The latest news
Check out Hertfordshire's Spring 25 Parenting and Relationship Courses
Please download the latest Parenting and Relationship Support Offer Newsletter which will provide you with information and details on Parenting Courses and Relationship Support offer. Please can you ensure you cascade to your teams. If you have any questions please email CSStrategic.Partnerships@hertfordshire.gov.uk .
We have listed a few of the current courses below, but please visit the Hertfordshire Directory for the full listing.
Family Lives offer a variety of on-line workshops, courses and advice articles such as Understanding Children's Behaviour (online workshop), Understanding the importance of communicating with teens (article), parenting courses (online), Bullying on social media (article), and online forums for parents and carers to connect and share experiences.
Still spaces available: Who's In Charge
The Intensive Family Support Team in North Herts and Stevenage are preparing to run the next Who’s In Charge group.
Please see this flyer and this link for more information Whos In Charge - Working with : Child to Parent Violence & Abuse
Group details
Location: The Pod at Northfields Infants and Nursery school, Burley, Letchworth, SG6 4PT
Duration: Weekly on Wednesdays (not during half terms) for 8 weeks
Meet and Greet: Wednesday 14th May 2025 (for one hour 10-11am)
Session dates: Wednesday 21st May - Wednesday 9th July 2025
Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Please can you go through the outline of the group with parents/ carers and submit this referral form by Friday the 2nd of May 2025 at midday to allow us time to collate the referrals and make contact before the group starts.
Please feel free to ask myself or Beth if you would like to know anything more.
We look forward to receiving your referrals.
Denise & Beth
Bethan.robertson@hertfordshire.gov.uk Denise.Masawi@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Who’s In Charge facilitators.
Capacity for new referrals - For Baby's Sake
For Babys Sake is Whole-family response to domestic abuse working individually with parents committed to co-parenting their unborn baby.
A Therapeutic programme delivered by highly skilled practitioners underpinned by a range of therapeutic models and in-depth, ongoing training.
Meaningful, trusting relationships consistently guarantee engagement and crucially, provide the framework for the deeper, therapeutic exploration that allows parents to understand the impact of their own parenting & childhood experiences
The quality of the relationship is the single most important factor for achieving successful outcomes and the Trauma-informed approach – encouraging unresolved trauma to be explored & processed to make sense of the emotions/feelings connected to the events within a ‘recovery framework’
Criteria
- Pregnancy, ideally 28 weeks or earlier
- Both parents willing to engage, although parents do NOT have to be together or in a relationship.
- There is DA in the relationship
- The mother resides in Hertfordshire.
For Baby's Sake currently has capacity for referrals in Hertfordshire and referral is by an online link,
Direct link to refer
Or any questions please contact Steve Gibbs 07702 537074
Referral can be self-referral or any professional working with the family.
Free and confidential Gambling Support
Health in Herts are running a campaign to help anyone affected by gambling, either if you are struggling personally or affected by someone else's gambling. They offer confidential support and useful resources available here:-
There is information on the support services in Hertfordshire, national support services and self help options.
Webinar: Safeguarding Students from Gambling Harm
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Children and Young People Now have teamed up with Ygam to bring you a webinar designed for educators, school leaders, and professionals in the education sector about the latest insights into young people and gambling, the growing risk posed by online influences and highlight the blurred lines between gaming and gambling.
Young People and Gambling: What Schools Can Do to Improve Safeguards
Gambling is becoming an increasingly hidden risk for young people – often blurred through gaming, social media, and peer pressure.
Join us for a free, expert-led webinar for educators and school leaders exploring how schools can play a vital role in protecting students from gambling-related harm.
Book here
Date: 7th May 2025
Time: 4:30 pm BST (1 hour)
This session will cover:
✅ The latest research on youth gambling trends
✅ Online influences: loot boxes, microtransactions & advertising
✅ How to integrate gambling harm awareness into PSHE & safeguarding
✅ Practical strategies to support at-risk students
✅ Working with parents & communities for a whole-school approach
Hear from expert panellists and gain the tools, confidence, and knowledge to tackle this rising issue head-on.
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Suicide Prevention and Postvention readiness pack 2025-2027 for Youth Community settings in Hertfordshire.
