About Chesterfield

D2N2 appeals to businesses for Personal Protective Equipment

6th April 2020

D2N2 is putting its support behind the PPE4NHS campaign and is asking businesses across the region to donate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the fight against Coronavirus.

In addition to widely reported shortages of PPE within the NHS, the Care and Charity sectors are also finding it difficult to source adequate items of PPE in order to safeguard vulnerable members of society.

Amongst the items in demand are:

Any fluid-resistant surgical masks including although not exclusively FFP2 or FFP3 (the rating is marked on each mask)
Nitrile gloves
Visors or goggles
Disposable aprons or overalls
Sanitising Gel
Overshoes

D2N2 Chief Executive Sajeeda Rose said: “We fully understand the efforts government are making to ensure PPE is available for all who need it, but we equally recognise the challenge they face in reaching beyond the NHS into other parts of the care system that are vital to shielding our most vulnerable citizens and preventing further strain on the front line by keeping people safe.”

“It may be that there are protective items sitting in storage cupboards that can be put to good use to support our social care workers, care workers and other front-line employees.”

“If businesses are able to offer up this stock in our fight against this virus, please get in touch.”

PPE4NHS

The campaign for PPE donations is the brainchild of Martin Rigley MBE, Chair of Discover Ashfield, and a D2N2 Enterprise Adviser with Portland Training College in Mansfield. Rigley has also been Managing Director of Sutton-in-Ashfield based, Lindhurst Engineering for the past 25 years.

Rigley said: “Having worked in engineering and manufacturing for nearly 40 years, I know there will now be cupboards and storerooms in manufacturing, engineering, construction and science-based businesses, full of brand-new PPE.”

“Our Health and Care workers desperately need this PPE and, as a business community, we have a duty to get it to them, if possible, without putting people at risk.”

Originally set up to cover the Mansfield and Ashfield area, the scheme is now being rolled out region-wide with the support of D2N2.

PPE Donations

Businesses interested in donating should visit the D2N2 PPE4NHS webpage.

To make the donation process as quick as possible, emails should include PPE supply details including quantity and postcode, plus a contact name and phone number. Businesses will be asked some questions about the type of support that can be provided and will be contacted as soon as possible if the support is needed.

Businesses can also interact with the scheme on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin via the @PPE4NHS accounts.

Click here to visit our Coronavirus (COVID-19) Business Support Page

Businesses unite to support health and social care workers across Chesterfield and Derbyshire

6th April 2020

Four local businesses have teamed up to manufacture and deliver free protective visors to health and social care workers.

Production has begun by Inkersall manufacturer, Hutchinson’s PVC Solutions Ltd.

An additional assembly line has also been created at One to One Support Services in Hasland. With the support of the training academy’s office workers and tutors, it is hoped that 1,000 units will have been completed and delivered by the end of the week.

Melanie Ulyatt, MD of One to One Support services comments: “It is paramount that we all work together. Keeping people safe in the community and keeping our essential workers as safe as possible is key to saving lives during this crisis.

“I am keen to promote this widely to ensure these reach those front line people that need it urgently”.

Local firms, Peak 4×4 Response and Autosupplies Chesterfield Limited are two of the businesses, which have volunteered to deliver the visors to local health and social workers.

A collection option is also available to those who are able to do so safely, following current Government guidelines.

Heath and social care providers in need of visors can register their interest at https://form.jotform.com/200912491635049

Hutchinson’s PVC Solutions Ltd has so far utilised materials usually designated for its PVC industrial and personal use products. Businesses that are able to donate materials (ideally Clearplas PVC 50 and 1’ self-adhesive hook and loop Velcro) are urged to contact the Visor Distribution Chesterfield team via Facebook.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Home

Sport England funding package to help sport and physical activity manage the COVID-19 crisis

6th April 2020

A £20 million Community Emergency Fund package will help Sport England’s partners, clubs and community organisations cope with the short and long-term impact of the pandemic. It will be opened immediately for clubs and community organisations to bid into and grants between £300 and £10,000 are available.

