Champions continue work in the community
Chesterfield’s community continues to be strengthened through several initiatives to help charities, community groups and people in need.
Our latest news showcases support for our town’s veterans, young people, those who have lost loved ones, and new mothers.
Discover the latest on how Chesterfield Champions have been collaborating to support our community below.
Vicar Lane supports The Children’s Hospital Charity Snowflake Sponsorship
Vicar Lane, Chesterfield, is delighted to be supporting The Children’s Hospital Charity this Christmas through their snowflake appeal.
Each year businesses are encouraged to sponsor a snowflake which is displayed around locations in Sheffield and South Yorkshire – this year Vicar Lane is thrilled to be one of those locations.
This year, the charity will celebrate the twentieth anniversary of their iconic snowflakes, which has raised £2.5 million for the hospital to date.
The initiative brings people together with a shared goal to change the lives of children and their families and to deliver the best possible care. This year’s sponsorship will support the build of Sheffield Children’s brand-new research and technology centre, the National Centre for Child Health Technology (NCCHT).
The snowflakes have now been beautifully displayed at Vicar Lane above Qoozies and the Grotto, for families to admire when they visit Santa.
Shaun Brown, Centre Manager at Vicar Lane says: ‘’We’re delighted to be part of this initiative and it is lovely to see the businesses that have sponsored the snowflakes on display. They are a lovely touch above our Christmas grotto for everyone to admire”
Sophie Coburn, Corporate Partnerships Manager at The Children’s Hospital Charity says: “We are so grateful to Vicar Lane Shopping Centre for this sparkling display of Snowflakes adding to our 20th Anniversary Celebrations, a fantastic location in the heart of Chesterfield.”
MP Visits New Veteran Community Hub
Stand To Derbyshire Veteran Community Services (STDVCS) was delighted to welcome Labour MP Toby Perkins to their new Veteran Community Hub at Vicar Lane, Chesterfield on Friday 1st November.
MP Toby Perkins’ visit gave the team an opportunity to discuss with him the success of the hub and the extensive support it has already provided the local community.
Stand To have seen a 300% increase in visits from female veterans and families of veterans, who are struggling to cope with some of the complex issues their partners are experiencing.
Jane Lawther, STDVCS Manager said “We were delighted to welcome MP Toby Perkins to the hub and discuss the benefit of being located in the heart of Chesterfield. We are so pleased about the feedback we are receiving from the veterans that visit and how comfortable they feel to come in for a chat and receive advice’.
Shaun Brown, Centre Manager, Vicar Lane said, “It was great to have the opportunity to talk to Toby Perkins about how this project came to fruition and about my role as a trustee of the charity’
The hub, which opened on 1st October is managed by Stand To Derbyshire Veteran Community Services (STDVCS), who are dedicated to supporting Derbyshire’s Ex-Forces community and their families. The project differs from generic support services by providing a tailored longer-term programme to the Derbyshire Ex- Armed Forces community.
The hub provides a space dedicated for veterans, where they can have a cuppa, chat and a friendly ear. One to one support and extensive resources will be offered, with the chance to talk to a dedicated ex armed forces worker or volunteer.
Support that can be provided ranges from pension enquiries, welfare support, housing, signposting or a referral into STDVCS’s specialised alcohol treatment service. For further support, the charity can also put veterans in touch with veteran specific organisations.
Daughter backs hospice appeal in memory of ‘courageous’ mum
The daughter of an “adventurous and courageous” mum who received end of life care at Ashgate Hospice has backed the charity’s Light Up a Life appeal in her memory.
Dorothy Greveson was admitted to the hospice’s Inpatient Unit in Chesterfield before her death last year, aged 63.
After being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2020, Dorothy, from Clowne, Derbyshire, spent the final two weeks of her life in “comfort and happiness” thanks to Ashgate’s care.
Her children Stacey, Liam, Louise and Dale, will be dedicating a star in tribute to their mum as part of the Light Up a Life appeal, sponsored by Harrold Lilleker & Sons Ltd.
Stacey Kelly, a teaching assistant, said the hospice treated Dorothy with “patience and empathy” until she died on 30th August.