HCC Mental Health and Children and Young People Team are excited to launch a new resource to provide our Hertfordshire Community settings with mental health, suicide prevention and postvention information and support.
On Suicide Prevention day 2024 we launched the Suicide Prevention and Postvention Readiness pack for Education settings in Hertfordshire. A resource to help ensure that all education settings have the timely information needed, developed in collaboration with system professionals to support and fill the gaps, to aid education settings support the wellbeing of their school community, staff and pupils. Providing details on the available services, information and guidance for mental health, suicide prevention, and postvention in one place to access. This pack is hosted on the Hertfordshire GRID for Learning.
Following this, we have become aware of the need to develop a community version of this pack, to support the wellbeing of extracurricular and enrichment activity organisations working with young people, for example youth groups, grass root clubs and sporting establishments with information and signposting.
Incidents of suicide attempts and deaths are not something we have to deal with often, but unfortunately are a reality that have a profound impact on those close to individuals, as well as the wider community. Finding the correct information for support in the midst of an incident can be difficult as it is often spread across multiple websites, emails, and leaflets, making it more challenging for group leads to access. The community pack has been put in place to improve the support available to individuals to support their wellbeing when they need it.
Download the community version of this pack here.
No child should be limited by poverty - data insights event
You may be interested in this event organised by the Citizens Advice Policy team:
Register now for our next Data Insights event on Tuesday 29 April, 2-3pm focussed on Child Poverty.
Child poverty is increasing. As costs continue to rise, even more children are being pulled into poverty, limiting their chances for a healthy, secure, and fulfilling future.
Join our next Data Insights event as we explore what the hardships of poverty mean for children. We’ll be joined by Baroness Ruth Lister who has spent her career working to alleviate child poverty. She will explore why we’re still seeing child poverty rise and what's needed from this government to reverse this worrying trend.
Register now
We’ll also hear from individuals with lived experience of poverty, as well as frontline workers supporting families facing negative budgets - where income falls short of covering basic essentials. Together, they’ll shed light on the daily realities of poverty and its profound impact on children's lives. View all our speakers
If you have any questions about our events, contact us at pabusinesssupport@citizensadvice.org.uk
Helping young people with exam stress
April is also Stress Awareness Month and the start of exams for many young people. In partnership with HCC, Togetherall can support people aged 16+ with clinically moderated, peer-to-peer support, 24/7 and provides a safe space to share concerns and learn coping strategies. Togetherall work in partnership with universities across the UK to provide students with Free Togetherall access. Through their website, Togetherall offer the opportunity for people to explore the community, either sharing thoughts or reading thoughts of others, access to resources such as self-help courses to expert articles, anonymous engagement where open conversations can be shared as much or as little as wanted and 27/7 support. Best of all, it's free to join! Watch a short YouTube video for more information.
Find out about the new body image group from First Steps ED for boys and men.
First Steps ED have introduced a brand-new four-week group workshop for 12–17-year-olds to help address the distinctive challenges that males face with body image.
Developed by staff and volunteers with first hand experience, each week will look at a specific topic: masculinity and expectations; social media, gym culture and diet culture. Find out more: Workshops & Support Groups for Eating Disorders | First Steps ED:
Don't wait - find self-help or early help now!
First Steps ED offer various free early help support options for 5–18-year-olds in Hertfordshire with eating disorders/disordered eating. This includes group workshops, one-to-one sessions, and easy-to-access self-help guided resources. Children and young people don’t need to be physically unwell due to their eating behaviours to ask for support – it’s always best to ask for help as soon as possible. Eating disorders can happen to anyone at any time. First Steps ED support is on hand for anyone regardless of ability, background or identity.
Find out more on their website: Services & Support | First Steps ED
Learning & development
Families First Dates for Your Diary!
There are many ways to stay updated with Families First News, including events, webinars, induction days, and partnership meetings. Discover what’s coming up here
Monthly Families First Keeping in Touch Sessions
These sessions are a short informal update on service news, training offers and parenting courses delivered by one of our service managers. Please email familiesfirst.support@hertfordshire.gov..uk if you would like an invitation to join.
