Radio Verulam Community Matters

When someone knocks on your door and tells you he can fix that loose tile, beware.  It's odds on he's a scammer aiming to rip you off.  HCC Trading Standards Officer Darren Ward tells Local Life some hair-raising tales of the tricks these scammers play and how much it can end up costing you.

We're all doing our best to help in the fight against climate change, so it's no surprise that scammers have decided that is where we're most vulnerable.  Trading Standards Officer Darren Ward explains on Local Life how the 'energy-efficiency scammers' work, what to watch out for and - above all - how to save yourself [...]

Well actually, it isn't.  And if you 'click on one' as invited, you could soon be handing over access to all your banking details.  Darren Ward of HCC Trading Standards explains how the scammers use a simple text about an undelivered package (supposedly from Royal Mail or Amazon or DPD or.....) to get into your [...]

Anyone who owns a phone, a computer, a letter box or even a front doorbell is a target for the scammers (which means all of us).  On Local Life, HCC Trading Standards Officer Darren Wood explains the tricks the scammers use – focusing this time on the ‘Nottingham Knockers' and the rogue fish sellers, who [...]

The pandemic has not been kind to those living on limited income, at whatever age.  But for those over 60, a single unexpected event can push you to the edge.  Kate Newton, Grants Manager at St Albans Old People's Trust, explains how the Trust can help individuals in need - and has done so to [...]

Don't leave those old laptops (or tablets, smartphones etc) just gathering dust.  They can be put to great use by Computer Friendly, a local charity now refurbishing unwanted devices and getting them into the hands of local kids who don't have their own means of connecting with their online home schooling.  Guaranteed protection for your [...]

Helen Gray, CEO of Hertfordshire Communities Foundation, reports on the huge pressure on local charities/voluntary groups and the people they serve.  Thanks to the Foundation's long history of fund raising, it has been able to assist many that were struggling to cope - and in some cases survive - during the pandemic.

John Archer, CEO of the local branch of national charity Headway, explains its work with those who have experienced acquired brain injury - whether resulting from a medical condition or a traumatic event.  As recent press coverage has highlighted, sports such as soccer and rugby are now areas of concern.

June Chapman, CEO of Citizens Advice St Albans, offers some timely guidance on ways to keep energy costs as low as possible.

Isha Kamara on the importance of community events and her experiences from a recent Kickoff@3 tournament.

To celebrate the 175th anniversary of St Albans & Hertfordshire Architectural & Archaeological Society (also known as SAHAAS or Arc & Arc), here again is an interview with the Society's President, Sandy Walkington, first broadcast on Local Life a couple of years ago.  As well as plenty about the Society, this conversation with Rob Pearman [...]

There is nationwide concern that rough sleepers - taken safely off the streets at the start of the lockdown in March - are once again at risk as winter approaches and the pandemic is still all around.  Most local authorities had no option but to place them in hotel accommodation which they then had to [...]

With the government's furlough scheme due to close at the end of October, many will be anxious about the possibility of redundancy.  There is no easy solution, but it's best to know your rights in advance.  On Local Life, June Chapman, CEO of Citizens Advice St Albans, offered seven critical tips for those facing the [...]

Jennifer Marshall, Regional Children’s Home Manager for MacIntryre Charity, explains how this local organisation supports children with often complex learning disabilities such as autism, helping them to develop skills for adult life.  Youngsters who seek continuity in their daily life were especially at risk during the Covid-19 lockdown but learned to cope and develop against [...]

The pandemic and subsequent lock-down brought additional financial difficulties to even more local individuals and families.  But St Albans Foodbank - assisted by other local charities, volunteers and generous donors - continues to provide critical support, as Emma Dalton explains in this telephone interview...

Phil Richards plays a new charity release which aims to raise funds for various community groups in St Albans.

June Chapman offers advice on one of the most frequent questions asked - what to do when I cannot pay my housing costs during the lock-down?

June Chapman, CEO of Citizens Advice St Albans, answers six of the questions about Universal Credit that have been asked most frequently since the lock-down began.

