Library of Services

Active East Herts

We are the Sport Development service for East Hertfordshire. You can use our service to help find a physical activity class or club to join to improve your physical wellbeing. We can help find a suitable option to fit your needs and help getting you active.

Affinity Water
Free Home Water Efficiency Check

Great news!  We offer Home Water Efficiency Checks to help you save water, save energy and save money.  Each visit takes between 30-45 minutes and is worth around £80 but is absolutley FREE to our Affinity Water customers!

A trained technician will:

• Check for leaks
• Fit effective water saving devices where possible
• Identify ways you can save water and energy to reduce your bills
• Provide water saving advice to fit into your lifestyle.

Age Concern
Age Concern Bishop's Stortford

Age Concern Bishop’s Stortford’s is a social centre open to people over the age of 55, we provide an opportunity for people to reconnect as part of an inclusive community. A centre in which a joyful and fun environment helps to create and build strong relationships with people in our community, whilst accessing choice based activities, which supports health and well-being. If you would like to join us, have a chat or try a new activity please get in touch.

Age UK Hertfordshire
Active Ageing - 10 to 3 Clubs

Our 10 to 3 Clubs operate across Hertfordshire and offer the chance for you, or your loved one, to socialise and enjoy a hot lunch with friends on a weekly basis.  They are great places to meet like-minded people and make new friends.

At our clubs you will also have the opportunity to enjoy live entertainment, receive information and help to access services, try a range of new or traditional activiites and learn new skills.

Age UK Hertfordshire
Help in the Home

Our Help in the Home Service is designed to help you, or your loved one, remain independent.

We can help with:

• General Cleaning / Changing bedlinen / Laundry and ironing
• Shopping
• Picking up Prescriptions
• Preparing light meals
• Keeping your company or providing a break for your carer

Age UK Hertfordshire
Hertswise Dementia Support

We can help people living with cognitive impairment,  memory loss or dementia, as well as their carers and loved ones.   We can help with:

• Specialist information and advice
• Groups and one to one support
• Carer support groups and advice

We also deliver Dementia Awareness Training to organisations within Hertfordshire.

Age UK Hertfordshire
Hospital and Community Navigation Service

The free Hospital and Community Navigation Service is available throughout Hertfordshire to help patients recently discharged from hospital and those who have recently been unwell.    We can provide wellbeing checks for people in their own homes, help to develop motivation, confidence and resilience, link people to support with benefits, debt and finance and help with solutions to loneliness and social isolation.

We can also help people affected by hoarding.

Age UK Hertfordshire
Information and Advice Service

Our free information and advice service can provide information on:

• Benefit entitlements and applications
• Grants
• Lasting Powers of Attorney
• Housing
• Scams
• Domestic Abuse and Elder Abuse
• Befriending services and emotional support

Beacon Victim Care Service
Beacon Victim Care Service - Catch-22

We provide confidential, emotional and practical support to victims and witnesses of crime in Hertfordshire. We help individuals navigate their way through the criminal justice system and we offer a restorative justice service.  We also work with lots of other organisations who may be able to provide help and support.  Click 'DETAILS' for more information.

To make a referral go to https://hertfordshirebeacon.org/contact-us/

Bishops Stortford Food Bank
Bishops Stortford Foodbank

The Bishop’s Stortford Food Bank is here to help anyone in our community who is struggling to feed themselves from day to day.  We provide a food and welfare package to last a minimum of three days. We can also offer signposting support to other services if needed.   Help with fuel costs is also available.

When requesting baby/sanitary/pet food items these are subject to availability and dependent on what is in stock on the day.

Please note: deliveries are currently Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.   Referrals must be received by 11 a.m. that day for delivery that day.

Bishops Wellbeing CIC
Befriending Service

Operation Community is a project being delivered by Bishop's Wellbeing to provide support for anyone struggling with feelings of isolation or loneliness and provides easy access to further services that may be required.

Operation Community provides a range of support services suitable for all, including telephone befriending services, bubble befriending services.

Blackgrove Farm
Space To Grow

This exciting new project at Black Grove Farm is a free and safe space to heal, reconnect and grow. Improve your health and well-being through gardening and connecting with nature. We’ll be growing food and practising mindfulness, both of which can reduce anxiety and depression, help with recovery from previous addictions, reduce isolation, improve confidence and aid recovery from long term ill-health.  

