Author: Sarah Heighton

World Alzheimer’s Awareness Month 2022

Every September, people come together from around the world to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and challenge the stigma around dementia.

This year, Dementia UK are raising awareness of the stigma that affects so many people with Alzheimer’s disease and their loved ones. This stigma can make it hard for people to speak up about dementia and put them off seeking a diagnosis or support and this can leave families feeling overwhelmed and unsupported.

Follow Dementia UK on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see how they’re challenging the stigma around Alzheimer’s disease this month and how you can get involved. Please visit their website here.

Communities 1st have partnered with The Alzheimers Society and Dementia Adventure to run a Dementia Friends Information session. This session will give you the opportunity to learn more about what it is like to live with dementia and turn that understanding into action. The online session will be taking place on 21 September 11am-12pm via Zoom. To book the session or to find out more please call 01727 649900, email or visit Communities 1st website here.

Notification of work to trees in Scrubbitts Wood & area around Guide & Scout Hut

Aldenham Parish Council’s tree contractors, Turneys, are scheduled to carry out works to some of the trees in Scrubbitts Wood week commencing 5th September 2022.

This is a result of the arboricultural surveys carried out by the Council as part of the maintenance and sustainability programme for the woods.

There will be barriers in place, but please keep any dogs on leads and supervise any children.

We thank you for your patience and assistance.

Emergency services (999) now use sign language

British Sign Language (BSL) users can now communicate more easily with the emergency services following the June launch of the 999BSL video relay service. 
 
The free-to-use nationwide service can be found online at 999bsl.co.uk or downloaded as an app and enables a BSL user to connect to a BSL interpreter video call in an emergency. The interpreter then calls 999 using a landline to relay the conversation to the emergency services operator. 
 
The new service is a lifeline for people who only communicate using BSL. Now they can independently contact emergency services if they need to. The service is available 24/7, 365 days a year and there’s no need to register.
 
The launch of 999BSL comes after Ofcom announced last June that telephone and broadband companies must carry the service. NHS 111 already operates a BSL video call option.
 
Abigail Gorman, public affairs and policy manager at SignHealth, the deaf health charity, said: “This is a breakthrough for deaf people that will save lives and means one more step forward towards equality. We won’t be satisfied until deaf people have full and equal access, particularly to life saving health services.”
 
Here for you
Give us a call to find out more or to book your appointment.

Give us a call on: 
01923 372101 (Radlett) or 01462 506074 (Hitchin)

Clothes Swap for a Wardrobe Update

Clothes hanging on a rail

We’re back with another clothes swap event in Radlett.

A clothes swap event is a great way to update your wardrobe for free! You simply bring along clothes you no longer wear and swap them for somebody else’s.

The event takes place on Saturday 24 Septembery at The Radlett Centre. The event starts with shoppers dropping off a maximum of ten items of clothing between 10am and 11am. For each donated item you can choose a new item, for free! Swapping takes place between midday and 1.30pm. It’s simple and sustainable!

The aim is to divert the amount of perfectly usable clothing from unnecessarily ending up in landfills, but also make it more accessible for people that want new clothes but possibly can’t afford them.

Research shows that 30 per cent of what is in our wardrobes hasn’t been worn for over a year, so why not swap those clothes for something new to you.

There are some ‘rules’ to ensure the swapping event goes well:
Maximum of 10 items per shopper
All items must be good quality – only bring what you’d be happy to take home
Nothing too worn – no bobbles, no rips, no stains
Adult clothes only – no shoes, jewellery, underwear, swimwear or children’s clothes.
We cannot guarantee sizes/categories of clothing at each event, it is all dependant on what people bring on the day. Please arrive early to avoid disappointment, i.e. first come, first served – we do not hold stock back.
We cannot provide credits or return items if you do not find an equal number of items to take home as the number you brought to the swap.

Any leftover items at the end of the swap will be saved for future events or donated to a local charity. Remember to bring your own reusable bags to take items home in. 
To find out more about the clothes swapping event, please visit: www.hertsmere.gov.uk/clothesswap

Shape Up Is Back!

