Homelessness in Watford

Watford Borough Council has launched a new campaign to show how donations to homelessness charities can change lives.

The campaign aims to raise awareness to the potential problems surrounding homelessness and begging, and shows how your donations can change the lives of people who are homeless in Watford.

They have created two films that talk about why donating directly to local charities rather than people on the street can have a bigger impact. Click here to watch https://www.watford.gov.uk/sparechange

Donations to homelessness charities can help provide vital support to those who are homeless in our town. By helping to provide the basics, such as food, clean clothes and shelter, your donations will make a huge impact.

Crucially, they also help charities provide trained professionals to give those who are homeless tailored support throughout their entire journey.

You can donate to any of Watford’s homelessness charities using the links below

New Hope @ https://www.newhope.org.uk/

GROW @ http://growhostel.org.uk/

Herts Young Homeless @ https://www.hyh.org.uk/

OneYMCA Watford @ https://oneymca.org/

Neighbourhood Watch: Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service

To help protect you in your home, Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service is committed to providing you with a free Safe and well visit, this incorporates fire safety information and, if necessary, a free smoke detector.

The visit is carried out at your convenience and is absolutely free of charge. During the visit, fire service personnel will be able to give you advice on how to stay safe in your home and will fit, free of charge, a smoke detector if it is required.

The appointment lasts no more than an hour and we’ll give you the advice you need to keep your home safe.

They will cover topics such as:

Electrical Safety, Cooking Safety, Making an escape plan, What to do if there is a fire, Keeping Children safe, Bedtime routines, Keeping warm in the winter, Eating and drinking properly, Preventing falls and loneliness

All fire service personnel will be in uniform and show ID cards. If you would like a visit please contact your nearest Fire Station either by telephone or email:

Garston Fire Station call on 01923 672825 or email Garston.fire@hertfordshire.gov.uk

Watford Fire Station call on 01923 481900 or email Watford.fire@hertfordshire.gov.uk

If you would like more information regarding safe and well visits go to: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/fire

Mencap Big Learning Disability Survey

Mencap is running a national survey of people with a learning disability in the UK!  This national survey will be a chance for people with a learning disability to tell them about their everyday lives and experiences.

People with learning disabilities are invited to complete this survey which will bring thoughts from across the UK together.

Click here https://email.mencap.org.uk/4P14-HAGR-30KM4E-CCPU4-1/c.aspx to go to the survey.

The results will help Mencap to provide better support and further improve the lives of people with a learning disability.

SWEP+ (Severe Weather Emergency Protocol)

If you see someone sleeping rough in Watford, please let them know about SWEP+ (Severe Weather Emergency Protocol)

The winter night shelter, known as SWEP+, is running tonight and then EVERY night in February and March.

Severe weather emergency protocol (SWEP) aims to get rough sleepers off the streets during periods of below zero night-time temperatures, by providing emergency accommodation.

There are three ways to access this life-saving service;

Call New Hope’s 24/7 number 0300 012 0168.

Visit the Haven on Whippendell Road between 8.30am and 3.30pm.

Visit the police station (Shady Lane) between 8pm and 10pm.

SWEP+ is run in partnership with Watford Borough Council and local churches.