MONTHLY NEWSLETTER: DECEMBER

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.

DECEMBER’S THEME

“’Tis the season to be jolly…” and keep

celebrating the fantastic work of

Hertfordshire’s volunteers! The festive

season is also a crucial time to make

sure that our most vulnerable people are

supported so that they, too, can enjoy

Christmas time.

December’s newsletter is packed full of

examples of Hertfordshire residents who

spend their free time helping others, from

volunteer mentors helping young people,

to Home Start volunteers providing

support for families, to day service

volunteers who offer supportive services

for vulnerable adults.

ACTIVITIES THIS

MONTH

Herts Sports’ Partnership hosted

their Herts Service to Sport Awards

on Thursday 1st December to

celebrate the fantastic work that

volunteers do to get people active

in Hertfordshire. Read more about it

below!

It’s Christmas! A perfect time to

think about others. Share the

festive spirit with your neighbours,

friends and family this December

and let’s all reflect on another year

of great achievements by

Hertfordshire volunteers.

RECOGNISING OUR VOLUNTEER MENTORS

Hertfordshire County Council’s volunteer mentors provide one-to-one support to young

people. We held a networking event for them on Saturday 19 November, to celebrate

some of the fantastic achievements they have made throughout the year.

The event included our Mentor of the Year awards, which were nominated by the

young people who have received mentoring. Eleven nominations were received and

the winner, Lyndsay Ansell, and runner-up, Emma Williams, were presented with their

awards by Taryn Pearson-Rose, Assistant Director, Customer Service & Libraries….

Lyndsay Ansell

“I feel much more confident and happier

now. Lyndsay found me a youth club that I

could go to and she even drove me to and

from it because I couldn’t find anyone to

take me…When I was with Lyndsay, I

always felt confident, safe, happy and

carefree. I could relax and have a nice hot

chocolate too. She also helped me with

what to do for work. Lyndsay is amazing

and she deserves this. She is caring,

lovely, kind, funny and gives great advice.”

Emma Williams

“Emma gave up her Monday evenings

after working all day to listen to me and

give me great advice. She made me feel

that I was important and could achieve

things when I doubted myself…When my

mentoring with Emma was coming to an

end she didn’t just stop seeing me, she

arranged another few appointments weeks

apart, to see how I was coping. Emma is

kind, considerate, and sympathetic but

also good fun and great company.”

What do their mentees say?

HOME-START: PROVIDING SUPPORT IN HERTS

Vulnerability comes in all shapes and sizes and any of us can, or may have been,

affected by illness, bereavement, tragedy or crisis.

At Home-Start we receive on average 7-8 referrals a week from families in Herts

needing support. Our trained volunteers visit the family each week providing practical

and emotional support to help families move forwards and children to feel settled and

happy.

This heartfelt feedback from a family explains just how valuable the volunteer support is:

"When my child was injured during her birth, as first time parents all our dreams, hopes,

expectations and intentions fell apart there and then. All we had was a dark and

foreboding prognosis. A bleak and virtually hopeless future. And there is no doubt, none

what-so-ever, that without Home-Start, we would not be here today.

I would have been unable to return to work (under threat of redundancy) in order to pay

the bills and keep the roof above our heads. My wife would have been unable to attend

the multiple weekly consultants, doctors, specialist, educational, physiotherapy and

hospital appointments.

Without Home-Start, my wife would have spent much more than the first five months of

our child's life locked in a hospital room.

Believe me, I could go on, and on, and on...

We are intelligent, logical and high-functioning individuals. Without Home-Start we

would have collapsed. Failed. Crumbled and who knows what more. We have been

through three years of utter terror, complete and unyielding horror. Thank the gods for

Home-Start.”

INTRODUCTION TO VOLUNTEERING EVENTS

Do you know someone who is interested in volunteering but not sure where to start?

Then tell them to come along to #TeamHerts Volunteering’s free Introduction to

Volunteering events to find out what's involved, the opportunities available locally and

meet a local charity. Our next events are in the New Year, sign up now as we only have

limited spaces available.

Join our Letchworth event on Wednesday 18th January 2017 11am to 12.30pm at

Letchworth Job Centre Plus, 2 Station Road, Letchworth, SG6 3AZ.

Or our Bishops Stortford event on Thursday 26th January 2017 from 11am – 12.30

pm at East Herts Council, Charringtons House, The Causeway, Bishops Stortford,

CM23 2ER.

If you would like to attend or know someone who would, please book by emailing

enquiries@teamherts.org or call 01462 689409.

TOP TIPS FOR PREVENTING LONELINESS

Christmas time can be isolating for elderly people who may live alone or have family

living far away. A recent survey revealed that two fifths of people in Hertfordshire speak

to their neighbours less than once a week or month.

Here are ten easy tips to help an elderly person during the festive season; support our

campaign to #endloneliness.

Write or deliver their Christmas cards

Help older people put Christmas trees or

decorations up

Share a meal

Take older people to Christmas parties

Help wrap Christmas presents

Invite an elderly person living alone for a

chat

Help them with their Christmas shopping

Help put out the bins

Help write a Christmas card for your

neighbour

Join a befriender scheme

SUCCESS FOR LOCAL SPORTS VOLUNTEERS IS

CELEBRATED IN RIO STYLE

Another successful Herts Service to Sport Awards evening took place last week in the

Weston Auditorium at the University of Hertfordshire. Trophies were awarded to 45

sports volunteers from all over Hertfordshire in front of an appreciative audience of

around 450 guests.

