Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust is working with Learning Unlimited to offer 10 exciting traineeship opportunities to help unemployed 18-24 year olds in Chesterfield into employment.
Starting at the end of February, the traineeships are in estates, catering and patient experience departments and are a great way to gain essential work experience and develop key employability skills.
Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust is a Top 10 NHS Best Places To Work employer 2015, in awards run by the Health Service Journal in association with the Nursing Times and NHS Employers.
For those succesful, the traineeship programme will last for 12 weeks, beginning with a two week induction period and followed by 10 weeks of work experience. Throughout the programme each trainee will be supported by the NHS Trust and training provider Learning Unlimited. At the end of the programme trainees will be offered an interview, given a reference, considered for potential job opportunities in the organisation and supported to think about the next steps into an apprenticeship, work or education with the help of Learning Unlimited.
Sharon Allison, workforce planning and development trainer at Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust said:
“Traineeships are a fantastic way to develop people within the communities we serve. It is really important for our organisation to make sure we give people who want to work with us the opportunity to get experience and be job ready. We are keen to develop the skills the organisation needs and traineeships offer us the chance to do that.
“If you are unemployed, aged 18 to 24 and interested in a career in the NHS but feel you need some support to get the first step on the career ladder I would urge you think about traineeships with us.”
Inspirational marketing campaigns to encourage more visitors to come and stay in the Peak District and Derbyshire have proved almost eight times more effective than expected – generating more than £44.7 million in extra tourism spending and creating more than 830 jobs.
Research by national tourist board VisitEngland reveals that official tourist board Visit Peak District & Derbyshire has exceeded Government targets by a huge margin thanks to its major, multi-media marketing push ‘The World Away’ – costing just £600,000 over three years in a public and private sector partnership.
Government-set goals stipulated that the campaigns – which included the area’s first-ever television commercial, advertising billboards, video on demand and on-line, print and social media promotion – should reap a return of investment of £5.8 million and create more than 130 jobs from 2012 to 2015.
But they proved much more appealing than anticipated – mirroring the wider success of VisitEngland’s national campaign, ‘Growing Tourism Locally’, funded by the Government’s Regional Growth Fund (RGF) – which has generated an extra £1.05 billion in tourism spend and created a record number of 19,490 jobs in the tourism sector across England over the same period.
“To say we are delighted is an understatement,” said Jo Dilley, Director of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire. “‘The World Away’ has punched well above its weight in terms of both return on investment and creating jobs, bringing concrete benefits and hopefully a lasting legacy to the local and regional economy that we can build on throughout 2016 and beyond.”
Lady Cobham CBE, Chairman of VisitEngland’s Advisory Board, added: “It’s fantastic to see the results of the ‘Growing Tourism Locally’ campaign’, which was aimed at driving growth by encouraging Brits to book a short break at home in one of the many wonderful destinations on offer across England. It’s a brilliant result, promoting our beautiful country as a world-class holiday destination.”
The Peak District and Derbyshire was one of 14 English destinations to benefit from a £19.8 million pot of money – part of a total investment of £41.6 million, including contributions from VisitEngland and the private sector – funding campaigns to target specific audiences such as young couples, young couples with pre-school children, older couples and groups.
Chesterfield’s popular Retail Awards are returning for the third year running. Organiser Destination Chesterfield is now urging people to nominate their favourite shops and stores in and around the town centre, Chatsworth Road and Whittington Moor, they want to win one of the prestigious awards.
Nominations are open now. People can nominate across 14 categories, which are designed to recognise the very best independent and high street retailers in Chesterfield. Everyone who nominates will automatically be entered into a free prize draw to win a three course Sunday lunch at Chesterfield’s Restaurant of the Year, Cocina at Casa.
Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager, said: “Chesterfield has an amazing wealth of retailers that combine to make us one of the top performing towns in the country. Together they bring people into Chesterfield and help create a buzz and warm welcome that people from outside the area frequently comment on and keep coming back for. If you feel strongly that your favourite shops and stores deserve to win one of these prestigious awards, then it’s important that you nominate them. As they say, you have to be in it to win it.”
Organised in association with Chesterfield College, the winners will be announced at an awards ceremony which takes place at the Winding Wheel in May 2016. As well as winners of the 15 categories, winners of two additional awards – the Vicar Lane Shopping Centre’s and the Pavements Shopping Centre Retailers of the Year – will also be announced.