- Thursday 15 May, 9am-9.30
Join a Families First Induction day - ideal for new starters
We host Families First online Induction days 4 times per year, where various early help services give a 20 minute whistle-stop tour of their service and are attended by new internal CS staff and external partners. The next dates are:-
- Wednesday 25 June 2025 via Teams
Please email: familiesfirst.support@hertfordshire.gov.uk if you have any questions on the above or would like an invite sent to you.
Families First quarterly district partnership meetings
In addition, many of you are regular attendees at our partnership meetings, which are a great way of keeping up to date with new services, updates and make connections. You can find out more about the groups here and email familiesfirst.support@hertfordshire.gov.uk if you would like to join.
HSCP Learning & Development Programme
HSCP provide a wide variety of learning programmes and workshops across Hertfordshire to develop skills for safeguarding children, young people and adults. We use this page to give you some quick links through to the HSCP learning programmes:-
Money Advice Unit Training Programme, Spring/Summer 2025
Please find attached the Money Advice Unit Training Programme and booking form for SPRING/SUMMER 2025.
All the courses are free of charge but please note we will only accept bookings from organisations in Hertfordshire. Due to demand, we only allow a maximum of two participants from each organisation per course.
Our courses are done both online and face to face. Please see programme to see which you would prefer to attend.
If you want to book for more than one person, please complete a separate booking form for each person.
Once you return the completed booking form(s) to us, the attendees will receive a booking confirmation email within 5 working days. Please check your junk folder as sometimes our emails go to the junk folder straight away.
You can also download the April 2025 Herts Adviser
Families First Share & Learn: Prevent Programme
Learn more about how to spot and report radicalisation in Hertfordshire through Prevent.
We work with some of the most vulnerable people in society. Some of these vulnerable people can be exploited by extremists looking to radicalise individuals into terrorist ideologies. The HCC Prevent Programme Delivery Manager is holding a share and learn session for all staff about the Prevent programme. Prevent is the government initiative in place to tackle the ideological causes of terrorism, intervene early to support people susceptible to radicalisation and enable people who have already engaged in terrorism to disengage and rehabilitate. Please join us:-
Date and time: Monday, 19 May, 1:00pm
Location: Online live streamed - Microsoft Teams
Duration: 45 minutes
Free professionals training - working with families to support healthy lifestyles
I’m writing to offer the Families First / Children’s Services teams some free training to your professional staff working with children and their parents/carers around the following topics:
- Fussy Eating behaviours in children
- Raising the Issue of Obesity with parents and carers
Training is delivered by our Wellbeing Coordinator and/or our Nutritionists and lasts around 90 minutes to allow for discussion and interaction, with groups of professionals in attendance either in person (best) or online. Download the poster here
Please do reach out to me in the first instance with any queries or if you wish to book something in!
We are very keen to help support professionals in their vital role in the communities we serve, and to help you guide and refer families to us.
Introduction to the SEND Local Offer website’ – webinar
The Local Offer website lets parents, young people and professionals know what special educational needs and disabilities services are available in Hertfordshire, and who can access them. There is so much more than that, too.
A friendly face from the Local Offer team will take you through what’s on the website and how you can use it to find the right services and support.
www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/localoffer
(For professionals) Wednesday 23 April 11am – 12pm Join the meeting
(For professionals) Tuesday 29 April 2pm - 3pm Join the meeting
(for professionals AND parent carers) Tuesday 29 April 8pm - 9pm Register to join this webinar
A quick note: The Local Offer website is different to Short Breaks (SBLO). We won’t be going into detail about SBLO.
Workforce Shadowing
The vision for Families First training and development is to create a skilled, confident and resilient multi-agency workforce that supports whole family working.
Workforce shadowing provides a great opportunity to find out more about other services, what they do and how they might be able to support you in your work. It also enhances communication across agencies and helps strengthen and develop professional relationships, building local networks.
If you would like to organise a workforce shadowing placement for either yourself or a team member please complete the form on this page stating the service you would like to shadow and the preferred district and we will match you to a shadowing opportunity.