Do you know someone who needs a little help?

Shape Up is a 12 week FREE weight loss course aimed at men aged 18 to 65 who have a BMI of 30+.

The course starts Monday 12 September and runs at Allum Manor in Allum Lane, Borehamwood, 7-8:30pm. 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 then contact Shaun Murphy at shaun.murphy@watfordfc.com or 07938 486378 now to secure your place.

Shape Up is run by the Watford FC Community Sports and Education Trust. If you would like further information on this programme, please visit their website.

Introducing McDonald’s Summer Club!

McDonald's summer club
A new social activity club aimed at 11-14 year olds is launching this month at McDonald’s. 

There will be a range of fun activities on offer such as table tennis, giant Jenga and table football.
A free drink will be provided.

The club has been provided by Hertsmere Borough Council in partnership with McDonald’s and Sporting Inspirations.
It will go ahead from 2-4pm on 17, 24 and 31 August outside McDonald’s at 213 Shenley Road, Borehamwood, WD6 1TE. 

No booking is required but parental consent is needed.  Grab a friend to bring along, or make some new ones!

Volunteer Jobs Available

Volunteer Coordinator for Youth Talk
Are you a people person? Do you enjoy meeting new people, supporting others and working as part of a small team to make a real difference? Youth Talk are looking for a volunteer coordinator to help them develop and lead their volunteering programme. You will help them to co-ordinate, recruit and manage different volunteer roles. You will also help look after their volunteers so that they feel valued and able to share their time meaningfully, develop or learn new skills and ultimately help Youth Talk to achieve more. Apply here.
Community & Events Volunteers for MIND in Mid Herts                                                                          Mind in Mid Herts are looking for enthusiastic, friendly and community minded volunteers to help support their growing Fundraising team both in communities that we support (St Albans, Hertford, Welwyn & Hatfield, Stevenage). This is an exciting time to join their team as you can be part of creating and shaping community Fundraising events, help them build local relationships and networks while raising awareness and vital funds for mental health services in Hertfordshire. You will be helping to build relationships with a range of local businesses, shops, supermarkets, schools and community groups. You will also Support Mind In Mid Herts in planning, organising and supporting of Fundraising events, managing the collection and distribution of collections tins and leafleting/ promoting their fundraising events within the community. Apply here.
Befriender for Herts Vision loss                              Herts Vision Loss is a local charity providing a wide range of support and services to visually impaired people, their families and carers in Herts. There are over 26,000 visually impaired people in Hertfordshire, and in addition there are over 35,000 people with long term eye conditions that may result in them losing their sight further. Befrienders are needed to visit clients in the Bricket Wood area who have a visual impairment. These clients are isolated in their own homes and would like someone to chat, read or carry out small tasks with. Apply here.
Tutor for iPad/iPhone beginners classes with Computer Friendly
Computer Friendly is looking for an enthusiastic volunteer to tutor short courses for iPad and iPhone beginners in St Albans. You will join our team of Tutors and Helpers based in St Albans and Harpenden in running 4-6 week courses, 2 hours per weekly session, for small classes of predominantly older students, who wish to learn how to use an iPad or iPhone. Each course subject is held around 6 times per year, during term times. Apply here.
Family Activities Volunteer – School Holiday Availability Only
Noah’s Ark provides regular Family Activities including Family Days, Parent Groups, Siblings’ Groups and Noah’s Ark (referred) Children’s Groups. These activities are designed to provide fun and free days out, allowing children and families the opportunity to meet others in similar situations and to take part in new activities in accessible environments. They are looking for Volunteers to help assist with these groups by playing and reading with the toddlers and overall supporting throughout the activities. Experience of working with children, young people or families is desirable but not essential. They welcome volunteers from all backgrounds with all sorts of skills. Apply here.

