Chesterfield Borough Council, along with its near neighbouring local authorities in the North Derbyshire Homelessness Forum, has stepped up its efforts to tackle homelessness and ensure that everyone has an offer of suitable shelter at this difficult time.

Government guidance has highlighted that rough sleepers and the homeless are particularly vulnerable to COVID 19 because they have limited access to important health messaging, have difficulty self-isolating and they often rely upon the generosity of the local community in receiving food and other donations, which due to the current situation has been significantly reduced.

The ‘Everyone In’ Government initiative aims to house all rough sleepers and homeless people and, in this area, is being organised through the combined efforts of Chesterfield Borough Council, North East Derbyshire District Council, Bolsover District Council, Amber Valley Borough Council and Derbyshire Dales District Council.

The councils are also working closely with partner agencies including Pathways of Chesterfield, Derbyshire Law Centre, P3 Charity and Derbyshire County Council, including Public Health.

Councillor Chris Ludlow, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “We are working very hard to identify all members of the local community who require support at this difficult time. This approach of partnership working helps ensure that all those identified, no matter what problems they are facing will receive the shelter and support that they need.”

Working together, the North Derbyshire Homelessness Forum have been able to provide a range of accommodation options including:

• Furnished flats and houses within the local authorities’ own stock
• Existing bed and breakfast providers
• Supported accommodation for higher needs cases
• Exclusive use of a local hotel

However, Chesterfield Borough Council recognise that simply providing shelter is often not the only solution to the problems faced by this vulnerable community and have therefore arranged for internal and external support to be available, including the provision of food supplies for the most vulnerable. The main objective of this initiative is to assist people by helping them to isolate and therefore avoid going outside.

Everyone has their own specific needs and requirements which is why the council have identified a team of key professionals including council homelessness officers, public health staff and specialist homeless support workers from the voluntary sector. This team will carefully assess each person needing somewhere to stay and make the most appropriate placement in accordance with their needs and their safety.

Our outreach teams are currently operating as normal and are trying to make contact with rough sleepers where they are made aware of them. This is a vital part of the process in identifying and contacting rough sleepers.

Chesterfield Borough Council is also currently operating a telephone interview service for homeless households in need of assistance. The main homelessness contact number is now 07870 277291 or referrals can be made via email to homelessness.prevention@chesterfield.gov.uk.

Pathways of Chesterfield, who the council work in partnership with to deliver essential support services, can also accept referrals from the public or people requiring assistance. Pathways can be contacted on 01246 498204. You can also refer rough sleepers via the Streetlink service: www.streetlink.org.uk. Should you need assistance outside of office hours please contact the out of hours team by calling Derbyshire County Council on 01629 533190.

Stay up to date with all the latest information about coronavirus on the Chesterfield Borough Council dedicated hub: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/coronavirus

Derbyshire County Council have launched a drive to recruit more care workers to support the county’s most vulnerable residents during the coronavirus pandemic.

Derbyshire County Council are hoping to attract people whose working situation may have changed because of the outbreak, as well as former care staff, young people aged 18 or over and retirees. They are offering flexible hours and short or long-term contracts. The council are in need more staff who can support older and disabled people to live independent, dignified lives in their own homes as well as in the council’s care homes.

Tasks include helping people get washed and dressed, preparing light meals or snacks, supporting people with their medication and personal care. There are also vacancies in the council’s residential care homes, helping people to get out of hospital when they’re well enough and support the NHS during the coronavirus outbreak.

Cabinet Member for Adult Care Councillor Jean Wharmby issued this urgent appeal to people across the county: “These are the most difficult times and I’d appeal to anyone whose work has been affected by the coronavirus to consider working for us.”

“You don’t need previous experience of working in social care, just the desire to care and help make a difference to someone’s life. You will receive all the training, protective equipment and assistance you need to give good quality care to our clients. You’ll be part of an amazing team helping our most vulnerable.”

As well as appealing to people who may no longer be working because of the pandemic, the council is also calling for retired care workers and young people looking to get on the career ladder.

Councillor Wharmby added: “We need to increase our capacity to help get people home from hospital when they’re medically fit which will ensure there is the space in hospital for people who need to be there. We also need to be able to offer support so people can remain in their own homes, avoiding going into hospital.”

“Like everyone, we’re affected by the pandemic as some staff are self-isolating because of the coronavirus while others with underlying health conditions are part of the “shielded” group and can no longer come to work.”

“We know this pandemic has changed a lot of people’s lives, but you could help change lives yourself by helping care for the people who need us most.”

To speed up the recruitment process the Derbyshire County Council are:

• introducing a fast-track application process
• paying for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS check)
• offering flexible working hours.

Derbyshire County Council currently pay £9.55 to £9.74 per hour for care workers in the community or in a residential care home.

Find out more about coronavirus recruitment and apply.

In the midst of lockdown, Vicar Lane Shopping Centre wants to create a little sunshine along the way! They have teamed up with Bear Cool Honey Company to challenge little gardeners of Chesterfield to get their green fingers in gear and grow their own mini sunflowers!

For individuals who don’t have any sunflower seeds to hand, they can get a ‘Grow Your Own Ray of Sunshine – Sunflower Seeds & Bee Pencil Pack’ for £1 from Bear Cool Honey Company here – https://www.bearcoolhoneycompany.co.uk/. Vicar Lane is suggesting customers opt for a dwarf variety, to make them easy to accommodate in even the smallest of gardens.

Vicar Lane would love to follow everyone’s sunflower journey, so they are inviting the public to share their pictures online with #VicarLaneSunflowerStories.

Once they have the all clear for business as usual at Vicar Lane they’ll set a date in the diary for all mini-gardeners to bring their sunflowers down to the centre and create a sea of yellow in St. James Square.

Vicar Lane has chosen sunflowers, not only as a symbol of sunshine and happiness but for the endless ways they support our wildlife from the bees, while they are in flower, to the birds when the seeds are ripe!

Shaun Brown, Centre Manager at Vicar Lane said, “These are unprecedented and challenging times for communities across the globe and we just wanted to let our local communities know that we are all thinking of them. It would be great to see a sea of yellow, both across the internet and, hopefully Vicar Lane this summer, so anyone that wants to, please join the fun!’’