Support in the community

Support services

Below you will find a number of services and information that can support you to stay happy, healthy and well. You can find information and refer yourself to the service using the links provided however for more information book an appointment at a local Healthy Hub where we can support you with your options.

If you need help and don't know where to turn, contact HertsHelp – trained advisors are available to offer free, confidential assistance.

Support with getting active

• Active Watford & Three Rivers - a health mentoring programme with the aim of getting inactive people active. Refer Here
• Moving More Finder – Find local Physical Activity Opportunities
• Exercise Referral Scheme -  12 week programme will be designed to help individuals self-manage their condition more effectively and with more confidence
• Hertfordshire Health Walks - Enjoy the countryside and local green spaces with the FREE Hertfordshire Health Walks led by qualified volunteer leaders.
• Everyone Active operate the leisure centres in the district and provide a range of classes and activities to get active
• Find out about our parks and open spaces, as well as leisure activities in Three Rivers on our leisure pages.

Support with addictions

• Sign up for the Stop Smoking Service at the Healthy Hub
• GAM Care - Offers free, confidential and non-judgemental treatment services for individuals impacted by their own or someone else’s gambling
• Breakeven – Breakeven provide a free and confidential service to anyone at risk or experiencing gambling related harms
• Change Grow Live offers advice on drug and alcohol addiction, including relapses, treatment options and how to quit and stay safe. Refer Here
• The Living Room provides addiction support to adults in Hertfordshire and help for family members or carers of someone living with an addiction
• Alcoholics Anonymous offers a support network and meetings for anyone struggling with an alcohol dependency. Find your nearest AA meeting using the Find a Meeting tool
• Turning Point can help if you need urgent support with drug or alcohol issues
• Hertfordshire County Council provides advice and support if you are dealing with a drug or alcohol problem

Support with mental health

A range of mental health and wellbeing support and information can be found here.

Support with the Cost of Living

A range of cost of living support and information can be found here.

Support with families and relationships

• Carers in Herts provides advice, information and support to unpaid carers
• Watford Mencap works with people with learning disabilities, their families and carers
• The DSPL partnership supports families, children and young people, aiming to increase attainment and wellbeing and remove barriers to learning
• Home Start Watford, Three Rivers and Hertsmere can provide support if you are feeling exhausted and overwhelmed by the stresses of family life
• Families First help families that have a child under 18 (or under 25 if the child has a learning disability)
• The Hertfordshire Family Centre Service provides a range of services for families and children, including help finding childcare, antenatal classes and support with parenting

Support with employment and volunteering

Finding a job

• The Hertfordshire Opportunities Portal lets you explore career opportunities in Hertfordshire, including jobs and apprenticeships. You can also access tips on finding work experience and developing your skills.
• The Watford JobCentre Plus provides a list of current job vacancies in the Watford area and can help with claims for income support and other benefits.

Employability and skills

There are plenty of organisations that can help with training opportunities and skills development to help you succeed in the world of work.

• Shaw Trust is a national charity providing employment opportunities, skills development and training
• Step2Skills by Hertfordshire County Council offers free courses, including English, maths, ICT and digital skills, to eligible adult learners
• The Skills Toolkit from the National Careers Service offers free courses, skills assessments and careers advice to help you learn new skills or find a new job
• Watford Women’s Centre provides free courses in employability, English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) and IT to women and men to help you gain new skills and qualifications
• The Prince’s Trust helps young people between ages 16 and 18 learn the skills they need to start a business or find a job
• The Waterside Centre provides educational and training opportunities to adults with disabilities
• Mission EmployAble Supported Internship Programme ( Cafe on the Common, Chorleywood) believes that every individual, aged 18 - 25 years with learning disabilities should have the opportunity to fully participate in all aspects of life they choose, including local community engagement and meaningful paid employment.

