St Albans & Dacorum News Bulletin
January 2021
We are collating the updates we receive for the services into district bulletins. If you would like to include your service update/news for this area please email familiesfirst.support@hertfordshire.gov.uk and please put "Newsletter update" in the subject box, thank you.
Temporary changes to local Jobcentre services
To help keep customers and colleagues as safe as possible in the latest phase of the pandemic, the Department has decided jobcentre opening hours will be 10am to 2pm beginning on Monday the 18th January 2021. This temporary change means we can continue providing safe, essential services for those who need to come into the Jobcentre and who are unable to interact with us on the phone or digitally. The opening hours of our phone lines remain as they were. In addition, the Relay UK service and the Video relay service are both still available.
Anyone entering a Jobcentre will be required to wear a face covering, unless they are in an exempt category. Please remind your audiences to follow the latest government guidance on meeting with others safely and lockdown restrictions and that if we need to make an appointment with a customer, this will be by the phone. We will leave a message in their journal before we call them. If you have any questions, then please contact your local Jobcentre.
Community Action Dacorum's (CAD) Creative Learning Courses
Creative Learning are offering Hertfordshire residents a variety of online courses to support the community. We are continuing to offer distance learning to deliver our courses, hopefully moving towards a blended learning programme later in the year. Please use this link to review our January newsletter, which includes information about our Digital Skills, Business, Craft, Mindfulness, and Pilates Courses.
Watford & Three Rivers News Bulletin
January 2021
We are collating the updates we receive for the services into district bulletins. If you would like to include your service update/news for this area please email familiesfirst.support@hertfordshire.gov.uk and please put "Newsletter update" in the subject box, thank you.
Temporary changes to local Jobcentre services
To help keep customers and colleagues as safe as possible in the latest phase of the pandemic, the Department has decided jobcentre opening hours will be 10am to 2pm beginning on Monday the 18th January 2021. This temporary change means we can continue providing safe, essential services for those who need to come into the Jobcentre and who are unable to interact with us on the phone or digitally. The opening hours of our phone lines remain as they were. In addition, the Relay UK service and the Video relay service are both still available.
Anyone entering a Jobcentre will be required to wear a face covering, unless they are in an exempt category. Please remind your audiences to follow the latest government guidance on meeting with others safely and lockdown restrictions and that if we need to make an appointment with a customer, this will be by the phone. We will leave a message in their journal before we call them. If you have any questions, then please contact your local Jobcentre.
Please also see the updated Escalation Route should you need it for the Watford and Borehamwood Jobcentres.
East Herts & Broxbourne News Bulletin
January 2021
We are collating the updates we receive for the services into district bulletins. If you would like to include your service update/news for this area please email familiesfirst.support@hertfordshire.gov.uk and please put "Newsletter update" in the subject box, thank you.
DSPL4 Annual Conference - SEND and Mental Health
DSPL4 welcomes all parents, carers and professionals to join the 5th Annual Conference; SEND & Mental Health on 29th January 2021. This conference will be held virtually via Zoom and is FREE to attend.
Please review the conference pack for everything you need to know about the day, including how to book. Please also share information about this conference on social media, with other families and professionals.
Job Smart Employability Programme
Please help us promote the Job Smart employability programme that is being delivered by the CVS across Broxbourne and East Herts. Face-to-face group sessions are recommencing in Waltham Cross and Wormley whilst there is also online support and e-learning videos.
Please promote this programme by whatever means you have; noticeboards, social media, newsletters as well as one-on-one with families you know who are in need of this support.
Please review this flyer for further information. More publicity for this programme is being devised and flyers are being printed for pick up in community locations.
Temporary changes to local Jobcentre services
To help keep customers and colleagues as safe as possible in the latest phase of the pandemic, the Department has decided jobcentre opening hours will be 10am to 2pm beginning on Monday the 18th January 2021. This temporary change means we can continue providing safe, essential services for those who need to come into the Jobcentre and who are unable to interact with us on the phone or digitally. The opening hours of our phone lines remain as they were. In addition, the Relay UK service and the Video relay service are both still available.
Anyone entering a Jobcentre will be required to wear a face covering, unless they are in an exempt category. Please remind your audiences to follow the latest government guidance on meeting with others safely and lockdown restrictions and that if we need to make an appointment with a customer, this will be by the phone. We will leave a message in their journal before we call them. If you have any questions, then please contact your local Jobcentre.
