latest-news1

Below are news stories from

Amber Valley CVS

March – April 2024

Connecting Amber Valley – would you like to be supported with an introduction to local groups ? Call and ask how we can connect you in Amber Valley through a week of activity during April

Amber Valley CVS are  working with Healthwatch Derbyshire, to find out what people think about COVID and flu vaccinations, and if there are any barriers people face.

The focus is  COVID and flu vaccines for people who are eligible and living in Langley Mill, Marlpool or Somercotes – but views from other areas will be noted. 

Feedback will be used to tell the NHS and Public Health how future COVID and flu campaigns can be better. By getting feedback, health authorities hope to tailor their messaging and support to address any concerns or barriers.

We’d be grateful if the survey could be shared across your contacts to encourage as many people as possible to complete this. People also have the chance to win a £100 Love2shop voucher for taking part.

The survey only takes 5 minutes and all responses are anonymous. The survey can be found here.

 

Great British Spring Clean Up – do you have plans for your community as part of Keep Britain Tidy National Campaign between 15 – 31st March? Let us promote your local effort by giving us details of litter pick to prtect the environment and wildlife. Alternative , join Futures Housing Group staff in Horsley Woodhouse , Codnor and Belper – see events page for details.

Bin bags and gloves? Check. Rubbish? Check. Litter picker heroes… are you ready? You can take part on your own, with family and friends, a group, business or even schools. 

January – February 2024

Check out Connected Amber Valley google map – an overview of all there is in Amber Valley to engage and reduce social isolation . New information added for Belper , Duffield and surrounding areas. Help us to keep information up to date by contacting us with any changes. 01773 512076 ;  https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?hl=en&mid=1vSd1jVz4-Hi4LqHmkfIrnFm68NFx0wDk

Upcoming LGBT+ Family Groups – contact family support worker , Sonia at soniat@derbyshirelgbt.org.uk or call 01332 207 704

Good News as Derbyshire Public Health Locality fund increases funds available for Small Grants

 -Small grants funding for Amber Valley voluntary , community and social enterprise groups has been increased by a further £15,000 for the year 2034 – 24 meaning more community activity can be supported. For an application form and further details , contact Glyn Wilton. Look our for dates for the popular ” Writing Funding Bids ” to support those who wish guidance in completing funding applications.  

Wheelchair Services -Are you a Derbyshire resident who relies on a wheelchair? Your input can shape the future of wheelchair services in our community! Share your experiences by taking [Facebook: @HealthwatchDerbyshire / Twitter: @HWDerbyshire]’s short survey. The survey takes roughly 5 minutes to complete and all responses are confidential. Feedback given will directly feed into recommendations for wheelchair services in Derbyshire, about what is working well and what needs to improve. The survey can be accessed here: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/RAWOPA/

 Consultation about the future of Derbyshire Early Help service and Children’s centres. In common with authorities across the country, the council is facing budgetary pressures far greater than experienced before, due to factors beyond its control. These include dealing with higher than anticipated inflation and higher prices for fuel, energy and materials, meeting the cost of the national pay award set nationally but met locally, and the continued unprecedented increase in demand for vital adults’ and children’s social care services.

As well as a current forecast overspend for 2023-24 of £34.1m, the council has a predicted shortfall of around £40m in its budget for the year ahead (2024-25) which has resulted in the savings proposals being put forward.

You can find the consultation on our website. https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/council/have-your-say/consultation-search/consultations.aspx

February is LGBTQ+ History Month – this  is a celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and non-binary history, the remembrance of the people who pioneered progressive changes, and the need to actively understand LGBTQ+ history.

The theme for 2024 LGBTQ+ History is medicine #UnderTheScope, focusing on LGBTQ+ people that have made significant contributions to the field of medicine and healthcare. Being part of the LGBTQ+ community doesn’t mean you will automatically experience mental health issues. However, LGBTQ+ people face significant barriers compared to their heterosexual counterparts as already present bias and prejudice towards the LGBTQ+ community creates a higher risk of developing poor mental health, further highlighting the need to celebrate and understand the importance of LGBTQ+ history month.

For more information contact :amypatterson@healthassuredcommunications.org

Let’s Celebrate Deaf Women Together – Volunteers ;

Saturday 9th March at Museum of Making in Derby from 8.30 to 4pm. Would you like to…

  • Greeting/Welcoming deaf women 
  • Stalls signposting
  • Feedback gathering
  • Tea/Coffee/Buffet stall
  • IT support
  • Journalist/writer
  • Signposting support

If so, please get in touch for more details.

Contact Agnieszka@deafinitelywomen.org.uk or text: 07421 827 162

Are you a teenager – this is just for you -Derbyshire County Council’s public health team are starting work on an oral health campaign aimed at 15 – 21 year olds and we really want to involve young people in the design and delivery of the project.

Oral health refers to the health of the teeth, gums and mouth care. Dental decay and gum disease are the most common oral conditions, but these are largely preventable.Poor oral health can affect your overall health but if your mouth is healthy, it is easier to chew, taste, swallow, speak, and smile.

We would welcome any level of involvement from your young people.If you work with young people, and think this might be of interest to you, please email colleen.marples@derbyshire.gov.uk to find out more.

Healthwatch Derbyshire https://www.healthwatchderbyshire.co.uk/

If you use any health or social care services in Derbyshire, whether this is pharmacies, dentists, GPs, hospitals, home care or care homes, we want to hear about your experiences so that we can share with services what works well, or what could be improved.

As an independent organisation we make sure NHS leaders and other decision makers hear your voice and use your feedback to improve care.

We can also help to find reliable and trustworthy information and advice.

Leave your feedback here: https://www.healthwatchderbyshire.co.uk/have-your-say

Warm Space, Warm Welcome – if you need information about places to go , for hot drinks, food and company call us as we are collating local information to share. 01773 512076

Come along and have a Cuppa with a Copper on Friday 22nd January at Ripley Town Council from 14:00 till 16:00, Grosvenor Road and discuss any issues with your Local Ripley Safer Neighbourhood Team – or just pop in to say hello. 

 

Amber Valley CVS are open , after a lovely break , and ready for the business of recruiting volunteers, setting up and developing new local groups and much more – visit the web site pages for a flavour of all that we can support communities in Amber Valley with.

November – December

Meet Up – in Aldercar & Langley Mill with other residents- register through meetup.com for a variety of lunches, walks, social gathering throughout the year.

Merry Christmas & a Good  New Year – we will be closed from 22nd December until 2nd January , however messages can be left by telephone on the answer machine.

WE ARE OPEN – for donations of non perishable food items which we will ensure are delivered to Food Banks in Amber Valley. Drop off Mon -Fri 9am – 4.30pm Thank you for continued support of Amber Valley CVS annual appeal.

Public Health Small Grants and Locality funding – do you need a small grant of up to £2000 which will support your group activity and support health or wellbeing ? Small grants applications and support are available from glynnwilton@avcvs.org. For priorities see our funding advice web page. Need a larger amount ? – Locality funding to meet Amber Valley health priorities are also available.

FREE ENERGY ADVICE WEBINAR – PLACES AVAILABLE – for frontline workers & professionals –At a time when households are facing increasing costs for gas and electricity and fuel poverty is increasing across our region, Citizens Advice Derbyshire Districts is offering a free session to frontline staff and volunteers from organisations that regularly encounter and provide advice to those in or at risk of fuel poverty.Please use the link below to book your preferred date.

Coping with energy costs Winter 2023-2024  booking formThis on-line session is aimed at frontline workers who support clients in the East Midlands.

Review of Infrastructure – to inform future  commissioning of services like those at Amber Valley CVS you can contribute to a survey by commissioners. The closing date for this online survey is 31 December .  https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=slTDN7CF9UeyIge0jXdO4zmkGtA4bthMiZbv45Zw6IJUN0Q0SVdUTUxFMU5OWkJKQlAwVjVSNjVNUC4u

Christmas is coming – officially on 25th December but in our communities lots of activities will be planned and support requested for individuals and families. CVS will collate and promote all that we hear about – like Ripley Mill Hill community meal , Aim Excelsum music concert, Warm Spaces – Tell us more for a connected community throughout December.

Would you like to learn more about tenders in Derbyshire ? – contact us for information and support 

Belper Mills Future –Creating a deliverable, sustainable and appropriate long-term future for the Belper Mills.

The Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site Partnership is concerned about the deteriorating condition of the highly significant historic buildings on the North and East Mills site.

The Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site Partnership believes there will be serious challenges in delivering the scheme which is currently being considered by Amber Valley Borough Council as the local planning authority. The  Partnership believes alternative options should be explored to repair and reuse the buildings in ways that allow for additional funders and partners to support a scheme that can be delivered.                          View the alternative options:

The Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site Partnership have commissioned consultants to develop 5 alternative scenarios that contain a combination of options for the Belper Mills site.  It has also consulted, in depth, with representatives from a range of different local communities to narrow down a long list of potential options which: 

  • Will not damage the important World Heritage Site status
  • Will be financially sustainable into the future following restoration
  • Will meet the needs of local communities as well as regional and national needs

You can view detailed information and architect plans for the different options on the Derwent Valley Mills Website from the 13th November here: www.derwentvalleymills.org/belper-mills-future/  

September – October

Storm Babet is bringing heavy rainfall to Derbyshire, causing flooding across the county. People are being urged to take care for the next 48 hours with heavy rainfall forecast until 6am on Saturday 21 October.

Multiple roads could flood, and many main roads are already closed with others expected to follow.

We’re sharing the following safety message from Derbyshire County Council:

The council is working with all the district and borough councils, and all the emergency services to coordinate work across Derbyshire.District and borough councils have been filling sandbags, the county council has been out over the past few days clearing drains in known flooding hotspots.The Environment Agency have listed a large number of flood warnings and flood alerts for Derbyshire.

