Derbyshire County Council is providing funding until December 2017 to recruit, train and support community Befriending Champions across Derbyshire and to provide a microgrant to support local groups/individuals to develop small scale local projects that reduce loneliness and isolation.

Richard Murrell, the Befriending Champion Co-ordinator who is based at South Derbyshire CVS, said "Befriending Champions play a key role as the eyes and ears of the local community helping to identify and support/signpost lonely or isolated people to sources of longer-term assistance, such as befriending services.  We want to encourage people in the local community to attend the training to become a Befriending Champion and to come with ideas to develop small scale projects that can be assisted by the microgrant.  These ideas may include setting up a good neighbour initiative or a social group, or maybe getting a self-help group off the ground.”

The half-day Befriending Champions training is free to anyone active in their local area, whether an employee or a volunteer, and includes information on what it is to be a Befriending Champion, the skills needed and how to carry out the role.  The session also provides support to develop project ideas that reduce isolation and loneliness, helps with applying for the microgrant, and gives information on other sources of local funding.  There is also the opportunity to attend a one-hour Dementia Friends awareness session.  Four training sessions are planned across the County during the Autumn – dates and venues to follow soon!

To find out more please contact Richard on01283 2197 or email  richm@sdcvs.org.uk

Whether you are a hairdresser, an architect or employ a personal care assistant, if you employ at least one person you are an employer and you have certain legal duties. This applies to you if you run a small voluntary organisation or charity that employs someone.

Tuesday 26 July 10.00 – 11.30 at the Agricultural Business Centre, Bakewell, DE45 1AH.

John Carter from ProAktive will be giving a presentation on automatic enrolment and there will be a discussion on the planning, implementation and ongoing administration requirements of automatic enrolment. In addition, you can find out if your existing pension scheme complies with automatic enrolment.

This is a free session and should last no longer than 90 minutes, refreshments from 9.45, opportunity to network or ask other advice from 11.30.

To book a place contact Janet Smith at Derbyshire Dales CVS on 01629 812154 or email enquiries@ddcvs.org.uk

• The show is open to all artists in the area

• Artists may enter up to 3 pieces of original work, size restriction max A2 or 3D equivalent

• Art work can include drawing, painting, mixed media, sculpture, textiles and jewellery

• Cost of entry is £4 per art work pre-booked before the 9th September 2016 or £5 on the day

Please note that it cannot be guaranteed that work not pre-booked will be hung, a full refund will be made if work is not hung.

Artists can download an entry form at chapelarts.org.uk/event/chapel-open-arts-show

Entry forms must be submitted by 9 September 2016 to chapelvisualarts@gmail.com or Mustard Seed Café, 118 Market St. Chapel-en-le-Frith

Wellbeing Hub in the Darley Dale office and the Buxton office

DFMH are looking for volunteers to assist with the running of wellbeing drop-in sessions for adults, in both our Darley Dale Hub and our Buxton Hub. The Wellbeing Hubs offers a friendly, relaxed and supportive setting for people living with or recovering from mental ill health.

The activities on offer link to the 5 Ways to Wellbeing: Connect – Be Active – Take Notice – Keep Learning – Give.

Flower in the Field Project

DFMH are looking for volunteers to assist with the running of our community garden project – the Flower in the Field. This is in Darley Dale on Church Street. If you have an interest in gardening and the outdoors and would like to help people to regain their confidence in social situations, then make contact. 

www.dfmh.co.uk/work-for-us-join-us/becoming-a-volunteer/

If you are interested in any of these opportunities, contact Tim in the Darley Dale office on 01629 733915.

SGP View from the Peak 38 Summer 2016

Contents:

• High Peak Access Reaching Out Project
• Happy Birthday GLOSS
• Tea and Talk
• Peak VIP
• News
• Lifefit

Costs for members per day are as follows:

• Digital projector £15
• Portable OHP £7
• Portable OHP screen £5
• Portable Hearing Loop £10
• A1 flipchart stand £7
• PA system £15

We have 4 sets of display boards:

• 1 x 2 panels (table top)
• 2 x 3 panels (table top)
• 1 x 6 panels (free standing)

Cost per set is £5

Note: Cost for display boards is per hire whether its for a day or 2 weeks 

To check availability or book equipment contact Jackie on 01663 736436 or 
jackie@highpeakcvs.org.uk

The Direct Payment and Support Planning Team are as busy as ever helping Derbyshire County Council Direct Payment recipients to calculate the most effective use of budgets and to offer support and advice on all aspects of employing and recruiting personal staff, including finding managed bank and payroll services.

They also offer brokerage information on services, activities and other support in the community.

The Advocacy and Counselling Team are also making best use of their time, offering peer counselling and support, advocacy with other agencies and coordinating volunteer led Depression and Anxiety groups.

The Volunteer Coordinator, meanwhile, is supporting disabled people to find volunteer opportunities to play a full role in the community.

Disability Derbyshire Coalition are all fully committed to providing quality services throughout Derbyshire and will not even let the grim July weather dampen their spirits.

The social enterprise PAN (Peoples Ability Network) support DDC with a fully accessible taxi service and managed bank and payroll services.

Can they help you? Call to find out more 01773740246

They can give advice in the following areas:

• Community care
• Debt
• Discrimination
• Employment
• Homelessness
• Housing
• Immigration
• Preventing mortgage repossession

They can also advise on: 

• Preventing eviction and homelessness for tenants and mortgagees
• Housing-related issues e.g. overcrowding, getting repairs done
• Preventing hospital/care homes admissions through gaining care packages/equipment in own homes
• Managing or writing off debts
• Tackling discrimination
• Enforcing employment rights
• Recovering unpaid wages, holiday or notice pay.
• Immigration issues for e.g. reuniting families from overseas, staying in UK

They take referrals from individuals, advisers, professional workers and organisations.

For more information whether to refer or not, telephone 01246 550674 or email: dlc@derbyshirelawcentre.org.uk

derbyshirelawcentre.org.uk

Wednesday 3 August 2016 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm at Strutts Community Centre, Belper, DE56 1UU. Delegate fee £95 (normally £144 inc. VAT)

For the first time, RAD is pleased to be offering PAT Testing training to village and community halls or to any other organisation that is required to carry out PAT testing If demand for the training is high, RAD may be able to run another session in the morning of the 3 August.

If you require any further information about this event, contact Helena Stubbs (Community Buildings Officer)  Email  h.stubbs@ruralactionderbyshire.org.uk  Tel: 0845 3138800.

www.ruralactionderbyshire.org.uk/pat-testing-training.html

Tai Chi Session Tuesday 5 July 3.40 - 4.40pm.  Main Hall, Buxton Methodist Church. Free. All Welcome.

Picnic in the Park Friday 15 July 1.00 - 15:30pm. Refreshments provided. Meet at the Methodist Church side door downstairs, then stroll to the park.  Live music, games and fun. All Welcome.

Peaks & Dales Advocacy, Derbyshire Mental Health Federation and Grapevine