June Chapman, CEO of Citizens Advice St Albans, explains how this critical support service is operating on the phone and online during the current crisis, which has forced the temporary closure of CA offices.  June provides details including the dedicated local phone line and email address.

St Albans' parliamentary candidates answer questions on their policies to address the climate and ecological crises facing us. This was recorded at Trinity URC St Albans on Tue 3 Dec 2019.

The Good Morning St Albans team got together with the Cottonmill & Nunnery Allotment Association to explore the benefits of allotments and the effects of the River Ver development on the allotment for this National Allotment week special. Join Jonny Seabrook and Lady Jen as they explore the Cottonmill allotment with allotment holders Keith and [...]

Hertbeats is a local group committed to helping all who have experienced coronary problems and their families, as well as those with concerns about this medical condition.  It's about exercise, nutrition, life habits and prevention.  Brian Gibson also explains the importance of checking young people who are actively engaged in sport - working with Cardiac [...]

Jo Carter, CEO of Herts Vision Loss, explains to Rob Pearman the role and operation of this County-wide charity working with and for those local people with visual impairment.

Sue Shanahan, Senior Trading Standards Officer, explains to Rob Pearman the tricks that scammers get up to online, on the phone and in print - how to spot them and what to do when you encounter them.  Scamming is easier than robbing a bank!

At the start of a new year of interviews with local people, Rob Pearman takes a look back at some of his favourite extracts from around 30 interviews recorded for Local Life over the past 12 months - with topics ranging from fostering to refugees, from homelesness to mental health, and much more including some musical [...]

Peter Graham, a Trustee and long-time volunteer at Centre 33, tells Rob Pearman about the work of the St Albans 'drop-in' facility which provides food, hot drinks, clothing and more for those who are homeless, sofa-surfing or otherwise in need of assistance. Listen in.

Emma Dalton, Manager of our local Food Bank, explains how this critical service operates and when, who it serves and why it is needed - even in what we usually think of as a prosperous District.  Emma also describes the various roles that volunteers fill, explains what sorts of food and other items they need, [...]

Irene Austin, of Herts Welcomes Syrian Families, is joined by a member of one of the Syrian families welcomed to the County.  Together they provide a picture of what life became for this family in their homeland  and why they had to leave, as well as of the work that HWSF is doing to support the [...]

Two articles from Hertfordshire Life Magazine (November 2018) help provide context and background to the impact of WWI on our County and District.  Recorded by volunteer readers at St Albans & District Talking Newspaper by kind permission of the Editor.

Writer and producer Howard Guard talks with Jill Burridge about his film, ‘A County at War’, made in 2014 using stills from many local collections to mark the impact of the First World War on the local community as well as the tragic losses by The Hertfordshire Regiment at the Battle of Passchendaele (The Third Battle [...]

Alan Bellinger helps Rob Pearman to understand how an individual can actively participate in the decision-making processes within the NHS – from their local surgery’s Patient Participation Group (PPG) to the wider St Albans & Harpenden Patient Group (www.sapg.org.uk) and then even wider to the County’s scrutiny body known as Healthwatch (www.healthwatchhertfordshire.co.uk).  Every hospital also [...]

'Poppyfields' is an installation at St Albans Cathedral (on the evenings of Friday 26th and Saturday 27th October) using projection, music and video  in commemoration of the end of WWI in November 1918.  Project Manager Helena O'Sullivan tells Rob Pearman about this creative use of our City's most famous building.   Poppies floating down across the nave [...]

June Chapman,  CEO of Citizens Advice in St Albans & District tells Rob Pearman about the wide range of services provided by the offices and outreach centres in St Albans, Harpenden, London Colney, Wheathampstead and Redbourn - and the even wider range of issues that their clients bring to them.  June also explains the role [...]

Jill Burridge finds out from Musical Director David Temple and a member of the choir, Carole Teacher, about the past, present and future of one of Britain's leading large choirs.  Hertfordshire Chorus performs regularly at major venues around the District and County. This conversation includes several extracts from previous concerts and highlights future events, beginning [...]

