The latest news
Exam Results Day Support
AS and A-Level results day is on August 18, 2022
GCSE results day will be on August 25, 2022
We understand that this can be a particularly stressful time of year for some young people due to upcoming exam results or deciding on their future plans. The Services for Young People team will be on hand to deliver free, impartial and confidential information, advice and guidance from the Access Point Projects and Results Day support within schools. The below pdfs include a page dedicated to the support that young people can access on Results Day. Please do feel free to print this off and promote where possible to ensure young people have access to the help and support they may need.
For Broxbourne
For East Herts
For Dacorum
For St Albans
For Welwyn Hatfield
Visit Services for Young People for all other areas
We also thought we would share the dates for some great webinars for you to share with families from the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families
They are holding free webinars for all parents and carers of children in Year 11 and Year 13 receiving their exam results this summer.
The exam results webinars are taking place from 1st to 12th August, and will provide parents and carers with strategies to support the mental health of young people who are waiting on their results.
Please share the details of the webinars with parents and carers at your school or college before the end of term.
Free exam results webinar for parents and carers (annafreud.org)
They will also be holding a series of webinars for young people who are starting university this autumn. Find out more Free university transition webinar for young people | Training | Anna Freud Centre
They have created a set of free resource packs to help pupils and staff practise self-care this summer.
The packs for pupils feature a range of creative activities based on self-care strategies that other young people have found useful. The staff toolkit features top tips for maximising self-care over the holidays, as well as a poster that can be shared in the staff room or disseminated online to colleagues.
Self-care summer | Resources for primary schools, secondary schools and staff (annafreud.org)
Keeping children entertained during the holidays
Lots of links and resources here to share with families for low cost school holiday activities.
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This summer, beyond your front door, but not that far from your doorstep, there’s lots for everyone to do all over Hertfordshire. We’ve put together a big list of ‘no cost’ or ‘low cost’ activities in our county, as voted for by Hertfordshire residents, providing a whole world of wonder for children and their parents. Check out our Healthy Little Trips webpage to find your next family day out – how many of our Fifty Thrifty Adventures will you tick off the list?
This is the Fifty Thrifty blog link: Fifty Thrifty Adventures to have in Hertfordshire this summer
Healthy Little tips (hertfordshire.gov.uk)
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HAPpy camps are for children and young people who attend a Hertfordshire school and are in receipt of benefits-related free school meals.
HAPpy Activity Camps - Herts Sports Partnership (sportinherts.org.uk)
There is some scope for provision to be available for vulnerable children as well as Ukrainian or other refugees, to check eligibility or obtain a code email haf@herts.ac.uk’
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“50 Things To Do Before You’re Five” is a menu of activities for early years settings and families with young children, contained within a FREE app, giving great suggestions for how to have fun and learn at the same time. https://hertfordshire.50thingstodo.org/app/os |
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Services for Young People are offering eight free Go Wild at Hudnall nature connection sessions during the 2022 school summer holidays |
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How to entertain your children in the holidays | Family Lives |
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The Hertfordshire Family Centre Service are running free family fun sessions over the summer period for children aged 0 – 8 years and will also be celebrating National Play Day out and about at community events. All of these events are free to Hertfordshire families.
We will be running lots of fun sessions to offer a wide range of activities for you and your children to enjoy and play together. They are an opportunity for you to meet other local families and get advice and support from the family centre team. As well as lots for under 5’s to enjoy, there will be activities for siblings up to the age of 8.
Celebrate National Play Day on Wednesday 3 August at events across the county. For more details please see our what’s on page. |
Summer Reading Challenge
Are you looking for a fun, free activity to keep your children busy over the summer holidays? Bring your family to your local library and sign up to the 2022 ‘Gadgeteers’ Summer Reading Challenge, which runs from Saturday 9 July to Saturday 3 September. Children are encouraged to read six books over the summer. You can read the books together with your child, they can read them independently, or even with a friend! For each two books read your child will receive a set of stickers. Those who complete the challenge will be rewarded with a medal, certificate, and pencil.
The Challenge was launched with a special event at St Albans library on Saturday 9 July.
The ‘Gadgeteers’ Summer Reading Challenge will be finishing in style with a special author event on Sunday 25 September. Enter the prize draw when you sign up to win a chance to attend!
