East Herts, Broxbourne & Welwyn
Updates from Broxbourne, East Herts & Welwyn Hatfield early help services:-
Services for Young People
You can view the details of the Services for Young People projects, services and opportunities for young people, for the summer term 2022 below:-
SfYP - Broxbourne
SfYP - East Herts
SfYP - Welwyn Hatfield
Full services can be viewed at- Services for Young People
Find out more about Hearts Helping Herts Craft Cafe here
The Job Smart team can help you improve your chances of securing a job by giving FREE support! Find out more here: Job Smart employability programme.
CHEXS
CHEXs offers an award winning 30 week bespoke programme designed, tested and implemented to support children and young people's common mental-health concerns as well as their overall wellbeing.
The charity was founded by our CEO Pete Maiden 10 years ago following a career in the Navy, you can read more about this on our History of CHEXS.
CHEXS works by using a two stream approach, our Children and Young People team follow a structured programme of age-appropriate activities for learning and coaching outside of the classroom, which enables them to improve their wellbeing, succeed and build confidence.
All work is based upon protective behaviours, coaching and promoting positive mental health.
Our Family Support Team works in tandem with our Children and Young People team, offering inclusive parenting workshop groups sharing a wealth of experience, advice and guidance in a relaxed environment, coupled with our one to one support sessions for parents. Email admin@chexs.co.uk to self-refer to our team.
By working with this unique whole family approach, CHEXS helps parents build strong, positive relationships and trust with their child. In turn, the young people are coached and mentored through a variety of innovative projects designed to build self-esteem, teamwork, problem-solving and tangible skills. The projects instill a sense of purpose, meaning and aspirations for the future.
Our focus on resilience equips young people to face everyday challenges and achieve their potential for a better future.
**** EXCITING NEWS ****
- CHEXS has recently won a NATIONALaward from the Children & Young People Now Awards 2021 for their coveted 'Charity of the year' This is amazing recognition for the team who have worked tirelessly over the last year helping and supporting families during the most difficult of times.
- We have also won a Hertfordshire Inspire award from Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce for their 'Business of the year award'and we were also given a 'highly Commended' for our people development.
If you feel we would be able to offer you support please get in contact with us on 07970 498 966 or you can visit our website at WWW.CHEXS.CO.UK or follow us on Facebook @CHEXS
The HABS Family Support Team provides a high-quality service for children, young people and their families in Wormley, Broxbourne, Turnford, Hoddesdon, Cheshunt and Watford. We are an organisation that works with school-aged children to address social and health issues that are barriers to learning; we play a significant role in the lives of many young people and their families.
We provide support for children and families at risk of breakdown, offering practical and emotional support, helping with a range of issues including bereavement, separation, bullying, domestic abuse, drug or alcohol use, additional educational needs, housing, debt and challenging behaviour.
If you feel we would be able to offer you or your family support please get in contact with us on 01992303331 (opt 5) or you can visit our website www.habsfamily.co.uk or follow us on Facebook @HABScommunity
***EXCITING NEWS***
The HABS family support team are pleased to welcome Warren Dell Primary school and Churchfield CE Academy to the partnership.
HABS are also now the proud managers of the Hertford, Ware Villages School Partnership.
Our Core Offer:
We offer advice and support to children, young people, and their families on a range of issues and concerns including:
Mental health, Emotional Wellbeing, Separation and divorce, Mediation, Bereavement and loss, Young carers, Housing and eviction, Debt management, Domestic abuse, Transition, Benefits advice and support, Confidence and Self esteem, Parenting support and advice
We also have an excellent working relationship with local teams, enabling us to signpost to many local activities, support groups, parenting programmes, and information services in our local community.
If you feel we would be able to offer you or your family support please get in contact with Hayley or Karen on 07745 374901 / 07545 501825 or you can visit the HABS website with a dedicated section for HWVSP www.habsfamily.co.uk or follow us on Facebook @HABScommunity
Herts Mind Network
The Community Support Service (CSS) is a mental health outreach service run by Herts Mind Network and in partnership with local councils. CSS currently operates in Watford, Three Rivers, Hertsmere and Broxbourne.
