Category Archives: Charity

Baby loss remembrance and support service at St Albans Cathedral

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Saying Goodbye, (part of the Mariposa Trust) are coming to St Albans with a very special Baby loss remembrance and support service (part of a UK and Ireland chain of events).  

The Mariposa Trust’s core objective is to support people who have lost babies at any stage of pregnancy, at birth, or in infancy. It was founded in 2012, by Zoe and Andy Clark-Coates, who saw a critical lack of support for people like them, who had gone through baby loss. With over 258,000 babies being lost yearly in the UK alone, the charity needed to be able to offer not only a comprehensive package of befriending and support but also national baby loss remembrance services (called Saying Goodbye Services), for people to join together and remember the children they had lost. 

12 years on, over 200 services have taken place at Cathedrals and Minsters across the UK, US, and France, and 2024 will see 25 services across England, Wales, Ireland, France and the US. 

On the 14th October at 7pm, in St Albans Cathedral we will be hosting one of our Saying Goodbye Services and as this is the most local service to you this year we wanted to share this information with you.

So who is the service for?
Anyone who has either personally lost a baby at any stage of pregnancy, at birth, or in early years, or who has been affected by family members’ or friends’ loss.  Whether the loss was recent or 80 years ago, everyone is welcome to attend. We have also extended the services, and gladly welcome anyone who is grieving the fact that they haven’t had children. This may be due to circumstance, infertility, or for other reasons – but all are welcome. Babies and children are also invited to come with their families, as the Saying Goodbye service is truly a family event for all.

We know that as 1 in 4 women suffer miscarriage and baby loss, you will have contact with a significant number of people who have either personally suffered baby loss, or who have a partner or family member that has, so we wanted to ask if you would help us in promoting the service.

 To read more on the charity, please see the Saying Goodbye website, which you can find at: www.sayinggoodbye.org

Other ways to get in touch…
Tel:0300 323 1350
Email:office@sayinggoodbye.org
Website:www.sayinggoodbye.org
Twitter:@SayinggoodbyeUK 
YouTube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-Z0IrXDGVA
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/SayingGoodbyeUK

Coffee and Coping Hertfordshire

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Did you see our article on the new community group, Coffee and Coping Hertfordshire, in the September Issue of The Three Villages Magazine? If not, then pick up a copy and check it out!

Coffee and Coping Hertfordshire was set up to create a community that supports those who need it: tackling loneliness, encouraging positive well-being and signposting to real solutions.

The group meets every Wednesday and Friday, 12 to 1.30pm at the Ashlea Room, Parish Hall, Roydon Road, Stanstead Abbotts.

**BRAND NEW EVENING DROP-IN**
Wednesday, 5 to 6.30pm at the Ashlea Room
For anyone coming home from work who needs a chat to talk about their day!

Everyone is welcome!

For more information, visit their website: www.coffeeandcoping.org, email copingandcopingherts@gmail.com or call 07990730188.

The September Equine Table Top Sale and Dog Show

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The next Equine Table Top Sale and Dog Show on Sunday 29th September 2024!

WHERE: Albury Village Hall, The Bourne, Albury
WHAT TIME: 11am to 1.30pm

EQUINE TABLE TOP SALE
Tables are £10
Book in advance (contact Gail on 07747300095)
Tables provided by the hall
Entry £1 (cash only)

DOG SHOW
Entry £2 per show per dog (cash only)
Ribbons awarded up to 5th place for all classes

All money we raise goes to Dogateers, a friendly, dedicated voluntary team of animal lovers who apply their combined experience and skills to help safely locate, trap and bring home lost dogs.

Cups on a String: a TLG / Riding Lights Performance

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To mark 25 years of bringing hope and a future to struggling children across the UK, Transforming Lives for Good (TLG) are collaborating with the Riding Lights Theatre Company to share their stories with you. 

The 3 Churches Benefice are thrilled that the TLG / Riding Lights team have agreed to perform their new production on Wednesday 16th October, 7.30pm at St Andrew’s Church, Stanstead Abbots.

What’s it all about?

