St Albans Community Showcase Participants

Alban News

St Albans Community Showcase Participants Saturday 12 October 2024, 11am - 3pm 1

About the Showcase

Discover over 50 charities and community organisations at this year’s showcase event.

Learn about their impactful work, from social justice initiatives to enviornmental conservation.

Representatives will be present to share their missions and stories, providing insights into the critical issues they address and the positive change they foster.

‘‘ I met three people who I have connections with but have never really had the opportunity to meet and learnt about organisations that I did not know existed, so it was all very valuable.

Congratulations!”

From Helen Bishop following the 2023 Community Showcase.

Learn more about the causes you are passionate about, explore volunteer opportunities and get inspired. Join us for a special day of community spirit like no other!

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Participants 2024

Abbey Line Community Rail Partnership The Abbey Line Community Rail Partnership brings together a number of partner organisations to increase the use of the line, enhance station environments and to give the local community involvement opportunities.

A key aim is to reduce car use to improve the environment.

ASCEND (Watford 3 Rivers Trust) ASCEND has been tackling unemployment/social deprivation and supporting people with learning disabilities in the local community for 27 years by helping residents of a deprived area to better their life chances, welcoming all and signposting them to other services if necessary

www.abbeylinecommunityrail.org.uk

www.ascend.org.uk

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AT Society The AT Society supports people living with the disabling and life-limiting condition ataxia-telangiectasia and funds research to find a cure. www.atsociety.org.uk

Carers in Hertfordshire Carers in Hertfordshire is a charity that provides information, advice & support to unpaid family & friend carers of all ages in Hertfordshire.

Free services include groups, mentoring, workshops and opportunities to share experiences & shape health, social care & other services. www.carersinherts.org.uk

Beyond Detention Beyond Detention (formerly Yarl’s Wood Befrienders) provides emotional and practical support to people detained in Yarl’s Wood IRC and post-detention, in the community. www.beyonddetention.org

Centre 33 Center 33 is run and staffed by volunteers helping people in St Albans who are homeless or otherwise socially disadvantaged by providing hot food, washing facilities and somewhere warm and dry to sit during the day. www.centre33.org

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Chess in Schools and Societies Chess in Schools and Communities aims to improve educational outcomes and social development through facilitating the learning of chess in disadvantaged communities, working in a variety of settings: primary schools, hospitals, youth centres, homes for older people and prisons.

Communities 1st Communities 1st develops, connects and supports local voluntary and community organisations, helping to improve the quality of people’s lives and enhancing community resilience.

It provides support and guidance to potential volunteers and those recruiting volunteers. www.communities1st.org.uk

www.chessinschools.co.uk

Citizens Advice St Albans and District Our service is free, confidential and open to everyone. We are trained to advise on virtually any issue, arming you with all the facts and possible outcomes, so that you can make the decision that’s right for you. We also offer practical support such as help with form filling, writing letters or negotiating with third parties. www.stalbans-cab.org

Earthworks - St Albans Earthworks supports people with learning disabilities, alongside volunteers, to manage 3.5 acres of beautiful eco-gardens in St Albans, through the practice of social and therapeutic horticulture.

Earthworks sells its produce at the monthly St Albans’ Farmers Market. www.earthworksstalbans.co.uk

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Emmaus Emmaus Hertfordshire supports up to 39 people by providing a home for as long as needed, along with training, support and work in one of their social enterprises, providing them a sense of belonging in the community. www.emmaus.org.uk/hertfordshire

FoodSmiles St Albans FoodSmiles is a Community Benefit Society in St Albans District which aims to encourage people to grow and eat more sustainable local food through building a community of food-growers and making local food and food-growing more accessible. www.foodsmilesstalbans.org.uk

Family Lives Family Lives provides telephone and face to face emotional support, information, advice and guidance on any aspect of parenting and family life, including child/ teen behaviour, anger, bullying, relationship issues and emotional health. www.familylives.org.uk

Friends of St Albans Cathedral The Friends are an independent charity providing financial and practical support to St Albans Cathedral. Since 1999 our members have donated over £1,000,000 to support initiatives and projects that enrich and enhance the work of the Cathedral. www.stalbanscathedral.org/friends

