Derbyshire Recovery and Peer Support Service are launching their new ‘Tech Buddies’ project!

The project aims to pair those who are too anxious or maybe unable to use technology and as a result are becoming digitally excluded from staying connected with friends / family / support network with a dedicated volunteer who can provide support to learn these skills.

They are rolling the scheme out in 2 phases. Phase 1 is to recruit volunteers who are confident using technology (zoom/facebook/teams etc.) so that they have a bank of individuals trained and ready to pair up when they roll out Phase 2, which will be when they start receiving referrals into this scheme.  

If you know of someone who may be interested in BECOMING a volunteer for this project please get in touch with ellie.scott@rethink.org

Joined Up Care Derbyshire / DCHS Charitable Trust
NHS Charities Together Community Partnership Grant

Call to Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Organisations in Derby & Derbyshire

Derby & Derbyshire has been allocated grant funding of £445k from NHS Charities Together. This is for partnership working to support communities impacted by COVID 19. This funding will be co-ordinated by DCHS Charitable Trust.

4 key priority areas have been identified for Derby & Derbyshire:

• Community Resilience and how we intervene early
• Support for Carers especially in rural areas and BAME communities
• Mental Health and Wellbeing for those affected by COVID 19
• Digital connections and tackling the digital divide.

Are you interested in being part of this initiative?
We are seeking expressions of interest from Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations – of any size and from any part of Derby & Derbyshire – who have ideas about how we should tackle these priorities and/or who  want to be part of delivering the work.

We want this to be a real example of partnership working. So the next stage will be to bring different potential partners together, and work collaboratively to shape our plans. Working together to make sure we make best use of this funding opportunity, and make a real difference to our community at this challenging time.

Whether you want to lead one of the themes, be a delivery partner or just want your ideas and insight to shape our delivery plan, we want to hear from you. Just complete the form and return it to cath.benfield1@nhs.net

Deadline for expressions of interest: Friday 18^th December 2020 5pm

Junction Arts is the driving force behind annual local events such as the Tapton Lock Festival and the Bolsover Lantern Parade. Their events give people the opportunity to come together, to support one another and celebrate their communities. In a year of increased isolation and loneliness, Junction Arts has worked throughout with schools, care homes and community groups to bring the opportunity of conversation and friendship when people have needed it most.

“Now more than ever the arts have a crucial role to play in helping people’s health and wellbeing. Taking part in the arts activities with others is an opportunity to be social, escape reality, be creative, learn new skills, make new friends, feel part of a community.” Jane, Junction Arts Project Coordinator

Starting on #GivingTuesday, from 12noon on 1^st December 2020, we are asking you to help Junction Arts raise £4000 through their Big Give Christmas Challenge. For one week only your donations could be doubled increasing your impact on those left most vulnerable this year.

Donations must be made using the website: https://bit.ly/2K11mLI during the week from 12noon Tuesday 1^st December until 12noon Tuesday 8^th December to have the donation doubled. This money will be invested back into our communities to bring hope and new opportunities into 2021.

Some examples of what your donations could mean:

• £10 pays for an at home family arts activity pack
• £50 pays for a remembrance session at a care home who have not seen their family
• £200 pays for an artist led online workshop and materials to a community group of isolating people

If you would like a reminder of when you can give, sign up here: https://junctionarts.org/the-big-give-2020/

Two of the region’s leading cancer charities have announced that they will become one charity – in a takeover deal between Weston Park Cancer Charity and Nenna Kind.
 
From Monday 30th November Weston Park Cancer Charity will takeover operations at Nenna Kind, in a move which will see the Chesterfield based charity adopt the Weston Park Cancer Charity name.
 
Barbara and David Wallace set up Nenna Kind after their daughter Helen, affectionately known as Nenna Kind, was diagnosed with cancer. Through their personal experience they developed a cancer support service which has been an incredible support for people in Chesterfield and beyond.
 
Speaking of the takeover, Weston Park Cancer Charity’s CEO Samantha Dixon comments; “It’s an absolute honour to take over from Barbara and David who have decided to retire after years of voluntary service to the local community. Over the last ten years, they have worked tirelessly to support people affected by cancer in Chesterfield helping thousands of patients and their families during this time so it’s a privilege to be asked to continue their legacy.”
 
“Sadly, one in two people are affected by cancer – it’s a frightening statistic. Directly or indirectly we will all be affected by cancer. It’s the reason our work is so important and we are looking forward to working alongside new partners, including those at Chesterfield Royal, to grow the service and help more people than ever before.”
 