This fund aims to deliver immediate funding to those most in need. It’s specifically targeted at organisations, including those not currently supported by Sport England, who have a role in supporting the nation to be active but who are experiencing short-term financial hardship or the ceasing of operations due to the impact of coronavirus.

The types of organisations eligible include local sports clubs forced to close at short notice but who are facing ongoing costs around maintenance and utility bills, and voluntary and community sector organisations who deliver or enable sport and physical activity.

A specific example might be a grant to support a local boxing club pay costs for their facility when no activity is taking place, or a grant to support a league who have paid for equipment to run a competition which has now been cancelled.

Other funding support includes:

A £5 million pot for existing partners to bid into if they’re facing specific financial difficulty
An additional £55 million to support our sector during an ongoing period of restrictions, to fund new and innovative ways to keep people active and, when the period of restrictions is over, to help organisations get back to business and adjust to a different environment
A £115 million rollover of current funding into 2021/22 to give long term certainty to over 100 well established partners who play a vital role in the delivery of sport and physical activity in England.

Eligibility criteria can be found here. More information can be found here.

It has also been announced that Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) has launched a new Coronavirus Emergency Fund. Through this fund smaller charities, not for profit organisations, social enterprises and unregistered community groups can apply for grants of up to £10,000 to help them to continue to deliver much needed support to within their communities. Read more here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure

Two local magazines combine

5th April 2020

Two Chesterfield publications have united to continue to serve their local communities during the Coronavirus crisis.

A combined April 2020 edition of ‘Twist’ and ‘Wings’ is published this week, but you can read it online here.

Heron Publications produce both titles – ‘Twist’ in Chesterfield and ‘Wings’ in Wingerworth, Tupton, Ashover and Clay Cross. The company has temporarily closed its office, but has managed to put together a 36-page ‘emergency edition’ to serve its readership.

Said editor Mike Firth: “We were encouraged when a good number of local businesses told us they wanted to continue to get their messages across to local people through advertising in our publications, so we combined our two Chesterfield titles for ease of production.

“Along with important public information, this magazine also contains plenty to entertain – and even amuse – our readers.

“We have tips for activities people can to take up at home, a tale about previous school closures, a feature detailing how local folk can enrol to become life-savers, an update on Chesterfield Canal progress… and readers can learn why a former local headmistress used to remove her teeth in class!”

To read this special edition of Twist / Wings, click here.

Last year, Twist Magazine delivered the 100th edition of Twist. Heron Publications are also responsible for Active8, delivered in south Sheffield, and the Dronfield Eye.

Click here to find out more about Twist Magazine

Click here to view the online publication

Click the image above to view the online publication

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Made in Chesterfield, Visiting

North Derbyshire housebuilder jumps to support local school

4th April 2020

A north Derbyshire house builder has leapt to the aid of a local primary school with a sizeable donation of funds and materials which will go towards the school’s new physical education facilities.

Woodall Homes, with its head office in Barlborough and Sales Suite in Bolsover, has donated £500 to Barlborough Hall School to support the school’s installation of a new long jump and high jump pit.

In addition, the business has also supplied materials for the new facility, which is set to give children a ‘great experience’ as the school looks to develop PE skills of pupils across all year groups.

The sizeable donation from Woodall Homes adds to a near four-figure sum raised by a family quiz night, held at the school, for parents and children earlier this year.

Richard Stevenson, Head of Sport at Barlborough Hall School, said: “I’ve always wanted to have a high jump and long jump facility at the school for children to enhance their skills.

“We thank Woodall Homes for their support – having a local business support our pupils was very much appreciated, particularly by the teachers and children who will be using this new facility.”

“The funds raised at the quiz night were an amazing effort by all members of our community, and in addition I would like to thank David (Woodall Homes Managing Director) and his team for this kind donation.”

