Future Focus

Welcome to the April edition of Future Focus.

Domestic abuse is a hidden crime, and statistics show that around three women a week die by suicide because of domestic abuse. These figures are shocking and disheartening. Understanding how to support individuals living with abuse can create a positive and enriching environment for victims and save lives. Sign up here to learn about domestic abuse and the support available.

Visit our community learning page to explore all of our courses for the year. We hope you find opportunities that will enable you to focus on your health and wellbeing, enhancing skills for employment and empowering yourself to make a difference to the lives of people around you.

As always, we can’t wait to see you on one or even more of our training sessions both online and in person!

Kind regards,

Juli Riley
Head of Wellbeing, Employment and Skills

Employment support for every step of the way

If you are finding your journey towards employment challenging, our employment support team can help ensure you're ready to secure your next role. 

We can help with:

• Creating online job-seeking profiles
• Writing CVs, personal statements, and cover letters
• Interview preparation techniques
• Communication tips and more!

• Leeming Road Hub in Borehamwood every Friday, 9.30am to 3.45pm - Drop-in available or make an appointment

• Canada Life (cafe) in Potters Bar every Wednesday, 9.30am to 12.00pm - By appointment only

• Appointments are available at other venues upon request

The Communities Thirst coffee cart at St Albans Civic Centre is an extension of Communities 1st's mission to offer volunteers the chance to learn, grow, and support their community. Whether you're a seasoned barista or looking to learn the art of creating the perfect cup of coffee, you can volunteer to help us run the coffee cart and make it a success. You'll have the opportunity to develop various skills and - if you're interested - mentor those who are also eager to learn but find it a bit harder than others. The coffee cart is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm.

Interested in joining us? If you'd like to find out more about this opportunity, call us on 01727 649950 or email volunteer@communities1st.org.uk.

We'd love to tell you more!

The Sight Loss awareness training is designed to equip participants with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with sight loss, as well as practical skills to provide better support. 

The online session covers various aspects of sight loss, including its causes, the functional and emotional impacts on daily life and strategies for effective communication and assistance. 

The session is aimed at families, caregivers and professionals to raise awareness about barriers that people with sight loss experience, including mobility challenges and social isolation. 

Participants will gain a better understanding of sight loss issues and develop practical skills to assist and guide individuals. They will also learn how to communicate more effectively with people with sight loss and gain greater knowledge of available resources and services to improve quality of life. 

28 April 2025, 11am - 12pm
 

This online session will highlight what domestic abuse is and the impact it has on individuals.

Professionals would benefit from learning about domestic abuse and the support available. 

28 April 2025, 10am - 11am
 

Join us for an online workshop focused on effective ways to communicate with deaf people, as well as some basic sign language. At this session, you will gain the confidence and essential skills needed to interact with those who are living with deafness and hearing loss. The session will enable you to understand deafness, recognise signs that someone might not hear you, and learn about body language and communicating techniques.

30 April 2025, 10am - 12pm
 

This online Professional Boundaries training sessions will help you to understand how to develop and maintain professional relationships that adhere to appropriate boundaries.

24 April 2025, 10am - 1pm
 

Please be aware that there is a charge for this course. More information on the booking page.

This session is run in partnership with the Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust Nutrition & Dietetics Team.

It will cover:

• Understanding the powerful link between nutrition and lifelong health
• Identifying the key signs and risks of malnutrition  

This webinar is for individuals looking to improve their nutrition in later life, activity providers seeking to incorporate nutritional elements into their sessions, and for carers or professionals working with older adults who want to better understand and identify malnutrition.

Thursday 10 April, 12pm to 1pm

For more information and to book your place, please click this link or email t.woods2@herts.ac.uk.