We’re urging people only to travel for essential journeys from now until later on Saturday, and never to drive or walk through flood waters.

Residents are urged to report life threatening events to the police by calling 999. Any issues on the roads, such as trees down or flooding can be reported to the council at derbyshire.gov.uk/reportit

Households and businesses in known flooding areas are encouraged to start to take steps to protect their properties.

The latest updates on road closures can be found on the county council website at www.derbyshire.gov.uk

Launch of criteria and process for Amber Valley Public Health Locality funds –  on 1st November 1-3pm Wilmot Street Heanor DE75 7EF incorporating Amber Valley CVS AGM. Members and non members welcome.

July – August

Call to Action Day – do you live on or near Kew Crescent , Heanor ? To -day 10am – 1pm  is your ‘Day of Action’ .
We’re ready to support your community with @AmberValleyBC and @DerbysPolice

 

Would you like to learn more about tenders in Derbyshire ? – contact us for information and support 

 

Review of stroke services  – Have you had a stroke in the last 12 months, or do you care for or have a relative who has experienced a stroke?  If so the Patient Experience team in the Integrated Care Board (ICB) are interested in learning about your experience. They are currently looking at the experiences of people who have had a stroke and the people who care for them, to learn from these experiences and advise the people who commission and provide services on what can be done differently.  You can get involved in a number of ways:

 – Through the online survey. It takes about 20 minutes to complete

– You can also request to talk to someone on the telephone. To provide your experience using this option please contact Rachael Murfin Patient Experience Manager at Derby and Derbyshire Integrated care Board to arrange a convenient time  rachael.murfin@nhs.net or 07826533396 (Tuesday – Thursday)

Neighbourhood Watch Youth Programme – 36 more hours before the crowdfunder closes. To find out more or donate, click here: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/youngpeople-nwn

Struggling to get by? Try the Household Support Fund : https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/social-health/adult-care-and-wellbeing/benefits-debt-and-legal-matters/household-support-fund/household-support-fund.aspx

Its All About Me – summer programme of activity and food for children is open for 2023. Read all about last years success . https://itsaboutmederbyshire.co.uk/impact/annual-report-2022

Derbyshire County Council are consulting on their co funding plans for Adult Social Care- details can be found at  http://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/cofundingconsultation.

Or there is an opportunity to discuss this , online and face to face :Wednesday 9 August 10.30am-12.00pm Belper Football Club

Monday 21 August 10.30am-12.00pm Online. To book on any of the sessions, email ASCH.Tell.AdultCare@derbyshire.gov.uk

Civic Lab Conference that @Rhiannon Jones from Derby University and Civic Lab team have pulled together for this year.https://www.derby.ac.uk/events/latest-events/civiclab-conference-2023/

Make/Shift will also be hosting a workshop with the Understory Team to share more about the community mapping work we’ve be piloting in Amber Valley and to talk a bit more about why we think this work is so important. You can read a bit more about this Through the portal we go; mapping for the new world | by Sally Lowndes | OnionCollective | Jun, 2023 | Medium

Coalfields Regeneration report – Coalfield Communities All Party Parliamentary Group’s (APPG) report was launched in Westminster ‘Next Steps in Levelling Up the Former Coalfields’. You can read the report here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P1BLy5mCNpWaEytAeLIto62I-UWI1pok/view which is also downloadable

May – June

Join Derbyshire Carers for -Delirium Awareness Training – Join us via Zoom on Wednesday 12th July @ 2pm to 3.30pm. Delirium is a preventable, treatable physical health condition which can cause mental health symptoms and can be easily confused with dementia. Left untreated it can cause permanent life-changing damage and distress. Delirium Awareness Training followed by a question-and-answer session with a panel of health and social care professionals. For a full list of all activities and support  check out our page on our website https://derbyshirecarers.co.uk/event

DVA Annual survey – please take a few moments to complete this online survey. The survey closes on Friday 30th June.         https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/DVAAnnualSurvey23

LAST CALL FOR BOOKINGS – Moving Forward Together: The VCSE in the Integrated Care System

Monday 26 June 2023  10.30am – 3.30pm , Post Mill Centre, South Normanton

Derby & Derbyshire VCSE Alliance with Joined Up Care Derbyshire’s Chief Executive Chris Clayton and Chair John Macdonald

To book: https://movingforwardtogether2023.eventbrite.co.uk

Sign up for ” Meet Up “ – to take part in a friendship group in Langley Mill and Aldercar ; info@meetup.com

Opportunities from the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner –

  • The tender for The Provision of a Scam Prevention and Support Service for Derbyshire and Derby City

The ITT documents can be found on EU-Supply https://uk.eu-supply.com/.

The reference number is 74113 and the title is DP0740 – The Provision of a Scam Prevention and Support Service for Derbyshire and Derby City.

  • The tender for The Provision of a Lived Experience Approach to Victim Services for Derbyshire and Derby City

The ITT documents can be found on EU Supply https://uk.eu-supply.com/

The reference number is 74528 and the title is DP0800 – The Provision of a Lived Experience Approach to Victim Services.

LAST CALL FOR BOOKINGS – Moving Forward Together: The VCSE in the Integrated Care System

Monday 26 June 2023  10.30am – 3.30pm , Post Mill Centre, South Normanton

Derby & Derbyshire VCSE Alliance with Joined Up Care Derbyshire’s Chief Executive Chris Clayton and Chair John Macdonald

A free, friendly and informal opportunity for voluntary organisations, community groups, social enterprises to come together with public sector colleagues to:

  • Learn what opportunities the Integrated Care System offers the VCSE as a partner within the ICS
  • Connect with people and organisations from all sectors
  • Share what you do and what you know about local people and communities
  • Explore and shape how we can work together to help people live well, stay well and age well
  • Launch a new Partnership Agreement that sets out the cultures, behaviours and activity necessary to make partnership work

The Integrated Care System sets out a new, expanded role for the VCSE sector as a core partner. A lot of work has been going on locally to make this happen – however this will be the first occasion we’ve had to bring together Derby & Derbyshire VCSE organisations together with partners across the system to take stock of how we move forward.

 Discussions will include:

  • Investment in the VCSE sector – opportunities and barriers
  • Building the VCSE workforce
  • Community engagement – insight and influence
  • The 3 key areas of focus for Derby & Derbyshire’s Integrated Care Strategy: Start Well, Stay Well and Age Well/Die Well

More details to be announced soon

To book: https://movingforwardtogether2023.eventbrite.co.uk

March – April

VCS Provider Collaborative -Would you be interested in discussing participation in a ICS Provider Collaborative  around musculoskeletal conditions ?

Wynne Garnett would like to hear from any VCSE organisation that would be interested in being involved. This might include groups dealing with conditions such as arthritis or working with older people but could also include groups working with particular communities or delivering appropriate sports/arts activities. I’m hoping to pull together a list so that I’m ready to respond when the opportunity arises.                                    Please respond directly to wynnegarnett@googlemail.com

 

The Integrated Care Strategy–  is an iterative strategy where the intention is to engage a wider range of interests to explore how the key areas of focus, Start Well, Stay Well and Age/Die Well might be taken forward. Ian Hall from Arden and Gem who has pulled together the Strategy, Kate Brown, ICB Director of Joint Commissioning and Community Development, Sean Thornton ICB Deputy Director of Communications and Engagement and Beth Fletcher ICB Public Involvement Manager would like come and discuss with VCSE Alliance members and others in the vcs sector how the VCSE sector might help to engage communities and contribute to these areas. To take part  , contact wynnegarnett@googlemail.com for a teams invite

Engagement – Derbyshire Autism Information and Advice Service Survey 

The Derbyshire Autism Information and Advice Service is currently provided by Citizens Advice Mid Mercia and plays an important role in delivering autism services to the people of Derbyshire through a combination of,

– Autism information, advice, and signposting services
– Autism awareness raising services and the development of a Derbyshire autism engagement network

To support the re-commissioning of this service later in the year, we are undertaking engagement through a survey with its users to gather feedback about the support provided and we want to hear your views.

The survey should take around 10 minutes to complete and is available until 1700 (5pm) on Friday the 07.04.23.

The survey can be accessed through this link, https://forms.office.com/e/Uch5w8hGMT

Your time is appreciated and will help to develop services going forward.

Rethink Mental Illness and the Derbyshire Recovery and Peer Support Service are asking organisations and groups to get in touch if they are working with people to provide digital support or address loneliness.

They have earmarked £5,000 to purchase IT goods for your organisation, and on top of that can provide training, recruitment, and DBS support if that’s needed too. If you would like to request support, there’s a short application form that should take about ten minutes to complete.

This could be one of the easiest ways to get the support that you and your organisation or group need, so do get in touch with Annie Nichols, by emailing her at annie.nichols@rethink.org, or Martine Roebuck at martine.roebuck@rethink.org if you need laptops, mobile phones, organisational support or other IT equipment.

Derbyshire County Council Procurement and Commissioning Sessions Adult Social Care at Derbyshire County Council will shortly be launching tendering processes for a number of contracts; in particular,

  • Carers support 
  • Dementia support
  • Home from Hospital
  • Assistive Technology
  • Independent Statutory Advocacy
  • Independent Community Advocacy
  • Mental Health Independent Living
  • Low level support services
  • Autism Information and Advice

For further information about the tenders , login to Source Derbyshire/ Proactis is required. Further information about the tender process can be given by Glynn Wilton glynnwilton@avcvs.org

Engagement – Derbyshire and Derby Dementia Support Services

The Derbyshire Dementia Support Service is currently provided by the Alzheimer’s Society and the Derby City Dementia Support Service is provided by Making Space. Both Services play a key role in delivering the outcomes and objectives highlighted in the Derbyshire Well Pathway for Dementia, Joined up Care Derbyshire – Strategic Vision 2022-2025.

