Classes and activities
Online
If you’d like to join one of our online classes but you don’t feel confident using Zoom, we can offer tips and technical help if you contact us on itsupport@opendoorberkhamsted.co.uk
Art classes with Julie Smare
Thursdays, from 3pm
£5 per session
Join Julie for a weekly art class via Zoom – beginners welcome.
To join, email Julie at julie.smare1@gmail.com
Thursdays, from 3pm
£5 per session
Join Julie for a weekly art class via Zoom – beginners welcome.
To join, email Julie at julie.smare1@gmail.com
Connections Zoom meet-up: Setting your purpose and focused career planning
Thursday 4 March, from 8pm
Connections is our new men's programme, put together to help men deal with what life throws at them through talking and physical activities. Twice a month, we're offering Zoom meet-ups on different subjects, facilitated by local experts.
Iain Manson, a highly experienced senior level recruitment consultant, will lead this first discussion. He'll help you discover your true purpose and consider how you can make it a reality.
To find out how to join the meet-up and see what other discussions are coming up, head to the Zoom meet-ups page. And read more about Connections and why we think it's so important.
Thursday 4 March, from 8pm
Connections is our new men's programme, put together to help men deal with what life throws at them through talking and physical activities. Twice a month, we're offering Zoom meet-ups on different subjects, facilitated by local experts.
Iain Manson, a highly experienced senior level recruitment consultant, will lead this first discussion. He'll help you discover your true purpose and consider how you can make it a reality.
To find out how to join the meet-up and see what other discussions are coming up, head to the Zoom meet-ups page. And read more about Connections and why we think it's so important.
Connections men's yoga
Mondays, 8pm to 9pm
£10 a session or 10 for £90
Yoga is a wonderful physical and mental discipline that can help your overall wellbeing. We're working with a highly experienced yoga teacher, Sarah Robinson from Essential Beauty, who's been running a men’s yoga class for a number of years. The classes will be running on Zoom, moving to face to face when we're allowed.
If you'd like to find out more or book a place, please contact Iain Manson at iain.manson@opendoorberkhamsted.co.uk. Or find out more on our Connections men's yoga page.
Mondays, 8pm to 9pm
£10 a session or 10 for £90
Yoga is a wonderful physical and mental discipline that can help your overall wellbeing. We're working with a highly experienced yoga teacher, Sarah Robinson from Essential Beauty, who's been running a men’s yoga class for a number of years. The classes will be running on Zoom, moving to face to face when we're allowed.
If you'd like to find out more or book a place, please contact Iain Manson at iain.manson@opendoorberkhamsted.co.uk. Or find out more on our Connections men's yoga page.
Crochet and Chatter/Knit and Natter
Mondays, from 1.30pm
Free of charge
Meet weekly with like-minded locals for a catch up - all welcome (you don't have to knit but a bit of a chatter would be nice). Pop the kettle on, grab your knitting (or crochet) and click on this link at 1.30pm on a Monday.
Mondays, from 1.30pm
Free of charge
Meet weekly with like-minded locals for a catch up - all welcome (you don't have to knit but a bit of a chatter would be nice). Pop the kettle on, grab your knitting (or crochet) and click on this link at 1.30pm on a Monday.
Little Signers Club
Anna's online signing classes are suitable for babies from 3 months, toddlers and children up to age 3. Discover the huge benefits of using British Sign Language signs to aid communication for your baby or toddler, learn a new skill and have fun together whilst doing so. Online classes are a mixture of songs, signs and know how to help with your parenting journey. Anna offers regular free taster sessions and meet-ups for new parents, and there are fabulous online resources to access too!
If you have any questions, please get in touch with anna@littlesignersclub.co.uk. Full details of all classes can be found on the Little Signers booking site, or find out more on Facebook or Instagram.
Anna's online signing classes are suitable for babies from 3 months, toddlers and children up to age 3. Discover the huge benefits of using British Sign Language signs to aid communication for your baby or toddler, learn a new skill and have fun together whilst doing so. Online classes are a mixture of songs, signs and know how to help with your parenting journey. Anna offers regular free taster sessions and meet-ups for new parents, and there are fabulous online resources to access too!
If you have any questions, please get in touch with anna@littlesignersclub.co.uk. Full details of all classes can be found on the Little Signers booking site, or find out more on Facebook or Instagram.
Paracise with Susie Alderson
Mondays, 2pm to 2.45pm
Fridays, 10.30am to 11.15am
First class FREE, then £5 a session
Join Susie for her 45-minute Paracise (low impact exercise to music) sessions by Zoom.
For more information, please contact Susie on susie.alderson@outlook.com or 07762 138356 – or visit www.paracise.com
Mondays, 2pm to 2.45pm
Fridays, 10.30am to 11.15am
First class FREE, then £5 a session
Join Susie for her 45-minute Paracise (low impact exercise to music) sessions by Zoom.
For more information, please contact Susie on susie.alderson@outlook.com or 07762 138356 – or visit www.paracise.com
Pilates with Michelle Selinger
Mat Pilates
Mondays, 9am to 9.45am (12noon on Monday 28 December)
Tuesday, 6.30pm to 7.15pm
Thursdays, 6pm to 6.45pm
Fridays, 9.30am to 10.15am
Barre Pilates
Wednesdays, 9am to 10am
It's £24 a month for as many classes as you like, and Michelle is making a donation to Open Door from the proceeds. Michelle will record at least two classes a week – so if you are unable to do a class live, you can catch up via YouTube.
To book, please drop Michelle an email at michelleselinger@outlook.com or call her on 07826 858533.
