News & Developments

This, of course, is because of the attempt to curtail the spread of Coronavirus.  We hope we will see you back with us once this restriction is lifted. 

A High Peak hospice is increasing the level of community care to support the most vulnerable people as the coronavirus pandemic continues. 

Blythe House Hospicecare is providing 24/7 end of life care in the comfort of patient’s homes. In addition, a team of hospice staff and volunteers is posting ‘kindness cards’ to let people know about support including shopping, prescription pick-ups, telephone chats and food parcels. 

Nurses, counsellors and healthcare assistants are also on-hand to provide telephone support to all patients and their families.

Janet Dunphy, CEO, said:  ‘Our community have supported us to develop to meet the increasing needs of people in the High Peak, and this is payback time, we will be there for them even more now. We are stronger together. 

‘The well-being of the people we support, hospice visitors, staff and volunteers is our first priority and that’s why we are following advice and guidance issued by Public Health England and the UK Government.

‘At the present time, we are taking each day as it comes with regards to the ongoing situation. We have taken on-board Government advice and have made decisions to implement some changes to services whilst continuing to support the most isolated and vulnerable people in our local area.’ 

All non-essential meetings and sessions at the hospice or in the local community have been cancelled for the time being including this Friday’s coffee morning due to take place at Alderbrook Day Centre in Chinley; out-patient clinics; weekly support groups and walking for health sessions.

The hospice’s Chapel-en-le-Frith and New Mills shops will be closed from 18 March, until further notice. The Whaley Bridge department store will remain open for the time being, and the Buxton outlet will be open on an ad-hoc basis.  

Janet added: ‘We are liaising closely with our event sponsors and co-organisers to determine what will happen to future fundraising events. National events that our supporters are involved in, like the London Marathon, have already been postponed. We will keep members of the public updated as soon as we have details of the plans going forward.’ 

If you or someone you know is feeling lonely or isolated due to the current situation, or you’d like to find out more about support from Blythe House, please contact Vicci Wild or Julie Forrest on 01298 816990.

blythehousehospice.org.uk/keeping-you-safe-information-on-coronavirus/ 

Mind have information on their website if you are worried about coronavirus (also known as COVID-19) and how it could affect your life. This may include being asked to stay at home or avoid other people. 

This might feel difficult or stressful. But there are lots of things you can try that could help your wellbeing. 

• This information is to help you cope if:
• you’re feeling anxious or worried about coronavirus
• you’re asked to stay at home or avoid public places, for example if your employer asks you to work from home
• you have to self-isolate. This means you avoid contact with other people and follow strict hygiene rules.

And it covers:

• Plan for staying at home or indoors
• Take care of your mental health and wellbeing
• Checklist: are you ready to stay at home for two weeks?

www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/

Anxiety UK are running a series of 'webinars' for people who's mental health may be worsened by fear of coronavirus and / or the need to self isolate:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tpX-Wi8idQ

www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-d3cwkm6RY

They also have a live chat and helpline:

www.anxietyuk.org.uk/blog/covid-19-and-anxiety-part2/

OCD Action are running Skype and phone support groups for people that are self isolating or unable to leave the house

twitter.com/ocdaction/status/1239176100607074306

Derbyshire Recovery and Peer Support Service is still up and running as normal and will continue to run unless told otherwise.

Email DerbyshireRecoveryPeerSupportService@rethink.org or call on 01773 734989 for support. The service is open from 9am-5pm Monday to Friday.

You can also get in touch via WebChat – go to the Rethink website to start a conversation with a member of the team www.rethink.org/help-in-your-area/services/community-support/derbyshire-recovery-and-peer-support-service/

For up to date information about which Derbyshire Recovery and Peer Support groups are running visit their facebook page: www.facebook.com/derbyshirerecoveryandpeersupport/

Chair Terry Watson has responded to the Corona Virus situation and concerns with this announcement 'all proposed events and activities will have to be suspended until further notice'.

That includes COGS committee meetings, coffee mornings, afternoon teas and field day preparations or any other gatherings.

All these activities will go on hold until the restrictions and concerns surrounding the corona virus are lifted by the local and national authorities and even then only if we as a group think its generally considered wise to proceed'.

COGS thank you for your interest in and support of their fund-raising initiatives.

As you are probably all aware, the Covid-19 Pandemic is causing a great deal of concern and worry across the country and we are all responding to Government guidance which continues to change and adapt every day.

Please do continue to follow the instructions and advice over these coming weeks and months. For up to date information please follow the link below which is updated at 3pm everyday:

www.derbyshire.gov.uk/social-health/health-and-wellbeing/health-protection/disease-control/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19.aspx

As an organisation, High Peak CVS also have a responsibility to our staff and volunteers and as a result we have made the decision to close our office in Whaley Bridge from 5pm on Wednesday 18th March 2020 until Monday 6th April 2020. Obviously we will keep you updated with any changes and information as and when we receive them.