To support re-commissioning of these services the commissioners are undertaking engagement with both people living with dementia and their families and carer’s to gather feedback about the support provided. They really want to hear your views about these services to ensure we are supporting in the areas most needed.

The surveys should take between 10-15 minutes to complete.

The client survey is available here https://forms.office.com/e/JUK7V6RPjN

The professionals survey is available here https://forms.office.com/e/yHjvfjhKsY

Neighbourhood Watch’s biggest recruitment drive in recent times launched –

a BETTER PLACE TO LIVE. We would all like to achieve a better place to live no matter our starting point – whether it be working together to reduce fear of and opportunities for crime, supporting our neighbours, reducing isolation and loneliness, or making new friendships. With 2.3 million members already, the campaign aims to:

  • attract even more members
  • encourage groups to be more active
  • encourage all local group members to register their membership nationally

Read more at : ourwatch.org.uk/betterplacetolive to learn more about the campaign

  • Order printed material such as membership flyers, join postcards, crime prevention booklets or Coordinator Packs that brings all that material together
  • Look at ways to support the campaign in our BETTER PLACE TO LIVE Campaign Pack

January – February

You-Create is calling all young people of school or college age in and around Belper, Duffield and surrounding communities. If you enjoy painting, writing prose or poetry, taking pictures, drawing cartoons, or making films, this could be for YOU.

You-Create will enable YOU to show your talents in a public exhibition and be judged by professional artists and writers with cash prizes to be won too!

The exhibition will be held on February 18-19th 2023 at Number 28, Market Place, Belper DE56 1FZ, between 10am-4pm. EXHIBITS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY 10th FEBRUARY 2023You-Create.co.uk ; sponsored by Belper & Duffield Rotary

Home from Hospital Discharge support  – has been extended to support the current NHS pressures . Contact us for more information , or to volunteer your help for neighbours.

Derbyshire County Council are promoting Soft Market Testing for a Low Level Support Service – to express interest or give views, look at Source Derbyshire/ Proactis portal.

Tips to prevent your home from being burgled from Neighbourhood Watch:

Leaving home? Use this free home security checklist to leave your home safe and secure.

November -December

Duffield Helping Hands – RJ Weston Centre started a campaign in the summer to raise funds through public and business donations.

“We’re aiming to raise £3000 in on-line donations to set up Duffield Helping Hands. This is a bold ambition and we’re holding several special events to highlight our campaign.  Call us for more details on 01332 840349 .

Donations made online at Helping Hands for Duffield (thebiggive.org.uk) from midday Tuesday 29th November to noon on 6th December are eligible for match funding.

For those who don’t feel comfortable or able to donate online we are happy to accept cash donations. Please put them in a sealed envelope marked ‘Duffield Helping Hands’ in the Weston Centre’s letterbox marked for attention of S Brooksby. I will make sure this is added to the online total and is matched from the pledged funds.”

Donations plus the match fund value will enable us to help more people in our community .

Active Partners & Walk Derbyshire Stakeholder Events announced

The vision of Walk Derbyshire is to make everyday walking the norm for all residents of Derbyshire.  We will do this by adopting a systems approach to walking which will create a culture of walking across the county, with a focus on areas with the highest levels of inactivity.

Walk Derbyshire will be hosting stakeholder events,  in each district and borough to explore what a systems approach means, whilst considering local data and insight. This will help identify local priorities; and how we collaboratively develop a community engagement plan.

The first stakeholder event/s will be online and will focus on understanding the Walk Derbyshire ambition, why it’s important and what a systems approach means?

9th January 2023 – AMBER VALLEY 10.30am – 12.00noon

A second stakeholder event, face to face , will consider how the data and insight we have can help us to focus and start to develop a community engagement plan.

6th February 2023 – AMBER VALLEY – 1pm – 3pm

Book your place now

 

Have your say on Devolution ;We want to know what you think about a proposed East Midlands Combined Authority.

The consultation on the proposed devolution deal, which covers Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Nottingham, runs until 9 January. Devolution has the opportunity to:

  • Bring more funding for our area: the devolution deal will bring more funding to our region – £1.14 billion – and powers to improve transport, adults skills training, housing, the environment, and to encourage the creation of good quality jobs that give people a decent standard of living and a better quality of life.
  • Enable more decisions about the East Midlands taken in the East Midlands: devolution is a chance for the people who live in our region to have a much greater say over issues that affect them, including by directly electing the first regional mayor for our area.
  • Bring more opportunities for our region: devolution will provide us with more of the tools to help our area recover from Covid-19 and put us at the front of the queue for further devolution of funding and powers in future.

Please fill in the survey online at www.eastmidlandsdevolution.co.uk  Or you can ask for a paper copy by contacting eastmidlandsdevolution@ipsos.com or 0800 260 0536. You can also use these contact details to ask for a copy in other formats and languages.

Get Involved – opportunities to influence health ;

Derbyshire Healthcare Foundation Trust  Governor Vacancies – vacancies are in Amber Valley, Derby City East, Derby City West, Erewash and High Peaks and Derbyshire Dales. Governors are volunteers and very much valued by the Trust. Nominations opened last week and close at 5pm on 12 December 2022. For more information see information attached.

Derbyshire Community Health Services (DCHS): DCHS are looking to recruit a patient survey volunteer to support their ‘Falls Prevention Group’ in obtaining feedback from patients regarding the experience they have had whilst attending our weekly support group (more information attached).

LGBTQ+ experience of health and care services – Healthwatch Derby would love to hear your experiences of health and care services if you identify as LGBTQ+. Please click the link to take part in their survey. https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/HWDLGBT22/

Patient Safety Partner – please see attached role advert for a patient safety partner. The Patient Safety Partner (PSP) is a new and evolving volunteer role developed by NHS England to help improve patient safety across health care in the UK. Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care System (DDICS), are excited to welcome a team of PSPs to work alongside staff, patients, and families to influence and improve safety across our ICS. PSPs can be patients, carers, family members or other lay people (including NHS staff from another organisation). Some examples of what you might like to be involved with include, talking with patients and staff about safety and what matters to them, support the safety training of staff, being part of project teams working to improve safe care and our systems and developing patient safety information resources.

Maternal Mental Health – Healthwatch Derbyshire have launched a campaign focusing on maternal mental health. They would like to gather views on the mental health challenges facing new and expecting parents.  The aim is to improve mental health support in maternity care and ensure birthing parents are supported before, during and after birth. This is part of a national piece of work to understand better what is working and what needs improving for people who develop mental health difficulties relating to their maternity experience. Our local survey can be found here: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/ZZU2WG/

Check out upcoming events with CVS – Frontline Workers meeting 17th November at Somerlea Centre, Leabrooks and AGM 23rd November at Strutt Centre , Belper. Call or email for more information.

Warm Spaces to share and reduce your heating cost – grants to add or extend places where people can meet to share a warm space and company. For more detail ; 

Voluntary, community and charity organisations in Derbyshire can apply for a grant to set up warm spaces this winter. We have launched a £50,000 Warm Spaces Fund to support organisations to provide a warm refuge for residents and their families struggling to heat their homes. Organisations can apply for up to £1,000 towards the cost of opening up community venues or to extend their opening hours during the colder months

If you would like to apply for a warm spaces grant please email grants@derbyshire.gov.uk for an application form.  There is more information on the DCC website: Warm spaces – Derbyshire County Council

September – October 2022

Salcare wish to have your views as part of  plans for the future of their centre. Please complete this short survey ;

 https://forms.office.com/r/ZmSwDhv9Lj

Adult Social Care Strategy ;Derbyshire County Council is developing a new Adult Social Care Strategy for Derbyshire which will put people at the heart of services and change the way services are delivered. They would be interested to hear your views.

As well as DCC’s own local priorities, the strategy includes information about the forthcoming national changes for Adult Social Care announced by the Government which you may be interested in hearing more about.   The following sessions are being held throughout November – all welcome:

  • Monday 7th November – Face to Face – Postmill Centre, off Market St, South Normanton, Alfreton DE55 2EJ – 10am-12pm
  • Friday 4th November – Virtual on Microsoft Teams – 1pm-3pm
  • Tuesday 8th November – Virtual on Microsoft Teams – 6pm-8pm.

If you wish to attend either the face to face or the virtual meeting you will need to book a place by telephoning:01629 531307 or emailing: tell.adultcare@derbyshire.gov.uk.

If you are booking on to a virtual session the link will be sent to you via email close to the date of the meeting.

Give some feedback on services from local CVS and other infrastructure organisations – post your thoughts and ideas on this jamboard ; https://jamboard.google.com/d/1KSEWlW3cZbbWHT0OnWKic6b4dlOZ5gm2rk-0yAQ8r-A/viewer?f=0

Connect@ forum ( for health & social care discussions and networking ) We are face to face at Strutt Centre Belper on 28th September , 10am – 11.30am . Come and join the southern derbyshire event for voluntary sector organisations and JUCD/ Derbyshire ICS discussions.

Consultation on  Affordable Credit aimed at all adults who live or work in the Derbyshire area. The survey aims to find out more about residents’ experiences of borrowing and saving and awareness of local community banks. It should take around 15 minutes to complete and there’s a chance to win £20 in ‘Love to Shop’ vouchers.

