News & Developments

Committee member Mary Craner recalls;

"We had a wonderful open afternoon in brilliant sunshine, and more than 50 local residents attended. Tina, our town’s most generous baker, baked a delicious selection of cakes for people to enjoy and we spent the afternoon telling people about our plans, which were approved of very enthusiastically by most. On the day we had ten volunteers keen to get involved.”

Planning for the garden commenced in January 2019, with approval from Chapel Methodist Church who own the field. As the field is part of the church conservation area, there were a few initial difficulties getting planning permission, but that was granted in July and the project has gone from strength to strength since then. Mary continued;

"The church started our funds off with a generous £5,000, which enabled us to build the raised beds and begin saving for the bigger projects. Local fundraising events such as two meals cooked by Tina, held in the church, a raffle by Chapel Haberdashery and Waitrose token scheme brought in more. Grants by the Freemasons, the Parish Council, Methodist Insurance, All Churches Trust and latterly a large Derbyshire Action Grant have given us enough to build a low wall around the communal area and lay safe paths to enable full access for wheelchair users and other people with limited mobility. The wall is already built, the paths should be in before the end of October. We had started filling raised beds and planting in the autumn and spring but everything stopped as we went into lockdown. Once we were able to reduce restrictions, we set to work to get some vegetables in and prepare areas for wild flowers.”

The garden boasts an enthusiastic group of volunteers, ranging from just 2 to 84 years old! Everyone helps to care for the garden and enjoys the social aspect of the project. Being an outdoor resource has made it invaluable to residents and volunteers while Covid restrictions have been in place and the group have received lots of positive feedback;

"It’s brought a fantastic feeling of community pride in what we have achieved” 

"I am so happy my children have been part of it” 

If you would like to get involved with the project there are lots of ways you can help, or simply come and enjoy meeting other local people in a safe, tranquil outdoor space. A grant from a local Councillor has enabled the group to buy adapted tools for people with disabilities, so if you love gardening but find it difficult to use conventional tools come and try them out.

The group are aware that Covid-19 has meant they have not been able to do as much as they had hoped, in particular working with other local groups such as the schools, youth groups and Alderbrook centre, who had been enthusiastic about getting involved but are positive that while this work has been delayed the enthusiasm for it is still there. Mary said;

"Recently we have had invaluable support and guidance from our local infrastructure charity, High Peak CVS, in particular advice about making our provision more inclusive and accessible, liaising with social prescribers to identify local people who may benefit from our project and other voluntary groups we can work with. We look forward, hopefully in the spring if not before, to working with the schools, girls and boys brigades and local support groups for people with particular needs, as well as more individuals from the local community, to make the garden a wonderful long-term resource for the benefit of all in Chapel and the surrounding area.”

As part of our focus on World Mental Health Day 2020 we spoke to group Secretary Helen Cochrane about how the group has persevered and continued to grow through the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Since the start of lock down at the end of May, we have managed to keep our Group going.  I think because we are a small, close-knit peer support group, it has been somewhat easier to support each other than it would be for larger organisations.

At first, we used our WhatsApp group chat to stay in touch with each other, and offer support where we could. We then started using Zoom video conferencing for virtual meetings once a fortnight. While some group members really enjoyed the Zoom meetings it wasn’t for everyone, some people just didn’t feel comfortable using it.

In July, we then started to meet outdoors.  One of our members invited us to her garden, and we sat and chatted, socially distanced of course.  We then took advantage of the "eat out to help out” scheme in August and had lunch at a cafe (outside).  Our members really enjoyed this and it did feel like we were getting back to "proper meetings”.

In September, the Methodist Church in Buxton where we meet, opened its doors again.  There were new rules to follow for hiring the meeting room, and we had our own risk assessment to follow.  We were able to meet officially and were exempt from the 6 person rule as we are a support group.  We ensured that we followed all the rules, and met in a safe way.  All our members commented that it is the peer support that we all give and receive, which is the most important factor.  Also a short break from your caring role is invaluable.  

Sometimes the nature of our discussions can be of a very sensitive nature.  Our loved ones who we care for can quite often have very complex needs due to the nature of their mental illness.  Having a private, non-judgemental and empathic group to share your experiences is so vital, and we will keep going.”

The World Health Organisation recognises World Mental Health Day on 10 October every year. This year's theme set by the World Federation for Mental Health is 'mental health for all'.

A diverse range of local employers have joined with High Peak charity The Zink Project to sign up to the government’s Kickstart programme. The scheme supports employers who create jobs for young people age 18-24 to give them a start in the labour market and is a response to reduced opportunity resulting from the pandemic. 

Zink was set up to support people out of poverty in the High Peak and Derbyshire Dales. It runs High Peak Foodbank, Zink Employability, Zink Advice and Buxton Community Eco-Café. Zink’s CEO, Paul Bohan said "Kickstart is a unique opportunity for businesses to help young people get a great start in life by giving them what is essentially paid work experience for six months. We’ve been amazed at the response of local businesses to do what they can to help the community by signing up to Kickstart.” 

