News & Developments

Chris made a significant contribution to local groups within the High Peak including High Peak CVS. Chris had the unique ability to get to the nub of an issue, cut through to what is important and succinctly lay out the way forward. He was always dedicated, responsive, supportive and jovial. When he passed away, the High Peak voluntary sector lost one of its strongest advocates and supporters.

Through this award, High Peak CVS wants to celebrate and commemorate not only Chris’s contribution, but also his insight into the potential of voluntary activity for personal and community growth.

The award will offer local groups the opportunity to raise their profile and gain recognition for the work they do. Our key assessment criteria will be around acknowledging your achievements and progress. Examples of the types of changes we are looking for maybe around revitalising your group, attracting new members, attracting new funding, developing a new project and or making a significant impact in your local community.

You can apply on behalf of your group, you can be nominated by or nominate another group. A small panel will make the decision.

High Peak CVS will present the Award, a commemorative plaque, framed certificate and cheque for £100 for the group, at its Annual General Meeting in October. The Award is open to all groups, however small or large, newly formed or long established and we encourage everyone to apply. 

There is a simple application form which groups are asked to complete and return to: Jackie Donnelly, High Peak CVS, Dunbar House, 105 Buxton Road, Whaley Bridge, High Peak SK23 7HX. or Email: jackie@highpeakcvs.org.uk or Tel: 01663 736436 

The closing date for applications is Tue 7 Oct 2014.

Do you experience feelings of low mood or worry? Talking Mental Health Derbyshire, a nationally renowned talking therapies service, is running a free half-day workshop on mindfulness in Derby on 11 August. The three-hour workshop, taking place from 1.30pm at Derbyshire Healthcare’s Centre for Research and Development, will be led by an expert therapist who will introduce the concept of mindfulness (a combination of meditation and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and give practical tips on reducing negative feelings and anxiety by paying greater attention to feelings, thoughts and the world around us. It would be suitable for people who may not yet feel ready or able to ask for help, but want to see if this approach could be right for them.

The workshop is free to anyone registered with a GP in Derby or Derbyshire. To book a place, call Talking Mental Health Derbyshire on 0300 123 0542 or email talking@derbyshcft.nhs.uk. A brief telephone assessment will be required before attending the workshop.

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!