Fantastic Friday Update

March is a special month, dedicated to several campaigns that are all aimed at increasing awareness for people who live with various forms of cancer and the importance of early diagnosis.

"Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month" aims to raise awareness by ensuring women know the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer and how they can get help. You can find out more about this condition here.

"Endometriosis Action Month" begins today, Friday 3rd March. This year's campaign attempts to bust the myths, challenge the stigma and highlight the real impact of living with endometriosis. You can find ways to support the campaign here.

In this week's newsletter we also want to share some useful Community advice about the upcoming period of cold weather that is expecting next week. This is useful to note if you’re looking after someone who is vulnerable to the cold, planning a trip or a community event.

If you are looking for ideas on how you can keep fit whilst supporting fundraising for causes that matters to you, Walk All Over Cancer 2023 and 100 Miles in March for Mind 2023 could be right for you!

Please note that due to flooding our Community Hub, at 5 Leeming Road, Borehamwood is currently closed for repairs. We’re working hard to ensure alternative provision is available for those who need to meet with us as soon as possible but in the meantime please do give us a call at 01727 649930.

We want to wish "Happy International Women's Day" (8th March) to all the lovely ladies out there and also a happy colourful Holi if you're celebrating

this joyful, vibrant festival this year!

Stay safe, warm and have a lovely weekend!

Nicola Oneill

Wellbeing Services Manager

COMMUNITIES 1ST INFORMATION AND SUPPORT

If you or someone you know is in at risk group or having to isolate, and need help or support with shopping, prescription collection, pet sitting, or urgent supplies or tech support, you can contact us.

Email: help@communities1st.org.uk.
Phone: 01727 649930.

Alternatively, if you would like to volunteer yourself to support this service, please contact us or visit our website for further information.

Let’s take a moment to remember some of the hard-won achievements of the UK’s feminist movement.

1866 - 1500 signatures are collected for a petition for women’s votes which is presented to the House of Commons by John Stuart Mill.

1867 - The London Society for Women’s Suffrage is formed.

1870 - The Married Women’s Property Act is introduced, allowing women to be the legal owners of money they earned, and to inherit property. Before this, everything a woman owned or earned automatically became her husband's when she married.

1888 Secretary of the Women’s Trade Union League, Clementina Black, secures the first equal pay resolution at Trades Union Congress.
1891 The right for a man to use corporal punishment on his wife is removed.
1907 Women can be elected onto borough and county councils Under the Qualification of Women Act. They can also be elected mayor.

1918 Women over 30 are given the right to vote in Britain. In 1928 this was extended to women over 21.

HEALTHY HUBS

Come and visit us at one of our Hubs this week :

MONDAY 6th MARCH : Wyllotts Theatre, Potters Bar (10am-12pm)

Borehamwood Foodbank (1pm - 3.30pm)

TUESDAY 7th MARCH : Radlett Library (10am -12pm) and Phillimore Place (12pm - 4pm)

THURSDAY 9th MARCH : Bushey Library (10am - 2pm)

FRIDAY 10th MARCH : Warm Hub/Computer & a Cuppa session in Organ Hall (10am - 12pm)

INFORMATION TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS

Worrying About Money?

The rising cost of living is on everyone’s mind right now and is having an impact on most people’s personal finances.

Money worries can also have an impact on our mental health and wellbeing. If you're having to make hard decisions about what you can afford, it's normal to feel stressed or down.

More Information

Have your say on the future of NHS services

NHS services in Hertfordshire and west Essex (Epping Forest, Harlow and Uttlesford) have together launched a survey which will shape how health services are developed over the next five years. The plan will set out how NHS resources (money and staff) will be used to meet the health needs of local people, as well as delivering national NHS improvement targets on important issues like how quickly illnesses are diagnosed, and how long people have to wait to be treated.   

Please complete the survey to help shape local NHS plans and priorities: . As a thank you for completing it, you can enter your name into a prize draw and be in with the chance of winning one of 10 £30 shopping vouchers. It would be great if you also could please share this survey with others to help as many people as possible to have their say.

 For more information about the plan and how to have your say on this website

University Mental Health Day (9th March)

There are a lot of factors wrapped around the Academic reality. Academic pressure, financial worries, feeling of loneliness. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed at university making the life for students even tougher .

More information

Coronation celebrations: deadline for road closure applications.

The deadline for applying for a road closure to hold a street party to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III and The Queen Consort is Sunday 26 March.

Hertfordshire County Council, the highways authority, has waived its usual fee to encourage people to mark the historic occasion on Saturday 6 May with a neighbourhood get-together.

If you want you can send an invite to the Mayor of St Albans, Councillor Geoff Harrison, or an Honorary Alderman to attend your event.

You can find out more information about how to apply for a road closure here.

Updates on what is happening around the District during the Coronation weekend will be posted on the Enjoy St Albans website.

No Smoking Day 8 March
The theme for this year’s campaign is "Stopping smoking improves your brain health” and smokers get encouraged to ‘never give up giving up’. Lots of information can be found in the NHS Better Health Quit Smoking website - like wealth of information and support to help smokers on their quitting journey - and in the DHSC Campaign Resource Centre to support ongoing quit smoking activity.

Older People Safety Learning event

This event will include safety information and talks from organisations across Hertsmere such as the Herts Fire and Police service.

A free hot lunch is also provided by Herts Independent Living Service.

Places are FREE but limited and must be booked.

Thursday 16th March, 10am - 1pm

More information

Wanted

Communities 1st is looking for some items for asylum seekers living locally: Good condition men's bikes and straight handlebars, bike locks and helmets and any hi-vis jackets.

If you can help please contact Teresa Clarke either by calling on 01727 855026 or by email.

Warm Spaces Directory
We all need a little support from time to time and we want to make sure all our residents can stay safe and well this winter. This is why we have launched our Warm Spaces directory where you can find warm and welcoming in locations across Hertfordshire.

More Information

All carers are entitled to a free flu jab this year
Do you look after a friend or family member who couldn’t manage without your help? You are entitled to a FREE flu vaccine. It’s safe, effective and the best way to protect yourself and the person you care for.

Contact your GP or visit a pharmacy offering the service for your free jab.

More Information

Are you interested in setting up a walking group in your community?

Join a fantastic team of volunteers from all walks of life. Hertfordshire Health Walks are free, friendly and safe, offering free training and support to get you started. No previous experience is required.

Walking groups are a great way to stay fit and healthy, while having fun exploring your local area. If you’re interested, please call 01992 588126 or email

More information

World Kidney Day 9th of March

Bookings for Easter HAPpy Camps open noon on 6 March! If your child is eligible and you haven't had your code yet, please contact your school office or send an email here

Camps are free to school aged children (Reception to Year 11) in receipt of benefits related free school meals.