We are Volunteer ‘Buddies’ who have previously been diagnosed with prostate, breast or other cancers, or have cared for someone with cancer.  

We know that going through cancer can an isolating and lonely experience, particularly at present, when many people cannot leave their homes because of shielding and social distancing measures.

If you need to talk, we’re here to listen.

With a weekly call from one of our trained Telephone Buddies, you don’t have to face cancer alone.

Call or Email today:
Mobile: 07926 361183
Email: sam@dva.org.uk  

North Derbyshire Expert Patient Volunteer Programme

A leaflet filled with advice and guidance about palliative and end of life care is being distributed across the High Peak and Derbyshire Dales to support primary care staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Janet Dunphy, from Blythe House Hospicecare in Chapel-en-le-Frith, has drafted the document to offer advice and support to local colleagues, who may be experiencing more conversations about death and dying due to the current situation.

Janet, who has over 35 years of experience as an end of life care specialist, said: ‘Originally I devised the leaflet with care home staff in mind, but having written it, I hope it will be beneficial to colleagues across the healthcare sector during the current times.

‘I just wanted to share some useful phrases that I have learnt over the years of working with dying people and their families. The leaflet has advice on having difficult conversations and answering tricky questions on subjects including what to expect when someone is dying, as well as medication and treatment issues. There is also some mental health and well-being guidance, which could not be more important now. I sincerely hope local healthcare professionals have and will find the leaflet helpful.’

Dr Louise Jordan from Baslow Health Centre said: ‘Both clinical and admin staff at the surgery have found the leaflet to be incredibly useful; we have downloaded and printed further copies from the hospice’s website. Not only do I believe it’s valuable to healthcare staff, but members of the public may find it of interest, especially during the unprecedented times we find ourselves in at the moment.’

To read and download a copy of the ‘thinking of you’ leaflet, visit:

https://blythehousehospice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Thinking-of-you-booklet-for-care-homes.pub_.pdf

Kirsty Scarborough, Project Manager, Weston Park Cancer Charity, is project managing the takeover of the Nenna Kind service in Chesterfield and part of that includes a free bus service between Chesterfield and Sheffield for cancer patients which is staffed by a small number of volunteers. 

Currently the service isn’t running due to the Covid situation, Weston Park Cancer Charity would like to recruit some more volunteers and have a wider ‘pool’ to draw from.  If you are interedted in volunteering please contact Kirsty Scarborough, Project Manager, Weston Park Cancer Charity on 07496 964517 or Kirsty@wpcancercharity.org.uk

You can read the Support Centre Driver Volunteer Role Profile HERE

Active Derbyshire in partnership with local organisations have launched a new survey to better understand how physical activity levels may have been affected during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The survey, which is being launched across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, aims to get a further understanding of whether resident’s frequency of exercise has been affected positively or negatively, and to explore the possible reasons for this.

The survey will run until Friday 6 June and anyone who participates will automatically be entered into a prize draw to win £50 in shopping vouchers.

Anyone can participate and is encouraged to share with as many friends and families as possible so more communities can be reached.

To take part in the survey visit: https://www.activederbyshire.org.uk/active-at-home#survey

Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) has issued recent guidance for village hall management committees to help them make the necessary preparations for the phased re-opening of community premises. It is based on the Government’s recovery plan roadmap for how and when the UK will adjust its response to the COVID-19 crisis.

Read more: https://mailchi.mp/4d5556a30139/village-halls-training-4920325?e=6808a0229a

Inclusive Pedals successfully applied for funding to provide this service from Cycling UK.

The funding will provide up to 35 free basic bike services for key workers (as defined on the UK government list) or as part payment towards more extensive work.

Inclusive Pedals can also collect your bike within a radius of 10 miles from Chesterfield if you can’t get it to them.

Work will be carried out by two of the trained mechanics who volunteer for their monthly Dr Bike workshop – Alastair Meikle from Wheely Fun Wheels and Simon Geikie from Brampton Cyclery.

The offer is limited to one adult bike per household.

To find out more visit: https://www.inclusivepedals.org.uk/bbr-key-workers.html

Derbyshire Voluntary Action is to publish a book documenting the Covid-19 Pandemic as seen through the eyes of Chesterfield and surrounding areas residents…but we really need your help in doing this

• Do you have interesting photos of bad haircuts, VE Day celebrations, volunteer’s delivering food parcels, deserted streets and queues outside supermarkets?
• Have you kept a diary during this time or have you expressed yourself in a short story or poem?
• Have you or your children created rainbows for your windows or a scarecrow in your garden?
• Maybe you now feel inspired to create something?

Submissions will be welcomed from amateur and professional artists, poets, photographers, creative writers, crafters, whether you are the young, the elderly, volunteers, survivors of Covid-19 or the bereaved…everyone has their own unique story that deserves to be told and preserved for future generations. This book aims to unite us through a common goal, celebrating how we rose to an unprecedented challenge and showed that community spirit is alive and kicking.

Allow your creativity to record your experience and consider the ways you’ve dealt with the changes, the ups and the downs, the feelings of isolation and loneliness and let’s not forget the heart-warming stories, the acts of kindness towards strangers and elements of lockdown we may not want to lose!

With your permission the work you submit may be featured in the Covid-19 book, our Network magazine, Derbyshire Voluntary Action website’s COVID 19 page, social media platforms and when it is safe to do so, an event for us all to meet and view the array of submissions.

By submitting your contribution you are agreeing to its publication and distribution, space will be limited in the book and therefore Derbyshire Voluntary Action reserve the right to edit that submission. 

Could you please ensure images are taken in a good light, in focus and not taken from social media but sent directly from your phone/camera/computer to this Dropbox account: https://www.dropbox.com/request/kzwkGaIHNMBCvTZjSRlI

Please email your submissions to charlotte@dva.org.uk or by post to Charlotte Higgins, Derbyshire Voluntary Action, Offices 2a – 2c, The Market Hall, Chesterfield S40 1AR

Community Chesterfield have LOTS of WONDERFUL FREE training courses (for Chesterfield’s Voluntary & Community Sector) to sign up for and complete virtually.

5S The secret to productivity and efficiency – June 3rd

Corporate Partnerships for Social Change – June 10th

Mental Health Toolkit – Wellbeing & Work – June 16th

Developing your ‘Case for Support’ Toolkit – June 23rd

Funding Strategy and Income Diversification – 14^th July

To find out more and book a place visit www.communitychesterfield.org.uk

Derbyshire County Council are still awarding Action Grants to support community groups, clubs and charities but the final round closes 31 May.

For some groups the money could help them to get back on their feet when the coronavirus pandemic is over.

The grants are mostly up to £500 but there are a small number of £5,000 and £10,000 grants also available in the final round as well. There are four categories to apply to – community safety, youth activity, physical activity and sport and community activity. Please note that there are no £500 grants left in the community activity category.

Where grants have been awarded in previous rounds for activities that were due to take place this year but have had to be cancelled, the money can be carried over until 2021.

Find out more