chesterfield support

Two new mental health support services open in Chesterfield

A charity has partnered with the NHS to open two new crisis support services in Chesterfield, providing support for those with mental health concerns.

The first of the two services to open is the crisis house in Chesterfield, which opened on 18 September, and the safe haven in Chesterfield which will open its doors on 26 October, both run by charity – P3.

The new crisis house will provide 24/7 residential support for those referred by NHS mental health professionals at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, while the safe haven will offer out-of-hours support on a self-referral basis every day of the week between 4.30pm to 12am for anyone who is struggling and needs a friendly face to talk to, including during the festive period.

P3, the social inclusion charity, work with people to change their lives for the better, providing a variety of services all across the UK, that aim to give everyone the chance to be part of the community they live in and feel connected.

The crisis house, safe haven and urgent crisis drop in service are part of a wider programme of partnership activity led by NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Joined Up Care Derbyshire which aims to improve outcomes for people and reduce the need for people to attend hospital Emergency Departments when they are experiencing immediate mental health needs.

Other elements of the programme that are already established include the 24/7 Derbyshire Mental Health Helpline and Support Service, the crisis house and safe haven in Derby as well as the mental health street triage service across Derbyshire.

Jenny Appleby, Head of Adult Mental Health Commissioning at NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board, said: “This is a fantastic new addition to our local offer for people with immediate mental health needs.

“We are so pleased that this is up and running and it really responds to what local people have told us they need. It is the result of collaboration between community and voluntary sector and statutory organisations, working together with local people.”

Fiona White, Area Service Manager at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted that these local services are open to the people of North Derbyshire. These services will be a great addition to our crisis and helpline services.”

Ann-Marie Humphries, Operations Manager at P3 Derbyshire, is pleased to announce the launch of these new services. Ann-Marie said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to support people living in Derbyshire to access the right support for their mental health at the right time.

“We have seen the success of the Safe Haven in Derby and hope the Chesterfield service achieves the same positive outcomes, benefitting people in the area.”

If you or a loved one are experiencing distress or anxiety, or feeling that you cannot cope, please contact Derbyshire Mental Health Helpline and Support Service on 0800 028 0077 for support over the phone.

For more information on the crisis support drop-ins as well as job opportunities for the service please visit the Derbyshire Mind website.

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Chesterfield community groups launch ‘Feeling connected fortnight’ to bring people together

A number of Chesterfield groups and organisations are launching activities and initiatives this October, to bring the community together and help people create local connections.

‘Feeling Connected Fortnight’ is almost here and will run from 17th October until 28th October. The community initiative is the brainchild of the ‘Feeling Connected’ team, part of Derbyshire Voluntary Action, based at their welcoming Hub on Lower Pavement in Chesterfield Town Centre.

Project Manager James Starky explained: “We are planning an exciting fortnight of championing local groups and individuals who bring their community together. This will include a ‘thank you’ event on the 19th October at our Hub. We have produced 3000 copies of our fantastic free newspaper called ’Nurturing Neighbourliness’, offering 50 great ideas for people to use in their neighbourhood. We’d love it if people would get in touch to let us know about any events they plan to host or any groups already happening.”

Feeling Connected has played a vital part in the creation and continuation of many valuable community initiatives in recent months.  Here are some great examples of funding proposals which have recently been awarded a grand total of £30,672.30.