The following services have offered to host shadowing opportunities in either in person or virtually:-
- Citizens Advice (Broxbourne/St Albans/North Herts)
- Childcare provision
- CGL (drug & alcohol support)
- District Council, ASB Team, Three Rivers
- District Council, Housing Support, Broxbourne
- Domestic Abuse Support
- DSPL (Delivering Special Provision Locally) - All areas
- Families First Panels Team
- Family Support Service, Family Centre
- Herts Mind Network
- Herts Sports Partnership
- Home-Start (Watford & Three Rivers)
- MIND in Mid Herts
- ASB Team, District Council, Three Rivers
- Housing Support, District Council
- Intensive Family Support Team (IFST)
- Local School Partnerships
- Police
- Public Health Nursing
- Re-Intergration, Virtual School
- Schools Early Years Provision
- Specialist Adolescent Services Hertfordshire (SASH)
- Services for Young People
- Supporting Families Practice Team
Additionally, if you would like to add your service to the above list, again please email us with your contact details, service and district.
Familesfirst.support@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Please take a look at the page, bookmark and share with teams, where appropriate.
Workforce development (hertfordshire.gov.uk)
Step2Skills
Step2Skills - Find on-line and in-person courses for May here and June here: courses running such as Level 1 - Preparing to work in schools, Improving your skills in Microsoft excel, Level 1 in garment construction, Social media for business, Explore your sewing machine, Assertiveness and communication skills, Introduction to Microsoft PowerPoint, Online job search and applications, Interview skills to name but a few.
Family Lives Summer Term Programme 2025
Family Lives Summer Term Programme 2025 can be found here.
Family Lives are delivering 4 online parenting groups and 2 online workshops (via MS Teams), funded by Herts County Council in the Summer term for targeted parents/carers who live in Hertfordshire or who have a child attending a Hertfordshire school.
All our programmes provide support, information and resources to parents/carers and adult family members so they can help their child reach their full potential.
Bringing Up Confident ADHD/ASD Children - Online
Thursday 15 May to 26 June
9.30am – 11.30am
Getting on with your Pre-Teen / Teenager - Online
Wednesday 4 June to 9 July
7.00pm to 9.00pm
Less Shouting more Cooperation - Online
Friday 6 June to 11 July
9.30am – 11.30am
Sorting our Family Arguments - Online
Tuesday 10 June to 15 July
9.30am – 11.30am
Anxiety around ADHD Workshop - Online
Date to be confirmed
Reducing Conflict Workshop – Online
Date to be confirmed
We accept referrals from professionals as well as self-referrals. Please click here Referral Form for Family Lives Herts Parenting Groups and Workshops for our online referral form or scan the QR code on the attached flyer
You can also email services@familylives.org.uk or call us on 0204 522 8700 or 0204 522 8701 for more information.
Difference we're making
Children's Services Awards 2025
At the end of March, the HCC Children's Services Award 2025 were held. Well done to all those nominated and congratulations to all the winners.
The recent CS Awards was a night to remember for Supporting Families, with our members being shortlisted in an impressive six categories. The event was a testament to the dedication and excellence of our teams, and we couldn't be prouder of everyone's achievements.
Steve Whitlam, Community Development Manager at Broxbourne Borough Council and chair of our Broxbourne Families First Partnership Group was shortlisted for Partner of the Year and our Intensive Family Support Team member, Collette Garland was celebrated for securing the Collaborative Worker of the Year Award, a testament to her exceptional teamwork and dedication.
Our other shortlisted nominees included:
- Michelle James for Unsung Hero
- Fiona Convey for Most Creative Colleague
- Lauren Samson for Inclusion Champion
- Denise Masawi for Inclusion Champion
- The Action for Inclusion Project (Collette and Rebecca) for Team Action and Impact Award
- Ruth Coleman and Alison Cowie with The Bridge for Innovation of the Year Award
We were incredibly proud of everyone who was nominated, shortlisted, and won. The reactions in the room and the recognition of their hard work and the impact of our services were truly heartwarming.
The evening also marked a significant milestone for Serena Yearwood and Henry Lee-Brenchley, who were celebrated for their fantastic achievement of 20 years of service. Their dedication and commitment have been invaluable to our organisation.