Click 'DETAILS' for more information.  Click 'REFER' to make a referral and a member of the team will be in touch.

Buntingford Foodbank
Buntingford and Villages Food Bank

We deliver food parcels for those in need in Buntingford and surrounding villages

Carers in Herts
Information and Advice Service

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.

We support carers if they live, care or work in Hertfordshire.  All our services are provided free to carers.  Please refer clients via Frontline by clicking 'REFER'.

CDA Herts
Jobs Pathway

Jobs Pathway is a free service which supports people facing barriers to employment to find permanent jobs. We work with a network of employers willing to give people a chance to prove themselves and transform their lives. We provide a range of support including identifying suitable jobs, help with applications, accessing training/education, and ongoing coaching and mentoring.  Our service is free to Hertfordshire residents.  Click DETAILS for more information.

To make a referral, click REFER and a member of the team will be in touch soon.

Christians Against Poverty
CAP Debt Help

If you’re looking for free debt help from a friendly team who are here to support you, then you’ve come to the right place. Christians Against Poverty (CAP) has been providing free debt help in the UK since 1996. We help thousands of people get out of debt every year, equipping them with the tools and confidence to face any storms that may come their way in the future.

Our free debt help service is face-to-face* and run through local churches, so you get practical help and a supportive community around you through whatever challenges you’re facing. We’ll help you find the best route out of debt, and walk with you every step of the way.

Citizens Advice East Herts
Citizens Advice Service

Whether it’s advice on employment rights, benefit entitlements, money worries, housing concerns, relationship challenges, access to local support etc - we’re here for you.

You can also access a range of useful information and links online at citizensadviceeastherts.org.uk

Citizens Advice Harlow
Law Clinic

We are a Law Clinic at Citizens Advice Harlow offering free half hour appointments with specialist solicitors who can cover a wide range of legal issues including family, employment, immigration, consumer, criminal and housing.

CMA Bishop's Stortford
Community Money Advice Connect Bishop's Stortford

Community Money Advice Connect Bishop’s Stortford is a voluntary organisation staffed by a trained team of volunteer Christian money mentors.  We are affiliated to the national charity Community Money Advice who train us and we work with their team of full-time specialist debt advisers to help our clients.  We offer confidential, non-judgemental help with budgeting and personal debts and provide support to contact creditors and find the best solution to the problem.

cst.today
CST.Today

Due to covid restrictions we now offer one to one Cognitive Stimulation Therapy online. This is a fun way to help improve memory and confidence and bring back the joy of life! Family carers are welcome to join in with the session too.

CVS for Broxbourne & East Herts
Building Better Opportunities

The aim of our service is to engage those with complex barriers to employment and support them into sustained employment, volunteering or education. All those taking part receive intensive one-to-one support to understand and address their barriers to learning and employment. They are offered skills to help them secure work experience placements, volunteering opportunities or apprenticeships.

Click 'DETAILS' for eligibility criteria and click 'REFER' to make a client referral.

CVS for Broxbourne & East Herts
Community Car Scheme

Our Car Scheme supports clients who struggle to get to essential appointments (health, daily needs, social purposes, etc.) and are unable to drive or use public transport. The vulnerable, elderly and less mobile residents of East Herts and Broxbourne can access our service free of charge. Click 'DETAILS' for more information and 'REFER' to refer your client to us.  

CVS for Broxbourne & East Herts
Job Smart

Job Smart is an Employability Support programme operating across East Herts and Broxbourne. We can provide 1:1 support/mentoring, skills training and help with job searching / interview skills / CV writing / using online platforms.  The service is open to anyone in East Herts / Broxbourne and is free.  Currently services are provided remotely due to COVID-19 restrictions.

To make a referral, click REFER and a member of the team will be in touch soon.

Dogs Trust Freedom Project
Dogs Trust

The Dogs Trust Freedom Project is a free dog fostering service for people fleeing domestic abuse and going into refuge or emergency accommodation. This service is available across Essex and Hertfordshire. This is a free service and all the dog's expenses are covered by Dogs Trust.

East Herts District Council - Housing Services
Housing Options

The Housing Options Team are here to provide free information, assistance and specialist advice to landlords, tenants and owner occupiers to help keep you in your home or to help you find an alternative.

Exchange Group

Exchange is a place for people to pass on things they don’t need to people who do.  We are a community group based at Bishops Stortford Baptist Church.  Our opening policy has changed due to Covid-19. Please contact us on 07955 140293 to find out more.