  • The Grassland Hasmoor Big Local Senior Citizens Group and Friends of Eastwood Park applied together for funds for their ‘Let’s Chat’ benches and ‘Let’s Chat’ friendship and IT Group.  They have added ‘Let’s Chat’ plaques to two benches in Eastwood Park to encourage people to do just that. The funding has enabled them to begin a new weekly drop in session in Hasland offering people a chance to chat with others and develop internet skills and surf the web. Sessions take place every Friday morning at Hasland Club from 10am-12noon. Contact: chrisnewton62@yahoo.com for more information.
  • Derbyshire LGBT+ are being supported to set up 3 new social groups for LGBT+ over 18s at the LGBT+ Centre on Rutland Road in Chesterfield. The funds will go towards staffing, materials for activities, and promotion. It is expected that these groups will reach out to around 60 people in the community. Visit www.derbyshirelgbt.org.uk to see their calendar of events.
  • Barrow Hill Community Trust applied for funds to restart New Haven Rest Centre, an amazing community facility which sadly closed in 2020. Following a Feeling Connected grant, the Trust is now able to reopen the centre, initially as a community venue. Spokesperson Ann Lucas said “A small group of wonderful volunteers will manage the room on a day-to-day basis and plan to provide a safe, WARM and friendly space this coming winter. Visitors can enjoy refreshments, social activity, information and advice and the company of other people.” For more information contact Ann Lucas by email: annpickard@hotmail.co.uk.
  • East Peak Countryside Associates will be working with members of the community in Chesterfield to support people to be healthy using the outdoors. Outdoor space from Staveley to Stonegravels / Whittington Moor will be utilised. To find out more about this project follow them on Facebook: East Peak Countryside Associates CIC.
  • Compassionate Voices received funding to provide 4 wellbeing and empowerment workshops entitled ‘The Power of You’. It is intended that the workshops will support up to 50 women by offering them twice monthly meetings to stay connected and encourage them to reconnect with others socially. You can find Compassionate Voices at the Feeling Connected Hub, Lower Pavement, Chesterfield on the third Thursday of each month from 6pm-7.30pm or visit acompassionatevoice.co.uk.
  • Chatsworth Wellbeing Centre were recently awarded funding for a monthly peer support recovery group for 20-30 people living with a chronic exhaustive condition. These include Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Post Viral Fatigue (including Long Covid) and Fybromyalgia. The free support group will take place monthly at Lifehouse Church, 90 Chatsworth Road or you can join them via Zoom. To find out more visit their Facebook page: Chatsworth Wellbeing Centre.
  • B:friend is a face-to-face befriending project. Its Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire Group have recently received funding to support new work in our area, where volunteer befrienders pledge to visit an isolated older neighbour once a week for an hour. Find more information on their website: letsbfriend.org.uk.

If you would like to find out more about Feeling Connected, contact James Starky, Project Manager on 07743 514934 or message FeelingConnected via Facebook.

Derbyshire Voluntary Action supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Chesterfield organisations support breastfeeding mothers with safe spaces

Community groups and local establishments in Chesterfield are working to ensure mothers can feed their children in a safe and welcoming environment.

An initiative has been launched by the University of Derby, who have announced they are opening their doors to offer a free and friendly breastfeeding support group. The drop-in sessions will run from the 15th of September on the first and third Thursday of the month, between 10:30am – 12:00pm at the Chesterfield St Helena campus.

Whether you are expecting a child, are new to parenting, or are further down your parenting journey- all are welcome. The group will be led by experienced breastfeeding supporters, who are trained and supervised by Breastfeeding Network Derbyshire. They will provide non-judgemental support and information for families attending the group.

“It’s great that the Community Chesterfield Project has enabled us to work with the University of Derby in this way.” Says Alexandra Dilkes from Breastfeeding Network Derbyshire. “It’s a wonderful venue, centrally located and easy to get to.”

Free refreshments will be provided, as well as a selection of toys to entertain the little ones. There is plenty of public parking available within a 2-minute walk of the venue but none on Campus.

“I am so glad that we were able to bring Breastfeeding Network Derbyshire back to the University of Derby in Chesterfield, they make such a big difference to parents – particularly in the early days of being a parent. It’s thanks to the University that we have been able to offer the group such a fantastic venue.” Says Jennifer Raschbauer from Community Chesterfield.

Over the last two years, local volunteers from Breastfeeding Network Derbyshire, known as Feeding Together Bolsover and Chesterfield, haven’t let the pandemic stop them supporting families. They have been providing remote support and running regular ‘Parent in the Park’ walks at Poolsbrook Country Park.

