April is a natural time to reset and refocus. The clocks have moved forward and Easter arrives early this year so it is a good opportunity to think about what is next, and start taking practical steps towards the right job for you.
This month, we are focusing on employability as a journey. It could begin with understanding your current situation through one-to-one support, where you can explore your needs and set clear, achievable SMART goals.
Then, there is a range of opportunities that can help you build confidence and develop the skills employers are looking for. Our A New You course supports confidence, communication and mindset, while our Computers and a Cuppa sessions - available at multiple locations - offer informal, practical support with digital skills. Our volunteers are on hand to help with anything from basic IT questions to job searching tools using the internet.
Looking ahead to May, we will be introducing more structured 12-hour courses, including Basic IT and Getting the Right Job, offering a more in-depth and hands-on approach to developing the skills needed for applications, interviews and workplace success.
Alongside these, you will find a range of training, volunteering and wellbeing opportunities to support you at every stage.
As always, we welcome your feedback and ideas for future training. Please get in touch at training@communities1st.org.uk.
Best wishes,
Juli Riley
Head of Wellbeing, Employment and Skills
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The ConnectU programme supports residents in the St Albans District, specifically London Colney, Park Street, Sopwell, Cottonmill, and Chiswell Green with wellbeing, volunteering, housing and employment support through free advice, signposting and referrals. It is a partnership of five trusted local charities including Communities 1st, Hertfordshire Mind Network, Emmaus, Citizens Advice St Albans, and St Albans & District Foodbank. Whether you are looking for work, need to learn new skills, or want support with your wellbeing, we will work together to make sure you get the right help. Visit www.connectu.org.uk for more information or call 01727 649960. |
Employment support for every step of the way
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If you are finding your journey towards employment challenging, our employment support team can help. We can help with the following:
Come and see us at:
Contact: 01727 649960 or email training@communities1st.org.uk |
IT Skills for Work
This is a four-day course in person which offers you the opportunity to build your confidence with computers and learn how to create professional documents and a strong CV.
During these days you will learn:
- Basic computer skills
- Creating documents (Word or similar)
- Writing and updating your CV
- Email and internet basics
Dates: Friday 24 April, Friday 1 May, Friday 8 May, and Friday 15 May.
Time: 10am to 1pm
Venue: Borehamwood Hub, 5 Leeming Road, WD6 4EB
Phone: 01727 649955 | Email: training@communities1st.org.uk
Computers and a Cuppa
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Drop by for friendly, one-to-one tech help with any device - no booking needed! Whether it is setting up email, or banking, our volunteers are here to guide you in a relaxed environment. Attend as often as you like. Services are available at the following locations:
Email: welcome@communities1st.org.uk | Phone: 01727 649980 |
Getting the Right Job
This is a two-day workshop which offers you the opportunity to improve your CV and boost your confidence in interviews to help you get the right job.
