Yahoo News Hertfordshire news: 100 people helped into work by re-opened Waltham Cross community hub
A community hub in Waltham Cross has helped almost 100 people into education, training or work since it opened in September 2023. Broxbourne Borough Council’s cabinet heard that 403 people had been helped with job hunting, with 76 of those now in education or training and 23 now employed or self-employed.
The hub, opened using money from the government’s Levelling Up Fund, also offers digital education courses, help for residents who want to be healthier, and space for community groups. The ‘Job Smart’ service, funded through £25,000 per year in Section 106 money from property developers, is expected to continue for 2025/26.
In one case study provided to councillors, they were told about a resident who was referred to the service from Waltham Cross job centre, was helped to rewrite her CV and sign up for job-seeking websites, and has since been offered a job. The hub has also offered digital education courses to 44 residents, showing them how to use laptops and tablets. The courses are continuing this year, funded by £4,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, but no funding has yet been made available for future years.
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Meanwhile, a number of community groups have been able to use the hub. They include the Shaw Trust, which helps disabled people into work, Steadfast Training which helps with job training, Citizens Advice Broxbourne, a knitting and crafts group, a steel band, and an after-school club for children called Little Cherubs.
In 2024/25, the hub is receiving £30,250 funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to support its work with community groups, but funding for future years has not yet been confirmed.
The ‘Healthy Hub’ service, funded by Hertfordshire County Council grants, supported 553 people between October 2023 and June 2024, dealing with issues ranging from debt and the cost-living-crisis, to physical and mental health. They have referred residents to a number of other services for additional support. In total, the hub received £95,250 in funding for 2024/25.