This was a proud night for Supporting Families, and it was just a small spotlight on all the amazing work you do. Thank you to everyone for your continued dedication and excellence. Let's Continue to Make a Difference!
Families First - Performance Data Report
You may be interested to view our Families First Performance Data report for the period January 2024 - December 2024.
The report looks at Families First Assessments that took place within the period and highlights the presenting needs and outcomes broken down by district along with information about other support for families.
Families First Case Studies
Following on from a programme of Celebrating Excellence in Early Help sessions run in Children’s Services, which aimed to highlight the Families First approach and also included contributions from some of our partners, we are sharing some of the recent case below:
Case Study 1 - Intensive Family Support / Local Borough Council
Scene Setting
The Intensive Family Support team (IFST) began supporting this family of nine in Spring 2021.
As support got underway the third youngest child Tia* was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour and the family are struggling coming to terms with Tia’s diagnosis and her life expectancy of one year. Tia is 11 years old.
On learning of Tia’s prognosis and following discussion with Keech Hospice an Occupational Therapist (OT) appointment was arranged for the family’s home. This assessment identified that the three-bedroom home was not suitable for end-of-life care and was not suitable for adaptation as the access was too narrow and steep for a ramp.
The Family Intervention Worker (FIW) made contact with the local Borough Council’s Aids and Adaptions Team for support.
READ MORE
Case Study 2 - Families First Assessment
Scene Setting
This case study provides some insight into the journey of Fran* and her family. Fran is an eight year old girl who worries about her mum, she knows mum is different when she is with her drinking friends. Fran’s Mum has a diagnosis of unstable personality disorder and has previously used drugs and alcohol as coping strategies, she has been in a cycle of poor mental health and whilst their wider family network have been supporting Fran and her mother they sought out some external support via a Families First Assessment.
READ MORE
Case Study 3 - Employment Adviser/IFST
Scene Setting:
This case study provides some insight into the support provided to Sanz* from one of our Employment Advisers. Our Intensive Family Support Teams include Employment Advisers who provide tailored support in areas such as employability; taking time to understand skills and experiences, any barriers or challenges preventing employment, identification of any training to support employability, preparation of supporting statements and CVs and job search support, including mock interviews.
Our Advisers can also provide guidance on how to navigate the benefits system, including benefit entitlements and claims, as well as how changes in circumstances impact benefits.
They work in parallel with Family Intervention Workers. This case study summarises support given to Sanz, the mother, to support with employability and benefits.
READ MORE
Case Study 4 - Local Schools Partnership
Case Study 5
This case study follows a mum who suffers from depression and anxiety. She was distrusting of professionals due to a negative experience with Children's Services in another local authority. Dad had recently moved out of the family home so she cares for her three children alone. Read more about the support the family received and the tools mum now takes forward in her parenting skills.
READ MORE
Please share anonymised case studies highlighting how early help and partnership working has provided support to local families with us at familiesfirst.support@hertfordshire.gov.uk. Please ensure you have consent from the family.
Who's who
Who's Who in Supporting Families
Supporting Families Team
Head of Family Support : Karen Dorney
Service Managers:
Lauren Penrose - Service Manager, IFST and Safe Space
Sue Chapman - Service Manager, Families First Panels and Practice Team
Chris OConnor - Service Manager, Development Team
Simon Gentry – Services Manager, Performance & Improvement (Early Help data)
Intensive Family Support Teams
The Intensive Family Support teams (IFST) work with families with multiple and complex needs who would benefit from intensive support.
Find Contacts here:- Intensive Family Support Teams (hertfordshire.gov.uk)
Families First Coordinators - How can they support you locally?
