Social Connectedness Development Worker

• 1.0 FTE – 37 hours per week
• £22,911 + 5% pension
• 1 year fixed term contract, with possible extension subject to funding

Feeling Connected in North East Derbyshire and Chesterfield is a multi-agency initiative to reduce loneliness and social isolation. Building on the success of the project thus far, our Social Connectedness Action Group seeks a positive, pragmatic Development Worker to extend and further develop the great community engagement we have already achieved.

If you’re an experienced community development worker with a strong track record in asset-based community development and building great relationships with communities, then this is the job for you!

To excel in this role, you’ll need to be:

• A confident self-starter, able to take the initiative to make contacts and establish networks quickly
• A collaborative team player
• A brilliant relationship builder
• Passionate about supporting and enabling individuals and communities to be socially connected and take care of each other

• Deadline for applications: Monday 21st March 2022, 10.00am
• Interview date:  early April, date to be confirmed
• Start date: April 2022

Visit https://dva.org.uk/job-vacancies/ for an application pack

In February 2019, Derbyshire County Council decided to undertake a comprehensive review of all of the grant funding that they provide, and set out their ambitions to develop a council-wide approach to the allocation of funding in the future.

The review has considered all of the grant funding they currently provide and has identified 62 specific grants which are awarded on a recurring annual basis to a range of Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisations. These ‘recurring grants’ have not been subject to review, despite having been made over many years.

Proposals could lead to changes which impact a number of (VCS) organisations operating across the county.

Derbyshire  County Council would therefore like to hear from as many organisations, stakeholders and members of the public on proposals as possible.

A report to Cabinet on 6 December 2021,agenda item 5a,  sets out further information in relation to the proposals. You should read the report before responding to this consultation.

Derbyshire  County Council would be grateful to receive your views to help shape the next stage of the review process.

In the meantime, should you have any queries or require additional information or you need any clarification of the proposals before submitting your response, please do not hesitate to contact the Policy and Research team email policy@derbyshire.gov.uk

You can share your views by completing the online questionnaire https://wh1.snapsurveys.com/s.asp?k=163698856793

The deadline for responses is 23 March 2022. 

If you need a paper copy or information in a different format please contact Call Derbyshire tel: 01629 533190.

The Eventbrite weblink to book for the 28th February course is now live to book at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/barbertalk-hairbeauty-talk-online-derbyshire-28th-february-2022-tickets-244479102577

This mental health training is specifically targeted at the Hair and Beauty workforce and businesses in Derbyshire County. The training is delivered on behalf of the Derbyshire County Council Public Health Mental Health Team by the Lions Barber Collective and is accredited/endorsed by Habia, Habia is recognised by government as the Standard Setting Body (SSB) for the hair, beauty, nails, spa and aesthetic sectors.

For all too many military veterans, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an extremely debilitating condition.

But it doesn’t just affect those who have experienced the horrors of war – it can also have a very real impact on the day-to-day lives of their spouses and partners.

With that in mind, one woman whose partner lives with severe combat-based PTSD has started a new support group in Chesterfield to help the other halves of ex-service personnel.

Spouses Unite, set up by Mica Day, meets at The Hub in Low Pavements, next to Eden Mobility, every month – with the next session to be held between 6.30pm and 8pm on January 20.

Mica said PTSD affects ‘every aspect’ of her partner’s day and night, and includes symptoms such as extreme anxiety, regular nightmares and mood swings.

She told the Derbyshire Times: “As a partner I want to do everything I can for him, making his as comfortable as possible, talking through whatever we need to and generally doing everything I can to make sure he doesn’t feel alone.

“But you, without realising, put everything you have into looking after your other half and before you know it you have completely forgotten about yourself.

“You cannot pour from an empty cup and self-preservation is extremely important.

“If you are not keeping yourself in check there is no way you can do your best to help others.”

And that is why she decided to start Spouses Unite in partnership with Links and Derbyshire Voluntary Action.

