering team at 0345 2417 690.
On the 22nd December 2016
the Cadets from Hertford &
Ware organised a Christmas
Party for residents from
Sanctuary Housing and
Quantum Care. DC Robert
Scott says: “We had music,
presents and on special
request dancing. The Cadets
really enjoyed themselves,
finding it quite emotional that
they had been a part of
making such a festive
occasion.”
BROXBOURNE COUNCIL AWARDED
PRESTIGIOUS ‘6 POINT PROMISE’
Broxbourne Council is pleased to announce that it has been awarded the coveted ‘6 Point Promise’ by the Volunteer Centre, Broxbourne & East Herts, on behalf of Volunteering Herts CIC. Achieving this award was an objective set out in the Council’s Volunteering Strategy and means that the Council can now utilise a range of benefits.
The areas of assessment included:
1. Planning for volunteer involvement – a Volunteer Policy covers all aspects of the relationship with volunteers. Role descriptions are produced and volunteering is open to everyone
2. Recruitment process – potential volunteers are contacted quickly and recruitment processes are fair, efficient and consistent.
3. Induction – new volunteers receive thorough preparation for their tasks and have a named person for ongoing support.
4. Support and safety – volunteers are covered by insurance and are included in health and safety policies. Out of pocket expenses are met wherever possible.
5. Training and personal development – volunteers motivations are met with appropriate tasks and those with extra support needs are enabled to volunteer wherever possible.
6. Involving, rewarding and recognising volunteers – volunteers contribute to decision making and are fully involved in the organisation’s activities. Volunteers receive appropriate recognition for their efforts.
Cabinet Member for Planning and Community Development, Councillor Paul Seeby, said “this is a great achievement that reflects on the hard work of the officers who coordinate the Council’s volunteering arrangements, but most importantly, the commitment from our volunteers.”
Loretta Borg, Director at the Volunteer Centre, presented the award to the Council at its annual event for volunteers on Tuesday 13 December at Cheshunt Park Golf Centre. Loretta said “The Volunteer Centre is very proud to honour Broxbourne Council in recognition of good practice. In achieving the 6 Point Promise they have gone above and beyond the call of duty to recognise and value the important contribution their volunteers make to the local community.”
Loretta Borg, Cllr Seeby, Dep Mayor Cllr Crump
#TeamHerts Volunteering in partnership with East Herts Council are inviting
organisations to showcase their one-off, short-term, group volunteering opportunities to
the employees of East Herts Council on 8th February from 11.30am-1pm at Wallfields,
Pegs Lane, Hertford, SG13 8EQ.
East Herts Council have introduced a volunteering scheme for their employees where
they can take one day of the year to volunteer at an organisation of their choice as an
individual or in small groups. They have over 300 staff looking for opportunities to get
involved with in East Herts, the #TeamHerts Volunteering roadshow represents a great
opportunity to come along and talk about how their one day of volunteering can help
you.
Limited space is available so if you would like to book a stand at the roadshow please
email: [email protected] or call: 01992 531 609 by 31st January 2017.
If you are unable to attend the event but would like to promote your opportunities at the
event, please get in touch with us as we may be able to promote these on the
noticeboard at the event.
#TeamHerts Volunteering will also be holding two Introduction to Volunteering sessions
this January aimed at individuals interested in volunteering. Introduction to Volunteering
sessions are for those who want to know a little bit more about the concept of
volunteering before they commit to anything. To reserve a place at these free
workshops please email [email protected] or call 01462 689 409.
Letchworth
Wednesday 18th January 2017
11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Letchworth Job Centre Plus, 2 Station Rd, Letchworth, SG6 3AZ
Bishop Stortford
Thursday 26th January 2017
11:00 am – 12:30 pm
East Herts Council Charringtons House, The Causeway, Bishop's Stortford, CM23 2ER
MAKING WOODLAND WELCOMING
One way in which the Countryside Management Service (CMS) work with volunteers to
build local pride and ‘ownership’ of green spaces is to support Friends Groups working
to promote and improve their local parks and open spaces. These self-sufficient groups
work tirelessly throughout the year as custodians and practitioners working for the
betterment of the open space.