The Challenge is a fun way of maintaining your child’s reading level over the summer so they can easily adjust to the learning environment of the new school year.
The Challenge is running at all Hertfordshire Libraries while stocks last. Join in the fun and keep the summer boredom at bay with the 2022 ‘Gadgeteers’ Summer Reading Challenge.
For more details pop into your local library or visit www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/libraries or call 0300 123 4049.
Just Talk - Summer Sleep Challenge
25 July - end of August 2022
Public Health’s Just Talk programme, which is aimed at young people, will launch a ‘Let’s Just Talk About Sleep’ campaign tomorrow. Please share information about the challenge with any young people/families you work with - if they participate in the challenge, they will be entered into a prize draw to win £200 worth of vouchers to spend on a family experience of their choice.
The Hertfordshire summer sleep challenge is for young people aged 11–18 and their families
You may have heard people tell you how much sleep you ‘should’ be getting, but sleep is like a t-shirt – there’s no ‘one size fits all’. Most young people need between 7 and 11 hours sleep but we know that pressures of school, and other demands on our time make it difficult to really know how much sleep you personally need. That’s why we’re inviting you to join Hertfordshire’s summer sleep challenge, to work out how much sleep you and your family members ideally need, by turning off your alarm clocks for two weeks this summer and completing a simple sleep log.
Let us know you’ve completed the challenge by emailing your completed summer sleep challenge log to: justtalk@hertfordshire.gov.uk . You will be entered into a prize draw and be in with the chance of winning Family Experience Vouchers worth £200!
Prince's Trust TEAM Programme for 16-25 year olds starts in September 2022
The Prince's Trust’s 12 week TEAM programme is for people aged 16-25 who are not currently in employment or education. TEAM is designed to help young people to get back into employment or further education. Not only is there a qualification at the end, it's also free!
We are asking parents, relatives and friends to pass on these details to anyone they think our scheme could be of benefit to.
Students are encouraged to undertake a voyage of self-discovery, to grow in confidence and to boost their skills and experience. Learners are supported to:
- Take part in an outdoor activity team-building week
- Take on a local community project
- Build interview and presentation skills
- Write a CV
- Gain work experience, work placements and references.
- Achieve a nationally recognised qualification in Employment, Teamwork and Community Skills (Entry level, level 1 and level 2)
Training is free and doesn’t affect jobseekers’ allowance.
Courses run three times a year from five locations: Watford; Hemel Hempstead; Cheshunt; Stevenage/North Herts; and Welwyn/Hatfield.
The next local Welwyn/Hatfield TEAM will start on 12th September 2022.
For more information or to register for upcoming courses, follow this link:
Prince’s Trust Team Programme – Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service (hopinto.co.uk)
You can also email them at hfrs.youth@hertfordshire.gov.uk or find them on social media: Twitter: @HFRSYouth Facebook: Princes Trust Team Programme Hertfordshire.
Mums Matter!
Herts Mind Network have some new Mums Matter groups starting at the end of July. The below leaflet gives more information and you can download a referral form here. This information is also available on the Herts Mind Network website
They offer:
- 1-1 and group support to mums with babies up to 2 years old living in Hertfordshire
- The mums we support have mild to moderate mental health difficulties such as postnatal depression and / or anxiety
- The support is free
- Mums can be referred using the referral form or they can self-refer via the website
- The groups are small, online groups aimed at giving mums a range of tools and techniques to manage their own wellbeing and are also a great support to mums who feel very isolated after having a baby
Spread the word about #DogSafety
Leading animal welfare organisations have teamed up to produce a shareable infographic to encourage safe interactions with dogs.
Recently we’ve seen several tragic dog attack fatalities, so it’s paramount that families are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to enjoy spending time with their dogs safely.
The Canine and Feline Sector Group Dog Safety Code highlights three crucial messages that all dog owners and families need to know:
- Be alert – Always keep an eye on your dog around kids. Never leave them alone together
- Be aware – Dogs use signals to tell us how they feel – What is your dog telling you?
- Be safe – Any dog can bite. Accidents happen fast.
We’re encouraging safeguarding partners to display and share the infographic as widely as possible to get the #DogSafety message out there.
