Fantastic Friday Update

We are absolutely delighted to welcome a brand-new location for our Creative Community Café! 

Join us at the below date and time:

Day and time: Mondays from 10am - 2pm
Location: Radlett Village Institute Hall, 413 Watling Street, Radlett, WD7 7JG

Phone: 01727 649955
Email: training@communities1st.org.uk

Phone: 01727 649955
Email: training@communities1st.org.uk

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!

Appointments available at:

• Leeming Road Hub in Borehamwood every Friday, 9.30am - 3.45pm - Drop-in available or make an appointment
• Ver House, Park Street on Mondays (by appointment)
• Caledon Community Centre, London Colney on Thursdays (by appointment)
• Civic Centre, St Albans (by appointment)

Appointments are available at other venues upon request.

Herts Inclusive Theatre is seeking a Community and Education Manager to join their small team of passionate individuals who create arts experiences that are truly inclusive and open to all.

Your primary responsibility will be finding, managing, and evaluating community projects with councils and other organisations. Co-managing the staff, freelancers, and volunteers' annual
training programme. More information about the role can be found via the button below.

Completed applications should be sent for the attention of Caroline England, CEO, to admin@hit-theatre.org.uk, or call 01727 221414 for more information.

Deadline for applications is 10am on Tuesday, 27 January 2026.

Have you experienced hearing loss, or are deaf? Has this affected how you access your GP, pharmacy, opticians or dentists? Do you think things could be improved?

Herts Hearing Advisory Service wants to learn about your experiences to help improve access to healthcare for deaf people. Share your experiences and help bring about positive change. 

Want to get involved?

• Complete this short survey
• Attend the Herts Hearing Advisory Service Deaf Clubs. No need to book: 
  Friday 30 January, 7-9pm, Christchurch Baptist Church, 110 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL8 6HN
• Weekly drop-in sessions at Herts Hearing Loss offices, at Weltech Business Centre. To schedule a slot, email: zoe.overing@hhas.org.uk

For more information or to ask any questions please email: communityresearch@communities1st.org.uk 

Tel: 01727 649900

The St Albans District Fixers are coming to St Albans to help repair household fabrics and electrical items you might otherwise throw away. This is part of an initiative to reduce waste, save money and look after the planet.

Fixing, rather than buying replacements, has already saved thousands of tons of waste, helping to reduce our CO2 emissions.

Bring along your faulty electrical items and worn, torn fabrics. The team of skilled amateur fixers will do their best to put them right or offer advice. You may even learn to repair things yourself!

Check their Facebook page for upcoming event details. Bookings will go live three weeks prior to the event.

Are you curious about diverse local histories?Do you enjoy exploring and sharing information about your community?

Join Community History Day to discover new research, learn heritage skills, and celebrate St Albans’ diverse stories.

Book a free in-person ticket to reserve your space. Online-only tickets for the morning panel discussion and presentations are also available. 

For in person tickets, a complimentary light lunch will be offered.

Contact details: museum@stalbans.gov.uk

Holocaust Memorial Day is a time to remember the millions of people murdered during the Holocaust, under Nazi persecution, and in the genocides which followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur.

Presented by Herts Inter Faith Forum and Hertfordshire County Council, this year’s theme, Bridging Generations, explores how sharing stories and experiences across generations helps keep memory alive and strengthens our resolve to build a safer future.

Date: Monday 26 January 2026
Time: 7.00pm – 8.00pm 
This will be a Teams online meeting. No prior registration needed.

Do you or a loved one have dementia or do you care for someone with dementia?
Do you want to make Hertsmere more friendly for those living with dementia?
We want to hear from you!

Communities 1st and Hertsmere Borough Council invite you to share your experiences of living with, or caring for someone, with dementia to help shape Dementia Friendly Communities in Hertsmere, and make sure Hertsmere’s long-term ambitions are designed with your experiences in mind.

Join us for an opportunity to meet with local dementia organisations and to have your voice heard.

Your voice matters - make a difference!

When: 1.30pm - 3.30pm Monday 26 January
Where: Aberford Community Centre, Aberford Road, Borehamwood, WD6 1PL

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. 

Herts Inclusive Theatre is looking for Front of House volunteers to help at their events, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all audiences. They provide assistance and information about the venue, seating arrangements, and accessibility features, while also helping to promote and manage the raffle in a friendly and engaging way.

This role is all about representing Herts Inclusive Theatre with warmth and professionalism, delivering excellent customer service, and supporting the organisation’s mission to make the arts accessible to everyone.

Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust's National Lottery Heritage Funded project, Ancient Astonbury and Wilder Woodlands, aims to restore Astonbury Wood by reintroducing active habitat management.

The Trust is seeking to appoint a Volunteer Warden to be a regular presence on site and act as a positive representative of the organisation. This role involves working closely with the Nature Reserves Team to ensure the site achieves its objectives as outlined in the management plan.

Harpenden Trust produces a printed newsletter which serves as their principal printed communication channel. It is produced twice yearly and is widely available throughout Harpenden. The newsletter showcases the Trust's impact, celebrates their volunteers' dedication, and illustrates how local support transforms lives in the community. This helps maintain strong connections supporters and volunteers.

Working with the Director of External Affairs, the Coordinator will play a key role in bringing together content from across the Trust and ensuring smooth production and distribution of the newsletter.