As your local Senior and Families First Coordinators, we can offer support in all areas of the Families First Assessment. Please contact us if you are experiencing any difficulties or require further advice and guidance. We can support you with challenges including:
Speak to someone (hertfordshire.gov.uk)
Development Team
To contact the Supporting Families Development team email familiesfirst.support@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Local area news
Local News
Updates from the local districts
Please use this page to promote any local events or webinars. Please send an email with the subject: FF News - Local News page with a link to your event and short description to familiesfirst.support@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Broxbourne & East Herts
- Broxbourne Volunteers Fair - Thursday 5th June - Laura Trott Leisure Centre - 12.30pm-2pm
This is being co-ordinated by Communities 1st in conjunction with Broxbourne Council, Broxbourne Alliance PCN and Carers in Hertfordshire. The purpose of the event is for local organisations to showcase their services and recruit additional volunteers see poster here. Organisations can book a stall via the following link: https://www.communities1st.org.uk/volunteer-fair - it is free to attend. Members of the Public do not need to register to attend. Please do publicise this poster for individuals on your noticeboards, newsletters, social media channels, with colleagues etc. Previous events have been a great success and we look forward to seeing you there.
- Free Family Course for Mums, Dads and Carers of children aged 5-19yrs in Broxbourne
Are you looking for strategies and new ideas to help improve family life? This 9-week fully-funded term-time course can help you to:
- Understand how Feelings, Thoughts and Behaviour link together
- Understand what may be influencing your child’s behaviour
- Respond to a range of feelings e.g. stress, anger, anxiety and worries
- Improve communication to build better relationships
- Build on your own and your child’s strengths
- Learn strategies to help you and your family feel safe
Places are fully funded. To book your space, please call: 01992 303331, Option 5
Dates: Wednesday mornings, 30th April 2025 - 2nd July 2025 (excluding half term)
Time: 09.30am - 11.30am
Location: At Wormley School Community Room, Broxbourne, EN10 6QA
🎤 HABS BRINGS BACK THE 80s & 90s 🎧
Get ready to dust off those leg warmers, tease that hair, and grab your glow sticks — we’re turning back the clock for a night of pure retro fun.
🗓 Saturday, 12th July, ⏰ 7:30 PM – 11:30 PM, Robert Barclay Academy
🎟 Tickets: £15
Expect iconic tunes, classic dance moves, and a night full of neon nostalgia — all while supporting a great cause.
To book tickets, please email:
📩 events@habscharity.org.uk
- Community Alliance Summer Conference - Together for Tomorrow - Join us for our annual Summer Conference - 'Together for Tomorrow' on Friday, 27th June 2025, from 12 noon to 3pm at the Nigel Copping Community Building in Stanstead Abbotts.
Discover new opportunities for the voluntary sector to stay ahead of change. Explore modern methods to improve your fundraising and listen intently to how our core CVS offer can support you!
Grow your network and be part of the conversation on how we can grow and thrive together. Reserve your spot today! Email isobel@communityalliancebeh.org.uk to book your place. More details to follow!
Friday 27th June 2025
12pm to 3pm
Nigel Copping Community Building, Stanstead Abbotts, SG12 8GA
- Inclusive Job Fair - Step2Skills is holding an inclusive job fair in Bishop's Stortford aimed at adults (19+) with learning and physical disabilities, neurodiversity & mental health conditions on Thurs 15 May 10am-3pm, South Mill Arts, Bishop's Stortford. Book tickets for the event here.
- Family Centre Service are running Parent Cafes, where local families can meet the team and other local families and find out about workshops, play activities and get information, advice and guidance. Sessions are at Rosedale Community Centre, Waltham Cross 13:00 - 14:30 on 16/6/2025 and Seth Ward Community Centre, Buntingford 13:30-15:00 on 8/7/25
- Mens group: "Mens Collective" A talking group for men focusing on communication with families and at work but also a safe space for men to talk freely and be heard. 6.30-8pm 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at the Community Alliance Building, Fore Street, Hertford. Download the poster
Broxbourne Council has produced a simple Cost of Living guide for residents - Download the latest Cost of Living Directory
- Lots of really useful links for information on support for the cost of living is available on the Citizens Advice East Herts website https://citizensadviceeastherts.org.uk/ from Energy saving tips, Cost of Living payments, and Fuel bills. Also download the Citizens Advice leaflet which gives times/dates of their drop-in
- Services for Young People (SfYP) youth work projects enable young people to develop their personal and social skills and increase their confidence, self-esteem and resilience. Get details of SfYP projects and information, advice and support services in your area here:
SfYP East Herts Team projects
SfYP Broxbourne Team projects
- Healthy Hub East Herts are running drop-in sessions across the district for residents to pop in for FREE help and advice about anything they would like support with. A full list of dates and venues is on our website.
