Here for Herefordshire Holidays is now open for bookings
During the Christmas holidays, children and young people (school aged 5 to 16) in Herefordshire who receive benefits-related free school meals can once again get involved and enjoy our free countywide programme.
Eligible children can book up to 16 hours of free activities to take part in between 23 December and 5 January. There’ll be a free healthy meal at each activity session too.
The Here for Herefordshire (HAF) programme aims to get young people involved with new, fun activities. From sport to crafts, dance, drama, martial arts and cooking.
Eligible families can now book their places through the holiday activities page on the Talk Community website. For more information on the programme contact HAF@herefordshire.gov.uk
The HAF team are running drop-in information sessions throughout December for parents / carers, to support with anything related to this winter’s Here for Herefordshire Holidays activities. Pop by and the team will be able to help answer any questions. Check out our What’s on calendar to find out where the HAF team will be.
The Here for Herefordshire Holidays programme is funded by the Department for Education. The scheme has provided free activities and meals to thousands of Herefordshire children and young people since it began.
It’s Fuel Poverty Awareness Day
In the UK, over three million households are estimated to be living in fuel poverty. This is the term used to refer to a situation where a household is unable to afford to heat their home to the temperature needed to stay warm and healthy.
In Herefordshire 16.7% of households are in fuel poverty according to the Government. This is against a national average of 13.2%.
While the exact definition and measurement of fuel poverty varies across the UK, the main contributors are low incomes, rising energy prices, and inadequate heating, poor insulation and ventilation.
It’s a situation that gets worse in the winter months, when the temperature drops, and householders find themselves struggling to meet basic living expenses like energy bills.
Read the Herefordshire Council news article about Fuel Poverty Awareness Day 2023.
 With this in mind, we’d like to highlight the Keep Herefordshire Warm service and the Living Well Roadshows coming up, and how they can support people who are finding things tough.
Supporting residents to stay warm this winter
One of the keys to wellbeing is a comfortable, warm environment. However cost of heating can make that difficult.
Keep Herefordshire Warm is offering energy bill support to people in Herefordshire who are feeling the pinch. The initiative provides support for people and families who are struggling to afford their energy bills.
The help is completely free and may include contributions towards energy debt, support on applying for available funding for home improvements, advice on how to manage energy bills, and a free energy pack in the post with gadgets to be used around the home.
YES Energy Solutions is delivering the Keep Herefordshire Warm initiative on behalf of Herefordshire County Council. They are a community interest company, putting people and communities first. The team are available to support people to reduce their energy usage, keep their homes warmer and their bills more affordable by giving advice on easy changes and help to access free funding for home upgrades. They are about creating warmer, more efficient and affordable homes for people and families in need.
If you’re supporting someone who is struggling with their bills, or have a friend or neighbour who you think may be struggling with the temperature of their home, or you know someone who would simply like some help getting to grips with their energy use ready for the winter, encourage them to call Keep Herefordshire Warm.
Call 0800 677 1432 (Monday - Friday 9am to 5pm), text ADVICE to 82228 or email khw.advicecentre@yesenergysolutions.co.uk
To find out more visit Keep Herefordshire Warm website.
Living Well Roadshows (energy checks and cost saving)
Age UK Hereford and Localities are running their Living well roadshows throughout December, in partnership with ourselves at Talk Community and Dementia Matters Herefordshire. The roadshows are a chance for people to pop along for a coffee, chat and access a wide range of information from their expert team.
Information can be provided on:
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Free home energy checks and installation of cost saving measures
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Free information on how to improve your financial, physical and mental wellbeing
- Range of volunteering opportunities at Age UK H&L
The when and the where:
- Wednesday 13 December, 2 to 4pm – Moreton-on-Lugg village hall
- Wednesday 20 December, 11.30am to 2.30pm - The Hub in Peterchurch
For more information, contact Age UK Hereford & Localities on 0333 0066 299 or email: contact@ageukhl.org or visit the Age UK Hereford and Localities website
12 days of giving (a sprinkle of festive kindness)
There's £120,000 going to 120 charities over 12 days this December, from the Movement for Good programme (now that’s good news).
You can nominate a charity of your choice in the 12 Days of Giving draw, for them to be in with the chance to win £1,000 (it’s so quick to do) - nominations are now open.
The sooner you nominate, the better, as the charity will be automatically entered in to all remaining draws. The last draw takes place on Monday 18 December (with the last day to be included in the draw being Sunday 17 December).
Visit the Movement for Good website for information and to nominate a charity.
Support our food banks support others this Christmas time
We’re so grateful to our wonderful food banks across the county, who support those in financial need or hardship, and continue to do so in response to the rising cost of living.
As we head towards the festive period, we’re putting a call out that if and when people feel they can give a little extra, to think of our food banks, and the people they support.
It could be as simple as adding a couple of extra essentials (or a Christmas pud!) to your weekly shop, to donate, or how about setting up a donation point at your organisation? Good strong, clean carrier bags are always in demand too.
The individual food banks give information about what they need in terms of donations on their websites and social media, along with where their collection points are, to take donations to. You can find information about the individual food banks near you on the Talk Community Directory.
There’s also a brilliant app which shows the urgent needs of the individual food banks and gives the option to let you know their current needs whenever you go shopping (it’s a ping thing). Find out more on the Bank the Food website. Bank the Food are on a mission to make sure food banks get exactly what they need, when they need it (not just baked beans!)
Season of good will (an advent calendar with a difference)
Hereford Food Bank have an easy way that we can help those in need this Christmas. Rather than reaching for a daily advent treat, why not treat someone in need.
Simply grab a bag and pop a new item in for each day during Advent. When you've filled your bag with the likes of tinned carrots, toothpaste and tea bags, you can take it along to Hereford Food Bank donation centre in the New Year (Monkmoor Street premises in Hereford). Check out their up-to-date opening times before you head off (they’re open on weekdays from 2 January, between 10am and 12pm and between 1pm and 3pm).
There's a useful calendar which you can download, for suggestions of non-perishable items to collect on the Hereford Food Bank website.
 Community Christmas support and cheer
Are you planning any festive events, or get-togethers in your local community?
If so, we would love to hear from you. You can add your events to the Talk Community Directory or email us at talkcommunityengagement@herefordshire.gov.uk
 What's new on the directory?
Re-engage is making life less lonely for thousands of older people every year. Call companions is their telephone befriending service ensuring older people stay connected to the outside world. Visit Re-Engage telephone befriending on the directory for more information.
Festive crafts and flowers in spring have sprung onto our What’s on calendar this week:
Craft workshops at the Aspire Community Hub
Creative session at Garway hub – 9 December
RHS Malvern Spring Festival – 9-12 May
Our socials are a great way to keep in touch with what’s on too, whether you’re
Bromyard Food Bank are looking to recruit a part-time Coordinator to help them with their administration and day-to-day operations. For further details, visit the Bromyard Food Bank Facebook page or send your CV with a short description saying why you’re interested to jan@bfandmac.org.uk Responses required by 8 December 2023.
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