Author: Dom Stevens

Action Grants available for local groups with ‘Derbyshire Spirit’

18th May 2020

Derbyshire County Council are re offering support to community groups, clubs and charities that are at the heart of local communities and show ‘Derbyshire Spirit’.

‘Derbyshire Spirit’ is about us looking out for each other, following the guidance, staying safe and being kind during the coronavirus pandemic. For more details please visit the Derbyshire Spirit website (opens in new tab).

Through the Action Grants scheme money is available to help groups get back on their feet when the coronavirus pandemic is over so they can continue with their invaluable work.

Derbyshire County Council Leader Councillor Barry Lewis said: “We’re very aware that many groups in our local communities have had to stop their meetings and activities during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic but we want to reassure them that we’re still offering support for when they can resume. Their work makes a real difference to peoples’ lives and they’re a glowing example of what we’ve termed ‘Derbyshire Spirit’ through their selfless dedication to others and especially those in greatest need.”

“I know that when the pandemic has passed there will be more inspiring projects going on and I would encourage residents to apply for our Action Grants now. It could be just the helping hand needed.”

The Action Grants scheme has been running for nearly 2 years and the final round closes at the end of May. The grants are mostly up to £500 and Derbyshire County Council are looking to support the following activities:

Community Safety: grants for projects to reduce crime and the fear of crime including raising awareness about scams and rogue trading, schemes to tackle anti-social behaviour and initiatives to help residents keep themselves safe
Youth Activity: including setting up youth clubs, organising activities for young people, projects to help young people gain new skills or schemes to help them deal with mental health issues
Physical Activity and Sport: money for schemes to encourage residents of all ages to take part in physical activities, keep fit and stay healthy – or which encourage people to get active if they’re not already.

There are also a small number of £5,000 and £10,000 grants available in these 3 categories and for another category called ‘community activity’. The community activity category covers things such as setting up new community groups, organising a local event or starting a community project.

The Action Grant process is quick and simple and decisions are usually made within 4 weeks of the closing date. The deadlines for the final round of applications is 31 May 2020.

To find out full details of the scheme, including all the projects awarded grants so far, click here (opens in new tab).

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield

New name for Chesterfield FC stadium revealed

18th May 2020

Chesterfield FC’s home will now be known as the Technique Stadium following the announcement of an agreement with Technique Learning Solutions.

This new agreement further strengthens the association between the two organisations. In May 2019, Technique Learning were named as Chesterfield’s new shirt sponsor after agreeing a two-year contract.

With seven centres covering the UK and headquarters in Chesterfield, Technique Learning Solutions is a leading training company, offering courses in electrical, air conditioning & refrigeration and programmable logic controllers.

Mark Crook, Managing Director of Technique Learning Solutions, said: “As soon as we were aware of the chance to secure the stadium naming rights, we were keen to seize it as it will provide us with further opportunities to raise our profile and make people aware of what we do.”

Jim Brown, Spireites Commercial Manager, said: “I would like to thank Technique Learning Solutions for their valuable ongoing support, which is very much appreciated. We were delighted to welcome them as shirt sponsors last year and it is very pleasing to see their name also attached to the stadium.

Jim added: “As we welcome new sponsors of the stadium name, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Proact for their valued support over the last decade.”

Chesterfield supporters can take advantage of a special offer from Technique Learning Solutions. Anyone making a booking for any course (including online courses) should simply use the discount code ‘Spireites’ to receive a 10% discount. Please click here to visit their website (opens in new tab).

To view the launch video, please click here (opens in new tab).

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Specialist Ashgate Hospicecare teams supporting NHS staff at Chesterfield Royal looking after COVID-19 patients

16th May 2020

Ashgate Hospicecare is now delivering support sessions for NHS teams at the hospital who are working with patients who have received a positive diagnosis of COVID-19.

The confidential group sessions offer NHS staff a safe place to talk openly about their anxieties, concerns and experiences in a supportive way. This is designed to prevent trauma and support those colleagues to come to terms and process their experiences looking after those patients.

Ashgate are experts in providing bereavement counselling and support – both to their own teams and to friends and families of patients at the hospice. There are now four team members from Ashgate Hospicecare based in the hospital four times a week offering support to NHS teams.

