The Healthy Hub

Provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities.

Telephone:  01727 811118   or  0800 144 8848

Website:  https://citizensadvicestalbans.org.uk/

Herts Help is a free service which can put you in touch with practical help and emotional support in your area. You or your carer may also be eligible for support, discounts or certain benefits which could help with paying the bills. 

Our Community Link Workers empower individuals to access the different sources of help, advice and support available within the wider community to address the underlying causes that are affecting health and wellbeing.  

Telephone:  0300 123 4044

Email: info@hertshelp.net 

Website:  https://www.hertshelp.net/hertshelp.aspx 

Hertfordshire Independent Living Service (HILS) is a charitable, not-for-profit, social enterprise, providing a variety of independence-promoting support services to help older and vulnerable people remain happy, healthy, and independent in their own home.

HILS offers a 365 day-a-year meals on wheels service. Delivered hot and ready to eat between 11:30am and 2:00pm, you can order meals as a one-off, temporarily, or for as long as you would like them. HILS also provides breakfast and tea packs, as well as meals for religious, cultural, and dietary needs

Their aim is that every older person feels warm in their home and connected to their community. They source and distribute practical gifts and information that reduce the negative impact that feeling lonely and isolated can have on older people’s physical and mental wellbeing, sending out over 5,000 Warm in Winter Gift Bags each winter. They are distributed free of charge to older people aged over 55 across Hertfordshire.

Telephone: 01923 372717                                                                               

 Email: info@smallactsofkindness.co.uk

Visit: www.smallactsofkindness.co.uk

Facebook:  Small Acts of Kindness          Twitter - @smallkindact                        Instagram - @smallkindact

The service offers confidential afternoon appointments for young people registered with a GP in St Albans or Harpenden where support and advice can be given on any physical, mental or sexual health matter.

The clinic is currently held at Parkbury House Surgery in St Albans on Thursday afternoons from 3.30 - 7pm. 

To book an appointment, please contact your own GP and ask to make an afternoon appointment for the young person's clinic.

Autism Hertfordshire offers a variety of support to those living with Autism in Hertfordshire.

If you are living with or are affected by cancer and would like to use your experiences to help shape cancer support services in your area, your local Macmillan Engagement Lead wants to hear from you. 

The Macmillan Engagement Lead works with and talks to local communities about their views and experiences of cancer, working with them to establish cancer support that addresses their needs. Their work involves signposting to information and support services available through Macmillan Cancer Support and providing Support Grants for support groups and peer support to help people affected by cancer. They deliver cancer awareness events, support group outings and celebrations and work with community projects to provide education sessions for people living with cancer. 

Their work aims to reduce health inequalities, collaborating with communities to provide equitable and inclusive support, helping to bring more direct experience into shaping and improving services.

Munashe Munyukwi is your Macmillan Engagement Lead. Tell her about your experiences of treatment, care or living with a cancer diagnosis:

Email: mmunyukwi@macmillan.org.uk 

Telephone: 07714 134453

Offers free, confidential and non-judgemental treatment services for individuals impacted by their own or someone else’s gambling. 

Telephone:  0143 848 7003

Email: hertfordshire@gamcare.org.uk 

Visit: GamCare

Smokefree provides free, confidential and non-judgemental advice and support to everyone on stopping smoking.

To book an appointment, please call: 0800 3893998 or 01442 435071

Hertfordshire County Council website: Health in Herts Stop-Smoking-Service 

FREE - a new one-day stop smoking course:

Run by Hertfordshire County Council with Allen Carr's 'EasyWay'.

Call 0800 389 2115 to book.

The Living Room saves and transforms lives by providing people and their families with the opportunity to attend community-based rehabilitation treatment and support, to help them break free from the generational cycle of addiction.

Please phone for an appointment:  0300 365 0304 (local rate)

Email:  enquiries@livingroomherts.org 

Website:  www.livingroomherts.org

Hertfordshire’s Family Centre Service offers support to families with children 0 to 11 years. The service is made up of the Public Health Nursing Service (Health Visitors and School Nurses) and the Family Support Service. Our purpose is to support children and families to have the best start in life, develop well and thrive through 1:1 support and group work for families.

