Janet Dunphy, Hospice Director says:  "All of our services recognise the importance of caring for families, friends and carers and supporting them in their caring role. We really want to improve and extend the support that we already offer to carers of people with life-limiting illnesses, but we also want to open this out to the whole of the High Peak Community, meaning that anyone who cares for someone can access this service. 

Many find caring a rewarding role but it can also be hard work and stressful. It can affect your ability to work, finances, social life and personal well-being. Extending support to carers is a key part of our philosophy of care.  Experience tells us that carers need time to talk, share, relax, and quite simply have some time out.   If you are caring for a family member or friend, we are here for you."

From 12 April 2016, the support group will meet in the lounge of Blythe House Hospice, and will then take place on the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 5-7pm

The group aims to provide a safe, relaxed environment whereby people can share problems, concerns or experiences with others who are in a similar situation. It can help to develop carer’s coping strategies and enhance self-esteem and confidence.

Group sessions will be facilitated by a team of qualified and experience healthcare professionals and may include such topics as:

● Coping with anxiety​

● Knowing where and how to access support

● Managing medication

● Financial and benefit advice

● How to relax - helpful relaxation techniques

● Planning for the future

● Dietary advice and help

If you feel you would benefit from attending a future carer's evening support group or know someone who would, please drop in or call Rachel Cannon or Louise Furmston Tel: 01298 815388 or 01298 875080 for further details.

If you would like to attend the group, but have difficulties due to your caring commitments or transport, please contact either Rachel or Louise.

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 

Following on from High Peak CVS’s very successful Big Energy Saving project – where in one week alone we helped residents save over £3,000 - NEA, the national fuel poverty charity (with which High Peak CVS has worked previously) is offering free support to residents and community groups around

• Saving energy;
• Preparing for cold weather;
• How to read energy bills;
• Assistance & grant support;
• Advice on how to keep warm an well at home.

If you are interested in receiving a session or you know a community group who would benefit, please contact Andy.Littlewood@nea.org.uk for more details.

 During the programme young people will also work with the Prince’s Trust to develop confidence and skills and gain a certificate on completion of the programme. Along with this, young people can receive support to help move into work following the programme.

The hospital will guarantee you an interview for any band 1 or 2 jobs you apply for and there is a chance to continue your training and move onto paid work with NHSP. This is an agency that provides Health care assistants to the Hospital. Previous programmes have seen good success with 80% of young people on programme gaining employment.

Taster day 18 March. Programme 29 March to 6 May.

Phone 07436797253 for more details.

Registered charities and recognised not-for-profit organisations can apply for grants of between £50 and £2,000. The level of funding will be determined by the size of the project and the impact it will have on the wider community.

To be eligible, projects must be fully completed by December 2016 and:

• Result in the creation of renewable energy and/or a reduction in the amount of energy used.
• Be directly related to energy and have a positive impact on the local community.
• Involve and/or have consent from the local community.
• Be sustainable beyond support from the E.ON Energy Action Fund.

Examples of the types of projects E.ON will consider funding include but are not limited to:

• Renewable energy.
• Energy saving training.
• Draught exclusion.
• Energy efficiency events.
• Sustainable energy education workshops.
• Energy compliance.

www.eonenergy.com/About-eon/Community/energy-action-fund

The programme runs from 4–7 April with a final celebration event on the 12 April.  Taster day Thursday 31 March 1-3pm at DCAS Chesterfield.

The programme is available to anybody aged 16-25 years old who is not in full time education, training or employment. Whilst on the programme, young people will have the opportunity to:

ª  Work with professional artists to learn new skills and produce your own art work

ª  Gain a Bronze Arts Award qualification

ª  Enjoy a fun and rewarding week improving your teamwork, communication skills, and confidence

ª  Receive three months support after the programme to help you move into education, training or employment

The programme is a great way for young people, who may have been out of work or education for some time, to try something new, build new skills and add some routine into their day, it’s a great course for everyone, not just those who have an interest in art. Candidates will receive a week’s bus pass and will be provided with lunch.  

For more information or to make a referral, contact Keith Whalley on 07717488540 or email keith.whalley@princes-trust.org.uk

Full criteria will be published on 5 April.

If you would like to apply on 26 April, these are the things to consider:

The process is expected to be highly competitive.  Last year we were able to fund just 5 per cent of the applications we received.

There will be a further two funding rounds in July and October 2016. We expect to allocate funding broadly equally across the three rounds, so choosing to apply for a later funding round will not reduce an applicant’s chance of receiving a funding.

They will rarely fund alone. For example, we will usually fund a maximum of 75% of the total costs of buying or renovating a building.

In previous funding rounds, over two-thirds of applications were rejected because they did not meet our definition of a community business.So in order to be considered for funding, you will need to clearly demonstrate that that your organisation meets our four criteria for community business:

• Locally rooted
• Accountable to the local community
• Broad community impact
• Trading for the benefit of the local community

Find out more about what is a community business at www.thepowertochange.org.uk/what-is-a-community-business-2/

Increasingly, people are coming together to provide much-needed services in local communities. This may be achieved through the establishment of a new group, or by an existing group looking to expand a service or facility. V

illage SOS (VSOS) is a 2 year Big Lottery Funded Campaign to encourage the development of community enterprise across the UK. It can offer some free project support and a small amount of funding to help with developmental costs, such as training expenses and travel costs to visit similar projects operating elsewhere (case studies). VSOS can also link the project group up with an experienced Mentor to offer bespoke support and advice to the group.

What is a Community Enterprise

• Shops, pubs, broadband providers, woods, libraries, education centres.
• Windfarms, farms, tourist information centres, solar energy providers, cafes,
• Cinemas, ferries, care homes, toilets, garages, bakeries, transport providers.
• Football clubs, sports centres and facilities, community allotments/orchards.
• Etc….

Projects can range in size from:

Large scale projects, e.g. may involve buying up publicly owned assets, developing a community energy project, taking over the management of your local pub or shop, to

Small scale projects, e.g. refurbishing a village hall in order to increase services, running a mobile library, food projects.

If you are interested in learning more about the VSOS Campaign, visit the VSOS website. People with or without project ideas, are being encouraged to sign up as  Members in order to receive regular project updates, news and information.  You will also receive the ‘How to create a successful Community Enterprise’ booklet which contains lots of great case studies to help people come up with their own ideas. The website also lists VSOS events that are being run across the UK which some of you may find worthwhile attending.

Please note: the VSOS Campaign is coming to an end in August 2016. Therefore, this opportunity is time limited and you will need to act fast in order to benefit from this free offer. The sooner the better!

If you already have a project idea that you would like to discuss or are uncertain about the VSOS package of support, then contact  Helena Stubbs, Community Buildings Officer (usual days Mon, Tues, Wed), 01629 592973.

NMVC Handicraft group have been busy making beautiful gifts for Mums for Mothering Sunday and lovely gifts for Easter as well as the usual home-made cakes.

It is a week-long event comprising of  a series of activities and initiatives to support and raise awareness of the hundreds and thousands of small charities that, every day, make a huge difference to vulnerable communities right across the UK and the rest of the world.

www.smallcharityweek