News & Developments

The Telephone Befriending Service is aimed at lonely and socially isolated people. The aim is to make people’s lives better by calling those who feel in need of support. By receiving support through telephone calls from a volunteer befriender, we aim to help the socially isolated person to feel less lonely. We offer friendship to the people we call and peace of mind to their family and friends.  If you are interested in this service please call Adele on 01663 744011.

The Computer Training Service gives free training to those people who have never used a computer or tablet before or have a little knowledge and want to expand it. The training is provided by local volunteers who freely give of their time and knowledge.

Computers are a marvellous source of information, a good way to keep in touch with friends and family and can save you money! We have, for example, one client who saved nearly £200 on her energy bills by learning how to use a price comparison website! Please contact Ed Mountifield on 01663 744196 to find out more.

They were particularly praised for the way they have involved young people in the process and for the way they have gained support within the local community. A framed certificate, trophy and cheque for £100 was presented by High Peak CVS Chair Joy Brown to Hayley and Geoff Sumner on behalf of the group.

This year’s runners up for the Award were GLOSS (Giving Lots of Sensitive Support), a self help support group offering help to people with mental health problems. This year they have secured funds to increase the range and frequency of their social and activity events and were successful in a funding bid to extend their therapeutic gardening and wellbeing allotment area. Joy Brown presented a framed certificate to the Chair of the group Howard Lee.

Thanks to everyone that attended our AGM at Spring Bank Arts in New Mills on Wednesday 23rd October, to everyone that helped and also to the guest speakers, Jonathan Wardle, High Peak Locality Manager for North Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and John Phillips, Community Liaison Officer, University of Derby Buxton.

Its aim was to identify good practice, generate discussion, and draw up key messages on integrated healthcare for people with mental health problems. Download (pdf, 1.86MB) via mhf.unified.co.uk/publications/crossing-boundaries/.

Applications by midnight 17th November, see official news item.

With a focus on England, the Commission will provide long-term and strategic thinking about how the sector can prepare for and adapt to an ageing society in the next 20 years.

Civil Society Media news item  or go direct to voluntarysectorageing.org.

These changes include questions on whether the charity pays trustees, is registered with the Fundraising Standards Board, and whether certain policies are in place, such as conflicts of interest and safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries. The Summary Information Return will be dropped. See Commission news release, or Civil Society Media article www.civilsociety.co.uk/finance/news/content/16279/.

Latest newsletter from Charity Commission - the autumn edition of its newsletter, issue 44 covers the revised public benefit guidance, fundraising regulations and disposing of charity land. In web or pdf formats.

They would like to find out about organisations' experiences of how groups of people with different needs are represented, and the extent to which their views are taken into account by different health structures, including Clinical Commissioning Groups and local Healthwatch.

This information will form part of a report regarding representation of voluntary and community organisations and their beneficiaries on these health structures, to show what is working well, what challenges there are, and how this differs around the country.

The survey can be found at www.surveymonkey.com/s/equalityhealth

It will close on the 21st November.  If you have any questions about this survey, or would like to share your own experience with local health structures, please email ellie.munro@navca.org.uk

The Away Day is an ideal opportunity for hall managers to increase their knowledge and understanding on a range of topical issues, including music licensing; security, risk assessments and insurance; hiring agreements; energy best deals and the Green Deal; the Big Lottery Fund's Reaching Communities Programme; amongst other topics. Delegates will also have the opportunity to pose questions to speakers on matters affecting their hall.

The event is also a great networking opportunity whereby delegates get to hear about what happens at other halls, the issues they face and possibly learn how they were resolved.

There is ample parking for 36 cars and 3 disabled spaces.

To book your place, please follow the link to the Eventbright website:   http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/event/8850202193

Contact Helena Stubbs at  Rural Action Derbyshire for further details.

John spent many years as Editor of Buxton Advertiser and shared valuable tips on how voluntary groups can get their press releases into the local papers. He has also offered to run a workshop on this at the University Buxton Campus if there was enough demand. 

High Peak CVS have agreed to help organise this. So if you would be interested in benefitting from John’s years of experience at the Buxton Advertiser please contact jackie@highpeakcvs.org.uk

DCC define a foodbank as a non-profit, charitable organisation that works with a network of referring organisation to distribute food on an on-going basis to those who are experiencing severe financial hardship and an inability to purchase food. This differs and is distinct from food relief agencies that offer cooked or prepared foods to those in need. 

There is a total one-off grant fund of £108,000 which has to be allocated by 31st March 2014.  There are at least 17 food banks in Derbyshire County so please bear this in mind when you make your application. 

Applications must be received by 9.00am Thursday 5th December 2013.  Please send by email to ursula.spencer@derbyshire.gov.uk 

Should you have any queries please contact Julie Hirst or Sandra Johnson in the Public Health Department, Derbyshire County Council, Chatsworth Hall, Matlock DE4 3FW. Tel 01629-536174 or 536185 Email: julie.hirst@derbyshire.gov.uk     or      sandra.johnson@derbyshire.gov.uk