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ST ALBANS METHODIST CHURCHES
DAGNALL ST (Baptist)
ST ALBANS CATHEDRAL (CofE)
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ST PETER’S (CofE)
SALVATION ARMY
MARLBOROUGH ROAD (Methodist)
Marlborough Road Methodist Church
MARLBOROUGH ROAD, AL1 3XG
ST ALBAN & ST STEPHEN (RC)
HATFIELD ROAD
Chatterbox Café
Pop in every Thursday from 10.30am until midday. A friendly place to chat and enjoy a freshly brewed tea or coffee.
ST LUKE’S (CofE)
ST STEPHEN’S (CofE)
Situated in the heart of the city behind The Maltings, this welcoming church offers monthly Thinking Lunches, hosts weekly coffee mornings and offers a number of fellowship groups, meeting in people’s homes.
Sunday Soup Lunch
ST BART’S (RC)
Thinking Lunches
ST JULIAN’S (CofE)
First Thursday in the month from 12.30pm until 1.30pm. Bring your own lunch along and listen to a thought-provoking talk by a different guest speaker every month.
Email: info@mrmc.org.uk www.mrmc.org.uk
ST
First Sunday of the month at midday. Join us after our morning service for a Soup Lunch. With a choice of homemade soups, bread, fruit and cheese. Open to all. No charge but donations are accepted.
Fellowship Groups
DAGNALL
SALVATION ARMY
MARLBOROUGH ROAD (Methodist)
The Salvation Army
16-18 VICTORIA STREET, AL1 3JB
City centre hospitality can be found at The Salvation Army on Victoria Street.
Tel: 01727 855395
Email: st.albans@salvationarmy.org.uk www.salvationarmy.org.uk/st-albans
Held at people’s homes, these small groups meet monthly and offer friendship and hospitality. If you would like to join one local to you please contact Maggie Dodd on 07462 586773 to find out more.
ST
Wednesday Coffee morning
Call in from 11am until 1pm for a cup of coffee and conversation. Open to all, a welcome stop in the bustling city centre.
ST
Cameo Club
Meets every second Wednesday of the month for fellowship. Bring your lunch, meet new friends. Get in touch to find out more.
ST LUKE’S CHURCH CELL BARNES LANE, AL1 5QJ
A modern lively church serving The Camp and area east of London Road.
Coffee Morning
Open to all, this weekly Tuesday coffee morning from 10-11.30am provides an opportunity to relax and catch up with others from the local community.
ST SAVIOURS (CofE)
Friday Soup Café
Why not stay on after Knit and Natter and enjoy lunch at St Luke’s. Friday Soup Café runs from 12noon-2pm every Friday (during term time only) and is open to all.
ST MARY’S (CofE)
Knit and Natter
Join this friendly group for a ‘Knit and Natter’ on a Friday morning, and enjoy hot drinks and conversation. From 10-11.30am. All welcome (with or without knitting!).
HOMEWOOD ROAD (URC)
Tel: 01727 865399 | Email: office@saint-lukes.co.uk | www.saint-lukes.co.uk
ST PETER’S (CofE)
HATFIELD ROAD (Methodist)
ST PAUL’S (CofE)
ST PAUL’S CHURCH BLANDFORD ROAD, AL1 4JP
ASHLEY CHURCH (Free)
Wednesday Drop-In Café
ST JULIAN’S (CofE)
A thriving church for all ages on Sundays and throughout the week. Offering midweek groups across the parish for prayer, Bible study and support as well as regular Alpha courses. Monthly Communion services are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 10am. You are also welcome at our various activity and interest groups which include art, strolling, creation care, gardening and sewing. Please see the website or contact the office for full details.
ST LUKE’S (CofE)
Freshly brewed coffee and homemade cake are the order of the day from 10.30-midday, every Wednesday. No booking required, everyone welcome, just call in.
Lunch Club
Usually meeting on the second Monday of each month, this friendly lunch club serves a delicious two-course home-cooked meal with lots of time to chat. Please contact the office to check dates and to book a place.
Tel: 01727 846281 | Email: office@stpauls-stalbans.org | www.stpauls-stalbans.org
CHRIST CHURCH (CofE)
Christ Church
3 HIGH OAKS, AL3 6DJ
This church’s events for seniors focus on sharing faith through friendship, fellowship, food and fun. For more information do contact the church on the details below.
