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.
This new discount will be automatically applied, and the annual cost will remain the same as well. Therefore, you will not need to do anything with your SaverCard or account to activate the increase, just continue to travel but for less.
New Intalink tickets to replace Intalink Explorer and BUSnet
From Sunday 14th July Intalink Explorer and BUSnet tickets are being replaced by a new and improved ticketing scheme called Intalink Connect. The Intalink Connect ticket scheme provides unlimited travel by bus in Hertfordshire.
Within the scheme, the county of Hertfordshire is divided into 14 separate zones and tickets can be purchased for travel:
Within one single zone
Two zones next to each other
All zones within Hertfordshire and certain points beyond.
You can purchase daily, weekly, four weekly and 10 day ticket bundles through the Intalink mobile ticketing app. These need to purchased before you travel and then activated in the app when required. Daily tickets are also available to purchase on the first bus you board.
The Intalink vehicle will be visiting various towns across the county, our Intalink officer will be available to answer any queries visitors have in regard to the Hertfordshire bus network. We also have leaflets and timetable of local services available. The Intalink vehicle will be visiting Ware on Tuesday, 20th August. It will be located on Ware High Street, outside Coffee Lab, in the parking bays between 09:00 and 13:00.
A new local campaign urges people aged 40 and over to come forward for a potentially life-saving blood pressure check at their local participating pharmacy.
Around one in four adults in the UK have high blood pressure, but only half of those are aware of it. High blood pressure (hypertension) doesn’t usually have any obvious symptoms, making it an invisible threat to many. If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and vascular dementia.
Some people from African, Afro-Caribbean or South Asian heritage may have high blood pressure at a younger age and are encouraged to get their blood pressure checked earlier.
It’s quick and easy to get a FREE blood pressure check at a pharmacy. You don’t need an appointment and many pharmacies are open in the evenings and at weekends. To find the nearest participating Pharmacy, click HERE.
You can find out more about High Blood Pressure and how to get it checked on the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care System site HERE.
To receive local health and wellbeing information straight to your inbox, sign up to your health and wellbeing update me at: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/updateme.
Did you know about the Resuse Shops in Hertfordshire? These Reuse Shops sell quality household bargains that have been dropped off for reuse at our recycling centres.
The permanent Reuse Shops at Harpenden, Stevenage, Ware, Waterdale and Welwyn Garden City Recycling Centres saved 610 tonnes from the waste stream in 2023–24, whilst providing residents with unique, preloved, quality furniture, bikes, and other items.
Ware Recycling Centre The reuse shop at Ware recycling centre is the largest. It offers a wide variety of high quality items.
Opening hours… Saturday to Wednesday: 10am–5.45pm Thursday and Friday: closed
How to get here… Westmill Road, Ware, SG12 0ES
Get in contact… Call: 01992 555820 Email: WareReuseShop@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Why not go along to the Ware Reuse Shop and grab a quality household bargain? For more information, visit the Reuse page HERE. Follow Ware Reuse Shop on Facebook to find out what items are available!
From now until 31st December 2024 a single bus journey will cost no more than £2 on most routes across Hertfordshire.0 The Department for Transport (DfT) have extended the £2 fare cap scheme nationwide and are working in partnership with operators who have signed up for the scheme.
The bus fare cap is designed to support families through the cost of living pressures, enabling millions of people to access affordable bus travel. To find out how you could save more search ‘Help for Households’.
Arriva, Bishops Stortford Community Transport, Carousel Buses, Centrebus, Central Connect, First Essex Buses, Metroline (excluding Service PB1), Red Eagle, Redline Buses, Stagecoach, Sullivan Buses (on Service 84 only) and Uno.
A2B Bus and Coach, Britannia Coaches, Grant Palmer, Landmark Coaches, Little Jim Buses, Lucketts of Watford, Marshalls Coaches, Red Rose Travel, Reg’s Coaches, Richmonds Coaches, Sullivan Buses (on all services except 84), Vale Travel, Vectare.
What type of journeys and tickets does the scheme apply to? The £2 fare cap applies to single journeys regardless of length of journey. It does not apply to weekly, monthly, annual or multi operator ticket products.
Note that services that only operate on schooldays and/or where the primary purpose of the bus is to transport school children are excluded from the fare cap scheme.
Can I use my Hertfordshire SaverCard? If you are using a SaverCard and the fare you would have paid is higher than £2 then the fare will be reduced to £2 to align with the fare cap scheme.
Does the scheme apply to the HertsLynx Service? HertsLynx is participating in the £2 fare cap. From 16th–31st December, passengers who are pre-booking trips for January can use the discount codes to reduce their fare to £2.00.
From 1st Jan, all single fares will automatically be capped at £2. If a SaverCard user or a child (10 years and under) is travelling 0–2 miles only, they will need to select the discount as normal to ensure their fare is discounted to £1.50.
SaverCard holders or children who are travelling over 2 miles will not need to use any discount codes as the £2 fare will be less than their original discounted fare price.
Information for Bus Pass holders You will be able to use your bus pass as normal. The £2 fare cap will apply to bus travel outside of the English National Travel Concessionary Scheme time restrictions; i.e. before 0930 and after 2300 outside of Hertfordshire.
Please note this a Department for Transport facilitated scheme in partnership with operators. Please refer to DfT guidance for further information. ↩︎
The Three Villages 