Arlene Honeyman, Head of Supportive Care at Ashgate Hospicecare, says: “Even for our hospice teams who are used to looking after end of care patients we’ve had to provide wobble rooms where they can go and have a moment and get support. There’s all sorts of issues coming into play – providing end of life care while wearing PPE, patients not being able to have the same number of visitors they normally would, worry about their own health and loved ones back home – so emotional support is vital.”

“NHS teams and hospice teams aren’t superhuman, they need care and support like anyone else. And for the staff at Chesterfield Royal many haven’t had to look after so many end of life patients in such a short space of time. We are so pleased to be supporting our colleagues at Chesterfield Royal Hospital. Our aim is to take Ashgate ‘care and compassion’ to those who are working in this challenging environment.”

“We are so impressed with the commitment and care they offer and will do whatever we can to support them to continue and stay well themselves.”

Staff receiving supportive care will also be offered access to the hospice’s ‘wobble room’ which was set up for hospice staff who need and can go for a wobble, pause and recharge or be supported to pause, recharge and move on. Staff from Chesterfield Royal Hospital will be able to receive this service next week and have access in between group sessions if they need support at other times.

Susan Hawkins, Ward Sister at Chesterfield Royal has receiving supportive care from Ashgate Hospicecare along with a lot of her team. Susan said: “Both myself and members of the team feel the support service provided by Ashgate Hospicecare has been brilliant, being able to express ourselves about the issues we’ve been facing in a calm environment and not be judged. We have all felt relieved that we’re able to unload our thoughts and anxieties during this extremely difficult time.”

She added: “To go from where we usually work on the Urology department to go completely out of our comfort zone and away from our speciality has been really frightening and challenging. To have that extra support and for someone to come in and say it’s alright to talk and listen with empathy, it has been really beneficial to all of us.”

Click here to find out more about Ashgate Hospicecare

Ashgate Hospicecare

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Featured, Home

Help ‘Protect Your NHS’ with free will writing service offered by Chesterfield solicitors

15th May 2020

Until 31 May 2020, Chesterfield Champions BRM Solicitors will not charge their usual fees for making a will. Instead, clients will be encouraged to make a voluntary donation to Chesterfield Royal Hospital’s “Protect Your NHS” appeal.

The choice and amount to donate is entirely up to each client, but the suggested minimum donation is just £75 for a single will, or £150 for a mirror will for a couple.

All donations will be used to gift health and well-being experiences to staff as well as gifting enhanced care and facilities to patients.

A regulated professional will advise you throughout the process to ensure that your will is appropriate for your personal circumstances, and that it fully reflects your wishes. When completed, all wills are stored securely for free, and registered with Certainty, the National Wills Register so that your will can be found when it is needed.

Rob Woodhead (right), Head of Wills and Probate at BRM said: “By making a will with us in May, you can show your support to the staff and patients at Chesterfield Royal Hospital, who have been affected directly, or indirectly by the Covid-19 pandemic.”

To find out more and register for an appointment, visit www.brmlaw.co.uk/crh or telephone 01246 555111.

Click here to find out more about BRM Solicitors

Click here to learn more about Chesterfield Champions

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Featured, Home

CityGrab food delivery app to donate this weekend’s delivery fees to two Chesterfield charities

14th May 2020

CityGrab, a local food delivery app created by City Taxis, will donate all delivery fees from this weekend’s orders to two Chesterfield charities, Ashgate Hospicecare and Chesterfield Royal Hospital Charity.

For each of the ‘31 Days in May’ you can order local food and products on the citygrab app, with each weekend dedicated to supporting a local charity. Friday 15th May to Monday 18th May will see funds raised for two local Chesterfield charities, Ashgate Hospicecare and Chesterfield Royal Charity, to help support the fantastic work they are doing providing patient treatment and specialist end of life care under the most challenging circumstances.

Since its launch, local businesses including Afats Grill, Odyssey Greek, Qoozies, Pizza Pi, North Sea Fish Bar, Fat Pig BBQ, Tiffin & Casa Hotel now have food and products available to order through the app.

Russ Wilkinson, Manager of City Taxis said: “To say these are difficult times for our local charities is an understatement, as every penny counts for individuals, families and local businesses”.

He added: “I hope that by donating the citygrab delivery fees to our charity partners, reflects the gratitude we have for the support they give to the community of Chesterfield. I would like to add that these donations are made possible by the continued hard work of our drivers.”

Karen Walker, Ward Sister at Ashgate Hospicecare, said: “Our patients need us more than ever before, but providing that care has never been so challenging. With the support of our community and local businesses like citygrab, we can be there for those who desperately need our care.”

