Fantastic Friday Update

I hope you've had a fantastic week! It's time to relax and unwind with our latest newsletter, where we share the latest events and training opportunities.

As we celebrate World Menopause Day today, let's take a moment to acknowledge the unique journey women embark on during this stage of life. Beyond the physical changes, many women also experience emotional and mental health challenges. It's important to remember that menopause affects women in diverse ways, emphasising the need for personalised healthcare and support. Don't forget to explore thr events and training courses below that might help you or someone you know on your menopause journey.

National Chocolate Week started on Wednesday 16 October and runs until next week. As we indulge in the sweet delights, let's also remember the importance of finding moments of pleasure and self-care during life's transitions. Just as a delicious piece of chocolate can brighten our day, small acts of kindness and self-compassion can go a long way in nurturing our overall wellbeing.

As we continue to embrace the spirit of Optimistic October, let's remember to prioritise our mental health and find joy in the simple things.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Nicola O' Neill
Wellbeing Services Manager

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

• Monday 21 October: Computers and a Cuppa at Wyllyotts Centre in Potters Bar and the Radlett Centre (10:30am - 12:30pm),  
• Tuesday 22 October: Better Days Hub at Wyllyotts Centre in Potters Bar (10am - 3pm), Men That Meet at Windsor Hall in Borehamwood (1:30pm - 4 pm)
• Wednesday 23 October: Computers and a Cuppa at the Community Hub in Borehamwood (10am - 2pm), Better Days Hub at St Albans Library (10am - 12pm)
• Thursday 24 October: Book Swap Shop at Farriers Way Community Centre in Borehamwood (10am - 2pm), Better Days Hub at Bushey Library, Computers and a Cuppa at Bushey Library and our Healthy Hub in Borehamwood (12pm - 2pm)
• Friday 25 October: Better Days Hub at Wyllyotts Centre in Potters Bar (10:30am - 12:30pm)

Are you a self-employed entrepreneur looking to take control of your finances?

This introduction course is designed for individuals who are new to bookkeeping or who want to refresh their skills. It will cover the basics of setting up a bookkeeping system, accurately keeping and recording financial transactions, creating essential financial reports, and understanding the basics of taxation and compliance for self-employment and Universal Credit.

23 October 2024, 10am- 3pm

South Hill Centre, Cemetery Hill,

Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1JF

Register using the button below or ontact us on:

Phone: 01727 649960

Email: traning@communities1st.org.uk

Come and learn about effective ways to communicate with deaf people, as well as some basic sign language, at this online deaf awareness workshop.

This session will help you gain the confidence and basic skills to communicate with those who are living with deafness and hearing loss. It will enable you to understand deafness, signs that someone can’t hear you, body positions and communicating.

There will be time for a Q and A at the end of the session.

Wednesday 23 October, 10am - 12pm
Please note this session is online on Zoom.

Register using the button below or:

Phone: 01727 649960

Email: traning@communities1st.org.uk

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

Hertfordshire Health Walks is bringing you the Autumn Walk Timetable, packed with over 100 walking opportunities. Whether you're a beginner looking for a leisurely stroll or a seasoned walker seeking a challenge, there's something for everyone.

There's no need to book, so grab your trainers and head out on an adventure!

Leecliffe Big Local and Fast Traxx Pump Track Hire are bringing you an unforgettable BMX Pump Track Experience Day. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, all skills levels are welcome!

Bikes and safety gear will be provided, so you can jump right into the action. This event is completely FREE, so come on down and have a blast!

Tuesday 29 October, 2pm - 5pm
Meadow Park, Borehamwood

Youth link is a social prescribing service that supports young people aged 10-18 living in West Herts.

This service provides support to young people over a 6-month period, with a dedicated link worker to create an action plan of how they can be supported and referring them to community organisations that can help them improve their physical, mental, and emotional health.

For information email ines.pereira1@nhs.net or call 07510927143

Sign up to a FREE safety, help and advice event for people aged 60 and over this November.

Representatives from Hertsmere Borough Council, Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue, Hertfordshire Police, Trading Standards, Communities 1st,  Rennie Grove Peace Hospice, Herts Sports and Physical Activity Partnership and many more will be at the event to offer advice and support.

Participants will also receive free refreshments and a kosher lunch.

Thursday 7 November 2024, 10am - 1pm
Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue

For free booking call 020 8207 2277 or email partnership.support@hertsmere.gov.uk.

This coming week, St Albans District is hosting four exciting pop-up events to honour Older Persons' Day. These events are a fantastic opportunity to connect with your community, learn about valuable services, and celebrate the incredible contributions of older residents.

Everyone is welcome to drop in for a chat with free refreshments!

Monday 21 October, 10am to 12:30pm
Wheathampstead, Marford Memorial Hall

Wednesday 23 October, 1:30pm to 4pm
St Albans Civic Centre

Thursday 24 October, 9:30am to 12pm
Redbourn Village Hall

Monday 28 October 10am to 12:30pm
London Colney Caledon Centre

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.

We can help you to request a visit from the Green Doctors, just get in touch with us. People can also self-refer by following this link.

Health talks, mini health checks and more 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 for the community, such as Herts Health, Breast Cancer Now, Bowel Cancer UK, Herts Health Walks and many others, including Communities 1st! 

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

Monday 21 October, 1pm-5pm

96 Shenley Road in Borehamwood

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

We’re celebrating the great news that Hertfordshire has become one of the first counties in the UK to become an Age Friendly Community.

Herfordshire County Council wants your help in shaping the future of your local areas to continue creating communities where everyone can age happily, healthily, and safely.

Your voice really matters, so if you are aged 55+, please complete the survey.

Healthwatch Hertfordshire is seeking your views to inform a new campaign that raises awareness about the stigma around drugs and alcohol.

Stigma is when a person, or group of people, are seen in a negative way or myths are believed about them.

The goal of the campaign is to reduce myths and improve understanding around drugs and alcohol and give residents, carers, and professionals tools and information that can help them support people who face drug and or alcohol-related challenges. 

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.

• Hours: 37 hours
• Salary: £45,441 per annum + £6,875 market enhanced payment progressing to £50,512per annum + £6,420 market enhanced payment PLUS £1k one off welcome payment*
• Location: Hemel Hempstead base location with geographical coverage of Hertsmere

• 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: 37.5 hours per week
• Salary: £25,000 - £26,000 per annum depending on skills and experience inclusive of Outer London Weighting (OLW)
• Location: Letchworth Wellbeing Centre/Lister Hospital

• Hours: Part time, 19 hours per week (flexibility required)
• Salary: £27,128 per annum, pro rata
• Location: Hatfield and Hertford with occasional travel to our other centres (Stevenage and St Albans)