Future Focus

Welcome to the June edition of Future Focus where you will find exciting opportunities for training, employment support and guidance for employment support.

June heralds the meteorological start of summer which means we will be spending more time outdoors. While it’s important to stay active physically, we should also focus on our mental wellbeing. Nurturing and engaging in activities that promote self-care and learning, can give a boost to our mental resilience and provide a sense of fulfilment and growth.

Did you know 40% of crimes committed in UK are scam related? Surprising isn’t it? The Scam Awareness session (2 July, 1pm - 2pm) aims to help identify and avoid the numerous scamming schemes that one may encounter. Book your place here.

Join in on one or more of our informative and knowledge driven awareness sessions. They are online, free, and open to all. Our full year listing can be viewed here and is ready for booking your place.

In the newsletter you can find an invitation to join us at our annual conference taking place on 26 June. Information about the day and booking details can be found below. 

As always, we look forward to hearing your views on our training; send us an email!

Kind regards,

Juli Riley
Head of Wellbeing, Employment and Skills

If you are finding your journey towards employment challenging, our employment support team can help ensure you're ready to secure your next role. 

We can help with:

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

• 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 to 12.00pm - By appointment only

• Appointments are available at other venues upon request

The Communities Thirst coffee cart at St Albans Civic Centre is an extension of Communities 1st's mission to offer volunteers the chance to learn, grow, and support their community. Whether you're a seasoned barista or looking to learn the art of creating the perfect cup of coffee, you can volunteer to help us run the coffee cart and make it a success. You'll have the opportunity to develop various skills and - if you're interested - mentor those who are also eager to learn but find it a bit harder than others. The coffee cart is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm.

Interested in joining us? If you'd like to find out more about this opportunity, call us on 01727 649950 or email volunteer@communities1st.org.uk.

We'd love to tell you more!

The workshop will tell you about what carbon monoxide is and how it is formed, the sources, signs and symptoms of CO poisoning, how to help prevent it, and what the implications are for you and your clients. It's aimed at front line staff and volunteers from social care, local authorities, NHS, Fire & Rescue Services and the voluntary/community and private sectors.

It's delivered in a mix of presentation, scenarios and practical exercises. Only the presenters will be on video, but participants can ask (or type) questions as you go along, as well as respond to real scenarios.

The workshop lasts just over an hour, and there will be an opportunity to ask further questions at the end. You will also receive a resources pack of information and guidance after the workshop for you to use with your clients.

This workshop is delivered by Gas Safety Charity

12 June 2025, 9.30am - 10.30 am
 

An online information training session that talks about sexual health and the issues around it. This session is for those who work with people living with sexual health issues, service users within Hertfordshire, community and voluntary groups, corporate businesses, educational organisations, housing providers, local authorities, NHS trusts, youth services, and members of the public. 

19 June 2025, 11am - 1pm
 

The Sight Loss awareness training is designed to equip participants with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with sight loss, along with practical skills to better support them. The session covers various aspects of sight loss, including causes, functional and emotional impacts on daily life and strategies for effective communication and assistance. 

The session is aimed at families, carers and professionals to raise awareness about barriers people with sight loss experience, including mobility challenges and social isolation. 

23 June 2025, 11am - 12pm
 

Come and learn about effective ways to communicate with deaf people, as well as some basic sign language, at this deaf awareness online workshop. Participants coming to this session will gain the confidence and basic skills to communicate with those who are living with deafness and hearing loss. It will enable them to understand deafness, signs that someone can’t hear you, body positions and communicating.

There will be time for a question and answer session at the end of this training. 

25 June 2025, 10am - 12pm 
 

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 online course 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.

The Scam Awareness  session aims to help identify and avoid the numerous scamming schemes  that one may encounter.

Open to all ages, this online scam awareness session will teach you to recognise and report scams. You will also learn what to do if you fall victim to a scam.

Please note this session is online.

Have an air fryer or considering buying one? Looking to cook more economically and healthier?

Come along to our three-hour cooking with an Air Fryer 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. 

Two dates are available below.

By the end of this online training, we hope that you will be able to:

• Fully understand what is meant by Full Cost Recovery

• To understand your direct costs and overhead costs, and know how to factor these into your applications

• Be confident in your ability to apply the Full Cost Recovery concept to your future grant and funding applications

If you have specific access needs, please email us or call 01727 649940. A member of the team will be happy to help you. 

5 June 2025, 10am - 1pm
 

Please note that there is a charge for this course. More information on the booking page.

In this online training, you will learn important strategies to achieve financial sustainability for your organisation. The session will cover effective tools and methods to improve your fundraising efforts. You will find out how to identify potential funders who share your mission and explore different ways to diversify your income sources. This approach will give you the knowledge needed to ensure your organisation’s financial stability.

18 June 2025, 10am - 1pm
 

Please note that there is a charge for this course. More information on the booking page.

If you’d like help and support with your job search, come along and meet LOCAL employers looking for local talent!

Exhibiting employers include NHS, Pure Gym, Swift Aerospace Ltd and Teach in Herts, alongside many more.

• Find out about local job opportunities and the skills that Hertfordshire employers are looking for
• Chat with the Step2Skills Employment support team
• BSL (British Sign Language) Interpreter available all day
• Aimed at Hertfordshire residents, aged 18 and over, with barriers and challenges to employment

12 June 2025, 10am - 3pm
 

This 5 week in-person course will provide you with the tools to protect yourself against fraud and cyber- crime when online. You will learn about:

• Accessing secure websites and understand what makes them a secure site,
• Navigate shopping sites,
• How to create a secure password and staying safe online by identifying junk mail/ phishing emails, clearing history Cache, favourites and more.

13 June 2025, 9.30am - 12pm