Stuart Cutforth, Principal of Chesterfield College said: “We are delighted to sponsor the retail awards this year and look forward to celebrating with the businesses and individuals that contribute to making what is unique and special about our local retail offer. It is a fantastic opportunity to raise the profile of the businesses that add to our economy in so many ways. Not only do they give us our retail therapy, they provide goods and services we can’t do without and they also offer employment to many.”
Last year Ibbotson’s Fresh Quality Produce took the coveted title of Retailer of the Year and Market Trader of the Year following nominations from the public. The family business, which has been a familiar sight on Chesterfield’s market for more than 70 years, has transformed itself in the last 18 months with the addition of an online delivery service to complement its market stall and shop in Hasland.
Owner Nick Ibbotson said: “It was amazing to win two awards and particularly special to get overall Retailer of the Year Award. Although we’re just a little fruit and veg stall that’s been in the centre of Chesterfield, we have worked hard to modernise the business and secure its future with the addition of our online delivery service. It’s going really well and has transformed the business.”
The 14 categories open for nominations in the 2016 Chesterfield Retail Awards include:
* Hair and Beauty Business of the Year – Sponsored by Chesterfield College
* Fashion and Footwear Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by In the Works PR
* Jewellery and Accessories Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by the Pavements Shopping Centre
* Home and Gifts Retailer of the Year
* Children’s Clothes, Toys & Accessories Retailer of the Year
* Food and Drink Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by BHP Accountants
* Phones and Technology Retailer of the Year – Mitchells Chartered Accountants and
Business Advisers
* Leisure Retailer of the Year (Sports, Hobbies, Crafts or Outdoor)
* Market Trader of the Year – Sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council
* Independent Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Jumble Design
* National/ Multiple Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Vicar Lane
* Excellence in Customer Service – Sponsored by Chatsworth
* Market Hall Business of the Year – Sponsored by arvato
* Best New Store (Opened 2015/2016) – Sponsored by Banner Jones Solicitors
There is also an additional Retailer of the Year award, sponsored by East Midlands Chamber, which will be announced at the awards ceremony.
The awards are supported by members of the business community, who have not only sponsored individual awards but also the actual ceremony later this year. As well as the category sponsors, other supporters of the 2016 Chesterfield Retail Awards include the University of Derby, eBusiness Works and the Derbyshire Times.
Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre has once again been announced as a finalist in the prestigious England for Excellence Awards.
The centre in Rykneld Square, which is owned and operated by Chesterfield Borough Council has been shortlisted for a second year in the visitor information provider of the year category.
Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy said: “Each year we welcome thousands of visitors into Chesterfield to visit attractions including our open-air market, the Crooked Spire and the wider area including the Peak District.
“Our knowledgeable and friendly staff are often the first people visitors to the town will meet and they will go the extra mile to make people feel welcome and make sure they have all the information they need.”
Other nominees in the same category are: Eastbourne Tourist Information Centre, Gloucester Tourist Information Centre, Thanet Visitor Information Service and The Welcome People London.
Sally Balcombe, Chief Executive Officer of VisitBritain and VisitEngland added: “Awards for Excellence finalists exemplify outstanding tourism talent and distinguished businesses throughout England.
“We received over 400 truly impressive applications this year and there’s absolutely no doubt those shortlisted are a representatives of the best in the industry who place delivering an unforgettable experience to visitors in England at the heart of their business operations.
“I’d like to congratulate all finalists and wish them the very best of luck on awards night.”
The England for Excellence Awards 2016 takes place at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool on Tuesday 8 March.
There are many reasons to be proud of Derbyshire, but undoubtedly one of the main ones is its incredible people, and the Derbyshire Times would like to celebrate that with you.
The Derbyshire Times Community Awards, which will take place on Wednesday, April 20, at the Proact Stadium in Chesterfield, is your chance to nominate your unsung heroes and get them the recognition they deserve.
A combination of previous years’ Pride and Schools Awards, the brand new Community Awards is an opportunity for the whole community to come together in one big celebration.
Categories range from sporting achievement and fundraising to courageous children, inspiring teachers, hardworking students and carers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty.
DT editor Nancy Fielder urges everyone to get involved and nominate someone who truly deserves the recognition.