Our staff will continue working from home and our priority will be to support our groups, members and the local community during this difficult time. We are working with the Local Authorities, GPs, voluntary sector colleagues and health authorities to create an action plan for the foreseeable future and again will keep you informed of this.

Currently, the advice is for those over 70 years old, those showing symptoms and/or those with underlying health conditions to stay at home and we are aware this is going to cause issues for many. We will be contacting all our members to offer support and advice during this time and if you have any concerns or would like advice on what support is available for you please do contact us on 01663 735 350 and leave a message. These will be monitored regularly and a member of staff will call you back. Alternatively you can email us at: hello@highpeakcvs.org.uk

We will be monitoring the phone and email messages between 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday.

For medical or health related concerns please contact 111 or in an emergency contact 999.

Age UK have released some great tips for people to follow that are self-isolating and will help reduce the pressure on local services:

• If a neighbour or friend offers some help say yes! You can always repay their kindness in other ways and for many people being able to help you will really help them feel they are making a positive contribution.
  
  
• If you attend a group what about arranging a telephone buddying system so everyone gets a chat in the next few months.
  
  
• Follow the advice and guidance given by the government and trusted agencies like your local council or charities. Scaremongering won’t help so don’t let other people panic you.
  
  
• Keep calm and carry on! Remember all your normal routines don’t need to change and its best if you keep to them. Replace a group or activity you enjoy with another – call a friend, watch a favourite film, read a book or practice a hobby.

For more information and advice from Age UK you can visit:

www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/conditions-illnesses/coronavirus/

If you are currently part of a group, please consider organising a telephone buddying structure. The buddying system just needs two people to agree and share their telephone contact details and agree a frequency of calling. The aim is to ensure that nobody is left alone and isolated during this period. At High Peak CVS we are happy to co-ordinate this to ensure that everyone has a buddy. Please do get in touch if you feel this would be helpful for you or someone you know.

Our overall message is that you are not alone. High Peak CVS along with many other organisations are working hard to support those that need it the most but we are also aware of the affect this could have on groups so please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your worries and we will do our best to help. Please do check our website www.highpeakcvs.org.uk for the latest news and follow us on both Facebook – highpeak.cvs and Twitter - @HPCVS for the up to date advice and support.

Remember, look after each other, be kind and the community across the High Peak, Derbyshire and indeed the country can pull together to get through this.

Take Care - James Bromley, Chief Executive at High Peak CVS

Updated at 2pm each day, it will feature advice from the Government and Public Health England on how people can play their part in containing the outbreak as well as information on the latest confirmed Derbyshire cases at district level.

DCC Coronavirus Guidance

NCVO Coronavirus Guidance

Foundation Derbyshire have two new Funds launching at the end of April / early May. Whilst we can't provide you with the full details yet, we can say they will be of great use to community groups and charities working in the following areas:

Youth Activity: Particularly in areas with limited access to youth clubs or other services aimed at young people

Access to education, training or volunteering: This fund will help groups offering soft skills or formal qualifications to people struggling to access employment or education.  

We offer a chance to share experiences and feelings, to swap useful information and, above all, to be there for each other.

Please call us if you have suffered a recent bereavement and are struggling to find local support or if you were bereaved some time ago and still feel stuck. And if you feel you have managed to come through and are ready and able to help others.

To find out if the group could help you contact Liz High Peak CVS 01663 736427/ 07702 168187 or Blythe House 01298 875080.

High Peak CVS are also in partnership with other Bereavement Groups in the High Peak area. Get in touch with Liz to find out more information about these.

Heading out to do some shopping or run errands over the coming weeks, you might notice some new faces that crop up regularly in shops and businesses across the High Peak and Hope Valley. 

More than 170 collection pots are dispersed across the community in places like banks, shops, cafés, pubs and companies, with members of the public donating spare change to help support their local hospice.  

The generosity of local people, and the businesses that are proud to display Blythe House collection pots, helped the hospice to raise an amazing £10,872 throughout 2018 and 2019. 

All these donations enable the Chapel-en-le-Frith hospice to continue to provide free care and services to local patients with illnesses including cancer, COPD, heart failure and neurological conditions such as motor neurone disease, as well as supporting their carers and families.  

If you would like to house a Blythe House collection box in your shop or local business call 01298 815 388 or email fundraising@blythehouse.co.uk

These workshops offer a toolbox of skills for tackling eating disorder difficulties, focusing on warmth, empathy and self-reflection.

firststepsed.co.uk/parents-and-carers/