Fantastic Friday Update

Time flies so quickly! We already find ourselves in the middle of September.
This coming week once again introduces community campaigns that aim to raise awareness on issues that affect the lives of so many.

National Eye Health Week (NEHW) will take place from 18th-24th September, promoting the importance of good eye health and the need for everyone to have regular eye tests.

The same week highlights UK Saving Week which aims to help make saving simple, easy and rewarding. We periodically arrange dedicated training sessions about money management, Family Budgeting etc., so keep an eye out for our next Multiply Sessions.

"Youth Mental Health Day" occurring on Tuesday 19th September encourages understanding and discussion of mental health in young people, enabling them to live happy and healthy lives all year round. If you or your young loved ones need help, support or advice click here.

International Day of Sign Languages is celebrated on Saturday 23rd September along with International Week for Deaf People (18th-24th September). We periodically arrange dedicated training sessions to promote relevant awareness and skills like our "British Sign Language" and "Deaf Awareness" courses. Keep an eye out for future sessions.

This weekend our "Make a Difference" team will be with a stand at the Abbots Autumn Fest. The event will be held on Saturday 16th September, School Mead, Abbots Langley WD5 0LA, (11am - 4pm). Come and say “Hi” to our friendly team and find out more about our services!

We are thrilled to finally be in a position to announce that our Community Hub at 5 Leeming Road, Borehamwood will be back open again this coming Monday 18th September! We're so happy to open our doors to you again! We look forward to seeing you there soon.

We hope you have enjoyed the lovely days of sunshine and are ready to fully live the coming Autumn at its best!

Nicola Oneill

Wellbeing Services Manager

COMMUNITIES 1ST INFORMATION AND SUPPORT

If you or someone you know is in at-risk group or is isolated, and needs help or support with shopping, prescription collection, pet sitting, urgent supplies or tech support, you can contact us.

Email: help@communities1st.org.uk.
Phone: 01727 649930.

Alternatively, if you would like to volunteer yourself to support this service, please contact us or visit our website for further information.

HEALTHY HUBS

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

MONDAY 18th SEPTEMBER: Creative Café Windsor Hall (10.30am - 12.30pm), Computer's and a Cuppa - Wyllyotts Centre (10.30am - 12.30pm)

TUESDAY 19th SEPTEMBER: Creative Community Café at Phillimore Place, Radlett (12pm - 4pm).

WEDNESDAY 20th SEPTEMBER: Creative Community Café at Aberford Community Centre (1pm - 4pm)

THURSDAY 21st SEPTEMBER: Bushey Library (10am - 2pm), Borehamwood Foodbank (10am - 12.30pm)

FRIDAY 22nd SEPTEMBER: Creative Community Café at Organ Hall, Borehamwood (10am -2pm)

INFORMATION TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS

Money Management

Managing personal finances and making decisions about money are important aspects of everyday life.
In this session you will understand how to budget and keep track of your spending and gain an overview on how finance is designed whilst improving your numeracy skills.
This course is funded by Multiply a nationwide project to help adults improve their numeracy skills.

Please note this is an online course.

Tuesday 19th September, 10am - 1pm

More Information

St Albans Food & Drink Festival.

The popular Festival is back with the usual blend of fantastic food and free family fun in the heart of St Albans. Celebrating local food and drink producers this event offers an afternoon of free entertainment with music, games, arts and crafts, street theatre and the fantastic demonstration kitchen where you can see local chefs preparing mouth-watering dishes.

Communitites1st will be present with "The Community Safe Zone" by Barclays Bank. It will offer somewhere to sit and the opportunity to learn more about services available to support residents.

Sunday 24th September, 12pm - 6pm

St Albans City Centre

More information

Hertfordshire sexual health service launches text message advice line for young people

Sexual Health Hertfordshire has launched a new text message advice line that allows people aged 21 and under to quickly and easily contact a health advisor for confidential advice about a range of sexual health issues.
The service, run by Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust (CLCH), offers teenagers and young adults who are unable to attend a clinic in person or speak on the phone a way of accessing sexual health support through their mobile phone.

Users can text their questions or concerns to 07312 263535 to receive support from a trained NHS sexual health advisor within 24 hours.
The service – ChatSexualHealthHerts – is available from 1pm to 4.30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

More information

The Hertfordshire Local Offer

The Local Offer lets parents and young people know what special educational needs and disabilities services are available in Hertfordshire, and who can access them.

More information

Co-create wellbeing sessions for your peers!

Herts Libraries and The Ollie Foundation are looking for young people aged 14-24 to discuss issues and help create future wellbeing workshops to support young people. There are two sessions taking place in Welwyn Garden City and St Albans.

For more info and bookings

Cervical Screenings Survey

Cervical Screenings help to prevent cancer and the NHS routinely offer them to women and people with a cervix between the ages of 25-64. However, we know that 1 in 4 do not attend their Cervical Screening test.

A survey has been launched to find out what people’s experience of Cervical Screening has been and any reasons why people might not take up the invitation to be screened.

This research will help local NHS ensure that the Cervical Screening programme is having the greatest impact it can.

For more information and to complete the survey

Energy Saving workshop
With energy costs rising, it’s never been more important
to know what steps you can take to lower your bills.

Get guidance on the easy actions and small changes you can make to reduce your energy bills and save money.

Wednesday 20th September, 2pm -3.30pm

37 Bairstow Close, Borehamwood WD6 4TB

To register

Creative Community Cafes
Feeling a bit bereft now the kids have gone back to school? Want to get out and about and socialise? Come along to our Creative Cafes in Borehamwood and Radlett - they're perfect for making new friends and the enjoyment of realising your latest craft idea.

More information

Get active this September with "Shape Up programme"!

Shape Up is a 12 week FREE weight loss course aimed at men aged 18 to 65 who have a BMI of 30+.

During the course, you can find out about simple lifestyle changes you can make to help lose weight in a safe, friendly way.

Start date: Monday 18th September, 7pm - 8.30pm

2 Allum Lane, Borehamwood WD6 3PJ, 7pm

To register

58 Green Flags flying high in Hertfordshire
Greenspaces across Hertfordshire are among some of the best in the UK and 58 of them have been presented with the prestigious 2023 Green Flag Award. These parks, nature reserves and gardens, as well as other greenspaces across the County, provide green havens to relax, exercise and meet others.

Click here for a map view of Hertfordshire's Green Flag Award spaces

Community Learning Partnership courses

Two courses funded by Step2Skills are going to start in Borehamwood in September.

Crochet for Beginners
- Fri 22nd Sept - 15th Dec (10am - 1pm) - St Martin's, Muirfield Road, Watford, WD196JD. OR
- Mon 18th Sept - 11th Dec (6.30pm - 9.30pm) - Allum Manor House , Borehamwood WD6 3PJ.

Textile Seascape - Applique & Embroidery for Beginners.
- From Fri 22nd Sept, 1pm - 4pm

They are just £40.00 for 12 sessions, including tuition, equipment; materials and refreshments.

Further subsidies are available to those finding it hard to make ends meet.

More information about Crochet for beginners

More information about Embroidery

September Hertfordshire Health Walks timetables

Hertfordshire Health Walks has released their autumn timetables for walks starting from September through to December. There are some new walks to look out for and many continuing on from the summer so have a look to see where you might go for a walk with new friends next.

More information about new timetables

Youth Mental Health day is on Tuesday 19th. Young people do worry about lots of different things (e.g. schoolwork, how they look, money worries, arguments with friends etc). They can contact a free service with professionals who can help them cope & feel better