“Being the partner of someone with military PTSD you can easily put yourself to the back of the list,” she said.

“I realised this was happening to myself and saw a need for this group to exist, a need for a safe space for people going through similar situations at home to sit and chat over a cuppa.

“PTSD has such a vast scale of severity and can differ in the ways it impacts on people’s lives, but to sit with someone else knowing they have felt how you’ve felt at least once is extremely valuable.

“Being able to talk to someone who might have a different perspective on the situation, someone who is non-judgemental, understanding and knows things are never black and white, is essential to your well-being and moving forward for yourself and your partner.”

She added: “In putting your partner first you can easily become isolated – you might stop seeing people or simply not have the time or energy to do other things.

“This group would mean a little break away into a different environment other than home and a chance to meet new people who understand.

“I know there is a big ex-forces presence in Chesterfield and some of them will have partners.

“There is no pressure to speak about what’s going on at home, though you can if you want to.

“But it’s more about supporting each other be that with advice, having a vent or chatting about the latest Netflix show. Socialising with others who understand.”

Mica thanked everyone who has supported Spouses Unite so far.

She said: “In setting up this group I have been lucky enough to be supported by Debbie Fennell, who is the social connectedness development worker at Derbyshire Voluntary Action, on a project called Feeling Connected in North East Derbyshire and Chesterfield.

“The project supports people like myself who in turn want to connect with and support other people through community groups or within their neighbourhoods or communities on anything that reduces loneliness and social isolation.

“I’m hoping my group will do just that.”

Debbie said: “My role is about building relationships with people like Mica who want to make a difference in their street, estate, village, town or workplace – and to be responsive in helping them in whatever way they need.

“It’s a challenging time but even in the pandemic there are many ways we can all keep our spirits up and continue to connect with family, friends and the people who live around us.”

For more information about Spouses Unit – which is free to attend – email spousesunitechesterfield@gmail.com or search for ‘Spouses Unite’ on Facebook.

If you have any ideas about how to keep the community connected, Debbie would like to hear from you. Email debbie@dva.org.uk or call 07547342251.

Article taken from the Derbyshire Times website: ttps://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/news/people/new-support-group-for-other-halves-of-chesterfield-people-with-military-ptsd-3521196

Derbyshire Voluntary Action (DVA) is looking to recruit new Trustees to its Board to broaden the sectors represented by its membership.

The organisation, representing more than 420 voluntary and community sector groups across Derbyshire, wishes to create a robust strategic plan to build more successful cross-sector collaborations, engage with businesses and improve its financial sustainability.

DVA’s Trustees work collaboratively and strive to provide the charity with clear leadership and effective governance. Newly recruited trustees must be willing to play a crucial role in supporting DVA to move forward and build on our successes.

The key roles of the Trustees include contributing to board papers and being available to contribute to Board sub-groups, such as finance and HR, supporting staff and providing insight and guidance on key issues, new initiatives and new business/funding opportunities.

Our Trustees also:

• Actively contribute to the Board’s leadership role in providing strategic direction to the organisation by setting overall policy, defining goals and evaluating performance.
• Ensure that DVA works within the spirit of its governing document and complies with charity law and any other applicable legislation or regulations.
• Ensure that DVA pursues its charitable objects – as defined in its governing document and its vision and mission – as described in its business plan.
• Ensure that DVA uses its resources exclusively to pursue its organisational strategy, business plan and objectives.
• Safeguard the good name and values of DVA.
• Ensure the financial stability of the organisation.
• Support the chief executive in their role and monitor their performance against organisational strategy and the business plan.

DVA is particularly interested in hearing from people who are willing to share their experience and skills in the following areas; business development, marketing and brand management, finance, voluntary and community sector group development, lean management and digital skills.

