Volunteer with us

Support your community and make a difference to the lives of unpaid carers in Hertfordshire.

 // Carers In Herts > Support Us > Volunteer with us

Did you know?

  • In your road, street, or block of flats that there is likely to be at least 1 family or friend carer for every 11 people living there
  • Three in five of us will be a carer at some point in our life

By volunteering with us you would really be supporting your community and making a difference to the lives of unpaid carers in Hertfordshire or outside the county caring for someone in Hertfordshire.
Click here to see our current volunteer vacancies!

Why volunteer with us?

  • We provide training for all roles and can give references after a suitable time period.
  • We can also help with the cost of travel and out of pocket expenses.
  • We keep you informed about our charity and volunteer work via a newsletter and emails.
  • It’s also a great way to make new friends and have lots of fun too!
  • We hold the 6 Point Promise, a mark of good practice when it comes to volunteering, showing that we are committed to looking after our volunteers and we have previously won awards for our volunteer service.

The aims of our Volunteer work

We hope that people volunteering with our charity gain from the experience of working with us. Our objectives are to:

  • Increase volunteers’ confidence in supporting local carers.
  • Boost volunteers’ overall wellbeing as a result of their volunteering role.
  • Improve and increase volunteers’ skills.
  • Help carers to feel less isolated because of the volunteers’ contributions.
  • Help carers to be more resilient and knowledgeable/confident in their caring role because of volunteers work.

How to apply

If you are interested in any of these roles, please let us know by filling in our online application form. Alternatively, you can download a Volunteer Application Interest Form and email it to or post it to the address on the form. Or just get in touch.

Why we volunteer

Don’t just take our word for it. Some of our volunteers have been sharing their experiences.

Farai, an office volunteer since September 2024

“I wanted to use my extra time to do something meaningful, so volunteering felt like the perfect fit. I enjoy supporting the admin team, meeting new people, and learning new things, and the flexible hours mean I can easily fit it around my working life.”

Pragna, Keep In Touch Volunteer and Mentor

“Being a mentor and a Keep In Touch volunteer has allowed me to keep in touch with the community. Our community has many vulnerable and lonely members. Reaching out and offering an ear has helped both of us and I have loved utilising my skills of listening, as well as having a chat. Being a people person and a carer myself, I understand what a difficult challenge it can be at times. It is extremely rewarding to know you can help in some way!”

Take a look at the full role descriptions for Keep In Touch Volunteers and Mentors on our Volunteer Vacancies page.

 

Stuart, a Keep in Touch Volunteer

“I set aside a couple of hours each week to call carers and check how they are. Taking the time to listen and support them is rewarding. I cared for my parents and volunteer to help other carers, so they feel less alone.”

Marjorie, Bereavement Volunteer

After Marjorie’s mum died in 1990, she decided not to return to teaching but instead wanted a new direction – in her words ‘something worthwhile and interesting’.

Marjorie said: “My role usually involves helping out at some of the group sessions and giving bereaved carers a phone call once a month. Listening properly and with empathy is what people need and appreciate at this vulnerable time. I also help out with allocating calls round to the group once a month as we all lend a hand with some of the administration.

As the work is reasonably spaced out, I still find plenty of time to pursue other interests such as sewing and growing fruit and vegetables on our allotment.
I meet many brave, courageous people who have cared for and then lost someone very dear to them. It is quite a privilege and I am always learning from them. This is worthwhile and rewarding work. It has certainly broadened and enhanced my outlook on life.”

Dianne, Hub Leader Volunteer

“I started volunteering after recovering from cancer, as I was looking for something to do to help others and use my skills. I knew about the excellent work of Carers in Hertfordshire through my previous jobs in the NHS. The Hub Leader is a lovely role and I enjoy meeting and getting to know so many carers. We try to give support to each other and to the carers, who tell us they really value the monthly meeting and look forward to it. I feel pleased that a small amount of my time and effort goes a long way to helping others.

Carers in Hertfordshire is a fantastic charity with the practical support it provides unpaid carers and the role it plays in local policy and decision-making. Everyone is so friendly and I feel valued and supported as a volunteer.”

The Hub is a group for carers that meets monthly so that they can get together to have a break from caring with other people who understand their situation as well as share advice and experiences and learn about services and support for them.

Take a look at the full role description for Hub Leaders on our Volunteer Vacancies page.

Volunteer Impact Survey

In 2026, we carried out a Volunteer Impact Survey to learn more about our volunteers’ experiences of working with us. We also carried out a snapshot survey of carers who have had volunteer support which is included in this report.

