Local News
Updates from the local districts
Please use this page to promote any local events, activities 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
Quick link to:-
Broxbourne & East Herts
St Albans & Dacorum
North Herts & Stevenage
Welwyn Hatfield
Watford, Three Rivers & Hertsmere
Broxbourne & East Herts
East Herts Mental Health Support Team are holding new workshops and groups for parents/carers, young people and education staff. Find out more here
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View the latest CHEX newsletter here: ❤️ CHEXS Family Update | October 2026 for activities, support sessions and community events for children, young people, parents, carers and families.
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Girl Corner is a free girls-only programme for young people aged 14–17 providing a safe, supportive and engaging space where participants can shape the activities and sessions based on their interests.
Every Wednesday 6-8pm, Active Local Hub in Waltham Cross. Please also find the referral/sign-up link below: Your Voice, Your Choice – Girls Corner Sign up Form
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The Butterfly Arts Project, a 12-week after-school programme for girls aged 5–11 at Wormley Community Centre, EN10 6DX. Families can join the programme at any point during the 12 weeks, subject to spaces being available. Sessions take place on Mondays from 3.30pm–5.00pm at Wormley Community Centre.
We use arts and crafts to help girls build confidence, develop new skills, make friends and enjoy a positive space in which to express themselves. Across the 12-week programme, activities include painting, T-shirt upcycling, jewellery making, keyrings, mosaics, embroidery, sewing and yarn crafts.
We are particularly keen to reach young carers, their siblings and other girls who may benefit from additional confidence-building and social support.
Families can register directly using the QR code on the flyer. Professionals can also make a referral on behalf of a child using this link. Download the leaflet.
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Health Walks Autumn Timetables now online
The Health Walks team is delighted to announce that their new Health Walk Timetable in East Herts (Sep to Dec) 2026 is now available online.
Thanks to the commitment of fantastic volunteers, there are 15 walking opportunities listed—ranging from a gentle walk in Sele Farm, near the Hertford Selections Family Centre (Thursdays at 10am) to a brisk 60-minute walk from the Church of St. James the Great in Thorley near Bishop’s Stortford for (Mondays 10am) for those looking for more of a challenge. Children and families are always welcome.
If you are enthusiastic about walking and would like to Volunteer to support walks, they’d love to hear from you. They are actively recruiting new volunteers to sustain and expand the FREE walks programme in East Herts and offer new walks in Bishop’s Stortford, Buntingford and Sawbridgeworth.
For regular updates, subscribe to Walking in Hertfordshire, follow them on Facebook or visit www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/healthwalks
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Could You Give One Hour a Week?
MCR Pathways is looking for volunteer mentors to support young people across Hertfordshire, with a particular need in Stevenage and Cheshunt. Mentoring requires just one hour a week during school term time. Mentors meet consistently with a young person in school, offering a listening ear, encouragement and someone who believes in their potential.
No previous mentoring experience is required. MCR Pathways provides full training and ongoing support. All you need is the willingness to listen, build a trusted relationship and help a young person recognise their strengths and ambitions.
If you live or work in Hertfordshire, you could make a lasting difference to a young person. Find out more or register here: https://mcrpathways.org/become-a-mentor
Or contact t ernest.moses@mcrpathways.org / 07743 513152.
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You can download the poster for the opening time of the Wasimi breakfast club in Waltham Cross during the summer holidays (attached)
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The Windrush Legacies CIC have Multi-Sports Activity sessions taking place during the summer for children and young people with SEND. Download the leaflet here.
Beezees: Download the Autumn Cheshunt BZ Families sessions and the two Masterclasses along with BeeZee Youth which starts on 30th September 26.
St Albans & Dacorum
Men's Group - Drop in
The men’s group is a space for men who are 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. There will be a topic to discuss every month
including support with challenging behaviour, Internet safety, parenting challenges and mental health.
It will run on the first Monday of each month from 6.00 – 7.00pm, from 14 September at the Intensive Family Support Team (IFST) – Dacorum and St. Albans, Greenhill Site Tenzing Road Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire HP2 4HS. Next dates are
October 5, November 2 and December 7 2026.
Also a reminder that fathers, carers etc do not have to be open to IFST to attend. However if possible, do send the name of the person you are referring in advance. For further infomation contact: kingsley.davis@hertfordshire.gov.uk.
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SEND Coffee Mornings
DATES & VENUE: We are running the events between 9 -11am on:-
- 24 November Lodge Farm School, th Stevenage, SG2 0HR
- 23rd March Mossbury School, Stevenage, SG1 5PA
- 15th June The Leys School, Stevenage, SG1 4QZ
For more information Tel: 01438 233900 | Email: dspl2@peartreesprings.herts.ac.uk
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Family Threads Parenting Programme
North Herts & Stevenage
Support for Male Survivors of Domestic Abuse:
Future Living Hertford has a dedicated programme of support for male survivors of Domestic Abuse. Attached is the flyer for Wise Guys, which will be delivered at the Sadie Centre in Letchworth on Mondays at 1pm, starting from 7th September. Contact info@futurelivinghertford.co.uk or call 01992 537344 for more information and to check dates.