Jacqui Willis, Chief Executive and Julie Dixon, newly elected Chair of DVA, said: “This is an exciting time to join Derbyshire Voluntary Action. We move into our fourth decade, having formed in 1991 and move forward onto a new chapter of our history. This is a great opportunity for local community-minded people and professionals to join a forward-thinking organisation who see the great value of their communities and wish to contribute in a rewarding and impactful way”.

The organisation specialises in supporting health and well-being related voluntary and community sector organisations – from small volunteer-led self-help groups to local and regional charities delivering projects to benefit many Derbyshire residents.

For an informal discussion and to find out more, contact DVA’s Chair, Julie Dixon, at julie@bana-uk.com.

For more information about DVA, visit www.dva.org.uk.

Notes to editors:

1. Derbyshire Voluntary Action (DVA) is an independent charity, which strategically represents and champions the work of the health and care voluntary and community sector. It supports a diverse range of local charities and community groups and connects people and resources to projects and ideas. www.dva.org.uk.
2. The University of Derby is located in the heart of England. It builds on the region’s heritage of innovation to provide industry-relevant, expert teaching, from the foundation and undergraduate degrees through to postgraduate study and research. The University’s St Helena Campus is a Centre of Excellence for Health and Social Care, and its nursing courses were ranked 17^th in the Guardian University Guide 2021. https://www.derby.ac.uk/
3. Connect to… is Derbyshire Voluntary Action’s enhanced social prescribing and self-care service to support people who are lonely, isolated or at risk of developing/living with a long-term health condition. This service helps local people increase their social and physical activity and access emotional and practical support. www.dva.org.uk/connect-to/

Due to the current covid restrictions and the significant increase in infections across the county / country it has been decided to postpone the Connect Derbyshire Conference that was scheduled to take place on the 3^rd February at Chesterfield Football Club.

If you have already booked a place you will automatically be given priority to attend the rearranged date. 

The conference is a celebration event to showcase the progress made across Derbyshire to reduce loneliness and isolation and will be a call to action to make Derbyshire even more connected.

• Conference programme – A breakdown of what can be expected throughout the event
• Conference booking form – please follow the instructions on how to secure your application for a place

We have moved from our address at Offices 2a- 2c, The Market Hall, Chesterfield S40 1AR.

From 1^st January 2022 our new address will be Derbyshire Voluntary Action, 3rd Floor, Dents Chambers, 81 New Square, Chesterfield S40 1AH.

All other information, including our phone number, email addresses etc. remain the same.

DORA 2017 will begin holding their Coffee Mornings in The Hub @ Low Pavement in Chesterfield in the new year.  The dates for the first four Coffee Mornings are:

Tuesday 11th January 2022
Tuesday  8th February 2022
Tuesday 1st March 2022
Tuesday 5th April 2022

The Elm Foundation are running another FREE “Introduction to Domestic Abuse” online training session on Tuesday 11^th January 9.30am-12pm. This training is CPD Accredited.

An Introduction to Domestic abuse training covers:
– The definition of domestic abuse as outlined by the new Domestic Abuse Act 2021.
– The different types of abuse that victim/survivors can experience.
– The warning signs and indicators that may suggest someone is a victim of domestic abuse.
– Ways to support victim/survivors of domestic abuse including how to ask and how to respond when someone is a victim/survivor of domestic abuse.
– All the local and national specialist domestic abuse support services and contact details
– Information about national safety initiatives to support and promote safety for victim/survivors of domestic abuse.

On completion of the training participants will also receive poster resources of the Derbyshire Domestic Abuse Helpline and an attendance certificate with CPD accreditation details.

A FREE place can be booked via the link below.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-introduction-to-domestic-abuse-tickets-224557817477

The session is ran through Eventbrite via zoom.

If you require any further information please contact Helen Onion, Learning and Development Lead on 07500950962 or helen.onion@theelmfoundation.org.uk

Derbyshire Carers Association have put together a list of useful helplines for Carers and others should they need help and support over the festive period.

https://www.derbyshirecarers.co.uk/blog/helplines-over-christmas-2021