We run lots of FREE sessions, groups and courses for St Albans families, such as our antenatal course Preparing for Parenthood, through to Baby Groups and First Aid courses. To find out What’s On in St Albans District, see the Herts Family Centre website: Whats on at family centres in Hertfordshire

Telephone: 0300 1237572

Email:stalbans.fcsenquiries@inspireall.com   

Website: https://www.hertsfamilycentres.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/stalbansfcs/

Instagram: www.Instagram.com/dacorumstalbansfcs

Offers information and advice to men and women who may be struggling to make difficult relationship decisions and support them in making informed choices about their future.

Website:  https://sahwr.org.uk/ 

Walk The Walk is a caring supportive organisation that works with families, young persons and victims of domestic abuse to provide a caring, supportive package of support around your needs, to help you thrive and grow as a family, young person or survivor of domestic abuse.

Please phone for an appointment:  01992 638000

Email info@hertfordshireppp.co.uk

Website: http://www.walkthewalkcic.co.uk/

A national charity providing employment opportunities, skills development, training, and health and wellbeing services as well as promoting inclusion and independence for those with disabilities and barriers to work.

Website:  https://www.shaw-trust.org.uk/ 

Your not-for-profit community bank, run by members for members. Members are encouraged to save, and these savings provide funds from which loans to members are made. Free life insurance is provided on loans (subject to conditions).

Telephone:  01727 859135

Website:  www.stalbanscommunitybank.co.uk

Physical premises (when open): 55 Catherine Street, St Albans, AL3 5BN

The Trust gives free items and services worth around £200,000 each year, to older people on low incomes, living anywhere within St Albans District. 

Items include: cookers, fridges, freezers, washing machines, microwaves, Hoovers, mobility scooters, beds, furniture, recliner chairs and more.  

Telephone:  01727 260701  or  07541 659442

Email:grants.admin@staopt.org
 
Website:www.staopt.org 
 

Working in partnership with local medical professionals, the Exercise Referral scheme provides discounted gym membership, additional sessions and support for adults with a range of medical conditions. Clients can choose from 1 of 4 Leisure Centres across St Albans. And enjoy 12 weeks of structured support and rehabilitative programming to tend to their specific condition. The program currently tends to fourteen specific mental and physical conditions as diagnosed by the referring medical practitioner. Ask your GP, physio and or chemist for more information. For more information contact: StAlbansreferrals@everyoneactive.com

Arts on Prescription St Albans provides 9 week courses in different art forms for  St Albans District residents experiencing mild to moderate mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression or stress. Previous courses have included art, photography, creative writing and drama.  Sessions cost £2 or £5 for those in full time employment. Please ask your GP or Support worker for a referral or contact ArtsOnPrescription@everyoneactive.com for more information.

Diabetes and lifestyle coaching  for members of the South Asian Community who have Type 2 Diabetes. A 4 week course designed to help you change your mindset and lifestyle in relation to managing diabetes.

Email: info@theaddaclub.co.uk

Visit: theaddaclub.co.uk

Are you worried about your child's weight?

BeeZee Bodies is a family healthy lifestyles programme designed to offer practical advice and ideas to families about how to live a healthy life and make sustainable changes. The free programme is designed to enhance self-confidence, break habits that can help change behaviours and learn more about physical activity and healthy eating, all in a fun and exciting way.

Phone: 01707 248648

Email:  info@beezeebodies.co.uk

Website: https://beezeebodies.com/ 

The Shape Up Programme educates men to develop a healthy relationship with food and change unhealthy behaviours and habits that cause weight gain. The programme engages men in a fun and effective way and uses group exercise and sport to improve fitness and support weight loss.

