Fantastic Friday Update

Communities 1st is supporting "National Stress Awareness Month" over April, and its aim of raise awareness of the negative impact of stress. While not all stress is bad, long-term stress can have harmful impacts on physical and mental health.

If you want some ideas on how you can relieve stress, have a look here.

"World Autism Awareness Day" marks the beginning of the month dedicated to this condition.  You can find more about it here. 

"Bowel Cancer Awareness Month" is also celebrated in April offering the opportunity to highlight the symptoms of bowel cancer and encourage people to get tested.

In this newsletter you can also find some updates about our Para Dance activities.

Have a lovely weekend.

Nicola O' Neill

Wellbeing Services Manager

Healthy Hubs Hertsmere

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

• MONDAY 15th APRIL: Creative Community Cafes at Windsor Hall, Borehamwood (10.30am - 2.30pm).
• TUESDAY 16th APRIL: Creative Community Café at Phillimore Place, Radlett (12pm - 4pm), Men That Meet, Windsor Hall (1.30pm - 4 pm).
• WEDNESDAY 17th APRIL: Creative Community Café and Computers and a Cuppa at at Aberford Community Centre (12pm - 4pm).
• THURSDAY 18th APRIL: Creative Community Café, Farriers Way Community Centre (10am - 2pm) and Computers and a Cuppa at at Bushey Library (12pm - 2pm), Drop-in Session on Domestic Abuse with ASAHWR Outreach at Healthy Hub in Leeming Road, Borehamwood (10am -12pm).
• FRIDAY 19th APRIL: Creative Community Café and and Computers and a Cuppa at Organ Hall (10am - 2pm), Bushey Foodbank (10am - 12pm).

Slow Cooker Course

Come along and learn the benefits of cooking with a slow cooker. Watch a demonstration on cooking a favourite recipe. These sessions will also cover how to shop on a budget and to make your money go further in the supermarket.

 - IN PERSON COURSE - BOREHAMWOOD -SOLD OUT
   18th April 2024, 10am -1pm

   Farriers Way Community Centre, Farriers Way, WD6 2TB

 - IN PERSON COURSE - HATFIELD 
   23rd April 2024, 10am -1pm

   Friendship House, Wellfield Cl, AL10 0BU
   Register here

- IN PERSON COURSE - CUFFLEY
   29th April 2024, 9.30am -12.30pm

   King James Avenue, EN6 4LN
   Register here

Contact us for future dates and availability by email or at 01727 649960.

Do You Need Help to Qui Smoking?

A free smoking cessation service is offered now at our Hub in Borehamwood.

Quitting smoking is one of the best things you will ever do for your physical and mental health, and is better for your family and friends.

Pop down to the Community Hub at 5 Leeming Road in Borehamwood to book an appointment. If you are not able to visit us you can :

• Call 08003893998 OR
• Text SMOKEFREE to 80818
• Book an appointment online
• Book an appointment via Email 

Local Elections

Elections for St Albans City and District Council will take place on Thursday 2 May along with an election for the Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner. 

Here are some key dates to note in your diary:

Tuesday 16 April, midnight: you must be registered to vote by this date. If you’re not already registered to vote at your current address, you can do so here.

Wednesday 17 April, 5pm: deadline for applying for a new postal vote and amending or cancelling an existing postal or proxy vote. Most types of postal votes can be applied for here and proxy votes, here.

Wednesday 24 April, 5pm: deadline for applying for a proxy vote. This is also the deadline for applying for a Voter Authority Certificate if you do not have an approved form of photo ID to show at a polling station with details about this available here.

HACRO - The Hertfordshire Association for the Care and Rehabilitation of Offenders celebrates its 50th anniversary.

HACRO is in its 50th year and this is something to celebrate. As part of their celebrations they are hosting an open day at The Hub in Wheathampstead where they will show off some of the things that their participants can be proud of (artwork, music etc).

Light refreshments will be provided.

Thursday 16th May, 11am - 2pm

The Chapel Hub, Wheathampstead United Church, Brewhouse Hill, AL48AG

To register your interest click here 

Student/Graduate Volunteer Information Session

The Student Placements schemes provide volunteering opportunities for students who will have completed at least two years of their degree when the scheme starts.

Two different schemes are offered:

• The summer scheme runs for a minimum of 12 weeks full-time during the university summer vacation
• The academic year scheme runs for 6 months full-time or 12 months part-time during the academic year, usually starting in September.

More information will be offered during this online Information session held on MS Teams.

Tuesday 16 April 2024, 5.30pm - 7pm 

More information

Childcare Support Changes  

Starting in April, childcare support for working parents will expand, aiming to cover more families. By September 2025, most working families with children under five will be eligible for 30 hours of support. 

More information

Family Forest School

Half-term fun, exploring the park, learning about nature, and more. All sessions led by a qualified Forest School Leader. Suitable for ages 4 to 11. All equipment provided. Must be booked in advance.

£8 first child, £5/ sibling.

Tuesday 28th May, 10am - 12pm

More information

Para Dance UK

Para Dance UK aims to develop and promote dance as an inclusive leisure activity across the country for those who would otherwise be excluded.
Para Dance UK offers and runs courses online for people who want to provide their own inclusive dance classes.

• Mondays Adult Dance Club - Mondays, 10am - 10.30am 
• Through The Decades - Wednesdays, 11am - 11.30am - Suitable for Care Homes, Day care Centres older people and adults
• Primary After School Dance Club - Wednesdays, 4.15pm – 4.45pm 
• Youth Dance Club (secondary school age and young adults) -  Wednesdays, 5.00pm – 5.30pm

Membership Fees apply

Partnerships and Development Co-ordinator

• Hours:37 hours 
• Salary: £27,852
• Location: Park Street, St Albans 

Outreach and Partnership Co-ordinator

• Hours:37 hours 
• Salary: £27,852
• Location: Park Street, St Albans 

More information

Charity Shop Manager

• Hours:35 hours (Including Saturdays)
• Salary: Competitive Salary
• Location: Waltham Cross

More information

Warehouse Coordinator

• Hours:20 hours across 5 days (tba)
• Salary:£18,000+ Pension
• Location: Redbourn

More information

HILS Community Team Member

• Hours: Various days available, most vacancies require
  weekend working; - Shifts from 11am and 2pm
• Salary: £10.90 per hour on weekdays and £11.63 per hour for weekends.
• Location: This role is based at one of HILS five sites (St Albans, Hemel Hempstead, Letchworth, Hertford, or Hatfield) and agreed with successful candidate. 

More Information

Coordinators (x2)

• Hours: 35 hrs/week. Part-time possible. Initial 2-yr fixed term contract with view to extend subject to funding.  
• Salary: £21,000 - £25,000 pa
• Location: Earthworks eco-gardens, St Albans.

More Information

Care Support Workers

• Hours: Flexible, but ideally regular hours Monday to Sunday to provide Carers’ Breaks in all the areas we serve – the boroughs of Hertsmere, Three Rivers and Watford.
• Salary: £12.24 per hour weekday up to £16.33 per hour for Bank Holidays;
• Location: Hertsmere, Three Rivers and Watford.

Youth Co-Ordinator – Young Carers

• Hours: 37 hours
• Salary: £24,325.16
• Location: Hybrid working from the Hertford or Borehamwood office.

More information