Pastimes Small Groups
First Tuesday of each month 2-3.30pm. Bible study and prayer time for Christian believers, and for those curious about faith, finishing with tea, coffee and cake.
DAGNALL ST (Baptist)
Monday Suppers
Weekly from 5-7pm. A free meal, (donations welcome) 3 courses of fresh food cooked on the premises, all welcome.
Tea and Talk
ST SAVIOURS (CofE)
Alternate Thursdays from 2.30-4pm. Enjoy a slice of cake and a cuppa in a relaxed atmosphere.
ST PETER’S (CofE)
Tel: 01727 859806
ST MICHAEL’S (CofE)
ST ALBANS CATHEDRAL (CofE)
MARSHALSWICK BAPTIST FREE CHURCH (Baptist)
MARSHALSWICK BAPTIST FREE CHURCH (Baptist)
ST MARY’S (CofE)
HOMEWOOD ROAD (URC)
Email: enquiries@ccstalbans.org.uk www.ccstalbans.org.uk
SALVATION ARMY
MARLBOROUGH ROAD (Methodist)
ST ALBAN & ST STEPHEN (RC)
HATFIELD ROAD (Methodist)
ST PAUL’S (CofE)
ASHLEY CHURCH (Free)
ST MARY’S (CofE)
Marshalswick Baptist Free Church
ST SAVIOURS (CofE)
SHERWOOD AVENUE, AL4 9QL
HOMEWOOD ROAD (URC)
ST LUKE’S (CofE)
This welcoming church is nestled in the heart of the community and close to the Quadrant shopping centre in Marshalswick.
ST STEPHEN’S (CofE)
Thursday afternoon gathering
ST ALBAN & ST STEPHEN (RC)
Wednesday Table Tennis
Starting at 2pm, this group is suitable for all abilities or those who simply fancy ‘having a go’.
HATFIELD ROAD (Methodist)
ST BART’S (RC)
‘Jigsaw
– a place to fit in’
ST PAUL’S (CofE)
ST JULIAN’S (CofE)
ASHLEY CHURCH (Free)
1.30pm to 4.30pm – drop in anytime for tea and cakes and a chance to engage in an art group, knitting, board games or tech support, in partnership with St Albans’ charity Computer Friendly. Or just pop in for a chat!
Tuesday afternoon 1.30pm to 4.30pm
A welcoming space for you to drop in, chat over a cuppa, maybe play a board game or help with a jigsaw.
This church has a thriving mixed social group for the ‘young at heart’ who go on trips, theatre visits and meals out, and raise money for charities. Please get in touch for further details.
Tel: 01727 857786 |
ALBAN & STEPHEN (RC)
HATFIELD ROAD (Methodist)
ST PAUL’S (CofE)
Ashley Church
ASHLEY ROAD, AL1 5DA
ASHLEY CHURCH (Free)
Tuesday Get Together
MARLBOROUGH
Part of the local community since 1939, this independent Christian church is based in the east of St Albans. A warm welcome awaits. Visit their website to find out more.
ST LUKE’S (CofE)
Meeting every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month from 2pm-4pm. A place for a chat, coffee and cake, table tennis, board games, puzzles, crafts and singing. Activities you can bring and share. Everyone is welcome.
Email: ashleychurchstalbans@live.co.uk | www.ashleychurch.org.uk
MARSHALSWICK BAPTIST FREE CHURCH (Baptist)
ST MARY’S (CofE)
ST SAVIOURS (CofE)
ST MARY’S, MARSHALSWICK
1 SHERWOOD AVENUE, AL4 9QA
ST ALBAN & ST STEPHEN (RC)
HOMEWOOD ROAD (URC)
Thursday Communion Service & Lunch Club
HATFIELD ROAD (Methodist)
Just opposite Marshalswick’s thriving shopping area sits St Mary’s church. Offering a lunch club, Memory Café and annual ‘Holiday at Home’ (this year running 31 July3 August - see church website for details) there’s always a reason to drop in.
Every other Thursday, St Mary’s offer a Holy Communion service at midday, before their twice-monthly Lunch Club. All welcome to join the service. If you would like to join the Lunch Club please contact the Parish Office to check availability.
Saturday Morning Coffee Shop
ST PAUL’S (CofE)
ASHLEY CHURCH (Free)
Pop along if you are near the Quadrant and enjoy freshly brewed tea and coffee. From 10.30am until 12.30pm every Saturday.
