Fantastic Friday Update

October is here and aside from the autumnal changes happening all around us, we also welcome a wide variety of awareness events and meaningful campaigns.    

ADHD Awareness Month is an annual campaign held throughout October to raise awareness about Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The month-long event aims to educate the public, reduce stigma, and provide support to individuals and families affected by this condition. The theme for 2023 is "Moving Forward With ADHD".

Next week also provides the chance to increase our knowledge of other neurodiverse conditions through  Dyspraxia Awareness Week (9th - 15th October) and OCD Awareness week (10th - 16th October).  These are two conditions that can affect people's perception and experience of daily life in very different ways.

Every year, World Mental Health Day is celebrated on 10th October. It is about raising awareness of mental ill health and driving positive change to improve  everyone’s mental health. The theme for 2023, set by the World Foundation of Mental Health, is ‘Mental health is a universal human right’.  You can find ways to support this campaign here. 

We would like to remind you that Communities 1st will be attending the International Day of Older Persons events organised by St Albans District Council. The first one will be held at London Colney Caledon Centre on the 9th October. Please see below for more information.

This week we are delighted to announce this week that Communities 1st has won an SME Business Elite Award 2023! This award recognises enterprises and business leaders playing a significant role in economic growth, innovation, job creation and community spirit across the UK. This is very welcome and well-deserved recognition for the tireless efforts of our volunteers and staff who work so hard for the benefit of our communities. Thank you to all who have made valued contributions to this work.

Have a lovely weekend! 

Nicola Oneill

Wellbeing Services Manager

If you or someone you know is in at-risk group or is isolated, 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.

Introduction to Air Frying

Have an Air fryer or considering buying one? Looking to cook cheaper and healthier? Come along to our cooking with an Air Fryer 3 hour session. Learn to cook with one, add new recipes and learn about the cost savings. Cooking tips will be provided on this free course along with a chance to taste food cooked in the air fryer.

Any Hertfordshire resident aged 19 and over is welcome to attend this course. Participants are eligible for the draw to win an air fryer if they have obtained a D grade or below in their Maths GCSE (or equivalent), or are in receipt of any benefits.

- IN PERSON COURSE - Hatfield

Tuesday 10th October, 10am - 1pm 

Hollier Court, French Horn Lane, Hatfield, AL10 8BX

More Information 

- IN PERSON COURSE - Letchworth
11th October, 2023, 10am - 1pm
John Coxall Court, Jackmans Place, Letchworth, SG6 2PS
More information

- IN PERSON COURSE - Welwyn Garden City
12th October, 2023, 1pm - 4pm
Woodside House, Bridge Road, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6UJ
More information

Quit smoking this Stoptober
When you stop smoking, good things start to happen — you can begin to see almost immediate improvements to your health.
So this October, join the thousands of smokers committing to quitting. Stop smoking for 28 days and you're 5 times more likely to give up for good.
It's much easier to stop smoking when you get the right support and there are lots of options to choose from.

More information

Hertfordshire's Annual Domestic Abuse Surveys

This is an opportunity to use your voice to help shape systems and services for domestic abuse in Hertfordshire.

The Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls Partnership are listening and committed to ensuring everyone gets the right help at the right time.

More information

Help to discover the history of the District's Black communities

To coincide with October's Black History Month, a Black History Research Group is going to be set up.
St Albans Museum is looking for people interested in examining the history of St Albans’ Black communities.
This is a long term project intended to improve their knowledge and understanding of Black history in the local area.
The volunteer research team will be provided with three training sessions a year (including one on researching family history) and enjoy being part of a supportive group.
No previous experience is required.

The first session to be held on Monday 23 October.  

More information 

Flourishing Lives - Celebrating UN International Day of Older Persons: All Welcome
Everyone is invited to a series of events in St Albans District to celebrate International Day of Older Persons.
There will be opportunities to find out about services which can help residents keep safe and well, get connected and stay independent.
People can drop in for a chat at the pop-up events in St Albans, Harpenden, London Colney and Redbourn.
Representatives from the Police, Trading Standards and the Fire Service will also be in attendance to talk about issues such as crime prevention.
Citizens Advice, Communities 1st, Age UK and other groups which work with older people will also be present at the Flourishing Lives events.