Beverley Webster, Chesterfield Royal Hospital Charity Chair, said: “On behalf of the Charity I would like to pass on our thanks and appreciations. It’s a challenging time for businesses, so this is an incredibly kind and generous gesture. The ‘31 days of May’ campaign that City Taxis are running through their citygrab app is a really innovative way to support local charities like ours. We have some really exciting plans that will make a real difference to patients in hospital – and to the staff who are working hard to provide exceptional care in unprecedented circumstances. Any donations we receive will be used wisely and for maximum benefit.”

To show your support, simply place an order on the citygrab app between 6pm on Friday 15^th May and 6am Monday 18^th May and your delivery fee will be automatically donated. The total amount raised will be split evenly between the charities.

Download the citygrab app here.

Click here to see a list local food & drink suppliers offering takeaways

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Featured, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Chesterfield technology firm recruits four new staff to improve customer support

14th May 2020

Chesterfield-based technology firm and Chesterfield Champion, Central Technology, has this month hired four new staff members in order to continue valuable business support to their customers and the wider business community.

Central Technology has welcomed three new team members to their Sales department (pictured below) as well as a new member of the Service Desk team. The new team members will help to support the company’s growing new customer base by providing an enhanced customer experience.

Tom Aplin-Ward, Senior Account Manager, has a wealth of experience in technical, account management and senior client service roles. Stephanie Markham, Internal Account Manager, has exceptional customer service skills and will help maintain and deliver high levels of customer service across all accounts. Loui Fox, Account Manager, worked for the past six years in electrical wholesale & manufacturing and was ready to transfer his experienced sales skills to the challenge of the technology world.

Nathan Carlsson has joined the busy Service Desk team as Junior Development Operations Engineer. Nathan is currently working part time but will take on a full time role upon completion of his degree in Computer Software Development. Nathan will be helping to streamline processes within CT and drive greater efficiencies to provides a more seamless experience for customers.

Managing Director, Ian Snow, said: “It is great to be welcoming new joiners to CT. Now more than ever we need to ensure we have the right skills and efficiencies within our own business to ensure our customers are still receiving a reliable, stable and uninterrupted service from wherever they are working. This is a new chapter for all of us and we need to ensure we are constantly innovating, adapting and improving the way we deliver our services. Having great people is critical at this time so we are delighted to have such fantastic new talent join our team.”

Central Technology are proud members of the Chesterfield Champions business membership scheme. Joining the scheme is a direct statement of belief from organisations about their commitment to Chesterfield and its successful future.

Ian said: “Being a Chesterfield Champion affords us with links into a vibrant and growing business community for us to share learning and business ideas.”

Click here to find out more about Central Technology

Click here to find out more about becoming a Chesterfield Champion

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Featured, Home

Chesterfield manufacturer launches click and collect service providing sanitiser to local businesses

14th May 2020

Pronto Paints has launched a click and collect service for businesses in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire for its newly developed hand sanitiser.

Since April, Pronto Paints has supported essential organisations with its WHO formulation Handrub Sanitiser by donating supplies to local care homes, charities and frontline services. The rub has also been available in bulk quantities for manufacturing companies and frontline services to purchase.

As the lockdown period is changing and more businesses are starting to reopen, the handrub has now been made available in 5 litre refill bottles for businesses based across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

David Beckford, Managing Director of Pronto Paints said “We really want to help our community get back to work safely. We are pleased to announce that we are making single packs of our handrub sanitiser available for Chesterfield businesses to order on a click and collect basis. The rub will be provided in 5 litre refill bottles at a discounted rate for local companies. We will continue to make donations to local care homes, charities and frontline services.”

Founded in 1989, Pronto Industrial Paints is a family-run manufacturer of high technology surface coatings, supplying commercial partners and clients with paints specific to their exact needs. The business has doubled in size over the last 10 years and the aim is to continue this growth and double the size of the business again over the next 10 years.

Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire based businesses can find out more about the new service at https://prontopaints.co.uk/product/abc800-local/

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home, Made in Chesterfield

Twist continues to publish virtual magazine

13th May 2020

Chesterfield glossy magazine, Twist, has published its May edition in a virtual format and is supporting regular advertisers by designing and including their messages completely free of charge.

Although most members of staff are furloughed and the company’s offices are closed, directors Mike and Helen Firth have managed to compile a 44-page publication from home.