Fiona Gaskell, Chairman of Harpenden Seniors Forum, tells Rob Pearman about the Forum, its history, its aim to be a primary source of information  for senior citizens in and around Harpenden  on local events and activities, clubs and other organisations, and also about the Forum's annual fair at the Public Halls on 16 October.

Deputy Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Penny Williams, explains to Rob Pearman how the QVAS is awarded, who is eligible and how a voluntary organisation can be nominated.

Clive Webb tells Rob Pearman about Sandridge's community choir - who they are, where they rehearse and when they perform to the public.

In the second of two conversations, Terry Jones, Anna Avebury and Chris Delaney tell Rob Pearman about Ver Poets, who it is for, how it operates and about the annual competitions including the open event which welcomes non-members as well as members to submit entries.  Once again, all three read poems of their choice.  For [...]

In the first of two conversations, Ver Poets Terry Jones, Anna Avebury and Chris Delaney tell Rob Pearman how and why they became poets, what poetry means to them and why being a poet is open to anyone who is ready to commit to both inspiration and perspiration.  All three read poems of their choice.

Sharn Tomlinson, CEO of Mind in Mid Herts, tells Rob Pearman about some of the wide range of mental health and emotional well-being services provided by this organisation and the ways in which its professionals and many volunteer staff are able to help with advice, counselling and other skills through its offices in St Albans, [...]

Kate Newton, Grants Manager for St Albans Old People’s Trust, tells Rob Pearman about the work of the Trust as it seeks to assist anyone over the age of 60 living within the District by providing funding to help with unexpected or anticipated needs .

Colin Dunkerley, Chairman of the St Albans Choral Society, tells Jill Burridge about the activities of the Society, including its fund raising and care home support, as well as recent and imminent performances (including Handel’s Messiah at St Albans Cathedral on Saturday 21st April 2018).

After more than a quarter of a century’s involvement with Open Door in St Albans, Kerry Pollard tells Rob Pearman about the history, current situation and future hopes, plans and aspirations for this vital local service for rough sleepers.

Mike Foers, Chairman of the Probus Club of St Albans, explains to Rob Pearman what this club for retired professionals and business people provides for its members and explains its origins as an offshoot of Rotary International.

Chair of the Management Committee Maralyn Pollard explains the work of the local Women’s Refuge to Jill Burridge and discusses the causes and impact of domestic abuse in its many forms.  An interview timed to support International Women's Day 2018.

Sue Varvel, Rennie Grove Hospice Care's Director of Nursing and Clinical Services, and Les Pedrick, volunteer at Grove House Day Hospice, St Albans, explain to Rob Pearman the work of one of the region's leading providers of day and home hospice care.

Sandy Walkington, President of the Arc + Arc (St Albans & Hertfordshire Architectural & Archaeological Society) delves into the past, present and future of this local charity and 'learned society' while adding loads of information about the architectural & archaeological history of St Albans.

Robert Voss, the recently appointed Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, tells Rob Pearman about his background and about the historic role that he has undertaken, as well as his commitment to education and young entrepreneurs.

Samantha Dukelow, Hertswise Locality Worker for the St Albans District, tells Rob Pearman about the work of this County-wide charity.   Hertswise works in partnership with other local charities to provide a range of support services including home visits for those with memory loss, mild cognitive impairment or dementia.  Help and guidance is also offered to [...]

The Jumbulance Trust is an accessible travel charity whose accessible coaches (the “Jumbulances”) make travel possible for adults and children who are disabled or have a serious or complex health condition.  Trustee Gill Berry and Secretary Nicola Offer explain to Rob Pearman how the Trust operates and the wide range of groups and individuals that [...]

Jill Burridge finds out from Stuart Falconer, one of those who established The OLLIE Foundation, why and how this local charity raises funds to enable professionals to go into schools and wherever else young people can be reached (eg sports clubs, youth clubs).  The Foundation seeks to raise awareness of why young people may consider [...]