Baton of Hope: Just One Week to Go!
The countdown is on – in just one week, the Baton of Hope will be making its journey through Hereford! Thursday 2 October will see the baton carried through the city, starting with a tractor run from the Hereford Livestock Market before a walking relay through key locations.
You can now view the full itinerary, including approximate timings and stops, on the Talk Community Directory. Please note these timings are subject to change, but the main route is now confirmed.
Alongside the relay, there will be a fantastic programme of community events, stalls, and activities across the city, all helping to spread messages of hope, connection and support for mental health. Be sure to check out some of the community events taking place across other parts of county too!
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime moment for Herefordshire. View the itinerary and updates on the Talk Community Directory.
Midlands Suicide Prevention and Awareness Webinar
The team at Kooth are offering suicide prevention training to local organisations, healthcare and education professionals. The training will take place online on Monday 29 September 4-5pm and Tuesday 30 September 10am-11am. To register please complete this short online form from Kooth.
Winter 2025 HAF Grant Now Open for Applications
Schools, clubs, voluntary and community groups across Herefordshire are invited to apply for funding to deliver fun, enriching activities with meals during the Winter 2025 school holidays.
The Here for Herefordshire Holidays (HAF) programme is funded by the Department for Education and provides children who receive benefits-related free school meals with access to exciting holiday opportunities. Activities should encourage children and young people to get active, learn new skills, and enjoy healthy food in a supportive environment.
This is a fantastic opportunity for providers to make a real difference to local families by helping children stay engaged, active and well-nourished during the school break.
The deadline for applications is Sunday 5 October 2025.Find full details and how to apply on the Herefordshire Council website.
Lets quit smoking together this Stoptober!
Join thousands of other smokers committing to quit this October. There’s no need to go it alone. It’s much easier to stop smoking when you get the right support, and there are lots of options to choose from.
Herefordshire’s Healthy Lifestyle Service will be popping up across the county throughout October, offering support to stop smoking. For more information about Stoptober and support available to help you or someone you know to quit, visit the Talk Community Directory news article.
For more information about support to stop smoking, visit the Talk Community Stop Smoking pages.
Herefordshire's Families First Partnership
Herefordshire Council is excited to host a series of Early Help Roadshows this autumn to continue our Herefordshire’s Families First Partnership programme.
Community members, partner agencies, schools, voluntary and faith sectors are welcome to attend.
The events details are as follows:
Monday 13 October, 10.00am - 12.30pm, Larruperz Centre, Ross-on-Wye
Monday 17 November, 2.00pm - 4.30pm, Kindle Centre, Hereford
Wednesday 3 December, 4.30pm - 6.30pm, Earl Mortimer College, Leominster
Each event will feature:
- Marketplace stalls showcasing
- Local Early Help partner agencies
- Opportunities to learn about the wider “Family Help” offer
- Networking with schools, statutory, voluntary, and faith partners
- A chance to share your views and ask questions about local support.
To book your place or a stall, please email
Apply Now: WOW Grant Open for Applications
The WOW Grant is now open to help local groups, hubs, and organisations run free wellbeing-focused activities for their communities. Grants of up to £1,000 are available to support inclusive sessions that bring people together, provide free refreshments, and signpost to further support.
All projects must be delivered by 31 March 2026, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until funding runs out, so early applications are encouraged.
You can also take a look at the fantastic activities already being delivered across Herefordshire with WOW funding by visiting our WOW activities page.
Find out more about the WOW grant and apply via the Talk Community Directory.
 The WOW Grant is funded by the Household Support Fund
Safer Communities Fund
A new revenue grant fund has opened for applications this week. The Safer Communities Fund 2025- 2026 as been developed by Herefordshire Council in partnership with the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia and West Mercia Police.
The fund will support new and existing projects that focus on early prevention, tackling the root causes of crime, vulnerability, exploitation and antisocial behaviour, with a special focus on children and young people. Organisations can apply for one project up to the maximum grant value of £30,000. Applications close on Sunday 12 October 2025.
To read more about eligibility and how to apply please visit the Herefordshire Council website.
What's new on the directory?
October is almost here, which means Stoptober is back! This year there are drop-ins happening right across the county, from Ross-on-Wye and Leominster to Ledbury, Kington, Bromyard, Colwall and more, making it easier than ever to get free advice, support, and access to stop smoking resources.
Alongside Stoptober, we’ve also added other new opportunities. Take a look at what's new:
Ready, Steady... Setting Up and Running a Local Environment Group
Garway TC Hub
God’s Acre Volunteers
Family & Friends of Young Minds Peer Support Group
Stoptober Drop in Ross-on-Wye The Hub
Stoptober Drop in Ross-on-wye Morrisons
Stoptober Drop in Ross-on-Wye Community Hospital
Stoptober Drop in Ross-on-Wye Town Market
Stoptober Drop in Leominster Co-Op
Stoptober Drop in Colwall
Stoptober Drop in Maylord Orchards
Stoptober Drop in Blueschool House
Stoptober Drop in Midlands Air Ambulance Charity Shop (outside)
Stoptober Drop in Newton Farm Information Centre
Stoptober Drop in Bromyard
Stoptober Drop in Ledbury
Stoptober Drop in Cradley
Stoptober Drop in Kington Co-Op
Stoptober Drop in The Burton Hotel Kington
Our socials are a great way to keep in touch with what’s on too, whether you’re
Have you heard of Shared Lives?
Our Lives get better when they’re shared
Herefordshire Shared Lives is a Care Quality Commission (CQC) registered service provided by Herefordshire Council. Shared Lives is a highly personalised form of care that supports people
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