News & Developments

These are only around 5 years old.  The model number is DKT3210F-5D for those who want to see what the phones look like and their specification.

Contact VCSPD: Tel 01298 23970 or email alistair@vcspd.org

Date: Thursday 3 July 2014 - 12:00 to 16:00
Venue: Derby Enterprise Centre, Bridge Street, Derby

The purpose of this event is to analyse the current state of play in relation to youth employment and unemployment, the direction of travel in policy and interventions and the role that the VCS can play in achieving positive outcomes.

The event will incorporate a range of different perspectives including the current position on youth unemployment across England and the East Midlands, national policy in relation to young people and employment, opportunities to build stronger relationships with our local growth sectors and examples of successful interventions from across the region having a positive impact.

The event will be interactive throughout with lots of opportunity for discussion, learning from local experience and to consider the forward role of the VCS.

Further details and booking at www.oneeastmidlands.org.uk/emvyforumjuly2014

LawWorks are supported by the Law Society and we work with many of the top 100 law firms.  Volunteers can provide advice on issues such as employment, property, tax, contract and intellectual property.. The service is completely free and is available to most small organisations.

To apply for free help visit www.lawworks.org.uk/community-groups and apply online.

Free online legal training is available for non-profits from LawWorks as Free Talks at www.lawworks.org.uk/free-talks or via their YouTube channel Law Works.

It is estimated that there are around 175,000 young carers in the country looking after parents, grandparents and siblings.

As a result of their caring responsibilities, Young Carers may experience:

• loneliness
• isolation
• frustration
• anxiety
• limited free time
• struggle with school work and homework
• bullying

Anyone can make a referral to Derbyshire Young Carers Service on 01246 207752 or yc.chesterfield@actionforchildren.org.uk.  The young person or a parent can make contact directly or a professional working with the family or young person can make a referral on their behalf.

Derbyshire Young Carers:

• gives Young Carers chance to meet others in similar situations.
• gives Young Carers a break from their caring responsibilities.
• provides you with someone to talk to, discuss worries, anxiety and other issues.
• gives Young Carers a voice in meetings.
• can try to get more support for families.
• can help with family relationships.

www.actionforchildren.org.uk

They are looking for photographs which demonstrate aspects of volunteering today, either from the volunteer’s point of view, or from the beneficiary of their help.  

Anyone can enter (except employees and families of VCSPD staff, and no professional photographers please)!  The best photograph will receive a £50 cash prize and £50 donation to the charity or community organisation of their choice.  

The twelve photographs which fulfil the brief best will be made into a 2015 calendar, which will be available from VCSPD offices in Buxton and Ashbourne.  

Closing date is 31 August 2014.  Entrants can pick up an entry form from our offices, or for more information you can contact our Volunteering Development Manager, please e-mail Debbie@vcspd.org or Tel: 01298 23970 or 01335 348602.

SGP View from the Peak 34 Summer 2014   831Kb

Their new website is at firststepsderbyshire.co.uk

Fracking (hydraulic fracturing of rock deep underground) for gas or oil is clearly emerging as a central plank of this government’s future energy policy. It’s making more and more land available, in principle, for test drilling and possible commercial extraction. This could see licensed exploration in special landscapes, including the Peak District and its National Park. And there’s talk of changing law to stop landowners vetoing fracking under their land. 

So it’s clear there is quite a head of steam behind fracking. But what is it, what are its economics, its scientific base, its environmental impacts?  There is much heat, loud claim and counter-claim, about all this. Sustainable Hayfield are delighted to have two worthy scientists to help shape a local discussion around this: 

Pete Webb, geologist and industrial consultant, has 40 years’ experience in the oil and gas industry.  He considers that, responsibly managed, oil and gas extracted by shale fracking have an important role to play in making the UK less dependent on imported energy whilst alternative home sources of supply are developed;

Royston Sellman is a scientist who worked at and for the Centre for Sustainable Energy. He considers fracking an unnecessary, harmful and wasteful activity, producing more climate-changing emissions of greenhouse gases and diverting investment from more sustainable sources of UK-based energy generation.

Both are accomplished and experienced presenters, who want to promote informed debate on what is a significant public policy issue. We anticipate a rich and constructive discussion, with opportunity for questions after presentations.

Why not consider putting your name forward to join Sustainable Hayfield’s main committee: it meets no more than monthly. Or, if you’re interested in one of their topic groups (food, waste, energy, transport, school) why not find out more and get involved? Let Secretary Ruth Wilson, know (01663 745574 or ruthwilson_58@hotmail.com) of your interest by Saturday 21 June.

Date: 10th July 2014

Depart Buxton 9am, return 10.30-11.00pm

Cost: £20-£25 per person (depending on numbers)

The plan is to arrive in Oxford St area of central London around 12.30pm, have time to do as you please for the afternoon, and then meet up at the Houses of Parliament at 5pm (when Parliament finishes sitting for the day). Andrew Bingham will then give a tour of the Houses of Parliament including ‘behind the scenes corners’ that the tourist tours don’t cover.  You’ll be back on the coach at 7.30pm and back in Buxton by approximately 11pm.

If you are interested, please book with Jackie by 23rd June: jackie@highpeakcvs.org.uk 01663 736436 - places will fill up fast, so book soon or you may be disappointed!

Andrew Bingham is planning another similar trip for voluntary groups later in October and CVS will send out further information well in advance of that.

This is an opportunity to discuss issues specific to small charities and get their voice heard.

The four major themes of the conversation are: 

• Vibrant Communities 
• Addressing Disadvantage 
• Working Together 
• Stronger Sector 

Your views and ideas will help influence how the Big Lottery Fund can make the biggest difference for people and communities in the UK, focusing specifically on the issues facing small charities.

The conversation is open until July 2014. You can join the conversation at: yourvoiceourvision.org.uk