HBS grant: £4,930
Citizens Advice St Albans District (CASTAD) is a local advice charity. Local volunteers and staff give free advice and practical support that is confidential, impartial and independent to help people deal with a wide variety of problems. We provide a lot of our advice by phone – working from offices in St Albans Civic Centre in the City, and also in person from Harpenden Salvation Army, the Well Bean Café in Southdown, Wheathampstead Marford Memorial Hall and the Parish office in Redbourn. We give advice at eight foodbank venues across the district, and we are part of the national Citizens Advice network.
Overall, we have a team of 82 volunteers and 24 staff and in 2024-25 we gave advice and support to 9,473 people – which is an average of 40 people every working day. The help we gave resulted in local people being financially better off by £2,403,376.
Typically, local people come to us because they need help with life’s major challenges – bereavement, ill health, disability, job loss or redundancy, relationship breakdown and the accumulation of unmanageable debts. Information may be available online but it is often overwhelming, being too complex or contradictory and of uncertain quality and reliability. We help people disentangle the symptoms and the underlying causes of problems and provide much needed reassurance and practical next steps.
But as well as empowering people to handle problems they have now, we also want to prevent future challenges. Our team were keen to reach children stepping into adulthood who lack the skills they need to navigate their financial futures. Our advisers, former teachers, bankers, accountants, lawyers have seen time and time again, the misery of debt, scams and poor budgeting.
A group of them met to devise fun games for 10-and 11-year-olds to teach them about risk, reward, saving and borrowing, interest and earnings. The grant from Harpenden Building Society supported the costs of developing and delivering workshops, and in 2024 we reached 581 children in 8 schools.
The workshops were very popular with pupils and teachers. One teacher commented ‘The workshops were amazing, and the children learnt a lot. It was lovely to see how engaged they all were.’ Another teacher explained ‘Our Year 5 and 6 have just had a half day each on a Money Workshop provided by the Citizens Advice St Albans. I cannot recommend it highly enough – highly engaging, very useful, combining both online awareness and money matters. I am now thinking of putting a couple of moneysavvy Year 6s in charge of the budget!’.
We started a waiting list of schools who heard about the workshops and declared their interest with their Year 5 and 6 pupils. This year we are delighted that Harpenden Building Society have helped fund another series of Money Management lessons in primary schools to help equip more young people to make better money decisions and prevent them getting into debt. We have already filled all the available places which remain oversubscribed.
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Community
OCT 21, 2026
Toastie Tuesday for Herts Young Homeless
Toastie Tuesday was back on the menu on Tuesday 20th October. Our much-loved Toastie Tuesday made a welcome return, bringing colleagues together for great food and an even greater cause. Toastie Tuesday is one of our fundraising initiatives where different teams take turns serving up delicious toasties to colleagues, with all proceeds going to our Charity of the Year, Herts Young Homeless. This time, the challenge was taken on by our Social Secretary Gavin Mullen and CEO Tracie Pearce, who did a fantastic job keeping our hungry colleagues fed. On the menu included: Ham & Cheese Cheese Brie & Cranberry Tuna Melt This edition raised £156 for Herts Young Homeless. A huge thank you to everyone who supported the event. It's always fantastic to see colleagues coming together to raise money for such an important local charity.
Community
JUL 20, 2026
St Albans & Harpenden Careers Fair 2026
On a glorious Friday in early July, four of our colleagues volunteered at the St Albans and Harpenden Careers Fair, held at Rothamsted Research Conference Centre. This annual event brings together students from local secondary schools, specialist education settings and colleges, creating valuable opportunities for young people to explore the wide range of pathways available after education. With a diverse mix of organisations in attendance, the fair helps connect students with employers, apprenticeship providers and training organisations from across the region. Throughout the day, students streamed into the venue, eager to speak directly with industry professionals, gain insights into different sectors, and learn more about the skills, qualifications and experiences that can help them succeed in the workplace. Our colleagues were delighted to represent the Society, sharing their career journeys and offering advice as students considered their next steps. There were plenty of engaging conversations with enthusiastic and curious attendees, many of whom were keen to learn more about who we are and what we do. Connecting with our local community and helping young people build confidence in their future aspirations is something we’re incredibly proud to support at Harpenden Building Society. Events like these provide a fantastic opportunity to make a positive and lasting impact, and we look forward to attending again next year.