Available in digital and print versions – download from the Canine and Feline Sector Group website https://www.cfsg.org.uk/dog-safety/
Support for Autism and ADHD in Hertfordshire
The ASD and ADHD transformation programme, which includes Hertfordshire County Council, NHS trusts, HPCI and local voluntary organisations, has been working hard to improve services for families and young people.
A key area of work has been ensuring practitioners that work with children and young people know where they can go or signpost families to access support in their local area. This will hopefully help families, children and young people get access to support as early as they can.
To find out more about the support available please watch and share this 3-minute animation or visit the Herts Local Offer.
Please find some example communications attached to help with circulation.
www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/autismADHDsupporthertfordshire
Help to manage the cost of living
The cost of living is something all the families we support are concerned about and there is so much information being sent out it can be hard to navigate.
The attached Toolkit may be helpful for you and your staff to be able to advise on the government support available over the coming months.
Cost of Living Toolkit
You may find this page useful when supporting families, it contains good resources which offer advice and practical help to manage finances and make savings and tips in managing the cost of living increases:-
Hertfordshire County Council | Help to manage the cost of living
Remember we also have a free online Universal Credit course available at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/benefits
Also if families are struggling, they can get in touch with HertsHelp - trained friendly advisors are on hand to offer confidential assistance and can put you in touch with helpful services and support locally - call 0300 123 4044, email info@hertshelp.net or visit www.hertshelp.net
Would you like to save money on your childcare costs?
If you have a child under the age of 12 (16 with a disability) and currently pay for childcare, did you know that you could save up to £2,000 per year by using Tax Free Childcare. To find out more please visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Help to manage the cost of living
We all need a little support from time to time. We’ve collated resources that offer advice and practical help to manage finances and make savings, while also helping the environment. For more information, visit the Hertfordshire website.
Family Centres Annual Report 2021/22
The Hertfordshire Family Support Service are pleased to share with you their Annual Report from April 2021 to March 2022.
The report covers who they are, their work focus, the last year and reviews of their priorities listed below. It also includes next steps.
Priority 1 - Healthy Lives, Healthy Relationships
Priority 2 - Raising Aspirations and Volunteering
Priority 3 - Narrowing the Gap
Priority 4 - Special Educational Needs & Disabilities
Priority 5 - Public Health
We hope you find this of interest and please do get in touch if you have any comments or questions. Telephone: 0300 123 7572 or visit their website Family Centre Service (hertsfamilycentres.org)
Learning & development
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.
View the latest Learning and Development programme
We use this page to give you some quick links through to the HSCP learning programmes:-
HSAB and HSCP training and resources | Hertfordshire County Council
View the HSCP Neglect Hub here:- Neglect Hub | Hertfordshire County Council
To understand our thresholds a bit more, view the Continuum of needs (hertfordshire.gov.uk)
Year of Learning May 2022_Escalations of Concerns and Professional Disagreements about Decisions
Please find below this month’s 7 Minute Briefing on Escalations of Concerns and Professional Disagreements about Decisions
This briefing can also be found on our website – Resources a Year of Learning. Please share at your Team Meetings and with our Partners Agencies.
Year of Learning May 2022_Escalations of Concerns and Professional Disagreements about Decisions
Workshops with Step 2 Skills
Step2Skills is excited to meet more Hertfordshire residents via our range of short taster sessions and workshops that are happening this summer. Spaces remain on many of the workshops although some are now fully-booked so don’t delay in securing your space.
Options include:
How to Write a Business Plan (2 hour taster session) - ONLINE – 20th July at 1pm or 27th July at 10am
Explore your Sewing Machine (2-day workshop) – Borehamwood – 18th and 21st July at 10am
Top Tips for Writing a CV (2 hour taster session) – Online on 1st June at 10am or in Stevenage on 27th July at 10am
Healthy Living Made Easy (2-day workshop) – Online - 28th and 29th July at 10am
Build Your Skills in Word & Excel (3 sessions of 3 hours) – Online – 12th, 13th and 14th July (£15 fee for this course)
Family Learning summer holiday workshop: Story Sacks – (2-day workshop) – Stevenage - 25th and 26th July
Family Learning summer holiday workshop: Nailing Numbers – (2-day workshop) – Stevenage – 25th and 26th July
Family Learning summer holiday workshop: Hertfordshire Hedgehogs – (2-day workshop) – Stevenage – 28th and 29th July
Browse and book Step2Skills short courses, workshops and tasters: Our courses (hertfordshire.gov.uk)
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Mental Health Peer Supporter Training - NEW DATES!
