Older adults aged 65+ from across Derbyshire are being invited to take part in a new project ‘A Necklace of Stars’. During the Covid-19 crisis, instructions and support for making embroidery, poetry and lullabies will be provided via post, online and on the phone for those who are housebound.

A Necklace of Stars is an Arts Council England supported collaboration between Arts Derbyshire, DCC Public Health, Derbyshire Library Services and arts organisation arthur+martha. Collectively, we will make an embroidered quilt with a poem and song soundtrack, inspired by lullabies. Lullabies bring calm and comfort, and also tell insightful stories that pass on the depth of human experience from generation to generation.

Using embroidery, poetry and repurposed bed sheets, pillow cases and pyjamas, stars will dance across the quilt. At a time when so many of us are suffering the negative effects of isolation lock-down, this project couldn’t be more timely. It will help to build confidence and wellbeing, reduce loneliness, forge connections and re-ignite creativity.

This project will culminate in a 12-month exhibition showing the quilt, poems and soundtrack in a variety of cultural venues across Derbyshire.

If you are interested in taking part in this project (whether you have no experience or plenty), or know of someone who might enjoy getting involved, please contact Sally Roberts on 07395 904386 or email sallyartsderbyshire@gmail.com

You can also visit arthur+martha’s website to find out more, or express your interest https://arthur-martha.com/portfolio/a-necklace-of-stars/

Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has launched a new scheme to connect patients in their hospitals and their loved ones, called Thinking of You.

Thinking of You aims to encourage communication by enabling people on inpatient wards to receive letters, messages and images from their carers, friends and families, sent over email.

The Trust is following national guidelines and is not currently allowing visitors to our inpatient units, other than in exceptional circumstances. This is obviously making it more challenging for patients and their loved ones to stay in touch. They hope that Thinking of You will be one way to help individuals stay connected.

How the scheme works

If you would like to submit a letter or message to an individual on a ward, please email this to dhcft.thinkingofyou@nhs.net.

Please make sure you include the following information with your email:

• Full name of the patient that you are sending your message to
• Their date of birth – if you have it
• The unit and the ward name where they are staying
• Your contact details including a phone number and email address if possible
• The message and any images or pictures, either within the email or sent as attachments.

Please be aware of the following guidance about your message:

• Videos cannot be passed on through this scheme
• Please make sure the content of the message is appropriate. This means you would feel comfortable if someone else read the message.
• Any attachments to your email, such as images, must not exceed 10MB in total.

A small team will confidentially print the message, in a way that is discreet and respects your privacy. They will place the message in an envelope and make sure it reaches the intended recipient.

Trust Chief Executive Ifti Majid has said: “I am delighted that we are launching the Thinking of You scheme, to support the family and friends of service users in our inpatient services, who unfortunately are not able to visit their loved ones at this time. Many thanks as ever to Trust colleagues who are working hard to make this happen.

“I would encourage carers to make use of this opportunity to put a smile on the face of their family members or friends at such a challenging time for all of us. We look forward to receiving and passing on your messages.”

For this and more useful information for carers, please visit our website.

In partnership between BCVS and Bolsover District Council, Bolsover Together have launched a way of signing up as a community volunteer across Bolsover District.

People who sign up to the scheme will receive a call from a local support officer from BCVS and will then be connected to a community organisation offering support services to people at this difficult time. With that organisation, they will be able then to negotiate the details of how they can help.

Please follow this link: 
https://www.bcvs.org.uk/bolsover-together/item/sign-up-as-a-volunteer-for-bolsover

People needing to shield themselves from the coronavirus COVID19 will find the coming weeks a struggle as they are unable to meet friends and family or leave their home. Age UK Derby and Derbyshire are working to find ways of making sure older people feel valued and in contact with the outside world. If you would like to help writing a letter might be one way.

We are in contact with many older people who normally attend our services and places like our Chaddesden Park Centre for activities and social contact. We are working hard to ensure they get regular telephone contact from a familiar voice but a letter would give a real boost too.

To make sure everyone stays safe, and your letter or card does nothing but good, please follow the guidance below:

Don’ts:

• Please only sign the letter with your first name only or ‘from a well-wisher’ type neutral sign-off.
• Don’t share personal details like your address, age, date of birth or anything that would identify you.
• Please don’t make personal or discriminatory comments.