 
Web Support Volunteer for Rennie Grove
Are you a student with an interest in web design and looking for some valuable experience? Rennie Grove are developing an exciting new website and are looking for one or two people who could help them upload their documents into our new WordPress Content Management System. You would get a valuable insight into how a web site is developed and edited in a real-world scenario. 
The new website will make sure that their “front window” into the charity is engaging, useful and easy to interact with. Rennie Groves comms team needs someone on a short-term basis over the summer to help them upload content from documents into their new WordPress Content Management System. This would suit a student or young person someone with an interest in marketing, web development and content creation, giving you valuable work experience in a real-life environment. 
You would be: 

Uploading content from documents into our new WordPress
 
Content Management System (CMS) 
Learning how to build and edit web pages 
Working alongside our Comms team to build our new website, following all data protection guidance. 
Apply here.

 
Business Advisor
Young enterprises are looking for volunteer Business Advisors with Business skills and the ability to impart these skills and communicate well with teenagers.  Most teams have their ‘’Board Meeting’’ once a week either in school time or after (about an hour). Training is given and all Business Advisors to ensure they are aware of what is required. Apply here.
Gardeners for Blessed Earth                                  Blessed Earth are looking for gardeners to help with their allotments. All of the work will take place outside, therefore appropriate clothing should be worn. Some of the work will involve kneeling on the ground with a mat to carry out weeding, other tasks will involve digging, turning over the soil, pruning and shaping plants and shrubs, and you may be asked to assist some of our vulnerable staff. If you have prior gardening experience, you may be asked to help teach other volunteers and help assist the core team. Projects last either half a day or a full day. If the project lasts a full day, food and drink will be provided and regular breaks will be taken. This is totally down to every individual volunteer and they let you do as much or as little as you want to do.  Apply here.
Local Champion for Leecliffe Big Local.                       As one of our Big Local Champions there are a whole range of things you can volunteer for. For example, you could support our Chatter Tables group, which tackles loneliness and isolation. You could help educate primary school students about healthy eating and the environment with our Veg Club project or raise teenagers’ aspirations at our Youth Cafe. Or you could help families in need by volunteering at WD6 Food Bank. Whatever your passion is, we have something that can help you can make a difference in Borehamwood! Apply here.
Volunteer Mentor for Home- Start                                 Do you have experience of parenting, or caring for children? Do you have 2-3 hours a week to spare? If so, you would be the person they are looking for! Volunteer mentors support families in their homes. They offer a free training course to provide you with all the skills and information you will need. Apply here.
Community Ambassador Volunteer for Peace Hospice Care.                                                                         Peace Hospice Care are looking for Community Ambassadors who can help them to spread the word about what they do and why it matters and to represent Peace Hospice Care externally through visits to community organisations, healthcare settings, faith groups, schools and, occasionally, local businesses. It will help to educate the public about the role of the Hospice in supporting patients and their families with life-limiting illness, from early diagnosis, throughout their illness and, for families and carers, through to bereavement care. As a charity, they rely on local community support and the Community Ambassador role will help to explain how they are funded, their need for ongoing support and the impact of their services and how individuals, families and health and care professionals can access, and find out more about, their services. Apply here.
E-Bay Volunteer for Peace Hospice Care                  Peace Hospice Care provides high quality, specialist care for patients and their families facing life limiting illnesses across South West Hertfordshire and the wider area. They help people manage their conditions and offer support at the end of life too. Their friendly team are looking for volunteers to help research, list and package items for eBay. If you’re able to do any one of the three below, and can spare a few hours per week, we’d love to hear from you: Researching the value of donated items online by using the internet with an eye for unusual or popular items that sell on eBay including clothing, coins, stamps, toys, books or cameras Listing donated items on e-Bay To list methodically and quickly, with good attention to detail. An understanding of eBay/online sales, and familiarity with using technology, computers and cameras would be useful. Posting and packing items sufficiently so they don’t get damaged in transit. Apply here.
Play session Volunteer for Family Centre
InspireAll Family Support Service offers support to families, with children aged 0 – 11 years, across the West and South of Hertfordshire. Our offer includes universal support such as family play sessions and a range of public health services such as breastfeeding support and healthy eating as well as, Emerging Needs sessions, Parenting and Targeted 1-1 support.  Main Tasks could include:   Help with setting up and tidying away at session   Signpost families to the appropriate professional.   Engaging with families and helping them feel comfortable in the session   Support the work of the Family Centre staff by getting all families to sign in   Encourage and support families to register with the service. Promoting focus messages 
  Apply here.
Information and Advice Administration Volunteer for Age UK Hertfordshire  
Age Uk Hertfordshire are looking for an Information and Advice Administration Volunteer to help assist with all admin related duties such as letter writing, filing, scanning, post etc. The main responsibility of the role will be to answer and respond to telephone calls and emails from members of the public, providing basic information and signposting where necessary, ensuring that all information given is accurate, current and in a style which is accessible and usable to a wide range of people. Apply here.
Sports & Activity Volunteering Roles Sports clubs and physical activity programmes across the county are opening up, with increasing opportunities for you to get involved. Below is a list of opportunities available right now which will enable you to stay active and support a local sports club.