The 27-year-old said: “Life became extremely tough watching mum get weaker and weaker, but she made it her mission to use the last of her energy chasing the sun!
“She wasn’t ready to go and that was the hardest part of it all – knowing that her age was just a number as she was so young at heart.
“When mum neared the end of her life and she was admitted to Ashgate, it was such a relief as she was finally getting the round-the-clock care she required.
“The setting was so welcoming and there was such a reassuring atmosphere, while the staff showed her so much patience and empathy.
“The care mum and us all received was like nothing else we had experienced.”
The fundraising campaign aims to raise funds so future patients can access the same support Dorothy did when they need it most.
As part of the Light Up a Life appeal, the hospice is inviting families to remember the life of someone special by dedicating a star in the hospice’s virtual night sky.
For a suggested donation of £25, supporters can dedicate a star in memory of someone special.
Once their dedication has been made they will receive an invitation to the hospice’s ceremony on Sunday 1st December 2024.
Like other hospices across the UK, only a fraction of Ashgate Hospice’s funding comes from the NHS, which is 31% in Ashgate’s case.
Support the Light Up a Life appeal and dedicate a star in memory of your loved ones, while helping fund palliative and end of life care across North Derbyshire.
Chesterfield Royal Hospital achieves ‘Breastfeeding Welcome Here Award’
Chesterfield Royal Hospital has achieved the ‘Breastfeeding Welcome Here Award’ from Derbyshire County Council.
The Breastfeeding Welcome Here Award aims to:
- Help community venues show they actively welcome and support breastfeeding
- Support new families to feel confident breastfeeding when out and about
- Improve awareness about the lifelong benefits of breastfeeding for mother and child
- Remove any barriers that may prevent people from breastfeeding in public
Having a breastfeeding friendly Trust, families can feel confident to breastfeed in public with the reassurance that staff members are aware of the Equality Act 2010, the law which protects breastfeeding and therefore will support families. The Trust will never ask anybody breastfeeding to move to an unsuitable place or cover up.
Chesterfield Royal Hospital is passionate about supporting patients and the community – an important part of this is making sure that families feel comfortable to feed while out and about, and within the Trust.
This can help reduce feelings of loneliness, improve mental health, reduce stigma, and ease their breastfeeding journey.
Siobhan Almond, Infant Feeding and Wellbeing Lead Midwife, said: “It is a privilege to lead the rollout of this scheme across Chesterfield Royal Hospital. Parents cannot always predict when they will next need to breastfeed their baby or child so it is important that they feel safe and welcome to breastfeed whenever and wherever they need to whilst visiting the Trust.
As a result of collaborative working there are a number of exciting projects and improvements currently happening throughout the Trust in relation to infant feeding. This shows our commitment in supporting and enabling the normalisation of breastfeeding within the hospital for patients, colleagues, and visitors.”
Dotty Watkins OBE, Interim Director of Midwifery, added: “I am delighted beyond measure that Chesterfield Royal Hospital has been awarded the ‘Breastfeeding Welcome Here’ award from Derbyshire County Council. It was a pleasure to be joined by Councillor Carol Hart from Derbyshire County Council and Jenny Godfrey from Public Health Derbyshire County Council, who presented the award. There have been so many people who have made this possible, though special thanks must go to the Perinatal Infant Feeding Team, Siobhan Almond, Amiee Leatherday, Rachel Payne and Denise Pemberton. Thanks also to the executive support of Hal Spencer, Chief Executive, and Caroline Wade MBE, Trust Infant Feeding Guardian, for their support throughout the journey. To have strong leadership support for getting the basis right in our service, certainly makes a difference.”
Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Communities Councillor Carol Hart said: “We’re delighted to welcome Chesterfield Royal Hospital on board.
“We know how important it is to ensure that breastfeeding parents feel safe and encouraged to feed their children in public.
“We hope that lots more Derbyshire businesses will sign up to the Breastfeeding Welcome Here Award.”
If you would like to see all local venues who are part of the scheme, please visit the DCHS’s Breastfeeding Welcome Online Directory and Interactive Map Breastfeeding your baby.