The service is for adults age 18 plus and delivers one to one holistic , practical and emotional support with a range of issues. These include coping strategies and developing emotional resilience. Support with housing, benefits and debt. Support around drug and alcohol abuse and supporting parents who may be on a child protection, child in need plan or family support plan. Mental health should be the primary need.
For any referral enquiries please contact css@hertsmindnetwork.org
Frontline
Is a user-friendly web-based referral system for local community health and wellbeing services. Organisations can refer/signpost to other providers via the up-to-date library of local services. All referrals are encrypted, consent driven and referrers can 'track' any referral they make. Currently, Frontline covers both East Herts and Broxbourne.
Citizens Advice East Herts - Service Update
Information about changes to the Citizens Advice Help to Claim service in Broxbourne
There has been an update about upcoming changes to the way people can access our Help to Claim service to get help applying for Universal Credit. You may already be aware that the DWP announced the recommissioning of the current service last year. Citizens Advice has been successful in securing this funding for 1 year starting from 1 April 2022.You can find out more about this on the DWP’s website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/funding-boost-to-citizens-advice-to-deliver-help-to-claim-universal-credit-support
Access to Universal Credit advice in Broxbourne.
Citizens Advice delivers the current Help to Claim service which will run until 31 March 2022. The new service will start on 1 April so there will be no gap in support for the people who come to us for help. The service will continue to provide tailored support for people making a Universal Credit claim, up to their first successful payment. However, the DWP has provided funding for a digital service only, meaning telephone, webchat and video. There is no funding for face to face provision provided through this grant.
In Broxbourne, this will see changes to our service from now, and after the new service starts. There will be a reduction in the number of Citizens Advice offices delivering Help to Claim and we won’t be funded to deliver face to face Help to Claim appointments. Citizens Advice Broxbourne will not be delivering the Help to Claim service. However, we’ll always make sure clients know where they can go to get help and we’ll be signposting people to ways they can access advice about Universal Credit through Citizens Advice, as given below:
People can continue to access our help by:
Questions
We’ll continue to keep you updated about our service and how clients can continue to access Universal Credit advice. If you have any questions please email me at bromyard.m@citizensadvicebroxbourne.org
CVS for Broxbourne & East Herts latest e-bulletin can be viewed here
Hertford Wellbeing Hub
The Hertford Wellbeing Hub is a new community use building in the heart of the Sele Farm Estate.
We have developed a physical activity programme from the Hub but would love to add some new and different sessions in the new year.
Find out more by downloading the hub leaflet.
Dacorum & St Albans
Update from Dacorum and St Albans early help services:-
Services for Young People
You can view the details of the Services for Young People projects, services and opportunities for young people, for the summer term 2022 below:-
SfYP - Dacorum - district leaflet
SfYP - Dacorum - summer programme 2022
SfYP - St Albans - district leaflet
SfYP - St Albans - summer programme 2022
Full services can be viewed at- Services for Young People
DSPL Workshops and Courses For Parent/Carers
View the Summer 2022 Parenting Courses and Support Brochure for Dacorum.
Colourful Minds
Colourful Minds are delighted to announce that applications are now open for the next Colourful Minds creative therapy and wellbeing course, which will start in March and run for 24 weeks, plus a taster session. The course is free for adults aged 18+ living in Dacorum with mild to moderate mental health conditions, such as anxiety and stress or due to isolation.
We have previously run successful 12 week courses on Zoom and we are now trialling a 24 week course. This aims to further improve wellbeing outcomes of those that attend and is in response to feedback and evaluation. The course is funded by Dacorum Borough Council, and delivered by a qualified Art Therapist from Herts Inclusive Theatre (HIT).
A taster session will be held on Zoom on Friday 4th March from 10.30-12.30pm – a chance for applicants to find out if the course is right for them.
This will be followed by a 24 week course on Zoom, running from Friday 18th March until Friday 14th October.
(there will breaks for Easter holidays, the Jubilee bank holiday and the month of August).
The sessions will provide an opportunity to explore creative art in a supportive and confidential group setting. No experience is needed to take part and everyone is welcome. Applications are via referral from a GP, health professional or a support agency/worker.
Please contact kerry@hit-theatre.org.uk for an application and referral form. For details you can also visit www.dacorum.gov.uk/colourfulminds .