To express an interest please email Jeremy at volunteer@communities1st.org.uk Fencing Hertfordshire
Promotions and advertising, session support, events organisers, fundraisers Potters Bar Town Football Club
Ground maintenance team; Minibus drivers & assistant coaching volunteers Colney Heath Ladies FC
Social media/press assistance & fundraising support St Albans Bowling Club
Refreshments volunteers for match days Special Olympics St Albans
Support volunteers for athletes with learning disabilities Old Albanian Cricket Club
Volunteer scorers & umpires, a safeguarding lead, membership administrative support St Albans Cricket Club
Under 11s assistant coach, occasional bar work Oxhey Jets FC
Grounds keeping and general maintenance Abbotts Langley Cricket Club
Social media and website admin, membership secretary, junior cricket coaches, junior cricket umpire, assistant groundskeeper Bushey Cricket Club
Groundskeeper, umpires & scorers Rickmansworth and Watford Sea Cadets
Administration and general assistant North Watford Bowls Club
Grounds and lawn maintenance, participate in friendly bowls matches LGDA Football Club
Youth football coaches for female teams Watford Netball League & Kath Worrell Junior League
League & fixtures secretaries Watford Amateur Boxing Club
Coaching assistants for young boxers Para Dance UK
Trustees West Herts Warriors Basketball
Coaches
Volunteer Ride Leaders in Herts
British Cycling need volunteers who are enthusiastic about leading entry level or family friendly bike rides. Benefits include FREE Ride Leader training, free Ride Leader kit and access to a supportive network. Head to their website to find out more about their programmes. To apply, please email volunteer@communities1st.org.uk
Gardening Volunteer 
We need volunteers in the Broxbourne area to help people tidy their gardens. If you’re willing to mow a few lawns and pull a few weeds, to allow an isolated person to enjoy their garden, please get in touch with us. Anyone offering their time will be recorded on our system so they can be offered gardening work when it comes up. Apply here.

 
Hospital Ward Companion                              Communities 1st are looking for Hospital Ward Companions who will be able to commit to consistent regular availability. There will be daytime shifts Monday to Friday when the ward staff team are most active. Some out of hours evening and weekend shifts may be available when required. his role would not be well suited to ad-hoc availability but if a long-term commitment could be made this would be considered. Shifts will generally be approximately 3 hours long but there may occasionally be some variation. You will be asked to help with:
Answering phones and taking message;
Answering call bells and taking messages or reassuring patients that staff are coming;
Talking to confused patients, they often need a little more time and attention so that they stay settled and less anxious;
Help to dish out meals and drinks;
Helping patients use i-Pads to video call their families;
Restocking PPE and other supplies;
Putting away stock;
Working as part of the extended hospital team. Apply here

 
International NHS Buddy
NHS Trusts across Hertfordshire and West Essex are recruiting a number of NHS professionals internationally each month to fill staffing shortages. Communities’ 1st is looking for volunteers that can provide wrap-around social support to these professionals. We are looking for volunteers who are sociable, outgoing and have a warm and welcome personality. If you enjoy meeting new people and exploring different places around Hertfordshire, have an open mind, are positive about diversity and are committed to building relationships with people from different backgrounds, this maybe something you will enjoy doing. The role will entail taking the nurses on a tour around the town/area, introducing places of interest, parks, gyms, bus stations, helping with shopping and familiarising with local customs etc. Apply here.

