Increasingly, people are coming together to provide much-needed services in local communities. Village SOS (VSOS) is a 2 year Big Lottery Funded Campaign to encourage the development of community enterprise across the UK. It can offer some free project support and a small amount of funding to help with developmental costs, such as training expenses and travel costs to visit similar projects operating elsewhere. VSOS can link the project group with an experienced mentor to offer bespoke support and advice to the group.

  •  Large scale projects, e.g. may involve buying up publicly owned assets, developing a community energy project, taking over the management of your local pub or shop, to

  •  Small-scale projects, e.g. refurbishing a village hall in order to increase services, running a mobile library, food projects.

If you are interested in learning more about the VSOS Campaign, visit the VSOS website.

If you already have a project idea that you would like to discuss or are uncertain about the VSOS package of support, then please contact Helena Stubbs at Rural Action Derbyshire. Direct line: 01629 592973

PDRHA is a charitable housing association. It provides affordable housing in the villages of the Peak District for local people who cannot otherwise access housing in their communities. The organisation is looking to recruit voluntary Board Members and is particularly keen to hear from people with financial or business management experience. However, more than anything, they are looking for people with an enthusiasm for making a positive difference to rural communities. If you are interested in this role and would like any more information, please contact Alison Clamp, Company Secretary, PDRHA, by phone on 0300 1234009 or via email alison.clamp@midlandsrural.org.uk

Baroness Estelle Morris, First Taste’s Patron, is to launch the First Taste’s fourth chair based exercise CD. This latest CD is being produced specifically to support stimulative work to encourage gentle exercise with older people with dementia  in care settings such as residential care & nursing homes as well as day care centres, although many other groups will find it useful.

This event is open, free of charge, to anyone who would like to attend. Please contact Iris Wagstaffe on 01629 733849.

In August last year, we amalgamated the Health Development Fund with the community grants streams from the District Council that we administer to form the Better Derbyshire Dales Fund.

This means that although you can apply for funding towards events; play areas and village halls (in line with some of the original funding streams at the District Council) you can also apply for any activity or running cost associated with a community group that addresses health issues.

Applications to the Better Derbyshire Dales Fund are assessed quarterly with the next grants panel meeting on the 12th May 2016. We would like applications submitted by Friday 6th May 2016. If you have any question about the Better Derbyshire Dales Fund please contact Jonathan Simcock or Sarah Paisley at DDCVS on 01629 812154. Or you can download a form and guidance here 

Applications from organisations working in the areas of education or health with one of four chosen focus groups will be considered:

  •  Children and young people with disabilities

  •  Children and young people who are sick in hospital

  •  Employability and training programmes for disadvantaged young people

  •  Children and young people who are life limited (requiring palliative care)

For more information visit the D M Thomas website: – http://dmthomasfoundation.org/

 

If you are looking for office accommodation for your organisation, we have space in our offices that might be just what you’re looking for. Up to three workstations are available in a number of configurations, including as a whole dedicated office, to rent straight away. This would be ideal for a small voluntary organisation, or small business. Our offices would give you:

  •  A modern office environment

  •  Up-to-date ICT, including Wi-Fi and fast Broadband

  •  High-quality photocopying and network printing

  •  Use of meeting rooms

  •  Dedicated, direct-dial phone numbers

  •  Dedicated lockable filing cabinets for your paperwork

  •  Free car parking for staff, volunteers and visitors

  •  Kitchen and toilet facilities

  •  A friendly and supportive working atmosphere

  •  Location in Bakewell at the Agricultural Business Centre, a short walk from the town centre.

Terms are negotiable depending on your requirements. So, if your organisation is interested in high-quality office accommodation in the heart of Bakewell shared with the DDCVS team, please contact Janet 01629 812154 or email: janet@ddcvs.org.uk