The organisation will also be running sessions at Staveley Healthy Living Centre and Bolsover Children’s Centre. To find out what exciting things they’ve got coming up, check out their Facebook pages (@Bolsoverbfgroup and @bfnderbyshire).

Meanwhile, community hub and café, Monkey Park has announced it has retained its ‘Breastfeeding Welcome Here’ status once again.

The organisation has gained recognition from Derbyshire County Council, which commends businesses who actively support staff to make premises welcome for mothers to breastfeed. This can have a positive impact on making women feel able to breastfeed in public.

The Council says taking part in the initiative also provides a number of benefits for businesses, including:

  • attracting families by making them feel welcome, they will, therefore, be likely to stay longer and spend more
  • breastfeeding mums are also likely to return time after time to venues that they feel comfortable in
  • improved customer service
  • providing good publicity
  • attracting new customers

Valerie Wilkinson , operational manager at Monkey Park community hub, said; “Monkey Park is once again pleased to be recognised as a Breastfeeding Welcome café. This means nursing mothers won’t ever be asked to move-or leave. We strive to be an inclusive and welcoming space for everyone. “

“We love to support our local community, and if we can help make parents more comfortable in our space when feeding their little ones then we are extremely proud to be recognised for this achievement.

“We hope our cosy café is a safe space for all parents to nurse their little ones, but if anyone would like more privacy when feeding then we do have a separate room where the blinds can be drawn for extra privacy and comfort if desired.

“Our staff will always offer nursing parents a glass of water as we understand that feeding your infant can be very thirsty work. We can’t wait to welcome everyone to our cosy and friendly café, and we hope we can make your visit enjoyable and comfortable.”

Monkey Park, Community Chesterfield and University of Derby support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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New Information Point launched for military veterans in Derbyshire

Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Community Covid Fund, STAND TO, Derbyshire veteran community support services – (Operating under Derbyshire Alcohol Advice Service CIO) is to launch a New information point for Derbyshire veterans and their families.

Working closely with University of Derby researchers in Veteran Health, STAND TO are launching a new veteran first point of contact, (VIP) accessed via phone Tel 01246 959333 or email standtovcs@daas.uk.com between office hours Monday to Friday with an out of hours message service.

The new VIP will link to a Directory of support services which may be veteran specific or may be engaging with employer recognition schemes for the Armed forces Covenant. The directory will also provide information on wider more general support services such as CAB, hospitals, GP practices, Mental Health support, addictions, welfare, relationship and financial support services.

Any member of the veteran community in Derbyshire who contacts the VIP will receive a response from a fellow veteran, a worker or volunteer from our STAND TO service.

“This new provision will help to link the needs of veterans and their families to a wide range of information we have in our VIP directory,” says Elaine Handley DAAS CIO Manager.

“We know from the five years we have delivered our successful STAND TO veteran alcohol service that  alcohol issues are only one of the problems experienced by our veteran community, our new VIP will widen our remit to reach out to veterans who may be experiencing a range of problems, those which may be as a direct result of Covid  or due to longer terms issues.

“This is much more than an information point, our veteran workers and Volunteers will engage with callers and link them to a range of groups, recovery events and activities such as  walking, boot camp and fishing offering them the opportunity to regain the camaraderie  many of them miss.”

Destination Chesterfield board member, Dr Paula Holt MBE, Patron of ‘STAND TO’ is pleased to see development of the Veterans Information Point (VIP): “It is good to see a resource that is developed and resourced locally to support local veterans and their families”

The VIP will link with the existing Veteran Gateway to ensure that callers are aware of national and regional services as well as those local to them.

The new VIP launches on Thursday 3rd December If you are a veteran or family member, would like advice, information or guidance or would like to support us by becoming a volunteer for our VIP, please get in touch! Our VIP needs you!

Derbyshire Alcohol Advice Service supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

 

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