Baton of Hope grants now available to run a local community activity The Baton of Hope 2025 tour started this week. The baton will visit 20 locations across the UK, with the goal of opening up a national conversation about suicide. There are just 4 weeks left until the baton will make its way through Hereford city. To mark the Baton of Hope coming to Herefordshire, Talk Community is offering small grants of up to £150 to local organisations, groups, and hubs across the county. Although the baton’s journey will take place through Hereford city, we want the message of hope, connection, and support for mental health to reach every part of Herefordshire – our market towns, rural villages, and communities large and small. This grant is here to help you bring people together in your area, so that everyone can be part of this important moment and its legacy. Community groups and organisations can explore the toolkit which is packed full of ideas for organising community activities. There’s plenty of ways individuals can get involved too, from knitting an ‘animal of hope’ or sharing a ‘message of hope’. For more information about the grant opportunity, and the Baton of Hope, visit the Talk Community Directory. Southside Stories: Free Audio Drama Sessions at the Kindle CentreHave you ever thought about creating a story that other people can listen to? Rural Media is launching a series of six audio drama sessions for young people, as part of the Our Place South Wye project. Join them to make a unique audio drama and learn about how it works; including developing stories, scriptwriting, sound design, music, recording, editing and performance (for those who want to do this)!At the end of the series, your group will have created a unique audio drama that can be recorded at Rural Media’s podcast studio in Hereford. Each session will be 2 hours long and include drinks and snacks to keep the creative energy flowing. Sessions are free and are open to young people aged 11-17.Places are limited, so please sign up using the Eventbrite link to secure your spot. Read more about Our Place on the Rural Media website.  Help Shape Social Value in Herefordshire – A VCSE Workshop VCSE organisations across Herefordshire are invited to contribute to building a stronger, more inclusive social value framework at the upcoming workshop. This interactive session offers a collaborative platform for local charities, community groups, and voluntary organisations to offer input on priority areas, forge new partnerships, and influence how social impact is created and measured in our county. The workshop is due to take place on Thursday 18th September from 9:30 am at Hereford Rugby Club. This is a fantastic chance to share your expertise, ensure your work makes a meaningful difference, and help shape the future of local social value delivery. Secure your place now via the Talk Community Directory. Important Test of Emergency Alerts – Silence can protect youA national test of the Emergency Alerts system will take place on Sunday, 7th September at 3pm. These alerts, sent directly to mobile phones, provide critical, life-saving information during emergencies. However, for those who have a secret or secondary phone hidden from an abuser, receiving these alerts could pose serious risks. If you’re in a situation where an alert may unintentionally put you at risk, you may wish to opt out. How to Opt Out:iPhone: Go to Settings → Notifications, scroll to the bottom, and turn off “Severe Alerts” and “Extreme Alerts.”Android (or other devices): Search Emergency Alerts in your settings, and disable “Severe Alerts,” “Extreme Alerts,” and “Test Alerts.”If those options aren’t visible, check under messaging or advanced sound settings—terms may vary by device. If alerts continue after opting out, contact your device manufacturer for help. For more information on opting out, please visit the GOV.UK website.  Samaritans Media Advice Session. If you are helping to share messages about the Baton of Hope Tour and would like to explore how to talk about suicide and mental health responsibly, you may be interested in signing up to a fully funded information session being delivered by Samaritans. The upcoming session is funded by Herefordshire and Worcestershire’s Suicide Prevention Programme and will take place on Tuesday 9th September from 10am – 11am. You can sign up using this online form.  What’s new on the directory? As we move into September, there are even more ways to connect, share, and find support across Herefordshire. This week’s new additions range from friendly cafés offering community and conversation, to creative local projects and specialist support groups. Take a look and see what’s happening near you! Community Café – Free at the Hub Sibling Support Made in HR6 Bereavement Café with St Michaels Hospice Our socials are a great way to keep in touch with what’s on too, whether you’re a Facebook fan tuned in to Twitteror instantly on Instagram. Have you heard of Shared Lives? Our Lives get better when they’re shared Herefordshire Shared Lives is a Care Quality Commission (CQC) registered service provided by Herefordshire Council. Shared Lives is a highly personalised form of care that supports people  |