THE HUB

HAWA and Tiffin Club Hub face to face Hubs are closed until further notice due to the Coronavirus outbreak.

However, email and telephone support are available.

For Hub online enquiries please fill in the contact enquiry form click here.

Emails enquirers will be responded to Monday to Friday.

We are also available to give you phone advice Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10AM till 1PM.

Mondays – Zia 07950490029
Wednesdays – Farhat 07775460963
Fridays –  Rubeca – 07401079970
We also have bilingual staff available to help in the following languages:
Urdu, Bengali, Hindi, Punjabi, Pahari and Moroccan.

INFORMATION FOR THE SELF EMPLOYED DURING COVID-19

We understand this is a very stressful time for our community. Plenty of information is available, however it is not always clear, or can be difficult to understand what applies to you.

The government has put all that they are offering on their website, please see the link below.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses

Here is a summary of information and help from the website that we feel is most essential for those who are self-employed:

·         Deferred VAT payments – this means you can now ask to have an extra 3 months, to pay your VAT bill if needed. However, it is advised that you should pay on time if you are able to. Please see the link on the website on how to defer your VAT payment.

·         Self assessment payments can be pushed back to January 2021.

·         There is a “Time to pay scheme” available for self-employed people in financial distress and unable to pay their tax liabilities. The HMRC helpline to call is 0800 024 1222. They will assess your situation and see if an arrangement can be made.

·         Self-employment Income Support Scheme – you can receive a taxable grant (you do not need to pay this back) worth 80% of the average profit you would normally have. If is important to note, HMRC will contact each individual who is eligible and inform you of this, you do not have to contact them. Please read the information about this grant following this link:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme

·         Many self-employed people will be able to apply for Universal Credit or Employment Support Allowance, especially if they have now closed their business down. You may also be eligible for Housing benefits to help you pay rent. This site is very informative with links regarding this matter:

Coronavirus and claiming benefits – Understanding Universal Credit

The government has not made it clear if you should apply for Universal Credit while you wait to see if HMRC contact you for the Income Support Scheme. However, if you are not working you should be eligible to Universal Credit; therefore it makes sense to apply. Later if you receive 80% of your income from HMRC, you would have to update Universal Credit on the amount you are receiving. They will then recalculate your benefit eligibility, and inform you if you will still receive a sum from them or not.

We at HAWA hope this information and the links provided aid in our self-employed community to reach the financial assistance they require at this present time. Please be noted that government advice and procedures are ever changing. This information that we have provided was correct as of 3rd April 2020.

We are also working with our Hub Partners to give advice and offer services during this period.

Healthy Hub St.Albans

Our overall vision is for a healthy and well city and district where everyone lives a fulfilling and healthy life.

Website: https://www.stalbans.gov.uk/working-together-health-and-wellbeing

Citizens Advice St. Albans and District

Provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities.

Telephone:  03444 111 444 | 01727 811118                                                                  Website: https://www.castad.org.uk/

Communities 1st

Communities 1st recruits volunteers to help voluntary and community groups deliver vital services across the District and the wider Hertfordshire community.

Telephone: 020 3559 3559                                                                                         Email: us@communities1st.org.uk                                                                                  Website: https://www.communities1st.org.uk/

Oaklands College

Initial information and advice on full-time and part-time courses.

Telephone: 01727 737000                                                                                              Email: info@oaklands.ac.uk

Herts Help Community Navigator

The Herts Help Community Navigation Service empowers individuals to access the different sources of help, advice and support available within the wider community to address the underlying causes that are affecting health and well-being.

Telephone: 0300 123 4044                                                                                              Website: https://www.hertshelp.net/hertshelp.aspx

Hertfordshire County Council Stop Smoking Service

Provides confidential and non-judgemental advice with support on stopping smoking.

To book an appointment, please call: 0800 389 3998 or 01442 435 071                              Website: https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/Health-in-Herts/Smoking/Stop-Smoking-Service.aspx

St. Albans District Credit Union

Members are encouraged to save, and these savings provide funds from which loans to members are made. Free life insurance is provided on loans (subject to conditions).

Telephone: 01727 859135                                                                                              Website: www.stalbanscreditunion.co.uk

St. Albans Women’s Outreach 

Offers information and advice to men and women who may be struggling to make difficult relationship decisions and support them in making informed choices about their future.

Website: https://sahwr.org.uk/

Mind in Mid Herts

Mind in Mid Herts works with people to prevent them from developing mental health problems as well as supporting people who recover and prevent relapse. Mind in Mid Herts can also be contacted at 11 Hatfield Road, St Albans AL1 3RR.

Email: admin@mindinmidherts.org.uk                                                                            Website: https://www.mindinmidherts.org.uk/

Shaw Trust

A national charity providing employment opportunities, skills development, training, and health and wellbeing services as well as promoting inclusion and independence for those with disabilities and barriers to work.

Website: https://www.shaw-trust.org.uk/

Hertfordshire Practical Parenting Programme

Supporting parents and carers of children aged 12+ to access relevant services via volunteer advocates.

To book an appointment, please call: 01992 638000                                                        Website: https://www.hertfordshireppp.co.uk/ 

Age UK Hertfordshire

Age UK Hertfordshire is an independent local charity working to alleviate loneliness and isolation, tackle poverty and build resilience in the community for older people in Hertfordshire who need our help.

Telephone: 0300 345 3446                                                                                            Email: Info@ageukherts.org.uk                                                                                        Website: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/hertfordshire

The Living Room

The Living Room saves and transforms lives by providing people and their families with the opportunity to attend community-based rehabilitation treatment and support, to help them break free from the generational cycle of addiction.

To book an appointment, please call: 0300 365 0304 (local rate)                                      Email: enquiries@livingroomherts.org                                                                              Website: www.livingroomherts.org

BeeZee Bodies

BeeZee Bodies are a child weight management service that work with young people aged 5 to 15 years. We offer free 14-week programmes that provide a mixture of nutritional education and physical activity.

Phone: 01452 717262                                                                                                    Email: info@beezeebodies.co.uk                                                                                    Website: https://beezeebodies.com/

In the meantime, please continue to follow the government advice on keeping yourself safe @ https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

~The HAWA Team