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Could You Give One Hour a Week?
MCR Pathways is looking for volunteer mentors to support young people across Hertfordshire, with a particular need in Stevenage and Cheshunt. Mentoring requires just one hour a week during school term time. Mentors meet consistently with a young person in school, offering a listening ear, encouragement and someone who believes in their potential.
No previous mentoring experience is required. MCR Pathways provides full training and ongoing support. All you need is the willingness to listen, build a trusted relationship and help a young person recognise their strengths and ambitions.
If you live or work in Hertfordshire, you could make a lasting difference to a young person. Find out more or register here: https://mcrpathways.org/become-a-mentor
Or contact t ernest.moses@mcrpathways.org / 07743 513152.
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Welwyn Hatfield
Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council are excited to announce that nominations are now open for the One Welwyn Hatfield Community Awards 2027! 🎉 👉 You can find the full award categories, criteria and nomination form on our website here: One Welwyn Hatfield Community Awards – One Welwyn Hatfield
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Build a Butterfly House- Hatfield Library: Please find a link to poster for a lovely free upcoming children’s family event to help kick off the summer holidays with our partners at WHBC. 🦋
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The Bridge is back
The Bridge is a support group designed for parents, carers and young people in school years 6,7 and 8 who are struggling with school attendance. This includes those who are not attending school at all or on a significantly reduced timetable.
Sessions will run for 12 weeks starting on Wednesday 4th November 2026- 10th February 2027 (Not including School Holidays), Time: 12:30pm – 2:30 pm
Where: Welwyn Garden City Cricket Club, 288 Knightsfield, WGC, AL8 7NQ
You can make a referral here or please contact Alison or Karina with any questions: Alison.cowie@hertfordshire.gov.uk or karina.saunders@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Watford, Three Rivers Hertsmere
Who's in Charge every Tuesday starting 29th September, 10-12pm South Oxhey. More details here and contact lauren.samson@hertfordshire.gov.uk or fiona.girvin@hertfordshire.gov.uk to make a referral.
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Step2Skills is looking forward to the next Inclusive Job Fair in Watford, to be held on Thursday 22nd October at the Watford Colosseum, designed especially for adults with learning or physical disabilities, sensory needs, neurodiversity, mental health conditions and other complex barriers to work.
Step2Skills will also be offering a dedicated
low‑sensory quiet hour from 12–1pm, ideal for visitors who prefer a calmer environment.
Whether you're job‑seeking, exploring new career paths, or simply curious about what’s available, the job fair is a welcoming space to take your next step.
Find out more about Step2Skills courses taking place at Hertfordshire libraries across the county.
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SWHP Christmas Appeal - Christmas Wellbeing Bags - Partner with us this festive season
As the festive season will fast approach us, all of us at South West Herts Partnership are preparing for our annual Christmas Appeal. Through our work with local families, we know that whilst Christmas is a time of joy for many, it can also bring overwhelming pressure and stress for those facing financial hardship.
This year, we are doing things a little differently! We will be putting together Christmas Wellbeing Bags. These special bags are designed not just as gifts, but as a toolkit of comfort, warmth, and care. We want to ensure that every adult and child we support receives a touch of festive cheer and items that promote relaxation and comfort during a hectic time of year. However, we cannot do it without you!
We invite our partner schools and local companies to team up with us by hosting a donation collection point this autumn. Gathering items within your community, your staff and parents will allow our team to deliver these tailored wellbeing bags directly to the families that need them the most.
What to donate - We are looking strictly for brand new items only.
For Children (Primary & Secondary):
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- Selection Packs/Festive Sweets
- Books
- Stationery packs
- Bath Bombs
- Winter hats/socks
For Adults:
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- Hand Cream
- Lip Balm
- Bubble Bath
- Hot Chocolate sachets/sets
- Cosy Blankets
- Warm Socks (including slipper socks)
What SWHP will add to each bag
Alongside the generous donations you help us to collect, our family support team will be adding our own resources into every bag to provide extra care over the holidays:
• For the Children: fun, festive activity sheets to keep them entertained and engaged over the school holidays.
• For the Adults: Practical ‘Tips & Advice’ sheets packed with cost-saving ideas, energy-saving hints, and details on local support services available during the winter months.
• Our bags will also feature our QR codes to our website and social media platforms so that families can access additional support.
• We will be placing a Christmas Card featuring all the donators and a QR code for families to leave their thanks and thoughts. We look forward to sharing these with you after Christmas.
If you would like to take part, we ask that you commit to the following:
• Host a Box – if you can set up a donation box in your reception or staff room (you can use the promotional material provided with this email).
• Cut-Off Date – the absolute deadline for collection is Friday, 27th November.
• Collection – once your collection is complete, our team will come directly to your school/company and pick up all the donated items.
Our collection date is slightly earlier this year to ensure that our office team has the time to carefully sort and assemble bags before being distributed to families by the whole team well ahead of the school holidays.
Please get in touch if you would like to take part this year at admin@swhp.org.uk.