HABS Family Support Team - Hertfordshire Children Services Partner of the Year 2020
What a year for HABS (Hoddesdon and Broxbourne Settings)! We have secured an award that meant so much to the team. We have successfully created a new counselling provision alongside HABS called 'Strength in Mind CIC' which will continue to help our vulnerable Children, Adolescents in schools, and Adults in the local community with funded or affordable counselling to support with their mental health and emotional wellbeing. We welcomed 2 new members of staff to our team which will enable us to offer so much more over the next 2 years; even Covid-19 couldn't stop us getting out there, working face to face with our families.
The HABS team have also had another successful year with our Christmas appeal that supported families all over the Borough of Broxbourne. We are happy to say we were able to support over 240+ children with presents, supplied vouchers for food to over 60 families, and offered money towards gas and electricity for the festive season to over 50 families.
The feedback from parents has been fantastic with one local family saying
"I must admit I burst into tears when I opened everything, absolutely everything is so gratefully received. Between the cash for heating, food vouchers and the lovely gifts. I am struggling to find the words to express how grateful I am and how much every single item is appreciated. This has been a godsend not just to help us when we are struggling to get back on our feet, but also with the pandemic unable to get out. Please pass on our thanks to every person or group that contributed to the donations, and to everyone on the HABS team, who since the first contact has really been an invaluable source of support at our lowest times, you work tirelessly and are so important not just for us but for everyone you help. Thank you so very very much."
We would like to thank the local companies, the schools and staff that came together, and the local community for all their support. You have all touched the hearts of so many families this Christmas.
If any families in Hoddesdon, Turnford, Broxbourne, and Wormley need any support please call our consultation number on 01992 303 331 (opt 5). Also, check out our Facebook page and Instagram page for up to date information and support.
YCH Services for Young People (Broxbourne, East Herts & Welwyn Hatfield)
YCH Services for Young People (YCH SfYP), previously YC Hertfordshire are pleased to present their offer of youth work projects, services and support for young people.
The best start to 2021
YCH SfYP are offering a range of online youth work projects for young people (aged 13 to 17) to help them get the best start in 2021. Please click on the following links to review some flyers providing information on the opportunities available this term across Broxbourne, East Herts and Welwyn Hatfield. Please also see some of the key projects below.
Key Projects
Emotional Wellbeing Project: This project is for young people experiencing low mood who would benefit from some support to improve their wellbeing by making simple lifestyle changes. Centred around the 5 Ways to Wellbeing, this project offers a safe environment for young people to explore how they can make a difference to the way they feel. With the support of qualified youth workers and their peers, young people can take part in new activities and learn new skills to help them feel better about their future.
- East Herts: Online via Microsoft Teams, Mondays 6-7pm
- Broxbourne: Waltham Cross Young People’s Centre and online via Microsoft Teams, Thursdays 6-7pm
- Welwyn Hatfield: Hatfield Young People’s Centre and online via Microsoft Teams, Tuesday 3:15-5:15pm
Supporting You Project: This project introduces young people to a range of CBT techniques to overcome feelings of worry and anxiety. Delivered within a supportive group work setting, young people develop increased confidence and self-esteem and learn how to apply this to their everyday lives, as well as build resilience and take greater control of their circumstances.
- East Herts: Online via Microsoft Teams, Wednesdays 6-7pm
- Broxbourne: Waltham Cross Young People’s Centre and online via Microsoft Teams, Mondays 6-7pm
- Welwyn Hatfield: Online via Microsoft Teams, Thursdays 6-7pm
Keeping young people safe from online exploitation
The YCH SfYP Healthy Relationships Project enables young people in East Herts to be more confident and happier in their relationships. In 2019, Ofcom found that 79% of 12-15-year olds had a potentially harmful experience online and with young people spending more time online throughout the pandemic, this project equips young people with the knowledge and skills to keep themselves safe. Through interactive and engaging activities, young people can:
- Develop an understanding of consent within relationships
- Learn how to stay safe online and understand the risks of sharing personal information and images
- Learn how sexualised images can affect body image and confidence
- Recognise and understand the impact of Child Sexual Exploitation and abuse
- Know where and how to access support
Online via Microsoft Teams, Wednesdays 6-7pm
Supporting young people with finding education, employment or training
YCH SfYP can support any young person under 19 who is looking for work, training or education. Although the usual challenges that young people face when considering their future opportunities have been impacted by COVID-19, we can support young people to their next destination with the help of our qualified Careers Guidance Practitioners and a thorough knowledge of employability support. However, the majority of schools also purchase a comprehensive package of professional Careers Advice and Guidance, Work Experience and Work-related Learning from YCH SfYP.