The survey closes on the 15th October and can be accessed via the following link: https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/council/have-your-say/consultation-search/consultation-details/affordable-credit-survey.aspx

Gambling Related Harm – Derbyshire Public Health have been working to better understand gambling-related harm across the county. This includes how, if any, identification is undertaken by frontline services, and whether vulnerable residents can access specialist treatment services with ease. To begin these conversations, the Public Health department and OHID are hosting a joint, awareness-raising online event on Tuesday 11th October, 10am-12pm. Contact;Greg Stenson (greg.stenson@derbyshire.gov.uk) or Andrea Barber (andrea.barber@derbyshire.gov.uk)

Due to the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II , our office will be closed on Sept 19th , messages can be left on the answer machine.Our sympathy from trustees, staff and volunteers are extended to King Charles and the Royal Family at this time 

July- August 2022

Summer Holidays are coming – We are excited to announce that you can now book your place on to our popular holiday activities and food programme. With holiday clubs running across the county from Monday 25th July – Friday 2nd September, there is plenty to get involved in. Have a look
at It’s about me (itsaboutmederbyshire.co.uk)  to find out what’s on in your area and details of how to book a place for your child(ren). #HAF2022

How to keep yourself and other residents/clients and staff safe from the dangers of heat:

Find more information on keeping safe in hot weather can be found here ;The full guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/heatwave-plan-for-england/supporting-vulnerable-people-before-and-during-a-heatwave-for-care-home-managers-and-staff

With additional information here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/heatwave-plan-for-england/beat-the-heat-staying-safe-in-hot-weather

Connect@ forum ( for health & social care discussions and networking ) We are face to face at Strutt Centre Belper on 28th July , 10am – 11.30am . Come and join the southern derbyshire event for voluntary sector organisations and JUCD/ Derbyshire ICS discussions.

Vote for Home of the Great British Railway -There is a chance to vote for Derby to become the home of the Great British Railway. Derby has been shortlisted to one of six cities and they are asking for the public to vote (although there will be ministerial visits to all the cities to help them decide too).  You can only vote once and by 15th August.

May June 2022

CVS is changing – its Volunteering Platform ; visit www.volifeambervalley.com to tell us about your volunteering opportunities OR to identify your wish to give time as a volunteer . Volunteers are not just wanted , they are needed. This new app is live NOW.

 

Get information about cost of living support hereCost of Living Support – Get government support to help with the cost of living (campaign.gov.uk)

Summer Activity programme funding –

The grant portal for applications to deliver summer holiday programmes opens on Monday 30 May 2022! 

To start a NEW grant application
Use this link to start your first grant application or to start additional applications for each programme you wish to apply for. If you are looking to deliver programmes in different venues or for different cohorts of young people you will need to submit a new grant application for each programme

Derbyshire HAF 2022 Summer Funding Application Form

The Derbyshire HAF’s ‘It’s about me!’ remains a programme aimed at engaging children and young people eligible for benefits-related free school meals. Alongside ensuring every child receives a healthy meal, access to physical and enriching activities; organisations must also provide daily nutritional education, a food education session for families and be able to signpost families to relevant local services.

If there is anything in the guidance document you do not understand, or if you would like to discuss your plans ahead of starting a grant application, contact the programme team (contact details below).

Derbyshire HAF 2022 Delivery Guidance document

derbyshireholidayactivities@streetgames.org

April 2022

GreenSpring – for those who provide activity linked to nature, environment, outdoors;

We are collecting information about how people interact with nature and asking questions about the kind of green activities people may like to try in order to improve their wellbeing. The information we gather will be used to inform providers of Green Social provision so that they can plan activities that people want to take part in.                                https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/IR8U8C/

March 2022

Amber Valley and Erewash Primary Care Networks and Place Alliances, we would like to invite interested partners, organisations, patients, residents and citizens to a virtual session being held Wednesday 30th March 2022, 6.30-8pm to learn more about the exciting ‘Team Up’ developments that are happening across Amber Valley and Erewash.

Team Up is an ambitious programme of transformation.  You can read more about Team Up Derbyshire by clicking on this link: https://joinedupcarederbyshire.co.uk/application/files/6016/3975/5603/Team_Up_Derbyshire_flyer.pdf 

Team Up aims to create one team across health & social care who see all housebound patients in a neighbourhood. This team will provide routine, planned and urgent care. If someone is housebound and needs a service, this team will deliver it! This team is not a new or ‘add on’ service – it’s a teaming up of existing services – with general practice, community, mental healthcare, adult social care and the voluntary & community sector all working together. The overall aim is to keep people safe at home and provide the best, most seamless care, keeping people out of hospital wherever possible. Team Up Derbyshire aims to ensure that person-centred care services are provided at the right time, in the right place, by the right person. As a result, people should be able to live well, for longer.

If you would like to attend the session (held via Microsoft Teams) on Wednesday 30th March 6.30-8pm please contact Rachel Stephenson (rachel.stephenson7@nhs.net) and she will send you an invitation and the meeting link.

Voluntary & Community Sector review –

Last chance to respond to the DCC consultation which is reviewing the funding to local organisations;

Derbyshire  County Council are inviting as many organisations, stakeholders and members of the public to comment on the proposals before March 23rd.
You can share your views by completing the online questionnaire https://wh1.snapsurveys.com/s.asp?k=163698856793

January 2022

Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Review Consultation

In February 2019, Derbyshire County Council decided to undertake a comprehensive review of all of the grant funding that they provide, and set out their ambitions to develop a council-wide approach to the allocation of funding in the future.The review has considered all of the grant funding they currently provide and has identified 62 specific grants which are awarded on a recurring annual basis to a range of Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisations. These ‘recurring grants’ have not been subject to review, despite having been made over many years.
Proposals could lead to changes which impact a number of (VCS) organisations operating across the county.
Derbyshire  County Council are inviting as many organisations, stakeholders and members of the public to comment on the proposals.
You can share your views by completing the online questionnaire https://wh1.snapsurveys.com/s.asp?k=163698856793

The deadline for responses is 23 March 2022. 
If you need a paper copy or information in a different format please contact Call Derbyshire tel: 01629 533190.

 

November – December 2021

Thank you to all who donated food and gifts to CVS appeal for foodbanks, Childrens Services “Mission Christmas” or Smalley Community group for the Heanor area. 

October 2021

Recruiting NOW for voluntary positions on Amber Valley CVS Board for the year 2020-21. Management skills needed, representation from local organisations also in need. email lynn@avcvs.org for further details

 

August 2021

  AVBC Logo

AMBER VALLEY BOROUGH LOCAL PLAN – CONSULTATION ON ALTERNATIVE SPATIAL STRATEGY OPTIONS FOR HOUSING AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

As local residents and voluntary and community sector organisations we have until 30th September to give views on the consultation document for housing and economic growth.

Please use the link below to respond directly. Whilst housing plans are important, they also need to include consideration of the infrastructure needed to support this additional units and also the economic growth that a new influx of population will offer . This is an opportunity For  aspirations and needs of us as community organisations to be highlighted and pushed forward through this process.

Please use this link –

https://www.ambervalley.gov.uk/planning/planning-policy/local-plan/alternative-spatial-strategy-options-for-housing-and-economic-growth/


June 2021

Keep Safe ;How to order coronavirus (COVID-19) rapid lateral flow home test kits for twice-weekly testing :

Information on ordering and collecting kits https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests


May 2021

HAF / Holiday Programme ; Derbyshire County Council has secured funding from the Department for Education’s Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) to help us deliver an ambitious Summer and Christmas holiday programme. The HAF programme will seek to address holiday hunger, inactivity, isolation and learning loss across the county. To achieve this, we need a range of providers across the county and respective districts to help deliver an enriching and exciting holiday programme that will provide the children and young people attending with their best summer ever!

We need to ensure we deliver on these key outcomes of the programme:

Food – served in line with school meal standards

Physical Activity – minimum of 1 hour per session / day for all young people

Enrichment – fun, engaging, enriching activities for all young people

Link to DfE guidance material https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/holiday-activities-and-food-programme/holiday-activities-and-food-programme-2021#funding

Grant applications are welcomed using our online application form (deadline for submission 13 June 2021), link below. https://forms.office.com/r/U78PCimLaN

PCC Vulnerability Fund ; still time to make an application to this fund for your community group. For further details contact lynn@avcvs.org

In addition , grants for 5Ways to Wellbeing are also open – please contact us for this years guidance.


March 2021

Job Vacancies ;Are you looking for employment , close to and supporting your local community ? Please check out the vacancies at Amber Valley CVS . Now recruiting for the gardening service. New positions coming soon.

Covid 19 ; Keep going Derbyshire – every action you’re taking to help stop the spread is making a difference .Vaccination in Amber Valley is going well, but the message is still ” Hands , Space, Face”.

Voluntary Sector Roadmap; let us know your plans to meet up as voluntary groups for support with this and promotion of your activity. 

 


February 2021

Are you looking for employment , close to and supporting your local community ? Please check out the vacancies at Amber Valley CVS . Closing date imminent for Befriending role , still time to apply for Volunteer Co-ordinator and Community Development workers. Still to come , Tackling Inequalities through Physical Activity.


Community Voice – use your community connections to pass on factual , up to date information about covid, vaccinations and the wonderful community response in Amber Valley. Champions of Community Voice will receive a weekly newsletter to share and take part in a regular forum with Public Health leads to gain further knowledge to give as feedback to friends, family, neighbours , community connections.

