News & Developments

The Foundation currently offers three funding streams:

Improving Lives Fund is for local community groups, charities or social enterprises delivering projects or services that directly support Equity customers and their families around the key themes set out by the Foundation. The wider community can be involved, but the primary focus should be on Equity customers. (Up to £2500)

Community Awards are for local community projects that target the Foundation's key themes. Consideration should be given to how Equity customers could also benefit. (Up to £2500)

Equity Together Fund is exclusively for Equity customers and their families who want funding for projects they would like to set up or are already involved with. (Up to £500)

Projects should address at least one of the following key themes which include examples of possible projects:

Fuel poverty

• Education and awareness projects around energy efficiency
• Practical support with paying energy bills via direct debit or online

Digital inclusion

• Opportunities for older people to learn IT skills
• Opportunities for disadvantaged customers to access the internet
• IT literacy projects for families

Financial inclusion

• Improving basic skills
• Additional support services to complement the work of Equity's Money Advice Officer
• Tackling the root causes of poor money management or debt

Safer communities

•  Education and awareness about personal safety
• The establishment or development of tenant and resident groups
•  Neighbourhood watch groups
• Anti-social behaviour (ASB) prevention initiatives

Social isolation

• Creating opportunities for volunteering
• Reducing isolation and loneliness amongst older people, single parent families or people experiencing mental health issues
• Creating opportunities for micro-enterprise or social enterprise

Wellbeing

• Health and wellbeing projects aimed at older customers
• Healthy eating projects
• Projects that help to reduce the prevalence of obesity and smoking cessation

Work and skills

• Community job clubs
• Opportunities for unemployed people to gain skills or experience that help them to get closer to the labour market
• Literacy and numeracy projects or projects to help people to become work ready.

An application pack can be downloaded from the Foundation's website. The completed application form should be returned by email to foundation@equityhousing.co.uk

Contact the Equity Foundation for further information.

The deadline for applications is 11 January 2016 (5pm).

Come and have fun! Contact Janet on 01298 812053.

As part of this redevelopment they want to ensure that as many views and ideas from local residents and other users of the park are fed into the plans. So they are holding Beard Crescent Open Day on Sunday 22 November 2015 at Low Leighton Methodist Community Church.

Please pop round any time between 2.30 - 4.30 to share your ideas and find out more about the project.  

Creating Spaces will also be there to chat to you about how we could work together to create an art installation at the park as well.

As well as reviewing service provider organisations, they are also reviewing infrastructure for the VCS. Infrastructure organisations are organisations that provide support and representation at a strategic level for VCS. NDVA is an infrastructure organisation for its members in the health and social care VCS in this area, and CVS and Volunteer Centres also provide support.

NDVA would be grateful if you could spare a few minutes to complete a short survey.  The purpose of this survey is for NDVA to find out from its members; 

a) what are your concerns for your own groups and organisations for the future? 

b) what you would like to see from NDVA.

www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/VCSreviewsurvey 

What is the purpose of life if it isn't to thrive and survive? Living well and being healthy will help us to do that. This means practising Self Care for Life which most of us already do on a daily basis. Choosing to brush our teeth, to eat healthily, to self-treat common ailments and to be active are all positive self-care actions.

Dr Amir Hannan, a Hyde GP and the CCG’s lead for long-term conditions, said:

"We can also do more to stave off conditions that can be prevented such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and COPD (chronic pulmonary obstructive disease) which are on the increase.

"Here are some simple steps to Self Care for Life and help to prevent avoidable conditions:

• "Move more! You don’t even have to join a gym, just walk the dog, leave the car at home, ignore the bus, take the stairs, dance around the kitchen table, go for a walk!

• "Stop smoking! One of the best things you can do for your health is to stop smoking. Ask your local pharmacist about stop smoking services.

• "Sleep. A good night’s sleep is essential to good physical and mental health so don’t burn the candle at both ends, make sure you get at least seven seven hours sleep a night!

• "Eat well. It is vitally important that we get the nutrients we need and avoid excessive amounts of salt, fat and sugar. Information is available from the NHS Choices website or ask your pharmacist for advice on managing your weight.

• "Relax. We have such busy lives that we sometimes forget to take time out to relax, but it is essential for our physical and mental wellbeing. Find time in the day to be still and quieten your mind, holistic exercise such as yoga can also be helpful.

"You can also help take control of your health by using online services that your GP practice may have available such as making your appointments online or getting access your own medical records.”

During Self Care Week, and always, make time to think about the positive steps you can take to Self Care for Life. Thrive to survive.

Update your wardrobe with top labels at reduced prices and support Crossroads Derbyshire.  £5 entrance.

Bric-a-brac, books, and DVD’s for sale.

Mince Pies, Mulled fruit punch

And much more

Speakers, poems, music and candles.  At Turners Memorial, The Crescent/The Slopes in Buxton on Wed 2 Dec 5-6pm.

Contact Pam Whittle (Services Manager Crossroads Derbyshire (Formerly High Peak Women’s Aid)  01457 899438.

www.derbyshire.gov.uk/council/news_events/news-updates/2015/november/news_items/have_your_say_on_our_budget.asp