- The ParkPlay in Cedars Park, Cheshunt on Saturday morning offers a fantastic opportunity for families to engage in two hours of free community play, while remaining active and spending quality time with their loved ones. Additionally, it provides an excellent opportunity to connect with the local community
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ParkPlay is coming to Bishops Stortford! Parkplay is two hours of multi-sports for the whole family led by our Playleaders and volunteers, keeping our kids moving every Saturday morning from 10am-12pm. The best part is that it is completely FREE!
ParkPlay are currently looking for some volunteers to help us launch this great community initiative and get Bishops Stortford's children moving at our Thorley Gap parkplay. Together with Jordan, our playleader and youth worker with Thirst Cafe, you can be part of this amazing community focused event. Volunteering can be anything from signing in Parkplayers to helping our playleader set up the games. Volunteers do not need any experience in sport or physical activity and will receive free training, support and free access to the Parkplay app.
If you would like to help get our kids moving and bring your community together through the power of play please get in contact with Adam Nnochiri at adam.nnochiri@aitc.org.uk for more information on volunteering.
- Caudwell Youth Referrals : Caudwell Youth mentors at-risk young people aged 11-24 years into new futures. They have openings for referrals in East Herts areas. Parents and young people, as well as professionals can refer/self-refer if required.
Caudwell Youth - Please complete the online form. Application Form - Caudwell Youth
- Please remember to create a unique username for each young person you refer
- Add the young person's details not your own (it will feel like it’s asking for yours)
- Add as much risk information as possible
- Please complete all relevant questions
Each new referral will be triaged and placed on a short waiting list, before being assigned to a member of the team, if we require more information, the Area manager will contact you before we accept the referral.
If you have any questions, please get in touch.
- Waltham Cross - Sporting Aid
- Girls Kicks — Free youth football sessions for girls. Starting Saturday 26 April at Waltham Cross Playing Fields
- Youth Boxing — Free boxing and fitness camp for young people. Starting Saturday 26 April at Waltham Cross Playing Fields
- Youth Basketball — Free basketball camp for young people. Starting Saturday 26 April at Waltham Cross Playing Fields
- Active Travel Day — A free event offering cycle training, bike maintenance, guided rides and walks, the chance to try and buy e-bikes, plus police tagging for your bike. Saturday 10 May, 11am – 3pm at Waltham Cross Playing Fields. Led walking group opportunity also included as part of the day.
- Live Longer Better Celebration Day — A free event for older adults with activities including Tai Chi, Seated Cricket, Yoga, Stretch & Relax, and Guided Walks. There’ll also be a local marketplace and free refreshments! Thursday 22 May, 9:30am – 1pm at Lee Valley White Water Centre
- Event link
St Albans & Dacorum
- Mens Group Drop In - In Person:
Our Intensive Family Support Team (IFST) for Dacorum and St. Albans are facilitating a group for dads and male carers. This men’s group is a space for male role models in children’s lives to come together and have a positive outlet for concerns and to share their thoughts with other men.
It will run on the first Monday of each month from 6.00 – 7.30pm at the IFST office, Dacorum & St. Albans, Greenhill Site, Tenzing Road, Hemel Hempstead HP2 4HS
- This group is a drop in and is not a course that way anyone can pop in on a monthly basis
- We are tapping into staff resources and will have a topic to discuss every month including support with challenging behaviour, Internet safety, parenting challenges and the Parenting when Separated Programme, domestic abuse from a male perspective including male and female perpetrators and understanding the LGBTQ+ community
- This is a safe space for men to come together in a positive and supportive way
Dates for 2025
May 12, June 6, July 7, September 1, October 6, November 3, December 1
- Mens group: "The Mr Programme" starts 4 June 2025, 6.30pm-8pm, (every Wednesday until 16 July). An online group exploring what a positive male role model looks like for children in today’s modern. Open to all dads/male carers. Book your place here:- MRProgramme Referral
- You can read the latest DSPL8 newsletter here
- Services for Young People (SfYP) youth work projects enable young people to develop their personal and social skills and increase their confidence, self-esteem and resilience. Get details of SfYP projects and information, advice and support services in your area here:
SfYP St Albans Team projects
SfYP Dacorum Team projects
North Herts & Stevenage
- Family Centre Service are running Parent Cafes, where local families can meet the team and other local families and find out about workshops, play activities and get information, advice and guidance. Sessions for North Herts are at Woolmer Green Village Hall 10:00 - 11:30 on 23/9/2025.
