Hertfordshire County Council are committed to becoming a more sustainable organisation. Since declaring a climate emergency in 2019, they have been working with partners and residents to tackle climate change, and its impacts across the county.
To help deliver their sustainability and climate change ambitions, Hertfordshire County Council want to know your thoughts about climate change, its impacts on Hertfordshire and their efforts to tackle it.
Hertfordshire County Council have prepared a short survey that will help to better understand residents’ priorities around climate change, including how they can better communicate and engage with locals on this important issue.
There are only a few days left to have your say! Complete the survey before Friday 21 MarchHERE.
An easy-read version of this survey is also available HERE.
Find out more about our work to deliver the Sustainable Hertfordshire Strategy to date, visit their page HERE.
Hertfordshire County Council have put together lots of information on available resources to get practical help during the cold winter months…
Cold weather health advice
We’ve put together a few top tips to help you protect yourself and others from the effects of cold weather.
From drawing curtains at dusk to keep out draughts, to having at least one hot meal a day, plenty of hot drinks and using a hot water bottle or electric blanket to keep warm (but never both at the same time), there are a few things you can do to minimise your risk.
Please check in on anyone who may struggle in cold weather
Please protect yourself as much as possible from the cold conditions and check on others who may be struggling, such as older people and those with underlying health conditions.
If you are finding it difficult to heat your home, or someone you know is struggling to stay warm at home or needs help to get shopping or medicines, please contact HertsHelp on 0300 123 4044 or follow the link HERE.
If you are concerned about the health of yourself or someone else, please call NHS 111, contact your GP or get advice from your local pharmacy.
Come in from the cold Our online directory of ‘warm spaces’ allows you to find libraries, family centres and community spaces near you where you can stay safe and warm this winter. Lots of the venues will be hosting additional activities, including Age UK Hertfordshire’s ‘Winter Fuel Support Roadshows’ where people impacted by the changes to the Winter Fuel Payment can access expert support and advice. You see this directory HERE.
In our local area, you can find:
The 3 Churches Benefice Coffee Morning The Wilshere Hall, St Andrew’s Church, Cappell Lane, Stanstead Abbotts, 9.00–11.00am, Every Monday
Come and share a cuppa and a fun activity in our free, warm and welcoming space.
The 3 Churches Benefice Community Hub Drop-In St Mary’s Church, Hoddesdon Road, St Margarets 10.30–11.30am, Every Wednesday
Open to anyone who needs a cuppa and a chat, practical help or just a safe space.
Get financial support If you are worried about money, or you are in debt, help is available.
Citizens Advice can give you help and support. You may also be able to get help from the government with energy bills, transport, childcare and household costs. Never ignore bills.
If you are in immediate financial crisis, you may be able to apply for help from the Hertfordshire Welfare Assistance Service. You will need to meet certain criteria to qualify for help and you can only apply once every three months.
The payment is designed to help you if:
• you don’t have enough money to meet your, or your family’s, immediate needs after an emergency or disaster
• you think there will be serious damage or risk to your, or your family’s, health or safety without the payment
Winter Welfare visits Another free scheme we’re working with Age UK Hertfordshire to deliver is the Winter Welfare Visits scheme.
A ‘handyperson’ service can help with the following: • Provide and install radiator reflector strips to maximise heat dispersion • Provide and install draught excluders for doors and windows to reduce heat loss • Provide and install energy efficient bulbs and night lights • Provide an electric blanket or a winter duvet (single size only) • Provide a Warm in Winter bag • Help to take meter readings and set heating timings and thermostats • Hang winter curtains (already owned or purchased by client)
We know times are tough right now with the cost of living rising and it’s leaving a lot of people in Hertfordshire feeling overwhelmed. But the good news is there’s help available. If you’re struggling, there are plenty of local services, groups and charities ready to lend a hand.
This winter, Hertfordshire County Council want to make sure that residents know how to access advice and support to help them manage the cost of living.
Hertfordshire residents and visitors can now enjoy free bus travel thanks to the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) funding, which has made 10,000 free bus tickets available.
The new Intalink Connect ticket offers unlimited all-day travel across 14 zones in the county, with flexible options for single-zone, two adjacent zones, or all-zone travel.
Tickets can be claimed through the Intalink App using the discount code CATCHBUS24. A maximum of one ticket per Intalink App account is available.
Memory Support Hertfordshire is a newly launched community service providing local connection, support, information, and advice for everyone affected by dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment.
Building on the strong foundations of Hertfordshire’s existing locally embedded community support services, the addition of a new information and development service will provide a welcome route for people to access support and guidance more quickly and easily.
A helpline, an email service and in-person drop-in hubs will ensure people are able to find out what they want to know, as well as support people to find and access the full range of community-based, health and social care support available in county.
