Fantastic Friday Update

We are slowly approaching the nice weather and getting closer to the Easter festivities.

As usual, in this week's newsletter you can find references to some awareness weeks and days that aim to draw attention to important health campaigns through fun and interesting events.

Sign Language Week (18th - 24th March) with this year's theme “Promoting BSL” aims to encourage people of all ages across the UK to take up the challenge of learning BSL for themselves and finding out more about the language and culture of the Deaf, Deafblind and hard of hearing British people for whom BSL is their first or preferred language.

Communities 1st often organises training such as "Deaf awareness and Basic BSL" session helping people dealing with this topic.

On Wednesday 27th March Communities1st will attend the "Man, You’re a Lifesaver" , a free event inviting men to have conversations about their health and wellbeing.

There will be more than 15 stalls offering advice, information and guidance, such as Prostate Cancer UK, InspireAll and Healthy Hubs.

The free event (no need to book) will be held in Allum Hall (Borehamwood). Come to see us there!

Stay safe 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 is isolated, and needs help or support with shopping, prescription collection, pet sitting, 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.

1973 - Sybil Phoenix is the first black woman to be given an MBE. She initially refused to accept the honour unless the council gave her a property where she could house, feed and educate homeless young girls from the Borough of Lewisham.

1975 - The Sex Discrimination Act, pushed through by the women’s movement, makes it illegal to discriminate against women in work, education and training.
The Employment Protection Act made statutory maternity pay a requirement for all employers legislated against dismissal on the grounds of pregnancy.
1976 The Equal Opportunities Commission comes into effect to oversee the Equal Pay Act and Sex Discrimination Act.
Domestic Violence and Matrimonial Proceedings Act is introduced to protect women and children from domestic violence. The Act enabled married women to obtain a court order against their violent husbands without divorce or separation proceedings. A court could order a man out of the matrimonial home, whether or not he owned it or tenancy was in his name.
1977 - The first Rape Crisis Centre opens in London.
1979 - Margaret Thatcher becomes Britain’s first female prime minister.
1982 - Bars and pubs are no longer allowed to refuse to serve women.

INFORMATION TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS

Para Dance UK

Para Dance UK aims to develop and promote dance as an inclusive leisure activity across the country for those who would otherwise be excluded.
Para Dance UK offers and runs courses online for people who want to provide their own inclusive dance classes.

Dance Club (Adults)- Mondays, 10am-10.30am
Through The Decades - Wednesdays, 11am - 11.30am
Primary After School Dance Club - Wednesdays, 4.15pm – 4.45pm
Youth Dance Club (secondary school age and young adults) - Wednesdays, 5.00pm – 5.30pm

Mental Health Awareness
There is an increasing acknowledgement of the importance of the role of mental health in the wellbeing of individuals and the community as a whole. Being aware of your mental health can substantially reduce long term physical and mental health conditions and the stigma around it.

The objectives of this course, that is aimed at residents across Hertfordshire are:

To be able to recognise stress and anxiety and other mental health conditions.
To have a good understanding of what support is available to people with mental health conditions
To be able to manage stress in day-to-day life.

- IN PERSON COURSE - Cheshunt
19th March 2024, 10am -1pm
Cheshunt Football Club, The Stadium, Theobalds Ln,
Waltham Cross, EN8 8RU
Register here

Slow Cooker Course

Come along and learn the benefits of cooking with a slow cooker.

Watch a demonstration on a cooking a favorite recipe.

This sessions will also cover how to shop on a budget and to make your money go further in the supermarket.

- IN PERSON COURSE - STEVENAGE

28th March 2024, 10am -1pm

Stoneyhall Community Centre, Wornham Ave, SG1 3UG
Register here

- IN PERSON COURSE - BOREHAMWOOD
18th April 2024, 10am -1pm

Farriers Way Community Centre, Farriers Way, WD6 2TB
Register here

Contact us for future dates and availability by email or at 01727 649960.

