Fantastic Friday Update

June has arrived and it’s packed with great opportunities aiming to increase awareness in our Community.

This week is National Volunteers Week (1st-7th).

At Communities 1st we always get excited about this week of national celebration. It offers us the perfect opportunity to show how much we appreciate all the incredible volunteers in our community and their indispensable support. It’s also an opportunity for Volunteers to be incredibly proud of themselves for their efforts helping the good causes that matter to them.
Regarding Volunteering, we are proud to let you know we are launching a new service for volunteers called "Let's Give". More details can be found below.

"Child Safety Week" will run from Monday 5th to Sunday 11th of June. Its theme this year is "Safety Made Simple" which aims to make accident prevention more straightforward for parents. You can find a parent pack here offering simple changes that are designed to fit into busy family routines.

World Environment Day, occurring on Monday 5th,

has put ditching unnecessary plastic the core of this year's theme. The #BeatPlasticPollution message is a reminder that people’s actions on plastic pollution matters.

This coming week is also National Carers Week. Its theme for 2023 is 'Recognising and supporting carers in the community'. This major annual campaign aims for communities across the UK to come together to recognise the huge contribution unpaid carers make to society.

Please note that whilst our Community Hub, at 5 Leeming Road, Borehamwood is closed for repairs due to flood damage, support is still available! We’re making every possible effort to ensure alternative provision is available for those who need to meet with us but in the meantime please do give us a call at 01727 649930 or write to us.

Stay safe and have a lovely weekend!

Nicola Oneill

Wellbeing Services Manager

COMMUNITIES 1ST INFORMATION AND SUPPORT

If you or someone you know is in at-risk group or having to isolate, and needs help or support with shopping, prescription collection, pet sitting, urgent supplies or tech support, you can contact us.

Email: help@communities1st.org.uk.
Phone: 01727 649930.

Alternatively, if you would like to volunteer yourself to support this service, please contact us or visit our website for further information.

HEALTHY HUBS

Come and visit us at one of our Hubs this week :

MONDAY 5th JUNE : Borehamwood Foodbank (1pm - 3.30pm), Computers and a Cuppa - Wyllyotts Centre Potters Bar (10.30am - 12.30pm)

TUESDAY 6th JUNE: : Creative Community Café at Phillimore Place, Radlett (12pm - 4pm), Radlett Library (10am -12pm)

WEDNESDAY 7th JUNE : Creative Community Cafés & Computers and a Cuppa in Aberford Community Centre, Borehamwood (12pm -3pm), Health and Wellbeing Event, Allum Lane, Borehamwood (4.30pm - 9pm)

THURSDAY 8th JUNE : Bushey Library (10am - 12pm), Drop-in Session on Domestic Abuse with ASAHWR Outreach at Windsor Hall, Borehamwood (10am - 12pm) - every other week

FRIDAY 9th JUNE : Creative Community Cafés - Computers and a Cuppa - Organ Hall, Borehamwood (10am-2pm)

INFORMATION TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS

St Albans Community Showcase

Communities1st will attend the first ever Community Showcase event, to highlight charities, not for profit and other organisations that operate locally to support social justice and environmental issues and build a stronger, more inclusive community.

There will be over 50 local organisations showcasing their work, as well as panel discussions and children’s activities.

Saturday 10th June, 11am -3pm

St Albans Cathedral

For more information

Volunteers Week (1-7 June 2023)
National Volunteers Week takes place from 1st - 7th June. This is an opportunity to celebrate volunteers and their invaluable contribution in the support to the community.
Communities1st are inviting members to come and meet us at our volunteer hubs across Herts.

So, why not drop in to see us during Volunteers Week at:

Monday 5th June, 10.30 – 12.30
The Radlett Centre
Aldenham Avenue - Radlett, WD7 8HL
Tuesday 6th June, 10.00 - 16.00
Wyllyotts Centre - Wyllyots Close, Potters Bar, EN6 2HN
Wednesday 7th, 10.00 – 14.00
St Albans Civic Centre - St Peter’s Street - AL1 3JE

For more information

Health and Respiratory Awareness Event

Come along for a chat with local health professionals to find out more about health and respiratory services and support available in Hertsmere . There will be lots of stalls hosted by organisations, including Asthma +Lung UK and Healthy Hubs Hertfordshire.

Everyone is welcomes , but booking a place is recommended.

Wednesday 14th June, 1pm - 4pm

Aberford Community Centre, Borehamwood

For more information and to register

New guide to mental health support in Hertfordshire

An online directory of mental health services in Hertfordshire is now available, helping you get the support you need.
Whether you are looking for self-help resources to boost your mental health, need a listening ear or emotional support, or you are in crisis and need urgent help, you can find a service to support you.

For more information

Let’s Give

Communities 1st is launching a new service for volunteers. You will be able to create your own space on our website, so that organisations can find out about you and reach out about their volunteering roles. You won’t need to display any personal contact information as we will do all the brokerage, so we will put you in touch with the organisations that have reached out for you. It’s a great way to showcase your skills and experience to local community groups, and can help match you with a role where you can make a real difference.

If you work for an organisation you will be able to find out about volunteers accordingly to the role you need to cover.

For more information contact us by email or call 01727 649953.

Gambling and Related Harms

This online CPD accredited training aims to help make problem gambling more identifiable for practitioners and volunteers working with women, men and young people in both generic and gender specific services.

Tuesday 6th June, 2pm - 4.30pm

For more information

CLP Course Art for Wellbeing

This Art for Wellbeing course is funded by Step2Skills, and will be running in St Albans next month. It is aimed at Hertfordshire residents aged 19+ who haven't previously taken a CLP course which has been funded by Step2Skills

Every Friday starting from the 9th of June .

10am - 1pm

St Albans Conservative Club

For more information

Come Along & Bowl!
Ever fancied trying your hand at bowls? Free sessions take place in Borehamwood every Wednesday from 1-3pm at Aberford Community Centre, WD6 1PL.

During the session you will be given techniques and tips on how to improve your play. No previous experience needed and equipment will be provided.

Everyone is welcome and there will be refreshments provided as well as other activities to try. For more information please email here.

Alban Street Festival - 25th June

Communities1st will be present at the street party that will take place on St Peter’s Street and Market Place, with much of the City Centre closed to traffic.

It will feature a mix of music, food, street entertainment, arts and crafts, games and activities to celebrate the rich and diverse history and heritage of St Albans

The Alban Street Festival follows the Alban Pilgrimage, which takes place on Saturday 24 June and commemorates the martyrdom of England’s first saint with a huge parade of giant puppets and costumed children.

Sunday 25th June, 12pm - 6pm

For more information

Have your say on dementia services

Hertfordshire County Council is reviewing what community support is offered in Hertfordshire to people living with dementia and their carers.

They want to hear from you as it is equally important that the new services are shaped by a broad range of people within Hertfordshire, including those with dementia, mild cognitive impairment, young onset dementia (under the age of 65), those who are worried about their memory but have not yet received a diagnosis and their carers.

Please complete this survey, which can be anonymous, but if you would like to be involved in a working group set up to help shape the future of how Hertfordshire supports those with dementia and their carers, then please leave your details at the end of this survey. If you think of anything else that you would like to say then please contact via email