What you will learn:
- How to create a professional CV
- Learn how to answer common interview questions
- Gain tips to impress employers
Dates: Wednesday 20 May, Thursday 21 May
Time: 9.30am to 3.30pm
Venue: Healthy Hub East Herts, 67 Fore Street, Hertford, SG14 1AL
Phone: 01727 649955 | Email: training@communities1st.org.uk
A New You course - Hoddesdon
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Take charge of your life! Build confidence, feel more in control, more positive about yourself and your future, and take steps towards work or a new direction. This free four-day interactive and engaging course covers:
Participants will need to attend all four days of this course. Dates: Tuesday 21 April, Thursday 23 April, Tuesday 28 April, Thursday 30 April Time: 10am to 3pm Venue: Hoddesdon Library, 98 High Street, Hoddesdon, EN11 8HD Phone: 01727 649955 | Email: training@communities1st.org.uk |
A New You course - Hertford
Dates: Wednesday 6 May, Thursday 7 May, Wednesday 13 May, Thursday 14 May
Time: 10am to 3pm
Venue: Skills Hub 67 Fore St, Hertford SG14 1AL
Phone: 01727 649955 | Email: training@communities1st.org.uk
A New You course - St Albans
Dates: Monday 11 May, Tuesday 12 May, Monday 18 May, Tuesday 19 May
Time: 10am to 3pm
Venue: Trestle Arts Base, Russet Drive, St Albans, AL4 0JQ
Phone: 01727 649955 | Email: training@communities1st.org.uk
A New You course - Borehamwood
Dates: Wednesday 13 May, Thursday 14 May, Wednesday 20 May, Thursday 21 May
Time: 10am to 3pm
Venue: Windsor Hall Blyth Close Borehamwood WD6 5DL
Phone: 01727 649955 | Email: training@communities1st.org.uk
Step2Skills Inclusive Job Fair
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Step2Skills is welcoming Hertfordshire residents to their upcoming Inclusive Job Fair in Stevenage designed especially for adults with learning or physical disabilities, sensory needs, neurodiversity, mental health conditions or other complex barriers to work. During this free event you will be able to:
Step2Skills will also be offering a dedicated low-sensory quiet hour from 12 to 1pm, ideal for visitors who prefer a calmer environment. Date: Thursday 14 May Time: 10am to 2pm Venue: Stevenage Football Club, Broadhall Way, Stevenage, SG28RH |
Early Years Bootcamps
Interested in a career working with children?
Step2Skills offers a range of fully funded Skills Bootcamps for Hertfordshire residents looking to enhance their skills to start or advance a career. These courses are designed to provide them with the knowledge and expertise needed to succeed in today's competitive job market.
April start dates:
- Wednesdays - 9.15am to 2.45pm, starting 22 April 2026 and finishing on 15 July 2026.
- Mondays - 9.15am to 2.45pm, starting on 13 April 2026 and finishing on 13 July 2026.
- Mondays - 9.15am to 2.45pm, starting on 27 April 2026 and finishing on 27 July 2026.
Writing for Wellbeing - Creative Community Café
This event will take place over four weeks: Tuesday 14 April, Tuesday 21st April, Tuesday 28th April, Tuesday 5th May.
Writer Penny Black from the Royal Literary Fund will guide you through listening to some short, themed poems that have been specially selected. She will then lead a gentle discussion of how the words feel and sound to you and offer some writing prompts to help you express yourself. There is absolutely no pressure, prep or homework. The sessions will allow space for you to discover your creative side and they will also be fun!
You need no experience of writing or even reading - just come along! Don't worry if you cannot attend all four sessions, you will still be able to enjoy the experience!
Dates: 14 April, 21 April, 28 April, 5 May
Location: Farriers Way Community Centre, 27 Farriers Way, Borehamwood, WD6 2TB
Phone: 01727 649980 | Email: welcome@communities1st.org.uk
Scam Awareness
This scam awareness session aims to help you identify and avoid the numerous scamming schemes that you could encounter. Please note this session is online.
Date: Tuesday 21 April 2026, 11am to 12pm
Phone: 01727 649960 | Email: training@communities1st.org.uk
Deaf Awareness and Basic British Sign Language
Come and learn about effective ways to communicate with deaf people, as well as some basic sign language at this online workshop. Participants will gain the confidence and basic skills to communicate with those who are living with deafness and hearing loss. It will enable them to understand deafness, signs that someone cannot hear you, body positions and communicating.
This session will be delivered via Zoom.
Date: Wednesday 29 April 2026, 10am to 12pm
Phone: 01727 649900 | Email: training@communities1st.org.uk
Introduction to Volunteering
If you wish to take your first steps towards volunteering, this one-hour Teams session will aim to answer the how, where, when, why and what of volunteering. The session will cover an understanding of volunteering and its roles, volunteering with benefits, researching volunteering roles and identifying skills.
These sessions are for anybody looking to embark on their volunteering journey.
Date: Tuesday 26 May 2026, 10.30am to 11.30am
Phone: 01727 649900 | Email: volunteer@communities1st.org.uk
Mental Wellbeing & Empathy webinar
This webinar is offered via Zoom/Teams to anyone volunteering and focuses on raising awareness of mental wellbeing within a volunteering role, as well as exploring the importance of empathy when supporting others.
