Fantastic Friday Update

As we approach the final week of January, we find ourselves brimming with optimism and exciting plans for 2025. We trust that you have successfully transitioned back into the rhythm of school or work following the holiday season. 

If you are seeking to cultivate a new skill or simply learn something new, we invite you to explore our diverse array of training courses. Alternatively, if you are striving to embrace a healthier lifestyle, our dynamic Para Dance UK sessions are ideal for you. More about the sessions can be found below.

This week's newsletter places a spotlight on Energy Savers Week, which takes place from 20-26 January. This initiative, led by the Energy Saving Trust and Citizens Advice, provides useful tips that will help you reduce the amount of energy you use and save money. Keep reading to discover the available support and the means by which you can connect with us to find out more.

Nicola O'Neill
Wellbeing Services Manager

Employment support for every step of the way

Our Employment Support Hub helps job seekers gain skills and experience to be seen by employers. Our expert team can help with:

• Creating online job-seeking profiles
• Writing CVs, personal statements, and cover letters
• Interview preparation techniques
• Communication tips and more!

Where and when?

Appointments available at:

• Leeming Road Hub in Borehamwood every Friday, 9.30am to 3.45pm - Drop-in available or make an appointment
• Canada Life (cafe) in Potters Bar every Wednesday, 9.30am - midday - By appointment only
• Appointments are available at other venues upon request

Contact: 01727 649960

training@communities1st.org.uk

This is introductory awareness session for staff and volunteers in the voluntary sector, Healthcare staff and the public on how to be better at talking about death, dying and loss which covers bereavement. The session will be a look at:

• Why don’t we talk about death?
• What a good death is for yourself? Communication techniques​
• Empathy vs sympathy​
• Theories of loss and
• What to do & say

The aim is to help people feel more confident in supporting people who might have a palliative care diagnosis and those who are bereaved. The social context of death and dying will be explored, considering the impact on good end-of-life care and bereavement support.

This is an online session on Zoom and is being delivered by Alison May, Community Engagement Manager, Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care.

3 February 2025, 1.30pm - 3pm
 

Contact: 01727 649960

training@communities1st.org.uk

Join us for Understanding Gambling Harm for professionals: Nikki's Story, an event to hear powerful stories from women with lived experience of gambling harm and equip you with the knowledge to better support them in your work.

This session will feature Nikki’s Story, a video message from Nikki Adams who bravely shares her story of gambling harm. This will be followed by a facilitated discussion for you to ask questions and gain valuable insights on supporting women experiencing harm from gambling as well to discover practical tools and support resources.

Join us for an empowering and informative event. We'd love to have you!

This is an online session.

25 February 2024, 2pm - 3pm

Register using the button below or

Phone: 01727 649960

Email: training@communities1st.org.uk

The session, aimed at families, carers and professionals, covers various aspects of sight loss, including causes, functional and emotional impacts on daily life, and strategies for effective communication and assistance. It aims to raise awareness about the barriers people with sight loss experience, including mobility challenges and social isolation. 

This is an online session on Zoom.

24 February 2025, 11am - 12pm

Register using the button below or:

Phone: 01727 649960

Email: training@communities1st.org.uk

We Move, She Moves is a movement to get women and girls in Hertsmere more active more often, with something to suit all ages, abilities, and fitness levels.

This a great way to get active and have fun! The variety of activities include Tai Chi, Pilates, Zumba and more. Take a look at the weekly sessions near you by clicking the button below.

Winter can bring lots of illnesses to our homes – from coughs and colds to sickness bugs. The Hertfordshire and West Essex Healthier Together website offers information aimed at parents, pregnant women and young people on what symptoms to look out for across a range of childhood illnesses, what to do initially and when to seek professional help.

Created by clinical leaders of local health and care services, the website has advice on a number of conditions including allergies, coughs and colds, childhood flu vaccinations and mental health concerns. Please share this website with your friends and family this winter.

It’s #EnergySavers Week!  

We want to help you to improve your energy efficiency, understand the dangers of carbon monoxide in the home, and sign up for the Priority Services Register if eligible.  

