Living Alone
On this page you will find contact details and information for organisations supporting those who might feel lonely, isolated or cut off from society due to coronavirus. There is lots of support available with lots of activities shifting online from quizzes and coffee mornings to book clubs and befriending services and even details on how to set up your own group. Use the links below to jump to a particular organisation.
- Support to Get Online
- Good Things Foundation and Devices Dot Now
- HAFLS
- ASCEND
- Healthy Hub Three Rivers
- Families in Focus
- Age UK
- CLP
- Imagination Arts
- Electric Umbrella
- Herts Inclusive Theatre
- Art Enthusiasts
- The Actors Café
- Watford Palace Theatre
- Setting up a Community Group
Staying Home and Staying Active
Find out more on the Three Rivers Leisure website.
Lots of organisations are providing training and support to get people online. For local help and support visit any of the following Age UK, Computer friendly, or Ability Net.
Good Things Foundation and Devices Dot Now
A new scheme to get digital devices to vulnerable people DevicesDotNow is a project aiming to connect the unconnected. It is led by FutureDotNow and supported by the UK Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. There are a number of national partners, including Good Things Foundation.
FutureDotNow has secured donations of new equipment from industry partners. Good Things Foundation will ensure its safe transfer to the hyperlocal community, through the Online Centres Network.
Hear Dot's story here to see how getting connected digitally helped her to see her family virtually for the first time and brought much needed company during the pandemic.
Hertfordshire Adult & Family Learning Service 
HAFLS runs a wide range of quality and approved courses for adults aged 19+, aimed to help improve people’s lives. For more information and support they can be contacted on the following:
- 01992 556194
- hafls@hertfordshire.gov.uk
ASCEND offer a wide variety of both non-vocational and accredited courses designed to build self-esteem and skills as well as to gain nationally recognised qualifications, courses being carried out virtually can be seen here. You can keep up to date with all their latest news via their weekly newsletters and on their Facebook page. For more information and support they can be contacted on the following:
- 0208 428 6725
- ascend.org.uk
The Healthy Hub is a one stop shop providing information, advice and support to improve the health and wellbeing of our community. They have mental health support group (held every Thursday at 4pm). For more information and support they can be contacted on the following:
- 07483 104911
- Healthyhub@ascend.org.uk
Parents can join their closed Facebook group to receive updated information on fully funded free parenting courses they have on offer. For more information and support they can be contacted on the following:
Age UK is a charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most out of later life, they provide companionship, advice and support for older people who need it most. They offer a free befriending service (for those over 60), in which the person will be matched with a likeminded individual who is looking to make a new friend. For more information and support they can be contacted on the following:
- 01923 256361 (Local Coordinator for Watford and Three Rivers)
- 0300 345 3446 (Hertfordshire wide)
- info@ageukherts.org.uk
CLP is a registered charity, specialising in community learning. For more information and support they can be contacted on the following:
- 020 8421 5544
Imagination Arts provide dance opportunities for those who are rarely offered them. For more information and support they can be contacted on the following:
- 07714 378887 (Hannah Reynolds)
- hannah@imaginationarts.yahoo.com
Electric Umbrella is a charity, based in in South-West Hertfordshire and working across the county, they look at combating social isolation by facilitating regular, meaningful social interaction for our adult members with learning disabilities as well as promoting self-confidence and independence. For more information and support they can be contacted on the following:
- 07452 806517
- info@electricumbrella.co.uk
Herts Inclusive Theatre (HIT) 
HIT is a charity offering children, young people and adults, many of whom have learning disabilities, the opportunity to participate in music, dance and drama in a safe environment. For more information and support they can be contacted on the following:
Art Enthusiasts is an independent group of art professionals in London, who organise tours and workshops for adults and children aged 6+. For more information and support they can be contacted on the following:
The Actors Café provide expert, concise acting tuition from experienced teachers who are also industry professionals.
Watford Palace Theatre have created a programme of special events suitable for you to enjoy, via their website, these include pub quizzes, rehearsed reading and many more. For more information and support they can be contacted on the following:
- 01923 235455
- admin@watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk
Setting up a community group can be hugely rewarding; creating a group where people can come together is an integral part of community life. You may want to start a group because you feel there is a lack of something within the community.
In this instance, we are referring to a group of people that are coming together because of an interest e.g. a music group, a coffee morning, or a weekly meet up for over 55s. These groups are usually organised by volunteers and run for the benefit of the community they serve.
Contact Watford & Three Rivers Trust from more details:
- 01923 216950
- enquiries@w3rt.org