Future Focus

Now is the perfect time to look ahead with renewed focus on personal wellbeing and professional growth. This month’s Future Focus newsletter highlights key health topics that impact us or those that we care for.

Stay informed and alert about scams. The Scam awareness session will explore current scams and provide advice on how to protect yourself. You will be amazed at how simple actions can safeguard you!

If you are working with people experiencing sexual health issues, are part of an organisation that provides services connected to sexual health, or just want to expand your knowledge, sign up for our Sexual Health Awareness session.

Understand how domestic abuse can have an impact in the workplace - affecting not just the victim but the wider organisation. There will also be information on what support is available.

Research plays a vital role in improving health and social care services, and you can be a part of it. Take the opportunity to get involved in shaping the future services. Read on for more information.

As always, we look forward to hearing your views and feedback on our training. Feel free to send us an email to training@communities1st.org.uk.

Juli Riley
Head of Wellbeing, Employment and Skills

This online information session talks about sexual health and the issues related to it, including:

• Statistics on sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Why understanding is important
• STIs and their symptoms
• Testing and treatment
• Barrier methods and where to go for support with sexual health. 

This session is intended for individuals who work with people living with sexual health issues, service users within Hertfordshire, community and voluntary groups, corporate businesses, educational organisations, housing providers, local authorities, NHS trusts, youth services, and members of the general public.  

12 November 2025, 11am - 1pm

This workshop will offer a brief introduction to grief and loss. It will address some common grieving reactions, as well as some misunderstandings about grief. It will also provide some important suggestions for people who are either supporting someone who is grieving or experiencing grief themselves.

This online session will be delivered by David Kelly, Community Engagement Coordinator, Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care.

1 December 2025, 12pm - 1.30pm

There is a lot of fear and stigma attached to a diagnosis of dementia, which may make living with dementia (and caring for someone with it) very hard.

Join us to for a presentation by Jan Payne (a Dementia Friends Ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Society) to learn more about dementia and how we can all help to improve the quality of life for those living with it. This is a general information session and not a medical presentation and will last about 45 minutes. At the end there will be an opportunity to join over 3 million people in the UK, by becoming a Dementia Friend.

3 December 2025, 12pm - 1pm

Learn how domestic abuse happens in the workplace and how it can impact not just the victim but the wider organisation. There will also be information on what support is available. 

4 December 2025, 10am - 11am

The online Scam Awareness session aims to help individuals in identifying and avoiding the numerous scamming schemes that they may encounter.

10 December 2025, 11am - 12pm

If you are finding your journey towards employment challenging, our employment support team can help. 

We can help with the following:

• 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

• Ver House (Park Street), Civic Centre  (St. Albans) and London Colney (by appointment only)
• Appointments are available at other venues upon request
• Self/professional referral form

The Communities Thirst coffee cart at St Albans Civic Centre is an extension of Communities 1st's mission to provide volunteers with opportunities 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 a variety of 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 9am to 4pm.

Interested in joining us? Call us on 01727 649950 or email volunteer@communities1st.org.uk.

We'd love to tell you more!

This free in person session will provide a basic understanding of the healthcare needs of people with learning disabilities and how to maintain good physical health.

Please note: If you are new to the field of learning disability, you must attend Introduction to Learning Disability prior to completing this course.

12 November 2025 Time, 10am – 1pm  

Box Moor Trust Centre, London Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 2RE

To register, send an email to ACSLearningandDevelopment@hertfordshire.gov.uk stating name/s and email address/es. 

This free online training provides an understanding of MS and impactfully demonstrates how this condition affects patients’ psycho-social wellbeing and explores treatment methods. This session is delivered by a Clinical Nurse Educator with first hand clinical experience in MS.

This course will take place via MS Teams, but will run similarly to a face-to-face course, so where possible, please ensure you have your camera and microphone on so you can fully engage and participate in the training. 

To book please send an email to ACSLearningandDevelopment@hertfordshire.gov.uk with your name and email address.

12 November 2025, 1.30pm – 4.30pm

Join us for this informative session where you'll:

• Gain an understanding of what arthritis is, including the symptoms, how
  it affects daily life, and the pain cycle.
• Discover the truth about physical activity and arthritis by busting
  common myths.
• Explore effective ways to self-manage arthritis to engage in physical
  activity.
• Learn about the support and resources available from Arthritis UK
• Find out about local opportunities to get moving and stay connected in
  your community.

18 November 2025,  1pm - 2.30pm

For any further questions, please email t.woods2@herts.ac.uk

Research plays a crucial role in improving health and social care services, and you can be a part of it.

Ways you can get involved:

• Take part in research - join studies that interest you and help improve healthcare services
• Share your experience - give feedback on research priorities and help shape future studies
• Become a Community Research Champion - work with us to make research accessible and meaningful to your community
• Spread the word - encourage friends, family, and community groups to learn more about research and how they can get involved.

If you are interested in becoming a Community Research Champion or want to know more, visit our website here or click the button below. Scan the QR code above to find out about research studies you could take part in.

Email: communityresearch@communities1st.org.uk

Tel: 01727649900

Communities 1st is attending Generation Hertsmere 2025. This event will bring together students from local secondary schools, SEN schools and colleges with employers and training providers.