HOP is the go-to portal for careers, graduate, apprenticeships and work experience information across Hertfordshire providing essential up-to-date information for residents, students and employers. hopinto.co.uk

Better Business for All is Hertfordshire regulators’ response to reducing the burdens on business and aims to support growth by building stronger relationships between businesses, local regulators and other interested parties. www.hertfordshirelep.com/Better-Regulation.aspx @BBfAHerts

To help businesses ‘Learn, Connect, Collaborate’, these events are an exclusive opportunity for Watford's exceptional business community to convene, learn, and network. Contact the Economic Development team to find out when our next event is: economicdevelopment@watford.gov.uk

Support is available from Hertfordshire Futures and our partners to help businesses of all sizes to thrive and grow: hertfordshirelep.com/business/business-support

Hertfordshire Growth Hub has made ‘Grant Finder’ available to enable local businesses to search for funding of all types, not just grants. Registration is completely free and you can access it on our website. Although searching is straight forward, you can also download a short user guide. Remember to use the filter options to add the type of funding you are looking for, the amount and then select the funding status to ‘open’ for applications; there is no point getting your hopes up thinking that you have found a grant, only to find it is no longer available. Their online Market Place puts you in touch with other organisations in Hertfordshire offering consultancy, mentoring and support services. To access the Market Place simply log in or register.

The Economic Development Team support Watford businesses by providing guidance, events, and fully funded support programmes to help businesses thrive and grow. They can also help businesses to navigate the various council services and ensure they get the most out of running their business in Watford. Along with Watford’s Elected Mayor, the team meet with local businesses regularly, both online and in person – Watford Borough Council’s doors are always open for businesses. To contact the team, please email economicdevelopment@watford.gov.uk

Watford Town Centre BID is a business led initiative supported by government legislation which gives local businesses the power to raise and spend funds locally with the aim of improving their own business environment. It is an investment scheme where local businesses agree how their money should be invested to benefit themselves, their employees, customers, clients and their town. The money is raised via a levy which businesses in the BID area pay. This money is then reinvested back into the town on projects which have been identified as being important to the town. watfordtowncentre.com

The FSB is the UK’s largest campaigning pressure group promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and small business owners. Their mission is to help smaller businesses achieve their ambitions. As experts in business, they offer members a wide range of vital business services including advice, financial expertise, support and a powerful voice in government. www.fsb.org.uk @FSBEastofEng

Working with businesses, government, investors, education and not-for-profit organisations, Hertfordshire Futures put people at the heart of growth. Hertfordshire Futures is part of the Growth and Environment directorate of Hertfordshire County Council, which is committed to shaping a sustainable and prosperous future for Hertfordshire with initiatives that foster economic growth, protect the environment, and build resilient communities for generations to come. Since its formation in 2011, Hertfordshire Futures has played a pivotal role in determining and addressing local economic priorities. A dedicated team are focused on driving the local economy by boosting inward investment, key sectors, clean and inclusive growth by providing skills leadership, detailed economic intelligence, and a comprehensive package of support to Hertfordshire’s business community. hertfordshirelep.com

Wenta is an award-winning, not-for-profit social enterprise providing free business advice, webinars, workshops and affordable, flexible workspace. Watford is home to The Wenta Business Centre on Colne Way, just off the A41 which is an ideal location for both new and growing businesses. Free business advice (via telephone, live chat or in person) and webinars are available to all Watford residents and are run by Wenta’s experienced team of business advisors. Whether its advice on how to start a business, how to get your business online or sales tactics, the team can help. Wenta also offers affordable, flexible and self-contained workspace for rental from offices to workshops, available on monthly terms and in a range of sizes. They are ideal if you need to find or re-locate your workspace to a more flexible and affordable option. The centre also offers a range of virtual office services and on-site meeting rooms for hire. Wenta operates a ‘SEE’ programme across all of their business centres, including The Business & Technology Centre, which fully respects and prioritises the three core elements advised by Government on COVID-19: Social distancing – at all times, Enhanced Hygiene – across Wenta’s centres and Everyone’s Health – is number one. www.wenta.co.uk @TheWentaGroup @WentaWatford

Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce is a privately run membership organisation which can open doors for local businesses and organisations of all types and size by helping them to grow their profile and connect with other businesses locally, nationally and globally. As the British Chamber of Commerce’s (BCC) Accredited Chamber of Commerce for Hertfordshire members can benefit from association with 52 other UK chambers and a network of 18 chambers globally. www.hertschamber.com @HertsChamber

Watford and West Herts Chamber of Commerce represents the local business community – from micro to international organisations – and serves to create new opportunities for all members on an economic and social level by providing a wide range of services. www.watfordchamber.co.uk @WatfordChamber

The Hertfordshire Growth Hub is a partnership between the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Examples, the University of Hertfordshire and Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce. The Growth Hub aims to be the go-to service for established businesses in the county, with the drive and potential to grow, helping them find and use high quality locally-sourced support and expertise. The Growth Hub offers free of charge, one-to-one support from experts specialising in skills, finance, technology and productivity, sales and marketing and inward investment. Based on a thorough evaluation of your business ambitions, the specialist business advisers will tailor an appropriate action plan and help you find any funding available for it. Events are regularly run across the county and are based around the specialist advice areas. These interactive events feature guest presenters and industry experts; allowing SMEs in the county free access to real world advice and insights. www.hertsgrowthhub.com @HertsGrowthHub

The council is keen to support local businesses, including SMEs and voluntary sector organisations, to bid for contracts with the council. While the council cannot choose a local firm over other providers simply because it is local, we do ensure that working with the council and our contract opportunities are available to local businesses. The council takes social value in to account in its procurements, ensuring that the council assists in: ​ creating new businesses, new jobs and new skills; tackling climate change and reducing waste; improving supplier diversity, innovation and resilience. This is in accordance with the Government’s National Procurement Policy. The council, along with other public sector organisations, is encouraged to split larger contracts into smaller ‘lots’, where appropriate, which can be helpful to smaller organisations, and are required to advertise contracts over £25,000.

UK Law The range of legislation that defines how the council must procure currently includes UK Procurement Regulations (especially the Public Contract Regulations 2015), Best Value Statutory Guidance, Equality Act 2010 and Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012. The Government is currently reviewing this process following the UK’s exit from the European Union and issues guidance through its Procurement Policy Notices (PPN). The Council’s Contract Procedure Rules and Procurement Strategy The Council’s Constitution sets out the procurement procedures that the council must follow in acquiring the provision of goods or services. The Council's Procurement Strategy can be found here Watford Borough Council Contract Register The Council’s current contracts register provides information on our contracts and is updated every quarter. ​ Selling to the Public Sector You can find out more about different ways of selling to the Public Sector here. Procurement Contact For more information on any aspect of procurement please contact: Derek Hatcher Procurement Manager, Watford Borough Council & Three Rivers District Council Tel: 01923 278370 Email: derek.hatcher@watford.gov.uk

A list of contracts which are to be procured or re-procured in the next 12 months can be found here. Information is contained for both Watford Borough Council and Three Rivers District Council.

The Supply Hertfordshire website represents public sector procurement within Hertfordshire at local and national levels. Supply Hertfordshire provides you with opportunities to access potential business through quotations or tenders (depending upon the contract value) via a one-stop information point which also contains details of how to register your organisation for free.

Where a contract is valued in excess of the UK Procurement thresholds as shown below, the contract must also be advertised on the Government’s Find a Tender website. Any organisation is able to search this platform and receive free tender alerts from it. Supply, Service and Design contracts: £213,477 Works contracts: £5,336,937 Social and other specific services: £663,540

Contract opportunities (which are valued above £25,000 and not procured through a Framework) are procured via Delta eSourcing. This is an e-procurement system on which we advertise and manage our tender opportunities. Organisations can register on the portal to receive notifications of any current opportunities. All public bodies, including Watford Borough Council, are recommend to advertise contracts over £25,000 on Contracts Finder, so you can also find national opportunities there.