Items currently available: clothing (for babies, children and young people), toys, games, children’s books, baby equipment, household goods, white goods and furniture. If you need something particular or are travelling a long way, please phone beforehand to check what is available.

To make a referral, click 'REFER'.

Family Lives
Bringing Up Confident Children with ADHD

This 6 weeks programme provides support, information and resources to parents/carers and adult family members so they can help their child reach their full potential. Sessions will cover : * ADHD - a whole-family issue * Understanding your child’s behaviour * Helping your child manage their feelings and outbursts * Balancing support of siblings * Learning new parenting strategies to address challenging behaviour and to make a difference in your family life.  

This is an online programme delivered on Thursdays, 9.30-11.30am from 10 June 2021 to 15 July 2021.  To make a referral via Frontline click 'REFER'.

Family Lives
Bringing Up Confident Children with SEN

This 8 weeks programme provides support, information and resources to parents/carers and adult family members so they can help their child reach their full potential. Sessions will cover : * Special Needs – a whole-family issue * Understanding your child’s behaviour * Helping your child manage their feelings and outbursts * Balancing support of siblings * Learning new parenting strategies to address challenging behaviour * Making a positive difference in your family life.

This is an online programme delivered on Mondays from 17 May to 12 July, 12.45pm to 2.45pm (excluding half-term).  To make a referral via Frontline click 'REFER'.

Family Lives
Getting On With Your Pre-Teen/Teenager

Worried about your teenager?  This 6 weeks programme is particularly suited for parents and or carers of pre-teen/teenagers who may have a FFA, CIN, CP or Youth Justice Plan and are showing signs of: * Risky behaviour online through social media * Attraction to or involvement in gangs * Alcohol and/or drugs, early sex, self-harming, crime and anti-social behaviour, aggressive and challenging behaviour.

This is an online programme delivered on Wednesdays, 7pm - 9pm, from 9 June 2021 to 14 July 2021.  To make a referral via Frontline click 'REFER'.

Freshwaters Contact Centre
Child Contact Centre

*** DUE TO LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS THE CENTRE IS UNABLE TO OPEN AT THE MOMENT ***

We provide a safe neutral meeting place where children can meet with parents, grandparents or siblings that they have been separated from because of family breakdown.

Hertford and District Foodbank
Hertford & District Foodbank

The Foodbank provides free emergency food and toiletries. As well as receiving food for a minimum of 3 days, users may be directed to further help and support if required.

Hertfordshire County Council
Services for Young People

Services for Young People is part of Hertfordshire County Council, providing targeted prevention and early intervention youth work projects and programmes, information, advice, guidance and work-related learning for 11 (year seven) to 17-year olds, up to 21 for care leavers and 24 for young people with learning disabilities (LD) and some other vulnerable groups.

We help young people with the issues which are important to them such as jobs, careers and education, relationships, sexual health, confidence, self-esteem, substance misuse, staying safe, housing and independent living skills.

Herts & Essex Community Farm
Harlow, Herts & Essex Community Farm

We are a community farm located in Harlow offering a safe place for all individuals and families seeking to learn how to grow food and create a more sustainable environment. We offer gardening based activities in a pleasant and friendly outdoor surrounding, plus a share of the produce to take home.

Herts Mind Network
Counselling

Our  counselling  team  consists  of  experienced  counsellors  who  use  a  client-centred approach.  We  provide  a  supportive and confidential service and offer up to 10 counselling sessions.

The counsellor will help you to understand yourself as a person, how you deal with situations in your life and identify your specific ways of thinking. This will enable you to have a better understanding around your issues and to be aware of what choices you have.

To access the service you need to be 18 or over and living in Hertfordshire.

Herts Mind Network
Peer Support Service

Our countywide Peer Support Service offers flexible support for adults experiencing mental ill health and those that care and support them.

The service is staffed by a team of Peer Support workers, who have a lived experience of mental ill health, and  will work in collaboration with you to develop an individually tailored package of support that meets your needs.

Through providing safe and accepting 1:1 support, Peer Support Groups and Peer Learning Courses, the service will enable  you to explore your own strengths and resources and find solutions.