- The ParkPlay in Jackmans Park, Letchworth on Saturday morning offers a fantastic opportunity for families to engage in two hours of free community play, while remaining active and spending quality time with their loved ones. Additionally, it provides an excellent opportunity to connect with the local community
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No More Service is a youth service in Stevenage and North Herts, which offers support to young people aged 11-21 across Hertfordshire to address the impact alcohol, substance misuse and/or offending have on all areas of a client’s life and help them develop practical solutions to address these. Clients have to fulfil at least three of the relevant criteria to be accepted onto the Service, find out more here and download the referral form here.
- Services for Young People (SfYP) youth work projects enable young people to develop their personal and social skills and increase their confidence, self-esteem and resilience. Get details of SfYP projects and information, advice and support services in your area here:
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One of Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue's many community and youth engagement activities is their established Fire Cadet Programme aimed at young people aged 14-17 years and is free of charge to join.
Fire Cadets participate in practical and theoretical fire and rescue service activities, including hose drills, breathing apparatus procedures and fire safety awareness sessions. The scheme teaches young people essential life skills such as self-discipline, confidence and leadership.
We are currently recruiting for the new academic year (September 2025 intake) at our Royston Cadet unit based at the Royston Fire Station, Baldock Streeton, Royston, SG8 5BD, Wednesday evenings from 6.30pm – 8.30pm.
I have attached an information leaflet for any of your students who maybe interested in joining. There is an online application form on our service webpage which interested parents or children can complete Children and young people | Hertfordshire County Council
Welwyn Hatfield
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Services for Young People (SfYP) youth work projects enable young people to develop their personal and social skills and increase their confidence, self-esteem and resilience. Get details of SfYP projects and information, advice and support services in your area here:
- Caudwell Youth Referrals : Caudwell Youth mentors at-risk young people aged 11-24 years into new futures. They have openings for referrals in Welwyn/Hatfield areas. Parents and young people, as well as professionals can refer/self-refer if required.
Caudwell Youth - Please complete the online form. Application Form - Caudwell Youth
- Please remember to create a unique username for each young person you refer
- Add the young person's details not your own (it will feel like it’s asking for yours)
- Add as much risk information as possible
- Please complete all relevant questions
Each new referral will be triaged and placed on a short waiting list, before being assigned to a member of the team, if we require more information, the Area manager will contact you before we accept the referral.
If you have any questions, please get in touch.
Watford, Three Rivers Hertsmere
- Mission Impossible : Our employability training programme is for young people age 18-25 with learning disabilities. We run a Supported Internship programme in Chorleywood and are currently recruiting for September 2025.
Our mission is to provide the training and support that young, learning disabled people need, to gain paid employment and work with employers to help them create an inclusive workplace in which our graduates can thrive. Together with our employment partners & local community, we are changing the lives of those with learning disabilities, one person at a time, creating a more inclusive workforce for all. To date over 90% of our graduates have secured paid employment after completing their years employability training course at Mission EmployAble’s training centre at Cafe on The Common. We are hosting a Webinar on the 23rd April 18.30-19.30 as an information session for parents to find out more about what it is we do.
To join for a free ticket. www.missionemployable.co.uk/events/php
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Find out more about Home-Start in Watford, Three Rivers & Hertsmere -
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Services for Young People (SfYP) youth work projects enable young people to develop their personal and social skills and increase their confidence, self-esteem and resilience. Get details of SfYP projects and information, advice and support services in your area here:
- The ParkPlay in Aycliffe Park, Borehamwood on Saturday morning offers a fantastic opportunity for families to engage in two hours of free community play, while remaining active and spending quality time with their loved ones. Additionally, it provides an excellent opportunity to connect with the local community