The Healthy Hub
Service Update
Due to the current Coronavirus outbreak, all organisations working from The Hub have moved away from face to face contact to other methods such as telephone calls.
Please refer to the organisations' websites or Facebook pages for details of how to contact them currently.
For further update on the services the Hub Partners are providing at this time please read the St Albans District Healthy Hub Newsletter April Edition further down this page.
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At the Civic Centre in St Albans, you’ll find lots of advice, information and guidance on offer from all these local organisations. In line with Hertfordshire County Council’s ‘Healthy Hubs’ initiative, all of our partners seek to improve the health and wellbeing of St Albans’ district residents. Please see our current Hub Partners below.
You can read more about the Healthy Hub project here.
The St Albans District Healthy Hub Winter Newsletter!
This Newsletter is packed full of information, including some of the amazing Covid safe Christmas events across the District, health and wellbeing tips, money management advice and information on the local schemes responding to Covid 19 to help all St Albans district residents. The earlier April edition can also be found at the bottom this page.
Click here to read!
Advice
Citizens Advice St Albans and District Toggle accordion
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Provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities.
Telephone: 03444 111 444 | 01727 811118
Website: https://www.castad.org.uk/
Herts Help: Community Navigator Toggle accordion
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The Herts Help Community Navigation Service empowers 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 well-being.
Telephone: 0300 123 4044
Website: https://www.hertshelp.net/hertshelp.aspx
Thrive Young Person's Clinic Toggle accordion
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.
Small Acts of Kindness Toggle accordion
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
Addiction & Dependency
GamCare Toggle accordion
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: https://www.gamcare.org.uk/get-support/find-local-treatment/gamcare-hertfordshire/
Hertfordshire County Council Stop Smoking Service Toggle accordion
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Provides free, confidential and non-judgemental advice and support to everyone on stopping smoking.
To book an appointment, please call: 0800 389 3998 or 01442 435 071
Website: https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/Health-in-Herts/Smoking/Stop-Smoking-Service.aspx
The Living Room Toggle accordion
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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
Family & Relationships
Carers in Hertfordshire Toggle accordion
Carers in Hertfordshire provides advice, information and support to unpaid carers - people looking after someone who is elderly, disabled, has a physical or mental illness or who misuses drugs or alcohol. Their service is free and they support carers of all ages - children and adults - if they live, work or care in Hertfordshire. Email: contact@carersinherts.org.uk Call: 01992 586969 Visit: www.carersinherts.org.uk Check our: www.facebook.com/carersinherts and Twitter: @carersinherts |
Hertfordshire Practical Parenting Programme Toggle accordion
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Supporting parents and carers of children aged 12+ to access relevant services via volunteer advocates.
Please phone for an appointment: 01992 638000
Website: https://www.hertfordshireppp.co.uk/
InspireAll Family Centre Service Toggle accordion
InspireAll's Family Support Service offers support to families, with children 0 - 11 years. Their offer includes universal support such as Stay & Play sessions, Rhyme Time and a range of public health services such as breastfeeding support and healthy eating as well as 1:1 support and group work for families.
Call: 0300 123 7572
Email: stalbans.fcsenquiries@inspireall.com
Visit: https://www.hertsfamilycentres.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/stalbansfcs/
Instagram: www.Instagram.com/dacorumstalbansfcs
St Albans Women’s Outreach Toggle accordion
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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/
Financial Advice & Employment
Shaw Trust Toggle accordion
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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/
St Albans District Credit Union Toggle accordion
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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.stalbanscreditunion.co.uk
Getting Active
1Life Toggle accordion
1Life offer a free mini-health MOT in the Hub every third Wednesday of the month.
This is a short 15 minute health check which includes height and weight measurements, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, lung capacity and waist circumference checks. Where appropriate, you may be signposted to various health-related initiatives, programmes or services.
For more information contact: Rowell.gordon@1life.co.uk
Beezee Bodies Toggle accordion
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BeeZee Bodies are a child weight management service that work with young people aged 5 to 15 years. We offer free 14-week programmes that provide a mixture of nutritional education and physical activity.
Phone: 01452 717262
Email: info@beezeebodies.co.uk
Website: https://beezeebodies.com/
Watford FC Shape Up Toggle accordion
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: Rhys.Ratcliffe@watfordfc.com
Visit: https://www.shapeupherts.com/
Call: 01923 496 391
Housing
Emmaus Toggle accordion
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
Mental Health
Harts In Mind Toggle accordion
Harts In Mind offer support via art projects. Free Online Expressive Art Discussion tea & chat Zoom groups and online Art techniques ‘join in and learn’ sessions.
Email to join the Expressive Art Discussion Group starts early February, email to reserve place!
Email: hartsinmind@gmail.com
Visit: www.hartsinmind.co.uk
Call: 07568368191
Mind in Mid Herts Toggle accordion
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/
The OLLIE Foundation Toggle accordion
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.