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Goodwill Children Homes South India Goodwill Children Homes South India supports the care and education of destitute and orphaned children in southern India. It is currently responsible for 700 children in residential homes, trade training activities and outreach with tribal communities. www.goodwillhomes.org.uk

Green Christian St Albans We are passionate about climate and environmental issues. St Albans Green Christian Local Group aims to support the churches’ response to the climate and ecological crisis through networking and the provision of resources. We share news, support local initiatives and engage our churches and the wider community. www.saint-lukes.co.uk/greenchristian

Hands at Work Hands at Work is a Christian charity offering support for the orphaned and vulnerable in sixty communities across eight African countries. They foster sustainable development, education and the alleviation of poverty. Cathedral members are partnered with a community in Eswatini. www.handsatwork.org

HAWA Multicultural Services CIC (HAWA) HAWA Multicultural Services CIC (HAWA) is an active organisation with a long history of serving the diverse St Albans communities.

Initially the Hertfordshire Asian Women’s Association, over time the organisation has evolved, and its services have expanded to encompass both men and women. www.hawaherts.co.uk

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Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse Helpline Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse Helpline is a confidential, free, support and signposting service for anyone affected by domestic abuse.

It offers a safe space for victimsurvivors, families, professionals and perpetrators to discuss their situation. www.hertsdomesticabusehelpline.org

Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust / Wilder St Albans Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust is a local conservation charity working to protect wildlife and help people to connect with nature. With a team of volunteers, it cares for wild places so that nature can thrive and aims to protect the wildlife on our doorsteps. www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk

Herts for Refugees We are a humanitarian organisation with no political affiliations. From our earliest days, our purpose has been to ensure refugees, who have had no choice but to flee their home countries, have access to the basic necessities we so often take for granted - shelter from the elements, warmth, clean clothing. www.hertsforrefugees.org

Herts Young Homeless Group Herts Young Homeless focus is prevention of homelessness by education, family mediation, support for ages 16-24 in their 1st homes and caring for adults with mental health and housing needs. We empower young people to overcome difficulties, building confidence to find stability. www.hyh.org.uk

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Isabel Hospice For over 40 years, Isabel Hospice has provided free palliative and end-of-life care for those with cancer and life-limiting illnesses in eastern Hertfordshire. We believe everyone deserves skilled, compassionate care at life’s end, supporting both patients and their loved ones.

Mediation Hertfordshire Mediation Hertfordshire’s is a not for profit organisation offering an independent and impartial lifeline to those experiencing conflict in the community, within a family, in a school or in a workplace environment. www.mediationherts.org.uk

www.isabelhospice.org.uk

Mary’s Meals Mary’s Meals provides nutritious school meals to children in the world’s poorest communities, encouraging them to attend school, learn, and hope for a better future.

Already feeding 2,429,182 children daily, it costs just £19.15 to feed a child for a whole school year. www.marysmeals.org

New Hope New Hope is a local charity supporting street homeless individuals through outreach and drop-in services. We offer COVIDsecure rehab and recovery housing for up to 46 people and provide prevention services, including tenancy support and affordable housing for those recovering from homelessness. www.newhope.org.uk

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OLLIE Foundation The OLLIE Foundation works to reduce suicide within communities by empowering individuals and organisations to provide the right support and knowledge to individuals. This is undertaken by fostering a community that cares through education, intervention and prevention. www.theolliefoundation.org

Rennie Grove Peace Rennie Grove Peace provides patient-centred palliative care and bereavement support to patients, carers, and families facing lifelimiting illness in Bucks & Herts.

The care starts at diagnosis and includes clinical, emotional & practical support throughout treatment and beyond. www.renniegrove.org

Open Door St Albans Open Door, established in 1992 in St Albans, offers an emergency night shelter and day centre for homeless and vulnerable people. They provide support to prevent rough sleeping, including counselling and early intervention. The annual Winter Beds project adds extra beds from December to March. www.opendoorstalbans.org

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Rotary in St Albans The Rotary Club of St Albans gives members the opportunity to help people in need, from local charities to orphans in Africa. It works at grassroots level to promote peace and understanding through humanitarian and educational programs, addressing the underlying causes of conflict. www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs/ homepage

Sopwell Residents Association/ Cottonmill and Sopwell Hub/ Cottonmill Community and Cycling Centre (+ Sopwell Eco-Stars) Cottonmill and Sopwell Hub started as a resident-led campaign, working to provide a community centre in Sopwell which was opened in 2022 alongside a cycle hub. CASH continues to operate as a subgroup of the Sopwell Residents Association.