Watford Borough Council and local social enterprise Wenta have partnered for a two-year programme to help SMEs in the Watford area reduce carbon emissions. Experienced net zero business advisors will offer free support to local businesses, including access to learning content, resources, and tailored guidance. Wenta understands that each business is at a different stage in their decarbonization journey, so they provide customised assistance based on venture size, industry sector, and progress made so far. Ready to make a difference in your community? Visit wenta.co.uk/watford_net_zero or contact Wenta at 01438 310020 or info@wenta.co.uk. Let's work together for a sustainable future. *This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund

The University of Hertfordshire has designed a programme, funded by Watford Borough Council*, to provide businesses in Watford with the knowledge, skills, and tools to grow and scale-up their businesses. Through this partnership with the University of Hertfordshire, Watford Borough Council is committed to helping Watford businesses access expert business support to grow and scale. This programme follows the successful delivery of previous startup support programmes including Watford Young Entrepreneurs. Through the Watford Springboard Programme, we want to ensure businesses have the best possible chance of succeeding. *This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund

Watford Opportunities supports Watford's small and medium sized businesses to upskill existing employees, support career progression, recruit and retain staff, address skills shortages and support Watford businesses to increase productivity and grow. Access FREE specialist advice from the Watford Opportunities team of careers and skills experts and learn about how you can upskill your existing employees using funded programmes or grants. We can also help explore if apprenticeships are right for your business, guide you through the process, source the right apprenticeship, and provide support with recruitment. For more information please visit: hopinto.co.uk/opportunities/watford or contact:: hopinto@hertfordshirefutures.co.uk

The Fit To Bid® programme, brought to you by Watford Borough Council and Branduin Business Support, is here to help you actively engage in the local supply chain. Through Meet The Buyer events, skills workshops, and 1-2-1 tender advice sessions, expert advisors will equip you with practical knowledge and skills for bid writing. You'll learn how to submit bids to council procurement, construction and infrastructure projects, as well as large private sector buyers and suppliers. Join the programme by filling out the Bid Skills Assessment Questionnaire at www.fittobid.co.uk/watford. Register for the skills workshops on Eventbrite. *This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund

It is our aim for Watford to be known as a successful, diverse and premier location for business, acting as the vibrant centre for the South West Hertfordshire economy, attracting forward-looking businesses and entrepreneurs who recognise its super-connectivity, outstanding skill base and flair for innovation. Our businesses will join with us in championing Watford’s exceptional qualities and advantages, sharing in our ambition for a carbon-neutral future, whilst our residents will benefit from the town’s energy and drive and the prosperity and opportunities it brings. You can find out more in Watford Borough Council's 'Council Plan'.

The Watford Business Pledge aims to create a collaborative environment where businesses can learn from one another about key areas of social responsibility, including local employment, local supply chains, good business practices, environmental sustainability, and community support. This initiative, which is accessible and beneficial to companies of all sizes, underscores the council’s commitment to promoting a thriving, responsible business community. Businesses interested in joining the Watford Business Pledge can access a range of resources designed to help them qualify for an award. The council will guide businesses through the application process and facilitating connections with other local enterprises. For more information about the Watford Business Pledge and how to get involved, please contact economicdevelopment@watford.gov.uk. To sign up, please visit the Watford Borough Council website.

The Economic Development team have been working with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), a leading lobbying organisation, to develop a bespoke Local Leadership document for Watford which sets out how the Council are providing leadership to support small businesses locally. ​ Watford Borough Council recently signed the FSB Local Leadership Partnership Pledge which cements the council’s continuing support for local small businesses, and marks the first adoption of the pledge within Hertfordshire and also the six counties in the East of England. The Local Leadership Partnership Pledge is based on three key commitments from Watford Borough Council to: Work with FSB to channel our business voice to enable policy to support the needs of small businesses in Watford, as set out in the local leadership document. Create a supportive environment where our small businesses and local communities can thrive. Continue with the post of Small Business Champion and single point of contact within the council.