David Wood, Woodall Homes Managing Director, said: “We were extremely happy to support Barlborough Hall School with a donation towards an important new facility.”

“The school’s new long jump and high jump pit will no doubt contribute hugely to the enhancement of pupils’ physical education skills, something which is vitally important to a child’s overall development.”

“We look forward to the new facility being installed and used in the coming months.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Featured, Home

Derbyshire County Council care worker recruitment drive

3rd April 2020

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.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home

Charities Aid Foundation launches Coronavirus Emergency Fund

3rd April 2020

The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) has launched a new Coronavirus Emergency Fund. Through this fund smaller charities, not for profit organisations, social enterprises and unregistered community groups can apply for grants of up to £10,000 to help them to continue to deliver much needed support to within their communities.

The funding is available to help with core costs, staffing, volunteer costs, supplies and equipment, communications or other critical charitable areas.

They advise that they may need to focus on:

Charities, and other organisations, whose established charitable activities are at risk of being severely reduced to the detriment of vulnerable groups
Organisations that are having to deliver core services in fundamentally different or unusual ways in order to respond to the crisis and still reach their beneficiaries
Organisations that are deeply embedded with communities and have established networks to deliver their charitable activities
Organisations experiencing current cashflow problems, rather than concerns that future income will be reduced.

More information: https://www.cafonline.org/charities/grantmaking/caf-coronavirus-emergency-fund

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

Prompt project completion supports NHS at crucial time

2nd April 2020

Chesterfield construction company, Leverton UK Limited, has completed a total of five toilet blocks for NHS health care centres in only five days. The efficient delivery of these critical projects has enabled the centres to continue operating with minimal down time.

Director, Marcus Leverton, said: “The decision to get involved with these projects was one that we made as a team; each employee and sub-contractor was given the choice and every single one agreed and just stood up to the challenge and we couldn’t be more proud.

“We understand how hard the NHS staff are working and this was our opportunity to help.

“We are in daily contact with our Health & Safety advisors and implement all measures that they recommend irrespective of cost; our team’s safety comes first in these worrying times.”

The team at Leverton UK has also donated all of its available FFP3 masks and suits to its local Wingerworth Medical Centre to help out with the country wide shortage of personal protection equipment.

Marcus added: “We ask that if anyone else out there has a stock of these items to take them to your local surgery or A&E department; it will really help.”

“We are thankful to the team at Destination Chesterfield for the support and help in spreading awareness that our team are working for the greater good in these difficult and unprecedented times. We have seen first-hand the harm that this virus is causing and people need to listen to the Government advice and stay home.”

Click here to find out more about Leverton UK

Please click here to view the Destination Chesterfield Coronvirus Business Support Page

Leverton UK donated FFP3 masks and suits to Wingerworth Medical Centre

Posted in About Chesterfield

Vicar Lane inspires youngsters to grow their own ray of sunshine

2nd April 2020

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!’’

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home

Coronavirus outbreak: Chesterfield Borough Council update

2nd April 2020

Chesterfield Borough Council is prioritising the delivery of essential services but in line with the latest Government guidance, are adjusting some of the services that they provide.

All of the latest service-related updates can be found in the dedicated coronavirus information hub: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/coronavirus

Council Tax

Chesterfield Borough Council know that this is a difficult time for many residents and that the COVID-19 virus is having a significant impact on the economy. Council Tax pays for the essential services that Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire County Council, Derbyshire Police and Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service deliver to residents within the borough. If you are able to do so, please continue to pay your Council Tax as detailed on your bill, so that these essential services can be maintained.

If you are struggling to pay your Council Tax, there is support available and Chesterfield Borough Council can help you.

Usually, most residents pay their Council Tax in 10 monthly instalments, starting in April and finishing in January. However, during the current crisis, some residents may need to talk about a more flexible payment plan.