Anyone interested in becoming more dementia friendly or aware will now have a point of contact to help guide them and support their development. The service will also work with partners and professionals to help them to signpost and refer more easily to available support, and over time, together we will ensure that the full scope of Hertfordshire-based resources are visible and available at www.memorysupportherts.org.uk.
Adding to the existing highly valued groups and direct support already available, there will be more opportunities to learn about living with dementia, additional specialist support for people living with Young Onset Dementia and more support for friends and family members who care for someone with dementia. All types of dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment are supported, and a formal diagnosis is not necessary to be able to use the service.
Funded by Hertfordshire County Council and the NHS and delivered in partnership by Age UK Hertfordshire, Carers in Hertfordshire and Alzheimer’s Society, Memory Support Hertfordshire is committed to improving support available to people affected by dementia and is aligned to the Hertfordshire Dementia Strategy.
We want Hertfordshire to be a place where people affected by dementia have access to timely, skilled, and well-coordinated support from diagnosis to end of life, which helps achieve the outcomes that matter to them. According to figures from the NHS, there are more than 14,500 people living in Hertfordshire with a diagnosis of dementia and we know that this is only due to rise. Memory Support Hertfordshire aims to make it easier for people needing support around memory loss and dementia to find and access the full range of information and support available. The service has been co-produced by people who currently use existing dementia support services, so that the varied support on offer meets their needs. Councillor Tony Kingsbury, Executive Member for Adult Care, Health and Wellbeing at Hertfordshire County Council
Key information:
Helpline: 0300 131 3946 (open Monday to Friday 9am–4pm)
Slipper swaps are back in Hertfordshire County Council’s libraries this autumn. If you or someone you know is older or has a disability, please come along to one of the events where you can claim a free pair of slippers, get advice on keeping well this winter, and lots more.
Free Wild Play Family Session funded by Herts County Council
At Groundwork East, we have recently received funding from Herts County Council, to run a free family session in Ware.
Wild play focusses on the benefits of outdoor play. Sessions encourage families to take their learning outdoors to get more active as a family, increasing their levels of physical activity and improving mental wellbeing.
We will be running a session on Thursday 26th September, 12.30–2pm at Post Wood in Ware.
To sign-up, families can scan the QR code on the poster below or book via EventBrite by clicking HERE.
Groundwork East Groundwork East is a community and environment charity working across the East of England to create stronger, healthier communities, responsible business and greater prospects for local people. Find out more at www.groundwork.org.uk/east Find us on X , LinkedIn , Facebook and Instagram
If you’re aged 50 or over, come along to this year’s free Live Longer Better celebration event to find out about the range of physical activity opportunities available in Hertfordshire. CLICK HERE to watch a promotional video.
Join The Live Longer Better in Hertfordshire Movement on our mission to get more people, more active, more often. The Movement encourages older adults to be active as a means of increasing their healthy lifespan.
On Thursday 5th September 2024, we are holding the second ever celebration event at the University of Hertfordshire’s de Havilland campus and Hertfordshire Sports Village based in Hatfield.
The day, which is free to attend, will consist of a mix of keynote speakers, informative marketplace and physical activity sessions, and will run from 9.00am–3.30pm. Discover innovative ways to stay strong, maintain balance, enhance flexibility and foster a sense of community.
Don’t miss this chance to be part of a Revolution that champions active ageing, leaving no one behind. This community gathering aims to empower Hertfordshire residents to embrace a longer, healthier and happier life.
Please bring a water bottle on the day, as there are water fountain facilities available to use. Wear comfortable clothing and supportive shoes. All equipment will be provided for on the day.
You’ll be able to try taster sessions, including tai chi, chair yoga, walking football, pickleball and more.
WHERE AND WHEN
Date: 5 September 2024 Venue: University of Hertfordshire Time: 9.30am–3.30pm (you can enjoy the whole day or come and go as you please) Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Register online by clicking HERE or call 01707 281201. If you want to browse local physical activity opportunities before then, visit the Moving More website.
We are Hertfordshire County Council, and if you live in Hertfordshire, during your lifetime you’re likely to use or learn about some of the many services we provide.
We are with you every step of the way – from your first day at school to staying independent in your own home for as long as possible. We are there for all life’s big moments, and the small ones too.
To keep being here for you, we also need to keep listening to you. So tell us what’s important to you by taking part in our Annual Residents’ Survey 2024. Your responses will help shape how we do things in the future.
An online survey is now open to anyone who lives in Hertfordshire until 11:45pm on 15 September. There is also an easy-read version available.
To keep our county cleaner and greener, our survey is online. You can request a paper survey at your local library or call our Customer Service Centre on 0300 123 4040.
The Three Villages 