Herts Vision Loss

We provide help, support, advice and activities for people of all ages with varying degrees of sight loss.  From home visiting and befriending, to gadget and equipment demonstration, as well as many social support groups across Hertfordshire.  We also offer an advocacy service in partnership with Herts Help and support people in finding routes into employment or volunteering.  In addition, we have our ‘Hospital to Home Support’ for the visually impaired/blind for when they leave hospital, be it transport to get home, getting settled back in after a long stay, or support for living independently.  We also have a dedicated counselling service, offer support to schools and offer a range of training opportunities.  We accept referrals from all sources.

Click ‘REFER’ to make a referral and a member of the team will be in touch to discuss all available support options with the client/patient.

Isabel Hospice
Compassionate Neighbours

Compassionate Neighbours offers a group of trained neighbours who give up their time and companionship for local people struggling with loneliness and social isolation.  Our Compassionate Neighbours can really make a difference by offering:

• Regular telephone support
• Face to face meetings adhering to all social distancing measures
• Assistance with basic errands.

To make a referral click 'REFER'.

Mediation Hertfordshire

Mediation Hertfordshire can provide a mediation and conflict coaching service to residents who are experiencing conflict, whether it is in the family, workplace, with neighbours or in the wider community. Our mediators are professionally accredited and DBS checked. We provide a confidential and impartial service to promote happier, safer and healthier communities.

Mudlarks Community Garden
Mudlarks

Mudlarks is a Hertford based charity which supports adults and young people with learning disabilities and mental health issues. Through supported learning and meaningful work in the community, Mudlarks’ projects help people build confidence and self-worth, and develop important skills. Mudlarks runs five projects in Hertford - click DETAILS for more information and contact details.

Reach Out Hertfordshire
Reach Out

Reach Out provides support for those who have recently been discharged from hospital. Reach Out can assist people by linking them up with a volunteer in their neighbourhood who can offer companionship and practical support when they get home. This service is free.  

Click 'DETAILS' for more information, 'REFER' to make a referral (if you are a Social Prescriber Link Worker) or call 0791 7978 728.

Red Kite
Rape and Sexual Abuse Support

We provide comprehensive services to survivors of historic or recent rape or sexual abuse or violence, to enable them to recover and thrive once more in their communities.

Refugee Council
Wellbeing & Work for Refugee Integration

The Wellbeing Service is delivered by the Refugee Council across Hertfordshire and Essex. Delivered by qualified and experienced psychological therapists, the service offers a safe and confidential space for refugee adults, families and separated & unaccompanied children to access wellbeing support, with a view to increasing resilience and confidence, and improving pathways into wider training and employment opportunities.

Applicants must have a BRP or Home Office Letter as proof of eligibility to access this service. This includes: Refugee Status/ Humanitarian Protection/ ILR (Settlement)/ DLR (over 12 months – as result of asylum claim)/ Resettled refugees and Family Reunion.

Rethink Mental Illness
Companions Befriending (East Herts)

Our service supports people who are aged 18+ with a diagnosed mental illness, who are socially isolated, who are known to NHS Secondary mental health services, and who live in Hertfordshire in and around the towns of Ware, Hertford, Hoddesdon, Broxbourne, Cheshunt, Cuffley and Waltham Cross.  Our befriending service helps people to re-engage with their local community through group befriending, 1-2-1 volunteers, befriending workers and social activities.  Clients must live in East Herts or Broxbourne to access this service.

Rethink Mental Illness
Companions Carer Service

Our Companions Carers support service provides support for mental health carers aged 18 and over in Hertfordshire. We provide a range of support which includes 1-2-1 support tailored to the carer's individual needs to support them in their caring role. Click 'DETAILS' for more information. Click 'REFER' to make a client referral.

Safer Places
Accommodation and Outreach support to victims of domestic abuse

We provide outreach support to victims of domestic abuse through our community-based services. Safer Places is an independent charity which provides a comprehensive range of services to adults and children affected by abuse who live in Harlow, Epping Forest and East Hertfordshire districts. We also provide safe refuge accommodation.

Safer Places
Rosie Women's Centre

The Rosie Centre in Harlow provides women with a safe and homely space in which to access gender-specialist support services. It is a ‘one-stop-shop’ offering group and one-to-one work covering domestic and sexual abuse support services (including our Triple R therapy based programme), counselling, substance misuse, housing and homelessness, legal and money advice surgeries, health visiting, parenting support, education and employment, life coaching and general emotional & physical wellbeing.

Due to lockdown, our centre is currently online via Zoom and open to all. Click Details for more information and click Refer to make a referral.

