Make the most of life once you’re no longer in full time work by exploring new ideas, skills and interests with us here at Hitchin u3a. It’s local, sociable and friendly.
All across the UK, u3a members are learning, staying active and having fun in later life.
Our aim is to ensure we embrace the u3a ethos of Learn Laugh and Live, and that all our members have access to the informal learning and many activities available.
Hitchin u3a has around 300 members, yet we still have room to grow! We have a wide catchment area that extends beyond the town itself.
Speaker Meetings are held at Christchurch, Bedford Road, every two weeks. These are simultaneously broadcast on Zoom for those unable to attend in person.
We also meet fortnightly for coffee on the alternate Mondays, between 10.30 and 12.00.
The venue is the garden at the rear of ‘The Angel Vaults’, the Wetherspoon’s pub, in Sun Street. It is a large garden and there is cover if the weather is inclement. It’s a good place to meet up. Since it is a pub, you can come and go whenever you like. However, on Coffee Morning Mondays, between 10:30 and 12:00, you will be drawn to the lively conversation of the obvious group of u3a members.
Prospective members are always welcome – it’s a good chance to come and find out about us – just pop in for a quick coffee if you feel like it.
Another opportunity to chat, while keeping fit at the same time, would be to join one of our three walking groups.
Why not explore our website? You will find details of our groups, events and news items. You can also read our most recent newsletter on the Newsletter page. It will give you more of an idea of what we do.
You are very welcome to attend one or two of the regular Speaker Meetings at Christchurch as a visitor. (There is a suggested £2 donation per meeting for visitors)
This will give you the opportunity to find out more about us before deciding whether to become a full member. Welcome Leaflet
If you would like to join Hitchin u3a, you can find full detail son the membership page
Op Sceptre is a week of intensified work around knife crime and is a national initiative supported and co-ordinated by the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC). Sceptre complements existing work carried out by Hertfordshire Constabulary around knife crime throughout the year and is an opportunity to focus in on efforts to tackle knife crime at several levels – from engaging with young people in schools to proactive patrols, amnesty bins and knife sweeps.
We have created a short survey for you to tell us how you feel about knife crime, how it affects you and what Herts Police can do to make you feel safer in your local area.
Please click on the link below to tell us how you feel
The County with the NHS and other colleagues are looking to create information and support for expectant fathers. This site includes practical advice , but also mental health, drugs , alcohol, and support around shaken baby. As a dad you will be aware fathers are not always fully included in the pre-birth process.
There is an App and link to an information database. If fathers are included the risks to baby are reduced and fathers are more attached to their children from the beginning of the child’s life.
There is a poster which is targeted at fathers to be and contains the app and link to the site.
I would very much like to get this information to as many fathers as possible and was wondering if you could support the poster being forwarded to each club in Herts with your backing. It would of course be up to individual clubs if they displayed it. I imagine in changing rooms rather than main areas.
Garden House Hospice Compassionate Neighbours are local volunteers who provide support to members of our community who may be experiencing loneliness or social isolation by:
Visiting regularly for a cup of tea and a chat
Offering friendship and a listening ear
Helping them to do the things they like doing
Helping them stay connected to the community as well as family and friends
If you would like more information about becoming a volunteer or details how to refer someone, please click on the link below.
In case it’s helpful, please find below information on the various networks if anyone would like to be added to the mailing lists, please email community@north-herts.gov.uk.
The meetings are online, usually every 6 weeks to 2 months, and are an opportunity to connect with other groups that do similar work and share any challenges/issues.
Green and Growing Network – Active community organisations/groups that use green spaces to support communities in North Herts to live healthier and more sustainable lifestyles whilst also looking after the environment.
Food Provision Network
Aimed at those who are involved with food provision, from food groups to churches, schools and community centres, in North Herts.
North Herts Arts & Culture Network
For anyone involved in arts and culture in North Herts.
North Herts Youth Action Network
Aimed at anyone who supports children and young people in North Herts.
Westmill Network
For those involved with/ interested in supporting the community in and around Westmill, Hitchin.
Jackmans Network
For those involved with/interested in supporting the community in and around the Jackmans Estate, Letchworth.
Grange Network
For those involved with/interested in supporting the community in and around the Grange Estate, Letchworth.
InTouch are a team of 5 working within Age UK Hertfordshire.
You can call us on 01992 634964/630623 or email us on intouch@ageukherts.org.uk and we will support you emotionally and practically through whatever challenging event you may be going through.
We work closely with you by listening to your concerns, confidentially and without judgement, helping you to explore your options and supporting you to make the choices that are right for you.
We will talk with you about difficult issues, whether you are struggling with a bereavement, physical & mental health issues, cancer, end of life, a partner with dementia or any other problem, we are here.
