Fantastic Friday Update

First of all, we'd like to extend our sincere appreciation to all of you who came to our conference yesterday. We truly hope you found it helpful and informative.

Summer is the perfect time to get out, try something new, and connect with our fantastic community. From Healthy Hub events, ParaDance UK to our Creative Community Café activities, there's plenty of activities to help you improve your wellbeing and boost your confidence.

Keep scrolling to find out more about wonderful events and opportunities designed to help you stay active and engaged.

Best wishes

Nicola O'Neill
Wellbeing Services Manager

Communities 1st Events

Summer Creative Community Café Events

Discover something new at Communities 1st's Community Creative Café, offering interesting and informative sessions for all.

Come along and join in! All of our sessions are free to attend.

Make do and Mend

It's all about getting creative with what you've got, repairing beloved items, and giving new life to things that might otherwise be discarded. Not only is it a fantastic way to be more sustainable and save a few pennies, but it also brings a real sense of accomplishment!

When: Thursday 3 July, 10am - 12pm
Where: Farriers Way Community Centre, Borehamwood, WD6 2TB
Book your place

Cooking with a slow cooker

Watch a demonstration on cooking a recipe and get tips on cooking with a slow cooker.

When: Thursday 24 July, 10am - 12pm
Where: Farriers Way Community Centre, Borehamwood, WD6 2TB
Book your place

The Creative Cafe will continue to run after these sessions until 2pm. Look forward to seeing you there!

Book swap - every thursday

Do you love to read? Why not bring a book to our Creative Cafe and swap it for a new one?

Come along and meet others who share your love of reading and good conversation. Finished your book? No problem! Swap it for a new one, sit and read it with a free cuppa or take it away to enjoy at home.

When: Every Thursday from 10am to 2pm
Where: Farriers Way Community Centre, Farriers Way, Borehamwood, WD6 2TB

No booking required. We can't wait to see you!

Training and Employment Support

Scam Awareness

Stay safe and informed! Join us for our upcoming Scam Awareness session, designed to help you identify and confidently avoid the numerous scamming schemes that you may encounter.

Please note this session is online.

When: Wednesday 2 July from 11am to 12pm

Register here

Drugs and Alcohol Awareness

You are invited to join Hertsmere Borough Council's Drugs and Alcohol Awareness training day.

The training will be delivered by Change, Grow Live (CGL), the leading Drug and Alcohol Recovery support service in Hertfordshire. The day will focus on general drug and alcohol awareness and current trends. The training will begin from 10am and finish at 2pm. Please arrive from 9:30am to allow for a prompt start.

If you would like to attend please register your place using button below. You will receive a diary invite within a few days once you have registered your place.

When: Thursday 10 July from 10am to 2pm
Where: Hertsmere Borough Council Civic Offices, Elstree Way, Borehamwood, WD6 1WA

Register here

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 to 12.00pm - By appointment only
Appointments are available at other venues upon request

Contact: 01727 649960

training@communities1st.org.uk

More information

Wellbeing events and information

Strength beyond frailty

Healthwatch Hertfordshire is looking to hear from Hertfordshire residents aged 65 and over to share their experiences of getting older and how it has affected daily life, wellbeing and independence.

By sharing your views about ageing well and preventing frailty; receiving hospital care in your home; planning for your older years and end-of-life wishes; how you have been supported by local health and care services, you can help improve the care and support residents receive.

Sign up link

New July Activities Calendar

Check out the Potential Kids new July 2025 Activities Calendar for fun and educational summer activities.

These engaging and educational sessions are thoughtfully designed specifically for neurodivergent children, young people, and their siblings, ensuring everyone has a wonderful and inclusive summer experience.

For further information contact info@potentialkids.org.

Booking link

Summer HAPpy Camps Booking Clinic

Need help booking onto a HAPpy Camp?

Come along to the booking clinic where a
member of the HAPpy team will assist you
with booking a place. Make sure you bring your code which is available from the child’s school.

When: Thursday 3 July, 10am - 12pm
Where: Communities 1st Hub, 5 Leeming Road, Borehamwood, WD6 4EB

For any questions please contact Jane Parker j.parker20@herts.ac.uk

Visit a Healthy Hub this June

Healthy Hubs are places where you can find free health and wellbeing support. No matter where you live in Hertfordshire, there's a Healthy Hub to help you with your health and wellbeing needs.

When and where:

Your Community Hub, Leeming Rd, Borehamwood: Monday - Thursday from 9am - 3.45pm, and Fridays from 9am - 1pm
Hertfordshire Satellite Law Clinic at Borehamwood Foodbank: 22 May, 10am - 12.30pm
Phillimore Community Centre, Radlett: Tuesdays 12pm-4pm
Bushey Library, Bushey: Every Thursday 10am-12pm

Click the button below to visit our website for information about other venues and dates.

More information

Let's Give

Let’s Give: Where Volunteering Finds You!

Did you know that 82% of hiring managers are more likely to choose applicants with volunteering experience?

Volunteering is a great way to broaden your skills and experience, while showing that you care about other people and local causes. If you’re searching for a new job or career, consider volunteering to boost your CV! It’s a great way to increase your self-confidence, gain new skills and experiences and meet amazing people.

We know that looking for volunteering roles at the same time as applying for jobs can be time-consuming. But with Let’s Give, all you need to do is complete a form to showcase your interests and availability to organisations in need. Then, we will contact you with opportunities you can become involved with. No hassle, just opportunities to make an impact!

Sign up today

Volunteering Opportunities

Donation sorter with Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care

Rennie Grove Peace Hospice is looking for volunteers with a keen eye to sort through donations and to pick out those that would be best sold on ebay or Vinted to get the best price. Other donations will be distributed to their 32 shops to ensure that they make the most of everything they are given.

Find out more

Befriender for Age UK Hertfordshire

Age UK Hertfordshire is looking for befrienders for their service. Volunteers will be carefully matched with an older person, providing friendship and sharing news, views and interests.

Volunteers will regularly visit somebody in their own home every week, perhaps for a cup of tea and a chat or you may choose to take them into their local town or garden centre.

Find out more

General Volunteers for Jersey Farm Day Care Centre

Jersey Farm Day Centre is looking for volunteers to help at their community centre.

Volunteers are needed to help set up the hall from 10:30am. During the day, you will interact with their clients and help with serving morning tea/coffee. At lunchtime, they serve clients a hot two course meal. Volunteers then help with the washing up on a rota basis. In the afternoon, they have various forms of entertainment during which clients may require some help. Clients return home at 3pm and volunteers will be needed to help with clearing the hall.

Find out more

To see more volunteering opportunities, please visit our website by clicking the button below.

See all volunteering opportunities

Para Dance UK

We look forward to bringing you the joy of inclusive dance as you explore our exciting themed sessions and join the Para Dance UK party!

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 and 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.

Book a Para Dance class