Dacorum Healthy Hub
The Healthy Hub have a very useful newsletter - sign up to get your copy here:- Healthly Hub Sign Up - Dacorum Borough Council
Workshops for young people this autumn – last year Dacorum District Council planned to run a Beatboxing Project for young people that had to be cancelled due to COVID. We are now looking at running a few workshops with the same artists this autumn, who run a very successful Beatboxing Academy in South London. The workshops may not be Beatboxing (the nature of this is not particularly COVID-safe due to the spitting involved!), however possibly rapping or music/performance related. If you have a group of young people who may benefit from these workshops and working with these brilliant South London artists, please get in touch. We are also looking to deliver these as pilot workshops for a possible larger project at a later date, in consultation with the young people taking part: Email annie.smith@dacorum.gov.uk
DSPL 8 run a number of courses for parents, carers and professionals. Click here to see a list of the current available courses, together with details of how to sign up.
Herts Mind Network
- Herts Mind Network are continuing to provide essential mental health support in Hertfordshire by adapting our services to best protect our clients, carers, volunteers and staff. Our Wellbeing Centres are open and staff teams are also providing support through phone, Skype and online provision. Please get in touch with us on 02037 273600 if you would like more information about our service provision or visit our websites (www.hertsmindnetwork.org and www.hertsmindnetworkcyp.org).
- Please note the Spot the Signs & Emotional Wellbeing project can also offer bespoke sessions that may have a cost to them. If the sessions on our Training & Workshops don’t meet your audiences need, get in touch and we can have a chat about how we can potentially meet the need you’ve identified in a particular school or area for example.
- The ‘Young people’s online hangout for YP aged 15+’ is currently no longer running as it was felt this met a need for young people who were unable to connect f2f during the lockdowns. Should a need for this service re-emerge, it’s likely we will reinstate this.
Family Centre Service
You can view the Family Support Service leaflet for professionals here
Watford, Three Rivers & Hertsmere
Update from Watford early help services:-
Coming soon: Free Community Event: Domestic Abuse awareness and support. Find out more here
The food waste webinar
Join this information sharing and networking event to learn about and tackle the food waste issues we are facing in Hertfordshire.
Date and time: Sun, 8 May 2022, 09:30 – 13:30
Location: Woodoaks Farm, Denham Way, Maple Cross, WD3 9XQ
We are please to bring you the first edition of the Watford FC CSE Trust Health and Wellbeing Newsletter. This allows you to find out information about Watford FC Community programmes and how to refer in. Please share with your colleagues where necessary. If you require any further information on any of the programmes please don’t hesitate to contact the direct programme lead or email Healthadmin@Watfordfc.com.
Employability Courses being run by Saracens Sports Foundation suitable for 16 - 25 year olds with learning difficulties and / or physical disabilities living in London & Hertfordshire.
Caring Dads (HACRO)
Caring Dads actively taking referrals for the next Caring Dads courses in Watford. The course start date – January / February 22 – depending on the number of successful referrals. For more info please contact Caring Dads - HACRO email: caringdads@hacro.org.uk and referral form can be found here
We are also taking referrals for Dedicated Dads - the 6 x 1 hour virtual 1:1 course. This is not a replacement for Caring Dads but, for some dads, is the only way they can engage. There is currently a 2 month waiting list.
Youth Link
Youth Link aims to work with various sectors in our local community to create connections to relevant and safe provisions for Children and Young People.
Find out more in these downloadable leaflets:-
Youth Link Information Sheet - CYP
Youth Link Information Sheet - Partners
North Herts & Stevenage
Update from North Herts/Stevenage early help services:-
Services for Young People
You can view the details of the Services for Young People projects, services and opportunities for young people, for the summer term 2022 below:-
SfYP - North Herts - district leaflet
SfYP - North Herts - summer programme 2022
SfYP - Stevenage - district leaflet
SfYP - Stevenage - summer programme 2022
Full services can be viewed at- Services for Young People
No More Service Youth
The No More Service Youth offers complex needs support to individuals to tackle issues which negatively impact on their daily life. The Service comprises of 2 key support areas;
1. Youth Offenders support - Offering intensive support to prolific offenders and those associated with gang, knife crime, antisocial behaviour and county lines.