The traditional range of categories was topped off by five individuals receiving Lifetime

Achievement awards for their long-term contributions. The Director’s Award was

presented posthumously to David Wray’s wife and daughter by Herts Sports Partnership

vice-chair and long-time friend, Mervyn Morgan. He gave a moving and appreciative

tribute to David, highlighting his invaluable contribution to sport in St Albans, to St

Albans City Youth and to the wider Hertfordshire community.

In true Rio style, the audience was entertained by Steelasophical steel and drum duo,

by UH music students Fatma Fadel and Liam Richards, and by a troop of Love to

Dance ladies from HSPs Over 50s Active Together programme in Whitehill, Welwyn.

The evening was organised by the Herts Sports Partnership to acknowledge and

celebrate these fantastic volunteers. To view images from the evening, visit

wwww.sportinherts.org.uk and click the Sports Awards image.

Above: Unsung Hero winners

3rd place is Paul Thomson, Hemel Cycling Club

2nd place is Brian Harding, Hemel Hempstead Town Youth FC

Winner is Siobhan Ferrandes, Barclay parkrun

Siobhan has been a key figure in establishing the Barclay parkrun which began last

summer, allowing over 941 individuals of a variety of ages to take part. She regularly

spends Saturday mornings performing vital functions that allow for the event to run

efficiently and safely, namely managing the marshals around the course. Additionally

she provides behind the scenes support, helping to maintain the roster of event

volunteers as well as promoting interest for the event through social media.

SURGE IN VOLUNTEER INTEREST FOR

HERTFORDSHIRE HEALTH WALKS

Since the beginning of September 2016 there has been a significant increase in

enquiries to the Countryside Management Service (CMS) regarding its Health Walk

leader volunteering opportunity.

CMS has identified a number of reasons for this, including the promotion of volunteering

through #TeamHerts and the Year of Volunteering. However, since CMS ran an

advertisement in the recent Autumn edition of Horizons magazine, produced by the

County Council, interest has boomed. There have been almost 50 responses to the ½

page call to action, since the magazine dropped in October.

CMS has delivered two Health Walk leader training days and has two courses planned

for January 2017 in order to meet demand across the county. These new walk leaders

will be an asset to existing and new walks. They’ll be supporting communities across

the county, providing an opportunity for people to get some exercise whilst getting

important social contact and making long lasting friendships.

CMS is encouraged by this new interest in volunteering because the Health Walks team

is currently developing new walks in London Colney, in partnership with London Colney

Parish Council and St Albans District Council, and a greater number of walks for

residents of South Oxhey, Mill End and Maple Cross in Three Rivers District.

More information about volunteering as a Hertfordshire Health Walk leader and to view

the September – December 2016 and January-April 2017 programmes visit

www.hertfordshirehealthwalks.co.uk

DAY SERVICE VOLUNTEERS SUPPORTING

VULNERABLE ADULTS

Hertfordshire Day Services offer friendly supportive services for older people and

adults with physical and learning disabilities. Here are some of the fantastic volunteers

that make this work possible…

Emma, Bishop’s Stortford Day Service

“I have been volunteering at Bishops House

for a year now and it still does not feel like I

am working – it feels more like I am

hanging out with friends. I think it is really

important to make time for someone, which

is why I like listening and helping people to

reach their personal goals. I will do

anything I can to help someone and make

their day a bit easier and more enjoyable.”

Jim, Broxbourne Day Service

Jim recently won the prize of joint runner-

up at the County Council’s Volunteer

Awards for his contribution to Broxbourne

Day Service. “As well as making toast and

drinks for everyone, I get involved with

running activities, such as circle dancing

and card games. I really like working with

the staff and people who come to the

service – I love to see everyone’s smiling

faces and seeing everyone so happy.”

Karen, Dacorum Day Service

Karen has been volunteering for Dacorum

Day Service for nine years. “The days are

varied and I could be helping out with

dancing, singing, music or circle dancing. I

also make drinks and help people to eat

their lunch. I really like working here and

get on really well with most and the staff

and people who use the Centre. It feels

like it like my second home!”

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COMING UP NEXT

It’ll soon be the start of the New Year 2017, and with the new year comes a new theme

for the Year of Volunteering. January is based around community protection and safety,

so don’t forget to send us your stories and case studies!

In the meantime, we wish you all a great festive season, the perfect time to share our

thanks for all that our volunteers do for others in Hertfordshire. Have a very merry

Christmas and a happy New Year.

Steve, Ware Road Day Service

“I volunteer every Wednesday and get

involved in lots of different activities,

anything from sensory sessions,

dominoes, sports, quizzes, reminiscence

sessions or trips out. I find the work very

rewarding and really enjoy seeing smiles

on people’s faces knowing they are having

a good time; that’s when I say to myself it’s

been a great day!”.

Simon and Fido, across Day Services

“Following a stroke which left me very

poorly and needing a wheelchair, I started

attending Stevenage Resource Centre who

helped with my rehabilitation. I am a lot

better now and have moved on from

attending the Centre to volunteering there.

I love volunteering with Fido (his trained

Pets as Therapy dog) across the Centres.

It’s my opportunity to give something back

to the community that helped me so much.”