Mat Pilates
Mondays, 9am to 9.45am (12noon on Monday 28 December)
Tuesday, 6.30pm to 7.15pm
Thursdays, 6pm to 6.45pm
Fridays, 9.30am to 10.15am
Barre Pilates
Wednesdays, 9am to 10am
It's £24 a month for as many classes as you like, and Michelle is making a donation to Open Door from the proceeds. Michelle will record at least two classes a week – so if you are unable to do a class live, you can catch up via YouTube.
To book, please drop Michelle an email at michelleselinger@outlook.com or call her on 07826 858533.

The Open Door Book group
Last Wednesday of the month at 2pm
Last Thursday of the month at 7.30pm
We have two reading groups, who meet on Zoom for lively discussions! Here’s what’s coming up.
31 March/1 April – HomeFire by Kamila Shamsie (A reimagining of Sophocles' play Antigone unfolding among British Muslims: gripping, emotional and very readable.)
28/29 April – The Reader by Bernhard Schlink (A love affair between 15-year-old Michael and an older woman, Hannah, is revisited by Michael, when Hannah stands trial for WWII war crimes.)
26/27 May – Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid (An engaging, thought-provoking read about race, class and money, as Emira Tucker puzzles her way through her mid-20s, in Philadelphia, USA. Is there more to life than her babysitting job?)
30 June/1 July – Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers (Journalist Jean Swinney’s suburban 1950s world became a 2020 ‘book of the year’ for many readers, due to its compassion and quiet humour.)
28/ 29 July – Fools of Fortune by William Trevor (The violence of the 1920s’ Irish Troubles haunt Willie’s search for happiness. A poignant story of courage and love.)
Email Jane Ellen at fredcharliej@gmail.com for further details on how to join the group (it’s free to everyone) and to register your place. Jane can also provide further details about the books and information on using Zoom.
Last Wednesday of the month at 2pm
Last Thursday of the month at 7.30pm
We have two reading groups, who meet on Zoom for lively discussions! Here’s what’s coming up.
31 March/1 April – HomeFire by Kamila Shamsie (A reimagining of Sophocles' play Antigone unfolding among British Muslims: gripping, emotional and very readable.)
28/29 April – The Reader by Bernhard Schlink (A love affair between 15-year-old Michael and an older woman, Hannah, is revisited by Michael, when Hannah stands trial for WWII war crimes.)
26/27 May – Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid (An engaging, thought-provoking read about race, class and money, as Emira Tucker puzzles her way through her mid-20s, in Philadelphia, USA. Is there more to life than her babysitting job?)
30 June/1 July – Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers (Journalist Jean Swinney’s suburban 1950s world became a 2020 ‘book of the year’ for many readers, due to its compassion and quiet humour.)
28/ 29 July – Fools of Fortune by William Trevor (The violence of the 1920s’ Irish Troubles haunt Willie’s search for happiness. A poignant story of courage and love.)
Email Jane Ellen at fredcharliej@gmail.com for further details on how to join the group (it’s free to everyone) and to register your place. Jane can also provide further details about the books and information on using Zoom.

Yoga with Hilary Warrell
Chair yoga
Thursday 10.30am-11.30am
First class for FREE, then donations up to £8, depending on your financial circumstances
Hilary is running chair yoga classes via Zoom, with the opportunity to stay for a social virtual cuppa and chat afterwards. Join her for an hour of functional and fun mindful movement and breathwork, designed to improve joint mobility, strength, balance, coordination, confidence and mood. It’s suitable for all ages and designed to be very inclusive. See flyer for more information.
Regular yoga
Wednesdays, 9am to 10.15am
Thursdays, 7pm to 8.15pm
First class for FREE, then £8 a session
Join Hilary via Zoom at her regular yoga classes.
To book, please contact Hilary on 07963 252577 or hgwarrell@hotmail.co.uk
Chair yoga
Thursday 10.30am-11.30am
First class for FREE, then donations up to £8, depending on your financial circumstances
Hilary is running chair yoga classes via Zoom, with the opportunity to stay for a social virtual cuppa and chat afterwards. Join her for an hour of functional and fun mindful movement and breathwork, designed to improve joint mobility, strength, balance, coordination, confidence and mood. It’s suitable for all ages and designed to be very inclusive. See flyer for more information.
Regular yoga
Wednesdays, 9am to 10.15am
Thursdays, 7pm to 8.15pm
First class for FREE, then £8 a session
Join Hilary via Zoom at her regular yoga classes.
To book, please contact Hilary on 07963 252577 or hgwarrell@hotmail.co.uk
Yoga with Raccine
Mondays, 7pm to 8.15pm
Fridays, 10am to 11.15 am
First class free, then £5 a session
Raccine’s teaching style works for both beginners and experienced students, with an emphasis or breathing technique, stretching and mobilisation of the body, together with traditional and modern yoga poses. Classes start and finish with time for relaxation.
Email Raccine at raccineyoga@gmail.com to book a place
Raccine has also made some yoga videos you can follow at home at a time that suits you. Enjoy!
Gentle yoga
Stress relief
Twist and release
Energy balance
Upper body and relaxation
Mondays, 7pm to 8.15pm
Fridays, 10am to 11.15 am
First class free, then £5 a session
Raccine’s teaching style works for both beginners and experienced students, with an emphasis or breathing technique, stretching and mobilisation of the body, together with traditional and modern yoga poses. Classes start and finish with time for relaxation.
Email Raccine at raccineyoga@gmail.com to book a place
Raccine has also made some yoga videos you can follow at home at a time that suits you. Enjoy!
Gentle yoga
Stress relief
Twist and release
Energy balance
Upper body and relaxation