St Albans & District Foodbank St Albans & District Foodbank believes no one should have to face going hungry. They provide 3 days’ emergency food and support to local people referred to them. It is part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger. www.stalbansdistrict.foodbank.org.uk

www.sopwell.org.uk

South West Herts Samaritans South West Herts Samaritans provides local support and guidance to distressed and suicidal people. It also provides counselling in schools, prisons and at St Albans railway station. In 2021/22 it received over 20,000 telephone calls, 2400 emails and participated in 434 webchats.

St Albans & District Talking Newspaper In 1974, a St Albans couple decided to help their visually impaired neighbours keep involved in local life by recording the news stories from the local paper and taking them a cassette copy. Fifty years later, we are still doing the same and more (news, features, interviews etc) using digital media.

www.samaritans.org/branches/ samaritans-south-west-herts

www.sadtn.org.uk

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St Albans Action for Homeless St Albans Action for Homeless is about a community coming together to help our homeless friends in the best way possible.

St Albans Cathedral The Cathedral has been a focus for Christian life and worship for a thousand years. It has several groups actively working on Social Justice and environmental matters, as a part of its Christian mission. www.stalbanscathedral.org

www.actionforhomeless.co.uk St Albans Child Contact Centre For 15 years, the St Albans Child Contact centre has offered a safe and neutral environment where children of separated families can spend time with non-resident parent and/or other relatives. www.stalbanschildcontactcentre.org.uk

St Albans Anna Chaplaincy An Anna Chaplain offers spiritual support to older people living in care homes and sheltered housing, also their relatives and staff who care for them. They promote the spiritual welfare of older people in the wider community, particularly those facing challenges living independently.

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St Albans Community Bank A not for profit, volunteer led, fully regulated organisation, part of the credit union movement. “We contribute to supporting the financial wellbeing of members in our local Community by enabling more people to access loans at fair rates and to save for the future.” www.stalbanscommunitybank.co.uk

St Albans Community First Responder Group - East of England Ambulance Service The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) Community First Responder (CFR) group serves St Albans and District.

The group is a voluntary organisation whose responder members are trained by the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust to attend emergency calls in St Albans and the wider district. www.eastamb.nhs.uk

St Albans Diocese Environmental Officer Advises Diocese and parishes on environmental matters. www.stalbans.anglican.org/faith/ environment

St Albans District Greener Together St Albans Greener Together is a network of inspired individuals and organisations working to create a more sustainable and healthy District. Be part of a motivated community, where you can exchange ideas on climate solutions and get recognised for your sustainable actions. www.stalbansgreenertogether.org

St Albans District Scouts Scouts are do-ers and give-it-a-goers. Yes, we go camping, hiking, swimming, abseiling, cycling and canoeing. But we also get to hang out with our friends every week – having fun, playing games, working in a team and taking on new challenges. www.stalbansscouts.org

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St Albans Girlguiding Through fun, friendship, challenge and adventure we empower girls to find their voice, inspiring them to discover the best in themselves and to make a positive difference in their community. www.girlguidinghertfordshire.org.uk

St Albans Good Neighbour Scheme The aim of St Albans Good Neighbour Scheme is to be a dependable good neighbour to any St Albans resident who needs help, particularly older people, who may be unwell, isolated, have special needs or may be dealing with a difficult situation and would benefit from our assistance. www.stalbansgoodneighbourscheme. org.uk

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St Albans Greenpeace Together we defend the natural world and work for a green and peaceful future.

