Fantastic Friday Update

It's the height of summer! Enjoy the sunshine, but remember to stay safe during periods of high heat and humidity. Drink plenty of water, wear sunscreen, and take breaks from the heat. Looking for fun activities to keep the kids entertained during the school holidays? Check below for some wonderful event ideas.

This week on World Humanitarian Day 19 of August, we come together to honour humanitarians around the world who relentlessly strive to save and protect people in need. It’s a reminder of our shared humanity and the importance of supporting humanitarian efforts. On the same day we also celebrate World Photography Day where we celebrate the art and science of capturing precious moments. Grab your camera and immortalise your summer memories!

We are excited to announce that Para Dance UK is back with inclusive online dance sessions, please scroll down to find out more.   

As always, we have included the latest Action for Happiness monthly calendar for you to take a look at. This edition is all about acts of altruism, making August a month for being extra kind to yourself and those around you. 

Enjoy your weekend!

Nicola O' Neill
Wellbeing Services Manager

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

• Monday 19 August: Computers and a Cuppa at the Radlett Centre (10:30am - 12:30pm), Creative Community Café at Windsor Hall (10.30am - 12:30pm), Borehamwood Foodbank (12:30pm-3pm)
• Tuesday 20 August: Better Days Hub at Wyllyotts Theatre in Potters Bar (10am - 12pm) and Caledon Community Centre in London Colney (11am - 1pm), Men That Meet at Windsor Hall (1:30pm - 4 pm)
• Wednesday 21 August: Better Days Hub at Aberford Community Centre in Borehamwood (10am - 12pm)
• Thursday 22 August: Book Swap Shop and Grow Your Own Sunshine at Farriers Way Centre in Borehamwood (10am - 2pm), Creative Fun with Numbers at Aberford Community Centre in Borehamwood (10am - 1pm) and Better Days Hub at Bushey Library  (10am - 12pm)
• Friday 23 August: Better Days Hub at Community Hub, 96 Shenley Road in Borehamwood (10:30am - 12:30pm)

Come and join us for fun with your child!

Help them to explore numeracy through a range of creative and physical activities.

Make new friends and play with numbers!

Drinks and light refreshments will be provided.

Phone: 01727 649960

Email: training@communities1st.org.uk

• 22 August, 2024 10am - 1pm

  Aberford Community Centre, Aberford Road
  Borehamwood, WD6 1PN

• 27 August, 2024 10am - 1pm

  Elm Court Youth and Community Centre, 363 Mutton lane, Potters Bar, EN6 3BP

• 29 August , 2024 10am - 1pm Bushey Library, Sparrows Herne, Bushey, WD23 1FA

More dates available in September.

Join the Herts Sport & Physical Activity Partnership for the Live Longer Better in Hertfordshire Celebration Day event to discover innovative ways to stay strong, maintain balance, enhance flexibility, and foster a sense of community. 

This FREE event will consist of a mix of keynote speakers, informative marketplace and physical activity sessions. 

Please bring a water bottle on the day, as there are water fountain facilities available to use. Wear comfortable clothing and supportive shoes. All equipment will be provided for on the day.

Thursday 5 September, 9am - 3:30pm 

University of Hertfordshire's de Havilland campus and Hertfordshire Sports Village, Hatfield (AL10 9EU).

Throughout the summer holidays, our Community Centre in Farriers Way is getting busier and busier.

Every Thursday fun activities are taking place in the garden. These include: planting, plant pot decorating, growing your own veg and more.  

On the same day book swapping also takes place. Why don't you bring your old books and swap them for ones you haven't read yet? You'll find a stand set up in or just outside Farriers Way. You can also pop in for free refreshments whilst you select your books!

Both activities, every Thursday 10am - 2pm

Farriers Way Community Centre, 27 Farriers Way
Borehamwood, WD6 2TB.

Contacts: 01727 649980

welcome@communities1st.org.uk

HAPpy Camps under Hertfordshire’s Holiday Activity and Food Programme are still running throughout the Summer. Sign up for your child so they can enjoy fun experiences, including physical activity, enrichment, a healthy meal and snacks.

These camps are all FREE, for children aged 4-16 (reception to year 11) who are registered to receive benefits-related free school meals. Please contact your child's school for a booking code or email HAF@herts.ac.uk.

The Summer Reading Challenge 2024

The Summer Reading Challenge is a free holiday activity for children.

This year’s Summer Reading Challenge is all about creativity. From dance to drawing, junk modelling to music, there's something for everyone. Children will be able to find new reads linked to their favourite creative arts and access free activities at the library.

Children can take part either at the library or online. The in-person and online challenges are separate.

Residents' survey 2024 

If you are a Hertfordshire resident and have yet to take part in the annual residents’ survey 2024, Hertfordshire County Council would love you hear from you. Your responses will help shape how things are done in the future.

The survey is open till 15 September 2024 (11:45pm).

Would you feel confident enough to act in an emergency? Practice live-saving skills with the help of Hertfordshire Fire Service. Free CPR Awareness sessions are being run by fire crews at Borehamwood and Elstree Fire Station and the Hertsmere Community Safety Partnership.

At the sessions, participants will learn about the recovery position, how to deal with an unconscious person who isn't breathing, CPR and how to use a defibrillator.

The sessions will take place at Borehamwood Fire Station on these following dates:

• Tuesday 20 August, 7pm to 8pm
• Friday 20 September, 2pm to 3pm

For more information and to book your place:

Email: community.services@hertsmere.gov.uk

Call: 020 8207 7801

Herts Sport & Physical Activity Partnership and Herts County Council are to present Herts Summer Parks – an exciting programme of FREE festival-style park events for teenagers across Hertfordshire this summer! The programme runs in five local parks every week through August with a diverse range of free physical activities including skate, graffiti, climbing wall and so much more. 

Fun In The Park event is back this summer in three of your amazing local parks. It will be a day of FREE inflatables and games that you do not want to miss.

All events will take place from 12:00pm to 15:00pm.

• Monday 19th August at Oakmere Park, Potters Bar
• Wednesday 21st August at King George Rec, Bushey
• Tuesday 20th August at Meadow Park, Borehamwood

Suitable for children aged 2+. You only need to book ticket for children.

We’re still buzzing from the incredible energy at Parallel Windsor! This year, we were thrilled to take center stage with our Greatest Dancer Challenge. Seeing so many people come together to dance was truly inspiring. It was an unforgettable experience.

We can’t wait to be back next year!

Para Dance UK aims to develop and promote dance as an inclusive leisure activity across the country for those who would otherwise be excluded. Para Dance UK offers and runs courses online for people who want to provide their own inclusive dance classes.

For instructors, a limited number of fully funded courses (worth £650) are available to those who live or work in Hertfordshire (A deposit is required).

For dancers, online sessions will resume in September. These inclusive and fun sessions with moderate intensity will not only get your heart and lungs going a bit faster but also foster mindfulness. Available classes are:

• Adult Dance Club - all adults are welcome on Mondays from 10am.
• Primary After School Dance Club - for primary school-aged children on Wednesdays from 4:15pm.
• Through the Decades Dance Club - suitable for care homes and older people on Wednesdays from 11am.
• Youth Dance Club - for young people aged up to 25 years on Wednesdays from 5pm.

• Hours: 33 to 44 hours per week
• Salary: £23,272 per annum (pro rata)
• Location: Rennie House, Tring

• Hours: 37.5 per week
• Salary: £23,500
• Location: Rennie Grove Peace Shop - Herts

• Hours: Full time
• Salary: £31,528 - £42,475 per annum
• Location: Hertfordshire