Fantastic Friday Newsletter

Welcome back! The Christmas lights are shining brightly, which means the festive season is now in full swing! We hope you're soaking up all the sparkle and excitement this time of year brings.

If you're looking for ways to get involved this season, we have some fantastic opportunities! We are hosting an introduction to volunteering session—a perfect first step if you’ve been considering giving back to our community.

For our younger members, we're thrilled to highlight our dynamic Youth Dance Club and the Drama School. These are brilliant spaces for creativity, confidence-building, and meeting new friends as the nights draw in.

Keep reading below to find out all the details on how you can join these wonderful activities and make the most of the festive lead-up!

Best wishes,

Nicola O'Neill
Wellbeing Services Manager

Community Creative Cafés

Join us at one of our Creative Community Cafes

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing yet productive way to spend the winter afternoons—perhaps even starting some of your Christmas crafting, our weekly Creative Community Café sessions are the perfect place to meet like-minded individuals, share your passion, make new friends and enjoy free refreshments. Our friendly staff and volunteers can also signpost you to other sources of support and advice.

We provide some basic supplies, but encourage you to bring your own projects and materials to work on. Feel free to bring friends or family members who are interested in crafting—the more, the merrier!

Locations, days and times:

Aberford Community Centre: Wednesdays, 12pm - 4pm

Bushey Library: Thursdays, 10am - 2pm

Farriers Way Community Centre: Thursdays, 10am - 2pm

Organ Hall Community Centre: Fridays, 10am - 2pm

Phillimore Community Centre: Tuesdays, 12pm - 4pm and Thursdays, 10am - 2pm

Windsor Hall: Mondays and Tuesdays, 10am - 2pm

For more information, click the button below, call us on 01727 649970 or email welcome@communities1st.org.uk

More information

Community Learning and skills development opportunities

Grief Awareness

This Grief Awareness workshop offers a brief introduction to grief and loss, highlighting some common reactions that people may have in grief, as well as some misunderstandings about grief. It will also offer key advice for individuals who may either be supporting someone who is grieving or experiencing grief themselves.

This is an online session on Zoom and will be delivered by David Kelly, Community Engagement Coordinator, Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care.

When: Monday 1 December, 12pm to 1.30pm

Phone: 01727 649960
Email: training@communities1st.org.uk

More information

Dementia Friends Information session

Join us to for an online presentation by Jan Payne (a Dementia Friends Ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Society) to learn more about dementia and the ways we can all help to improve the quality of life for those living with it. This is a general information session and not a medical presentation and will last about 45 minutes. At the end there will be an opportunity to join over 3 million people in the UK, by becoming a Dementia Friend.

When: Wednesday 3 December, 12pm - 1pm

Phone: 01727 649960
Email: training@communities1st.org.uk

Book your space

Domestic abuse and the Workplace

Domestic abuse doesn’t stay at home, it impacts attendance, performance, wellbeing, and safety in the workplace. This webinar, delivered by Safer Places, provides a clear, practical overview on how to identify warning signs, respond safely to disclosures, and create a supportive organisational culture. There will also be information on what support is available.

When: Thursday 4 December, 10am - 11am

This is an online session.

Phone: 01727 649960
Email: training@communities1st.org.uk

Book your space

Employment Support

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 - 3.45pm - Drop-in available or make an appointment
Canada Life (café) in Potters Bar every Wednesday, 9.30am - 12.00pm - By appointment only

Appointments are available at other venues upon request.

Contact: 01727 649960

training@communities1st.org.uk

More information

Be Part of Research campaign

Help shape the future of research in Hertfordshire and West Essex

Research plays a crucial role in improving health and social care services, and you can be a part of it.

Ways you can get involved:

Take part in research - join studies that interest you and help improve healthcare services
Share your experience - give feedback on research priorities and help shape future studies
Become a Community Research Champion - work with us to make research accessible and meaningful to your community
Spread the word - encourage friends, family, and community groups to learn more about research and how they can get involved.

If you would like to find out about becoming a local community research champion, visit our website or contact us via email or phone using the details below.

To find out about local research studies you could take part in, scan the QR code above.

Email: communityresearch@communities1st.org.uk

Tel: 01727 649900

Find out more

Useful information

Borrow It!

Borrow It! is a new initiative in Welwyn Garden City allowing residents to borrow tools and useful household items instead of buying them – helping to save money and protect the planet.

The Sharing Station in the Howard Centre loans out high-quality DIY tools and household essentials such as drills, pressure washers, strimmers, sewing machines and more. Known as a ‘library of things’, this reduces waste, conserves valuable resources and helps households keep more money in their pockets.

