Charities in St Albans

Could you give some time or money to a local charity? Do you need their help?

There's lots of great charitable work going on in St Albans. We have branches of Age Concern, the Alzheimers Society, Amnesty International (see below), Cancer Research UK, Home Start, Mencap, the MS Society, Oxfam and Scope.

The St Albans Council for Voluntary Service has details of current volunteering opportunities, provides CRB checks and can give general advice on charitable matters.

Here are just a few local charities to consider:

• Computer Friendly: helps disadvantaged and excluded people in St Albans to gain IT skills through tasters, training courses and outreach programmes. Volunteers welcome. Website: www.computerfriendlystalbans.org.uk
• Crohn’s and Colitis UK: aims to improve life for everyone affected by Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), the most common forms being Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Website: www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk
• Earthworks St Albans: provide work experience and horticultural training to people who often have learning difficulties or mental health problems. You can buy their products at the monthly farmers market. Websites: www.earthworksstalbans.co.uk
• Grove House Hospice: offers free specialist care, advice and support to people affected by cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Website: www.grove-house.org.uk
• Home Start St Albans: offer practical and emotional support for families with under-5's in the district. Volunteers are always needed and receive full training. Website: www.homestartstalbans.org.uk
• Open Door St Albans: open 365 days a year to provide emergency overnight accommodation, a cooked meal and support services for single homeless people. Website: www.opendoorstalbans-district.org
• Reach Out Projects: provides resources and a range of holiday opportunities to groups supporting people with special needs and physical disabilities. Website: www.reachoutprojects.org.uk
• St Albans Amnesty International Group: meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 8pm in the Friends Meeting House. For more details, please contact Penny Williams on 01727 868367.
• St Albans and Hertsmere Women's Refuge: Like all women's refuges, SAHWR provides emergency accommodation, help and advice for women (and their children) experiencing emotional, physical and sexual domestic abuse. Email: info@sahwr.org.uk
• St Albans PHAB: organises activities, outings and holidays that bring physically disabled and able bodied (phab) children together to have fun. Website: www.phabstalbans.co.uk
• The Hospice of St Francis: provides free, specialist and professional support and care for people with terminal illness across West Hertfordshire including St Albans, Harpenden, Wheathampsted and Markyate. www.stfrancis.org.uk

If you would like to help, there regular appeals for clothing, door-to-door collections and fundraising events taking place year-round. Why not volunteer to support a charity, or set up a regular donation?