Email: shaun.murphy@WatfordFC.com / sadie.walden@WatfordFC.com 

Visit: https://www.shapeupherts.com/

Call: 01923 496 391

From 7 May 2022, Oviva in partnership with Slimming World, will be delivering Hertfordshire’s Tier 2 Adult Weight Management service.This new service includes a face-to-face programme, which will be delivered by Slimming World and a digital programme, which will be delivered by Oviva. Both programmes will support residents for 12 weeks and offer a multi component lifestyle weight management approach designed for adults who are overweight and obese.

To qualify for this free service, people will need to be aged 18+, live in Hertfordshire or be registered with a Hertfordshire GP and have a BMI 30+ or 27.5+ for BAME or people with comorbidities. Self-referral to both services (Slimming World and Oviva) is available by visiting https://oviva.com/uk/en/hertfordshire-weight-management/, or referrals can be made by a healthcare professional using the referral form provided.

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Emmaus offers accommodation, meals, and support for formerly homeless people in return for 40 hours volunteering for our social enterprise. 

Email: community.herts@emmaus.org.uk

Call: 01727 817 294

Visit: www.emmaus.org.uk

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H’arts in Mind is a mental health arts charity and prides itself on the friendliness and support of our groups.

H’arts in Mind has provided well-being services for over five years to the community.

• We provide free online art sessions for well-being weekly
• Friendship days out
• Friendship Group St Albans Museum, meet view exhibitions tea and chat
• Signposting
• In person art club

• Occasional exhibitions/opportunities where possible to showcase what you have made

Email: hartsinmind@gmail.com 

Visit: www.hartsinmind.co.uk

Call: 07568368191

Mind in Mid Herts works with people to prevent them from developing mental health problems as well as supporting people who recover and prevent relapse.

Mind in Mid Herts can also be contacted at 11 Hatfield Road, St Albans AL1 3RR or admin@mindinmidherts.org.uk
Website:  https://www.mindinmidherts.org.uk/ 

New Leaf Recovery And Wellbeing College offers free courses about mental wellbeing, supporting personal recovery. The ethos is to increase students’ knowledge and skills and help them take control by learning self-management strategies to help their mental health and wellbeing. Anyone living in Hertfordshire over 18 can join, with or without a diagnosis of mental health challenges.

Call: 01442 864966

Email: Newleaf.wellebingcollege@nhs.net

Visit: www.newleafcollege.co.uk         https://www.facebook.com/newleafcollege                    https://twitter.com/NewLeafCollege                         https://www.instagram.com/newleafcollege

The OLLIE Foundation provides suicide awareness, intervention and prevention training, plus Mental Health First Aid,  Goal setting and IHEART training. OLLIE empowers people (including parents, teachers and professionals) to support young people, ensuring no one feels that suicide is their only option.

Email:  contactus@theolliefoundation.org       Call 07715 311891                           Visit: www.theolliefoundation.org     

Facebook @TheOLLIEFoundation                 Twitter @THE_OLLIE_FOUND        Instagram @_the_ollie_foundation

Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. They're there 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

24 hour helpline: 116 123

Visit the branch website: https://www.samaritans.org/branches/watford/

Email: outreach@swhertssamaritans.org.uk or community@swhertssamaritans.org.uk

Youth Talk offer a counselling service available to 13–25 year olds who live, work or attend school/college in the District of St Albans (Harpenden, London Colney, Redbourn, St Albans, Sandridge and Wheathampstead). We work on a self-referral only basis.

Email: info@youthtalk.org.uk

Call: 01727 868684

Visit: www.youthtalk.org.uk

Age UK Hertfordshire is an independent local charity working to alleviate loneliness and isolation, tackle poverty and build resilience in the community for older people in Hertfordshire who need our help.

Telephone:  0300 345 3446

Email:  Info@ageukherts.org.uk

Website:  https://www.ageuk.org.uk/hertfordshire

Communities 1st recruits volunteers to help voluntary and community groups deliver vital services across the District and the wider Hertfordshire community.

Telephone:  01727 649950

Email:  volunteer@communities1st.org.uk

Website: https://communities1st.org.uk/ 

Provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice and guidance to BME community in St Albans District. 

