Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Community Fund we launched 16 hubs providing local support and information for carers across Hertfordshire between April 2014 and April 2019. We have been fortunate to secure further funding from April 2019 to April 2022 to continue supporting and developing our Hubs and will create a new interest group in each year of the project. This Hub work is part of a wider volunteer project and you can learn more about this on our Volunteer page.
What are 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.
We have 16 hubs running in 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 also have a new Men's Carers' Group that started meeting on Tuesday 28th January 2020. The group meets the last Tuesday of the month, from 1pm - 3pm, at The South Hill Centre, Cemetery Hill, Hemel Hempstead. Like our other support groups it is free to attend and there is no need to book, just turn up and you will receive a warm welcome.
In addition to our Carer Support Hub groups many areas will have Peer Led Carer Groups, for example there is a Carers' Camera Club, 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.
There are some evening groups including one in Hatfield at the Tesco Extra (Community Room) on the second Wednesday of each month from 7.30pm - 9pm.
Please note that due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) all the events we are hosting, including Hubs and support groups, are currently cancelled. We will update you as things change.
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) all the events we are hosting, including Hubs and support groups, are currently cancelled. We will update you as things change. You can contact us for support or advice on 01992 58 69 69 or email
How can you get involved?
Volunteer
There are lots of training opportunities for carers to take on a variety of voluntary roles at their local hub. We are particularly looking for volunteers to run our Hub groups in Letchworth, Royston and Watford.
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 read our latest newsletter here pdf Volunteers' newsletter (February 2020) (725 KB) .
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.