Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s mental health support line was introduced to offer support and guidance to Derbyshire residents, of all ages, who are experiencing increased mental health needs during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The support line has moved to a Freephone 0800 number.  From 1 July 2020, you simply need to call 0800 028 0077.  The service will be available between 9am – midnight, seven days a week.

It will continue to provide telephone support to people who are experiencing the following:

• – Increased distress or anxiety as a result of current events
• – Reduced contact with our services
• – A need for longer term help – for example by signposting to IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapy) services.

It will also form a professional point of contact for health and social care partners, to support any individuals in mental distress.

For more information about the support line and wider information about Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust services during this time, please visit the Trust’s website: www.derbyshirehealthcareft.nhs.uk/coronavirus

The COVID-19 Outbreak Management Plan sets out Derbyshire County Council’s approach to protecting local residents by preventing, managing and eliminating the virus over time as part of the national Test and Trace programme. It also details how Derbyshire County Council (DCC) will support local workplaces to help them stay COVID-19 free and respond to any positive cases as quickly as possible.

The plan is led by the DCC Director of Public Health and has been developed and agreed by public health protection experts from the NHS, Public Health England, the community and voluntary sector and other local government colleagues.

View the COVID-19 Outbreak Management Plan HERE

Get the kettle on, grab a pen and join us for a natter in our cozy writing room.

This workshop is for anyone aged 55+ who has something to say about lockdown and wants to get it off their chest.

You provide the brew and we’ll provide everything else by creating an inspiring, fun and caring environment to bounce stories and ideas off each other. Local writers Andy Barrett and Lucy Grace will be your hosts, helping you every step of the way by setting simple and tiny writing tasks each week.

This is the first in a series of 6-week creative conversations taking place on 9, 16, 23, 30 July and 6 & 13 August. You must be residents in the districts of Ashfield, Bolsover, Mansfield, or North East Derbyshire.

So if you have some time on your hands, a Wi-Fi signal, a webcam and, most importantly, a kettle let’s all get together and put the world to rights.

To find out more and learn how to join visit https://firstart.org.uk/whats_on/writing-zoom/

Lockdown can be especially difficult when we feel ‘locked-in’ with an eating disorder and other mental health difficulties. First Steps ED have applied their expertise in putting together two coping guides to help provide a sense of direction, relief and hope.

Self Care Guide

Coping Guide

You can read the latest First Step ED newsletter HERE

Action for Happiness create monthly calendars packed with actions you can take to help create a happier and kinder world.

This Jump Back July Calendar has daily actions for July 2020 to help us be more resilient in challenging times.

You can sign up to receive monthly calendars and there are also other language versions available too.

https://www.actionforhappiness.org/jump-back-july

Deaf-initely Women is run and governed by deaf and hard of hearing women. Deaf-initely Women serves all deaf and hard of hearing women in Derby, Derbyshire and beyond.

You can read their latest newsletter HERE.

The Derbyshire Home from Hospital Service provides practical support for vulnerable people leaving hospital, or those living at home but at risk of being admitted.

The service can provide the following types of support for up to 6 weeks:

• fetching shopping and ensuring you have a plan in place to manage shopping after the service ends;
• making sure your home environment is warm, comfortable and clean;
• arranging for key safes to be fitted and community alarm or telecare systems to be provided, if needed;
• supporting you to pay bills and make appointments;
• collecting medication prescriptions;
• supporting you to maintain and improve your social networks;
• supporting you to understand care options and plan future support;
• signposting to other statutory, voluntary sector and community organisations.

Visit the new Derbyshire Home from Hospital website to find out more: https://www.dhfh.org.uk/

If you are looking for something new to do or learn, please have a look at a range of free online courses that Derbyshire County Council Adult Education are providing.

Click HERE to open flyer with details of all the courses.

You may have heard Jacqui Willis, Derbyshire Voluntary Action Chief Executive, on Peak FM last week talking about our exciting new ‘Life in Lockdown’ book project.

We are asking residents in Chesterfield and surrounding areas to share stories, poems, photos or artwork for the project.

You can read what Jacqui had to say in the article on the Peak FM website: https://www.peakfm.co.uk/news/local/chesterfield-residents-asked-to-contribute-to-new-book-documenting-life-during-covid-19-pandemic/

To find out more about the project visit https://dva.org.uk/covid-19-book-project/