Blink and you may not have noticed it, but for a couple of days this week the sun has shone!

No doubt those of you who have gardens to tend took the opportunity to spend time there.

For those that don’t have a garden – could you turn your enthusiasm, skills and knowledge by helping to make a big difference to the lives of others and at the same time meet new people and gain new experience yourself, through volunteering?

As the Centre for Voluntary Service, we support groups in the North Hertfordshire and Stevenage area to help find and match suitable volunteers to groups and help them remain sustainable.

Right now, our GoVolHerts volunteering portal have a number of opportunities available in our area for the green fingered members of our community, including these:

Growing People is a mental health charity based within the Sadie Centre in Letchworth. Their qualified team provide a range of distinctive and empowering social and horticultural therapies to reduce stress and isolation and increase physical exercise and confidence.

Currently this group has two roles that they are seeking volunteers to cover: Gardening Volunteers and Support Volunteers.

The Gardening Volunteers help maintain the grounds and gardens. One team works on Thursday mornings, a second starts soon on Saturdays.

Support Volunteers assist those participants who all have mental health challenges - with gardening tasks.

The Red Shed in Stevenage provides gardening activities for people living with dementia and their carers.

It runs fully accessible garden clubs in a specially designed dementia friendly garden. The charity’s aim is to improve both physical and mental wellbeing and to reduce isolation, enabling its participants to enjoy the benefits of gardening in a relaxed and safe environment.

Presently the Red Shed has three volunteer roles that it is recruiting for including someone to help with general garden maintenance.

A spokesperson said: “We need some extra help and support with keeping our garden fabulous all year round – digging, planting, weeding, watering...

"If you can spare any time to help us out, we would love to hear from you!"

For further details about each of these volunteering opportunities – and similar roles currently on offer at Garden House Hospice Care, Brainkind at Stagenhoe, Green Care at Norton CIC and a super role at Hitchin Youth Allotment, together with many more different types of volunteering posts, visit the home of volunteering in Hertfordshire, www.govolherts.org.uk

North Herts & Stevenage CVS supports local groups to develop and thrive. For further information on how we can help your community group visit www.nhcvs.org.uk or email info@nhcvs.org.uk