In times of struggle we know that having someone to talk to can be a great relief. It is often the case that talking to someone other than family & friends can work really well and we can help you find your way if you are feeling lost.
Janie Collins, Lesley Phoenix, Susan Warren, Michael Collins & Trudie Harrington
Most modern UK households now have many items that contain Lithium-Ion batteries such as mobile phones, e-bikes/scooters, vacuum cleaners and even children’s toys and any of these items can be a potential risk if not treated correctly.
Research has identified a lack of knowledge in the public surrounding these issues so Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service have created a video awareness campaign called ‘Simple Changes Save Lives’.
Smoke detectors are proven to protect life, however lithium-Ion battery fires can start and develop so quickly. Lithium-Ion is one of the most common forms of battery because it can store the most energy in the smallest space.
This video gives some simple advice that means even if a fire does start from a battery, the occupants of the home should be able to escape and this video is worth watching:
Because of their potential to catch fire, Lithium-Ion batteries must be looked after:
Only buy batteries from a reputable manufacturer.
Unplug devices when they are fully charged to avoid overheating.
Store batteries in a cool dry place.
Do not charge items such as mobile phones or tablets under pillows or on beds.
Avoid charging devices overnight when anyone is asleep.
Do not charge anything in a corridor or room that provides your only way out of your home.
Ensure there is a working smoke alarm in every room where charging takes place and charge in a location where you can close a door to prevent smoke spread.
In the event of a fire, leave immediately and do not attempt to extinguish the fire yourself.
_*Neighbourhood Watch launches PROTECT YOUR Pa$$W0rD campaign with 3 quick and easy steps*_
As we spend more time at home and on our online devices, over one third (34%) of people say that they’re more concerned about cybercrime than physical crime and a startling 1 in 5 people are a victim of cybercrime!* You could be more at risk than you might think.
If strengthening your passwords is something you keep putting off, or you feel overwhelmed by the sea of online security information, you’re not alone.
As part of our Cyberhood Watch initiative, launched in 2019 in partnership with Avast, we have launched a*PROTECT YOUR Pa$$W0Rd* campaign that targets both the overwhelmed and complacent, providing everyone with 3 easy steps to be more secure online.
*PROTECT YOUR Pa$$W0Rd in 3 easy steps*
1. Create a separate password for your email account 2. Use 3 random words 3. Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA)
But we won’t stop there! Whilst taking those *3 easy steps *will go a long way to protecting yourself online, we want to protect not just you but *your whole community*! To do this, we are asking you to spread the word and help protect your family, friends, colleagues and neighbours by *sharing these 3 easy steps with 3 others*.
_*More about the campaign*_ Our campaign will run on social media for 4 weeks from 9th November 2020. We are targeting both Neighbourhood Watch members and non-members alike with two different attitudes to online security.
For those that are unsure and overwhelmed by an abundance of advice, we want to cut though the noise and*simplify the confusion*, so they feel empowered to take action.
And for those that think ‘it won’t happen to me’ we want to shock them into action, so that they realise how prevalent the problem is, *even amongst young people.*
We have created social media animated and still graphics targeted to both those audiences, supported by further information detailing how and why to take each step on our dedicated *Password Protection <https://www.ourwatch.org.uk/passwords>* page.
A message from the Police We are asking people not to give food or money to beggars on the street or leave food out for them in any public place.
Begging is a criminal offence and giving to beggars on the street often continues the cycle of homelessness for those caught up in it.
Please be assured that we work closely with many different agencies to offer help and accommodation to every person we find sleeping rough.
If you want to help, please donate instead to an alternative giving scheme, where funds are channelled directly towards projects to help the homeless and those sleeping rough. As you know we support Feed up Warm up in our parish and your donations can help them also.
To find out how you can help or if you need help yourself please call Haven First on 01462 435835.
If you want to help connect an individual rough sleeper with local help please call Streetlink on 0300 500 0914.
Message 13/7/2020
Online Gaming Safety Advice for Parents and Carers
Online gaming can offer many positive experiences. It can give children and young people the chance to escape into a virtual world, to learn, and to connect with others.
However, there is a risk of children and young people viewing inappropriate content in games and being contacted by adults seeking to exploit them.
This week the activity pack for parents and carers to deliver to their children explores how they can stay safe while gaming:
Thinkuknow is an education programme from the National Crime Agency’s CEOP Command.
Since 2006, Thinkuknow has been keeping children and young people safe by providing education about sexual abuse and sexual exploitation.
Thinkuknow is unique. It is underpinned by the latest intelligence about child sex offending from CEOP Command.
Thinkuknow aims to ensure that everyone has access to this practical information – children, young people, their parents and carers and the professionals who work with them.
Message 24/4/2020
The National Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) team have told us that their third #OnlineSafetyAtHome pack is now available with new activities for parents and carers to use at home.