Weston Park Cancer Charity’s services and support are for patients and the family and friends close to them, helping everyone affected to live with and beyond cancer. The funds they raise also support vital, pioneering research and clinical trials led by the exceptional medical experts at Weston Park Hospital. The charity aims to care in every sense for patients and family members, with them at every step, for free.
 
For more information visit www.westonpark.org.uk

As you may already know, GamCare is a national provider of free information, advice and treatment for anyone affected by problem gambling. There are around 500,000 problem gamblers in the UK, up to 20% of whom are women. For every person who has a problem with gambling, up to 10 other people can be affected, and women are disproportionately at risk of experiencing gambling-related harm. Gambling-related harm can include debt, relationship difficulties, housing issues, gender-based violence, health problems, depression and anxiety, feelings of isolation, and suicidality.

Our FREE training is usually offered face-to-face, but we now have a 2 hour session which we are delivering online via Zoom. Individuals can register to attend the training at their convenience, using a mobile phone, tablet, or laptop. Book your place using Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/women-and-gambling-related-harm-free-online-training-tickets-104981366092?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch  
 
During the training session, we will talk about gambling-related harm, risk factors, impacts, and how to recognise and support people affected. Learn about our treatment network and how to refer clients to our free treatment services. This training is essential for any professionals who work with women and families.

We would like to invite you to join our next Derbyshire Dialogue taking place 16 December 11am – 12:00.

The conversation will put the spotlight on the impacts Covid-19 has had on Cancer Services. To join the Microsoft Teams session please register here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/DerbyshireDialogueCancerServices

The specialist joining us at the meeting is Dr Louise Merriman, GP and Cancer Clinical Lead for Derby and Derbyshire CCG. Dr Merriman has said “I am looking forward to presenting this session and letting people know how we are maintaining our cancer services in Derbyshire”. The team will be discussing the impact of Covid-19,  the  challenges faced and the system response in managing cancer services. They will also cover signs and symptoms and the importance of the Help Us, Help You Campaign.

Background, what is Derbyshire Dialogue?
The ‘Derbyshire Dialogue’ has been set up to start a conversation with our population and those delivering and commissioning the services, we launched it on 10 September when the Executive Lead for Joined Up Care Derbyshire Dr Chris Clayton updated people on our response to the pandemic. As you will be aware social distancing means we aren’t able to come out and talk to groups so we have created a virtual platform to allow us to communicate with local residents. Whilst the virtual approach can’t replicate face to face meetings in every way, you can join in with questions verbally, or via the chat box, and prior to the meeting starting you can join and get technical advice, or support with how to use the digital platform we use, which is Microsoft Teams. We also have a BSL interpreter pre booked for every session so if this is something you require please email us and we can ensure we have this option available for you on the day.

We have created a page with previous session summaries, slides and recordings so if you would like to read about them or share with your networks, they can be found here: https://joinedupcarederbyshire.co.uk/get-involved/derbyshire-dialogue

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me directly or our enquiries line: DDCCG.Enquiries@nhs.net
 
Miriam Doherty
Communications, Equality and Involvement Officer
NHS Derby and Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group
T:  01332 868 730  
E:  miriam.doherty@nhs.net

For many people, winter will feel very different this year and activities will be more limited due to the colder weather. The new British Red Cross Winter Wellbeing Calendar provides ideas for activities as well as ideas and tips to boost coping skills and connections throughout December and January.

You can the calendar HERE

Community Chesterfield would like to make everyone aware of a fantastic offer from their partners at Derby University.
 
The Accounting and Finance Clinic is led by students who will spend 45 minutes answering any finance problems that groups may have.
 
This brand-new initiative will be launched in December and provides small and medium sized enterprises with free accounting and finance support through a virtual accounting clinic.
 
Find out more info: https://www.derby.ac.uk/business-services/funding-services-and-support/accounting-clinic/

Waste Not Cafe Chesterfield are putting on an affordable two course vegetarian and vegan takeaway meal on the evening of Sunday 13th December, with collection from Chesterfield Baptist Church on Cross Street.
 
The community project aims to reduce food waste whilst tackling food poverty by donating profits to emergency food provision organisations. The food used for the meal will be surplus food that would have otherwise been thrown away from supermarkets, cooked up by local volunteers.
 
Waste Not Cafe asks for a suggested donation of £2.50 adults, £1.50 kids for the vegetarian and vegan meal.
 
A menu and booking will be available from Friday 11th December. Anyone interested in the takeaway meal should email wastenotcafe@tutanota.com