The May edition features the regular monthly column by Chair of Destination Chesterfield, Peter Swallow and Destination Chesterfield Manager Dom Stevens explains about the town’s ‘Supporting Local’ campaign.

In addition, you can read how editor Mike was once called upon to help promote a Disney film in Chesterfield, learn how you can make use of Chesterfield Museum from your own home, find out about which bands made a local record shop proprietor’s top ten album selection and discover why there was a row over a drummer’s pedal when Bill Haley performed in Chesterfield! You can also read about the Brampton connection which is keeping a vital children’s home operating in desperate times in Ethiopia.

Editor Mike said: “The ongoing crisis means we can’t deliver our publication to the 15,500 Chesterfield letterboxes we usually reach each month. It would have been simpler to batten down the hatches and re-emerge once the worst of the crisis is over, but we felt we had an obligation to carry on supporting our regular readers and advertisers as best we can.”

“We hope people will appreciate our efforts and enjoy clicking their way through the pages of this online ‘Twist‘.”

The company has also expanded its online presence elsewhere and throughout the crisis has published a ‘Picture of the Day’ feature on its Facebook pages to remind local folk how fortunate we all are to live and work in such a beautiful part of the world.

‘Twist’, which is ten years old later this year, is one of five magazines published by one of the original Chesterfield Champions, Heron Publications Ltd. Mike and Helen have also been able to continue production of their other titles ‘Wings’, ‘Dronfield Eye’, ‘Active8’ and ‘My Kind of Town’.

Mike added: “We’re one of thousands of local businesses which have been forced to adapt what we do, but I believe this new-found flexibility will stand us all in good stead as the Chesterfield area begins to emerge from the crisis.”

To enjoy the May 2020 edition of Twist for free, click here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Golf Courses to re-open across Chesterfield

12th May 2020

Golfers across North Derbyshire can get back onto the course tomorrow (Wednesday, May 13) making it one of the first sports residents can get involved in since the lockdown began.

Both Tapton and Stanedge Course Golf courses will reopen and are strictly adhering to government guidance, with policies and social distancing rules in place.

At Stanedge, all tee time bookings must be made online at https://stanedgegolfclub.co.uk/ or by calling 01246 590323.

At Tapton doors will be open to members and non-members alike, with the first round played in months set to be teed off at 12pm tomorrow.

Sheffield City Trust, who operate Tapton golf course along with a number of other venues in the Sheffield City region, has put in place several safety measures to allow golfers back onto the course.

Sheffield City Trust Chief Executive, Andrew Snelling, said:

“The health and safety of our members and colleagues always remains our top priority, and this means we’ve had to make some small changes to how the game is played.

“These changes will ensure the safety of our members while allowing them to enjoy being back out on the course for the first time in months.

“As the health and wellbeing charity, we’re really excited to reopen Tapton and continue to support people to stay active.

“I want to thank all of our members for remaining patient and understanding throughout this time. I’m sure all of our members will join me in thanking our staff who have been working hard to make sure all of our courses are ready to open.”

Check out how you can support local businesses during the coronavirus outbreak

Posted in About Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Derbyshire recycling centres to open for waste that cannot be stored safely at home

12th May 2020

Derbyshire County Council household waste recycling centres will reopen with restrictions in place from Monday 18 May – but residents are only advised to visit them if they have waste they cannot store safely at home.

The safety of site staff, residents and the wider community is the number one priority and new measures are being introduced at all sites so that users and staff can stick to social distancing rules to help prevent the spread of coronavirus and to help manage traffic. These include a traffic control system based on odd and even number plates and limiting the number of vehicles on site at any one time.To help the centres run smoothly, users are being asked to follow these golden rules:

Only travel to your local recycling centre if it is essential because you can’t continue to store waste safely at home without it causing injury or harm. No other reason for the journey would be considered a legitimate purpose. Please use your kerbside bins and bulky waste services where possible or store until sites are operating as normal.
If your journey is essential then check which day you can access the recycling centres based on your vehicle number plate and please be prepared to queue as social distancing measures mean fewer vehicles will be allowed on site at any one time.
Avoid taking excessive amounts of waste to keep vehicles moving in and out as quickly as possible to help reduce queue times. That means leaving vans and trailers at home for the time being.
Wear protective gloves, appropriate footwear and clothing and only bring what you can safely handle as staff will not be able to help you carry your waste as they normally would.
Keep the number of people on site to a minimum by travelling alone – unless you need another adult from your household to help carry your waste – stay at least 2 metres away from staff and other users and wash your hands when you get home.
Stay at home if you have had coronavirus symptoms in the last 14 days, are self-isolating or at high risk of contracting the virus.