Free refreshments will be available with the events taking place at:

• London Colney Caledon Centre on Monday 9th October 9.30am-Noon.
• Redbourn Village Hall on Thursday 12 October 9.30am-Noon.
• Harpenden Library on Monday 16 October 10am-1pm.
• St Albans Library on Wednesday 18 October 11am-2pm

More information

Women's Safety Talks

Hertsmere Borough Council, Hertfordshire Constabulary and SAFE by CST invite everyone to two free seminar focussing on Women's Safety

These stay safe sessions will cover risk awareness, safety on the street, stalking, conflict management and much more. We will discuss personal safety in both your professional and personal life; including public transport, traveling to and from home, lone working and work visits. We also look at how to use technology to assist with your safety and avoid pitfalls.

Free refreshments will be available and anyone aged 18 or over is welcome to attend. Free parking and disabled parking are available at both venues.

• Radlett - Tue 10th October, 6.30pm - 8.30pm 

  The Radlett Centre, Douglas Hicks Room, Aldenham Avenue Radlett WD7 8HL

• Bushey - Sun 15th October, 2pm - 4pm

  The Niland Conference Centre

  93 Elstree Road Bushey Heath WD23 4EE

More information

Speak Up Month

Every year October is Speak Up Month – a month to raise awareness of Freedom to Speak Up and make speaking up business as usual for everyone.

The theme for this year’s Speak Up Month is Breaking Barriers.  

Awareness of some of the barriers to speaking up gets highlighted with the hope to give people the confidence to overcome these barriers and make speaking up business as usual.

More information

Give food waste the chop and save up to £720 a year

Research in Hertfordshire shows that a staggering 24% of an average bin is wasted food – most of it edible. In fact, 50-70% of the food we throw away could have been eaten.

Not only does food waste have a huge impact on our finances, it is responsible for up to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

That's why Hertfordshire County Council supports the Hertfordshire Waste Partnership's #WorthSaving campaign.

The campaign is based around '4 steps to save', helping you to plan, shop, store and eat your food in a way that will help reduce waste. Join the campaign and be in with a chance to win a meal out and cooking experience with a professional chef.

More information

Herts libraries slipper swap 2023

We all get less steady on our feet as we get older, and it's easy to take steps to prevent a slip or a trip.
Hertfordshire County Council has some great advice and helpful services, including a slipper swap to make sure we all keep a good grip on our floors at home. Bin your old slippers and come along to one of our events to pick up a new non-slip pair.

Slipper Swaps 2023 will be held at the following libraries:

• Bishop’s Stortford Library - Thursday 12 October Launch
• Abbots Langley Library - Wednesday 18 October
• Stevenage Library - Monday 30 October
• Hatfield Library - Wednesday 15 November
• Hoddesdon Library - Wednesday 29 November
• Hemel Hempstead Library - Thursday 7 December

All events run 10am – 1pm

More information

Community Outreach Worker

• Hours: 4 days per week (30 hours). Or 5 days per week (37.5 hours)
• Salary:  £24,500 – £25,500
• Location: Three Rivers District Council and Watford Wellbeing Centre

More information

Crisis Centre Team Leader (Nightlight)

• Hours: 5 out of 7 days – Role involves covering coordinator shifts where necessary which are: 7am to 3pm / 2pm – 10pm / Occasional Nights
• Salary:  £27,000 – £29,000
• Location: Hemel Crisis House, Hemel Hempstead

More information

Youth Work Development Worker

• Hours: 37 hours per week
• Salary:: £37,534 with the opportunity to progress to £40,550
• Location: Hemel Hempstead 

More information

Fleet Coordinator

• Hours: A part-time role of 20 hours per week over 4 days
• Salary: £15,600 pa 
• Location: the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore. 

For a full job description and person specification please contact The Operations Manager

Team Leader

• Hours: 37.5 working hours will predominantly be
  Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm with the need to cover the evening service Wednesdays until 7pm and the weekend service 10am – 4pm on a rota basis. Permanent. 
• Salary: £26,000 - £30,000 pa 
• Location: Hybrid - Stevenage Office / WFH

For a full job description and person specification