Welcome to the Watermill Hotel. This note will hopefully help you settle in the hotel more quickly. The hotel manager is Hassan Somani.
You should aim to see the following people as soon as possible:
- Hertfordshire County Council - the county council have overall responsibility for providing support for hotel residents. They will organise school and college places, provide donated goods to meet essential needs such as basic clothing, toiletries and phones, as well as co-ordinating activities provided by other organisations. Denis O’Gorman is the on-site representative and is available at the hotel (normally based in the Orchard Suite) on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
- Hertfordshire Community Navigation Services – Volunteers will attend the hotel to address any welfare concerns and to provide advice on the different support pathways available to residents.
- Department for Work and Pensions - John Godman will help you to make a claim for Universal Credit if you have not done so already. If you have already made a claim, let John know so that he can make sure your information is transferred. John will also advise you about opening a bank account. The Department for Work and Pensions may have a presence at the hotel, but you may need to visit their local offices.
- Home Office – The Home Office Liaison Officer is Adiba Chudhry and you can book an appointment with Adiba by completing the form that is displayed on the noticeboard in advance of her next visit. She aims to visit the hotel once a week.
- GP doctors – You need to see the GP to register for NHS health services. The doctors come to the hotel regularly. They are from Afghan families so you can speak to them in your first language. You can make an appointment by asking Reception. If you are already registered with the NHS, you should still see the GP so that your information can be transferred. Sarah Sales is a social prescriber and works closely with the GPs.
- Herts Welcomes Refugees - This is a local charity. Their representative, Kate Scott is available to deal with general enquiries on Monday and Thursday from 10am to 12pm and Tuesday from 1pm to 3pm. They also provide informal English conversation classes, organise activities and can provide guidance on other services and the local area.
- Community Action Dacorum – A local charity that provides ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes and a range of activities. Aneta Wujek is the main contact.
Community Development Agency and Herts Asian Women’s Association – Local organisations that provide activities at the hotel and in the local community. Rushna Miah is the main contact.