If you have any questions regarding vaccinations, testing or wellbeing in the Amber Valley area please contact; Ambervalley.communityvoice@derbyshire.gov.uk


PCC Vulnerability Fund ; still time to make an application to this fund for your community group. For further details contact lynn@avcvs.org


January 2021

Happy New Year everyone – lets hope we hear from a great number of you for our existing and new volunteer roles. In a whirlwind and hopefully exciting start , please check out the vacancies page for staff positions and contact us if you have time to volunteer for covid response volunteer roles


December 2020

Covid 19 Update

Coronavirus can spread easily indoors – To help reduce the spread: open windows throughout the day to allow fresh air in. Open windows when tradespeople visit. Use extractor fans in bathrooms and kitchens.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-film-shows-importance-of-ventilation-to-reduce-spread-of-covid-19

National restrictions have been tough but everything you’re doing is helping in the fight against coronavirus. Remember hands, face, space. If you have symptoms self-isolate and get tested. Let’s keep going!

#DoitforDerbyshire             https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

For your specific questions about Covid 19, Amber Valley residents can email AmberValley.CommunityVoice@derbyshire.gov.uk and a local public health representative will review your query and respond. Please note , this is NOT an emergency response information source.


Derbyshire Police plea for Halloween;

This weekend, we are asking parents, carers, and grandparents to talk to their children to find out where they are going and who they are with.

Over the last couple of weeks, we have seen an increase in reports of  young people gathering in groups of more than six, which goes against the government’s coronavirus advice.

Current advice for Derby and Derbyshire  in Tier 2, is that you can only meet with people outdoors in groups of no more than six.

Inspector Rich Buxton said: “We know it is hard for children and young people to not be tempted to meet their friends at evenings and weekends – especially when they are allowed to be together all day in school.

“But we need them to play their part in reducing the spread of Covid-19. The spread of the virus is still very much real and happening, and now more than ever we need them to be following the rules too.”

If officers see a group of more than six children or young people together at any one time, they will approach the group, engage with them, explain the current guidance to them, and encourage them to follow it.

Enforcement will always be a last resort and given the age of the groups, it won’t be them that get issued with a fine. Instead, this will go to their parents, who will have to pay within 28 days.

As Halloween approaches, please encourage your children to not meet their friends in any groups larger than six.

Message Sent By;Emma Page (Police, Comms Officer HQ, Media team)


The Big Consulation

The Big Consultation asked young people and the adults who care for them to give us feedback on the proposal to replace the Derbyshire Youth Council with a strategic participation network. There was an overwhelmingly positive response to the proposal and this has now been agreed by the county council’s cabinet.

 

  • 1290 people responded to the survey and 78% agreed with the proposal
  • 819 young people aged 11-15 replied
  • 82% of responses were received from young people aged 25 and under

Please follow this link for a copy of the cabinet report including the full results of the survey:

https://democracy.derbyshire.gov.uk/documents/s3729/6m%20The%20Big%20Consultation.pdf

 

The plan is to link together community youth groups and school councils to develop a wider network to hear the views of young people. Derbyshire County Council would like to ask for your support, and for your projects to engage and become involved in this network through leads from your projects who work directly with youth voice.

 

Initially this will be a virtual model with a member of the children’s participation team facilitating the network. From the consultation responses we know that young people would like some face-to-face contact, and once COVID-19 restrictions are eased and it is safe to do so, we will explore the scope to develop a hybrid model which includes some face-to-face engagement.

 

The new network will provide support and opportunities for young people to engage with senior managers and decision makers at the council, and other local agencies, through surveys and questionnaires. This will also be an opportunity for young people in communities to raise their views, concerns and be involved in influencing future priorities and service planning.

 

In relation to next steps Derbyshire County Council are making contact with youth project leads directly to develop the network. If you would like to get involved please contact ruth.peat@derbyshire.gov.uk

 


 

Pcc Unveils Pioneering Fund To Fight Crime and Vulnerability

In an innovative move, Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner Hardyal Dhindsa has developed a new Vulnerability Fund – worth £485k – as part of a dedicated effort to tackle the social problems known to increase the risk of crime or victimisation.

Micro-grants from £50 to £1,000 will be available from local Councils for Voluntary Services (CVS) for projects such as target hardening to improve security at the homes of vulnerable people including repeat victims of crime and those who are isolated through age, frailty, poor mental health or mobility issues.

 

Larger grants will also be available for communities, charities, voluntary and non-profit organisations to make a real and lasting difference in their areas. This may include projects providing support for vulnerable people coming out of lockdown; services, advice or self-help groups offering emotional and practical support to prevent people from becoming victims or perpetrators of crime and those that help and encourage vulnerable people who have lost their jobs or income during the pandemic to get back into work or training to minimise their risk of becoming involved in crime.

 

“This is a hugely ambitious scheme and will provide help for communities in a way that has never been done before,” said Mr Dhindsa.

 

“Social isolation, poor health, lack of opportunity and disability increase the risk of exploitation. The pandemic has exacerbated those challenges and created additional pressure for those on low incomes, the unemployed and those shielding.

 

“This fund will directly target vulnerability as means of protecting people and lessening the threats they are exposed to. It focuses on the individuals, families and communities that require urgent support to safeguard lives and prevent harm. It also empowers communities themselves to take action and work together on the issues which impact on residents most.

 

“Having police officers who are accessible and visible in our communities is critical for public safety but there are valuable and effective community services out there which can help build resilience in individuals, promote cohesion and prevent personal crisis. It’s all about teamwork.”

 

Information and guidance to help people understand how the fund can help them is available on the PCC’s website and there will also be opportunities to discuss problems and potential solutions with neighbourhood policing teams, Neighbourhood Watch groups and local CVS in the coming weeks.

 

The scheme will allocate funding to Amber Valley CVS, Bassetlaw CVS (Bolsover), Links Chesterfield & NE Derbyshire CVS, Derbyshire Dales CVS, Erewash VA CVS, High Peak CVS, Community Action Derby and South Derbyshire CVS for distribution of local grants.

 

Support will be provided to help groups offering positive social, leisure, artistic, cultural, spiritual or physical activities that bring people together remotely or in socially distanced ways to prevent people from becoming victims or perpetrators of crime.

 

Other grants will provide help for young people, particularly those who are vulnerable to becoming a victim or perpetrator of crime due to their family or life circumstances, people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities or mental health conditions, or those with a history of or vulnerability to substance misuse.

 

For more information and to download an application form, visit the PCC’s website by following this link: www.derbyshire-pcc.gov.uk/VF

 


Derbyshire Peoples Voice Survey;

Public sector partners across Derbyshire and Derby are running a consultation to find out how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting the lives of residents. The information gained will help partners to understand more about what can be done to support residents over the coming months.
The survey is on the county council’s website and closes on 6 November. It takes around 10 to 15 minutes to fill in.

https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/council/have-your-say/consultation-search/consultation-details/derbyshire-peoples-voice-coronavirus-covid-19-survey.aspx

Where to find Coronavirus guidance

Find out about Test and Trace here: https://bit.ly/30Js0yz

Find a range of information sources from Public Health England here: https://coronavirusresources.phe.gov.uk/

Find current guidance on staying alert and safe including social distancing here: https://bit.ly/3gQwuZY

Find guidance about face coverings including how to make your own here: https://bit.ly/2CgxGGL

Find lots of useful information for the public in Derby and Derbyshire here: https://joinedupcarederbyshire.co.uk/public-info-covid-19

 

Find information about Coronavirus in range of formats including great resources for children and easy read information here: https://bit.ly/2DAUUs2

 

Where to find Covid-19 support after July 31st 

The NHS volunteer responders programme will remain active after 31 July 2020, and previously shielded and/or otherwise vulnerable patients can still access this support.

Covid-19 Support in Amber Valley

You can see the extent of the Covid-19 response across Amber Valley on our map here: https://bit.ly/3hZ0vYr

The map shows where volunteers have stepped forward, where local mutual aid groups have formed and which food banks have remained open. As you can see Amber Valley has come together to form a very strong support network.

 

Due to current Covid-19 restrictions many of our usual volunteer opportunities are currently unavailable, however we are still seeking volunteers who may be able to help with Covid-19 support efforts including getting shopping to those in isolation, making telephone befriending calls etc. Contact kirstybarker@avcvs.org to find out more about how to get involved.

As opportunities become available again you will find them listed on our volunteer opportunities pages here: https://avcvs.org/volunteering/volunteering-opportunities

You may also wish to join your local support group, details of which can be found below.

These local groups may also be able to help if you need support because you are isolating.

Many local groups are listed on a national database here: https://covidmutualaid.org/local-groups/

Ripley – Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/895556850895631/?ref=nf_target&fref=nf and telephone 07561 611541

Alfreton – Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/3837521986288001/

Belper – Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/494819231214162 and telephone 01629 888111

Crich and South Wingfield – telephone helpline: 01773 447533

Website: https://www.crichstandard.org/covid19/index.php

Heage and surrounding villages – Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/523016025021195/?ref=share and telephone 07835 561442

Duffield – Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/671513926953777/

Little Eaton – Facebook group:

https://www.facebook.com/Little-Eaton-Community-Cares-102139581424243/

Smalley Community Group – telephone: 07805797022

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3bpTVGq

Kilburn and Denby: Neighbourhood Watch – telephone: 07756 762192 Facebook page: https://bit.ly/2QF6sxq

Heanor, Codnor, Marlpool – Facebook group to support elderly and vulnerable in isolation:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/892153951213639/about/

 

Amber Valley – Covid-19 support group on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Amber-Valley-Coronavirus-Volunteer-Group-101017288210989/ and telephone: 07593 071504

 

 

Click here for good practice guidance for Covid support volunteers and groups 

Food Bank information

Current information on local food bank availability and opening times: https://www.ruralactionderbyshire.org.uk/foodbanks

Derbyshire County Council’s Community Response Unit

If you need help:
The Community Response Unit can help you if you have no friends or family you can call on and you are self-isolating because:

 

  • you or a member of your household is at risk
  • you are struggling to meet your basic needs because of financial, social or health restrictions
  • you are pregnant
  • you have underlying health conditions
  • you are aged 70 or over.