184 volunteers responded to the survey. We achieved the following outcomes:
• 67% of volunteers reported their confidence in supporting carers had increased.
• 43% of volunteers reported an increase in their physical wellbeing and mental well-being.
• 58% of volunteers reported an improvement in their social skills and 45% said their technical skills had improved.

Volunteer - Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do I apply for a volunter role?

    Go to our volunteering vacancies section and have a look at the types of volunteer opportunities we have available and how to apply.

  • How do I work out what role is right for me?

    If you’re not sure what type of role you’re looking for and want to discuss your requirements before you start searching, please call the Volunteering Co-Ordinator on 01992 58 69 69 or email volunteer@carersinherts.org.uk

  • How much time would I have to give to a volunteer role?

    This depends on you and what you’d like to do for us. Many of our roles are flexible and whatever time you are able give us will be much appreciated. Some roles require a more specific time commitment and this is stated in the role description.

  • Can I claim expenses?

    Volunteers should not be out of pocket as a result of volunteering for us! We reimburse reasonable travel costs, travel while volunteering and other expenses by arrangement.

  • Will I need to attend an interview?

    For most roles we’ll invite you to meet us for a chat. It’s a chance for you to find out more about the role and the organisation and we can get to know you better and find out how to best match your skills and interest to our current needs.

  • Do I need to supply references?

    We may wish to take up references although this will depend on the role.

  • What skills and experiences do I need?

    Volunteer role descriptions will list any additional skills or experience you may need. Many roles just require your time, energy and enthusiasm!

  • What support and training will I be given?

    Volunteers receive an induction and will be given all the training and support necessary to feel confident in the role. Staff members are on hand to provide ongoing help and support.

  • My Company encourages me to volunteer. Can you help?

    There are many ways in which you can volunteer to find opportunities please look at our role descriptions.  Carers in Hertfordshire is keen to nurture corporate relationships and work with companies to create rewarding challenges and projects to help the community.

    If you can’t find what you are looking for or want to discuss your requirements in more detail, please contact volunteer@carersinherts.org.uk

  • Are you allowed to volunteer if you are claiming state benefits?

    Yes – a person can volunteer for as many hours as they like whilst getting benefits as long as they keep to the rules for getting them.

  • Will volunteering affect Job Seeker's allowance?

    Volunteering will not affect jobseeker’s allowance (JSA) provided you:

    • remain available for and are actively seeking a full time paid job
    • take reasonable steps to find a job (e.g. answering adverts, signing up with an agency and taking other steps required by the Jobcentre Plus office)
    • inform the Job Centre/ Jobcentre Plus office that you are volunteering
    • can attend interview within 48 hours and take up work within one week.

    A volunteer:

    • receives no remuneration, only reimbursement of actual out-of-pocket expenses, which does not count towards the Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA) ‘earnings disregard’
    • can be contacted whilst volunteering if a job opportunity becomes available
    • can be available at a week’s notice to start work or attend an interview with 48 hours’ notice.
  • Will volunteering affect my other benefits?

    Volunteering should not affect income support as long as you are not receiving any money other than reimbursement of expenses.

    You should notify the relevant agency before starting if you receive Incapacity Benefit (IB), severe disablement allowance, employment and support allowance (ESA), carer’s allowance (CA) or industrial injuries disablement benefit.

    Carers Allowance (CA) is not affected by volunteering unless it prevents you providing care for at least 35 hours each week. There is no limit to the number of hours someone can volunteer whilst in receipt of Incapacity Benefit (IB), though in the past some benefits agencies have claimed that volunteers who volunteer regularly and for a substantial (in their view) amount of time could be seen as fit for work.

    Employment Support allowance (ESA) was introduced on 27 October 2008 and, for new claimants, replaces both Incapacity Benefit (IB) and income support paid because of disability or incapacity (although all claimants will be reassessed for Employment Support Allowance (ESA) by spring 2014). The regulations for Employment Suport Allowance (ESA) clearly state that claimants will be allowed to volunteer. The regulations also recognise that reasonable expenses can be reimbursed to claimants who volunteer.

    There are some benefits that are not affected by volunteering and where the relevant agencies do not need to be informed that the person is volunteering. These include; state retirement pension, council tax benefit, housing benefit, statutory maternity pay, maternity allowance, war widow’s pension and widow’s pension.

    Volunteering hours do not count towards Working Tax Credits and volunteering doesn’t affect Child Tax Credits.

  • I still have questions about volunteering?

    If you still have any questions about volunteering after reading the FAQs section, you can email us at: volunteer@carersinherts.org.uk or ring 01992 58 69 69.