Relate Chesterfield and North Derbyshire are not only moving premises but highlighting the services they can offer to the whole community!

For the last 43 years Relate Chesterfield and North Derbyshire have always offered a highly professional service to local people. The demand for this service has increased during the pandemic in response to the range of challenges local people have endured.

There is a misconception that Relate is counselling support for couples only and usually for marriage guidance- but since 14th February 1988 Relate released their new brand in recognition of the wider relationship work with single people, cohabiting couples, individuals, or couples with problems with sex and intimacy. This also includes looking at people’s relationship with themselves and so covers issues such as mental health and bereavement. Relate Chesterfield has progressed their service even more over recent years and delivers free counselling to individuals and couples aged 16 plus with anxiety or depression, through a contract with the NHS. We also provide family counselling and our “SPACE “service has been developed to support the needs of children and young people, providing individual support from children aged 8 upwards.

Whether you are married, living together, in a same sex relationship, separated, divorced or single, or a young person our confidential service can help you. We also strongly believe in help when help is needed, so currently we have no waiting list for most services and can usually offer an assessment within a few days of contacting us.

Visit our website at https://relatechesterfield.org.uk/  Or telephone 07384 762877 or 07401 34817 Or email admin@relatechesterfield.org.uk  to make an appointment.

Our new premises are in the heart of Chesterfield at Dents Chambers, 81 New Square and from 4 October 2021 we will be offering face to face counselling, as well as continuing to deliver all services via telephone or zoom for people preferring to access remotely.

Amy Harris, CEO for Relate Chesterfield has led and facilitated the smooth transition from Relate Chesterfields old premises to an exciting comfortable, confidential and community focused space. To enable community cohesion Amy has worked with Deaf and Hearing Support, Ingeus Employment Advisors, DORA, Talking Mental Health Derbyshire, and Derbyshire Voluntary Action to offer space for all of these organisations to be able to reach the people in the community needing these services.

Relate can also offer counselling services and training courses in community venues or schools. We can also offer workplace counselling. Please contact us for more information.

Read the full press release HERE

Book to get your free ticket https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/thinkfest-2021-tickets-158414509061

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.

If you would like to learn about the work of Rhubarb Farm in Langwith there will be a tour on Wednesday 6th October, starting at 10.30. 

You will get to see all the facilities (including our new donkey and Shetland pony!),  see what we do, and meet staff and volunteers on site that day. 

The tour will take about an hour. There is no charge for the tour, but it will be followed by tea and cakes in our cafe for a donation. 

Plants, hen and duck eggs, vegetables, preserves, Rhubarb Farm honey, chutneys and wooden products will all be available to buy in our little shop.

Please register for your place by emailing enquiries@rhubarbfarm.co.uk

The Elm Foundation offer various training courses which each address a specific Domestic Abuse topic. Their new training calendar is now live on their website with various training available between September and December.

All the courses will be delivered live online and can be booked on Eventbrite via https://www.theelmfoundation.org.uk/training-courses

Tapton Lock Festival  – 11^th & 12^th September

This popular free family festival is back! Join us for a fun filled weekend of amazing outdoor performances, arts and craft workshops, storytelling, boat rides, climbing wall and have a go canoes. Performances include the fabulous Pif Paf Bee Cart on Sunday and the brand new Our Place commission Derby – Our City of Making on Saturday,a breath taking fusion of Indian and Ukrainian music and dance developed by Surtal Arts.

For the first time we will have a film tent screening newly commissioned short films and animations as well as the regular circus skills workshops and ever popular bubbleologist. Refreshments will be available from the Visitor Centre and the on-site Devonshire Deli and Drone Valley Brewery.

The Festival takes place from 11.00- 4.00pm at Lockoford Lane, Chesterfield and is a Plastic Free Ally, so please help by bringing along your own re-useable cups. We also have a tap for you to re fill your water bottles.

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