You can get help you with shopping, or fetching your prescription or finding someone to have a chat with.

You can register for help online here: https://bit.ly/3bwxT4K

Or telephone 01629 535091. Phone line opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm.

An approved partner volunteer organisations will be in touch with you as soon as possible to offer you the help you need.

If you want to help:
Could you help people in your local community who don’t have anyone else to call on during the coronavirus outbreak?
You could be asked to help with:

 

  • food shopping and delivery
  • checking up on people who are isolated with a phone call or online help to prevent loneliness and check whether there is anything they need
  • collecting and delivering prescriptions

You need to be aged from 18 to 70 to volunteer, and to be fit and well.

Register your interest by calling Amber Valley CVS on 01773 512076 or emailing admin@avcvs.org


 
 

Citizens Advice – Coronavirus: find out what it means for you.

Find advice on benefits, work, financial concerns, health information and where you can find support here:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/health/coronavirus-what-it-means-for-you/

Coronavirus – Support and advice for people affected by dementia.

If you or someone you care for are worried about coronavirus and need support and advice, call Alzheimer’s Society’s  Dementia Connect support line on 0333 150 3456 or see their website https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/

Getting support with your mental health

Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has launched a new telephone-based support line for local people of all ages and their carers who are experiencing increased distress or anxiety during the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Available between the hours of 9am – midnight every day of the week. Call 0300 790 0596.

Derbyshire County Council have compiled a useful list of helplines and websites here: https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/social-health/health-and-wellbeing/health-protection/disease-control/coronavirus/emotional-health-and-wellbeing/emotional-health-and-wellbeing.aspx

Rethink’s Derbyshire Recovery and Peer Support Service have launched a new emotional support helpline accessible Monday to Friday 9am-5pm. Call 01773 734 989.

New Leaf Detox and Treatment have a guide on how to support a loved one with Bipolar Disorder here: https://nldetox.com/supporting-a-loved-one-with-bipolar-disorder/

 

Health and Wellbeing guidance from the NHS.

Advice for patients, inpatients and tips for self-care during the Coronavirus outbreak.

https://www.derbyshirehealthcareft.nhs.uk/getting-help/coronavirus-covid-19

Covid-19 public information from Joined Up Care Derbyshire:


March 2020

Integrated Health & Social Care and the role of voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations – have your say

Amber Valley CVS is working with colleagues from around the county, to look at how local voluntary organisations, community groups and social enterprises (VCSE) can be part of new plans for joined up health and social care – an Integrated Care System.

New local structures and partnerships are being developed in Derby & Derbyshire to support and manage this new way of working, and it’s really important that VCSE organisations small and large are an integral part of this.

We want your views on :

• How we can best work together, to make sure VCSE voices and experiences from diverse organisations are heard, inform the design, development and deliver of integrated care?

• What existing networks and communication systems can we build on?

• What are the challenges, opportunities and gaps – what else needs to happen and what can we do better?

We invite you to join us for a discussion with other VCSE organisations, public sector and other colleagues on Wednesday 18 March 10am to 1pm at the Ballroom, Whitworth Centre , Dale Rd North , Darley Dale , Matlock DE4 2FS

Please contact Lynn Allison lynn@avcvs.org to reserve your place at this event

If you can’t make this, there will be other opportunities to have your say, so please contact Amber Valley CVS , 01773 512076 / collettewatson@avcvs.org to express your interest in knowing more and we will keep you informed

AMBER VALLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL – ADVANCE NOTIFICATION FOR DRAFT STATEMENT OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

On 12 February 2020, the Borough Council’s Cabinet agreed the format and content of an updated Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) for the purposes of public consultation.The key purpose of a SCI is to set out how local planning authorities will involve local communities, businesses and other organisations in the planning process. The requirement for local planning authorities to produce a SCI was one of the changes to the development planning system introduced by the Government through the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. This reflected a greater emphasis on consultation and involvement with local communities in the planning process, in relation to both the preparation of development plan documents and the determination of planning applications. It recognised that effective community involvement in the planning process will help to ensure that planning policies and decisions on planning applications will better reflect the needs and concerns of local communities.In 2006, Amber Valley Borough Council adopted a SCI, setting out the procedures and methods that the Borough Council will follow in preparing plan documents and in determining planning applications, as well as specifying the range of groups and organisations that it will consult and involve.Whilst the adopted SCI has continued to underpin the consultation and engagement undertaken by the Borough Council in relation to development plans and planning applications, there is now a need to review and update the adopted SCI, given changes in planning legislation and national planning policy since 2006, as well to reflect current practice and expectations in relation to community involvement in the planning process.The updated Statement of Community Involvement will be published as a basis for consultation for a period of 6 weeks. However, as this 6 week period ends on Friday 10 April 2020 (Good Friday), the consultation period will be extended to Tuesday 14 April 2020.The draft updated SCI can be viewed or downloaded via the Borough Council’s website from 4.30pm on Friday 28th February 2020 (see link below).
www.ambervalley.gov.uk/statementofcommunityinvolvement
A hard copy of the draft updated SCI can be also viewed in Reception at the Borough Council’s offices at the Town Hall, Market Place, Ripley, during normal opening hours (Mondays/Tuesdays/Thursdays/Fridays – 9.00 am to 4.30 pm; Wednesdays – 10.00 am to 4.30 pm).
Any comments on the draft updated SCI should be sent by email to ldf@ambervalley.gov.uk, or by post to:
The Planning Policy Team
Amber Valley Borough Council
Town Hall
Ripley
Derbyshire
DE5 3BT
to arrive by no later than 4.30 pm on Tuesday 14 April 2020.Any comments received will then be taken into account before a final version, incorporating amendments to the draft as appropriate, is agreed and formally adopted.The SCI will then be reviewed within 5 years from the date of adoption, in accordance with the duty on local planning authorities introduced by the Town and County Planning (Local Planning) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2017.

 


January 2020

Dementia Friendly Films 2020 – the programme is now available , for details contact  ; admin@matineederbyshire.org.uk>New Dates for Mental Health First Aid – see Mental health training webpage:Mental health first aid – adult
4 and 11 February 2020 at Chesterfield  17 and 18 February 2020 at Derby5 and 12 March 2020 at AshbourneMental health first aid – youth
17 and 24 March 2020 at Chesterfield 23 and 30 March 2020 at BuxtonJoined Up Care Derbyshire update; message from Dr Penny Blackwell, JUCD Place Board Chair• DDCCG, the City and County Councils have met as a Joint Strategic Commissioner Group and are working to develop a set of shared strategic priorities, informed by Health and Wellbeing Plans, Joint Strategic Needs Assessments and the JUCD STP Refreshed Strategy, which they aim to share with the JUCD Board in February.This will enable us to progress to an Integrated Care System in shadow form from 1st April 20 and fully 1st April 21.•Places will continue as a component of ICP’s when they are established in shadow form in April 2020, and it will be for ICP’s to determine how best to structure themselves in order to deliver the services their population want and need.NEW free NHS app ;     https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/nhs-app/Happy New Year to all – and a good time to change your life and role with work opportunities at CVS . Please see the job vacancy page for Help at Home Domestic work in Amber Valley & Erewash and an exciting Board Admin Support role based in Ripley. We are also re advertising the Befriending position.


December 2019

Social Prescribing Network Event; for organisations that offer services or activities that Social Prescribing Workers, GP Link Workers, LAC , Community Connectors can refer to. A Market Place for Link Workers to find out about the Derbyshire county wide offers.
Join us on Tuesday 17th December 2019 1pm – 4.30pm at Erewash Voluntary Action , Granville Avenue, Long Eaton, NG10 4HD


November 2019

URGENT – see our jobs page for current work opportunities within the community development team. Closing Date Monday 25th Nov.Partnerships between NHS Trusts and VCSE – Survey Request from NAVCA
NAVCA, the national membership body specifically for local sector support and development organisations (also known as local infrastructure) in England are working with NHS England and NHS Improvement to conduct some research into partnerships between NHS Trusts and organisations within the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector.More specifically, the research aims to understand examples of these partnerships, how they come about, what supports them and the impact that they achieve. This is all with a view to making practical recommendations for how people can be supported in both the voluntary and public sectors and improve partnerships.
This survey forms an important part of this research and will be vital to creating recommendations in the final report. The survey should only take 5-10 minutes to complete and your time in completing this will be greatly appreciated.
Survey Link ;This survey is for those working within VCSE-
https://forms.gle/WUWSDd899dtTUUXF8The Deadline for completion of this survey is Monday 2nd DecemberDerbyshire Law Centre are involved in a project to help EU citizens and their families apply for Settled Status or Pre-settled Status under the new EU Settlement Scheme. Contact Romany Kisbee-Batho Tel: 01246 550674 Fax: 01246 551069 Text: 07781 482826 Email:
dlc@derbyshirelawcentre.org.uk
Co-operative and Social Enterprise Development Agency (CASE) is a social enterprise and co-operative established in 1982 that is the trusted organisation for co-operatives, social enterprises and community enterprises in Leicester and Leicestershire. We support co-operatives and social enterprises to develop and grow and we promote co-operative ways of working.If you are a social enterprise or charity in the East Midlands that has a good idea or proposal to generate income from trading then please feel free to get in touch with Natasha Jolob, Social Impact and Investment Adviser on Tel: 0116 222 5010, Email:
n.jolob@case.coop

