Champions roundup: How Chesterfield organisations are supporting our town
Chesterfield Champions have shared uplifting stories throughout October on how they’re helping to support people in our area.
Organisations have been creating connections across the community to help strengthen local groups, improve accessibility, and even teaching people how to save a life.
Find out more in our latest roundup below:
Save a Life Scheme receives record sign ups at Chesterfield College
Local charity, the Community Save a Life Scheme (CSALS), visited Chesterfield College to celebrate the fantastic uptake from both staff and students with the programme.
Nick was astonished by the number of staff and students who have been involved saying, “The support and interest from the college has been incredible.”
Both staff and students told Nick that they have walked away feeling more confident due to completing the course. Nick adds, “A lot of people are fearful of the unknown and wouldn’t always step in to help in a difficult situation. Having the basic lifesaving skills that the course equips them with, gives them enough knowledge to save a life.
Support Dog’s successful visit to Chesterfield FC
A successful trial recently saw a support dog pay a visit to Chesterfield FC for a matchday experience.
When the Community Trust took over the running of Chesterfield FC, one of the stated aims was to make the stadium accessible for everyone.
The club recently received positive feedback following Pauline McAllister’s visit to the SMH Group Stadium with Gordon, a 22-month-old support dog, for the game against Oldham Athletic earlier this season.
Speaking about the experience, Pauline said: “We’re socialisers – not trainers. We’ve had lots of different experiences to get the dog used to it.
“We thought a football match would be really good to get used to the noise. We hadn’t got a clue on how to get in or how to get tickets but our experience was absolutely wonderful.
“I was quite nervous about going but we didn’t have any worries at all. The whole thing was lovely. I can’t thank everybody enough.”
Vicar Lane to host Pumpkin Patch this weekend
Vicar Lane is hosting a hauntingly good time for visitors this weekend, with a free Pumpkin Patch returning to the centre on Saturday 21st October.
From 10am – 3pm, a range of spooktacular activities will be on offer for all the family to enjoy. Visitors can take their pick of pumpkins from the patch while stocks last, and join in with lots of fang-tastic fun brewed up by the trio of witches.
Spellbinding makeovers will also be available from a themed face painter throughout the day, so visitors can transform into their favourite spine-chilling characters.
Sarah Bowler, Tenant and Community Liaison Manager said: “We are so excited to welcome local families back to Vicar Lane to get involved in lots of exciting Halloween activities. It’s sure to be a great day out for all!”
Chatsworth Walk Connects Nursing Students and Carers
Led by Derbyshire Voluntary Action’s Community Chesterfield project the Chatsworth Walk took participants on a picturesque journey from Baslow to Chatsworth House in the Peak District, providing not just breathtaking scenery but also a platform for important conversations about the experiences of unpaid carers and their role in healthcare.
This partnership event with the University of Derby, and Derbyshire Carers Association on 27 September brought together future healthcare professionals and carers for a day of connection, mindfulness, and dialogue.
The Chatsworth Walk underscored the power of community, empathy, and the willingness to engage in conversations that matter. By bringing together unpaid carers, staff, and students, this event highlighted the importance of understanding the experiences of carers, ultimately leading to more compassionate, communicative, and effective healthcare.
Jennifer Raschbauer, Community Chesterfield Project Director commented: “It was a lovely day with some brilliant conversations. It was wonderful to hear some of the shared stories and to see people learning.”
Community Chesterfield, CSALS, Chesterfield College, Vicar Lane and Chesterfield FC support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.
