Fantastic Friday Update

Welcome back to our cozy little weekly update! Whether you're a longtime reader or a new friend, we're delighted to share news about local events and training courses with you.

As the days grow shorter, let's make the most of the daylight and stay warm. However, with the arrival of longer nights, it's the perfect time to look up at the stars and celebrate World Astronomy Day on October 11. 

Next week, we're celebrating National Baking Week and World Food Day on October 16. Let's take this opportunity to appreciate the food we have, avoid food waste, and enjoy a delicious treat. Take a look at our"Introduction to Air Frying" and "Slow Cooker" courses where you might find inspiration to bake a cake or whip up a tasty and inexpensive meal for yourself and your family.

On October 17, we'll observe the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Let's reflect on the importance of global equality and consider ways to support those in need.

We hope this newsletter sparks your interest and inspires you to participate in local events and activities.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Nicola O' Neill
Wellbeing Services Manager

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

• Monday 14 October: Better Days Hub at Wyllyotts Centre in Potters Bar (10am - 3pm), Marshalwick Library (10am - 12pm), Woodhall Library in Welwyn Garden City (10am - 11am), Computers and a Cuppa at the Radlett Centre (10:30am - 12:30pm),  
• Tuesday 15 October: Better Days Hub at Wyllyotts Centre in Potters Bar (10am - 3pm),  and Caledon Community Centre at London Colney (11am - 1pm), Men That Meet at Windsor Hall in Borehamwood (1:30pm - 4 pm)
• Wednesday 16 October: Computers and a Cuppa at Community Hub in Borehamwood (10am - 2pm)
• Thursday 17 October: Book Swap Shop at Farriers Way Community Centre in Borehamwood (10am - 2pm), Better Days Hub at Bushey Library and Central Library Welwyn Garden City(10am - 12pm), Computers and a Cuppa at Bushey Library and our Healthy Hub in Borehamwood (12pm - 2pm)
• Friday 18 October: Better Days Hub at 96 Shenley Rd in Borehamwood (10:30am - 12:30pm)

Come and join us for a FREE Halloween Fun with Numbers event for you and your children. This is an opportunity for them to explore numeracy through a range of creative and physical activities.

Monday 28 October, 10am - 1pm
Aberford Community Centre, Aberford Road, Borehamwood, WD6 1PN

Come along to our session and discover the versatile use of air fryer. Learn to cook healthier and cheaper 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.

21 October 2024, 10am - 1pm

Aberford Community Centre, Aberford Road
Borehamwood, WD6 1PN

Contact us to register now!

Phone: 01727 649960

Email: traning@communities1st.org.uk

Celebrate Black History Month with a vibrant cultural market and workshop taking place the last weekend of the month in Hatfield.

Explore the latest fashion, handcrafted treasures, delicious treats, and educational resources. Support local businesses and emerging talent while enjoying a fun-filled day for the whole family.

Communities 1st will be there to tell you about our services and supporting our good friends at Welwyn Hatfield CVS. We look forward to meeting you there!

If you are one of our volunteers and would like to support us at the event, please do contact us.

Saturday 26 October 10am - 5pm
Sunday 27 October 11am - 4pm
Upper Level, The Galleria, Comet Way, Hatfield, AL10 0XR

The Green Doctor programme has been introduced into Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire for the first time. The Green Doctors are trained to provide personalised advice to support people to save energy and tackle their energy bills. They offer free consultations to support people with saving energy, installing energy efficiency measures and accessing financial support.

The service is available to a wide range of people, including but not limited to people living on a low income, those aged 65 and over, people with disabilities and families with children under the age of 5. Through in-person visits and/or telephone consultations they provide support, and can offer free energy saving measures where these are identified to be appropriate, such as energy-saving lightbulbs, dehumidifiers, slow cookers and air fryers.

People can also self-refer by following this link.

Health talks and mini health checks are among the activities on offer at a community health fair in Borehamwood this month! 

Anyone wanting to learn more about how to improve their health and feel good can attend.

The event will feature a market place with stallholders offering wellbeing information services and advice to the community, such as Herts Health, Breast Cancer Now, Bowel Cancer UK, Herts Health Walks and many others. 

No need to book, just drop in. Everyone is welcome to the event.

Monday 21 October, 1pm-5pm

96 Shenley Road in Borehamwood

For more information please email Hertsmere Borough Council or call 0208 207 7801.

Are you missing out on Pension Credit? Starting this winter, Winter Fuel Payments will only be available to those receiving Pension Credit. In addition to Winter Fuel Payments, you may also be eligible for other benefits such as Housing Benefit and support for mortgage interest.

Communities 1st can help you determine if you qualify for Pension Credit and guide you through the application process. 

Come visit us at our hubs and learn more about Pension Credit!

Weekdays 9am – 3:45pm
Your Community Hub, 5 Leeming Road, Borehamwood

You can also visit one of our other local support hubs across the county and speak to a member of our team.