Date: Friday 24 April 2026, 2pm to 3pm
Parenting Puzzle
The Family Support Team we will be running a 10-week Parenting Puzzle course next term.
This course will enable parents/carers to understand how emotions can influence actions, including how their own wellbeing has an impact on their children’s wellbeing and behaviour. Families will learn about the different elements of parenting as well as the strategies that will enable them to positively respond to their child's needs. They will gain practical solutions to guide their children so that they learn to manage their own feelings and control their own behaviour.
This course is for parents/carers to attend without their children.
Date: Every Wednesday from 22 April to 8 July (Excluding 20 May & 27 May)
Time: 9.30am to 11.30am
Location: off Shakespeare Dr, Furzehill Rd, Borehamwood, WD6 2FD
Introduction to Arthritis
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This talk is designed for anyone who wants to better understand arthritis, whether you are newly diagnosed, have been living with it for years, or simply want to learn more. We will cover the different types of arthritis and their treatments, explore how arthritis impacts daily life including work and discuss what steps you can take to manage symptoms. We will also highlight the support available through Arthritis UK and the ways you can get involved. Date: Tuesday 28 April 2026, 5.30pm to 7.30pm |
English conversation and barista skills
This inclusive barista training and English conversation group combines practical coffee skills with supported, real-life communication practice for people who lack confidence in customer service settings.
The course supports refugee integration by developing cultural awareness, understanding UK workplace expectations, and building professional and social communication skills.
Participants learn how coffee is made, how to use and care for equipment, prepare espresso-based drinks, and work safely and professionally, while gaining confidence, teamwork skills, and a strong sense of community in a welcoming environment.
Every Tuesday
Next session: Tuesday 14 April 2026, 4pm to 5.30pm
Phone: 01727 649900 | Email: training@communities1st.org.uk
Join our coffee crew! Barista training with Communities 1st's Coffee Cart
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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 are 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 will have the opportunity to develop a variety of skills and - if you are 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. |
Community Research Champion
Are you interested in research? Do you want your community to be involved in shaping local services and research?
Communities 1st is looking for volunteers passionate about health, inequalities and research to become community research champions. This unique volunteer role will give you the chance to share health research opportunities with your communities and help them to get involved in the research process. Whether you run a book club, attend a local mosque or support at your child's after-school club, then we want to hear from you - anyone can be a research champion!
If you are interested or would like to know more about this volunteering opportunity, then email communityresearch@communities1st.org.uk or call 01727 649900.
Dying Matters
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In this awareness session, within the Dying Matters week and provided by Rennie Grove Peace, you will be provided with information to help you feel more confident when supporting people with a life-limiting illness or those who have been bereaved. During this two-hour session we will explore:
Please note this is an online session on Zoom and is being delivered by Alison May and David Kelly from Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care. Date: Thursday 7 May 2026, 10am to 12pm Phone: 01727 649960 | Email: training@communities1st.org.uk |
Talk Cancer - Cancer Awareness Online Workshop
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Delivered by nurse trainers, the online, interactive workshop will equip and empower you to raise cancer awareness in your community. It will help you by:
Date: Tuesday 21 April 2026, 10am to 12pm Phone: 01727 649955 | Email: training@communities1st.org.uk |
Thank you for reading this newsletter.
If you would like to speak to us please call 01727 649960 or email training@communities1st.org.uk.
You can also follow us on social media.
Registered Charity: 1187164
Main Office: 1st Floor Ver House, Park Estate, Frogmore, St Albans, AL2 2DR
Your Community Hub: 5 Leeming Road, Borehamwood, WD6 4EB
You can also find us at:
- St Albans Civic Centre, St Peter's Street, St Albans, AL1 3JE
- Trestle Arts Base, Russet Drive, St Albans, AL4 0JQ
- Hatfield Hub: White Lion House, Town Centre, Hatfield, AL10 0JL
and Better Days Hubs across Hertfordshire