She said: “These awards are a great chance for us at the Derbyshire Times, our readers and the wider community to say thank you to the people who make a real difference.
“We have a wide range of categories so we can include as many extraordinary folk as possible.
“There are so many unsung heroes in education, children breaking the mould and teachers making sure the future is bright for the next generation.
“But there are also lots of people we come across in every day life who dedicate themselves to helping others, boosting charity and always take on new challenges with a smile.
“We all know somebody who deserves extra credit and this is the perfect way to give them an extra special pat on the back.
“Our neighbourhoods wouldn’t be the same without these people, and now it is time we made them really just how much we appreciate all they do.”
So who do you think deserves an award? They can be of any age, from any walk of life but the one thing they must be is extraordinary.
Shortlisted finalists will get two complimentary tickets to the awards where they will have a fantastic two course dinner before settling in for the prize-giving.
Tickets for the event will also be on general sale priced at £18 per person.
Ten sports clubs and organisations across Derbyshire are to benefit from free training to help increase the number of disabled people volunteering across the county.
Run by Derbyshire Sport, the IMPACT volunteering project aims to create more sports volunteering opportunities for disabled people whilst increasing their confidence and skills.
The programme will help understand whether having more disabled volunteers supporting a club helps increase disability participation, a key target of Sport England who are funding this project.
A volunteer recruitment campaign is set to take place within ‘Inclusive Volunteer Month’ in June to encourage disabled people to volunteer as well as providing training opportunities for the clubs who the volunteers will be deployed to.
Within the month, Derbyshire Sport will work with local voluntary services and other partners to encourage disabled people to sign up to the project and start their journey as a sports volunteer.
Matthew Dalley, Derbyshire Para-Equestrian rider and has gained many benefits from his own volunteering experience at his riding club where he started helping in the yard and now runs the club’s social media and website.
When speaking about his volunteering journey, Matthew said: “I am committed to helping other disabled people benefit from an involvement in sport, both as a participant and volunteer.
“Through my own volunteering I aim to show that my disability isn’t a barrier to helping make a difference and I encourage others to take the opportunity to get involved with the IMPACT project so they can benefit like I have.”
Sport Development Officer for Derbyshire Sport, Rachael Dyer, said: “it is important to reflect the broad spectrum of people that we are aiming to recruit by providing a varied training programme.
“Clubs and their volunteers will have the opportunity to develop a range of skills and knowledge on how to effectively engage with disabled people who are getting involved in their club in a voluntary capacity.
“The IMPACT project will help Derbyshire clubs and volunteers better understand how to effectively engage with disabled people and to help raise their awareness of what makes an inclusive club”.
Four counties will be involved in the project across the East Midlands; Lincolnshire Sport, Northamptonshire Sport and Sport Nottinghamshire will all be working alongside Derbyshire to get more disabled people volunteering across the region.
The four counties are sharing a £59,200 investment into the region that was awarded by Sport England in late 2015.
Rent charges for market traders are to be frozen as part of plans to ensure Chesterfield’s successful historic outdoor market place continues to thrive in the modern shopping world.
Last year Chesterfield Borough Council, which owns and manages the outdoor market, carried out a public consultation as part of a review looking at how the market can continue to draw in shoppers as markets across the country face increased competition from the growth of online shopping and discount stores.
Charges for traders on the general, flea and farmers’ markets are being held at their current levels to support existing traders and help with the recruitment of new traders. Fees for electricity, storage and the promotion of the open market are also being frozen.
Market charges on Chesterfield outdoor market are already cheaper or in line with those at neighbouring markets in the region.
Despite the tough economic climate for markets nationally, Chesterfield market continues to have between 100 and 150 stalls trading on market days.
To increase this further the council has begun work with traders on both short and long term plans to make improvements to the outdoor market.
Specific proposals will be drawn up over the coming months, while work starts on identifying funding to carry out more major redevelopments in the long term that could see the layout changed and improvements made to the stalls area. Some initial short term ideas are to:
· Offer incentives for new traders
· Continue to develop the town centre events programme to increase the number of visitors in the town, with the boost that brings to the markets
· Looking at whether the success of the monthly artisan markets can be followed up by looking at other specialist market events
· Helping the traders make greater use of social media to promote their products
Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy, said: “The market is the heart of our town centre and we all want it to remain that way.