Could you support people in your community with their mental health?
MIND in Mid Herts are running free online Mental Health Peer Supporter training for local organisations and communities in Hertfordshire, which may be of interest to you or those you work with. We have added additional course dates for this training – please see below:
- Tuesday 26th July, Wednesday 27th July (2x full days 9.30am to 4.30pm)
- Tuesday 9th August, Wednesday 10th August, Thursday 11th August, Friday 12th August (4x half-days 9am to 1pm)
- Wednesday 17th August, Thursday 18th August (2x full days 9.30am to 4.30pm)
This training will give you the skills to support others with their mental health and wellbeing. Please see the attached info sheet for more details.
You can book onto a free course by clicking on the below link:
https://www.mindinmidherts.org.uk/product/building-stronger-communities-in-herts/
My Baby’s Brain & Teen Brain Training dates
My Teen Brain
Focuses on a key stage of brain development and shows how changes in the adolescent brain, in conjunction with experience and environment, can affect emotions, relationships, behaviours, sleep and attitudes to risk.
The initiative aims to raise awareness and provide practical information and strategies to professionals. This training along with a range of resources, will enable you to support young people through this time of change.
Professionals working with young adolescents (10-15) and/or their families are invited to attend a free one-day multi-agency training which will look at changes to the adolescent brain, risks and behaviours and how the learning can help a strength-based approach to practice.
THIS FULL DAY TRAINING HAS BEEN ADAPTED TO BE DELIVERD LIVE ONLINE
Dates available are:
If you are interested in the course please email EHCommissioning@hertfordshire.gov.uk
My Baby's Brain
You can now book onto upcoming My Baby’s Brain (MBB) training. MBB introduces practitioners, who work with children aged 0-3, to the key principals of neuroscience and how they can help parents, children and babies form strong attachments that will encourage healthy development.
My Baby’s Brain has been running in Hertfordshire since 2011. In that time, the challenges that families face have evolved, particularly because of the current pandemic. To ensure parents continue to be supported at the earliest opportunity, Early Help Commissioning have worked with partners KCA to refresh My Baby’s Brain training to allow for a greater depth of learning for professionals with additional focus on resilience and managing toxic stress.
For more information and helpful resources, please see My baby's brain | Hertfordshire County Council. You can also find details on our MBB programme.
Workforce development
The vision for Families First training and development is to create a skilled, confident and resilient multi-agency workforce that supports whole family working.
To support this, we have brought together training courses that are available to practitioners across Hertfordshire. We aim to add new resources to this page when available and we have recently added some resources on Trauma Informed practice.
Please take a look at the page, bookmark and share with teams, where appropriate.
Workforce development (hertfordshire.gov.uk)
Workforce Shadowing
Our Development Team are in the process of updating our Workforce Shadowing offer and will be communicating an update soon.
If you/or your team would be interesting in offering Workforce Shadow please email Familesfirst.support@hertfordshire.gov.uk stating your service and district.
Difference we're making
Families First - Performance Data Report
You may be interested to view our Families First Performance Data report for the period April 2021 - March 2022.
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.
Amazing feedback received!
This page is going become a regular article to showcase snippets of feedback which show the great appreciation for the work we do to support families:-
Intensive Family Support Team - Broxbourne, East Herts & Welwyn
Bridget Gill has been supporting Southfield School with safeguarding and support for families. Bridget recently helped them organise a market place type morning of other agencies that could support their families.
Bridget received the following comments from the school:-
"Bridget from Families First came along to Southfield schools first ever information marketplace. She came with a variety of information for parents and carers and was happy to chat about the service and how they can support families. Parents said she was friendly and approachable. Other agencies that came and supported was SPACE, local food bank, Herts local offer, YMCA, Carers in Herts, and families in focus."