Zink was keen to lead the way in setting up Kickstart in the High Peak not only because it helps young people into work but also so that local businesses could benefit from it. A government grant pays employers the costs of employing and supporting young people for up to six months. After six months they can take another young person in the same role. 

More information: Paul Bohan 07811 684299  paul@zink.org.uk

Transition New Mills are an active group working to reimagine and rebuild our world for a changing climate, and to create a resilient, sustainable and ethical future for New Mills.

Can you bring an understanding of finances, a fresh perspective and passion to help us to deliver on this vision?

If so, then contact  transition.newmills@gmail.com

www.transitionnewmills.org

The aims are:

• To increase awareness of mental health issues in targeted populations.
• To reduce male suicide rates, particularly in young to middle aged men.
• To embed a positive culture for mental health and wellbeing within organisations.
• To reduce self-harm.

Men are 3 times more likely to take their own life than women.  In Derbyshire 80% of people living with a mental illness never seek treatment.  Poor mental health costs workplaces up to £45billion per year.  Less than 1 in 5 men take time off work due to poor mental health.

The Offer:

• Fully funded Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention Training.
• Expert support to develop a tailored Mental Health Policy and Action Plan.
• Exclusive access to a Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Toolkit.
• Support in signing up to national mental health charters and accreditations.

The programme will support children, young people and young to middle aged men in nonclinical settings such as: Amateur football clubs; Amateur rugby clubs; Amateur cricket clubs ;Independent boxing gyms and fitness centres; Routine and manual workplaces particularly in rural settings.

For more information please contact Christie and Andrew
Phone: 0115 9466740
Email: mentalhealth@erewashcvs.org.uk
Website: erewashvoluntaryaction.org.uk

RAD need digital volunteers:

• Do you enjoy helping others and would like to help change lives?
• Are you reasonably confident with using computers, tablets and the internet?
• Would you like to develop your own digital skills?
• Do you have some time available to help others?

Volunteering as a Cyber Buddy is a great way of making a real difference to other people, helping them gain confidence using digital technology. You don’t have to be an IT whizz, you just need a bit of spare time and enthusiasm to support others with using digital technology.

Typical tasks for a ‘Cyber Buddy’ include: 

• Teaching someone to use Google
• How to find Covid-19 information and support
• Helping someone set up an email account
• Explaining how easy shopping and banking online can be
• Setting someone up on Skype or other video call platform
• Helping someone research their family history or other hobby online
• Accessing Government services online
• Showing someone how to stream music, TV or films
• Finding their way around YouTube
• Setting someone up on Facebook

Contact Rural Action Derbyshire:
Joe Dugdale - j.dugdale@ruralactionderbyshire.org.uk  or call 01629 592970

www.ruralactionderbyshire.org.uk

A total of £5m is available, before the end of March 2021, to provide an emergency response directly to children living in poverty and crisis who are at risk of being left behind by the pandemic.

Buttle UK is encouraging frontline support workers to make applications for support if they are working with children or young people in crisis who meet the Fund’s criteria.

Chances for Children grants of up to £2,000 are for those who have experienced a recent crisis or significant change in their life. They can fund items and activities to improve:

• social and emotional wellbeing; and
• capacity to engage in education and learning

www.buttleuk.org

If you would like to attend register through Eventbrite

Foundation courses aim to raise awareness and knowledge around eating disorders and disordered eating and the range of presenting factors which often effect people struggling with their conditions.

Additionally, these course’s demonstrate a range of support tools that can be adapted in various professional settings. It will not train you in a specific eating disorder instead the training will equip you with the information and skills to spot the signs and take an evidenced based approach to support someone at risk of eating difficulties and eating disorders.

Any professional working with children and young people in Derby and Derbyshire is offered this fully funded CPD accredited training programme which has been commissioned by NHS Derby Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group.

The programme offers five different modules, each of 90 minutes in duration and delivered online via Microsoft Teams (you do not need to have a Microsoft Teams account to join the training modules).

• Eating Disorders All Ages and Genders
• Compulsive Exercise, Sport and Steroid Abuse
• Eating Disorders in Boys and Men
• Body Image and Perception
• Food and Mood

firststepsed.co.uk

The service is for anyone who can’t visit a library and does not have anyone who can borrow and return items for them. This could be due to:

• disability
• limited mobility
• illness
• caring responsibilities

When you apply for the service, they will contact you to talk about your needs, and find out what you like to read and listen to. There is a waiting list due to the Covid pandemic.

Currently the frequency of visits will be once every 8 weeks by a home library assistant. They will no longer come into your home. 

www.derbyshire.gov.uk/leisure/libraries/services/home-library-service/home-library-service.aspx