Volunteering

• Watford & Three Rivers Trust support local voluntary and community groups with information and training
• GoVolHerts provide a list of current volunteering opportunities in Hertfordshire
• 9 Lives Furniture
• Age UK Hertfordshire 
• Caudwell Youth
• Hertfordshire Mind Network
• Home Start Watford and Three Rivers
• OV MacMillan Cancer Champions, Watford & Three Rivers District
• Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care
• Rickmansworth Care
• Rickmansworth Waterways Trust
• Scouts - Croxley Green (email: volunteering@croxleyscouts.org)

Support for children and young people

• Children and young people's mental health support can be found here.
• Services for Young People runs a number of projects in the Three Rivers District for young people aged 11 to 16. The projects for young people aim to improve wellbeing, promote positive life choices and help young people achieve their goals.
• Join the Services for Young People 'Speak Up Three Rivers' Youth Council to have your say and make a difference in your local area. Learn how to represent yourself and other young people in the Three Rivers area.
• Mission EmployAble Supported Internship Programme ( Cafe on the Common, Chorleywood) believes that every individual, aged 18 - 25 years with learning disabilities should have the opportunity to fully participate in all aspects of life they choose, including local community engagement and meaningful paid employment.
• Young Carers in Hertfordshire provides information and support for young carers in Hertfordshire. A young carer is someone under 18 who helps a friend or family member who cannot cope without their support. Looking after someone can take up a lot of your time. It’s normal to find things difficult. You’re not alone and you can get help.

Support with loneliness - if you find yourself feeling lonely, what can you do about it?

• Healthy Hub Three Rivers - Healthy Hubs in Three Rivers are a “one-stop shop” where residents can get help, information, advice and guidance to boost their physical and mental health and find out about local activities
• Three Rivers Leisure - Find leisure activities near you using our activity finder
• Get Online - Lots of organisations are providing training and support to get people online. For local help and support visit any of the following W3RT, Age UK, Computer friendly, or Ability Net.
• W3RT Getting Together – Clubs for over 55s to help people develop social networks, be active, stay independent and stay in control
• U3A Groups - Part of a nationwide organisation that offers a relaxed and inclusive place to learn new skills, pick up old hobbies and, most importantly, make new friends. There are a number of U3A groups operating in Three Rivers
• Volunteer - Find out about local volunteering information and opportunities you can get involved in. Go Vol Herts provides a one stop hub for volunteering enquiries across Hertfordshire
• Learn Something New - Step2Skills provides opportunities for adults in Hertfordshire to get involved in learning and employment within the community
• Mind provide further information on loneliness, and practical tips to help manage feelings of loneliness, and other places you can go for support
• Age Uk Hertfordshire provides friendship and a listening ear if you, or someone you know, would like some company. Find out more

Support for refugees and asylum seekers

We provide temporary accommodation to refugees and asylum seekers in Three Rivers District. Several non-profit organisations can also help with finding you somewhere to stay if you are an asylum seeker or refugee.

Other support

• Herts Welcomes Refugees provides help and support to refugees and asylum seekers in Hertfordshire.
• The Watford and Three Rivers Refugee Partnership provides access to advice and essential services to refugees and asylum seekers in West Hertfordshire.
• Flourish, as part of Herts Mind Network, provides mental health support to refugees and asylum seekers in Hertfordshire.

Support for older people

On this page you will find class information and contact details for older adult activities and support available for residents of Three Rivers.

• Housing Care  -  is a charity run site providing free advice on elderly care, including specialist directories & information on nursing homes and residential care homes, as well as sheltered housing, extra care housing and retirement villages. The website provides information on intermediate or after hospital care services which are those provided to elderly people at home or in a residential setting for a short period of time after having come out of hospital
• Herts Careline -  is an award-winning community alarm and telecare service. They provide a wide range of assistive technology services to residents across Hertfordshire. Helping you stay more independent in your own home with a community alarm
• Elder - offers advice for elderly care, working with you to arrange care at home.
• The Silver Line-  a free, 24-hour telephone service for older people across the UK. We offer friendship, conversation, and support for people aged over 55
• Small Acts of Kindness -  source and distribute practical gifts to older people in Hertfordshire, reducing the negative impact that feeling lonely and isolated can have of their physical and mental wellbeing
• Age UK Hertfordshire  -  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 off 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. They also offer face to face befriending, handy man services, home help and a number of other services
• Health and Independent Living Support (HILS) - HILS offer a range of services to help older and vulnerable people to stay happy, healthy and independent.  The service offers to chance to have meals delivered to you at home at subsidised cost, they also offer activities such as the Dementia Fun Club as well as a pop in service, where you can have the chance to see a friendly face who will come by and see how you are doing.