Tel: 01727 851544
Email: admin@marshalswick.org.uk www.marshalswick.org.uk
Home Instead St Albans – Memory Café. Set up to help people living with dementia, this popular group has successfully run for over 5 years. It creates the perfect opportunity for older people to socialise, have fun and meet new friends, whilst providing respite for family carers. Held every Wednesday from 10.30-12pm in St Mary’s Church Hall and run by local care providers Home Instead. Please contact Fiona Harrall on 01727 895941 for further information.
ST LUKE’S (CofE)
St Albans United Reformed Church
HOMEWOOD ROAD, AL1 4BH
St Albans URC is a church that meets on two sites – Homewood and Greenwood. Homewood Road offers a range of activities, including a walking group and sewing group –visit their website to see the complete list. You will also find up-to-date information about Greenwood’s activities which plan to restart in their hall in the coming months.
Wednesday Day Centre
A social and activity group for elderly people who meet on Wednesdays from 10am-2pm in the Back Hall. There is a limit on numbers but do get in touch if you would like to find out more.
Tel: 01727 899117 Email: secretary@homewoodurc.org | stalbansurc.org
ST PETER’S, LONDON COLNEY
RIVERSIDE, LONDON COLNEY, AL2 1QA Opposite the river in London Colney, St Peter’s has been serving the local community for nearly 200 years.
Weekday service
Wednesday Holy Communion: 10.30am. Followed by a chance to chat together with refreshments.
Tel: 01727 568552
Knit and Natter group
From 2pm to 4pm on the last Thursday of each month, in the Parish Centre, which is next to the church. Refreshments are provided. This friendly group meets to chat and to knit, but other crafts are welcome and knitting is not actually essential! A warm welcome awaits you.
Email: contact @stpeterslondoncolney.co.uk www.stpeterslondoncolney.co.uk
ST LEONARD’S, SANDRIDGE
CHURCH END, SANDRIDGE, AL4 9DL
St Leonard’s has sat at the heart of Sandridge village for over 900 years. Today the parish also covers about half of Jersey Farm too. The church holds seasonal fairs so do check their website for up-to-date information.
Summer Afternoon Teas
Every Sunday in August from 3-5pm. Enjoy the beautiful setting of St Leonard’s Church with an afternoon tea. Open to all, donations welcome.
www.sandridgechurch.org.uk
ST MARK’S COLNEY HEATH
CHURCH LANE, COLNEY HEATH, AL4 0NH
St Mark’s is as a loving, active charismatic evangelical church located in Colney Heath and offers a variety of drop-in groups.
Community Café
A friendly drop-in cafe which meets in the church on the first Thursday of the month from 10am until midday. All ages welcome.
Craft Evening
Join this friendly group, which meets from 8pm-10pm on the first Tuesday of the month in the church hall. Open to all.
The Gathering
This regular informal service for our older people combines worship with a tea, meeting in the church at 2pm on the third Tuesday of each month. No booking required. Transport is available for people who live locally, contact the Church Office to find out more.
Tel: 01727 825175
Email: office@stmarkscolneyheath.co.uk www.stmarkscolneyheath.co.uk
I hope this little booklet encourages you to visit some of the groups, events and services listed. Do remember to let the groups you attend know where you found out about them.
Would you like to be involved with Anna Chaplaincy?
There are a growing number of people in our communities and care homes who would value friendship and support. This past couple of years have been difficult for many –some people have lost confidence or mobility, or are living in care homes which have had restrictions on visitors and are now trying to re-establish church services and pastoral visiting.
As an Anna Chaplain, I spiritually support older people in St Albans and I’m looking to put together a group of people (Anna Friends) who would like to support people in later life. This could be volunteering to chat and make tea at various clubs, supporting care home worship or visiting people in need of friendship and support. Does this sound like something you would like to do?
If so, please do get in touch with me. Volunteering with vulnerable older people means you would require a DBS check (we can arrange that for you) and a safeguarding training session, but a willing and kind attitude is the most important thing. I very much look forward to hearing from you.
Contact Maggie Dodd, Anna Chaplain, by calling 07462 586773 or email: mrsmaggiedodd@gmail.com or visit Facebook for more information: www.facebook.com/AnnaChaplaincyStAlbans
Keeping yourself well, safe and happy
There’s lots of help and advice available locally for older people. Here are some top tips on where to access advice, assistance and information.
