Fantastic Friday Update

We are officially in spring!Hopefully the April showers will soon pass and the longer, warmer and drier days will soon be here.

April is a month full of really meaningful health awareness campaigns and opportunities for growth within our community.  

"World Autism Awareness Day" marks the beginning of a month dedicated to kindness, acceptance and understanding for people who are living with this condition.  You can find more about this campaign here. You can also read a very interesting article about Watford FC sports reporter Andrew French finding out how undiagnosed autism as a child has shaped his life.

On 7th April the World Health Organization will mark the 75th anniversary of World Health Day which offers us the opportunity to look back at public health successes that have improved quality of life across the world during the last seven decades. 

"Bowel cancer awareness month" will also be running throughout April offering the opportunity to highlight the symptoms of bowel cancer and encourage people to get tested.

During April, Communities 1st will besupporting National Stress Awareness Month and its aims to raise awareness of the negative impact of stress. Stress can be described in many ways but the most common explanation of it is a "physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension". While not all stress is bad, long-term stress can have harmful impacts on physical and mental health.

 

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

There will be no newsletter next week due to the long Easter Weekend, but we’ll be back in 2 weeks’ time. We would like to take the opportunity to wish a both "Happy Passover" and "Happy Easter" to anyone in our communities who will be celebrating in the coming week

Stay safe, warm and have a lovely time !

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.

HEALTHY HUBS

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

MONDAY 3rd APRIL     : Borehamwood Foodbank (1pm -3.30pm) in Borehamwood. 

TUESDAY 4th APRIL     : Radlett Library  (12pm -4pm) and Phillimore Place (12pm - 4pm).

THURSDAY 6th APRIL  : Bushey Library (10am - 12pm).  

TUESDAY 11th APRIL   :Creative Community Cafe (12pm - 4pm) at Phillimore Community Centre.

THURSDAY 13th APRIL : Bushey Library (10am -2pm).

INFORMATION TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS

Happy Easter Camps

Bookings for HAPpy Easter camps are now open!
HAPpy camps are for children and young people (Reception to Year 11) who attend a Hertfordshire school and are in receipt of benefits-related free school meals.

 

If your child is eligible and you have not received your code ask your school office for it, or email
To book your place click here 

Places are available from 3 April – 14 April 2023.

Springtime activities during April

The Easter holidays offer the opportunity of enjoying adventures and days out in Hertfordshire to keep children, young people and families entertained – without spending too much.

 

Check here some ideas 

Spring into action for Rennie Grove Hospice Care

With the warmer weather ahead of us, Rennie Grove Hospice Care invite all their supporters to turn their passion for gardening into a fundraiser! 

 

To find out more about opening your garden for Rennie Grove this summer, contact the fundraising team.

Saints in Colour project
St Albans Cathedral's new project, Saints in Colour, shows how the Wallingford Screen might have looked in the medieval period - with a 21st century twist
If you've not seen Saints in Colour yet, make sure to head to the Cathedral any day of the week at 11am, 2.15pm and 3.45pm to see this astonishing project for yourself. 

For more information

Creative Community Cafe

If you enjoy knitting, needlework, painting ( or another hobby), come along to our new weekly coffee and crafting mornings at Windsor Hall in Borehamwood. 

 

Mondays 10.30 - 12.30

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 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 

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, but there are things you can do to help.

 

More Information 

Proof of address to be required at recycling centres

Due to rising costs associated with our recycling centre services, we recently decided to restrict access to Hertfordshire residents only. After a grace period lasting several weeks, people wishing to use recycling centres will need to bring proof of address which shows they live in Hertfordshire.

 

For more information

Fit, Fed & Read.

Children will get to experience the perfect blend of activities to keep them active and entertained during the holidays. These camps provide high quality sport, entertaining enrichment activities, as well as a nutritious hot meal.

They are funded by the Big Lottery and the Department for Education’s Holiday Activities and Food programme and run at every school holiday throughout the year (excluding Christmas). 

 

Dates: Monday 3rd April – Friday 14th April 

For 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

Shape Up is back!
The course starts Wednesday 26 April 7:30pm - 9pm and runs at Cranborne Primary School, Laurel Fields, Potters Bar EN6 2BA. During the course, you can find out about simple lifestyle changes you can make to help lose weight in a safe, friendly way.

If you, or anyone you know could benefit from this course register your place here. Alternatively, please contact Shaun Murphy to secure your place.

 

 

 

 

 

The next "Dementia Friends Information Session" will be on Zoom on April 19th 11am - 12pm

SOCIAL MEDIA 

 

If you want to find out more about our huge array of projects and activities, you can follow our posts on our social media accounts:

Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - LinkedIn - YouTube

VACANCIES

Cleaner/Caretaker

  • Hours: 7.5 hours per week 
  • Salary: £10,53 per hour
  • Location: Phillimore Community Centre, Radlett and Ver House, Frogmore

More Information

  • Community Engagement Officer
    Hours: 36 hours per week - The post is offered on a contracted, full time basis
  • Salary: £27,979 - £31,521 per annum (depending on experience)
  • Location: Civic Offices, Borehamwood

More Information

 

Mental Health Outreach Worker

  • Hours: 37.5 hours per week (Full time, Monday – Friday)
  • Salary: £23,500 – £24,500 per annum incl. Outer London Weighting (OLW)
  • Location: Can be flexible (one of the 7 wellbeing centres)

More Information

Family Conflict Worker

  • Hours: 37 hours per week 
  • Salary: £24,000 – £26,000 per annum 
  • Location: Hybrid. Office in Hatfield

More Information

Youth Co-Ordinator – Young Carers

  • Hours: Full time (37 hours).
  • Salary: £21,164.26
  • Location: Hybrid working from the Hertford or Borehamwood office

More Information

Virger

  • Hours: 35 hours over 5 days - Full time role, however part time hours could be considered 
  • Salary:£20,840 per annum (equivalent to £11.45 per hour)
  • Location: St Albans 

More Information

Team Leader – Meal Services

  • Hours: 22.hours per week--Thursday’s, Friday’s and Saturday’s 8am to 4pm
  • Salary: FTE - £25.569.96 per annum (Pro-rated to agreed hours)
  • Location: St Albans -Jubilee Centre -AL3 5BU

More Information

Recruitment Coordinator

  • Hours: Flexible 18 hours per week, Monday to Friday, hours to be negotiated with the successful candidate with potential for further hours as role progresses
  • Salary: FTE £24,980 per annum, depending on experience, pro rata for part time
  • Location: Letchworth SG6 1HB- with occasional travel to other HILS’ sites within Hertfordshire, surrounding areas.

More Information

Community Manager 

 

 

Consultant Social Worker 

  • Hours: 37 hours per week 
  • Salary: £43,516 plus £6,875 Market Enhancement with an opportunity to progress to a maximum £48,587 plus £6,420 Market Enhancement per annum
  • Location: Farnham House, Stevenage

More Information