Support for Armed Forces and Veterans

• The Royal British Legion is here to help members of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, veterans and their families. We support serving and ex-serving personnel and their families’ all year round and our support starts after one day of service and continues through life, long after service is over. The welfare services include benefit, debt and money advice; support with housing; finances; health, both mental and physical; independent living and employment
• Hertfordshire Heroes – Provides a range of information and support services available for Hertfordshire Veterans and their families

Support with crime and community safety

A range of support for crime, antisocial behaviour and hate crime reporting can be found here

Social services

Social Services in Three Rivers District are provided by Hertfordshire County Council.

Shopper bus scheme

We offer a door-to-door bus service to take you from your home to the supermarket, with volunteers available to help you carry bags, fetch items and board the bus.

The Shopper Bus Scheme, designed for wheelchair users and people with reduced mobility, runs four days a week and costs £6 for a return journey or £3 for a single. If you would like a carer to accompany you, there is an additional £2 charge for a return journey of £1 for a single.

To sign up for the scheme, email travel@communities1st.org.uk or call 01727 649980.

Door-to-door bus route

The bus route has some level of flexibility in the destinations it serves to ensure it meets the requirements of the users.  The days the service operates do not change but if you want to go to a different supermarket please call 01727 649980 to discuss all the options available.

Monday

South Oxhey and Carpenders Park to Tesco (Watford)

Tuesday

Abbots Langley, Bedmond and Leavesden to Asda and Sainsbury's (Watford) Sarratt, Chandler's Cross, Loudwater and Croxley Green to Waitrose and Tesco (Rickmansworth)

Thursday

Rickmansworth, Moor Park, & Mill End to Waitrose and Tesco (Rickmansworth) South Oxhey and Carpenders Park to Waitrose and Tesco (Rickmansworth)

Friday

Rickmansworth, Moor Park and Mill End to Waitrose and Tesco (Rickmansworth) South Oxhey and Carpenders Park to Waitrose and Tesco (Rickmansworth)

Dementia Friendly Community

Three Rivers District Council is proud to announce its commitment to becoming a dementia‑friendly community in 2026, recognising the growing need to support residents affected by dementia.

Nationally, an estimated 982,000 people in the UK are currently living with dementia, this number is expected to rise significantly in the coming years. Around 1 in 3 people living with dementia do not have a formal diagnosis, meaning many individuals and families are managing symptoms without access to the support they need.

By improving understanding, accessibility, and communication across the district, the council aims to ensure that people living with dementia, and those who care for them, feel supported and able.

Why become a Dementia Friendly Community

Dementia is a progressive neurological condition that affects memory, thinking, communication and daily functioning. It is caused by diseases of the brain, such as Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia and others.

One of the earliest and most noticeable changes is often in communication. As dementia affects the parts of the brain responsible for language and processing information, a person may:

• Struggle to find the right words
• Lose their train of thought
• Find it harder to follow conversations
• Become overwhelmed by long or complex sentences

With patience, clear language and supportive communication strategies, it is still possible to maintain meaningful connection and understanding.

A Dementia Friendly Community helps remove the barriers that make everyday life more difficult for people living with dementia. When neighbours, shops, services and public spaces understand the challenges, such as memory loss, communication difficulties or sensory overload, they can respond with patience, clarity and confidence.

Being dementia friendly means:

• People feel safe, understood and included
• Individuals can stay independent for longer
• Carers feel supported and recognised
• Communities become kinder, more accessible and more connected

Get involved

Hertfordshire Dementia Friendly Accreditation

Three Rivers District Council is taking part in Hertfordshire’s Dementia Friendly Accreditation, delivered by Memory Support Hertfordshire, and local organisations are encouraged to join too.