To support parents during COVID-19 and the closure of schools, CEOP we will be releasing new home activity packs each fortnight with simple, age appropriate, 15 minute activities you can do with your child to support their online safety at a time when they will spending more time online at home.
Professionals and parents and carers have reported that children are using video-chatting apps and sites to access learning and keep in touch with friends and family.
Two new Parent Information articles look at some of the things parents and carers should think about to ensure their child’s experience of video chat is safe and fun:
In essence, journeys to your local household waste recycling centre are not currently classed as an essential journey and therefore no residents should be trying to access the HWRCs.
Fly Tipping
Attached is the Hertfordshire County Council “Lets S.C.R.A.P. fly tipping” leaflet. It contains useful information and advice on how to reduce fly tipping.
Fly Tips should be reported to your local district council.
The link www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/flytipping provides various ways you can report fly tipping in your local district, including online reporting, email and telephone numbers.
Skips
Skips are still in operation and this is a secure way of depositing waste. An invoice from the skip company fulfils the obligation for a householder’s duty of care. Please check with the skip company as some are happy to drop the skip but it could take two to three weeks to collect.
The following link will help you identify approved carriers:
With regards to burning waste, this is a NO, as what it is being burnt could be harmful to the atmosphere. However, a bit of common sense means that if you burn garden waste and wood then this is a normal bonfire. On days where the weather is good, please consider your neighbours who may hang out washing or have open windows.
Here is the official Government Bonfire Guidelines. Breaches should be reported to your local Council.
https://www.gov.uk/garden-bonfires-rules
Download Associated Documents Documents accompanying this message are linked below. Click to download and open a file which use the popular PDF format. If you experience problems downloading or viewing a file please visit this help page.
Help us understand the impact of cybercrime and be in with a chance to win £50 worth of M&S vouchers
Neighbourhood Watch has today launched a landmark new survey to understand the impact of cybercrime on communities across England and Wales.
Traditionally Neighbourhood Watch has been focused on keeping people safe in the places they live but with the advent of new technology, it’s clear people can be at their most vulnerable when they occupy online spaces.
Action Fraud, the national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre run by the City of London Police, revealed that last year cybercrime victims lost £28m to online criminals. It reports more than 12,000 cases of cybercrime every six months.
With the threat from online criminals only ever increasing, it is essential we understand the impact this type of crime has on members as well as their understanding and perception of cybercrime.
The survey, designed in conjunction with cybersecurity company Avast, takes just 10 minutes to complete and one lucky responder will be in with a chance to win £50 worth of Marks and Spencer vouchers.
The survey can be completed via the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/nw_cybercrime
It would be great if you could share the survey with other Neighbourhood Watch members particularly those who have been victims of cybercrime.
Kindest regards, Central Support Team, Neighbourhood Watch Network
Message 3/7/2019
Latest Scam Calls Happening in Hertfordshire
You owe tax: A person calls you from a ‘spoofed’ number – the number displayed is a legitimate HMRC phone number. The call often starts with a recorded message saying that a warrant has been issued for your arrest if you do not pay outstanding tax. An option to speak to someone is given. They will ask you to visit a local shop or Post Office to buy vouchers for iTunes or Google Play or similar. The person then asks for the code on the voucher and tells you that you have now paid the tax and the warrant will be cancelled. This is a scam. HMRC would never call you if you owe tax and would never ask you to buy gift vouchers from a shop.
BT telephone line problems: Many people have received calls from people claiming to be “BT” saying that there is a fault on their telephone line or a problem with their internet.This is the start of a scam.BT would not phone you about your line, they would wait for you to report any issues to them. Please do not give ANY personal details to these callers and simply terminate the call. If they call back, just end the call again.
Police fraud investigation: You are called by someone claiming to be a police officer who is investigating a fraud involving your account.They either ask you to move your money from your bank account or they ask you to assist an investigation by purchasing an expensive item.This is a scam.A police officer would never tell you to move or spend your money.If you think there is a problem with your bank account,it is best to visit your bank or call them on their published number.
These scam calls can be reported directly to Action Fraud – www.actionfraud.police.uk or 03001232040 – please note any phone numbers the scammers ask you to call, as this may assist an investigation.
If you do become a victim and a caller arranges to attend your address to collect vouchers or cash, please call police on 101,or 999 if the crime is in progress.
If you need to reply regarding this message, click on this email address: wlo@herts.pnn.police.uk
Stevenage &NorthHertsTalkingNews offer a weekly free service of local news (from the Stevenage Comet and the Royston Crow) as well as a selection of popular magazines from the RNIB, which we record onto a USB memory stick. If you know of someone that would be interested, please contact Ian on 07981 442341 and he will arrange a suitable time when 2 of our volunteers could visit to deliver a free media player and talk the listener through the use of it.
For details click on
