As you might be aware, the Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) are currently consulting on proposals to make significant funding cuts to voluntary and community organisations. Derbyshire Dales CVS is one of the organisations affected by these proposed cuts. The CCGs have now provided a questionnaire that users of our services can fill in to explain the impact that cuts in funding to the CVS would mean to them.

We would be grateful if you could take the time to complete the questionnaire as this could have real impact on the decisions that are made by the CCG. We apologise for the short time-scale, and the format of the questionnaire, which does not really reflect the work we do, but this is what has been provided to us.

The questionnaire can be filled in on-line at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/vcs_gra ... . A paper version can also be used and returned by using the address Freepost SOUTHERN DERBYSHIRE CCG. You can also speak to someone at the CCG if you prefer. If you wish to do this, call Christine Bell on 01332 888197. If you need a paper version of the form, please let us know.

Thank you for your support.

If your community group has a project in mind that is about engaging their users in sport or physical activity then you might benefit from a one-to-one session with Edwina Archer who is the funding lead with Active Derbyshire. We have 30-minute slots available to book to talk about your project with Edwina.

The venue will either be our meeting room in Bakewell or the Imperial Rooms in Matlock. Please let us know at CVS if you are interested, the slots will be from 10.00 to 12.30. Tel 01629 812154.

Amber Valley CVS is hosting a free funding workshop. If you are running a project for children and young people you can come along to this workshop run by Dawn Watts who is the regional officer for BBC Children in Need.

If you would like to book a place please contact Collette Watson on 01773 512976.

Rural Action Derbyshire (RAD) is delighted to join forces with Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire (RCAN) to present an informative and interactive event with top speakers, case studies and a networking lunch, specifically for managers of village halls and community buildings.

This first cross-county conference dedicated to community buildings, it is an ideal opportunity for anyone with an interest in or involved with managing a community facility, to learn how to become more sustainable and ‘fit for the future’.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:  Professor Katharine Willis (Associate Professor, University of Plymouth) 

  •  The Digital Venue Toolkit and digital inclusion – a guide to getting your village or community venue online

  •  Gavin Mitchell, Allied Westminster – underinsurance and managing risk

  •  Ian Hickling (Regional Police Cyber Crime Officer) and Tracy Coates (Senior Community Safety Officer, Derbyshire County Council) – How to improve your cybersecurity in order to protect your charity’s data, assets and reputation

  •  Deborah Clarke (ACRE Village Halls Advisor ) – National Village Halls Network, lobbying and influence

  •  Yvonne Colverson – ( North Wingfield Community Resource Centre)  – Emergency Crisis Planning

  •  Parish Council support for village halls – a case study from Repton Parish Council about the new Repton Village Hall

MARKET PLACE:
Our Market Place will comprise of a wide range of exhibitors from companies, funders and not-for profit organisations that offer services or products relevant to managers of community buildings. Throughout the event, delegates will have the opportunity to personally discuss their specific needs, pick up ideas and make new contacts from the individual stands.

The conference will run from 9.45 to 3.15pm, with coffee/tea available from 9.15am. Refreshment breaks and a light buffet lunch are included. There will be ample opportunities for networking between participants, stand holders and speakers.

Book here: – https://www.ruralactionderbyshire.org.uk ...

Derbyshire Dales District Council has just completed a series of safeguarding and child sexual exploitation awareness training sessions for taxi drivers it licenses.

Provided by the District Council’s Licensing and Community Safety Teams, the training supports a Derbyshire County Council child sexual exploitation awareness campaign launched in April 2018, targeted at the thousands of taxi and bus drivers who operate across the county.

The District Council’s licensing manager Eileen Tierney said: “The general idea of the training was not to make safeguarding solely the taxi drivers’ responsibility, as it is everyone’s responsibility – but to ensure that the subject is widely understood by them, so that early signs of exploitation of young and vulnerable people can be identified and reported through the appropriate channels.