 
Peer-to-Peer Group Meeting Facilitator                      Do you have experience running meetings? We would love to hear from you. We’re planning to set up peer-to-peer groups to help people with long term illness, and we would like to have someone to help these support groups flow. We’d like to have three people for each group. These groups are set up for the 1st and 3rd Tuesday (Potters Bar), Wednesday (Watford), and Thursday (St. Albans) of the month. If you are interested, please get in touch and let us know.  Apply here.

 
TRUSTEE ROLES
 
Trustee for Viewpoint
Viewpoint are a charity that supports people who have a background in mental health as well as addiction challenges. By encouraging and inviting them to have their say, their feedback can go towards greatly improving mental health and addiction services. They are seeking a Trustee with the skills to support the governance of the charity and ensure that it remains guided by its constitution, members and service level agreements.
Viewpoint needs Trustees with the following skills: 
Managing finances / accounting 
Business and strategic planning 
Marketing and communications 
Project and risk management 
Partnership working 
Fundraising experience 
Apply here.

 
Trustee for Hertsmere Mencap                                  Hertsmere Mencap are looking for candidates with a solid understanding of accounting practice, commercially aware and with excellent organisational and communication skills. You will have the skills to analyse proposals and examine their financial consequences, be able to make sound and measured decisions and you will be aware of or keen to understand charity finance practice. With current and future growth in mind, we are seeking to expand our Board to include a Trustee who will be involved in financial management, business planning and strategic direction. The time commitment would typically be 3-4 days per month.
Apply here

 
Trustee for Mind in Mid Herts
Mind In Mid Herts is a well-established local charity supporting the recovery of those experiencing mental health issues. They are immensely proud of what they have achieved over the recent years. They also recognise that there are lots more for them to do to strengthen their base and build for the future. They are therefore seeking new Board members to shape and deliver their strategy over the next period. The average tenure of their trustees is 3-5 years. They particularly recognise the need for locally based trustees and ideally, they would look for a commitment of circa 10-15 hours a month.
The areas where they would welcome skills and expertise are:
Community & Corporate fundraising knowledge
Property development and management experience and knowledge
Major donor relationship building
People and organisation development 
Apply here.

 
DRIVING ROLES
 
Volunteer Drivers for Minibuses or own vehicles
Drivers required to drive either their own cars or our MPV’s and Minibuses Volunteers are needed to help people in Borehamwood, Shenley and Potters Bar who are unable to use public transport, attend health appointments, and reduce social isolation. What are they looking for? Driving skills, clean license, roadworthy car, honest and reliable, good timekeeping.We’re always in need of people willing to help us deliver our transport service. Our new scheme supports the NHS locally to fulfil GP and vaccination appointments, as well as hospital visits. If you’re willing to drive a larger vehicle, we also run a much-needed shopper bus service, other projects and trips. Expenses can be claimed at 45p/mile. Note, you may be required to travel further afield than your immediate local area. Apply here.

 
Volunteer Drivers for Armoral Hill
Armoral Hill Day Centre are seeking volunteer drivers to transport elderly members to their social club each week. Armoral Hill offers activities, afternoon tea and friendship to elderly people in the St Albans area. Some members require transport to get to and from the centre and so Armoral Hill needs new volunteer drivers.
The drivers will:
Collect one person from their home each Thursday afternoon and take them to the centre at Hall Place Gardens, St Albans;
Drop the person home later that afternoon;
Be friendly and patient;
Have a full driving licence.
Apply here.

 
Volunteer Drivers for Hertsmere Mencap
Hertsmere Mencap support 250 children and adults with learning disabilities and their families and carers. They run a minibus service taking members to regular social clubs in Borehamwood, St Albans and Hatfield on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Friday evenings. You will only be expected to volunteer once every few weeks as part of a rota, an average of 3 hours per month. You will be assisting the driver collecting members, accompanying them to the local clubs, and helping with picking up from the club, taking them to their front door when necessary. Apply here.