Help is at hand for residents in Hitchin through community grants 

Three community groups have been awarded a total of £3,544 this month.

National Childbirth Trust (NCT) North Herts was granted £920 towards their local breastfeeding and postnatal support group 'Hitchin Bumps and Babies', which meets twice a month throughout the year at Christchurch on Bedford Road.

Each group is run by a paid, NCT qualified breastfeeding counsellor, and is offered free of charge to new mums and dads providing vital support at such a momentous time.

They were also awarded £920 by the Letchworth Committee in September for their 'Letchworth Bumps and Babies' group. 

Hannah Lane at NCT North Herts said: "We are hugely pleased to have been awarded a grant to support our breastfeeding and postnatal support group in Hitchin, as well as Letchworth.

"It means we can continue to run the groups for the local community for the next year at least. The groups might help someone breastfeed for longer than they may have hoped, or just prevent a new parent feeling isolated at a difficult time."

North Herts African and Caribbean Community Group was granted £1,424 to help fund a year of free and subsidised events and activities for the whole community to learn about African and Caribbean history and culture, and empower those of African and Afro-Caribbean heritage to have a voice within local decision-making.

Events planned include a Windrush Arts and Crafts week whereby children and young people will help create an art installation in honour of the HMT Empire Windrush, 'Mind your Black', a mental health creative writing and mindfulness programme focused on discussing the effects of racial discrimination, and celebration and research events designed to bring people from different cultures together.

The group has also applied for the same amount (£1,424) from the Letchworth Committee.

Kava Johnson, Managing Director of North Herts African and Caribbean Community, said: "We are so grateful and very happy to be awarded this grant. Sharing our culture and heritage is at the heart of everything we do.

"We are looking forward to delivering the project to the community and are so glad that we will have some funds to continue to do so in North Herts."

Samaritans of North Herts and Stevenage was granted £1,200 towards facilitating the Samaritans National Walk, which the branch is hosting in Hitchin in 2023. North Herts Samaritans, based on Nuns Close, Hitchin, is one of 200 branches in the UK and Ireland.

Unfortunately, call numbers are rising, with Samaritans answering a call every 10 seconds. Sadly, people calling for help sometimes have to wait to be connected to a listening volunteer.

Both the local branch and national charity will benefit from the fundraising national walk on 1 July 2023, which will help provide funds for the Samaritans service and raise awareness within our local community.

Ilsa Hawtin, Director of North Herts and Stevenage Samaritans, said: "Our branch is self-funded, with our own volunteers raising funds to keep our branch in operation.

"We are very grateful for this grant to help us in hosting the national walk next year, which also marks the 70th anniversary of Samaritans. We will welcome anyone to join us on 1 July, to join a walk or simply to socialise with us in the evening. 

"Our branch will be grateful for any funds raised to support our branch, but we welcome anyone raising money for other charities too, or simply participating without sponsorship."