Baby Boxercise

Punch your way back to fitness! Mums of Steel is offering these fun classes that will help you get fit and meet other mums. These sessions provide a chance to do different boxing drills and babies get the best seat in the house watching you get fit. babies are power walked in between drills to keep them happy

All you need to do is turn up with a mat and a drink, all other equipment is provided. You must be 6 weeks post vaginal birth or 10 weeks post C-section to join us. 

Thursdays, 2pm - 3pm (starting 10 October)

Aberford Community Centre, Borehamwood, WD6 1PN

Cost - £2 

Walking Football

Come and join in new free walking football sessions for adults 50+ and get back into football! 

Tuesdays 6:30pm to 7:30pm (starting 15 October)

Borehamwood Boxing Club, Borehamwood, WD6 4HN

There is no need to book please just drop in! For more information please email Hertsmere Borough Council or call 0208 207 7801.

Tai Chi

Immerse yourself in the ancient art of gentle movements and find your inner peace amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned practitioner, this session offers a tranquil escape for all.

Free community Tai Chi sessions are now taking place at St Michael's Church, Borehamwood, WD6 5RG, every Wednesday 11:30am to 12:30pm.

You must book to secure your space Tai Chi (Borehamwood) | We Move She Moves (played.co)

Do you need help to quit smoking?

We’re offering a free drop-in stop-smoking service as part of the Healthy Hubs in St Albans and Hertsmere.

Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your physical and mental health. Visit the hub and chat with a member of our friendly team to find out more. We’re here to support and motivate you on this journey.

Call us to make an appointment 01727 649930 or visit us at one of our hubs

Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9am - 4pm
St Albans Healthy Hub, Civic Centre, St Peter's Street, St Albans, AL1 3JE

Tuesdays 10am - 3pm

Hertsmere Healthy Hub, Wyllyotts Centre, Darkes Lane Potters Bar, EN6 2HZ

Monday - Friday 9am - 3pm

Your Community Hub, 5 Leeming Road, Borehamwood, WD6 4EB

Step2Skills have launched an autumn campaign, centred around ‘Skills Pay the Bills’.

The campaign is designed to raise awareness of the Multiply Government-funded scheme, designed to improve the numeracy skills of adults in the UK.

Want to upgrade your maths skills so that you can progress in your job? Or perhaps you want to change job and feel your number skills are a bit rusty?

Step2Skills can help you improve your math s skills and improve your confidence and employability.

There are a variety of FREE workshops available covering topics including crafts and number skills, to working with programmes like Excel and Google Docs.  

And for a limited time, if you sign up and attend one of our workshops, you’ll be in with a chance of winning a Samsung Galaxy Tablet. We have three tablets to give away to anyone who signs up and attends a workshop by 31/10/2024. 

Join the nationwide Para Dance UK party! Experience the joy of inclusive dance for yourself and help us spread it far and wide through our online courses.

Our online courses are designed to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge to create their own inclusive dance classes.

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

For those who want to dance, online sessions are running now and you can join in! These inclusive and fun sessions are moderate in intensity and will not only get your heart and lungs working, but also foster mindfulness.

There is a registration fee of £10 per year for individuals, and £100 per year for care homes/ day care centers/ groups. 

Available classes are:

• Adult Dance Club - all adults are welcome on Mondays from 10am, running weekly from 2 September 2024. Click here to register.
• Primary After School Dance Club - for primary school-aged children on Wednesdays from 4:15pm, running weekly from 4 September 2024. Click here to register.
• Through the Decades Dance Club - suitable for care homes and older people on Wednesdays from 11am, running weekly from 4 September 2024. Click here to register.
• Youth Dance Club - for young people aged up to 25 years on Wednesdays from 5pm, running weekly from 4 September 2024. Click here to register.

For those interested in becoming a Para Dance UK instructor, we’re also offering online courses designed to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge to create their own inclusive dance classes.

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

• Hours: 25-30 hours per week - Fixed Term to 31 March 2026 (with possible extension)
• Salary: £24,649 Pro-Rata
• Locations: Ver House, Park Estate, Frogmore, St Albans AL2 2WH; Your Community Hub, 5 Leeming Road, Borehamwood; 
  Community Outreach Hubs across Hertfordshire

• Hours: 20 hours a week and one Saturday a month
• Salary: £37,500 FTE - £20,000 pro rata
• Location: Warehouse and Food Bank distribution centres

• Hours: Full time hours are 35 hours per
  week Monday – Friday, 9:15am – 4:35pm.
• Salary: £21,000 - £25,000 pa
• Location: St Albans

• Hours: 7.5 hours per week (Hours to be split across two weekdays from 3:00pm onwards.)
• Salary: £23,496 – £25,000 p/a pro rata (7.5 hours per week)
• Location:

   Ware Wellbeing Centre or Bishops Stortford Wellbeing Centre.

  (Mentoring will predominantly take place across East Hertfordshire with the potential for travel to other areas of the county as per service need e.g. North Hertfordshire.)

• Hours: 37.50 hours per week
• Salary:  £22,372
• Location: Closest to applicant’s home with countywide travel for clients where required