This free accreditation helps organisations:

• Improve accessibility and communication
• Build confidence in supporting customers with dementia
• Demonstrate commitment to inclusion
• Support staff who are carers
• Appear on a public-facing map of dementia friendly places

This framework is practical, achievable and designed for businesses, charities, community groups and faith settings.

To get involved:
Email: dementiafriendly@memorysupportherts.org.uk
Call: 0300 131 3946

Read more: Dementia Friendly Hertfordshire – Memory Support Hertfordshire

It is easy to become a Dementia Friend –to show your support or to find out more information visit: Dementia Friendly Communities

Get the support you need

Memory Support Hertfordshire

Memory Support Hertfordshire (MSH) is a partnership between Age UK Hertfordshire, Carers in Hertfordshire and Alzheimer’s Society. Together, they provide a countywide service offering guidance and practical support to anyone affected by memory loss or dementia.

MSH supports adults aged 18+ whether they have a diagnosis or are worried about their memory. The service recognises that people need different types of support at different stages.

Support includes:

• Information and advice on memory concerns, assessments and planning ahead
• Benefits and financial guidance (e.g., Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance)
• Support accessing care, health services and local community resources
• Local groups, peer support and activity connections
• Support for family carers, including learning and development
• Awareness sessions for organisations and businesses interested in becoming dementia friendly
• Access to Admiral Nurse support for more complex caring situations

MSH also connects people to local groups and activities for those living with dementia, helping people stay active and socially engaged.

Self‑referrals:

0300 131 3946 (Mon–Fri, 9am–4pm)
memorysupportherts.org.uk

Online safety support

Three Rivers District Council are committed to the support needs of the community. Online safety is about helping families understand how to protect themselves and their children while using the internet with confidence. It includes knowing how to spot risks, set healthy boundaries, and use tools that keep personal information and wellbeing secure.

This page is designed to support parents, children, and young people by offering clear guidance, practical tips, and reassurance as they navigate the online world together. Whether you’re learning the basics or looking for advice on specific challenges, you’ll find information here to help your family stay safe, informed, and empowered.

General advice and guidance

• Internet Maters - Information webpage run in partnership with major Internet Service Providers. Provides help with everyday access and safety concerns
• UK Safer Internet Centre - Website run with leading organisations involved in making the internet a safer place for children and young people 
• Net Family News – An online blog which shares safety tips and advice
• Common Sense Media – A review site that gives advice on content and age appropriation on a variety of media 
• Parentzone – Provides support and information to parents to help families navigate the internet safely and confidently
• Breck Foundation - Provides awareness-raising and information materials about children’s online safety for parents and carers
• Swiggle – A child friendly search engine with the goal of showing younger users how to search safely and responsibly

Having the awkward conversation with your teens

• #Asktheawkward - With teens navigating their social and romantic lives on line, how do you start those important conversations to keep them safe and healthy

Specialist support for those with Autism and/or learning disabilities

• Cerebra - An internet safety guide for those with autism and learning disabilities from the national charity that supports children with brain conditions and their families

Support to remove inappropriate images

• Childline - Information and advice, including service to remove inappropriate images from the internet 
• CEOP - Police who monitor safety and take action against online crimes of sexual exploitation 
• Think U Know - Part of CEOP providing advice to protect children on and offline 
• Take it Down - Global service similar to Childline, offering service to track down and remove online images of under 18’s

Want to be in the know about text and speech used by teens?

• Kaspersky - Common text speech used by teens

Worried about online abuse

• Marie Collins Foundation - Provides support for the child and family if a child is being/has been abused online

Worried about radicalisation

• ACT Early – Advice and support to protect children from extremist views before they cause harm

If you are worried that a child is at immediate risk of harm, please call 999

If you are concerned for a child, you can make a referral to Hertfordshire Children’s social care by visiting https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/Childrens-social-care/Childrens-social-care.aspx or calling 0300 123 4043.

View the Three Rivers District Council Safeguarding Children, Young People and Adults at Risk Policy 2023-2027.