Fantastic Friday Update

Another week has flown by, and we're gearing up for a new one. As autumn leaves fall and the winds pick up, let's shed our worries and embrace a cozy, fulfilling weekend. Grab a warm cup of tea, and let's explore exciting events and training courses to make this week a fantastic one.

Next week, we welcome National Work Life Week 2024. This important event encourages us to reflect on the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between work and personal life. We can offer you training courses that provide welcome respite from your busy work schedule, but also serve to develop helpful skills, stimulate your brain and enhance the work you do.

On Thursday, October 10th, we observe World Mental Health Day. It's a reminder to take care of our mental health, which is just as important as our physical health. If you're looking for an activity to release stress and nurture your mental health, consider joining one of the events below or challenge yourself to one of our lively ParaDance sessions, where you can enjoy the music and get your heart pumping.

With the arrival of Optimistic October, we're embracing the theme with a positive outlook on the month ahead. 

We hope this newsletter sparks some ideas for you to make the upcoming week exciting and fulfilling. Remember to take care of yourself, both physically and mentally.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Nicola O' Neill
Wellbeing Services Manager

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

• Monday 7 October: Better Days Hub at Woodhall Library Welwyn Garden City (10am - 11am), Computers and a Cuppa at Wyllyotts Centre in Potters Bar and the Radlett Centre (10:30am - 12:30pm),  
• Tuesday 8 October: Better Days Hub at The Hive in Hatfield and Wyllyotts Centre in Potters Bar (10am - 3pm), Better Days Hub at Cottonmill Community and Cycling Centre in St Albans (10am - 12pm), Men That Meet at Windsor Hall in Borehamwood (1:30pm - 4 pm)
• Wednesday 9 October: Computers and a Cuppa at Community Hub in Borehamwood (10am - 2pm), Better Days Hub at Cotlandswick Leisure Centre in St Albans (10am - 12pm)
• Thursday 10 October: Book Swap Shop at Farriers Way Community Centre in Borehamwood (10am - 2pm), Better Days Hub at Bushey Library (10am - 12pm), Computers and a Cuppa at Bushey Library and our Healthy Hub in Borehamwood (12pm - 2pm)
• Friday 11 October: Better Days Hub at 96 Shenley Rd in Borehamwood (10:30am - 12:30pm)

Come along to our session and discover the versatile use of air fryer. Learn to cook more healthily and more cheaply, add new recipes to your range 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.

15 October 2024, 10am - 1pm

Weston Village Hall, Maiden St, Weston, Hitchin, SG4 7AA

16 October 2024, 10am - 1pm

St John's, Hatfield, AL10 9BZ

Contact us to register now!

Phone: 01727 649960

Email: traning@communities1st.org.uk

Are you missing out on Pension Credit? Starting this winter, Winter Fuel Payments will only be available to those receiving Pension Credit. In addition to Winter Fuel Payments, you may also be eligible for other benefits such as Housing Benefit and support for mortgage interest.

Communities 1st can help you determine if you qualify for Pension Credit and guide you through the application process. 

Come visit us at our hubs and learn more about Pension Credit!

Weekdays 9am – 3:45pm
Your Community Hub, 5 Leeming Road, Borehamwood

You can also visit one of our other local support hubs across the county and speak to a member of our team.

Do you need help to quit smoking?

We're offering a free drop-in stop-smoking service as part of the Healthy Hubs in St Albans and Hertsmere.

Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your physical and mental health. Visit a hub and chat with a member of our friendly team to find out more. We’re here to support and motivate you on this journey. 

Call us to make an appointment 01727 649930 or visit us at one of our hubs.

Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9am - 4pm

St Albans Healthy Hub, Civic Centre, St Peter's Street, St Albans, AL1 3JE

Tuesdays 10am -3pm

Hertsmere Healthy Hub, Wyllyotts Centre, Darkes Lane Potters Bar, EN6 2HZ

Monday - Friday, 9am - 3pm 

Your Community Hub, 5 Leeming Road, Borehamwood, WD6 4EB

Step2Skills have launched an autumn campaign, centred around ‘Skills Pay the Bills’.