Community
JUL 01, 2026
Harpenden Support – Mia Caruso
From a young age I have been fascinated by cars and have grown up as a Ferrari enthusiast. Watching the F1 from a tiny age was a normal part of my routine each race weekend. Towards the end of 2023, aged 13, I went to Teamsport Dunstable to try karting for fun. That one session resulted in me returning again and again – I was hooked! From then on, I joined their Race Academy and caught the racing bug. Still aged 13, I started testing cars, gained my racing licence and got my own kart for my 14th Birthday. From the summer of 2024 to the end of 2025, I spent nearly every weekend in my kart – racing 3 times each month across the country as well as completing testing in Italy, Belgium and Florida. While karting, I also tested cars at a number of legendary tracks including Silverstone, Paul Ricard, Donington and Snetterton. A highlight for me was attending the Winfield F4 School where I received excellent training in driving an FIA Formula 4 car, making my single-seater debut at the famous Formula 1 circuit - Paul Ricard in France. At the end of 2025, I was the youngest competitor to make it through to the world finals of an all-female racing competition. This enabled me to compete against a handful of women from all around the world in an ice-driving competition in Sweden, early 2026. Throughout 2026, I have transitioned fully into racing cars as it is my goal to make a career as a driver. A huge target of mine is to become a winner of the world’s oldest active endurance sports car race, the 24 hours of Le Mans. What’s next?Well, the future looks very exciting. Over the last few months, as well as completing my GCSEs, I have been testing in the incredible Radical SR3 XXR car. I was thrilled to test with current competitors at Silverstone recently and, on only my third drive in the car, my lap times put me in a competitive stance despite being the youngest to take part. Soon, I will be joining the Radical UK Cup grid for a full race season! Alongside this, I will be continuing to test in single-seaters to prepare me for the next stage. My upcoming plans involve preparing for the exclusive F1 Academy Rookie Test in 2027 with the hopes to secure a spot on the 2028 grid. This will enable me to race alongside Formula 1 and travel around the world doing what I love. I have already been invited to F1 Academy development workshops, and I have intensive day-to-day support from coaches who work with me and the F1 Academy to ensure I am ready to achieve this goal. Each week I train at iZone Driver Performance at Silverstone, where I work on my skills using their simulators and also receive motorsport-specific fitness training and mindfulness training. I also have daily calls with the team to ensure I am working as hard as I can to climb quickly up the motorsport ranks. I am thrilled that I also have been selected for a 2-year training course for young elite racing drivers. There were only 20 places available in the country, and I am over the moon to receive one of them! This course will allow me to gain qualifications whilst developing my driving skills on track as well as being prepared physically and mentally to compete at the top level, as well as giving me exposure to more opportunities in the motorsport world. It has been a busy few years, but I would always choose my racing life and am grateful to Harpenden Building Society for listening to my story and supporting my growing career. If my story has interested you and you would like to support me, you can follow my journey on Instagram: @miacarusoracing. I am also always open to welcoming partners who would like to support me further and work with me so please do get in touch if you would like to get involved: miapcaruso@gmail.com. I am delighted to partner with Harpenden Building Society as they support me on my exciting journey as a young racing driver. Mia Caruso,Racing Driver Harpenden Building Society are proud to be supporting Mia on her journey, we look forward to hearing about Mia’s future achievements.
Community
JUN 30, 2026
Herts Young Homeless – Volunteering
One of the most rewarding aspects of working for a building society is the opportunity to volunteer alongside colleagues. At Harpenden Building Society, every colleague is given two days each year to support causes and projects within the local community. In June 2026, the Harpenden Executive Team spent a day volunteering with our charity of the year, Herts Young Homeless, gardening, painting and transforming their Future Roots house. Future Roots is a 5-bedroom home in Welwyn Garden City, where Herts Young Homeless do fantastic work supporting young people from homelessness towards confident, independent living. We were hoping for a summer’s day, however in true British summertime, we had a day with torrential rain, hail and sunshine! Each member of the team was assigned to various duties; some of us picked up the task of working outside to tidy up and weed the patio and paved areas and carry out some much-needed pruning. This allowed one of the other members to utilise his pressure washer to give the paving a deep clean, after which the area looked amazing. Other members of the team planted fruit and vegetables in the raised beds, whilst others carried out re-decoration of the ground floor rooms after which these looked refreshed and bright. Our property and maintenance partners, Jardak Group and Brewers Decorator Centres, kindly donated the paint. We also had the opportunity to spend time with Maureen and Grace from Herts Young Homeless to understand more about the fantastic work they do. They kept us hydrated throughout the day. Despite the challenges of the weather, the team never complained and the enthusiasm to get the work done remained throughout the day. One day is never enough, more Harpenden colleagues are going to visit the Future Roots house in the coming weeks to complete the decorating, and we hope to go back later in the year to cut back the shrubs in the garden. The Executive Team