“But all shopping environments have to move with the times to ensure they remain relevant in a world of online shopping and so I am really pleased that the traders have agreed to work with us on both short and long terms plans to achieve that.
“Some of the key issues to address are around footfall around the market place area, the sight lines of individual stalls and weather protection to provide good trading conditions for our traders and their customers.”
Longer term options to reorganise the market place area have been put forward following public consultation that would cost between £900,000 and £3 million, depending on the route taken.
Councillor Serjeant added: “With the funding cuts the council is facing this is not something we can fund at the current time so we plan on working with the traders on options to seek grant funding or work in to our medium to long term financial plans ways of identifying the money required.
“This will enable a viable and affordable plan to be developed that can then be delivered to achieve the on-going improvements the traders and us want to see.”
General markets are held in Chesterfield every Monday, Friday and Saturday and the flea market is each Thursday. A farmers’ market is held on the second Thursday of every month and an artisan market on the last Sunday of each month.
The council also holds car boot sales every Sunday at the Proact Stadium, off Sheffield Road.
A free 90-minute award writing workshop that will help Chesterfield-based businesses achieve the recognition they deserve is being held on Wednesday 10 February at Dunston Innovation Centre.
The free workshop – Awards: The Benefits and How to Impress the Judges – is being delivered by local award writing specialist Lucinda White, managing director of Pure Events. This is the second time the workshop has being run. Last year three of the delegates who attended went on to win and be shortlisted for a number of local business awards following entries they had written.
The workshop, which is organised in partnership between Destination Chesterfield and Chesterfield Borough Council’s Innovation Support Project, will give people the skills, information and top tips they need to submit creative and well-written award entries.
The workshop was shortlisted for the ‘Business Idea of the Year’ Award in the 2013 Derbyshire Times Business Awards and Pure Events itself has a 75% success rate, with its clients either being shortlisted or winning prestigious awards across all industry sectors.
Dominic Stevens, Manager of Destination Chesterfield said: “With entries soon to open for the Chesterfield Retail Awards and other local and regional business awards, attending the workshop is an excellent opportunity to get ahead of the competition and get your business noticed.
“The town has many great business success stories that aren’t being told or recognised. By organising this free workshop we hope to give business the skills and know-how they need to get valuable recognition for their business.”
Place are limited and people are advised to register early. To reserve a place on the Business Awards Workshop visit http://bit.ly/awardwriting
IAAF World Youth Championships finalist Alicia Barrett is among seven talented sports stars from across the borough of Chesterfield who have shared £1,375 in funding support, thanks to Derbyshire Sport’s business network ICON.
The athletes – including Newbold’s Barrett, who set a UK under-18s 100m record en route to that final in Colombia last July – have received a grant of up to £250 each in their bid to reach the top.
They can use their bursary to help meet travel, equipment, coaching or competition costs and received their cheques at a celebration event held this week at the new Queen’s Park Sports Centre in Chesterfield.
Each were also handed a leisure pass by the Chesterfield Borough Council, which will further help with their training.
All of the athletes are tipped for further success in their respective sports and have either been selected to compete for Great Britain or a home nation, have won a national championship medal, are part of a recognised national development squad or club academy structure or are a member of the Derbyshire Institute of Sport (DIS).
Others to receive ICON backing include Alicia’s twin sister and fellow athlete Ella Barrett (Newbold), Taekwondo player Aaron Cobley (Chesterfield) and tennis player Bradley Buckland (Brampton).
Also supported through the programme are table tennis player Isobel Ashley (Barrow Hill), squash player Ashley Davies (Chesterfield) and equestrian rider Emily Hedger (a member of Dunston Park Equestrian Club, Chesterfield).
Hayley Lever, Director of Derbyshire Sport ,and Cllr Chris Ludlow, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing, met athletes to hand over their bursaries and leisure passes.
“We’re delighted to once again be backing ICON – and that athletes from our borough continue to benefit,” said Cllr Ludlow.
“Chesterfield Borough Council is proud to be giving dedicated local athletes a deserved helping hand in their bid to achieve at the highest level. We hope the new Queen’s Park Sports Centre facility that has just been built will help in those aims.”
Chesterfield Borough Council is among 10 local authorities across the county who are members of business network ICON, which was set up by Derbyshire Sport as part of the work to create a lasting legacy from the London 2012 Olympics in Derbyshire.