“In May this year, we made the training a mandatory requirement after reviewing our Taxi Licensing Policy. It means all new licensed taxi and private hire vehicle drivers must complete the training within six months of a taxi driver badge being granted.

“We are delighted with a very positive response from the taxi trade in the Dales, with 110 of the 116 licensed drivers having already attended a session. A small number of Passenger Assistants who carry out school contracts for the County Council also attended our sessions.”

Existing drivers have until 30 April 2019 to complete the training and all drivers will be required to renew this training every three years.

All vehicles licensed by the District Council as taxis or private hire vehicles have large stickers on both front doors of the vehicle – these detail the vehicle licence number.

They also have a licence plate fixed to the rear of the vehicle.  All of the drivers will be wearing a badge to show they are licensed by the District Council, and a second badge showing the licence number and a photograph of the driver will also be on display inside the vehicle so that it can be viewed by passengers.

Vehicles or drivers that do not have these identification marks, but are posing as taxis should be reported to the District Council by telephone: 01629 761345, or by email to licensing@derbyshiredales.gov.uk.

If you were at our recent Networking Event in Ashbourne you would have heard Tamsin Hall of Foundation Derbyshire encouraging groups to apply to the Derbyshire Older People’s Fund.

The Derbyshire Older People’s Fund originates from an anonymous donor who kindly, and with great foresight, created a pot of money specifically for grassroots community groups helping elderly residents. The fund has been very well received and has already helped 28 local organisations since its launch last July. The fund has successfully helped groups tackle:

  •  Isolation and a loneliness

  •  Mental health and well-being

  •  Independence and physical health

Grants of up to £5,000 are still available but not for too much longer as the fund, as is stands, is due to fully spend in the next few months. If your group or a group you know could benefit then NOW is the time to act. Call the Foundation Derbyshire grants team on 01773 525860  and talk about your project ideas and see if they are suitable

Dozens of community groups across Derbyshire have already benefited from Derbyshire County Council’s action grant since the scheme launched earlier this year and applications for the next round are open now.

DCC wants to encourage groups with good ideas to make their communities better places to live so if you’re involved with a scheme which supports youth activity, community safety, physical activity and sports or community activity you can apply now for a £500 grant to support your work.

The deadline for the current round of grants is Monday 31st December 2018 with other rounds to follow next year.

Find out more about the action grants and apply for community group and activity funding.

The Cultural Impact Development Fund will give loans of between £25,000 and £150,000 to help arts, cultural and creative organisations achieve social impact.

The programme is managed by Nesta and is funded by Access – the Foundation for Social Investment, with finance being provided by its partners the Big Lottery Fund and Big Society Capital.

The fund will have a  three year deployment period from October 2018 with the final loans expected to be repaid by July 2026. Organisations can find out more from the Cultural Impact Development Fund website.

The Shared Lives scheme offers accommodation and support within approved family homes for people aged 18 and over who rely on the help and support of others to maximise their potential and maintain a sense of independence.

The scheme offers support to people who, through disability or ill health, need help to remain in the community. It’s inclusive and enables the person using the service to feel a sense of belonging as they become part of the carers, network. The shared lives carer and the person wanting to use the service are matched together to ensure a mutually beneficial relationship and lifestyle that enables the person using the service to develop life skills, build friendships have a sense of belonging, a safe place to develop and grow as a person and maintain their independence.

There is a charge for staying with a Shared Lives carer in their home. The cost will depend upon the length of the stay and your individual situation.  Your allocated social worker from your area team will assess this.

If you would like to know more you can visit https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/social-hea ... where there are videos, to show what it is like to be a carer and the client using the service.

If you’re interested in becoming a shared lives carer, please contact Shared Lives for more information. Email: shared.lives@derbyshire.gov.uk Tel: 01629 533769 or Write to: Shared Lives, Adult Care, The Hub, Shiner’s Way, South Normanton, Derbyshire DE55 2FY.