Healthy Hubs Hertsmere

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

MONDAY 18th MARCH: Creative Community Cafes at Windsor Hall, Borehamwood (10.30am - 2.30pm), Computers and a Cuppa at Radlett Centre (10.30am - 12.30pm).
TUESDAY 19th MARCH: Creative Community Café at Phillimore Place, Radlett (12pm - 4pm), Men That Meet, Windsor Hall (1.30pm - 4 pm).
WEDNESDAY 20th MARCH: Creative Community Café and Computers and a Cuppa at at Aberford Community Centre (12pm - 4pm).
THURSDAY 21st MARCH: Creative Community Café, Farriers Way Community Centre (10am - 2pm), Drop-in Session on Domestic Abuse with ASAHWR Outreach at Healthy Hub in Leeming Road, Borehamwood (10am -12pm), Borehamwood Foodbank (10.30am-12.30pm).
FRIDAY 22nd MARCH: Creative Community Café and Computers and a Cuppa at Organ Hall, Borehamwood (10am - 2pm)

Local Elections

Elections for St Albans City and District Council will take place on Thursday 2 May along with an election for the Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner.

Here are some key dates to note in your diary:

Tuesday 16 April, midnight: you must be registered to vote by this date. If you’re not already registered to vote at your current address, you can do so here.

Wednesday 17 April, 5pm: deadline for applying for a new postal vote and amending or cancelling an existing postal or proxy vote. Most types of postal votes can be applied for here and proxy votes, here.

Wednesday 24 April, 5pm: deadline for applying for a proxy vote. This is also the deadline for applying for a Voter Authority Certificate if you do not have an approved form of photo ID to show at a polling station with details about this available here.

Bookings open for Easter HAPpy camps

HAPpy camps are returning for the Easter break, giving eligible children and young people a chance to meet friends, learn new skills and enjoy nutritious food

More information

Adult weight management service for Hertfordshire

The ICB is the NHS organisation which plans and pays for health care for local people. The ICB is working with Hertfordshire County Council to introduce a new adult weight management service for the county.

The new service will provide adult residents of Hertfordshire with support to lose weight, including dietary advice and physical activity options. They want to give all eligible and motivated residents access to the most appropriate support. The new integrated service will be easier for healthcare staff and residents to navigate and remove the need for patients to be referred again by their GP if their needs change.

To help to deliver this service, they would like to gather the views of local people through a short survey. If you are the leader of a community group, or are part of a network who may have an interest in services like these, please feel free to share this survey with members so they are also able to take part.

You can access the survey here

This Girl Can in Oakmere.

Two brand new sessions start next week:

- Stroller Strength session.

Starting on Wednesday 6th March, 2pm-3pm

Oakmere Park

- Learn to Run

Starting on Wednesday 6th March 6.30pm - 7.30pm for 8 weeks

Oakmere Park

More information

Black men and prostate cancer

Herts County and Hertsmere Borough Councils are supporting the Prostate Cancer Awareness Month campaign which is being promoted through Healthy Hubs. 1 in 4 Black men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime. Black men are more likely to get prostate cancer than other men, who have a 1 in 8 chance of getting prostate cancer. We don’t know why, but it might be linked to genes. We're funding research to find out why Black men are at higher risk of prostate cancer than other men.

Man, You're a Lifesaver

A free event inviting men to have conversations about their health and wellbeing is taking place in Borehamwood this month.

There will be more than 15 stalls offering advice, information and guidance, such as Prostate Cancer UK, InspireAll and Healthy Hubs.

There will also be health awareness talks taking place throughout the afternoon, among these will be Diabetes UK, Bowel Cancer UK and West Herts Hospital Trust. Mini health checks offered by four local GP practices will also be on offer, alongside liver cancer screening, exercise taster sessions, free refreshments and more.

Wednesday 27 March from 1-4pm

Allum Hall in Borehamwood, WD6 3PJ. no need to book.

More information

Neurodiversity Celebration Week.

This is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. It aims to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported by providing schools, universities, and organisations with the opportunity to recognise the many talents and advantages of being neurodivergent, while creating more inclusive and equitable cultures that celebrate differences and empower every individual.

They offer a week of free events open to all. Events will be recorded, to increase accessibility for all around the world.

VACANCIES

Partnerships and Development Co-ordinator

Hours:37 hours
Salary: £27,852
Location: Park Street, St Albans

Outreach and Partnership

Hours:37 hours
Salary: £27,852
Location: Park Street, St Albans

More information

Charity Shop Manager

Hours:35 hours (Including Saturdays)
Salary: Competitive Salary
Location: Waltham Cross

More information

HILS Community Team Member

Hours: Various days available, most vacancies require
weekend working; - Shifts from 11am and 2pm
Salary: £10.90 per hour on weekdays and £11.63 per hour for weekends.
Location: This role is based at one of HILS five sites (St Albans, Hemel Hempstead, Letchworth, Hertford, or Hatfield) and agreed with successful candidate.

More Information