Safer Places
Triple R

Triple R is a trauma informed based Domestic Abuse programme which has three aims:

1. To enable victim/survivors to recognise abuse and its impacts on them and their children.
2. To enable them to recover from abuse and support their children to do so.
3. To develop resilience by building on their strengths and addressing challenges in order to build a better sustainable safe future for themselves and their families.

This programme is currently available online.  Click 'Details' below for more information and click 'Refer' to make a referral.

St Clare Hospice
Bereavement Support Helpline

The Bereavement Support Helpline is being run by a team of hospice staff and volunteers, trained to deliver immediate emotional support and practical guidance for those who would like extra support after the loss of someone close.

The helpline is operating from Monday 22nd June, 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday, and is open to all local people living in West Essex and East Hertfordshire who feel they would benefit from extra support in relation to a bereavement – no matter how long ago their loss was.

St Clare Hospice
Compassionate Neighbours Project

This community-led project offers support for people living with a life-limiting illness or experiencing loneliness and isolation. Trained Compassionate Neighbours visit members of the community regularly to combat social isolation and offer a listening ear, companionship and emotional support. 

Please note:  We take great care to match referred people to volunteer neighbours, and sometimes there may be a delay in a volunteer being available.   We will acknowledge your referral and add in the notes what the status is, to keep you informed.

St Clare Hospice
The Echo Project

The Echo Project is for children, young people and families facing loss and bereavement. It is available to any child or young person under the age of 21, living in West Essex and East Hertfordshire, who is facing loss or who has been bereaved. A dedicated child, young person and family therapist provides support through facing an illness, bereavement support and training for parents, carers and schools.

St Clare Hospice
Virtual Bereavement Cafe

Our Bereavement Cafe project connects local bereaved people together, so they can share their experiences and support each other. Due to the current COVID restrictions, we are currently running our Bereavement Café project online, via Zoom, and on social media, with Facebook Groups. The online communities provide a ‘virtual’ space for local people to engage in a way that best suits their needs. When it is safe to do so, our physical Bereavement Cafés will open again.  Click 'DETAILS' for days and times of meetings. Click 'REFER' to contact this service and find out more. Open to anyone living in West Essex and East Herts.

Test Service Only
Test Service

This is a test site only for people to learn how Frontline works.

The Living Room Hertfordshire
The Living Room

The Living Room is here to support every adult from Hertfordshire seeking help for an addiction or if you are a family member or carer of someone suffering with an addiction. We provide daily group counselling sessions that are free, open-ended and treatment is person focused, as the length of time needed for an individual to achieve recovery varies. We provide support for ALL addictions.  Click 'DETAILS' for more information. 

To make a referral go to: https://www.livingroomherts.org/referral

Watford FC Community Sports & Education Trust
Shape Up

Shape Up is a free 12-week weight management course for men delivered by Watford Football Club in East Herts and Broxbourne districts. The course is aimed at men aged 18 to 65 years-old with a BMI of 30 or over and men from the BAME community with a BMI of 28 or over. The aims are to improve the participant’s healthy lifestyle knowledge as well as ensure a sustainable weight loss rather than the typically short-term benefit of a diet-based programme.

Click 'DETAILS' for start dates/location information. Click 'REFER' to make a referral and the Healthy Lifestyle Project Officer will contact the client directly with more details.

Xyla Health and Wellbeing
NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (NDPP)

It is tough to make lifestyle changes but with the right help you can make simple changes to reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Put your health back in your hands and reduce your risk of developing the condition. Your FREE local Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme will help you do just that.

To refer yourself go to: 

https://preventing-diabetes.co.uk/know-your-risk-dtc/register/

Eligibility criteria:

• Aged 18 years & over
• HbA1c between 42-47 mmol/mol (6.0-6.4%) or fasting Plasma Glucose between 5.5.-6.9 mmol/l within the last 24 months
• Not pregnant
• Able to take part in light/moderate physical exercise

Click 'DETAILS' below to learn more.

YCT
Youth Counselling and Mentoring

YCT offers FREE counselling services for children and young people across West Essex  (ages 5 – 19) and East Hertfordshire (11 - 19).  A well-established and locally respected mental health charity, we deliver services from community sites in Harlow • Loughton • Waltham Abbey • Saffron Walden • Thaxted • Stansted • Ware • Turnford • Hoddesdon • Bishops Stortford. 

Due to Covid-19 sessions are currently offered remotely via telephone or Zoom.