September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day – an annual event which aims to start open, frank conversations around suicide and what we can all do to help prevent it.

By raising awareness, reducing the stigma around suicide and encouraging action, we can all work together and offer support to people who need it.

The theme this year is ‘Creating Hope Through Action’ – a reminder that there is an alternative to suicide and aims to inspire confidence and light in all of us; that our actions, no matter how big or small, may provide hope to those who are struggling.

Visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) website to download resources to help you raise awareness this World Suicide Prevention Day.

If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal there are people you can talk to:

• Speak to a friend, family member or someone you trust
• Use the Derbyshire Mental Health Helpline and Support Service, which is provided by experienced mental health practitioners and is open 24 hours per day, seven days a week, tel: 0800 028 0077
• Call the Samaritans 24-hour support service on telephone 116 123 or contact Samaritans online
• Use the Staying Safe website for support, information and making your own safety plan
• Contact NHS 111
• Make an urgent appointment to see your GP
• Ring 999

‘Feeling Connected’ Week

Saturday 25^th September – Saturday 2^nd October

This has been a difficult and lonely year for many people. As Covid restrictions ease, we invite you to take part in Derbyshire Voluntary Action’s ‘Feeling Connected’ Week during the last week of September.

Perhaps you are meeting with friends, have re-joined your social or special interest group, or are having a team meeting with colleagues. Maybe you run or lead a group that hasn’t met for some time and would really like to get going again.  ‘Feeling Connected’ Week is the perfect opportunity to invite your members to reconnect.

If you are reluctant to start up your group again because you are worried about how many members will attend, why not organise a ‘welcome back’ event, such as a coffee morning or an afternoon tea and open it up to potential new members?  If you would like some advice on how to do this, or some support around funding a special event, then give Debbie a call.  She may be able to help.

In whatever way you choose to connect, we would love it if you would display our special ‘Feeling Connected’ poster at your event and share your moments with us on social media, by tagging @feelingconnected or using #feelingconnectedweek.

Or, if you yourself are feeling lonely and isolated and want to connect with other people but don’t know where to start, please contact Debbie.

To find out more about Feeling Connected Week and to sign up, contact Debbie Fennell, Social Connectedness Development Worker by email debbie@dva.org.uk or phone 07547 342251.

The ‘Feeling Connected’ project aims to combat loneliness and social isolation by improving local approaches to social connectedness in North East Derbyshire and Chesterfield.

The Derbyshire Recovery and Peer Support Service are working alongside Derby City Life Links to deliver two online vaccine peer support sessions. The sessions aim to provide a safe space to hear about others experiences of receiving the vaccine and talk through any fears or worries around receiving it themselves. The sessions are facilitated by peer support mentors with lived experience of mental ill health and staff from both charity organisations.

Aurora Ladies Choir are meeting to practice at Loundsley Green Community Centre, and is welcoming new members. They meet every Monday evening at 7.30pm at Loundsley Green.

Further details at www.aurora-chorus.org.uk.

If you’d like to find out more email aurora.chesterfield@gmail.com, or phone Dawn on 01246 863175 or 07810 892978.

Are you looking for a meaningful volunteer role? Would you like to help to grow & improve your local community? Monkey Park based in Chesterfield are looking for some voluntary directors!

Finance Director:
Familiar with budgeting as well as on-line accounts systems. This director would produce monthly P&L accounts, as well as working with our accountant on our annual return.

Social Impact director:
Dedicated to measuring the impact of Monkey Park activities, using a mixture of case histories, statistics and communication strategies.

Community Fundraising director:
Raising money in partnership with the local community, eg sponsorship, crowd funding, etc. The money raised could then be used to implement what the local community want.

Community engagement/development director:
Dedicated to community engagement and involvement, community organising, empowering community co-design and enabling grassroots leadership programmes.

If you’re interested in any of the following voluntary roles, or think you have additional skills you could offer Monkey Park, please get in touch!

Email: manager@monkeypark.org.uk
Phone: 01246235815

Free support and funding to start a Community Fridge!    
Are you a Community Group or not-for-profit interested in reducing food waste?   In partnership with Co-op, Environmental Charity Hubbub is looking to support 100 community organisations across the UK to establish a new Community Fridge. Community fridges are registered places where surplus food is shared within a local community – by businesses and individuals. They are welcoming, social spaces that are open to all.   

Until the 20th Sept Hubbub are offering groups £4,000 funding to cover start-up and running costs, plus free membership to the Community Fridge Network, along with full support, information and guidance on how to get your project started. 

To find out more and apply, check out the Hubbub webpage.
Email communityfridge@hubbub.org.uk if you’d like to find out more.

From April 2022 there will be a new planning and delivery structure for Health and Social Care that will bring together Health, Local Authorities and the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector. This will be called the Integrated Care System (ICS).
 
Derbyshire Voluntary Action are asking you to participate in this important survey about the ICS and how it links in with the VCSE. It is your chance to influence the agenda from a VCSE perspective.

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/NK2VBZW

Closing date of consultation 13^th August 2021.
 
There is also an opportunity to have a greater input and be interviewed – if you would like to do this please email info@dva.org.uk to express your interest and consent to sharing your details so this can be arranged as soon as possible.  
 

www.derbyshirelgbt.org.uk

Foundation Derbyshire is proud to be Derbyshire’s local funder, we’ve been offering a wide variety of grants to community & voluntary groups working across Derby and Derbyshire for over 25 years.
 
Grants up to £2,000 are available, which can be used to support core running costs, equipment / resources, or new ideas.  No closing dates, apply whenever you are ready.
 
Foundation Derbyshire is a registered Charity and independent grant maker.
We promote and encourage local philanthropy, with our funds set up by local philanthropists; families, individuals and businesses who want to put back into Derbyshire.
 
If you would like to apply for a grant, contact us first. Our grants team will offer advice and support, and talk you through our timeframes, fund matching service and give hints and tips.
 
Grants E-mail: hello@foundationderbyshire.org
Website: www.foundationderbyshire.org