Fantastic Friday Update

As we approach the end of October we’re reflecting on a month that has offered us some rich food for thought regarding issues that affect our community.

Lupus Awareness Month takes place throughout October each year in the UK. It is an important opportunity to raise awareness of the condition

amongst the public and medical profession as well as improving the understanding of the impact that Lupus can have on people's lives.
By making people more aware of Lupus you can help to ease the impact it has.

October is also National Cholesterol Month. Cholesterol is a fatty substance which is a necessary component of the cells of your body. Too much cholesterol in your blood, though can lead to a build-up in your arteries and this increases your risk of having a heart attack and other cardiovascular issues. For further information on this campaign, click here.

National Sleep In Day falls on Sunday 29th October, the last Sunday in October, which is the day the clocks go back and we all get an extra hour in bed! Please give extra thought to shift workers at this time, however who have to do an additional hour’s work! If you want to find out more about the beneficial effects of sleep and the problems a lack of it can cause, click here.

Since next week is Half Term, take a look at our website for ideas to help you plan activities on a Budget and support on offer for families.

On Tuesday 24th October the ten days of the Hindu Festival Navratri comes to an end. This day is marked with the celebration of "Dussehra". We would like to offer our best wishes to everyone in our communities who will be observing it.

Have a lovely weekend!

Nicola Oneill

Wellbeing Services Manager

Communities 1st Statement on the Situation in Israel and Gaza and Our Commitment to Unity

Communities 1st is deeply concerned about the ongoing situation in Israel and Gaza, which has raised global apprehension. We recognise that these international events can deeply affect and raise concerns within our local communities.

In light of the current situation, we reaffirm our commitment to promoting peace, unity, and understanding. We stand firmly against all forms of discrimination, hatred, and violence.

We believe in the power of community engagement, dialogue, and education to bridge divides and foster harmony.

We are actively working with local partners, community leaders, and relevant authorities to support initiatives that address the impact of these global events on our community. We are dedicated to providing assistance, resources, and guidance to individuals and groups affected by these challenges.

Communities 1st serves as a third-party reporting site/organisation for hate crime, providing a safe and confidential platform for individuals to report such incidents.

Together, we will continue to build a resilient and inclusive community where diversity is celebrated, and everyone feels safe and valued.

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 23rd OCTOBER: Creative Community Café Windsor Hall (10.30am - 12.30pm).

TUESDAY 24th OCTOBER: Creative Community Café at Phillimore Place, Radlett (12pm - 4pm), Men That Meet, Windsor Hall (1.30pm - 4pm).

WEDNESDAY 25th OCTOBER: Creative Community Café at Aberford Community Centre (1pm - 4pm).

THURSDAY 26th OCTOBER: Computer's and a Cuppa, Bushey Library (12pm - 2pm),

FRIDAY 27th OCTOBER: Creative Community Café at Organ Hall, Borehamwood (10am - 2pm).

INFORMATION TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS

Introduction to Air Frying

Have an Air fryer or considering buying one? Looking to cook cheaper and healthier? Come along to our cooking with an Air Fryer 3 hour session. Learn to cook with one, add new recipes and learn about the cost savings. Cooking tips will be provided on this free course along with a chance to taste food cooked in the air fryer.

Any Hertfordshire resident aged 19 and over is welcome to attend this course. Participants are eligible for the draw to win an air fryer if they have obtained a D grade or below in their Maths GCSE (or equivalent), or are in receipt of any benefits.

- IN PERSON COURSE - Potters Bar

2nd November 2023, 10am -1pm
Elm Court Youth and Community Centre, 363 Mutton lane, Potters Bar, EN6 3BP

More Information

You are invited to our festive, holiday catch up!
Communities 1st is happy to share the dates of this year’s upcoming Christmas events for December 2023 and we can’t wait to see you there!
Volunteers, clients and members of staff are all welcome, so we hope to see you as we share a festive hot chocolate and a chat together.
It is a small gesture to say thank you for all the help and support received this year and we hope you can make it!
If you are interested in coming along, please feel free to put the following dates in your calendar and keep an eye out for more details on the locations and times in our upcoming newsletters and on our website.

- Tuesday, 5th December 2023 - Hertsmere.

- Wednesday, 6th December 2023 - Broxbourne.

- Thursday, 7th December 2023 - St Albans.

Register for the St Albans Business Summit

Local businesses and other organisations can register for the Free annual St Albans Business Summit.
This is a fantastic networking opportunity as well as a chance to hear about major topics such as local economic data and sustainability.
There will be a number of presentations as well as break-out sessions on issues such as recruiting and retaining top talent.
Everyone with an interest in local business is welcome to register for the event.