The Oxhey Woods Conservation Volunteers demonstrate a strong dedication and deep-
felt affection for this site which is clear to see. As well as providing a safeguarding and
monitoring presence, the group are involved with activities ranging from the
improvement of wildlife habitats to maintaining and improving access routes for the
visiting public to enjoy the woodland.
As with all the Friends groups CMS support, the Oxhey Woods Conservation Volunteers
are always keen to recruit new members to assist in their valuable efforts. If you would
like to learn more about the work of this group or find other similar groups near you visit
our webpage.
One such group is the Oxhey
Woods Conservation
Volunteers, a passionate band
of people who have dedicated
a great deal of their time, in
most cases over many years,
to look after Oxhey Woods
Local Nature Reserve. The
site is an important 100
hectare woodland, including
some parts of ancient
woodland that have been
uninterrupted for hundreds of
years.
The group evolved into its
current form after a project,
led by CMS, to make the
woods more welcoming to the
public by surfacing and
waymarking paths, thinning
out trees and installing a
sculpture trail. The woods
transformed as a result and
are now thriving, with families
and dog walkers making the
most of this asset.
PARK RUN FOUNDER COMING TO
HERTFORDSHIRE
The parkrun movement started life as the Bushy Park (Teddington) Time Trial in
October 2004. Just over 12 years later it has become a worldwide phenomenon with
over 3 million people now registered who take part in over 1,000 weekly events in 14
countries, supported by nearly a quarter of a million volunteers.
The man who started it all, Paul Sinton-Hewitt CBE is coming to Hertfordshire on the
evening of Tuesday 17th January 2017 to attend the Hertfordshire parkrun celebration
event, being held at the Weston Auditorium, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield.
Over the past three years, the success of the parkrun movement in Hertfordshire has
been a microcosm of what has happened on the world stage. There are now 10
parkruns and 1 junior parkrun in the county, which attract upwards of 2,000 runners and
up to 200 volunteers each weekend. There are plans for a further 5 parkruns in the
pipeline and the success of the programme in bringing together communities and
helping to address health inequalities has been impressive.
So much so, that the Herts Sports & Physical Activity Partnership - the County Sports
Partnership for Hertfordshire – has organised an event to recognise the efforts of the
army of volunteers who give of their time so selflessly, so that, come rain or shine, local
parkruns can take place each and every Saturday morning at 9am.
In welcoming the forthcoming event, John
O’Callaghan, Director of the Herts Sports
Partnership who are jointly organising the
evening with parkrun UK, said: “Parkrun is
such a fantastic concept in so many ways. It
is populated by friendly, welcoming people
and its backbone is the volunteers that
make it possible each and every weekend.
We are indebted to Hertfordshire County
Council for their initial funding which has
supported the growth of parkrun in the
county, and feel honoured that Paul Sinton-
Hewitt has agreed to join us and deliver the
keynote address for this special occasion.”
The parkrun Volunteer Celebration Event is
open to anyone who has volunteered at a
parkrun in Hertfordshire over the past two
years and to any prospective volunteers
interested in better understanding what the
parkrun movement is all about. Register for
the event for free here.
Paul Sinton-Hewitt CBE parkrun
founder
To keep up-to-date with the Year of Volunteering visit: facebook, twitter, webpage.
If you would like to unsubscribe or have these emails forwarded on to another
member of your team, please contact [email protected].
Colin Gaskin has been volunteering for five years
with Ascension Trust Street Pastors in Harlow.
Being a street pastor for Colin means being a
helping hand to people on a Friday night in the
Harlow town centre between 10pm and 2.30am.
The initiative was started by Rev Les Isaac in
2003 as an inter-denominational church response
to urban problems. Colin’s favourite things about
volunteering are meeting new people, helping
people get home safely and being a listening ear
to people who just need to have a chat about life.
He says: “Volunteering has been a very rewarding
experience for me - it has definitely taken me out
of my comfort zone. I would encourage others to
try volunteering because you gain new
perspectives on life and people.”
COMING UP NEXT
February will continue the theme of community safety and protection. We’ll be exploring
more ways in which Hertfordshire volunteers help residents to feel safer, for example
through campaigns such as ‘Safer Internet Day’ on 7 February. If you have any articles
or case studies that you would like to be included in next month’s edition, please get in
touch using the email address below.