Please call 07401 079970 or 07480 934282 for enquiries and to pre-book an appointment.

Email:  hawaherts@gmail.com 

Website:  http://hawaherts.co.uk/ 

Initial information and advice on full-time and part-time courses.

Telephone:  01727 737000

Email:  info@oaklands.ac.uk 

Website: https://www.oaklands.ac.uk/

https://www.oaklands.ac.uk/study/adult-courses/adult-leisure-courses/ 

The groups purpose is to provide support to all residents in Redbourn regardless of age or background, to connect the community together and to support community projects. Services include assistance with transport to medical appointments, outings in the minibus, friendly telephone calls, shopping, prescription deliveries and other social activities.

They can be found at Redbourn Village Hall, High Street, Redbourn, AL3 7NQ from 10am-2pm on weekdays.

Telephone:  01582 794550

Email: info@redbourncg.org

Website: www.redbourncg.org

Computer Friendly St Albans provides free and low cost support and training on Laptops, Android Tablets & Phones and Apple iPads & iPhones at drop in sessions. They also offer courses from beginner to advanced on eBay, Facebook, Family History, Microsoft Office and much more.

Computer Friendly can be found in the Hub on the first Wednesday of every month from 9.30am to 12.00pm from the 4 January 2023. Just Drop In or book a 1 : 1 by contacting our friendly booking team: 

Telephone: 01727 617359 (Mon, Weds, Fri 10am to 1pm. Answerphone at other times)

Email:courses@cfsta.org

Website:www.cfsta.org

Telephone:  01727 617359

Email: courses@computerfriendlystalbans.org.uk 

Website: www.computerfriendlystalbans.org.uk 

Sign up to the Couch to 5k, a running plan for absolute beginners which will get you gradually working towards running 5k in 9 weeks.

Each week you can download a podcast to help keep you motivated and you can connect with likeminded people on the forums by downloading the app. Sign up here: NHS - Get well with Couch to 5k 

For expert advice and helpful tips regarding your mental health and wellbeing, see the NHS website Every Mind Matters. 

By answering five quick questions, you can receive a mind plan specific to your needs that will help tackle your anxiety or stress. 

These well-researched steps encourage you to think about your current mental health and how it can be improved.

For the fives steps see the Mind website: Five ways to wellbeing. 

It is important to fuel our bodies with the right food and nutrients as after all you are what you eat.

For healthy and tasty recipes that will fuel your body with the right nutrients , see the NHS website Healthy Recipes. 

The District has five libraries: St Albans; Marshalswick; London Colney; Harpenden and Wheathampstead. 

For the locations and opening times of each library see the Hertfordshire County Council website: Library opening hours and locations

There are many activities which are hosted in the libraries each week, a selection of which can be seen below:

Baby Rhyme Time in St Albans library Tuesdays from 10.15 to 10.45 and from 11.30 to 12.00.

Storytime for children aged 2 to 5 years every Monday at St Albans library from 2.15 to 2.45

Weekly sessions for Ukrainian refugees in St Albans library every Friday from 10.30-12.30.

Storytime for children under 8 years in St Albans library every Saturday 2.15 to 2.45.

Knit and Natter every Friday at St Albans library from 2.00 to 3.30pm.

A coffee morning on the last open Monday of each month at Harpenden Library from 10.30 to 12.00.

Hertfordshire County Council has created a webpage of useful health and wellbeing apps. They have been grouped into categories to help you find suitable apps for yours needs. 

All the apps are free to use, although some have in-app purchases.

For the extensive list of these apps, see Health and Wellbeing Apps. 

Hertfordshire County Council want to reach 5,000 families who may be missing out on free Healthy Start food and vitamin vouchers. 

To be eligible you should be in receipt of certain means-tested benefits. Check your eligibility on www.gov.uk/healthy-start.

For more information call: 0345 607 6823 or see www.healthystart.nhs.uk/healthy-start-vouchers/how-to-apply/

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) provides an online portal for mental health services in Hertfordshire and West Essex and Mid Essex.