Wednesday 15 November, 5.30pm - 7.30pm

Oaklands College, St Albans Campus.

To register

BBC Teach
BBC's 500 Words 2023 is open for entries! Children aged 5-11 can submit their own original story for a chance to be in with winning an incredible prize. The competition closes on Friday 10th November.

More information

New Half-term workshops - Creative Fun With Numbers

Come and join us for free fun with your child! Help them explore numeracy through a range of creative and physical activities. Make new friends and play with numbers!

Please note parents and guardians are required to participate with their child/children at this event.

- IN PERSON COURSE - Hatfield
23rd October 2023, 9.30am - 12pm
WelHat Community Hub, White Lion House, Town Centre
Hatfield, AL10 0JL
Register here

- IN PERSON COURSE - St Albans
24th October 2023, 10am - 1pm
Cottonmill Community and Cycling Centre, Off Old Oak, Cottonmill Ln, St Albans, AL1 2EF
Register here

- IN PERSON COURSE - Bushey
26th October 2023, 10am - 1pm
Bushey Library, Sparrows Herne, Bushey, WD23 1FA
Register here

Hertfordshire's Annual Domestic Abuse Surveys

This is an opportunity to use your voice to help shape systems and services for domestic abuse in Hertfordshire.

The Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls Partnership are listening and committed to ensuring everyone gets the right help at the right time.

More information

Halloween and Bonfire Night

We are getting closer to both Halloween and Bonfire Night and both these dates offer some risks for everyone.

On the Hertfordshire Constabulary's website you can find information on how to stay safe at Halloween but also on Bonfire Night.

This year there is a fantastic competition for children aged 5 to 16, who can win tickets to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour - The Making of Harry Potter in Leavesden!

More information about the competition

Cost of Living Webinar

Hertfordshire County Council has organised two webinars on supporting Hertfordshire residents with the cost of living.

Whether you interact with the public in your day job or as a volunteer, we understand how important it is that you can direct residents to trusted sources of help and advice in Hertfordshire when needed.

You can choose one of the following dates:

- Supporting with the Cost of Living event

Wednesday 1 November, 11am-12pm

- Supporting with the Cost of Living event

Tuesday 7 November, 2pm - 3pm. (A British Sign

A language interpreter will be present at this event).

This webinar will help you identify when a resident may need support, be able to signpost them to a trusted source of advice, and know when and how to refer someone who may need more in-depth support from one of our specialist services in the County.

Tyre Safety Month
During #TyreSafetyMonth, everyone is encouraged to do the 20p tread test on their tyres.
The more tyre tread you have (over 1.6mm), the safer journeys will be. You'll also avoid fines and 3 penalty points per tyre.

More information #TSM2023

Herts libraries slipper swap 2023

We all get less steady on our feet as we get older, and it's easy to take steps to prevent a slip or a trip.
Hertfordshire County Council has some great advice and helpful services, including a slipper swap to make sure we all keep a good grip on our floors at home. Bin your old slippers and come along to one of our events to pick up a new non-slip pair.

Slipper Swaps 2023 will be held at the following libraries:

Stevenage Library - Monday 30 October
Hatfield Library - Wednesday 15 November
Hoddesdon Library - Wednesday 29 November
Hemel Hempstead Library - Thursday 7 December

All events run 10am – 1pm

More information

Searching for free and low-cost half-term activities? We've compiled a list of activities and community meals under a fiver for you and your family on our Help for School Holidays webpage.

SOCIAL MEDIA

If you want to find out more about our huge array of projects and activities, you can follow our posts on our social media accounts:

Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - LinkedIn - YouTube

VACANCIES

Mental Healthcare Outreach Worker

Hours: Full time (37.5 hours) per week (Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm)
Salary: £24,000 – £25,000 per annum incl. Outer London Weighting (OLW). In addition, this role will have a yearly staff retention bonus of up to £2106. This payment is allocated at the discretion of HMN.
Location: Borehamwood Wellbeing Centre or Hemel Wellbeing Centre

More information

Senior Lead - Herts haven cafes, Children & Young people Services

Hours: 23 hours (inclusive of Saturday) – Mon, Thurs & Sat (Watford) OR 18.5 hours (inclusive of alternating Saturday’s). Flexibility may be negotiable.
Salary: £30,500 – £32,000 per annum pro rata (inclusive of premium weekend rate)
Location: Watford Palace Theatre

More information