Communities 1st is a charity that arose from the merger of the CVS’s in St. Albans and Hertsmere, and once the covid-19 lockdown started with the assistance and financial support of the two district councils, the charity has recruited many new volunteers as part of its Compassionate Community Connector programme to support those socially isolated, the elderly and sick, and the disadvantaged in contacting them and providing support in many different ways in these difficult times.

Communities 1st have been taking the lead on coordinating the volunteer response to the covid-19 pandemic across the five districts of St. Albans, Hertsmere, Welwyn/Hatfield, Broxbourne and East Herts to support the most vulnerable.

Up to 8th April, 2263 applications had been received from prospective volunteers of which 1500 were from St. Albans, over 500 have been interviewed and 329 are working with 610 clients in areas such as telephone friends, dog walkers, shoppers and ordering goods, digital support, etc.

To enquire about joining the Communities 1st scheme, phone 0203 940 4865 on weekdays between 1 and 3 pm.

Comprehensive Information Resource. Please visit their site:

https://www.communities1st.org.uk/Covid-19Updates

if you need help and support and are self-isolating

If you need help (shopping, telephone tech support for online shopping or using skype/facetime etc) whilst isolated, you or someone on your behalf) can complete an online form at www.communitiest1st.org.uk/covid19support or call Communities 1st on 020 8207 5115 or email help@communities1st.org.uk
You will then be either matched with one of the Compassionate Community Connector volunteers, offered support immediately or signposted/referred on to a local voluntary/community organisation.

How to volunteer

To help those in need, Communities 1st has set up the Compassionate Community Connector programme for people who are healthy and at low risk, to help others.  There is a range of volunteer roles on offer from dog walking and befriending through to call handling and back-office functions.  Many thousands of people have signed up to support the service.  If you would like to offer support to someone in your community, you can sign up to the programme using the online form: www.communities1st.org.uk/COVID-19-community-signup or by this new phone number: 020 8207 5115 between 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Monday to Friday. There is a range of volunteer roles available.