"An annual health assessment of the UK’s largest towns and cities outside London in 2024, undertaken by property consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH), has revealed Watford as the UK’s best place to live and work based on a number of metrics that contribute to overall growth prospects. "The Hertfordshire town climbed from third position last year to knock Bath off top spot. Having debuted in the Top Ten in 2022, Watford’s steady climb reflects a transformation in its relative standing among the UK’s largest town centres. "The LSH Vitality Index offers an objective health check on the UK’s largest 100 towns and cities outside of London based on a range of measures including economy, health and environment. Each location was ranked on three pillars: Economy & Business; Living; and Health & Environment. For more information, visit lsh.co.uk/explore/research-and-views/research/2024/january/vitality-index-2024

"Watford has experienced recent regeneration and development. The area’s connectivity and amenities are attractive to companies looking to establish or expand a presence near London. The introduction of further new developments, such as a mixed-use scheme on Clarendon Road by Regal London, suggests strong confidence in the market and is aimed at meeting the growing demand for highquality office space. "Rents in Watford are relatively affordable compared to other South East office markets, which has been a major attraction for businesses. Watford hosts a range of prominent office occupiers, reflecting its status as a key business hub. Notable companies with a significant presence include TK Maxx, which has established its new European headquarters there. "Other significant tenants include KPMG and PwC, which underline Watford’s appeal to professional services firms. Additionally, the area has attracted tech companies like ACI and other prominent names like Ralph Lauren, FIS Global, Wunderman Thompson Commerce, Ricoh, and BioRad." To find out more, visit knightfrank.com/research/article/2024-05-22-why-watford

"Home to major national and multi-national companies, Clarendon Road plays host to a spread of bluechip occupiers, who take advantage of Watford’s exceptional accessibility to London and the rest of the UK, via National Rail, London Underground and the motorway networks."

“With fast links into the capital and to Heathrow, The Clarendon Works offers an ideal location for forwardthinking businesses looking for best-in-class central London spec workspace – without central London overheads. We look forward to bringing Regal London’s design excellence, service -led approach and experience in residential, to bare on this office project prime location that will attract quality businesses to Watford town centre, enhancing further this prime location.” Ghislaine Halpenny Director of ESG and Corporate Affairs

“Watford just works for us as a company – if it didn’t we wouldn’t have built our new Head Office here! We looked at other locations, but Watford just ticked all the boxes. We are able to attract some amazing talent in the local area and with our flexible approach to working and our new, easily accessible high tech offices, we are also able to attract the best people around.” James Westoby, Managing Director Wunderman Thompson Commerce

“We’re proud to be part of the Watford community. Watford has been home to our European Head office for over 20 years and we are delighted to now be able to build our home here. Watford is a fantastic place for a business like TJX Europe – within easy reach of central London and with great transport links to our stores and offices across Europe and beyond. We believe it is the right location to meet our ambitious growth plans in the years to come.” Louise Greenlees President, TJX Europe

Since July 2023, the programme has successfully delivered a total of 701 hours of business advice and support to Watford businesses, tailored to the specific needs of clients at each stage of their business journey. 32% of clients benefiting from this programme are in the pre-start phase, receiving essential advice and skills to develop and launch their business idea. 68% of clients are in the early-stage phase, receiving business advice and skills training to maximise success and survivability of their business. The programme is supporting a broad range of businesses and industries, with ‘food & drink’, ‘health & wellbeing’ and ‘online retail’ being the most popular sectors. Notably, 60% of clients in the programme are from ethnic minority groups, highlighting the programme’s extensive inclusivity and reach. Businesses supported = 26 Jobs created = 28 Businesses created = 18 Testimonials: Pre-Start Client – Client Story Q1 24/25 A start-up mobile bar and food venture requiring guidance on how to best incorporate their business, understand website development and in establishing sources of funding reached out to Wenta to receive expert advice to help get the business under way. Following this, the advisor also provided advice on which insurances he would need, discussed aspects such as book-keeping and workshop space. The client is now clear on his next steps and has the support they need to start their venture Early Stage Client Story Q1 24/25 Wenta are supporting a client within the Hair & Beauty industry to optimise their website. Following one-to-one sessions with our business advisors, it had become apparent that their website needed attention. As a result, the client is now able to resolve broken links, adjust their SEO settings to improve optimisation and look at indexing the website by Google. This crucial support has helped the client to move forward with their web developer. *This support was funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund

“Wenta has provided us with incredibly valuable, free education on how we can work towards being Net Zero, 1-to-1 support catered specifically to our business (which is hard to come by as every business is so unique). It has been hard to find help on how to go further than just planting some trees, but Michael has given invaluable support in helping us navigate this. "The Watford Net Zero programme has allowed us to become more confident in our passion for sustainability, and encouraged us to be more vocal about the action we are taking. We now look to the future with less overwhelm and more excitement.” Rustic Studios *This support was funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund

The programme has helped Watford residents who have struggled with getting a job or have disabilities access support. This support helps those who have been excluded gain access to resources, helps people with their mental and physical health and with their engagement in job searching. Performance Metrics: - 18 socially excluded people accessing support - 12 people accessing mental and physical support leading to employment Testimonials: CLP Case Study – March 2024 – JR 1838 Watford A Watford resident enrolled onto the project after losing their job in retail. They received support with creating their CV and were taught how to open and send emails with their CV attached by phone, to ease the process of applying for jobs. They were also helped with interview techniques using the STAR method and had a mock interview where they received feedback. This support has encouraged them to apply to jobs and feel more confident when doing so. Client Story Q1 24/25 - Watford A Watford resident was referred onto the Road to Employment project from Mind Network which provides 1 to 1 support. They were met by their mentor in a place they were comfortable with, and the basis of the meeting was explained to ease any worries. Confidence was identified during the meeting as something they needed to work on and were provided with resources to help. Their mentor accompanied them to their sessions until they were comfortable to go alone. Once their confidence has built up roles and opportunities will be discussed and due to their lack of funds, a laptop was secured allowing them to access online training, apply for roles and prepare for interviews. *This support was funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund

"We entered the Branduin Fit To Bid programme to try and make some connections with local buyers. As a small business, it was a great opportunity to get some expert advice and help with making these connections. "We had 1-2-1 meetings with Tracey. She is not only approachable but extremely knowledgeable in this area. She pointed us in the right direction within the 1-2-1s and outside of those was always willing to give help and advice where it was needed. "She was also able to chase the people who needed chasing when it was outside of our scope. The Action Cards that she completed after each of our sessions were a great resource to refer to in the days following and I think even going forward they will be a helpful resource." Kirsty Dyer at Democycle Benefitted from Watford Fit to Bid *This support was funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund

"I would like to personally thank you for all your help and support. The sessions with you I have found very useful and helped me to build confidence and hunger for success. Initially, I was sceptical and reserved regarding bid writing but every single session I'm becoming more interested." Alexandru Silitra at Rainbow Care Benefitted from Watford Fit to Bid Programme *This support was funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund

Introduction The Watford FC Community Sports and Education Trust (Watford FC CSE Trust) has long been a leader of community engagement and education, using sports as a vehicle to inspire and uplift local communities. In recent years, the Trust has expanded its mission to include a strong commitment to sustainability. This commitment has been recognised through its participation and success in the Watford Net Zero Programme, supported by the Watford Borough Council and led by Wenta. Joining the Watford Net Zero Programme The decision to join the Watford Net Zero Programme was driven by the Trust’s desire to comply with the Premier League Charitable Fund and English Football League Trust’s Capability Code of Practice. This step was essential to demonstrate the Trust’s dedication to sustainability. Through regular engagement with the Watford Borough Council’s Environmental Managers Networks, the Trust connected with sustainability expert Michael Martin, marking the beginning of their transformative journey. Achievements and progress Since joining the Watford Net Zero Programme, the Trust has made substantial strides in its sustainability efforts. Initially starting at the Bronze level, the Trust has now achieved Gold level certification. This advancement is a testament to the Trust’s commitment and the effectiveness of the resources provided by the programme. The programme has equipped the Trust with various tools and knowledge, including CPD-accredited webinars, online tools, and consistent guidance from Wenta’s Net Zero business advisors. These resources have been pivotal in helping the Trust understand how to calculate their carbon footprint and identify key areas where emissions can be reduced. Collaborative efforts and future plans The Trust is not resting on its laurels. It is actively working on innovative strategies to further minimise its carbon footprint. A significant part of this effort involves close collaboration with Wenta to develop a comprehensive action plan. Additionally, the Trust is working with Watford Borough Council to act on the findings of an independent energy assessment. Broader impact and community engagement The impact of the Watford Net Zero Programme extends beyond the Trust. Thanks to the efforts of the Watford Borough Council, over 300 businesses in Watford have embarked on their own Net Zero journeys, collectively receiving over 350 hours of support. This widespread participation underscores the community’s collective movement towards sustainability. *This support was funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund

Along with the other borough/district councils in Hertfordshire we will undertake stakeholder and community engagement. We do know that in other areas of the country where reform has been implemented, residents did not express a great amount of interest. But it is important that residents have the opportunity to have their say on this issue, which will have a big impact on them.

It is unlikely that some parts of Hertfordshire (e.g Watford) will join Greater London as we understand the Government does not want to break up county and district boundaries.

The difference this time is that the Government has been very clear about its appetite to push on with local government reform. A number of areas around the country have recently been through the same process and several others are preparing for major reform. The Government White Paper which is due to be published in September (or the autumn) is a signal that change will happen, and this has been supported by County Council Leader David Williams’ public announcement that he expects us to be on the path to reform by May 2024.

Along with the other nine Hertfordshire borough/district authorities, we are thoroughly analysing all possible options for local government reform. Understanding the financial implications of the options will indeed be integral to this work and will form part of the proposal(s) for reform.

We are working with section 151 officers from all the district/borough councils in Herts and that group is in the process of interrogating these figures.

If Government decides that Hertfordshire will become a unitary authority/authorities, the new unitary entity/entities would be formed. There would be a period where district and borough authorities would be working in parallel with the new ‘shadow’ unitary authority/authorities. This would continue until the new authority/authorities is/are legally and formally established.

This certainly could be an option for reform, but there are various options and we are continuing to look at all possible types of reform. We do believe that creating one single unitary authority would not best serve our residents, businesses and communities.

At this very early stage, there have not yet been any proposals about where a unitary authority would be headquartered or what would happen to council buildings around the county. This question is made more complex by the current debate on what the working world will look like post-Covid and how home-working and office-working will be balanced in the future.

Our focus is on supporting our residents and businesses during these unprecedented times and putting Hertfordshire on the road to renewal. So, we do feel that the timing is unfortunate and, along with our colleagues in the other Herts authorities, we have fed this back to Government. We are working hard to ensure that whilst the unitary debate is given the attention it needs and deserves, our services to Watford at this crucial time continue to be nothing but the best.

If Government decides that Hertfordshire should adopt the single unitary model, the number of elected members across Hertfordshire could be reduced by up to half. There are, of course, a number of options for reform available and we are working through what the impact would be on the number of elected members for each of these.

The Random Cafe is a pop up cafe helping Watford reduce the amount of food wasted in the town, thereby making it a greener and more environmentally friendly town. They hold regular cafes around Watford using food donated by local supermarkets and cafes that would usually go to landfill. randomcafewatford.com

The Project’s vision is of a community where people come together to support the vulnerable, promote equality and address injustice. onevisionproject.org

They care for adults diagnosed with life-limiting illnesses such as, but not limited to: Cancer, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Motor Neurone Disease. peacehospicecare.org.uk

The Watford and Three Rivers Refugee Partnership (WTRRP) offers practical and emotional support in West Hertfordshire to asylum-seekers and refugees. wtrrp.org.uk

Watford FC Community Sports & Education Trust works across Hertfordshire, Harrow and Hillingdon, using the power of sport and education to improve lives and enhance local communities. The Trust’s projects are wide reaching and about ‘more than just football’. They range from employability programmes, weight management courses, a schools sports programmes, and schemes developing life skills, to the regeneration of community facilities. watfordfccsetrust.com