The campaign is designed to raise awareness of the Multiply Government-funded scheme, designed to improve the numeracy skills of adults in the UK.

Want to upgrade your maths skills so that you can progress in your job? Or perhaps you want to change job and feel your number skills are a bit rusty?

Step2Skills can help you improve your math s skills and upskill to improve your confidence and employability.

There are a variety of FREE workshops available covering topics including crafts and number skills, to working with programmes like Excel and Google Docs.  

And for a limited time, if you sign up and attend one of our workshops, you’ll be in with a chance of winning a Samsung Galaxy Tablet. We have three tablets to give away to anyone who signs up and attends a workshop by 31/10/2024. 

Celebrate Black History Month with a vibrant cultural market and workshops taking place the last weekend of the month in Hatfield.

Explore the latest fashion, handcrafted treasures, delicious treats, and educational resources. Support local businesses and emerging talent while enjoying a fun-filled day for the whole family.

Communities 1st will be there to tell you about our services and support our good friends at Welwyn Hatfield CVs. We look forward to meeting you there!

Saturday 26 October 10am - 5pm
Sunday 27 October 11am - 4pm
Upper Level, The Galleria, Comet Way, Hatfield, AL10 0XR

The Housing and Homelessness Prevention Team is providing a new drop-in advice service. You can get guidance on:

• Homelessness and housing issues
• Housing register, tenancy issues, rent arrears, evictions, disrepair, overcrowding and more.
• Options available to those in difficulty tenancy situations.

Every last Tuesday of the month (10am - 12pm)

Your Community Hub, 5 Leeming Road, Borehamwood. 

For more information please email Communities 1st or call 01727 649930. 

Come and join us for a FREE Halloween Fun with Numbers event for you and your children. This is an opportunity for them to explore numeracy through a range of creative and physical activities.

Monday 28 October, 10am - 1pm
Aberford Community Centre, Aberford Road, Borehamwood, WD6 1PN

Join the nationwide Para Dance UK party! Experience the joy of inclusive dance for yourself and help us spread it far and wide through our online courses.

Our online courses are designed to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge to create their own inclusive dance classes.

For those interested in becoming an instructor, a limited number of fully funded courses (worth £650) are available to those who live or work in Hertfordshire (A deposit is required).

For those who want to dance, online sessions are running now and you can join in! These inclusive and fun sessions are moderate in intensity and will not only get your heart and lungs working, but also foster mindfulness.

There is a registration fee of £10 per year for individuals, and £100 per year for care homes/ day care centers/ groups. 

Available classes are:

• Adult Dance Club - all adults are welcome on Mondays from 10am, running weekly from 2 September 2024. Click here to register.
• Primary After School Dance Club - for primary school-aged children on Wednesdays from 4:15pm, running weekly from 4 September 2024. Click here to register.
• Through the Decades Dance Club - suitable for care homes and older people on Wednesdays from 11am, running weekly from 4 September 2024. Click here to register.
• Youth Dance Club - for young people aged up to 25 years on Wednesdays from 5pm, running weekly from 4 September 2024. Click here to register.

For those interested in becoming a Para Dance UK instructor, we’re also offering online courses designed to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge to create their own inclusive dance classes.

A limited number of fully funded courses (worth £650) are available to those who live or work in Hertfordshire (A deposit is required).

• Hours: 20 hours a week and one Saturday a month
• Salary: £37,500 FTE - £20,000 pro rata
• Location: Warehouse and Food Bank distribution centres

• Hours: 30 hours per week
• Salary: £25,000 – £26,000 per annum pro rata
• Location: Flexible across 7 wellbeing centres

• Hours: 37.5 hours per week
• Salary: £22,372
• Location:Closest to applicant’s home with countywide travel for clients where required