Community
JUN 25, 2026
2026/27 Charitable Grants: Harpenden Hopper celebrates ten years of community service
HBS grant: £3,000 The Harpenden Hopper has marked a very special milestone: ten years of helping local people get out, stay connected and remain part of everyday life in the town. What began with two ageing minibuses and a small band of determined supporters has grown into a much loved community service, now making more than 250 passenger journeys each week and firmly established in the fabric of Harpenden. At the heart of that success is the team of volunteer drivers, whose commitment, patience and good humour keep the Hopper moving day after day. They do far more than drive a minibus: they welcome passengers by name, help people on and off safely, keep an eye out for regular travellers, and make each journey feel friendly and reassuring. For many passengers, the Hopper is not simply a way to reach the shops, appointments or social activities; it is a regular point of contact, conversation and companionship.That contribution was warmly recognised at the Hopper’s 10th anniversary celebration on Friday 3rd July at Park Hall in Leyton Road, Harpenden. The event brought together volunteer drivers, trustees, regular passengers, sponsors and invited dignitaries, including Dr John Howie, Deputy Lieutenant representing the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Town Mayor Kirsti Wenn, Victoria Collins MP, and other Deputy Lieutenants Annie Brewster and David Williams. Speakers paid tribute to the service’s achievements, its volunteers and the late Rosemary Farmer, who played an important part in its early story. Victoria Collins MP also read the wording of an Early Day Motion congratulating the Harpenden Hopper on a decade of service, highlighting its role in combating loneliness, improving accessibility and reducing congestion. The motion also recognised the work of the five trustees, 22 volunteer drivers and mechanic who make it possible to coordinate hundreds of weekly journeys. One of the Hopper’s regular passengers, Amanda, spoke from the heart about the service. She said, “I was extremely happy when it [the Hopper] ran daily as at the time I worked as a Carer for Nannies4Grannies and I relied on the Hopper to get me around Harpenden. From the start, there was a wonderful community feel about it. I even volunteered to look after a fellow passenger’s cat whilst she went on holiday! I became ill with heart and lung failure and thought all was over but realised I could still use the Hopper with the help of the fantastic drivers the bus gave me a new lease of life; it has opened up my world. I have made wonderful friends with fellow passengers and drivers alike, especially a close friendship with another passenger - the two of us get out on the bus as much as possible, in fact we plan our outings and lives around the Hopper timetable, especially our monthly lunches at The Plough & Harrow in Southdown. In fact, it is an ‘in joke’ on the bus with other passengers who try to guess where we are off to next! I personally want to say thank you to everyone on the Hopper, for everything you do, for the wonderful service you provide and for all your kindness shown, not only to me but to all that board the bus. Thank you for everything, thank you for being my lifeline”. The continued growth in passenger journeys shows just how important the service has become. As more residents use the Hopper, the passenger community has grown too, with familiar faces, new friendships and a shared appreciation of the volunteers who make each trip possible. The volunteer team is also deeply grateful for the financial support provided by Harpenden Building Society, whose backing helps sustain this valued local service and its day-to-day contribution to community life. The celebrations continued throughout the summer with the annual Hopper passengers’ tea party which took place on Wednesday 19th August, in the garden of St Nicholas’ church hall at Cornelia’s coffee shop. All Hopper passengers were invited, and the much-loved selection of home-made cakes went down a treat. As always it was another happy opportunity for passengers, drivers and friends of the service to come together, ideally arriving, of course, by Hopper. “We are proud to have kept the Hopper running for ten years, but most of all we are grateful to our passengers, supporters and sponsors for making it such a warm and valued part of community life. Every journey reminds us why this service matters”. The Harpenden Hopper volunteer team
Community
MAR 20, 2026
Volunteering at the St Albans Scout & Guide Gang Show