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Youth Talk Toggle accordion
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
Volunteering & New Activities
Age UK Toggle accordion
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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 Toggle accordion
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Communities 1st recruits volunteers to help voluntary and community groups deliver vital services across the District and the wider Hertfordshire community.
Telephone: 020 3559 3559
Email: us@communities1st.org.uk
Website: https://communities1st.org.uk/
Hertfordshire Asian Women’s Association Toggle accordion
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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/
Oaklands College Toggle accordion
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Initial information and advice on full-time and part-time courses.
Telephone: 01727 737000
Email: info@oaklands.ac.uk
Local Schemes responding to COVID 19
Across the District there are a number of local schemes that provide great support to residents during the COVID 19 crisis. More information on these local schemes can be found below:
Colney Heath Community Support Group
The purpose of Colney Heath Community Support Group is to match people in need with someone who can help. Their activities include: co-ordinating support initiatives by community organisations and being a point of contact for requests for help and offers to volunteer. They help people in need by connecting them with someone who can help if required and they communicate with their community, sharing information, ideas and issues. If help is required please visit their website.
Communities 1st Compassionate Community Connector Programme
Communities 1st volunteers can help you with: • Shopping • Collection of prescriptions • Dog walking/Pet sitting • Signposting you to other services • Walking Buddy • Or a friendly conversation if you’re feeling lonely. To access support: Telephone: 020 8207 5115 Email: help@communities1st.org.uk
Harpenden Town Council is supporting a new initiative Harpenden Cares, which is a community-led response to the coronavirus. Harpenden Cares offer a befriending service for local vulnerable and/or isolated people, it helps deliver essential supplies and medication to vulnerable and/or isolated people. It offers street-level support to engage vulnerable and/or isolated people and acts as a general trusted source of information.
The helpline is open Monday – Friday 10am – 2pm - 01582460 457
This group has set up street co-ordinators in every street within the Redbourn Parish through. This group can help Redbourn residents with: shopping and delivering to doorsteps, posting mail, collecting urgent items e.g. pharmacy prescriptions and conduct friendly phone calls.
For more information please call 01582 794550 (10am-4pm) Or email: info@redbourncaregroup.co.uk
Bricket Wood Neighbourhood Assistance: email help@bricketwood.org or Tel 01727 260963
Sparshott home deliveries - Email info@sparshott-fruiterers.co.uk call 01923 674896 / 661167
Chiswell Green - Post Office & stores home deliveries 01727 854803
Park Street & How Wood - Twinsco home deliveries 01727 874455 / 07843 330174
Park Street Resident Association are distributing food parcels, for more info check out the website here.
Helpful Resources
COVID 19 Support - Mental Health Organisations across Hertfordshire Toggle accordion
This is an important document that lists the mental health organisations across Hertfordshire.
These organisations are delivering services that can help everyone look after their mental health and wellbeing during the difficult times of the COVID 19 crisis.
It covers support for:
People on the autism spectrum Bereavement Dementia
Carers Drug and Alcohol Services Domestic Abuse
COVID 19 Support for Frontline Workers Toggle accordion
Mind in Mid Herts are 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)
Access the support here.
COVID 19 Support - Sexual Health Services Toggle accordion
Due to Covid-19, Sexual Health Herts are offering services in a different way to keep you and staff safe.
They have reduced their face to face appointments to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection but they will be able to triage and consult by phone and, where needed, see urgent, priority or vulnerable clients in person.
Every Mind Matters Toggle accordion
For expert advice and helpful tips regarding your mental health and wellbeing access the website here.
By answering 5 quick questions, you can receive a mind plan specific to your needs that will help tack your anxiety or stress.
Five ways to wellbeing Toggle accordion
These well researched steps encourage you to think about your current mental health and how it can be improved.
For the fives steps click here.
Couch to 5K Toggle accordion
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.
Healthy Food Recipes Toggle accordion
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 click here.
Winter Health Toggle accordion
Herts Help
A little help through the winter period - get information and advice to help you stay healthy and warm during the colder season.
St Albans Warmer Homes
The St Albans Warmer Homes Scheme aims to make it easier for local householders that need it, to access funding to improve the energy efficiency of their home. We do this by accessing Energy Company Obligation (ECO) funding from the energy suppliers. Energy suppliers are legally obligated to provide support for people on certain benefits, with health conditions, young children or those in cold homes.
We are working in partnership with YES Energy Solutions Ltd. to make it easier for local households to get the help they need.
You could be eligible for low-cost or free:
- Loft Insulation
- Cavity Wall Insulation
- External Wall Insulation
- Underfloor Insulation
- First-time Central Heating
- A+ Rated Boiler Upgrade
Your needs will be assessed and your home will be surveyed to determine what you might be eligible for. We will also explore other sources of funding that may be able to assist you. In some cases, there may be only part-funding available and you will need to make a contribution.
To refer yourself or someone else to the scheme, please contact YES Energy Solutions on:
01422 880100 or projects@yesenergysolutions.co.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.