2. Drug and Alcohol support – offering intensive support to clients, assisting with substance misuse, offending, education and housing. This includes support from exploitation surrounding county lines
Supporting Links
Supporting Links are delighted to be offering a face to face Talking Additional Needs course in North Herts in June. It has been a long time since we met with parents in person and we cant wait!
We understand that some parents may not be ready to meet in person or may prefer an online course. However, for many, this is the best or only way that they can access this kind of support, and we really need your help to reach them. A referral form is also attached.
Mind in Mid Herts
Sopwell Peer Support (view poster)
This programme is part of Sopwell Wellbeing, a local initiative to help residents affected by the pandemic. We are offering a range of services to provide emotional, social and practical community- based support to strengthen wellbeing.
Please click on the link below to find out more or email training@mindinmidherts.org.uk:
www.mindinmidherts.org.uk/mental-health-training-and-workshops/building-stronger-communities/
Walking and being with nature holds many benefits for your mental health. Evidence shows that regular exercise helps improve your mood, get a better night’s sleep, reduces stress and anxiety, increases your energy, improves your confidence and self-esteem. Why not join our FREE Walk & Talk groups in St Albans (Mondays 1-2pm), Welwyn Garden City (Mondays 11am) and Baldock (Thursdays at 10.30am).
Happy Hour – Online talking group (view poster)
Happy memories; bring with you; pictures, items and memories from any time in your life, and tell us a story about it! Sing songs: Bring a song that has a positive memories or your favourite song and why, feel free to sing along. Talk about people or animals you have encountered in your life that have influenced how you think, feel and are. You can bring pictures along to help share your story. Every Thursday at 2pm. For more information contact tara.johnson@mindinmidherts.org.uk
LGBTQ plus group (View poster) – restarted after the pandemic
If you are part of the LGBTQ plus community in Hertfordshire and would like support with your #Wellbeing or are looking to connect with others, you can join our LGBTQ plus peer support group last Tuesday of every month 4-6pm in Stevenage. Email admin@mindinmidherts.org.uk for more information.
Wellbeing Drama for Young people - Aged 18 - 25?
This FREE 
programme using theatre techniques is for those experiencing stress, anxiety, depression and anything else effecting their wellbeing. You don’t need any experience to take part, everyone is welcome from absolute beginners to the more experienced. Starting Tuesday 1 February for 8 weeks 5.30 to 7.30pm at the Wellbeing Centre in Stevenage
Studies have shown that taking part in an arts activity has a positive influence on mental health and general wellbeing. It can increase self-esteem and confidence, reduce feelings of isolation and give those involved a sense of personal achievement.
The programme is being led by a professional Trestle artist and in partnership with Mind in Mid Herts. Each session will explore a combination of theatre and mask techniques.
Move for Mind
Show yourself and your neighbours some love this winter by joining our 30 day exercise challenge. Swim, walk, skip, dance...it call counts!
Mind in Mid Herts are supporting 40% more people than in previous years! Please help us fund vital mental health services by doing our January fitness challenge. https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/moveformindinmidherts
Mind in Mid Herts are offering a mix of virtual and face-to-face support. They offer one to one support, social support & friendship groups and active groups, including – Wellbeing group, Art group, Women’s group, football, Walk & Talk. They have recently started Young People’s Counselling and a Befriending service.
Offer support for people with Drugs & Alcohol issues. 4 hubs – Stevenage & North Herts, Watford, Hatfield and Hertford. Also have co-located teams that work across the county e.g. Young People’s team, Hidden Harm (young people effected by parental substance misuse), Criminal Justice team (working in prisons), Family Safeguarding team. Back to face-to-face working with clients via groups and one-to-ones in the Hub. For referrals Click here>
Trauma Insight Training will be rolled out from Monday 6th December. Two sessions will take place every month via the Safeguarding Children Partnership (lunch & learn events), this is supported by funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner to the Home Office domestic abuse perpetrator fund. Funding has also been used to sustain and extend For Baby’s Sake services across Hertfordshire.
The Stevenage Citizens Advice recently shared some data for Stevenage at the Families First Partnership Group and this presentation can be viewed here.
Please submit any updates to familiesfirst.support@hertfordshire.gov.uk