Chesterfield Borough Council can offer residents a 12 month payment plan for their Council Tax which would run to March 2021, which will lower monthly payments. To implement a 12 month payment plan, please email revenues.billing@chesterfield.gov.uk – please ensure that your email includes your Council Tax account number.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “We are committed to helping all residents during this unprecedented crisis. Council Tax helps pay for the essential services that we provide but we understand that for some residents keeping payments on the current schedule simply isn’t possible and we want you to know that we can be flexible, and that support is available.”

If you are having difficulty making payments, please contact Chesterfield Borough Council as soon as possible who can help you to manage your payments. You can email revenues.billing@chesterfield.gov.uk, visit their website or call 01246 345 345.

We are experiencing high call volumes, so please bear with us as there may be a delay in answering your call. We are working hard to support all residents at this time.

Council Tax Support

If you are on a low income, you may be able to claim a reduction on your Council Tax bill through the Council Tax Support Scheme. You can check whether you are eligible for additional support using the benefits calculator: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/benefits-and-advice/housing-benefit-and-council-tax-support/benefits-calculator.

Chesterfield Borough Council’s website has a section on benefits advice which provides you with more information on the support you may be able to access: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/benefits-and-advice

Hardship fund

Chesterfield Borough Council will also be providing working age residents who already receive Council Tax Support with an additional reduction in Council Tax of up to £150. This will further reduce the amount that these residents need to pay of their Council Tax bill.

In many cases, this will mean that residents will not need to pay anything for 2020/21. All residents who are entitled to receive this additional support do not need to do anything, new bills will be issued to these residents during April. Where residents have already paid Council Tax at a higher level, the council will refund payments as soon as possible.

Private sector housing team

Officers from the private sector housing team are still available for advice and guidance during this difficult time. However, it may take longer than usual to respond as their teams are dealing with enquiries on a priority need basis.

To reach the private sector housing team please email hia@chesterfield.gov.uk. The council’s private sector housing enforcement team is operating in line with the latest Government guidance when enforcing standards in rented properties.

Government guidance for landlords and tenants, as well as details on updated enforcement measures are available on the Government website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-and-renting-guidance-for-landlords-tenants-and-local-authorities.

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

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home

Chesterfield manufacturer offers factory, staff and resources in response to national COVID-19 effort

1st April 2020

A Chesterfield manufacturer is offering its factory, people and resources to the national effort to fight the killer virus.

The company, Blachford UK, which manufactures vehicle soundproofing materials for clients in both the UK and Europe, including JCB and CASE, employs more than 100 people at its site in Holmewood, Chesterfield.

Production at the factory has ceased in response to the global pandemic. However, appeals from the government to manufacturers to assist with the UK effort has prompted Jason Lippitt, Managing Director of Blachford UK to offer the services of the company’s factory and staff.

He said: “We have a large production facility and a skilled workforce, including engineers, machinists and designers, that can all be utilised to manufacture goods and equipment that are critical to the NHS.

“If there are any companies out there, particularly those making PPE for NHS workers, we have staff and equipment at Blachford and we’d all like to help.”

The company has set up a dedicated email address during the crisis, to ensure that requests for help are answered immediately.

Jason added: “The company view is that we are all in this together and our staff want to help wherever they can to help the nation get fit and well and back to business. Blachford is a family and I am immensely proud of every member of staff for their support, not only for the company but the national effort to fight Coronavirus.”

Jason praised the government’s response to a national shutdown, saying: “The national shutdown I believe puts UK manufacturers in a strong position to recover business faster than many other countries. There is no doubt that UK manufacturing will face financial hardship over the coming months but, due to the nation’s collective shutdown, I believe the sector will recover and be in an excellent position in a couple of years.”

Companies involved in producing essential supplies during the COVID-19 and would like to talk to Blachford should email NHSsupport@blachforduk.com

Jason Lippitt – MD of Blachford UK

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Home, Made in Chesterfield