A community worker has said she is ‘very sad’ about a volunteer project which is coming to an end next month.

The Community Action Hertsmere small groups project, which provides support and advice to small community and voluntary groups, will come to an end at the beginning of next month after five years of support.

The project, which has been funded by the Big Lottery, was due to reach 500 groups across the county but has smashed all targets with more than 600 groups benefiting from the service.

Groups that have approached the service have been wide ranging, from those trying to encourage children to take up a sport to groups celebrating their cultural or religious heritage, and includes the foodbank in Borehamwood, Fellas Fitness in Potters Bar and Bushey’s Herts Inclusive theatre.

Isobel Hatfield, small groups development worker, has worked with the project since it began in 2009 and has personally worked with 214 groups across Hertsmere.

She said: “I have been amazed by the sheer drive and determination of all the groups that have come to me for support and advice. Helping these groups to flourish and be successful within the community is what it’s all about.

“Volunteer work is really important and can change lives. These groups have really changed the landscape of the town, and made life richer for the better.”

Those running community voluntary groups, or wanting help and support to start up new groups, will still be able to access some limited help and information from the Community Action Hertsmere website.

However one-to-one support will no longer be available after the project finishes on October 10.

“People are not always into using technology so it may cut these groups out of the equation without our one-to-one support. It’s these people I’m really worried about after this project finishes.

“Groups can access the toolkit we have made, which is full of advice for how to set up important procedures and rules, but it’s just not the same. I’m trying to make people aware that they can come to us for help at any time before we stop in October.”

The team at Community Action Hertsmere are currently looking down more avenues for funding, so that the project can continue in some shape or form.

Chief executive Heather Walsh said: “It has been a pleasure to work with Isobel. She has done some fantastic work with the community and we’re sorry to see her go.

"The service has shown it is well used and we are in the process of trying to source more funding options so we can consider bringing Isobel back in the future.”

She added that the service is also looking for people with IT or community development skills to join their board of trustees.