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/

Get psychological first aid (PFA) training and help people with different needs to cope with the emotional impact of COVID-19.

Psychological First Aid (PFA) is the globally recommended training for supporting people during emergencies and offers guidance on delivering psychosocial care in the immediate aftermath of the emergency event.

On this course, you’ll explore the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and what you can do to help people cope.

The course will teach you the key principles of giving psychological first aid in emergencies.

This course has been produced by Public Health England and is based on international guidance from the World Health Organisation, United Nations and partners.

This course is aimed at frontline or essential workers and volunteers dealing with the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts.

You can find out more about the course and book on it here: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/psychological-first-aid-covid-19/1

The African Caribbean Community Association (ACCA) newsletter for June, includes:

• a message from Tim Parkin – the Digital Engagement Officer, Office of the Derbyshire Police Crime Commissioner
• info about anti-racism demos
• black owned business support
• Windrush Day
• cultural events
• planning for a Black History month event later in the year
• zoom social/exercise sessions

You can read the newsletter by clicking HERE

Since going into lockdown in March Junction Arts have thought long and hard about which of their existing projects they could adapt and take forward, to continue supporting the communities they serve.

The Art of Letter Writing is one of their most popular projects, running for nearly three years now and they felt it could be delivered remotely without compromising the essence of the project.

Junction Arts contacted care homes across Bolsover district and are now working with residents living in Clowne, Creswell, Shirebrook and South Normanton. To their surprise they were even approached by a home in Lincolnshire who wanted to take part!

Feeling connected to and part of the community is important, especially now when people are feeling even more isolated, so receiving letters has been a great joy to those taking part. Some residents have written back and perhaps the communication will continue well into the future!

Junction Arts would love to support any care home in Bolsover District, for more information email jane@junctionarts.org

To find out more about The Art of Letter Writing Online visit the Junction Arts website: https://junctionarts.org/community-projects/art-of-letter-writing-online/

Community Chesterfield in partnership with  iSafe Health, Safety & Quality Services presents:

A Free Online training session: Reducing the Risk – Completing Covid Workplace Risk Assessments

Two alternative times are available for this session on:
Thursday 2nd July:
Either 10.00-11.30am  or  2.00-3.30pm  
Booking Essential

This is a FREE interactive online session about WORKPLACE COVID RISK ASSESSMENTS for Community & Voluntary Third Sector organisations or groups in Chesterfield and immediate surrounding areas.

PLEASE ONLY BOOK ON IF YOU WORK OR VOLUNTEER FOR A COMMUNITY/VOLUNTARY/THIRD SECTOR ORGANISATION PROVIDING A SERVICE TO PEOPLE IN CHESTERFIELD.THANK YOU.

The law says that organisations wishing to return to work should have a specific COVID risk assessment in place for their workplace. This can be a difficult task for employers or groups who have had limited experience in producing risk assessments or who are not fully aware of what they should be doing to meet their specific requirements.  During the training we will give attendees the knowledge to risk assess their own workplaces and put together a practical action plan to implement within their community voluntary sector organisation.

If you’d like to book a space on one of the two times for the course, please click below.  

Click here to book on to this course

Eventbrite will confirm your booking by email, then closer to the date we’ll be in touch with a link and the details you’ll need to attend. 

Sight Support Derbyshire has won a £1,000 Movement for Good award thanks to nominations from the public.

Sight Support Derbyshire is one of 500 winners in specialist insurer Ecclesiastical’s Movement for Good awards, which is giving £1million to charities this summer.

Sight Support Derbyshire will use this award to fund its work providing practical advice, information, services and emotional support to adults and children in Derby and Derbyshire who are blind or partially sighted. In common with many other charities, the current crisis has created a hole in funds due to the cancellation of many fundraising activities which would normally take place at this time of year, including the Ey Up Mi Duck Race which would have taken place in Derby on Saturday 13^th June.

Although all face to face services are currently on hold due to social distancing guidelines, the charity is still providing practical advice and emotional support over the telephone, and sending out small aids and equipment where possible.

Losing the ability to read is distressing at any time but, during the current crisis when reading has brought comfort to so many, the impact of sight loss has been exacerbated for many visually impaired people. Sight Support Derbyshire has been able to continue supporting people by offering advice over the phone and sending out small equipment such as electronic magnifiers which can make a big difference to the every day life of someone who is losing their sight.

“Thank you so much. The magnifier is the only way I can read and I rely on it a great deal”

This award from Movement for Good will enable Sight Support Derbyshire to continue providing support to local visually impaired people both during the pandemic and into the future when it hopes to be able to re-open its face to face services.

Anyone experiencing difficulties related to their sight loss during this time should call 01332 292262 or email enquiries@sightsupportderbyshire.org.uk.

Members of the public were invited to nominate causes close to their hearts, with 500 gifts of £1,000 available for donation. 13,695 charities were nominated by an amazing 253,879 members of the public.

“We are absolutely delighted to be benefitting from this award which will make a huge difference to us at this difficult time. With this Movement for Good award we will be able to continue supporting local people who are blind or partially sighted both during and after this global crisis. Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to nominate us – we really are so grateful” (Claire Winfield, CEO Sight Support Derbyshire)

Mark Hews, group chief executive at Ecclesiastical, said:  “We would like to thank every single person who took the time to nominate a good cause as part of our Movement for Good awards. Ecclesiastical is a unique financial services group. We are owned by a charity which means all available profits can be given to the good causes that are so important to our customers. As a company whose purpose is to contribute to the greater good of society, charitable giving is at the heart of our business. We know that £1,000 can make a huge difference to the incredible work that charities do and we’re looking forward to seeing how this financial boost will change lives for the better.”

The latest Community Chesterfield newsletter inlcudes:

• Our COVID19 story
• Uni-Community connections creating opportunities
• Training Treats: our busy, free programme
• Looking ahead

You can read the newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/30326cd00fc0/comchestnewsletterjune20

THIS SUNDAY is the national Great Get Together, in memory of Jo Cox MP who died in 2016. Jo was a strong believer that we have more in common with each other and that we are stronger together.

So although we cannot get together physically at this time, we can still be together, so Waste Not Cafe Chesterfield has organised an online get together, with live music and light conversations, this Sunday, 21st June at 6pm. Bring a drink, bring a dinner, bring yourselves, and spread the word!

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87594483765?pwd=cHg4ZkpmUDFZZFFMTitrNnVENnNUdz09

Meeting ID: 875 9448 3765

Password: wastenot

Or join us by phone: 0203 481 5240

Meeting ID: 875 9448 3765

Password: 079561