In February, I had the pleasure of volunteering at the St Albans Scout and Guide Gang Show, an annual variety performance held at the Alban Arena. The show runs five performances from Wednesday to Saturday (with a double show on Saturday), filling more than 800 seats each time. In total, over 4,000 people came to watch - an incredible achievement for a youth production. First staged in 1980, the St Albans Gang Show has taken place every year and features around 120 performers aged 11–25. I first joined the cast when I was 16 and continued performing until I was 22. Since then, I’ve supported the show behind the scenes - working on the production team, helping with costumes and now volunteering as a mic runner. This is a role that involves fitting radio microphones to performers with solo speaking or singing parts, often during quick costume changes and in darkness backstage. Not glamorous - but vital! The scale of the operation is huge. We hire the Alban Arena for a full week, from Saturday to Saturday. On the first Saturday, dozens of volunteers arrive to move in and set up scenery, lighting, sound equipment, backdrops and hundreds of costumes and props. Everything must be sorted, ironed, and prepared for the cast. With plenty of tea, coffee and snacks to keep us going, it takes a day and a half to get the venue show ready. On Sunday afternoon the cast arrives, and we run through the entire production for the first time. This is when all the different departments - costumes, scenery, tech, props, and more, finally get to see months of preparation come together on stage. After the final performance on Saturday night, the work isn’t over. Everything must be packed away and removed from the theatre by 1am. Every costume then needs washing and storing for future years. Sadly, some of the scenery must be dismantled and burned due to limited storage space, but the spirit of the show lives on through the people who return year after year to help. Many former cast members have gone on to exciting things in the entertainment world, from performing in the West End to touring internationally with bands, even some with No. 1 singles. Others return to volunteer, helping shape the next generation of performers. Being part of the Gang Show, year after year, is hard work but it’s also uplifting, rewarding, and a real celebration of what young people can achieve with teamwork, creativity, and a lot of dedication. Making memories that last a lifetime. Kerry Cunningham - PA to CEO
Community
FEB 21, 2026
Keech Hospice 2025 Roundup
Now that we have announced our 2026 Charity of the Year, it’s important to look back and celebrate everything we achieved with our 2025 Charity of the Year, Keech Hospice. We are extremely proud of our efforts and the support we were able to provide to this incredible charity. Here, we’ve picked out some key highlights that showcase what we accomplished last year. Key Activities & Events Keech Cycle Challenge Nineteen colleagues took part in a sponsored cycle throughout the month of June. The target was to cycle the distance between Keech Hospice in Luton, Keech Living Well Centre in Bedford and the 38 Keech charity shops across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and Milton Keynes. We raised £725 for Keech Hospice and cycled 517.72 miles, more than double the distance we set ourselves. Bake Sales In March, June & December colleagues got their aprons on and took part in bake sales to help raise funds. From chocolate brownies and sausage rolls to banana bread and Victoria sponge. In total, we raised £748 through sales. Easter & Christmas Raffles Our Harpenden, Radlett, Leighton Buzzard and Tring branches conducted Easter and Christmas raffles to raise money for Keech. Some great hampers were put together by our branch colleagues. Throughout our branches, £807 was raised. Annual General Meeting In April, our AGM took place at Rothamsted Research Centre. Through this we made a charitable donation of £2,350 to Keech. Staff Volunteering In February, five colleagues volunteered at the Keech Hospice charity shop in Harpenden. Our colleagues sorted through donated clothes, shoes, toys, books and other items. Additionally, our team added price labels to the stock, so it was ready to be displayed. More volunteering days were subsequently scheduled throughout the year by several of our colleagues. As a society, we hope to continue to volunteer in 2026 both at the shop and at Keech’s new distribution centre in Luton. Fundraising Events: 16 Volunteer Hours: 194 Amount Raised: £5,758
Community
FEB 20, 2026
Herts Young Homeless – HBS Charity of the Year 2026
We are delighted to announce our 2026 Charity of the Year is Herts Young Homeless (HYH). Throughout the year we will be supporting HYH in various ways which we will display in future Mutual editions. HYH is an independent charity founded in 1998 that supports vulnerable young people across Hertfordshire who are facing homelessness or the risk of becoming homeless. HYH works with 16-24-year-olds who are homeless or at risk, and with 10-15-year-olds whose families are experiencing conflict or instability that could lead to a breakdown at home. They also support young adults aged 18+, including care-experienced young people and those struggling with mental health or substance misuse, who need help with housing and support. The charity provides a wide range of services that includes prevention, early intervention, crisis intervention and independent living support. HYH help young people find stability, build essential life skills, and move towards independence. Their work addresses issues such as family conflict, sofa surfing, financial difficulties, and the challenges that can follow leaving care. A safe home, supportive relationships, and stability are things many of us take for granted. But right now, thousands of young people in our community cannot rely on any of these. HYH is dedicated to helping them find safety, security, and hope, ensuring they never have to return to the fear and uncertainty of homelessness. Youth Homelessness In 2024, across the UK, over 136,000 16-25-year-olds presented at their local authority as homeless or at risk of homelessness. In Hertfordshire, many young people experience hidden homelessness which is less visible than street homelessness. This can involve long periods of movement between a range of precarious accommodation options such as on friends’ sofas or in inadequate or overcrowded conditions. Often, people are pushed into these situations when constant external pressures and