They would like to find out about organisations' experiences of how groups of people with different needs are represented, and the extent to which their views are taken into account by different health structures, including Clinical Commissioning Groups and local Healthwatch.

This information will form part of a report regarding representation of voluntary and community organisations and their beneficiaries on these health structures, to show what is working well, what challenges there are, and how this differs around the country.

The survey can be found at www.surveymonkey.com/s/equalityhealth

It will close on the 21st November.  If you have any questions about this survey, or would like to share your own experience with local health structures, please email ellie.munro@navca.org.uk

The Away Day is an ideal opportunity for hall managers to increase their knowledge and understanding on a range of topical issues, including music licensing; security, risk assessments and insurance; hiring agreements; energy best deals and the Green Deal; the Big Lottery Fund's Reaching Communities Programme; amongst other topics. Delegates will also have the opportunity to pose questions to speakers on matters affecting their hall.

The event is also a great networking opportunity whereby delegates get to hear about what happens at other halls, the issues they face and possibly learn how they were resolved.

There is ample parking for 36 cars and 3 disabled spaces.

To book your place, please follow the link to the Eventbright website:   http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/event/8850202193

Contact Helena Stubbs at  Rural Action Derbyshire for further details.

John spent many years as Editor of Buxton Advertiser and shared valuable tips on how voluntary groups can get their press releases into the local papers. He has also offered to run a workshop on this at the University Buxton Campus if there was enough demand. 

High Peak CVS have agreed to help organise this. So if you would be interested in benefitting from John’s years of experience at the Buxton Advertiser please contact jackie@highpeakcvs.org.uk

DCC define a foodbank as a non-profit, charitable organisation that works with a network of referring organisation to distribute food on an on-going basis to those who are experiencing severe financial hardship and an inability to purchase food. This differs and is distinct from food relief agencies that offer cooked or prepared foods to those in need. 

There is a total one-off grant fund of £108,000 which has to be allocated by 31st March 2014.  There are at least 17 food banks in Derbyshire County so please bear this in mind when you make your application. 

Applications must be received by 9.00am Thursday 5th December 2013.  Please send by email to ursula.spencer@derbyshire.gov.uk 

Should you have any queries please contact Julie Hirst or Sandra Johnson in the Public Health Department, Derbyshire County Council, Chatsworth Hall, Matlock DE4 3FW. Tel 01629-536174 or 536185 Email: julie.hirst@derbyshire.gov.uk     or      sandra.johnson@derbyshire.gov.uk

The aim of this free workshop is to give an overview of the new Awards For All programme and to increase understanding of:

• What makes an application fundable 
• Common errors made and how to avoid them 
• Issues BIG considers when assessing applications so that applicants can maximise their chances of success 
• Which applications should be directed to a different Lottery distributor

Tuesday 26 November 2013 10.30am – 12.30pm (registration at 10.15am) at Community Action, 4 Charnwood Street, Derby

To reserve a place contact Abigail.steanson@communityactionderby.org.uk or 01332 227710.

Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service would also welcome discussion on how these plans integrate with your own service planning, particularly in relation to potential opportunities for site sharing or greater collaborative working.

The consultation documents and further supporting information can be found at www.derbys-fire.gov.uk where you can also complete the on-line survey.  The consultation period is from 1 October 2013 to 23 December 2013.

If you require the document in a different format or wish to discuss its contents with a member of staff, please contact the Executive Support Office on 01332 271900 or email DFRSconsultation@derbys-fire.gov.uk.

• Village Harvest Festival
• Apple tent, apple juicing,sculptures and sales
• Forestcraft & tours of school grounds
• Beekeeping, fruit bush/apple tree sales and care
• Apple Games, Children’s activities and Storytelling
• Produce, Art & Craft Show
• Live Bluegrass music
• Fairtrade & Eco-friendly products
• Craft sales & demonstrations
• Apple soup and sausages, cakes & grand tombola

The Community Action Award Scheme will recognise best practice amongst those who are working to tackle fuel poverty and improve energy efficiency in their local communities. Supported by DECC and British Gas, 15 awards will be made to community groups, third sector organisations, health agencies, local authorities and other public and not-for-profit organisations in England that demonstrate innovative approaches to tackling fuel poverty.

Winners will receive £1.5k to develop or enhance their project; a free place at the NEA Annual Conference in 2014; plus practical and financial support to hold a community celebration event. Following the events four of these will be named as national winners and provided with an additional £2k to further enhance their initiative.

There are two phases with various awards. The closing date for phase 1 is 31 October 2013, for phase 2 it is 14 February 2014.

For more information visit www.nea.org.uk/communityaction or call 0191 269 2935.

The 17 seat minibus, with ‘easy access’ hydraulic tail-lift for those with restricted mobility, was formally ‘opened’ by County Councillor Beth Atkins. Over 20 village and local organisations attended.  It has been funded with Big Lottery money.

The minibus can be hired by local organisations, community and neighbourhood groups. What makes it different to many others is that it is intended for self-drive community use, so there is no cost of having a driver. Sustainable Hayfield is organising brief MIDAS-approved training for those groups wishing to use the minibus. Hayfield Primary School and New Mills Volunteer Centre are already regular users, whilst local sports groups are also increasingly using it: it has taken fell runners, and girl football teams, to distant competitions, for instance. There is also interest in commuters using it for travel to/from local stations. 

The minibus is intended to support local groups’ travel plans, without the polluting wastefulness of multiple car journeys. It is part of Sustainable Hayfield’s wider transport project, aiming to provide varied means of reducing car journeys for people travelling to shared destinations.  Also planned are development of peer-to-peer car rental schemes, promotion of car sharing and a mobile phone app linking people with the same travel needs together.

A co-op has been formed to oversee the project, including the minibus, with members shaping overall direction. If you would like to know more, or just use the minibus, contact Roland Strube on 01663 749062 or via roland.strube@gmail.com. 

Awards for All is a small grants funding programme with awards between £300 and £10,000 open to voluntary and community organisations. Reaching Communities awards grants of between £10,000 and £500,000 to voluntary and community organisations and statutory bodies.

The following link provides all the details with dates and how to book on to a webinar session. www.ccberks.org.uk/big-lottery-webinar-training/4579118382