Do’s:

• It is ok to share some personal circumstances like ‘I live with my husband’ or ‘ I have a cocker spaniel’, and a little about what you do or did for a living.
• It’s good to describe positive things such as things growing in your garden, things you are doing to keep yourself cheerful, activities you enjoy, memories and reminiscence, the view from your window (keeping your exact location secret).
• Ask questions to stimulate an older person reading the letter to think about how they feel: ‘I’ve cooked myself a hot meal tonight, I find a nice hot dinner really makes me feel better when times are tough – do you find this too?’ or ‘I love this time of year when the air is cool but the sun is warm, what is your favourite time of year?’.
• Encourage your reader to follow the Government guidance and to use support services if they need help.

When you have finished your letter or card put it in an envelope marked ‘Letter Friend’ and send it to:
Age UK Derby and Derbyshire
29A Market Place,
Heanor.
Derbyshire.
DE75 7EG
(If you have lots of letters post them all together in a large envelope)

Thank you for helping at this time,
Yours, Katy Pugh, Age UK Derby and Derbyshire Chief Executive

Rethink Mental Illness are the lead provider of Derbyshire Recovery & Peer Support Service and they recognise the impact the situation may be having on people’s mental health.

They are now providing an Emotional Support Helpline, using their single point of access contact centre. This Helpline is for anyone feeling they need emotional support. This might be due to ongoing support needs, worries about the current situation, feelings of anxiety or loneliness – or any other reason. The Helpline will run during normal office hours but will be monitored and times changed to meet growing need.

If you need support, a listening ear, or just someone to chat to call 01773 734989.

Inspire Community Garden are holding their usual sale of plants every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon (from 1 to 3 pm) throughout May.

In order for them to comply with social distancing, you need you to book a specific time slot to visit for selection & collection of plants. Time slots will be available every 15 minutes. If you can let them know beforehand what plants you would like to buy, they can be set aside for you.

Please either email Lindsey at lindsey@inspirecommunitygarden.org.uk or text or phone 07753 181800.

Payment must be made in cash into a tub at the garden.

An up to date list of available plants is on their website

Derbyshire residents can get the latest NHS Covid 19 information while staying safe at home with the launch of a new online hub.

A one stop shop of latest updates, advice, information and direct ‘signposting’ to other helpful web sites has been added to the Joined Up Care Derbyshire hub at: https://joinedupcarederbyshire.co.uk/covid 19 information and advice

The information will help keep people safe , informed and able to access services during the country’s continuing lockdown in response to the pandemic.

All seven NHS organisations working across the county and the city and county councils will have their service updates covered as they are all partners in the ‘Joined Up Care Derbyshire’ health and care partnership.

A postcard is being delivered to homes across Derby and Derbyshire to make sure everyone knows where they can find this information, and make arrangements to help those who do not have access to the internet.

Healthwatch Derbyshire has also provided their number so residents who want to speak to someone to get support in accessing the information.

Project eARTh is a project from High Peak Community Arts for those experiencing mental distress and other long term conditions, which usually operates within groups based in New Mills & Buxton. Due to COVID-19, Project eARTh has established a number of virtual & remote projects: the Postcard Project, Ugly Bug Ball Quilt & Pom Poms.

Project eARTh

Age UK Derby and Derbyshire have been working with local businesses and organisations to bring home-horticulture packs to older people across the city and county.

As a result of the current advice that people over 70 should shield at home for 12 weeks, many of our older people are facing an extended period of isolation and uncertainty. Along with the loneliness, worry and practical difficulties this brings, many people are also finding that boredom and a loss of meaningful occupation through volunteering, socialising or getting out and about is having a detrimental impact upon mental health.

Growing kits
In response to this hidden crisis, Age UK Derby and Derbyshire are working to deliver home-horticulture kits to older people living alone and in care homes. The kits will include a booklet of activities, seeds and planting instructions, and in the case of individuals with no garden, a pot and enough compost to grow their seedling. They have been developed with the help of Horticultural Therapist Caroline Cook, who has a background in working in the NHS and in care homes.

Therapeutic effects
The therapeutic effects of growing and gardening are well documented. In times of stress, the tactile process of planting and simple act of caring for a seedling can be calming and grounding. Recipients won’t need a propagator, seed dibber or any fancy equipment, and don’t need to have any experience of gardening. The first packs will allow recipients to grow a Pot Marigold, or Calendula, which carries the meaning of courage, and are being delivered this week by volunteers from LifeCycle Derby. Delivery by bicycle where possible and use of recycled, biodegradable and paper packaging means that this project is able to have minimal environmental impact, in keeping with the green-fingered spirit it is driven by!

Further information
Further kits are planned for flowers to be planted later in Summer. If you or somebody you know would like to receive one, please get in touch via email:- lindsey.coombs@ageukdd.org.uk or call 01773 766922