strains build up over time. Many young people have been left carrying a very heavy load on their shoulders. The cost-of-living crisis, low wages and inadequate government support are all examples of pressures that can wear away and eventually, lead to a breaking point. These problems could be lessened with the right support, and this is where HYH step in. Nearly half of adults experiencing homelessness first became homeless under the age of 20, and this trauma can lead to long term support needs. Therefore, it’s crucial to respond to the needs of young people at the bridge between childhood and adulthood. HYH support the unique needs of young people within the wider homelessness system, with tailored, solution-focused support. Services HYH Provide Prevention Education The first stage in preventing youth homelessness is to equip young people with the knowledge and skills to avert a crisis. HYH offer sessions to students within the county that focus on the topics of homelessness, leaving home, anger management, independent living, managing conflict and healthy relationships. Sessions are interactive, engaging and fun whilst being carefully tailored and structured to complement the PSHE/RSHE curriculum, as well as school and student need. “I have learnt how hard it is to be homeless and how it is important to reach out when you feel concerned rather than after the crisis.” – Watford Girls School student Mediation HYH run a confidential and impartial mediation service for young people and their families where conflict is causing difficulty. Family breakdown is the single biggest cause of youth homelessness, so HYH work hard to strengthen family relationships. HYH mediators offer fair and unbiased support to help families recognise for themselves what issues need to be resolved and help them move forward in a way that feels fair and practical to everyone involved, resulting in fewer arguments and improved family relationships. What kind of challenges can mediation help solve? Breakdown in communication between parents/ carers and young person Conflict between family members about boundaries Arguments leading to young people being ‘kicked out’ of home Heightened emotions leading to conflict Arguments between young people and step-parent HYH Hub A single point of contact to access Homeless Prevention Services in Hertfordshire. This preventative, solution-focused service provides: An access point for support and advice for 16 & 17 year-olds in housing need A resource for young people, families and carers, and professionals to access homeless prevention services An assessment of needs and guidance on realistic housing options Access to signposting and referrals to support agencies Referral into Crashpad hostel bed spaces – depending on availability The hub acts as a ‘front door’ to homeless prevention services in Hertfordshire. The hub prioritises 16 & 17 year-olds and works intensively with them as well as their families/carers in order to prevent homelessness. The hub assesses and prioritises referrals depending on the situation. Outreach Services Advice Line Available via live chat, phone or email, this advice line is for 18-24 year-olds who need guidance on housing-related issues. Experienced advisors are available to talk about housing options, money advice, benefits information and much more. Advisors are also able to signpost individuals to other agencies or services that may be able to help. Outreach Housing Support Funded by Hertfordshire County Council, housing related support is offered to 18-24 year-olds who are homeless or are in accommodation and are at risk of homelessness. A priority group for this service is care-experienced young people. Examples of the support provided include: General tenancy sustainment Independent living skills Finding suitable accommodation Income / budgeting/debt advice Education and training Co-ordinating plans with relevant partner agencies ensuring all support needs are met HYH also have an Intensive Outreach Service which is specifically designed for those care experienced young people who require more in-depth support. Future Roots In partnership with Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, HYH have transformed a 5-bedroom house into a space that houses and supports young people by providing a stepping stone from supported accommodation into independent living. At future roots, HYH provide practical support to help housemates achieve financial stability and the necessary level of confidence and maturity that they need to live independently. The programme of support includes: Starting Careers: Helping build CV’s, set goals, and explore opportunities in education, training, and employment. Relating to People: Learn how to communicate effectively, resolve conflict, and build a positive support network. Being Healthy: Understand mental health, build resilience, and explore how physical health supports emotional wellbeing. Building a Home: Learn how to manage a tenancy, look after their own space, and prepare for their own home. Managing Money: From budgeting to bills – understanding rent, income, and financial planning. HYH recognise that each individual has areas of their lives that they still need support with. These needs vary from person to person. Support Workers assist each housemate to identify these areas, along with the support needed, so that they can build the necessary skills to take the next steps towards successful independent living. After successful completion of the programme of support, housemates can access a deposit for private rented accommodation using funds provided by Friends of HYH. All housemates moving-on receive continued outreach support, ensuring a smooth transition into independent living.