Joe’s eleven and home is hard. School is even harder. He breaks stuff: pencils, chairs, rules. One thing he won’t break is his silence. Heather’s fifty-seven. She’s got a comfortable life and a comfortable home. But her comfortable world is about to be turned upside down as she and Joe spend an hour a week together. Every week. For a year. Where will this journey of hours and weeks take them?

‘Cups on a String’ is a warm-hearted and moving new play, developed from remarkable true stories. It’s about playfulness, listening and laughter, and how risk-taking and trust can lead to growth and transformation. Challenging, surprising and beautifully hopeful, ‘Cups on a String’ blends theatre, live music and digital technology to take you into the heart of the friendship between Heather and Joe, and the profound impact it has on them both.

Who is this for?

Everyone! Any individual who cares about children and has a passion for bringing hope and healing to children who are struggling at home and school would be inspired by this event. We hope that many people will gain a better understanding of the experience children face today and how the work of volunteer coaches can transform children’s lives. The play is suitable for teenagers and adults but not recommended for younger children.

To book your tickets call the Box Office at 01904 613000 or book online at ridinglights.org/cupsonastring.

Bike ‘n’ Hike 2024

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Bike ‘n’ Hike is a fun day out where you get sponsored to visit beautiful historic churches by cycling, walking, or any mode of transport on a route of your choice. Take part and help your church – half of what you raise goes to your local church!

Do you like to get out in the beautiful local countryside? Are you interested in our beautiful local historic churches? If yes, then why not take part in this event!

Bike ‘n’ Hike Family Map
The 3 Churches Benefice have put together a specially designed Family Map for a circular route between the three churches. Route starts at any of the churches and can be done on foot or bike. The three churches will be open for pit stops along the way! Email admin@3churches.net for more information.

Find out more about Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust HERE.

Can you help the Foodbank?

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The 3 Churches Foodbank Hub is in need of donations, specifically:

* Cooking sauces for rice
* Mashed potato
* Tinned meat and vegetables
* Toiletries especially soap and shower gel
* Marmalade
* Most thing as they are low on supplies

Donations can be dropped off on Wednesday morning between 10.30–11.30am at St Margarets Parish Church or to Sue Webb at 8 Miller Lane, Stanstead Abbotts.

Any donations are gratefully received.

Lyn Paddon, The 3 Churches Foodbank Hub Manager

Award Winning Dog First Aid Training: Fundraiser for Marie Curie

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I would love to raise £1,500 for Marie Curie. I am grateful to The Sun, Hoddesdon for gifting me the use of their function room in order to help me achieve this.

Would you like to help me reach this goal for Marie Curie East Herts?

If you could have total peace of mind that as a responsible dog owner or pet professional, you could recognise, evaluate and react appropriately to a medical emergency. Would you do it?

How would it feel to know that you could approach and evaluate a first aid/emergency situation, calmly, confidently and compassionately? That’s exactly what I am offering here.

This half day course has been developed with members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and covers:
* The role of a first aider and legal compliance
* First Aid equipment
* The primary and secondary survey
* Vitals
* CPR including practical
* Seizures
* GDV
* Shock
* Water Inhalation
* Burns & Scalds
* Toxicity & Poisoning
* Heat stroke
* Choking
* Bleeds and bandaging
* Fractures

On completion of the course, you will receive a certificate that is valid for 3 years.

Owners – have peace of mind that you could provide the very best course of action to your furry friend in an unfortunate emergency.

Professionals – give your customers the confidence that their beloved furry family member will receive the very best First-Class care from your services.

This half day course is just an investment of £50, a special discounted fee just for this fundraising event. The course is CPD accredited and certificated – valid for 3 years.

Love Hoddesdon

Louise Guiver

Captain Fantastic & Charity SPACE Herts Team Up!

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Captain Fantastic Teams Up with Award-Winning Charity SPACE Hertfordshire to Develop Parties for Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

Captain Fantastic, the UK’s premier children’s entertainment franchise company, has teamed up with Award-winning charity SPACE Herts for their support in developing parties for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).  

The Captain Fantastic franchise was set up more than ten years ago by actor Tommy Balaam as an entertainment company to create journeys of fun and safe adventure for children across the country, organising more than 2000 parties and events for 60,000 children every year.   

Tommy Balaam, founder, Captain Fantastic who was recently featured in Dyslexia Scotland magazine.

