Local News and Events

Carers in Hertfordshire are organising two talks (one in person and one lunchtime zoom event) on Neurodiversity and Employment.

Neurodiversity and Employment Talks

Louis Sanford shares his experience of the world of work as a Neurodiverse individual. Louis is currently a programme manager working across the NHS, Social Care, and voluntary sector improving services for people with Severe Mental Illness, Learning Disabilities and Autism; and provides insightful reflections and relatable anecdotes for some of the 31 jobs he has had up to the age of 25, what it means to himself accepting his own Neurodiversity today, and what it means for him as a parent of two neurodiverse children.



Online event

Date: Tuesday 19^th March 2024

Time: 12.30pm to 2pm

Location: Online via Zoom (you will receive the link to join closer to the time of the meeting)

To book a place, click HERE.

In-person event

Date: Tuesday 23rd April 2024

Time: 10.30am to 1pm, including a light lunch and refreshments

Location: Birchwood Leisure Centre, Longmead, Hatfield, AL10 0AN

To book a place, click HERE.

To book your place, please either use the links above, email contact@carersinherts.org.uk with the subject “Neurodiversity and Employment talk” or call our office on 01992 58 69 69.

When booking the in-person event, please inform us if you have any dietary requirements by Monday 15th April 2024.

Local community groups and voluntary organisations are encouraged to apply for small grants of up to £750 to help celebrate Hertsmere’s 50-year anniversary during 2024!

Applications will be open until Tuesday 2 April.

Find out more: hertsmere.gov.uk/50thanniversarygrant

Please see below some information on the Holocaust Memorial Service which took place last week in Potters Bar. 

Ongoing we will now be issuing bulletins on a monthly basis or as and when there is information to share.  The next one will be issued at the beginning of March. 

If you would like to share information through this bulletin, please do not hesitate to contact community.services@hertsmere.gov.uk

Honouring Holocaust Memorial Day

The Mayor of Hertsmere, Cllr Chris Myers, led a poignant candlelit parade and ceremony to mark Holocaust Memorial Day last week.

The candlelit parade travelled from Manor Road Car Park in Potters Bar last Thursday (25 January), to the Wyllyotts Theatre where a ceremony took place which included a first-hand personal account from Hertsmere resident, Judith Hayman.

The event was held to remember the millions of people who have been murdered or whose lives have been changed beyond recognition during the Holocaust, Nazi Persecution and in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. 

During the ceremony, the Holocaust Memorial Day Prayer was read by Reverend Philip Green, representing the Mayor’s Chaplaincy, followed by a two-minute silence.  There were speeches by the Lord-Lieutenant, Mr Robert Voss CBE CStJ, Hertsmere resident, Judith Hayman, Mayor of Hertsmere, Cllr Chris Myers and the Leader of Hertsmere, Cllr Jeremy Newmark.  Music was performed by Potters Bar Community Choir and videos shown. Also in attendance were a number of Hertsmere Borough Councillors and staff, dignitaries and members of the public.

Mayor Cllr Myers said: “I was deeply honoured to lead such an important event for our borough.

“The theme this year was ‘Fragility of Freedom’ to acknowledge that freedom is fragile and it cannot be taken for granted. Not only do perpetrator regimes erode the freedom of the people they are targeting, they also restrict the freedoms of others around them, to prevent people from challenging the regime.”

The event was held ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day, which is on 27 January, the anniversary of the day in 1945 when the Soviet Army liberated the largest Nazi concentration camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau.

To watch a video of the event, please click here. To learn more about why this day is significant, and how to get involved, visit https://www.hmd.org.uk/

Please continue to only share information from trusted sources.

Hertfordshire Constabulary

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COMMUNITY SECURITY TRUST

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Hertsmere Borough Council

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Please see below this week’s shared information briefing. The next bulletin will be issued on 18 January 2024. 

If you would like to share information through this bulletin, please contact community.services@hertsmere.gov.uk.

Hertfordshire Constabulary

Calls to police linked to the conflict in the Middle East remain at pre-October 7 levels and no related crimes have been recorded during the last period.

Local officers continue to monitor the situation and remain on hand to respond to any issues or concerns as needed.

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Community Security Trust

Antisemitic incidents continue to be reported and the current situation continues to bring about community feelings of vulnerability and concern. We are grateful for the partnership we have with the Police and I know the community appreciate their hard work.

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Hertsmere Borough Council

Mental Health Services
The following services are available to residents of Hertsmere to support their mental health.    

• The TogetherAll, which is an online anonymous mental health community monitored by professionals. It offers a range of support, courses and advice. Hertfordshire residents over 16 can register for free – just select ‘my area is registered’ and enter your postcode.
• NHS Every Mind Matters – Get expert advice and practical tips, try the ‘How are you? quiz or create a tailored self-care plan to support your mental health and wellbeing
• Five ways to good mental wellbeing & Islam– includes translated and printable versions.  
• Five ways to good mental wellbeing & Judaism– includes numerous references to Jami (see below), the specialist provider of mental health services for the Jewish community. 
• Jami – provides mental health support to the Jewish Community
• Herts Mind Network – provide services including peer support, group activities, counselling and a crisis helpline. Provided online, over the phone or from Number 10 on Leeming Road, Borehamwood.
• Hertfordshire County Council have produced a mental health resource booklet providing information about services available in the community. Should anyone wish to order physical copies of this, please contact services@hertsmere.gov.uk.
• The Church of England have pulled together a set of 13 reflections to support good mental health. www.churchofengland.org
• Young Minds have released some specific advice aimed at young people who are worried about the conflict in the Middle East: Mental Health Advice | The Conflict in the Middle East | YoungMinds

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🚗💨 Traffic flows are still 5% below pre COVID levels.

This is just one statistic from the newly published 2023 Traffic and Transport Data Report. Head to www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/TTDR and dive into the full report now!. 🚀✨

Your insights and feedback matter. Take a moment to review the report and share your thoughts to shape future transport strategies.🌟🛣️

Key Headlines Include:

1. Traffic volume increased up by 7.4% from 2021 to 2022, but still down by 4.8% compared to before COVID in 2019.
2. There are now more vans on the road than ever before, up by 4.7% between 2019 and 2022.
3. 2.2% of journeys involve cycling in 2022, either as the entire journey or as part of the journey.
4. Walking is the primary mode of travel for journeys shorter than 1 mile, accounting for 76.0% in 2022.
5. 75% of people want to see less traffic in their area in a survey conducted in 2023.
6. 83% of people support proposals to make it easier for children to walk, cycle or scoot in a survey conducted in 2023.
7. Hertfordshire recorded 17.5 million bus passenger journeys in 2021/22, showing an increase of 69% from the low point during the 2020/21 pandemic period.
8. In 2021/22, rail passenger journeys in Hertfordshire surged by 158%, rebounding from the low point during the 2020/21 pandemic period.
9. Electric Vehicle (EV) ownership is growing but still low, with 3.3% of households having fully electric cars in 2022.