Fantastic Friday Update

When: Tuesday 13 January 2026, 12pm - 1pm

Phone: 01727 649955
Email: training@communities1st.org.uk

Phone: 01727 649955
Email: training@communities1st.org.uk

Our Employment Support Hub helps job seekers gain skills and experience to be seen by employers. Our expert team can help with:

• Creating online job-seeking profiles
• Writing CVs, personal statements, and cover letters
• Interview preparation techniques
• Communication tips, and more!

Appointments available at:

• Leeming Road Hub in Borehamwood every Friday, 9.30am - 3.45pm - Drop-in available or make an appointment
• Ver House, Park Street on Mondays (by appointment)
• Caledon Community Centre, London Colney on Thursdays (by appointment)
• Civic Centre, St Albans (by appointment)

Appointments are available at other venues upon request.

Have you experienced hearing loss, or are deaf? Has this affected how you access your GP, pharmacy, opticians or dentists? Do you think things could be improved? 

Herts Hearing Advisory Service wants to learn about your experiences to help improve access to healthcare for deaf people. This is an opportunity for you to share your own experiences and help bring about positive change.

You can get involved by completing a short survey by scanning the QR code or attending one of Herts Hearing Advisory Service Deaf Clubs. No need to book, just arrive at the start time of the session.

Upcoming sessions include:

When: 1pm - 3pm, Monday 12 and 19 Jan
Where: South Hill Centre, Cemetery Hill, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1J

When: 7pm - 9pm, Friday 30 Jan
Where: Christchurch Baptist Church, 110 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6HN

Weekly drop-in sessions at Herts Hearing Loss offices at Weltech Business Centre.

To schedule a slot, please email: Zoe.Overing@hhas.org.uk

For more information or to ask any questions please email: communityresearch@communities1st.org.uk  

Research plays a crucial role in improving health and social care services, and you can be a part of it.

Ways you can get involved:

• Take part in research - join studies that interest you and help improve healthcare services
• Share your experience - give feedback on research priorities and help shape future studies
• Become a Community Research Champion - work with us to make research accessible and meaningful to your community
• Spread the word - encourage friends, family, and community groups to learn more about research and how they can get involved.

If you would like to find out about becoming a local community research champion, visit our website or contact us via email or phone using the details below.

To find out about local research studies you could take part in, scan the QR code above. 

Email: communityresearch@communities1st.org.uk

Tel: 01727 649900

Holocaust Memorial Day is a time to remember the millions of people murdered during the Holocaust, under Nazi persecution, and in the genocides which followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur.

Presented by Herts Inter Faith Forum and Hertfordshire County Council, this year’s theme, Bridging Generations, explores how sharing stories and experiences across generations helps keep memory alive and strengthens our resolve to build a safer future.

Date: Monday 26 January 2026
Time: 7.00pm – 8.00pm 
This will be a Teams online meeting. No prior registration needed.

Do you or a loved one have dementia or do you care for someone with dementia?
Do you want to make Hertsmere more friendly for those living with dementia?
We want to hear from you!

Communities 1st and Hertsmere Borough Council invite you to share your experiences of living with, or caring for someone, with dementia to help shape Dementia Friendly Communities in Hertsmere, and make sure Hertsmere’s long-term ambitions are designed with your experiences in mind.

Join us for an opportunity to meet with local dementia organisations and to have your voice heard.

Your voice matters - make a difference!

When: 1.30pm - 3.30pm Monday 26 January
Where: Aberford Community Centre, Aberford Road, Borehamwood, WD6 1PL

The local NHS is teaming up with Hertfordshire Libraries to help people understand how to find accurate and trusted health information during this month’s Health information Week.

Representatives from Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust and the Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB will be on hand at the following libraries to answer your questions, show how the NHS App can help you, and also take your blood pressure.

Locations and times:

• Hatfield Library: Wednesday 21 January, 11.30am to 1.30pm
• St Albans Library: Wednesday 21 January, 11.30am to 1.30pm
• Welwyn Garden City Central Library: Tuesday 27 January, 11.45am to 2pm

Positive Movement is an award-winning, gentle exercise approach developed by The
Sadie Centre which combines techniques drawn from Adaptive Yoga with the principles
and methods of the Alexander Technique and with Mindfulness approaches.

It is open to anyone over 60 with a mobility problem or who is living with a long-term
condition. 

This class is a free, 20-week programme, and you do not need to pre-book.

When: Every Wednesday from 3.30pm - 5pm, starting 14 January 2026
Where: Hampson Park Community Centre, Stevenage, SG1 5QU

Register for the classes using the button below and get access to the Zoom links. 

If you'd like to run your own inclusive dance sessions, our online courses are designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge to do this. Find out more on the Communities 1st website. To book sessions, take a look at the What's on button below.

Love getting outdoors? Want to volunteer? 

Lee Valley Regional Park has a countryside management programme for volunteers which offers a wide range of practical outdoor tasks to those who would like to give something back to their local environment.

Rennie Grove Peace hospice is keen to hear from local influencers, bloggers, content creators, and style enthusiasts with a flair for storytelling and a love of second-hand gems.

Whether you’re passionate about pre-loved fashion, a bargain hunter, or simply want to support a good cause, Adopt a Shop offers a unique opportunity to help make a difference to hospice care in the community.

Sustainable St Albans is a group of local people making St Albans District a more environmentally sustainable place to live.

Together, they find positive and creative ways to act across St Albans, Harpenden, and the villages to raise awareness and address the challenges of climate change, live more sustainably, and move towards a low-carbon economy.

They are looking for someone with a keen interest in sustainability and system change to be their liaison to the Transition Network.