The survey will provide a snapshot of progress to date and can be completed in 10-30 minutes depending on how long you spend on each question.

The online survey has a filter with different questions for people affected by dementia and professionals and carers.

Survey closes on 8th September.

Complete the survey at www.dementiaaction.org.uk/impactsurvey

The Voluntary Sector Single Point of Access scheme (VSPA) will link local people at most risk of going in to hospital to a wide range of support services run by voluntary and community organisations.

The service, set up by NDVA (formerly North Derbyshire Voluntary Action) will be used by county council social care staff, health professionals, GPs, community support teams and hospital discharge teams, who will be able to refer people that could benefit. Voluntary organisations will also be able to refer their clients for extra support.

The VSPA currently covers North Derbyshire, Hardwick and Erewash and has been commissioned by NHS North Derbyshire, Hardwick and Erewash Clinical Commissioning Groups.

It holds an up-to-date directory of voluntary and community sector services and when people are referred by health and social care professionals, a specially-trained VSPA liaison worker will search for relevant organisations that could help to support the person to live at home or find services close to their home which could help them.

The service will not only improve access to the voluntary sector for people needing a service and for health and social care professionals, but will also cut down the time it takes to identify a relevant organisation that can provide help.

Through the database, development worker and NDVA knowledge of organisations, VSPA staff will be able to identify which services have the resources to support new clients and also help to identify where there are potential gaps in services.

For more information contact Pete Newby, VSPA Development Worker on: 07508 636242 or email: pete.vspa@ndva.org.uk

The funding is available as part of Think Autism, the update to the 2010 Adult Autism Strategy for England.

The money is split between Innovation Fund projects (£1 million) and national coordination of an awareness and champions network (£200,000).

The Department of Health are specifically seeking a third sector/voluntary organisation or a small consortium to deliver the national co-ordination of the awareness and champions network.

For details see www.gov.uk/government/publications/autism-innovation-fund-apply-for-grants-to-improve-local-services

If you are a natural born leader, a whizz with numbers or super organised and can spare a few hours a week, our roles of Chair, Secretary and Treasurer could be right for you!  We are also looking for general members to attend meetings, bring their ideas and work as part of the dedicated group to raise awareness and funds, so there really is an opportunity for anyone!

They are holding an information meeting on the 12th August at 6.30pm at Buxton Morrisons.  Please get in touch on the contact details below if you would like to attend.  If you are interested, but unable to attend, still feel free to get in touch to discuss the opportunities. 

More information on our fundraising groups can be found at www.mariecurie.org.uk/groups or to discuss the opportunities and register your interest please contact Sarah Phillips-Lord, Derbyshire Community Fundraiser on sarah.phillips-lord@mariecurie.org.uk or call 01332 204221 / 07540 677468. 

Their new address is:

Rural Action Derbyshire, Town Hall, Bank Road, Matlock DE4 3NN

Main switchboard:  0845 313 8800

They are looking for a few more volunteers to help out. The commitment?  About four hours on a Thursday every few months, helping to set up, serve and clear lunch for about 40 (don’t worry – we have a dishwasher!)  The reward? Mixing with some very jolly and interesting people and getting to have a lovely lunch with them.

If you or anyone you know think they can help and would like to be part of the club please give Marion (01663 73717) or Stella (01663 2132) a ring. 

Tickets: £5 Adults. £3 Children (Under 16) / Benefit recipients / Support Workers

There will be a tuck shop, selling colds drinks and snacks, an exhibition of work that members have created and a raffle with the chance to win some great prizes!

The groups will work with an experienced graffiti artist and produce artwork which will be displayed at a number of leisure centres throughout Tameside! If you would like to join us then ring Alex on 0161 368 3422 to book your free place!

This August marks the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War. The Woodlands Trust would like you to take part in a once-in-a-generation tribute to all those who gave their lives by creating a growing legacy that will stand tall for centuries to come. Over the next four years they're offering three million free trees to help communities, schools and youth groups remember their local heroes. Register now to receive your free trees and create special, living memorials.

To apply for a free tree pack you must be able to meet the following criteria:

• Your group is not-for-profit; 
• The trees will be planted on a publicly accessible site; 
• You have permission to plant from the legal landowner; 
• Your community has been consulted and is supportive of the project; 
• There will be plenty of community involvement; 
• Packs are appropriate for the area; 
• The intended planting site isn't too close to buildings, power lines, roads or other services; 
• You have identified the grid reference for the planting site. 

More information at www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/in-your-community

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust are inviting people working with or supporting families and children throughout Derbyshire and Sheffield to join them and discover inspiring, relevant and achievable ways of improving their quality of life through outdoor play.

There will be a screening of the film Project Wild Thing, a chance to try out activities based on the Wild Time app and a choice of discussion workshops to consider the main issues preventing children and families from spending time outdoors in nature and how we might work together to tackle them. 

Thursday 11 September 1-5pm - University of Derby, Buxton Campus, 1 Devonshire Road.  To book contact Derbyshire Wildlife Trust on 01773 881188 or email enquiries@derbyshirewt.co.uk 

More information  and other dates and venues can be found at www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/discover-learn/wild-child-forums