Carer Support Hubs

What are Carer Support Hubs?

You told us that you wanted much stronger local support for carers and thanks to a grant of £200,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund (formerly the Big Lottery Fund) awarded in the year 2013/14 we have been able to provide a grassroots service run by carers for carers, to best meet your needs. The hubs are one-stop shop where you can find information about what is happening in your local area, get advice, support and make friends. There are also peer led and interest based groups. 

Please note that due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) many of our hub groups are still meeting online using Zoom. Since late June 2021, some groups have resumed meeting in community venues - outdoors as well as inside. Details of upcoming Hub meetings are in the 'Upcoming Hub Events' section further down this page. If you wish to join in any meeting you need to book a place as space is limited. Please contact us on 01992 58 69 69 or email  to book. We can also guide you through using Zoom if you require some help with this. We will update you as things change.

We have 16 area-based hubs - Berkhamsted, Bishop’s Stortford, Borehamwood, Buntingford, Chorleywood, Harpenden, Hemel Hempstead, Hoddesdon, Potters Bar, Letchworth Garden City, Royston, St Albans, Stevenage, Ware, Watford and Welwyn Garden City.

Our hubs are groups run by volunteers or carers for carers and focus on offering emotional and practical support. Most groups meet once a month and offer activities include a programme of speakers and time to talk. Carers can book 1:1 appointments with a Carers in Hertfordshire Carer Support Advisor at some meetings to plan their caring role.

We have a Men's Carers' Group that started meeting in January 2020. Due to the coronavirus the group has been meeting online via Zoom since September 2020, on the last Tuesday of the month from 1.30pm - 2.30pm. We also have an Evening Carers’ Group that meets online via Zoom on the second Wednesday of each month from 7pm - 8pm. This group is for working carers or for carers whose caring commitments mean they are unable to attend a meeting in the day. Contact us if you are interested in booking a place.

In addition to our Carer Support Hub groups many areas will have Peer Led Carer Groups, for example there is a Carers' Camera Club (meeting online during the COVID-19 situation), a Pudding Club, plus support groups in areas such as Borehamwood and Radlett. You can find out about all these here -  Carers' Support Hubs and Peer Led Groups List.

You can find out more about hubs in our video An Introduction to Carer Support Hubs. 

In addition each hub area has Volunteer Ambassadors whose role it is to help identify new carers and to spread the word about what is available locally for them.

Within each hub area you can also attend workshops to learn new skills and have a break from caring. Please click here to see what events are available.

Volunteer Ambassador James promoting support for carers at a Community Event.

Upcoming Hub Events

Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) many of our Hub groups are meeting online via Zoom, an online video communications tool, although from July 2021, when restrictions eased, we have had some groups meeting in community venues again. We are phasing the return of face to face meetings. Places to join the meetings are limited and if you wish to attend you should book a place by calling us on 01992 58 69 69 or emailing 

We will update you as things change. Please contact us for support or advice related to your caring role.

Thursday 16th September 2021, 10.30am - 11.30am: Harpenden Carers Support Hub Online. An opportunity for carers to meet with other carers, share information and support each other.

Monday 20th September 2021, 10.30am - 11.30am: Chorleywood and Rickmansworth Carers Support Hub Online. An opportunity for carers to meet with other carers, share information and support each other. This meeting someone from Diabetes UK will be talking about the condition, how to manage it and the support they provide.

Tuesday 21st September 2021, 10.30am - 12.30pm: St Albans Carers Support Hub at St Paul's Church, St Albans. An opportunity for carers to meet with other carers, share information and support each other.

Friday 24th September 2021, 10.30am - 12.30pm: Hoddesdon Carers Support Hub at Hoddesdon Baptist Church, Hoddesdon. An opportunity for carers to meet with other carers, share information and support each other.

Tuesday 28th September 2021, 1.30pm - 2.30pm noon: Male Carers' Group Online. This is an opportunity for male carers to get together online for conversation, to share information and support each other. 

Thursday 30th September 2021, 10.30am - 11.30am: Stevenage Carers Support Hub Online. An opportunity for carers to meet with other carers, share information and support each other. 

Thursday 7th October 2021, 10.30am - 12.30pm: Royston Carers Support Hub at Royston Town Hall (Heritage Hall), Royston. An opportunity for carers to meet with other carers, share information and support each other.

How can you get involved?

Volunteer

There are lots of training opportunities for carers to take on a variety of voluntary roles with their local hub. 

You can also look at the volunteer roles by clicking here (link to Volunteer Jobs page) or find out more about being a Carers in Hertfordshire volunteer on our Volunteer page. To register your interest in any part of this project please email  or call 01992 58 69 69.

One way we keep in touch with our Volunteers is via newsletter and you can find them on our Volunteer page. 

Speakers

If you think you have a topic that would be of interest to carers at our Hub support groups please email the volunteer email with details.