Chesterfield & NE Derbyshire Volunteer Centre partners with NE Metro Chicago Volunteer Centre, in unique twinning project.

Chesterfield & NE Derbyshire Volunteer Centre is excited to announce an agreement with NE Metro Chicago Volunteer Centre in the USA, to establish and grow ties between the two organisations.
This is the first international relationship between two volunteer centres, designed to promote dialogue, exchange experiences and implement joint activities – all created to foster improvements and mutual progress.

The twinned groups have agreed to focus their efforts on these clear goals:

• To promote volunteering and local social action in a variety of forms 
• To act according to the rules of hospitality, with respect for our diversities, in an atmosphere of trust and in a spirit of solidarity
• To offer people the possibility of participating in the exchanges between our two communities without discrimination of any form
• To promote the universal values of liberty, democracy and equality

Barbara Tubekis, of The Volunteer Center of N.E. Metro Chicago in the USA, said: “When Dave Radford of The Volunteer Centre of Chesterfield & N.E. Derbyshire reached out to us, we were thrilled at the possibilities to help people not only locally, but globally. Although we are thousands of miles apart, our missions and goals couldn’t be more compatible. We are both dedicated to helping people in need, and the most vulnerable. We look forward to building a network of volunteer support that reaches over the ocean.”

David Radford, of The Volunteer Centre Chesterfield NE Derbyshire, said: “We have many links with local and national voluntary organisations, but this is the first time we’ve been able to take our work to an international level. And our friends in Chicago have been amazingly receptive.”

Unique twinning logo, designed by Magnus Shaw.
For quotes and photographs please contact: The Volunteer Centre, Chesterfield and NE Derbyshire 01246 276 777 / magnus@chesterfieldvc.org.uk

Join us in our project to create an accessible and inclusive virtual community music group for Chesterfield and the surrounding area.

Open to everyone of all abilities – to sing, make music and perform together.

Our ensemble will consist of four sections:

• Vocals – three part harmony (soprano, alto and tenor)
• Instruments – whatever instrument you play or can make! We will be including links to making your own instruments out of household items or using free online apps.
• Rhythm section – percussion of any kind.
• Sign Language – for those who wish to take part using British Sign Language

 So, whether you are completely new to music, have some musical experience, or just want to try something new – Fusion Music is for you!

Fusion Music has been designed by Kakou CIC alongside Community Growth CIC as part of the Chesterfield Cultural Education Partnership. We want to provide a fun, uplifting and creative way for community engagement with the arts during this time of lockdown.

Our Mission: to encourage and support singing and music making for people of all ages and experience so that they:

• Learn to enjoy singing and performing
• Develop musical skills and understanding
• Experience the wider learning and developmental benefits that performing provides
• Reduce isolation and experience long-term benefits to health and well-being

There are no auditions – learning materials are provided and weekly sessions will be delivered remotely, through online resources that enable people to explore music through performance, technology and composition.

The end goal is to produce a virtually-recorded performance featuring the Fusion Music Ensemble, representing the rich and diverse culture of the community of Chesterfield and the surrounding areas.

Starting in September we will be releasing all the learning material for the song and start to hold the virtual rehearsal sessions.

For more information, or to express an interest in taking part visit – https://fusionmusic.socialfuse.org.uk/

Derbyshire County Council’s Falls Prevention Social Marketing Campaign has relaunched across Derbyshire.  As part of this campaign, they are running a small grants scheme to support local activities, especially amongst community groups, teams and services who are not usually involved in falls prevention work.  They would welcome applications from across Derbyshire but are particularly interested in those people who live and work in areas with higher numbers of fallers.  These are High Peak, Chesterfield, South Derbyshire and Amber Valley (Belper).

• Information, an application form and reporting template can be accessed HERE

• The closing date is Monday 21^st September 2020.

As part of the activity, Derbyshire County Council can provide support to successful recipients.  This will include help with planning, evaluation, free falls awareness training and training around ‘How to Engage communities remotely/digitally’. 

First Steps ED have been lucky enough to share the most incredibly inspiring stories from those who took part in their #WFAWM campaign. Each letter tells a unique journey, reflecting on personal experiences of overcoming adversity, and the hope it has created for the future. If you missed them on social media, you can find all of the WFAWM letters on their website, or submit your own to info@firststepsed.co.uk!

Here at Community Chesterfield, we love working with you all and we hope that we have been helpful to you and your organisation. We are now half way through our funding period and need to learn from what we have been doing. We want to ensure that we support as many of the local voluntary community sector groups as possible and of course we need some proof that this project was worth funding. We hope that you can help us by completing this very quick questionnaire as we really need your feedback. 

It should take approximately 5 minutes to complete.

Thank you very much in advance to all who can respond.

The questionnaire can be accessed HERE

Find out about the work of Community Chesterfield HERE

An Introduction to how to use various online tools and resources to collaborate, whether it be for simple chatting, meetings or larger group

As part of Kakou’s Fusion Music project they are holding a webinar to introduce people to participating in group activities remotely using the internet.

Most people are familiar with email or social media, however in a time where isolation and social distancing is becoming the norm, communities and grassroots groups are turning to new and unfamiliar online tools to coordinate, share information, support each other, and connect.

This webinar will give an overview of how to use various online tools and resources to collaborate, whether it be for simple chatting, meetings or larger group projects with file-sharing.

The majority of the tools featured are free or low-cost, but provide high impact.

This webinar is free and open to individuals, community/grassroots groups and larger organisations.

Date: Tuesday 1^st September 2020

Time: 10.30am

Location: Virtual – a link will be sent out prior to the event

Register at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/digital-connectivity-tickets-117642741607

https://www.sortified.com/day-opportunities

The Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) Information Sheet has now been updated to cover the issue of face coverings now being a requirement in community centres & village halls and the recent lifting of the temporary lockdown restrictions for indoor performances and small wedding receptions.

Find out more on the Rural Action Derbyshire bulletin HERE

People from across Derbyshire and now also Derby City with a long-term health condition are substantially benefiting from our courses which are supporting and encouraging participants to self-manage their conditions more effectively to live fuller more meaningful lives. 

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 we are at the moment unable to offer any face-to-face courses; however, we are delighted to let you know that we have developed an online version of the course which is now ready.  

The first online course will start: Thursday 10th September, 10.30 am with November dates planned (view all dates HERE). To attend the online course, participants would need access to a PC, laptop or tablet that has a webcam and audio facilities. 

This FREE six-week programme is delivered one day a week for 2.5 hours. It aims to support people with a long- term health or medical condition, to maintain their health and improve their quality of life.

The LWLTC Programme is for anyone who has one or more long-term health conditions such as asthma, arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), depression, diabetes, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), heart disease, sickle cell, HIV, ME/chronic fatigue, chronic pain or any other condition. The course is also available and has proved to be beneficial for carers of someone with a long term condition.

For further information or to reserve a space on one of the courses please return the referral form or alternatively you can contact us at;  lwltc@citizensadvicemidmercia.org.uk  Tel: Karen Ziglam 07487 257187 or Leonie O’Connell 07939 323365  

Click HERE to download the information leaflet.