It is also backed by a number of businesses in the private sector, who contribute an annual membership fee, and this money goes directly to athletes through the bursary scheme.
An ambition for Derbyshire to be the most-connected cycling county has been outlined in the newly-launched ‘Derbyshire Cycling Plan 2016 – 2030’.
Developed by the Derbyshire Cycling Plan strategic group, the aim is to develop a world-class cycling destination with double the number of people cycling regularly by 2030.
It seeks to double the percentage of commuters travelling by bicycle as their main mode of transport, and double the number of children who regularly cycle to school.
It is hoped that greater participation across Derbyshire will result in healthier communities, more visitors, a stronger and more productive economy and a better environment.
Following a consultation process with partners and the wider public, the plan has been developed by the Derbyshire Cycling Plan Strategic Group which is made up of representatives from Derby City Council, Derbyshire County Council, Derbyshire’s district and borough councils, Derbyshire Sport, the University of Derby, British Cycling, Sustrans, Peak District National Park Authority, and the National Forest Company.
Hayley Lever, Director of Derbyshire Sport, said: “This Cycling Plan demonstrates the commitment to cycling development shared between all partner organisations, from those strategically involved, to the hundreds of individuals and community level groups who have helped to shape it. We are working together to get more people cycling more often, and the future is very exciting.
“We will work together to bring inward investment for identified priorities, through funding and sponsorship, ensuring that we align our work to the government Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy.”
As 2016 is a leap year, employers are set to benefit from an extra day of work from employees on Monday 29th February at no extra cost. In light of this, businesses are being challenged to offer an extra day of holiday in exchange for employees making a donation to three local charities.
Part of the new #ChallengeDerbyshire campaign, run by Ashgate Hospicecare, Blythe House Hospice and Helen’s Trust, it is hoped this latest challenge will raise much needed funds to support patients with life-limiting illnesses across North Derbyshire.
Markovitz on Whittington Moor in Chesterfield is the first business to sign up to offer staff an extra day of holiday in return for them making a donation to the three charities. Chief Executive, Rob Turner said:-
“Our staff work hard every year so when #ChallengeDerbyshire asked us to offer them a days holiday in exchange for a donation, I couldn’t say no. Our staff are paid monthly so we won’t be paying them any more in February with it being a leap year so it doesn’t actually cost us anything.
“We have asked staff to donate 50% of a day’s salary and they can take their extra day’s holiday at any time throughout the year. We hope this will raise a lot of money for these three local charities who really need our support.”
One employee, Gemma Wray, was quick to take part. She said: “When I heard from my manager that Markovitz were offering this I thought ‘What an absolutely brilliant idea!’
“The extra day will benefit me and three truly amazing charities. Company employees pay half of what they would normally earn in a day to Challenge Derbyshire and receive an extra days holiday from the company in return. The company get their extra day of trading and everyone’s a winner, especially the charities!
“From personal experience I know Blythe House, one of the three charities that make up Challenge Derbyshire, offer amazing and well needed support to not only the people affected by a terminal illness but their family members too. I don’t know where we would be without them!”
Ashgate Hospicecare, Blythe House Hospice and Helen’s Trust have collaboratively met the needs of local patients through their variety of services for many years. Mary Atkinson, who was diagnosed with Corticobasal Syndrome 5 years ago, is just one of the many patients that receive care and support from all three charities. Her husband and full time carer, Bob, shares his story on the help they’ve both received from the local charities.
Bob says, “For a while I felt like everything was closing in on me. I was finding it really difficult to cope and there were concerns about my health in terms of depression. But the support I received from all three charities really helped me deal with everything – they’ve really helped both of us. It’s much better that I can look after Mary in our own home because that’s what we would both prefer, her here with me. I wouldn’t have been able to look after Mary without the support of these organisations. Because of them, we can continue living our normal lives.”
Ashgate Hospicecare, Blythe House Hopsice and Helen’s Trust joined together last December to form #ChallengeDerbyshire. Supporters can also join in by choosing their own challenge by videoing themselves pledging to complete a challenge to raise money for three local charities and using the hashtag #ChallengeDerbyshire when posting to Facebook and Twitter.
If you are an employer and would like to get involved in the leap year challenge please email challengederbyshire@gmail.com or visit www.challengederbyshire.org.uk for more information.
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