Fantastic Friday Update

February is going to be quite an engaging month, full of important events that mark meaningful moments in our past, present and future.

February is "LGBTQ+ History Month". Its aim is to celebrate all the historic milestones and significant contributions LBGT+ and Civil Rights movements have made to our communities’ lives.

"Dignity Action Day" occurs on Thursday 1st February. This day offers annually the opportunity for health and social care workers, and members of the public to uphold people's rights to dignity and provide a truly memorable day for people who use care services. You can find more information about it here.

It's also "Time to Talk Day" on Thursday 1st February. The day is all about creating supportive communities by having conversations with family, friends, or colleagues about mental health. We all have mental health, by talking about it we can support ourselves and others. You can find more about it here.

National Wear Red Day (2nd of February) offers the perfect chance to help spread the word about the prevalence of heart disease and make sure that friends and family can start taking the first steps to heart health. You can find more about how to support this campaign here.

Communities1st is organising "Grow Your Own Sunshine - Family Activity & Learning Sessions", an inclusive community gardening project for all ages.
There will be lots of activities and complimentary refreshments for everyone!
Come to see us in Farriers Way (Borehamwood) on Monday 5th February. More information is in the newsletter below!

We wish you a lovely weekend!

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 29th JANUARY: Creative Community Cafes at Windsor Hall, Borehamwood (10.30am - 2.30pm), Computers and a Cuppa at Radlett Centre (10.30am - 12.30pm), NHS Health Check at Healthy Hub in Leeming Road, Borehamwood. Please contact the hub to book it.

TUESDAY 30th JANUARY: Creative Community Café at Phillimore Place, Radlett (12pm - 4pm), Men That Meet, Windsor Hall (1.30pm - 4 pm).

WEDNESDAY 31st JANUARY: Creative Community Café and Computers and a Cuppa at at Aberford Community Centre (12pm - 4pm).

THURSDAY 1st FEBRUARY: Computer's and a Cuppa, Bushey Library (12pm - 2pm), Creative Community Café, Farriers Way Community Centre (10am - 2pm).

FRIDAY 2nd FEBRUARY: Creative Community Café and Computers and a Cuppa at Organ Hall, Borehamwood (10am - 2pm).

INFORMATION TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS

Mental Health Awareness
There is an increasing acknowledgement of the importance of the role of mental health in the wellbeing of individuals and the community as a whole. Being aware of your mental health can substantially reduce long term physical and mental health conditions and the stigma around it.

The objectives of this course, that is aimed at residents across Hertfordshire are:

To be able to recognise stress and anxiety and other mental health conditions.
To have a good understanding of what support is available to people with mental health conditions
To be able to manage stress in day-to-day life.

- IN PERSON COURSE - Hoddesdon
29th January 2024, 10am -1pm
Bollescroft Hall Community Centre, Cock Lane
Hoddesdon, EN11 8BE
Register here

- IN PERSON COURSE - Goffs Oak
07th February 2024, 10am - 1pm
St James Church, St James Road, Goffs Oak,
EN7 6TP
Register here

- IN PERSON COURSE - Wormley
07th March 2024, 9.30am -12.30pm
Wormley Community Centre, Fairfield Drive,
EN10 6DX
Register here

- IN PERSON COURSE - Cheshunt
19th March 2024, 10am -1pm
Cheshunt Football Club, The Stadium, Theobalds Ln,
Waltham Cross, EN8 8RU
Register here

Grow Your Own Sunshine - Family Activity & Learning Sessions

This is an inclusive community gardening project for all "ages taking place as part of "Feeling Good Week".
Come rain or shine, there will be gardening activities for you to enjoy outdoors and indoors, talks and exercises, health checksand complimentary refreshments for everyone!

Activities will include:

Seed planting
Preparing planters and baskets for spring
Building bug hotels and bird feeders
Garden decorating and decorating plant pots
Learning about seed growing stages
Learning about your green footprint.

Dates:

Borehamwood - Farriers way, 5th Feb.
Radlett - Phillimore Community centre, 6th Feb.
Borehamwood - Aberford, 7th Feb.
Borehamwood - Organ Hall, 9 Feb.

For more information and full list of days

Our Health Matters - Support for Wellbeing Event

Save the date for our next health event!
We're delighted to be welcoming:

Alzheimer's Society
Citizens Advice Hertsmere
GP surgeries: Fairbrook Medical Centre, Manor View Practice, and The Grove Medical Centre
Hertfordshire County Council's Learning Disability team and Public Health's Health Improvement Service.
Hertfordshire Mind Network
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Hertsmere Healthy Hubs
Music for My Mind
New Leaf Recovery and Wellbeing College
Para Dance UK

Join us for an afternoon of support and information, talks and exercises, health checks, and free refreshments. More information will be released soon!

Monday 26th February, 1pm - 4pm

Aberford Community Centre in Borehamwood!

More information

Home Upgrade Grant opportunities for households in St Albans

The Home Upgrade Grant (HUG2) Scheme that has been launched to assist families living in energy inefficient properties that are not connected to the gas network in the St Albans District. The grant is available to home-owners and private tenants.

The Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) is open to homes that meet the following criteria:
• Homes not heated by mains gas, which includes oil, coal, LPG or electric heating.
• Households with a combined annual income of less than £31,000 (gross) or receiving an income-related means-tested benefit such as Universal Credit.
• Hard to heat homes–(EPCs rated D or lower).

More information

Energy Agent with Communities 1st

Our Creative Café / Community Spaces offer helpful advice to help people make informed decisions about their energy usage, conserving energy and safety.

Our volunteers have full training and resources to help you.

Our Creative Café / Community Spaces are available across Hertfordshire and every week from Monday to Friday in Hertsmere. Find out which one is closest to you below:

Mondays: Windsor Hall Community Centre, Borehamwood from 10.30am - 2.30pm.
Tuesdays: Phillimore Community Centre, Radlett from 12pm - 4pm.
Wednesdays: Aberford Community Centre, Borehamwood from 12pm - 4pm.
Thursdays: Farriers Way Community Centre, Borehamwood from 10am - 2pm.
Fridays: Organ Hall Community Centre, Borehamwood from 10am - 2pm.

More information

Health Walks Timetable 2024 released

Hertfordshire Health Walks has recently released its winter timetable for walks starting from January 2024. There are five new walks ideal for people looking to gradually increase their fitness levels in the new year. Check out Dacorum's Sunday Afternoon Walks Programme which leaves from a different village venue each month.

Just turn up on the day - 15 minutes before the start if its your first walk. Or, if you prefer, register online.

To find a walk near you

VACANCIES

Mental Health and Homelessness Outreach Team Leader

Hours: Full time 37.5 hours a week
Salary: £28,000 – £29,000 per annum per annum incl. Outer London Weighting (OLW).
Location: Flexible to one of our seven Wellbeing Centres dependent on location.

More information