Anyone over the age of 18 can use the Sharing Station by signing up online for a monthly subscription of £3.75. Social housing tenants and those on means-tested benefits can sign up for free.

More information

Wellbeing events and information

Homeless Health Services Event St Albans

You are invited to attend the Homeless Services Event next week, a key gathering for support and connection in our community. You will be able to access multiple services and meet various organisations, including Communities 1st.

Come along to access valuable services, enjoy free food and drinks, and even enter a free raffle!

When: Wednesday 3 December 10am - 1pm
Where: St. Saviour's Church, 25 Sandpit Lane, St Albans, AL1 4DF

Help to manage the cost of living

Advice and support is available to help every resident deal with the cost of living. Practical help is available for those who need it most.

To make sure everyone knows what financial support is available, Hertfordshire County Council is highlighting trusted sources of local and national information to help you manage your finances, make savings, and look after your own health and wellbeing.

More information

What's on at Trestle Arts Base

Trestle School of Drama

A stimulating and professional environment where every participant can find their own creative expression!

Trestle School of Drama is fully inclusive and runs weekly sessions for ages 4-18 years. With over 40 years of experience in arts and education and a wide range of expert specialists at our fingertips, Trestle is the perfect place for children to start a journey with drama and grow in confidence and performance skills.

When: Tuesday 16 September - Saturday 13 December 2025
(No classes on 28 Oct and 1 Nov due to half term)
Where: Trestle Arts Base
Russet Drive, St Albans, England, AL4 0JQ

Please email takingpart@trestle.org.uk, or call us on 01727 850950 to book!

More information

The Great Winter Show Off!

Join Trestle Community Group as they Dance, Act and Sing into winter at The Great Winter Show Off! - a joyful afternoon of performances from our three community groups: Dance Now, Act Up, and Sing Out.

This heartwarming showcase celebrates creativity, connection, and the power of the performing arts to bring people together. Expect uplifting songs, expressive movement, and playful theatrical moments, all created and performed by Trestle's incredible community members.

The event is Pay What You Can, open to all, and promises to leave you smiling well into the New Year.

When: Friday 12 December 2025 1.30 pm 2.30 pm
Where: Trestle Arts Base
Russet Drive, St Albans, England, AL4 0JQ

Book your space

Communities 1st Festive Get Together

Celebrating the festive season with Communities 1st

It's that time of year again! You are invited to a Communities 1st Festive event near you. Kick off the seasonal celebrations by registering at a local event where you can join us for a cosy hot drink, a tasty mince pie and show off your favourite Christmas jumpers!

We have events happening across Hatfield, Hertsmere, Broxbourne and St Albans this year and we hope you are able to make it.

If you would like to come along, please click on the button of the event you would like to attend below.

Hatfield Event - 1 December

Hertsmere Event - 2 December

Broxbourne Event - 3 December

St Albans Event - 4 December

Para Dance UK

Our inclusive and fun Para Dance sessions are a wonderful way to get your heart and lungs working while also fostering mindfulness and self-expression. They are designed for everyone to enjoy movement in a supportive environment. And for younger movers, our dynamic Youth Dance Club offers another fantastic and inclusive space to build skills and confidence!

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

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. To book sessions, take a look at the What's on button below.

Book a Para Dance class

Let's Give

Let’s Give: where volunteering finds you!

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! You could l.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

Hertsmere Family Centres Volunteers with One YMCA

Hertfordshire Family Support Service is looking for volunteers across a variety of roles and locations to support the service lead of One YMCA. The Universal, SEND and Emerging Needs Activity Volunteer plays a key role in supporting the team in their work with offering courses and family activities to parents, carers, families and children (0-5years).

They are looking for friendly, hands-on individuals who are interested in early years, to welcome families, support the engagement of both parent and child with all the activities provided in the sessions, promoting children's development and positive feedback and praise indoor and outdoor group activities.

Find out more

Data Protection Officer with The Harpenden Trust

The Harpenden Trust is looking for a dedicated Data Protection Officer to help them uphold the highest standards of privacy and compliance. You'll develop policies, provide guidance, and ensure their practices meet GDPR requirements - keeping trust at the heart of everything they do.

If you have hands-on experience, great communication skills, and a proactive approach to privacy, apply below.

Find out more

Event Director with Borehamwood Junior Parkrun

Junior Park run is looking for a core team of enthusiastic volunteers to launch a free, weekly 2km event for children aged 4–14. Whether you want to walk, cheer, or help behind the scenes, your support will make a big difference. Interested in being involved? They'd love to hear from you!

Find out more