Tommy Balaam, founder and director of fun at Captain Fantastic explains: ‘Inspiration to set up our SEND parties came from our office manager Ali Warren who has an autistic son, Zac Our Autism Journey – Captain Fantastic (captain-fantastic.co.uk).

‘We are on a mission to spread happiness and make memories. We’d like to ensure that every child like Zac who is on the spectrum or who has sensory issues can enjoy their own birthday party or special event. Sometimes children with special needs can miss out and so we can bring the fun and excitement to them with our tailored parties so that everyone is included. Our Captain Fantastic entertainers will make their special day the best day of the year!’

Captain Fantastic is working with SPACE Hertfordshire https://spaceherts.org.uk/ who are passionate about supporting families of children and young people who are neurodivergent (Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, Tourette’s and other neurodiverse conditions) to help design and tailor the SEND parties.  

Nicky Chaperlin Volunteer and Community Engagement confirmed: ‘It’s all about creating environments to build confidence, and social opportunities where children and families can be themselves. We have been pleased to work with the team at Captain Fantastic to help develop these inclusive events which support the needs of children with neurodiverse conditions so they can enjoy the party they deserve and that families hosting parties feel confident that their events can cater for the ‘whole class’. We will be running a pilot day in September to trial the events with our families before Captain Fantastic launches them to a wider market.’

Tommy Balaam was diagnosed with Dyslexia at acting school. Along with his team of professional entertainers across the UK, Tommy now draws on his unique insight and creativity to engage children at all abilities and levels of development and has created a 360 degree world of entertainment which includes parties, a Youtube Channel called Captain Fantastic Adventures enjoyed by more than 3 million viewers, plus a series of illustrated children’s story books.

Captain Fantastic has been voted the UK’s Number One children’s entertainment company by the trusted reviewing site FreeIndex.

For further information about Captain Fantastic’s parties and events including SEND parties please see:  https://captain-fantastic.co.uk/

For the Captain Fantastic Adventures YouTube channel please see:  Captain Fantastic Adventures – YouTube

For actors and professional entertainers interested in exploring Captain Fantastic’s flexible franchise opportunities please see:  https://captain-fantastic.co.uk/jointheteam/childrens-party-franchise/

About SPACE Hertfordshire
For more information please see https://spaceherts.org.uk/

Art created by young people at a SPACE Herts graffiti session

The next Equine Table Top Sale & Dog Show!

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The next Equine Table Top Sale and Dog Show will be held on Sunday 18th August, 11am to 1.30pm at Widford Playing Fields.

This event is raising money for HEART (Harlow Essex Animal Rescue Team). Harlow Essex Animal Rescue Team are committed to helping wildlife in Harlow and the surrounding areas. They offer support to the public if needed to help our beautiful wildlife.

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

The details
Pitches £10
Horse boxes/trailer £15
PITCHES ON THE DAY £15
(bring your own table/blanket)

Entry £1
Dog Show Entry £2 per show per dog
CASH ONLY

Their lovely sponsors
Dog show sponsored by Prue Relland Veterinary Physiotherapy
Signs sponsored by Universal Signs
Toilet sponsored by Jimmy Riddles Toilet Hire – All on Hire Ltd

Contact Gail on 07747300095 for more information or to book a pitch.

NEW Hertfordshire Veteran & Community Drop-in

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Hertfordshire Veteran & Community Drop-in STARTS THIS FRIDAY 28TH JUNE!

On Friday 28th June, a new community hub will have its very first meeting in The Ashlea Room at Stanstead Abbotts Parish Hall.

Hertfordshire Veteran & Community Drop-in will be held from 12:00 to 13:30 every Wednesday and Friday.

It is a drop-in support hub offering a free cuppa as well as support staff who have at least Level 2 Counsellor Skills and can sign post to any help needed, or who simply know how to listen and converse if people are just lonely.

Coffee and Coping are working in partnership with the Walking with the Wounded charity to make sure that veterans and their families are cared for properly within the community.

Their aim is to provide a space for anyone who is struggling and doesn’t know what help there is or where to get it, as well as for older people who may have lost their friends or partners and just need to feel included and respected. 

See the poster for more information.

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