General Help and Advice – Herts Help is Herts County Council’s free adviceline for queries on care, getting a social work assessment, managing at home, disability adaptations, support in a crisis and much more. Call 0300 123 4044.
Age UK’s free advice and information phoneline can provide advice on your rights, entitlements, access to other benefits, information on community care and health services, payments for care and support at home or residential care, plus many more issues. If you need help with daily living tasks, you may be entitled to Attendance Allowance. Call 0300 345 3446.
If you are on a low income ask Citizens Advice St Albans on 01727 811118 for a free income check. You maybe entitled to Pension Credit which will increase your weekly income as well as ensuring you get help with other costs like Council Tax, rent, and optician and dental bills.
If you can’t easily afford an item like a kitchen appliance or recliner chair or to replace a worn carpet contact St Albans Old People’s Trust for an application form. The Trust’s wide range of free items and services includes care alarms, mobility items and free annual boiler servicing. Call them on 01727 260701.
If you are struggling with energy bills –contact Citizens Advice on 01727 811118 to get an appointment with their Energy Advice Team. It could be that your home needs to be made more energy efficient –contact Better Housing Better Health on 0800 107 0044 for advice and information about free energy-saving measures.
If you need a trusted handyperson or gardener contact Age UK Handyperson team on 07951 105370. The service costs £25 an hour.
If you want to help your community contact Communities 1st who can tell you about local volunteering opportunities including becoming a Trustee and a volunteer driver for one of the community car schemes. Call 01727 649950 to find out more.
If you want to ensure you are safe at home ask the Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service for a free Safe and Well Visit. They can check your smoke alarms and, if necessary, fit a new one for free and help you work out an escape plan. Call them on 0300 123 4046.
If you are worried about starting to feel down – contact your GP for an appointment. You may also like to contact the Counselling Foundation on 0300 303 6690 for low-cost talking therapies. Or Mind In Mid Herts who have a range of free and low-cost therapies, living well courses, support groups and activities designed to help. Call them on 03303 208100.
If you’re not getting out much – this brochure contains lots of ideas of events you can pop along to, where you’ll receive a warm welcome and the chance to make new friends. Why not try visiting a group near where you live?
If cooking is getting too much for you Herts Independent Living Service provides a Meals-On-Wheels service, as well as Active Ageing free in-home exercise classes, a nutrition service and many more services. Contact them on 0300 2000 103.
If you feel you’d like help to get started (or improve) with computers, tablets or smartphones, contact Computer Friendly on 01727 617359 for free advice and low-cost courses.
If you are starting to get unsteady on your feet – see your GP. You may also want to go to an exercise class designed to prevent falls e.g. Nicki’s Strength and Balance Classes at the Jubilee Centre and various locations around St Albans. Contact her on 07984 928855.
Are you missing out on money you are entitled to? Two of the main benefits are Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance, both of which have dedicated Government helplines.
Pension Credit
Pension Credit is extra money that you can claim to top up your pension income, by an average of £67 a week. 1500 people of pensionable age living in St Albans District are missing out on a total of £4 million each year. Although it is called ‘credit’ you do not need to repay it, but you do have to apply for it.
If you get Pension Credit you may also be entitled to:
• Government cost of living help worth £900 a year
• Council Tax reduction, potentially worth £1,000s a year
• Housing Benefit – rent paid in part or full rent paid, potentially worth £1,000s a year
• Free NHS dental treatment
• Vouchers towards the cost of glasses
• Warm Home Discount of £150 a year
• Carer Premium – extra money for carers
• Free TV licence – for people over 75
• If you are over 75 and are turned down for Pension Credit because your income is too high by up to £20 a week, St Albans Old People’s Trust will pay for your TV licence for a year.
To apply call the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234, visit their website, or ask a money advice service for help to apply.
To apply call the Government Attendance helpline on 0800 731 0122, visit their website, or ask a money advice service for help to apply.
Attendance Allowance
This is extra money you can claim if you’re over State Pension age and have a long-term disability or health condition, for example if you need help with personal support, or supervision to keep you safe. It is not means-tested, so you can claim it whatever your income or savings. You have to apply for it.
You may be eligible for £68.10 a week if you need help either in the day or at night, or £101.75 a week if you need help both during the day and the night.