In addition, the Pathways to Success programme is specifically designed to support young people in Year 11 who are NEET (not in employment, education or training), or are at risk of becoming so. Through individual tailored support and a range of interactive workshops young people can develop their CVs, hone their interview skills and enhance their employability.
YCH SfYP Access Points
Young people are welcome to make an appointment at any YCH SfYP Access Point throughout lockdown, which have all been risk assessed and had measures put in place to ensure they are Covid Secure:
- Bishop’s Stortford Access Point (Bishop’s Stortford Young People’s Centre, 14 Northgate End, Bishop's Stortford, CM23 2EU): Thursdays 2-5pm.
- Cheshunt Access Point (Cheshunt Young People’s Centre, The Drill Hall, 178 Crossbrook Street, Cheshunt, EN8 8JY): Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 2-5pm.
- Hatfield Access Point (Hatfield Young People’s Centre, Breaks Manor Youth Centre, Link Drive, Hatfield, AL10 8TP): Mondays and Wednesdays 2-5pm.
- Welwyn Garden City Access Point (Welwyn Garden City Young People’s Centre, Block A, Oaklands College, The Campus, College Way, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6AH): Tuesdays and Thursdays 2-5pm.
Any young person aged 13-19 can attend Access Points (13-21 for care leavers or 13-24 for young people with learning disabilities), but during lockdown this is by appointment only. Access Points provide young people with individual support on a range of topics, including:
- Finding a job and career planning
- Accessing Sexual Health services, including free condoms, chlamydia and gonorrhoea screening, pregnancy tests and confidential advice
- Support with substance misuse, including referrals for more specialist support
- Managing finances and housing support
- Developing independent living skills
- Accessing YCH SfYP youth work projects and programmes
How to refer a young person to YCH Services for Young People?
You can use this link to refer a young person to a project or programme. Please help us circulate this information to colleagues who you think may find it useful.
Update on service support from Citizens Advice East Herts
Who and how are we helping?
We continue to operate a remote advice service which has enabled us to help over 6,500 people (as of end December) since the first lockdown in March, up 31% on 2019.
We are seeing demand for support increase, with issues becoming more complex. Benefits and Housing are the biggest areas of need and we are fundraising to be able to offer more specialist casework support in these areas.
As an advice service our focus is on making sure clients are able to access all the support they need, including financial. As part of this we are able to issue food and fuel vouchers where needed and to help clients access some grants, including the new (time limited) Winter Grant.
How can you can contact us?
Partners and clients can contact us for advice and support in a number of ways:
- Advice by email
- Advice by phone: Call Message Line any time on 01920 459944 (local rate) and one of our advisers will call back as soon as they're able to (Mon-Thus). Or if you're happy to wait call Adviceline on freephone 0800 144 8848 (Mon-Fri)
- Advice by Facebook Messenger
- Webchat with us
We have recently introduced a pilot online referral tool (Frontline - used in Harlow and Uttlesford) to streamline the referrals process between partners and simplify the process for clients.
Useful resources
We have a range of resources on our website which partner organisations and clients can make use of, including:
- Online benefits calculator - to check eligibility for benefits. You can also see how changes in household budget can affect income.
- Online self-help - for information on housing, benefits, finances, relationships, consumer rights etc.
- Bite Size Video advice - for short guides to topics such as budgeting, redundancy and scams.
We can also help people apply for Universal Credit via our Help to Claim service.
What's coming up?
In the next few weeks, we will be launching video advice appointments (please see our website for latest details). We are also keen to work with partners to pilot freephones in various locations, making our service accessible to those who may not otherwise be able to contact us.
Please get in touch if you any questions and please follow us on social media for the latest updates.
North Herts & Stevenage News Bulletin
January 2021
We are collating the updates we receive for the services into district bulletins. If you would like to include your service update/news for this area please email familiesfirst.support@hertfordshire.gov.uk and please put "Newsletter update" in the subject box, thank you.
News from Hitchin Partnership CIO
Hitchin Partnership are working as part of the Hitchin Food Provision Team. The team is a group of local organisations and charities that usually come together at Christmas to provide vulnerable families in our area with a Christmas Hamper each year. We came together at the start of the Covid-19 Crisis with the idea of providing a weekly hamper to families who suddenly found themselves in financial difficulty due to the situation; loss of employment, significantly reduced hours, furloughed, awaiting Universal Credits, etc. Very quickly we realised that a weekly hamper was going to be too difficult logistically and may not meet the different needs of individual families so we changed our plan to provide supermarket vouchers. We have now been providing supermarket vouchers since March 2020. We also provided 158 families with supermarket vouchers and gift bags for Christmas. We are aiming to continue to support families until the end of the school summer holidays 2021, we currently have funds to April/May 2021.
