With Derbyshire County Councils Warm Space initiative over recent months and increases in awareness raising events, hubs, food banks and community activism, Derbyshire Voluntary Action’s Mental Health Liaison Service thought it would be helpful to create a simple support pack, which provides information about mental health support, training and therapy services.

Rachel Bounds, who works on the Mental Health Liaison Service at Derbyshire Voluntary Action says, “more and more people are feeling comfortable opening up about their mental health, we hope this pack allows people to offer clear and simple ways to signpost to services.”

The pack includes guidance on how to respond in a mental health crisis, crisis and support helplines, as well as a number of QR codes and websites where you can find mental health related apps, services and training for adults, children and young people.

For Rachel “being kind doesn’t mean being clinical, and we cannot always prepare someone to manage and deal with difficult conversations, however, we do hope it is helpful in providing people with a starting point when supporting people with their mental health.”

Rachel also states, “we have already received a large number of emails saying how useful the pack has been, so it really highlights the need and significance of mental health services and voluntary sector providers.”

The support pack, which is currently digital, will hopefully be available in printed format soon, and people will be welcome to contact the team to arrange collection of some packs.

To access and download the digital version, please visit: https://dva.org.uk/mental-health-support-pack/

For more information, please email: Rachel@dva.org.uk or Bryony@dva.org.uk

Chronic Fatigue Recovery Group
Monthly Meeting
Wednesday 22 February 1pm – 2pm
Online and at Lifehouse Church, Chatsworth Rd, Chesterfield

 
This month specialist fatigue and trauma practitioner Suzanne Smith will be sharing her 3 top tips on how to get to sleep, stay asleep and wake up feeling refreshed. 
 
Poor sleep is a common factor within chronic fatigue conditions.  Having some tools to hand that can help to change around what’s happening for you can help to reduce your frustration and annoyance.  Suzanne will be sharing ideas and tools to help you sleep more easily,  So come along and join us to hear all about it!
 
For more details contact chatsworthwellbeingcentre@gmail.com
 
To stay in touch and receive regular meeting information, sign up for our newsletter https://mailchi.mp/de79f5acc431/chronic-fatigue-recovery-group

Get the kettle on, Training and Tea is back: FREE* online bitesize sessions alongside your morning cuppa!

Training and Tea sessions are held Wednesday mornings 9.30am – 10.15am. Lasting for 45 minutes these courses are short, convenient and held online via Zoom. Booking is via Eventbrite and all the sessions can be found here bit.ly/CommunityChesterfieldEventbrite Places are limited.

FREE for Community, Voluntary or Third Sector organisations and groups in Derbyshire* AND staff / students of the University of Derby – funded for you by Community Chesterfield.

*£20 for everyone else. (T’c & C’s apply).

• 31st May Delivering an Exceptional Experience?

This session will enable you to understand how your organisation interacts with the people around you, the public, customers, service users, employees and volunteers. By using a mapping approach, we will discuss how we can positively shape and influence how people experience our organisations.

• 14th June Using Business Skills to run your Organisation.

Join this short session to learn some tools to help make sound decisions for your organisation. This will help you to understand which projects to prioritise, have confidence in your decisions and be able to share your reasoning with colleagues.

• 21st June Be Brave, Be Bold, how to ask for money.

Asking for money is never easy, whether it is selling raffle tickets, a service, or a product. This session will look at understanding why we find it hard and how we can use our skills to become confident to make the ask and benefit our organisations.

Derbyshire County Council has secured some short-term funding to assist our vulnerable populations with obtaining oral health resources.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a considerable impact on dental services, and this has been felt more severely by those who were already more likely to have poorer health outcomes. It is recognised that inequalities exist in oral health outcomes for some population groups and that is why we would like to offer your services free tooth brushing packs.

Dental decay is almost entirely preventable, and the risk of developing oral health problems can be reduced by the adoption of good oral hygiene including brushing daily with fluoride toothpaste. Poor oral health can have a negative impact throughout life and can cause pain and infection, leading to difficulties with eating, sleeping, socialising and well-being.

Each tooth brushing pack will include either an adult or child toothbrush and toothpaste and include oral health key promotional messages. A minimum order of two boxes must be made, there are around 40 toothbrushing packs in each box.

If you work with vulnerable populations in Derbyshire, your organisation/group can apply to help distribute these resources.

We have set up a simple online order system and Derbyshire County Council Logistics Hub will arrange to deliver the packs to you.

What next?
You will need to register before Friday 17th February 2023. Visit Oral Health Hygiene Pack Ordering then we will send you the link to place your order and our team will deliver the products to you.

What is it?
Funding is available to enable groups to deliver a range of physical activity and wellbeing-based sessions across Derbyshire with the aim of improving mental wellbeing.
 
Who can apply?
Small to medium voluntary, community or social enterprise groups working within Derbyshire (excludes Derby City).
 
How much can you apply for?
Groups can apply for up to £5,000.
 
When do I apply?
The application form will open on the 20^th February 2023.
The deadline for applying will be 10^th March 2023, at which time the application form will close.
 
This is phase one of the scheme, there will be a second phase whereby more funding is available starting around October 2023.
 
How do you apply?
Visit www.derbyshiremind.org.uk/services/mhawproject/how-to-apply to access the application form and guidance documentation.

Time to Talk Day on Thursday 2 February is a great excuse to check in with friends and see how they’re doing.

The idea behind the day is that it gives us all a chance to open up about how we’re feeling. Talking about mental health isn’t always easy, but a conversation has the power to change lives.

You can download a host of materials form the Time to Talk website, you’ll find posters, social media images, conversation starters, bunting and much more.

To get ideas and advice on how to start a conversation about mental health and emotional wellbeing, visit the Derbyshire County Council Time To Talk page.

First Steps ED are holding free eating disorder workshop for parents/carers at Relate in Chesterfield over two evenings in February.
 
The skills for carers workshops are suitable for anyone over 18 who is supporting an adult or child with an eating disorder. The course aims to equip the participants with practical tips, information and insight to allow them to support their loved one.
 
Interest in registering for the course can be made by contacting Clare Jones, Parent and Carer Service Coordinator, on 01332 367 571 or clare@firststepsed.co.uk
 
You can also register by completing a form on the First Steps ED website in the support for carers section.