Why not come along to one of our Energy Advice Cafés in Hertsmere? Join us on weekdays at one of seven locations in Borehamwood, Bushey and Radlett where you’ll enjoy a complimentary hot drink, and we can help you take control of your energy use and save on your bills.  

Our cafés offer a welcoming space where you can chat with friendly experts about simple ways to save energy and learn about financial support that’s available to you.  

The Priority Services Register (PSR) is a free service available across the UK. It offers extra advice and support, especially during interruptions to your electricity, gas, or water supply. 

Joining is free and helps utility companies support customers with additional communication, access, or safety needs.  

You may qualify for free PSR services if you:  

• Live with children under 5 
• Are of pensionable age 
• Have a disability or chronic illness 
• Use medical equipment reliant on electricity or water 
• Need documents translated into another format or language 
• And more!  

Cadent, The Energy Saving Trust and Citizens Advice have compiled comprehensive lists of ideas for saving money at home this winter.

Here are some of the tips we have found the most useful: 

• Keeping a gap between radiators and furniture to let the heat radiate out 
• Batch cooking meals to save on heating and washing up 
• Defrosting frozen food in the fridge before preparing to reduce cooking time 
• Switching appliances off standby 
• Washing clothes at a lower temperature 
• Buying or making draught excluders 

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas which is colourless, odourless and tasteless. Your home is at risk of carbon monoxide leaks from poorly fitted or maintained gas appliances and blocked chimneys or vents. It can also be produced by BBQs, wood burners and generators.  

To minimise the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning, you should ensure all gas appliances are properly installed and annually serviced by a Gas Safe Registered engineer, ensure chimneys and flues are cleaned annually to prevent blockages, and install carbon monoxide alarms within your home and test them regularly.  

If you think a gas appliance is leaking carbon monoxide, call the free National Gas Helpline now on 0800 111 999. 

You might be able to get help if you’re struggling to afford your energy bills. The help depends on how you pay for your energy, the type of energy you use and if you claim benefits.  

For example, you could agree a Payment Plan with your supplier, apply for the Fuel Direct Scheme, or even access: 

• A fuel voucher from your local council 
• Energy supplier grants 
• Local government energy grants 
• One-off Cold Weather Payment 
• Oxygen concentrator rebate 
• Winter Fuel Payments 
• Warm Home Discount 

The Green House is looking for friendly hub volunteers to greet people, help them find some answers to their environmental questions and to keep the hub looking welcoming. All volunteers will be supported in their roles and will be shown how to easily source information at the hub.

The Eco hub is a hub located in the centre of St Albans where people come and connect to find out ways to reduce their carbon footprint.   

Can you spare an hour a week to enrich a person's life? Why not become a Befriending Volunteer and help older people feel less alone.

Age UK’s volunteers provide friendship and a listening ear to someone who would like some company. You will be carefully matched with an older person, providing friendship and sharing news, views and interests.   

St Albans & District Talking Newspaper creates an audio programme designed for those in the St Albans & District whose visual impairment puts them at risk of being excluded from what is happening around their local community.

They are seeking an additional producer to provide backup or to job share with existing producers. The task is to follow a programme template creatively, drawing on an established team of readers and guests to record, create and deliver an audio programme that is of value to their listeners. They are looking for someone who has either relevant experience or a creative instinct or a love of radio.   

Join the nationwide Para Dance UK party and experience the joy of inclusive dance for yourself!

Online classes (via Zoom) are running as follows:

Monday - Adult Dance Club at 10am
Wednesday - Through the Decades at 11am
Wednesday - Primary After School Dance Club at 4:15pm
Wednesday - Youth Dance Club (for secondary school students and young adults) at 5pm

These inclusive and fun sessions are moderate in intensity and will not only get your heart and lungs working, but also foster mindfulness. Register for the classes using the button below to get access to the Zoom links. 

If you'd like to run your own inclusive dance sessions, our online courses are designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge to do this. Find out more on the Communities 1st website.