The team is made up of the following groups: Hitchin Partnership CIO, Hitchin Round Table, Hitchin Youth Trust, Rotary of Hitchin Tilehouse, Hitchin Volunteer Army, Zeo Church in collaboration with Hitchin Food Bank and Feed Up Warm Up.
Please also review the Hitchin Food Provision fundraising page.
Additionally, Hitchin Partnership CIO are continuing to provide support to families and schools in accordance with the current guidance.
If you would like any further information, please email: hpadmin@wilshere.herts.sch.uk.
Create Community Courses 2021
Please see the information below and this schedule for details about the courses being delivered in 2021.
- From Feb to July, we will deliver the Health and Wellbeing (HW 1 & 2) and Moving towards Employment (MtE 1 & 2) courses every month and our new IT course for beginners ‘Living in a digital age’.
- At the moment, we’re hoping to be able to offer face to face delivery over 2 days for HW and MtE, at either of our Hubs in Letchworth or Stevenage, according to demand, but recognise that not all participants are willing/able to travel, and that a further lockdown or tighter restrictions may prevent this altogether.
- Either way, we will respond to the needs of those referred/enrolled and try to provide for as many people as possible - inevitably this will include a Zoom option as well.
- IT courses will run every Wednesday morning from 3rd Feb, face to face at the Hub in Letchworth on a monthly rota, so again 5 x 2 hour sessions. (In a four week month it will be 4 x 2.5 hour sessions), unless shut down by Covid.
Therefore, we can help any of your clients who may feel they’d like support with confidence, managing anxiety and stress, developing CVs, interview practise and preparation or improving their IT skills. If you have any questions, please email: admin@createnetwork.community.
Temporary changes to local Jobcentre services
To help keep customers and colleagues as safe as possible in the latest phase of the pandemic, the Department has decided jobcentre opening hours will be 10am to 2pm beginning on Monday the 18th January 2021. This temporary change means we can continue providing safe, essential services for those who need to come into the Jobcentre and who are unable to interact with us on the phone or digitally. The opening hours of our phone lines remain as they were. In addition, the Relay UK service and the Video relay service are both still available.
Anyone entering a Jobcentre will be required to wear a face covering, unless they are in an exempt category. Please remind your audiences to follow the latest government guidance on meeting with others safely and lockdown restrictions and that if we need to make an appointment with a customer, this will be by the phone. We will leave a message in their journal before we call them. If you have any questions, then please contact your local Jobcentre.
Welwyn Hatfield & Hertsmere News Bulletin
January 2021
We are collating the updates we receive for the services into district bulletins. If you would like to include your service update/news for this area please email familiesfirst.support@hertfordshire.gov.uk and please put "Newsletter update" in the subject box, thank you.
Temporary changes to local Jobcentre services
To help keep customers and colleagues as safe as possible in the latest phase of the pandemic, the Department has decided jobcentre opening hours will be 10am to 2pm beginning on Monday the 18th January 2021. This temporary change means we can continue providing safe, essential services for those who need to come into the Jobcentre and who are unable to interact with us on the phone or digitally. The opening hours of our phone lines remain as they were. In addition, the Relay UK service and the Video relay service are both still available.
Anyone entering a Jobcentre will be required to wear a face covering, unless they are in an exempt category. Please remind your audiences to follow the latest government guidance on meeting with others safely and lockdown restrictions and that if we need to make an appointment with a customer, this will be by the phone. We will leave a message in their journal before we call them. If you have any questions, then please contact your local Jobcentre.
Please also see the updated Escalation Route should you need it for the Watford and Borehamwood Jobcentres.
Welwyn Hatfield Healthy Hub
The Welwyn Hatfield Healthy Hub launched their new website on 11th January 2021. Please help us to spread the word across the community. Please click on the following links to access some marketing, including an introductory paragraph about the website and an image to share with your contacts.
February's Healthy Hub Bulletin is also now live.
If you have any questions, please email: l.griffin@welhat.gov.uk.
YCH Services for Young People (Broxbourne, East Herts & Welwyn Hatfield)
YCH Services for Young People (YCH SfYP), previously YC Hertfordshire are pleased to present their offer of youth work projects, services and support for young people.