To access this portal, see: https://www.hpft-iapt.nhs.uk/ 

Via this online portal you can: 

• Make a referral 
• Attend a webinar 
• Access self-help resources
• Receive service updates 

Playing Out is a nation-wide concept where residents choose to apply to close their road to traffic to allow the children to come out onto the street and cycle, scoot and play together in the road. 

It is a great way to build communities, offering neighbours a chance to build support networks and children the opportunity to get fresh air and exercise, as well as learn to play in an unstructured manner with other children of all ages. 
 

To find out more information, see Playing Out St Albans District 

Herts Help

A little help through the winter period - get information and advice to help you stay healthy and warm during the colder season.

Herts Help

St Albans Home Energy Support Service 

This service is available to all St Albans District households regardless of income and is provided in partnership with Better Housing Better Health.

Through this service you can obtain the following: 

• Information on grants and funds you may be eligible  for 

• Checks to make sure you are receiving all the support from your energy supplier that you are entitled to

• Advice on switching suppliers

• Detailed advice on how to save energy at home

• Debt advice

• Referral to other organisations or contractors who may be able to help you

• Detailed home energy assessments

Please contact: 

Telephone: 0800 1070044 (weekdays 9am to 5pm)

Email: bhbh@nef.org.uk

Website: www.bhbh.org.uk 

Energy Efficiency 

We have created an energy efficiency page to provide you with up-to-date advice and information about how to conserve energy and make your home more energy efficient. 

Energy Efficiency

Hertfordshire's Moving More Activity Finder is where you can find thousands of different opportunities to keep you active... and they are right on your doorstep!

The Moving More Activity Finder has all sorts at your disposal, from one-off sessions and local clubs to community groups.

Following lockdown, looking after our health and wellbeing has become more important than ever and being physically active plays an important role in that! Being active not only allows us to develop and build upon our physical abilities; but it can also introduce us to new people - bringing people together with their community!

The Moving More initiative is for everyone and is powered by Herts Sports & Physical Activity Partnership.

Providers can list their activities and sessions on the Activity Finder as well, you'll find all the details on our website.

www.movingmore.co.uk

Enjoy the countryside and local green spaces with the FREE Hertfordshire Health Walks led by qualified volunteer leaders.

Please follow this link to find the most up to date timetable.

What is Hertfordshire Heroes?

The Hertfordshire Armed Forces Covenant Board, promoted locally as Hertfordshire Heroes, works in partnership to deliver the Armed Forces Covenant locally. It brings together business, military organisations, charities, NHS and local authorities in a shared commitment to:

• Ensure that veterans and those in the Armed Forces are not disadvantaged in accessing services
• Ensure that the sacrifices made by members of the Armed Forces Community are recognised and remembered
• Encourage the integration of service life into civilian life.

Hertfordshire Heroes

Advice and support is available from St Albans City and District and a range of voluntary and community groups across the District - we're here to lend a hand to support you through the increased cost of living.

See Cost of Living Support

This document lists mental health organisations across Hertfordshire. These organisations are delivering services that can help everyone look after their mental health and wellbeing.

It covers support for: 

People on the autism spectrum                      Bereavement                                          Dementia 

Carers                                                             Drug and Alcohol Services                     Domestic Abuse 

• Mental Health Organisations across Hertfordshire ( pdf - 156.61 KB )

Mind in Mid Herts are still offering free digital wellbeing support to front line workers. 

Mind in Mid Herts see front line workers as those providing services directly to communities; especially support to those that are vulnerable during these uncertain times. Front line workers may include; medical workers, community health and social care workers, first responders, pharmacists, funeral workers and carers (those supporting their loved ones with their health and wellbeing)

For support, see Mind in Mid Herts. 

Please visit Hertfordshire Sexual Health web page for information about sexual health services across Hertfordshire: https://www.sexualhealthhertfordshire.clch.nhs.uk/ 

To find a clinic near you, please visit: https://www.sexualhealthhertfordshire.clch.nhs.uk/find-clinic