Foundation Derbyshire has launched the Derbyshire Flood Relief Appeal, in response to the recent floods across parts of Derbyshire and Derby City.Money donated will be used to support individuals, families and communities that have been affected.Please donate via our JustGiving page.
www.foundationderbyshire.org  Charity Registration No: 1039485
Well Being Roadshow – 29th November 10am – 30m , Co-op Belper- FREE physical health check, personal well being check ,Nordic walking , variety of tasters.
Accessible Belper presents Johnny Victory – 22nd November , 1pm – 5pm Strutt Community Centre for further information contact
siobhanfennell@aol.com999 Calls for those with hearing loss ;

  1. Using a mobile phone, send the text message ‘Register’ to the number 999.
  2. A text message will be sent to you in reply; please read all of it.
  3. Reply ‘Yes’ to this.
  4. Your phone is then registered with the emergencySMS service.
  5. From then on you can text 999 should you need to, and type your message,

For more information, go to http://emergencySMS.org.uk.
P3 launches the Derbyshire Independent Living ServiceFriday 1st November 2019 marks the official launch of the Derbyshire Independent Living Service.The service, delivered by the social inclusion charity P3, working alongside Derbyshire County Council and The Derbyshire Federation for Mental Health will focus on people’s housing needs, delivering personalised support to enable people with mental ill-health to maintain their home and be in control of their housing needs.The newly reorganised support service (formerly known as iDecide) will offer a choice-led approach to support people’s wellbeing whilst enabling them to maintain their tenancy.
For more information please contact us on 01773 742051 | email Comms@p3charity.org | www.p3charity.org/DIL
October 2019Amber Valley CVS AGM and workshops is on 6th November ; join us at Lumb Farm , Marehay for gentle movement, dementia friends , autism awareness and Breakfast Butties – 9.45 – 3pm. For further details call 01773 512076 or email admin@avcvs.org for the schedule.Joined Up Care Derbyshire; the refresh of the strategic plan is now available for comment on www.joinedupcarederbyshire.org.ukSeptember 2019Homestart
Volunteer for Homestart in Amber Valley , to support parents with children age 0-5. Training offered, support for volunteers locally at Amber Valley CVS
Ripley Man Cave
Only for Men – every Tuesday at Amber Valley CVS. Social space and opportunity for practical outlet from 10am – 12.30pm. Ask for Paul.
Budget Buddies Training
One day training for participants to identify the causes and effects of debt , attendees will learn tools to manage their own budget. October 17th , Pinxton Village Hall. To book, please email
paul@releaseonline.org.uk. If there are dietary or access requirements, please let us know.
Active Amber Valley strategy
A new partnership strategy to improve physical activity of those living, working and studying in Amber Valley has been launched. View the strategy on the website of Active Derbyshire ( part of the Active Partners trust )
Derbyshire County Councils Recovery Grants are now open for groups to apply for. The grant application and supporting information can be found at –
https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/community/lottery-funding/recovery-from-drugs-and-alcohol/recovery-from-alcohol-and-drug-dependence-grant.aspx


July 2019Joined Up Care Derbyshire Stakeholder Consultation Event – 17th July, 2.30pm – 4pm Post Mill Centre , South Normanton DE55 2EJ. For further information contact ;Emma Plummer, Place Manager Amber Valley: e.plummer@nhs.net or
Richard Murrell, Place Officer Amber Valley:
richard.murrell@nhs.net
Carers in Employment Event – Wednesday 3rd July.
At Haveli Restaurant, 10 Attenborough Lane, Chilwell, NG9 5JW
Registration and welcome drinks from 11.30am – 12.00pmA FREE Indian lunch will be provided
At the event, you will be able to network with other like-minded employers and find out more about the support that is available for Carers in Employment
Limited spaces are available please confirm your attendance and book your place by emailing;employers@derbyshirecarers.co.uk or call DCA on 01773 833833


May 2019Health & Social Care Forum – for Southern Derbyshire voluntary and community groups – at The Strutt Centre, Derby Rd Belper , 22nd May 10am – 12.30 . Contribute your views to health & social care planning and changes relating to “Joined Up Care” , Dementia Support Services and the like.
Belper Arts Festival – Woollen Woods Saturday 18th May 10-4 The Market Place BelperAccessible Belper and Belper Arts Festival are pleased to announce that this magical experience is fully accessible this year. All barriers to wheelchairs and mobility scooters have been removed and there will be also be a Changing Places facility (Mobiloo). So this year’s wander around our historic deer park decorated with Woollen wonders will be a welcoming day out for all. There are also history talks about the heritage of this brilliant town in No. 28Front
Line Workers Network Meeting ; meet old & new contacts and share updates of your work or services .Venue: Somercotes Village Hall Nottingham Rd, Somercotes, Derbyshire DE55 4HTDate: 14 May 2019 Time: 1.30 – 3.00pm


April 2019Help a lonely, isolated person in Amber Valley -We currently have around 30 people in Amber Valley waiting for a Befriender.
Amber Valley CVS are running FREE Befriender training at Amber Valley CVS, 33 Market Place, Ripley DE5 3HA;
Session 1 – Wednesday 8th May 2019 1-3pm
Session 2 – Wednesday 15th May 2019 1-3pmTo book a place and confirm your attendance please call 01773 512076 or email
paulclarke@avcvs.org
Accessible Belper Press releaseBack by Popular demand – After last year’s success at Belper Goes Green, the Belper Arts Trail will provide a Mobiloo!Last year the Green Festival in Belper demonstrated that ALL residents and visitors should have the opportunity to enjoy the event, whatever their physical needs.At least a quarter of a million disabled people in the UK require specialist facilities to go to the toilet or be changed. This often means the only suitable place where their basic needs can be met is their own home. A Mobiloo solves this problem and we will have one at the Arts Trail as well as the Green Festival. With an electric hoist and changing table as well as a toilet and wash-basin, the Mobiloo enables people with even the most complex requirements to get out and about to enjoy the same opportunities as everyone else.The event will be truly accessible to all • Safe, dignified & hygienic • Hassle free & affordable • Check out www.mobiloo.org.uk for more information.


A Day Long Celebration of Living Well in Belper
In response to requests Wednesday 15th of May will bring together a lively variety of activities throughout the day for people living with dementia at Nailers Football Club 10am – 4pm. This includes those living with the condition, families, friends and those who want to know more.
Fleet Arts will be providing a menu of opportunities to indulge creativity with;
Movement tasters 10.30am – 11am/11.30am – 12pm
Weaving drop-in 10am – 4pm
Earth painting 10am – 1pm
Then from 1.00pm-2.00pm there will be a special guest appearance by the One and only Johnny Victory! (johnnyvictory.com) Singing the songs we have loved from 1920s onwards his entertainment is legendary.
He will be followed by a Space to Dance. Fifties and Sixties music til you can dance no more!
Last Dance at 4.00pm. Just £2 per person to cover refreshments (pay on door).


March 2019Could your group run Somercotes Library?Contact us now to discuss your plans:community.libraries@derbyshire.gov.uk or call 01629 536166 and leave your details. We’ll call you back.


Come to the Open Day at Somercotes Library on Tues 9 April 2019 – 12-6pmCyber security toolkit for VCS organisations has been published on the Safer Derbyshire website, which you may find useful https://www.saferderbyshire.gov.uk/what-we-do/cyber-crime/cyber-security-toolkit/cyber-security-toolkit-for-voluntary-organisations.aspxCarers in Employment training event in April for employers as part of our Carers in Employment project.For more information Tel: 01773 833833 and speak to Reah Marshall or E-mail: employers@derbyshirecarers.co.uk As an employer you need to have signed up to the Carers in Employment pledge prior to attending this event.Research shows that using a flexible working approach achieves impressive business results where employers support working carers.We support carer friendly employers to:Improve Employee Morale,Improve Employee Retention,Reduce Absenteeism,Attract the Best Staff.Get the Support and Training you need to help the carers working for you. Share ideas and best practice with other employers. Gain recognition for the support you offer to your staff.


Issue 10 of Ironville Newsletter is now available . To access a copy of the village newsletter of interest and enjoy its articles and other contents, please get in touch with the editor – Andy (acadman175@yahoo.com) or text Tracey (07555584913)This Newsletter comes to you via “Unicorns,” a local voluntary group celebrating and promoting the rich heritage and culture of the village through social events and effective communication. For further information why not visit our web site: http://unicorns.comli.com/Index.htmTea Dance @ Ripley Leisure CentreFebruary saw the start of this relaxed Tea Dance at Ripley Leisure Centre each Friday 11am – 1pm. This dance is hosted by people living with dementia and their partners and was created and is led by Chris & Carol Hill and Lynn and Peter Scott from the burning desire to be able to dance as they wish.No formal training is required and any style of dance is welcomed, people can even come to listen to the music and make music requests as a music streaming service is (requests so far have included rock & roll, twist, jive and pop). A £2 charge is made as you arrive at reception, hot drinks are provide but those attending are asked to bring their own nibbles, cake is very welcome and they have sourced some lovely chinaware bring style. This group is run by the participants themselves therefore it is encouraged that people living with dementia attend with their partner, family member or friend.Our first meeting of 2019 ;Southern Derbyshire Voluntary Sector Health & Social Care Forum, Don Amott Memorial Hall, Peacroft Lane, Hilton, DE65 5GH.Hear the latest about ” Place” arrangements in localities and share your ideas and news


Wednesday 13th March 2019, 10am to 12.30pmNeurological Conditions Information and Advice Event Richmond Village Aston on Trent, Richmond Drive, Aston on Trent, Derbyshire, DE72 2EAFriday 22nd March 2019 10.30 am – 2.00 pmFor more information contact Rosalind NicklinT: 01332 794306 E: rosalind.nicklin@richmond-villages.com