Intensive Family Support Team - Stevenage/North Herts
"My support worker Suzanne was amazing and was a great deal of help and really made a difference and worked hard to make our life safe and knowing that we had her on our side made me feel confident. From the beginning my support worker and her manager immediately identified us victims of domestic abuse and this made a big difference to my confidence as I feared no one would believe me. My support worker worked very hard to refer me to many different agencies to help support us and safeguard us. Suzanne was in regular contact with me and whenever we experienced any harassment or abuse Suzanne was always there to listen to me and offer constructive advice. Without this, things would have been a lot worse for my state of mental health. Furthermore, Suzanne worked hard to bring multiple agencies together to help them understand my situation and how best to help me. The outcome of this meeting was both helpful and constructive. As a result of that meeting everyone involved was able to see the whole picture and the steps taken as a result of that meeting dramatically reduced the amount of harassment and abuse that we have been receiving. Suzanne has made such a difference to our lives and I truly have felt blessed to have had her. I can't praise Suzanne and Childrens Services enough! Thank you! To add to this, both myself and my son’s mental health has dramatically improved because of work that has been done"
Intensive Family Support Team - Watford, Three Rivers & Hertsmere
"I'm not really sure where to begin, when trying to express my gratitude towards your services and Roisin.
Roisin was amazing, down to earth and just what my family needed. She called, messaged and emailed. Most importantly she was down to earth, norma and had our backs! We felt listened to, understood and Roisin stood up for us when it mattered.
She is a credit to your service! We'll miss her and her melted chocolate biscuits!"
HABs Family Support
"I would just like to say a big thank you for your support this year it means a lot to my family. Your support has made sure that my home is warm & allowed me to make sure my kids have the Christmas they deserve. I would also like to thank you for the presents for my kids they will love them."
Watch it Grow!
Our Intensive Family Support Team for North Herts & Stevenage have cleared an area behind their office as it was looking very neglected and not very welcoming.
So the team decided to give the area a makeover so it could become a pleasant area that families could use to have conversations with their support workers, or just take some time out to relax.
They started by clearing weeds and then the donations of plants and planters started coming in and a new ‘garden’ project began to form. So many ways to use the space with our families are being bandied about too!
They have taken a few photos of ......
Watch this space for further updates.
Great feedback on the Safe Space Mentoring programme
“It can help you through a rough patch, for me it was school and staff not listening, but with an advocate and mentor, things changed, school is better and I have a bit more confidence.”
“It’s going well, I’m enjoying it. It’s really nice to have someone to talk to if I have random worries.”
From a parent: “X’s mood has improved 100% since seeing her mentor. She has someone she can trust which means so much. I think it’s great what you do, especially as it’s volunteers. Happy child= happy mum. 5 out of 5 for everything the mentor has done”
Mentoring involves a young person meeting with a volunteer mentor for an hour or so a week, in a public place such as a café, park or library.
The Safe Space mentoring programme is available to 11-19* year olds (up to 25 for young people with learning difficulties/disabilities or care leavers) in Hertfordshire who have low to mid-level support needs. *If aged 11 the young person must be in year 7.
The programme is voluntary so the young person must agree to the referral and support.
Mentoring gives young people a chance to talk about anything they wish to discuss or want advice on.
Typically, mentoring lasts for 6 months (this can be longer/shorter depending on the young person’s needs).
Some young people decide to set goals at the beginning of the mentoring, whilst others simply value the one-to-one time, just to talk with someone outside of their family / school.
All our mentors go through a recruitment process, 2 day training and have a valid DBS check.
If you would like more information or to discuss a possible referral please contact us on mentoringmailbox@hertfordshire.gov.uk or call the office on 01992 588251.
Local area news
East Herts, Broxbourne & Welwyn
Updates from Broxbourne, East Herts & Welwyn Hatfield early help services:-
Update from Community Development Team, Broxbourne BC
- The Kidz Klub holiday playscheme ran at Easter and Whitsun at the John Warner Sport Centre in Hoddesdon. It was sold out most days. It will run again through the summer holidays.
- The Council delivered the HAPpy programme at Holdbrook (Waltham Cross) and in Hoddesdon at Easter with 226 attendances. Funding has been secured to deliver the scheme at both sites for the Summer holidays.
