Local people looking to start 2021 with a fresh and exciting focus are being encouraged to find out more about volunteering their time to support hospice care.

Blythe House Hospicecare, in partnership with Helen’s Trust, provides free services to patients across the High Peak, Derbyshire Dales and North East Derbyshire, who are affected by life-limiting illnesses including cancer, COPD, heart failure and neurological conditions like motor neurone disease.

The charities have a team of over 250 dedicated volunteers from all walks of life, who collectively donate around 600 hours of their time each week to support local care.

Andrew Foreshew-Cain from Chapel-en-le-Frith became a Community Volunteer in 2018, providing practical support and companionship to hospice patients and their families, including during last year’s COVID-19 national lockdowns.

Andrew said: ‘Overall, people have been very kind and appreciative, even for the smallest things that take so little out of my day but make a big difference to the lives of the people I am seeing. It is rewarding – and humbling. I am pleased to be part of the Blythe House team; it is a good place to be.’

Judy Gill started to volunteer at the Buxton charity shop on Eagle Parade around four years ago, after accessing support from the hospice following her partner, Jeff’s lung cancer diagnosis.

Judy, who’s from Buxton, commented: ‘I would encourage anyone who thinks they might like to find out more about becoming a Blythe House retail volunteer, to get in touch for an informal chat. The atmosphere here is easy going and relaxed – and I work with lovely people. I would definitely recommend it to any prospective volunteers who want to give something back to their local community.’

Jasmyn Walton gives her time to support the hospice’s weekend fundraising events in roles including marshalling and registration of participants.

The Hayfield resident said: ‘I went along with a few of my friends, which was great for the organisers as they had more helpers, but this also meant I spent time with my friends whilst contributing to the community. The friendly Blythe House team will be very grateful for any time you can give them. You will feel great after helping others.’

The hospice has volunteering opportunities in four key areas: patient services at the hospice building on Eccles Fold, Chapel-en-le-Frith, and in patient’s homes across the High Peak, Dales and North East Derbyshire; retail; and fundraising. Full training, orientation and support is provided in all roles.

To find out more about volunteering at Blythe House and Helen’s Trust, visit the website: https://blythehousehospice.org.uk/volunteer-for-us/

You can also call: 01298 815388 or email: volunteering@blythehouse.co.uk.

A new resource has been developed by Derbyshire County Council Public Health – Supporting You to Protect Mental Health and Wellbeing in Adults

This Framework for Action has been developed to support non-mental health organisations to promote mental health and wellbeing in Derby and Derbyshire.

It is relevant for any organisations that are supporting others right now – including staff, volunteers, or residents.

A stepped approach to the promotion of mental health and wellbeing is recommended, whether you are considering staff or resident wellbeing, or both. Not everyone will require signposting to specialist mental health services, and input at an early stage can often prevent later mental health distress.

The resource provides:

• a guide for you to plan and structure your organisation’s response to mental health and wellbeing
• a framework to support yourself, your staff and your volunteers
• key actions
• information and signposting

GamCare, Gamban and GAMSTOP are teaming up to provide a trio of services for free to help gamblers kick-start the recovery journey this Christmas. Launching today, a new TalkBanStop campaign is backed by ex-footballer and recovering gambling addict Michael Chopra.

The Christmas period poses a heightened risk to those struggling with gambling, and the pandemic has only increased common risk factors including isolation, boredom or money worries.

The TalkBanStop campaign launches as a 12-month pilot to offer three free tools to help people stop gambling – support via GamCare’s National Gambling Helpline, free Gamban blocking software and GAMSTOP self-exclusion.

• Talk: By speaking to one of GamCare’s trained advisers on the National Gambling Helpline (over the phone or via live chat), gamblers and their loved ones can access expert information, advice and support, including arranging access to peer-to-peer support or an NHS referral if appropriate.
• Ban: Gamban’s software blocks access to thousands of global gambling sites and apps, and can be installed on up to 15 devices – including those in the household. This would usually cost £24.99 per year, and is now being offered free to anyone contacting the Helpline.
• Stop: GAMSTOP self-exclusion prevents access and creation of new gambling accounts with all online gambling operators across the UK, free of charge. Users will also stop receiving marketing messages from gambling businesses.