February 2019Accesible Belper ; Roll Up! Roll Up!…. at Accessible Belper we mean that Literally!Yes today we can announce that with the support of the Midland Co-operative Group, we have been able to provide ramps for the shops in Belper to share ensuring access to wheelchair users, pushchairs and others with mobility difficulties.Customers who may not be able to manage the steps into their favourite shops or eateries can now ring in advance of their visit to book the ramps. They simply have to look up the phone number of where they want to visit on the business website or
www.accessiblebelper.org.On Saturday 23rd February Accessible Belper will be officially launching the ramps with the help of the Belper Town Council Mayor. This is another major step/roll forward in welcoming every resident and visitor to the delights of Belper Town, whatever their needs.Barriers are being broken down in every way, in the Most Accessible Town in Derbyshire !
Dementia Friendly Films ;The 2019 season of dementia friendly films kicks off in Belper with the original version of the classic feel good musical ’42nd Street’. . We’d love to welcome anyone living with dementia and their friends, family and carers them to the Nailer’s Conference Centre at Belper Football Club on Monday 18th February 2019.“The liveliest and one of the most tuneful screen musical comedies that has come out of Hollywood” The New York TimesThe doors open at 1pm, and the film starts at 1.30pm, and the show should be over by 3.45pm.For details of all our dementia friendly film screenings across Derbyshire contact ;Matinée Project Coordinator Tel: 07449 732322 Email:
admin@matineederbyshire.org.uk

Dining with Dignity’ ;You are warmly invited to attend the ‘Dining with Dignity’ event to mark Nutrition and Hydration Week 2019.The event will be held on Monday 11 March starting at 10.00a.m. with registration from 9.30a.m. at County Hall, Matlock, DE4 3AG.The event will include talks and demonstrations on nutrition and hydration from a variety of guest speakers. There will also be information stands to browse and the opportunity to network. Lunch will also be included.To register your attendance please sign up via Eventbrite so we are able to estimate numbers for lunchFor more information and if you have any special dietary requirements please email adultcare.info@derbyshire.gov.uk (however you will still need to register via Eventbrite)
RIPLEY TO BE WOOL BOMBED!
Ripley Town Council are looking for local schools, nurseries, craft groups, Scouts and Guides, individuals and businesses within the wider Ripley Township (Heage, Nether Heage, Bullbridge, Sawmills, Waingroves, Marehay, Street Lane and Lower Hartshay) to come together to ‘wool bomb’ Ripley Market Place this MayWool bombing is when you cover objects or structures, in this case, trees in Ripley, with decorative knitted or crocheted materials as a form of street art. You can knit/ crochet whatever you like, for example, animals, insects, flowers, pom-poms and scarves to be placed on the trees. They don’t have to be perfect, just colourful!Ripley Town Council are working alongside Ripley St. John’s School to lead the project. We will help you install your creation on the trees on or around Saturday 18th May, in the late afternoon.If you would like your school, craft group, Scout, Guide group or business to be involved and create a ‘wool bomb’ or if you are a local resident with knitting skills and would like to take part, please get in touch with Hannah by emailing
deputyclerk@ripleytowncouncil.gov.uk or by calling 01773 513456 (Mon-Fri 10am until 3pm) or please call in to our office on Grosvenor Road.
Village Halls -Save the Date!
We already have the date for the 2019 Village & Community Halls Conference which will be held on Friday 8th November 2019. As everyone rated the venue as excellent and met all our needs, the event will again, be held at The Post Mill Centre in South Normanton.


#HelloNeighbour challenge ;Nextdoor, the free app and website for neighbours, has partnered with the charity Giving Tuesday to challenge its members to pledge an hour a week to help tackle loneliness, with the aim of giving one million minutes to support neighbours in need in their communities before 2019.
How to get involved with the #HelloNeighbour challenge:Step 1: Pledge your support to the #HelloNeighbour campaign by visiting their website at: go.nextdoor.com/helloneighbour.
Step 2:
Find and connect with like-minded people in your community through Nextdoor to discuss who and how you would like to support the #HelloNeighbour challenge. Talk about and post how you’re planning on meeting the challenge, from saying hello to a stranger to inviting a neighbour over for coffee.
Step 3:
Share how your #HelloNeighbour challenge goes and what you’ve done to help your neighbours on Nextdoor and your other social channels using the hashtag:#HelloNeighbourMental health training webpage has now gone live on the DCC website at https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/social-health/health-and-wellbeing/mental-health-and-wellbeing/mental-health-training/mental-health-training.aspx .Please note places can sometimes fill-up very quickly because of high demand. The courses form part of rolling programmes of courses with new dates and venues across Derbyshire being released in time-blocks.New courses will be publicised on the new mental health training webpage and where referred to on the webpage via Eventbrite,
CHARITY Gig to support First Steps
Amy Hudson will be holding a Charity Gig Saturday 9th February 2019 to raise money for First Steps. The event is £5 per person, and will include a live band, disco, and silent auction and raffle, with prizes such as Olivia Burton Watches, and a signed Manchester United Football Pennant. If you would like a ticket please contact Amy via: amyh@firststepsed.co.ukCHARITY GigFalls Prevention- research and social marketing projectNorth West based social enterprise, Unique Improvements has been commissioned by Derbyshire County Council to deliver a combined research and social marketing campaign to help prevent and address the impact of falls amongst older people.We’d really like to keep you involved and informed about the work.If you would like to take part in the insight gathering stage, find out more about being a Falls Champion, would like us to come visit your group/staff meeting, or just be kept up to date with things like the small grants pot, then email:Falls@uni.uk.net for details of our event on 31st JanuaryOctober 2017We need your votes to secure vital funding for our Man CaveAmber Valley Centre for Voluntary Services (AVCVS) who provide support to Amber Valley people with voluntary action are calling for the support of the local community to help win funding for their Man Cave project as part of the Aviva Community Fund 2017.  Our Man Cave Project is relying on votes to increase our chances of winning funding of up to £25,000 which we hope will go towards restoring our venue which is an old, unused building and providing materials for our Man Cave volunteers to use. Only projects with the most votes will become finalists, so additional support is vital.The Man Cave was set up in June 2017 with the aim of providing a regular meeting space for men who traditionally do not join in with group social activity, including those with health problems, learning difficulties, mental ill health and suicidal thoughts. At the Man Cave, they find company but in focusing themselves around a practical task we believe more interaction will take place. In completing practical projects using skills they bring with them or acquire through working together we believe confidence, self esteem and mental well being will be improved.The group has 10 gentlemen who attend on a weekly basis, but the more the merrier and new members are always welcome. They come together to work on gardening projects and restoration of furniture. With the help of this funding, they would like to buy materials to make items such as work benches and recycling items to make lamps and wall planters, as well as making the building they use, more sustainable.Paul Smith, lead Man Cave volunteer said, ‘Since the Man Cave started, I have noticed a positive. change in both myself and the other participants. We have become more sociable and better at working as a team.We discuss ideas and can bring all our different skills and techniques together and learn from one another, whilst having a bit of banter at the same time’.He added, ‘The Aviva Funding would make a great difference to our Man Cave group as we would be able to utilise the building better and make our group self-sustainable, hopefully attracting new members to join’.To get behind the Amber Valley CVS Man Cave project and help make a difference in your local community, visit https://community-fund.aviva.co.uk/voting/project/view/17-2857 and submit your vote by 21st November 2017.For more information about the Man Cave, please call AVCVS on 01773 512076 /
admin@avcvs.org or call in at our office at 33, Market Place, Ripley, Derbyshire, DE5 3HA


April 2017Amber Valley CVS seek volunteers for their Home from Hospital schemeRipley based charity, Amber Valley Centre for Voluntary Services (AVCVS) are looking for local volunteers to provide practical and emotional support to individuals who are being discharged from hospital or a care facility.Volunteers will provide low level support to people who have no other support network around them, in order to speed and ease the transition from hospital to home and prevent re-admittance. Tasks may include shopping for basic food stuffs, turning on heating, offering a lift home or popping in to their home to check on their well-being.Pippa Woodbridge, Home from Hospital Worker said, ‘We are looking for volunteers, specifically from the Belper, Ripley, Heanor or Langley Mill areas to offer support for up to 6 weeks, with at least weekly visits for supportive, social conversation and ad hoc practical support which will encouraging the individual to care for themselves at home.’She added, ‘Volunteers can choose the day or time that they are able to provide support.They will be supported by myself and will be given training beforehand. They will be able to claim back any out of pocket expenses and will have access to additional signposting and services for each individual that they help. Volunteers must be over 18 years of age and they will require a DBS (Police check) to be carried out prior to them volunteering’.Each single volunteers input will encourage a person’s adjustment to their home environment and participation with the wider community. Ongoing health or social care will be provided by other statutory services such as the NHS, to the person alongside this volunteering activity.This help will support the NHS and Derbyshire Hospitals by removing some of the barriers to lone patients returning and staying home following discharge.The Home from Hospital service is funded by the NHS Southern Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group.If you are interested in finding out more information about how to become a Home from Hospital volunteer, please contact Philippa Woodbridge on 01773 512076 or email
philippawoodbridge@avcvs.org


NEWS ARCHIVE Spring Clean your group with the help of Amber Valley CVS’ FREE training course – January and May 2016 Amber Valley CVS 2015 Food Bank appeal – December 2015 Amber Valley Voices awarded funds from Amber Valley CVS – October 2015 Amber Valley CVS thank their Befrienders – August 2015 Somercotes Infants School Charity Carousel Day – 14th June 2015 Volunteer and potentially end up with a job – May 2015