Vehicles will be allowed into recycling centres on certain days depending on whether the last number on their number plate is odd or even. Vehicles with 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 as the last number will be allowed in on even numbered dates in the month and those with 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 will be allowed in on odd numbered dates in the month.

Councillor Simon Spencer, Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure, said: “We know that many people want to see our recycling centres reopen and I’d like to thank them all for their patience, but we need everyone to take a sensible approach and only visit our sites if it’s absolutely essential because their waste cannot be stored safely at home.”

“Social distancing measures mean fewer vehicles than usual will be allowed on-site and there will be queues – and if the queues start to obstruct the road network we will have to temporarily close the sites so please avoid our sites in the first few weeks if at all possible.”

“Please continue to use the kerbside waste and recycling services run by your district and borough councils and hang on to any items you would normally take to our sites if you can or try selling them online if there’s still some life left in them.”

“If your visit is essential, please read our safety guidance before you travel and remember to stay in your vehicle while queuing.”

“Our priority is the safety of site staff, residents and the wider community. We’ll be keeping a close eye on traffic and taking steps to limit disruption on roads in surrounding areas but there’s no doubt this will be challenging.”

“Staff will be doing all they can to help things run as smoothly as possible so please treat them with respect. You can help by avoiding busy times and checking traffic information and apps before you travel.”

The recycling centres will be open 7 days a week from 8.30am-6pm in the following locations: Ashbourne, Bolsover, Bretby, Chesterfield, Glossop, Ilkeston, Loscoe, Northwood (Darley Dale) and Waterswallows – near Buxton. They do not accept business or trade waste.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure

Furlough scheme extended until October

12th May 2020

It has been announced the furlough scheme will be extended by a further four months with workers continuing to receive 80% of their current salary.

From the start of August, furloughed workers will be able to return to work part-time with employers being asked to pay a percentage towards the salaries of their furloughed staff.

The employer payments will substitute the contribution the government is currently making, ensuring that staff continue to receive 80% of their salary, up to £2,500 a month.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “Our Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has protected millions of jobs and businesses across the UK during the outbreak – and I’ve been clear that I want to avoid a cliff edge and get people back to work in a measured way.

This extension and the changes we are making to the scheme will give flexibility to businesses while protecting the livelihoods of the British people and our future economic prospects.”

New statistics published today revealed the job retention scheme has protected 7.5 million workers and almost 1 million businesses.

The scheme will continue in its current form until the end of July and the changes to allow more flexibility will come in from the start of August. More specific details and information around its implementation will be made available by the end of this month.

The government will explore ways through which furloughed workers who wish to do additional training or learn new skills are supported during this period. It will also continue to work closely with the Devolved Administrations to ensure the scheme supports people across the Union.

The Chancellor’s decision to extend the scheme, which will continue to apply across all regions and sectors in the UK economy, comes after the government outlined its plan for the next phase of its response to the coronavirus outbreak.

The scheme is just one part of the government’s world-leading economic response to coronavirus, including an unprecedented package for the self-employed, loans and guarantees that have so far provided billions of pounds in support, tax deferrals and grants for small businesses.

Today the government is also publishing new statistics that show businesses have benefitted from over £14 billion in loans and guarantees to support their cashflow during the crisis. This includes 268,000 Bounce Back Loans worth £8.3 billion, 36,000 loans worth over £6 billion through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, and £359 million through the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme.

Scott Knowles, Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), said: “Businesses will welcome the further extension of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme beyond June, which will help eliminate some of the uncertainties that businesses and their employees are still facing.

“The potential to keep the scheme running to October, albeit with employers contributing, will help to aid the transition back to work, while allowing flexibility to bring people back into the workplace on a part-time basis, where it is safe to do so, is also something we’ve been campaigned for.

“The furlough scheme has seen the Government provide an unprecedented level of financial support to workers affected by the pandemic with the objective of protecting jobs and businesses, for which it should be applauded.

“However, such a huge financial commitment is not sustainable over the long-term, which is why the focus now needs to shift more towards safely restarting the economy as quickly as possible so businesses can start the process of building the UK’s economic recovery, which is the best – and most sustainable – way of securing people’s livelihoods.”

Read our Coronavirus Business Support Page

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home