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.