St Albans Lions St Albans Lions Club is very active raising funds in St Albans and surrounding areas and is part of Lions Clubs International - the world’s largest service club organisation with 45,000 Clubs and more than 1.3 million members. Every single penny raised goes to good causes. www.stalbanslionsclub.com

St Albans Old People’s Trust The St Albans Old People’s Trust provides free goods and services for residents aged 60 and over, across St Albans District, who are on a low income. They can provide, kitchen appliances, mobility, household and personal items. www.oldpeoplestrust.org.uk St Albans XR Extinction Rebellion is a worldwide organisation of concerned citizens uniting to force governments to recognise and act on climate change and destruction of the biosphere. The St Albans branch (XR_StAlbans) has formed to promote the cause and coordinate local action. www.xr-stalbans.org.uk

Sustainable St Albans Sustainable St Albans is a charity set up to make St Albans more environmentally sustainable. They organise events including, The Sustainability Festival, a two-week festival of events and talks and also provide advice and support to the Great Big Green Week, a national event. www.sustainablestalbans.org

The ADD-vance ADHD and Autism Trust The ADD-vance ADHD and Autism Trust Herts based charity supports families affected by ADHD and/ or Autism and the professionals involved in their care. They provide support, increase understanding and change perceptions through their Helpline, Training, Coaching and social media. www.add-vance.org

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The Green House The Green House is a community led project to create an eco hub in the St Albans District. www.thegreenhousestalbans.org The Counselling Foundation The Counselling Foundation is committed to making counselling training and counselling services accessible. They offer affordable counselling to those who are struggling with anxiety, depression, bereavement & relationship difficulties and preparing people to become counsellors. www.counsellingfoundation.org

The Living Room The Living Room aims to provide therapeutic and support in St Albans for families affected by the illness of addiction.They provide free, facilitated group therapy and provide support to the 12-step programme. www.livingroomherts.org

The Daylight club The Daylight Club is a social club for adults with physical and other disabilities who live in the St Albans District. The members attend weekly to socialise, learn new skills, make friendships and most importantly have fun, whilst parents/carers get a much needed break.

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Townsend School Townsend School is the only Church of England secondary school in the area, offering a long tradition of a highquality education which develops the personality and talents of every child.

The School is open to all, children of other faiths and those of no faith are also welcome. www.townsend.herts.sch.uk

Up on Downs Up on Downs is a parent run organisation which supports families of children with Down’s Syndrome in Hertfordshire. We share information, provide advice and create opportunities for families to socialise and learn together at our Family Support meetings, parties, children’s activities and outings. www.upondowns.com

Ver Valley Society The Ver Valley Society protects and promotes the River Ver and its valley.

The Society was originally founded in 1976 to promote the Ver/Colne Walk, but shortly thereafter the river, and its water meadows, began to decline due to over abstraction of ground water and climate change.

Verso Care (was The Vineyard Care Centre – REFUEL) Verso Care was set up in 2016 by the Vineyard Church to provide meals during the school holidays to those who require free school meals. It has since expanded to provide emergency food, health advice, family support and free new school uniform & clothes to struggling families. www.verso.church/verso-care

Youth Talk Youth Talk is a St Albans based charity which provides free, confidential psychodynamic group and individual counselling services to young people aged 13 to 25.

Their vulnerable clients typically suffer from anxiety, stress and depression. www.youthtalk.org.uk

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Alzheimer’s Society At Alzheimer’s Society we’re working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives. We do this by giving help to those living with dementia today, and providing hope for the future. www.alzheimers.org.uk

GoVol GoVolHerts is a one-stop-hub for volunteering in Hertfordshire, helping volunteers to find volunteering opportunities and charitable organisations to promote their volunteering opportunities and events. www.govolherts.org.uk

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HCC: Children’s services HCC: Herts Valleys Older People & Sensory Services Team | Adult Care Services www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/ services/adult-social-services/ adult-social-services.aspx St Albans & District Friends of the Earth Here at St.Albans and District Friends of the Earth we’re keen to do what we can to improve our environment here and in the rest of the world. www.stalbansfoe.org St Albans for Refugees.

Here at St.Albans and District Friends of the Earth we’re keen to do what we can to improve our environment here and in the rest of the world. www.stalbansforrefugees.org

Following Christ in Alban’s Footsteps

St Albans Community Showcase Saturday 12 October, 11am - 3pm www.stalbanscathedral.org/community-showcase St Albans Cathedral Sumpter Yard, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 1BY Cathedral Office: 01727 890210 Email: mail@stalbanscathedral.org www.stalbanscathedral.org

There is no charge to enter the Cathedral or the Community Showcase. Donations are welcome.

It costs £6000 a day to keep this historic Cathedral open.

For the latest information visit our website and sign up for our What’s On newsletter.

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