The best start to 2021
YCH SfYP are offering a range of online youth work projects for young people (aged 13 to 17) to help them get the best start in 2021. Please click on the following links to review some flyers providing information on the opportunities available this term across Broxbourne, East Herts and Welwyn Hatfield. Please also see some of the key projects below.
Key Projects
Emotional Wellbeing Project: This project is for young people experiencing low mood who would benefit from some support to improve their wellbeing by making simple lifestyle changes. Centred around the 5 Ways to Wellbeing, this project offers a safe environment for young people to explore how they can make a difference to the way they feel. With the support of qualified youth workers and their peers, young people can take part in new activities and learn new skills to help them feel better about their future.
- East Herts: Online via Microsoft Teams, Mondays 6-7pm
- Broxbourne: Waltham Cross Young People’s Centre and online via Microsoft Teams, Thursdays 6-7pm
- Welwyn Hatfield: Hatfield Young People’s Centre and online via Microsoft Teams, Tuesday 3:15-5:15pm
Supporting You Project: This project introduces young people to a range of CBT techniques to overcome feelings of worry and anxiety. Delivered within a supportive group work setting, young people develop increased confidence and self-esteem and learn how to apply this to their everyday lives, as well as build resilience and take greater control of their circumstances.
- East Herts: Online via Microsoft Teams, Wednesdays 6-7pm
- Broxbourne: Waltham Cross Young People’s Centre and online via Microsoft Teams, Mondays 6-7pm
- Welwyn Hatfield: Online via Microsoft Teams, Thursdays 6-7pm
Keeping young people safe from online exploitation
The YCH SfYP Healthy Relationships Project enables young people in East Herts to be more confident and happier in their relationships. In 2019, Ofcom found that 79% of 12-15-year olds had a potentially harmful experience online and with young people spending more time online throughout the pandemic, this project equips young people with the knowledge and skills to keep themselves safe. Through interactive and engaging activities, young people can:
- Develop an understanding of consent within relationships
- Learn how to stay safe online and understand the risks of sharing personal information and images
- Learn how sexualised images can affect body image and confidence
- Recognise and understand the impact of Child Sexual Exploitation and abuse
- Know where and how to access support
Online via Microsoft Teams, Wednesdays 6-7pm
Supporting young people with finding education, employment or training
YCH SfYP can support any young person under 19 who is looking for work, training or education. Although the usual challenges that young people face when considering their future opportunities have been impacted by COVID-19, we can support young people to their next destination with the help of our qualified Careers Guidance Practitioners and a thorough knowledge of employability support. However, the majority of schools also purchase a comprehensive package of professional Careers Advice and Guidance, Work Experience and Work-related Learning from YCH SfYP.
In addition, the Pathways to Success programme is specifically designed to support young people in Year 11 who are NEET (not in employment, education or training), or are at risk of becoming so. Through individual tailored support and a range of interactive workshops young people can develop their CVs, hone their interview skills and enhance their employability.
YCH SfYP Access Points
Young people are welcome to make an appointment at any YCH SfYP Access Point throughout lockdown, which have all been risk assessed and had measures put in place to ensure they are Covid Secure:
- Bishop’s Stortford Access Point (Bishop’s Stortford Young People’s Centre, 14 Northgate End, Bishop's Stortford, CM23 2EU): Thursdays 2-5pm.
- Cheshunt Access Point (Cheshunt Young People’s Centre, The Drill Hall, 178 Crossbrook Street, Cheshunt, EN8 8JY): Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 2-5pm.
- Hatfield Access Point (Hatfield Young People’s Centre, Breaks Manor Youth Centre, Link Drive, Hatfield, AL10 8TP): Mondays and Wednesdays 2-5pm.
- Welwyn Garden City Access Point (Welwyn Garden City Young People’s Centre, Block A, Oaklands College, The Campus, College Way, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6AH): Tuesdays and Thursdays 2-5pm.
Any young person aged 13-19 can attend Access Points (13-21 for care leavers or 13-24 for young people with learning disabilities), but during lockdown this is by appointment only. Access Points provide young people with individual support on a range of topics, including:
- Finding a job and career planning
- Accessing Sexual Health services, including free condoms, chlamydia and gonorrhoea screening, pregnancy tests and confidential advice
- Support with substance misuse, including referrals for more specialist support
- Managing finances and housing support
- Developing independent living skills
- Accessing YCH SfYP youth work projects and programmes
How to refer a young person to YCH Services for Young People?
You can use this link to refer a young person to a project or programme. Please help us circulate this information to colleagues who you think may find it useful.