- Youth Work - we currently have four Youth sessions running each week
Basketball Outreach in Waltham Cross on Mondays (starting 6 June)
Detached youth work in Cheshunt North / Turnford on Tuesdays – around the Cadmore Lane, Penton Fields area.
Detached youth work in North Hoddesdon on Thursdays
Youth Sport Night at the Laura Trott Leisure Centre on Fridays starting on 17 June.
- Lowewood Museum – current exhibition is Jubilations and Coronations, a look at how the Borough has celebrated Royal events over the past 120+ years, going back to Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee. Local youth charity The Gifted have also been running Jubilee themed workshops leading to a display in the museum. The next exhibition marks the 40th anniversary of the formation of the museum. The Museum’s Community Engagement Officer has been working with Herts Museums and Wormley Community Centre to deliver a creative project to support young people’s mental health.
- Events coming up include:
Sat 11 June – Celebrating our Community multi-cultural festival in Waltham Cross
Friday 8 July – Queen’s Baton Relay at the Lee Valley White Water Centre along with accompanying primary school sport festival
Saturday 9 July – Vintage and Classic Car Show in Hoddesdon Town Centre
Sunday 10 July- Veg Fest with CHEXS in Grundy Park
Saturday 23 to Sunday 24 July – Open Air Cinema in Waltham Cross Town Centre
Wednesday 3 August – National Playday in Cheshunt Park
Saturday 6 August – Classic Vehicle Show in Waltham Cross Town Centre
Sunday 14 August – Rock Around The Clock Tower in Hoddesdon Town Centre
CVS for Broxbourne and East Herts : Summer Conference
We have an exciting line-up of top speakers this year who will be at our in-person Summer Conference of 2022. See who will be delivering each speech below and have a look at what's to come out of this year's jam-packed summer conference, lots of knowledge is to be taken away! It is also with great pleasure to have keynote speakers Jim McManus – Director of Public Health of Hertfordshire County Council, and Cllr Richard Roberts – Leader of Hertfordshire County Council.
Book your free place now via email by contacting penny@cvsbeh.org.uk. Free lunch is provided!
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
A personal Adviser from Services for Young People will be available on results day to give students one to one advice and guidance - find out more here:-
For St Albans
For Dacorum
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.
View the Autumn 2022 Parenting Courses and Support Brochure for Dacorum
The brochure is also available to download on the DSPL website, via the following link: https://dacorumdspl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Dacorum-Parenting-Course-Brochure-Autumn-2022.pdf
Christians Against Poverty
We have a new FREE 4 week course facilitated by CAP (Christians Against Poverty). Please find a poster attached. This Life Skills course covers supporting people to make their money go further and budgeting skills. It is for families with children who are living in Hertsmere and St Albans.
Wednesday 8th, 15th, 29th June and 6th July 2022. (Please note not on 22nd June 2022), 10:00 – 12:00
Caledon Community Centre,
Caledon Road
London Colney
AL2 1PS
If anyone is interested please book a place here Life Skills, London Colney, 10:00 - 12:00, 08/06/2022 Tickets, Wed 8 Jun 2022 at 10:00 | Eventbrite T
Henry Programme
Please find attached the programme information for the HENRY Healthy Families service running in Herts Valley for June 2022.
We have programmes running in Watford, St Albans, Hemel and an online programme too.
You can also download the referral form and leaflet which gives families more information about how the programme works.
If you have any families you think would benefit from our free 8 week family programme please refer them using the form attached, Beezee Bodies website or by calling 01707 248648.
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
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:-
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.
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
We would like to announce that the Services for Young People (SfYP) ‘Norton Common Street Project’ is now being delivered from a venue.
Renamed ‘Letchworth Monday Night Project’ and still aimed at young people aged 13 – 16 (focusing on Positive Futures), the project is now being delivered at:
The Icknield Centre
Icknield Way
Letchworth Garden City
SG6 1EF
On Monday nights (term time) from 6:30pm – 8:30pm.
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
SfYP - Stevenage - Autumn 2022
SfYP - North Herts - Autumn 2022
To make a referral or for more information on our projects, services and opportunities, please visit the Services for Young People website.
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.
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