Following the Government’s announcement to lift remaining restrictions, we want people to remain cautious. COVID-19 has not gone away. More variants could occur and, even if you have had the virus, it only helps with short-term immunity. We are urging people who have not been vaccinated, or had their booster jabs, to do so as soon as possible – it remains the best way to protect themselves and others from getting seriously ill. Everyone can help keep cases down by managing their own risk of passing the virus on. To find out how, visit Hertfordshire County Council | Living safely with COVID-19
Healthy Hubs Hertfordshire – The Department for Health and Social Care’s Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) has launched the Better Health Start for Life Introducing Solid Foods campaign.
Weaning is when you introduce your baby to solid foods alongside breastmilk or infant formula, and it is a crucial milestone within the first 1,001 days. The NHS recommends that most parents should wait until their baby is around six months old before they start introducing solid foods. Despite this, lots of parents wonder when and how to start introducing solid food, so a dedicated weaning hub has been created on the Better Health website offering support and advice during what can be a confusing time. An additional focus for this year’s campaign is around the theme of confusion after new survey data revealed that three in five (59%) first-time parents found the decision to start weaning confusing. The majority (73%) also agreed there should be one official source for weaning advice.
No Smoking Day was 9 March – To mark the day and help smokers who want to quit, Hertfordshire County Council is offering FREE electronic cigarette starter kits to adults over 18 who have previously tried to quit unsuccessfully and are ready to sign up to the Stop Smoking Service for support to try again.
www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/smoking
Phone: 0800 389 3 998 or 01442 453 071
Text: SMOKEFREE to 80818 Email:
Further information on using e-cigarettes to stop smoking is available from www.nhs.uk/live-well/quit-smoking
Money Advice Unit update – Council Tax discount for Carers
Hertfordshire County Council Trading Standards is warning of fraudulent cold calls being made to residents about loft insulation. Fraudsters are cold-calling pensioners to say that old style loft insulation is causing issues with damp. They then go on to arrange an appointment to carry out a no-obligation survey. Unsurprisingly, they say that there is a problem and then sell new insulation and a dehumidifier for the loft at inflated prices.
None of their claims are true. What is true however, is that customer lists have fallen into the hands of scammers who are making these targeted sales calls. This and any other cold calls about loft insulation, solar panels, new boilers and cavity wall insulation is a scam.
If people need advice, they should contact Hertfordshire County Council Trading Standards via Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133.
They have a small stock of call blocking devices that they can lend to victims of landline telephone frauds. For energy saving advice please go to Energy saving trust or Citizens Advice energy supply. For information on grants please go to Simple Energy Advice or call 0800 444 202. To report a fraud to the Police, please contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or at Action Fraud.
Step 2 Skills Learning in the Community for ages 19+
In case you’ve missed it, the January to April magazine is live and available at locations across Hertfordshire. The online version is available to read here and features details of upcoming courses along with news and events from across our services Click Here
New Job, New You: This ACCREDITED course from Step2Skills, taught online across 8 weeks, can equip you with the employability skills needed to increase your chances of employment. It’s free for eligible Hertfordshire residents, details of which can be found on our online booking system at: Our courses can be found at https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/microsites/adult-learning/adult-learning.aspx
Cabinet Office Stakeholder Toolkit Click Here
This week’s key messages are:
- Continue to follow safer behaviours to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- Unvaccinated pregnant women risk severe harm from COVID-19 infection to themselves and unborn baby.
- First and second vaccinations and boosters provide the best protection from COVID-19 infection.
Our Communities Webinar was held last week, and you can replay the recording, see the slide presentations and read the full Q&A via this webpage
Resources – Lots more are available on the CDA Herts website https://www.cdaherts.org.uk/cic-health-wellbeing-resources/
NHS England heart Attack Campaign Campaign Resource Centre.
The campaign will run from 14 February to 31 March.
The latest information on local vaccine availability can be found on: COVID-19 vaccination information | A Healthier Future
The national booking service can be found at: Book or manage a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Changes to test requirements for travel to England Click Here to Check what you need to do to travel to England from another country – update 11 February. Click Here for Travel test providers
Stop Covid Hanging Around Campaign videos – Click the links
Winter Health Guide – Click Here
Warm Home Discount Scheme up to £140 one-off discount on an energy bill Click Here
A new Vaccine facts website for younger people – Get More From Your Jabs – is available Click Here
If you have symptoms, please stay at home and book a PCR test online Click Here
For Rapid Testing for people with no symptoms Click Here
To collect or book Home testing kits Click Here
For Walk In Vaccination Clinic times and locations Click Here
Details of Hertfordshire infection rates can be seen on the HCC website Click Here
For Hertfordshire NHS COVID vaccination webpage Click Here
For the Play Your Part Campaign resources for Social Media Click Here
CDA Herts for all your Covid and community Information Resources Click Here including:
False information and Needle Phobia; Information about the vaccination programme in different languages and formats; CIC created videos in different languages about vaccinations and pregnancy; Walk-In Vaccination Clinic dates and locations and the Cabinet Office Stakeholder resources updated weekly.
HertsHelp: www.hertshelp.net email or call 0300 123 4044
Continue to develop PSRA’s ability to communicate effectively with all residents
Communication is the 3rd PSRA Key Area of Focus