Small Acts of Kindness is a small, high impact and rapidly growing local social enterprise based in Watford. They deliver gifts to older, often lonely and socially isolated people, in Watford, Three Rivers and Hertsmere. At the heart of this project is the incredibly simple belief that a small act of kindness can make a huge difference. smallactsofkindness.co.uk

Home-Start is a voluntary organisation which offers support, friendship and practical help for families in their own homes, throughout Watford, Three Rivers and Hertsmere. home-startwatford.org.uk

WIFA is a local group and a member of the Inter Faith Network for the UK. We seek to implement the values of inter-faith dialogue and translate them into practical action in the diverse area of Watford and South West Hertfordshire. wifa.org.uk

Electric Umbrella is a registered charity challenging the perception about people with learning disabilities and enriching and empowering lives through music. Based in South-West Hertfordshire and working across the county, they combat social isolation by facilitating regular, meaningful social interaction for our adult members with learning disabilities as well as promoting self confidence and independence. electricumbrella.co.uk

Watford Mencap works with people with learning disabilities, their families and carers. We believe that people with a learning disability have the right to enjoy equal opportunities and be valued as members of society, enabling them to lead the life they want for themselves. Watford Mencap currently has a service user and carer base of 800 people. watfordmencap.org.uk

Watford Workshop offers opportunities to access work experience and skills training. Their mission is to provide disabled people with work experience, skills training and employment. They help people to achieve greater independence, become more integrated into the community and where possible, move on to main stream employment. watfordworkshop.co.uk

Disability Recreation Unity Movement (DRUM) is a small registered charity, based in Watford, providing day services and support to adults with physical and/or sensory disabilities and their carers. DRUM aims to provide high quality, innovative & affordable day services for the disabled & their carers. drum.btck.co.uk

Playskill is a registered charity which provides therapeutic pre-school playgroups in Watford and Hemel Hempstead for children with physical difficulty or delay, aged 0-5, including children with multiple diagnoses or no diagnoses. They also offer parental training nights, parent support and information, speakers on relevant topics and fun outings for all the family. playskill.org

Group for the Rootless of Watford (GROW) is a charitable not-for-profit organisation which provides short-term accommodation support to vulnerable people in Watford. The charity works with other professional and voluntary agencies to ease hardship,and offers support to help rebuild peoples' lives. growhostel.org.uk

Watford New Hope Trust exists to serve homeless and vulnerably-housed people by providing accommodation and opportunities to rebuild damaged lives. newhope.org.uk

YMCA delivers a range of programmes and services that tackle the issues facing local people and ensure that there are opportunities for young people throughout our work, from apprentices to work experience and childcare to youthwork. oneymca.org

Watford Foodbank is part of a nationwide network of food banks (Trussell Trust) who provide emergency food and support to people locked in poverty, and campaign for change to end the need for food banks in the UK. watfordfoodbank.co.uk

The organisation has over 25 years of experience in mental health. The day centre in Watford (Henry Smith House) and the outreach groups in Garston, Rickmansworth, Borehamwood and Potters Bar, aim to offer daytime support to people with long term mental health problems in a sociable and relaxing environment. guideposts.org.uk

They provide life-changing services for women to lead independent, productive and healthier lives, and also support our wider community. They aim to create a community-wide culture that has zero tolerance for family or partner abuse and that fosters healthy relationships based on mutual respect and equality. wwcplus.org.uk

The Living Room is an addiction recovery charity (with centres in Stevenage, St Albans and Watford). www.livingroomherts.org

They deliver essential mental health support in Hertfordshire, providing a diverse range of services from our seven Wellbeing Centres and other venues across all ten districts of the county. They create opportunities for individuals experiencing mental ill health to make choices, find their solutions, build resilience and manage their whole life and wellbeing. hertsmindnetwork.org

Citizens Advice Watford is an independent local charity giving free advice to help you find a way forward, whatever the problem. This includes advice and assistance with legal problems, debt and consumer issues, benefits, housing, legal matters, employment and immigration issues. cawatford.org.uk