Read more

The winter months can be hard and this year will be even more difficult for many people. Derbyshire County Council have set up a food voucher scheme for children and additional help for people suffering financial hardship during the pandemic. Find out more HERE

Derbyshire Voluntary Action is wanting photo’s and/or stories of your small family gatherings at Christmas time. Perhaps there’s family you haven’t been able to visit all year or perhaps you are planning on having a virtual Christmas with another family.

We would also like to hear your experiences and see photographs related to the vaccine; whether you have received it, given it or trained especially to give it. Please take a look at our website page- https://dva.org.uk/covid-19-book-project/ or contact Charlotte at charlotte@dva.org

Derbyshire Voluntary Action are delighted to share our third Network Newsletter Home Edition. We hope you find it packed full of useful information.

As always, we remain committed to supporting our voluntary sector, and we hope that the information shared in this newsletter allows you to feel connected to what is happening within our communities in Derbyshire.
 You can view our Network Home Edition – Issue 3 HERE or download the PDF

Using stand up comedy to build, maintain & retain good mental health.

In a recent study 74% of UK adults have felt so stressed at some point in the last year they felt overwhelmed/unable to cope (according to Mental Health Foundation). 40% of men say they’re simply unable talk about their mental health (according to Priory Group). This is something Dave understands well.

As a teenager he developed anorexia – it developed rather than began becoming his normality over time. He didn’t realise he had a problem. Eventually when he did, he was so overwhelmed he couldn’t find the words to explain what was going on.

Being a professional comic Dave used the tools at his disposal – humour. His “hilariously entertaining” (Mail On Sunday) approach sensitively used comedy to help him understand, accept and explain his eating disorder while informing, educating & entertaining people about mental health.

Dave now wants to do the same for others. Working with academics from King’s College London, The University Of Nottingham and The University Of Kent he’s designed a 6 week online comedy course aimed at people with experience of mental health problems.

The course is fully funded by Derbyshire County Council so that it’s free to participants and will be delivered through the award-winning Midlands Based Charity First Steps. This is all to help stop the suffering of so many people while also providing some much-needed light relief.

Stand Up to Mental Health Recovery

First Steps are now looking for people to try this innovative, enlightening and exciting new recovery method. This free course starts in January and is recruiting now. Start dates include: Tuesday 19th January at 7pm (and every Tuesday for six weeks) or Wednesday 20th January at 6.30pm (and every Wednesday for six weeks)

So if you want to build confidence, communication and connection and have a history of mental ill health please email info@DaveChawner.co.uk or info@firststepsed.co.uk

Available FREE to individuals, groups and communities across Derbyshire!

In 20 minutes, this whistle-stop workshop will introduce you to the causes and consequences of falls and will equip you with some strategies to reduce your own falls risk and that of the people you care for.

Falls can have long-term consequences and not just for the  person who has fallen…so grab a coffee or tea and a large piece of cake and join Age UK Derby and Derbyshire for an informative session!

You’ll receive a badge and a certificate; all that is asked of you, is that you continue to talk about falls risks with family and friends and help to reduce the incidence of falls in your community.

For more information and to book a session for you or your organisation please email:Sue Sheldon and Lindsey Coombs at: fallsawareness@ageukdd.org.uk
Telephone: 07875 427921 (Sue) or 07745 273333 (Lindsey)

Local Connections Fund will be open to charities and interest groups that reduce social isolation.

Book clubs, walking groups and other community projects will be able to apply for a £4 million fund designed to help reduce loneliness in the coming months.

The Local Connections Fund – made up of £2 million from the Government and £2 million from The National Lottery Community Fund – will be used for hundreds of small grants worth between £300 and £2,500.

These investments are designed to help local organisations bring people and communities together as the country recovers from the coronavirus pandemic.

The Local Connections Fund will be split into two rounds of funding – each with its own application window, one in January 2021 and one in the summer 2021.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/community-groups-tackling-loneliness-to-benefit-from-4m-fund