Health

Chesterfield FC Community Trust links up with Alfreton Town to promote healthy lifestyles

Chesterfield FC Community Trust and Alfreton Town FC are teaming up to deliver a male specific adult weight management programme.

Staff from the Community Trust will be delivering the programme, using facilities at Alfreton Town and Alfreton Leisure Centre.

The link adds to the increasing amount of work being carried out locally by the Community Trust, which has established links with a number of local schools in the area, and recently ran another successful toy appeal to help families in need over Christmas.

Andrea Parkinson, the Community Trust’s wellbeing manager, is delighted to be working in partnership with Alfreton Town to deliver the programme.

She said: “Working within Amber Valley will allow us to support more participants. I would like to thank Alfreton Town and Alfreton Leisure Centre for being so accommodating.

“Having already successfully delivered a similar programme in the HUB at the Technique Stadium, I am sure the programme will be a great success in Alfreton.”

Michael Bradley, Alfreton Town’s CEO, said: “I am delighted to announce that the club is working in partnership with Chesterfield FC Community Trust and Places Leisure, specifically Alfreton Leisure Centre, to help promote healthier lifestyles and weight management across Amber Valley.

“There is no cost to sign up to the programme and there are some fantastic benefits, such as free gym membership for three months, thanks to our friends at Alfreton Leisure Centre and free match tickets for Alfreton Town home fixtures.”

Delivered over a 12-week period, the programme will feature sessions each Monday (12pm to 2pm), starting on January 17.

For more information and details regarding the referral criteria, please email tomcooke@spireitestrust.org.uk. or phone Chesterfield FC Community Trust’s wellbeing team on 07751 926714.

Chesterfield FC Community Trust 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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Leverton UK launches charity drive urging fellow businesses to donate defibrillators

A Chesterfield business is urging other local companies to come together as part of efforts to increase the number of defibrillators available in the area.

Leverton UK has launched the #donateadefib campaign in order to ensure the devices are installed at community spaces and sporting venues across Chesterfield and Derbyshire.

It follows the incident which took place in the European Football Championship match, in which Danish player Christian Eriksen required urgent medical attention after collapsing on the pitch.

Marcus Leverton, Director of Leverton UK said: “The majority of the world’s football lovers stood in shock at the weekend as we watched an incredible footballer, an elite athlete in exceptional physical condition, stumble and fall to the ground as the result of a cardiac arrest. Aged just 29, Christian Eriksen loved by millions suddenly was fighting for his life.

“The quick actions of his teammates, the medical staff on hand and the right type of emergency equipment are undoubtedly the reason he is now recovering in hospital.

“I was sat in my kitchen working on my laptop with the TV on in the background and my wife beside me as we watched the situation unfold, his teammate administering cardio massage and the crowd, the commentators and the world watching in total shock.

“I am a father of two boys, Harry (13) and Samuel (9) who live for football. My boys came in to the room with lots of questions clearly as disturbed as we were at the situation unfolding and it sent my mind in to a spin.

“What would happen if we were at training or had a match at the Avenue, home ground to the Wingerworth Junior Sports Association (WJSA) and a player or a parent suffered a heart attack? Or even a passer by walking through the country park?

“I talked to my fellow Directors at Leverton UK; Tony, Allyson and Mandi, and we agreed that we would provide a defibrillator and secure box to be located near the pitches, to be there just in case.”

The call has been echoed by Darren Parkinson, Chesterfield Football Club’s Activity Officer and WJSA Chairman and Under 14’s Coach in a recent social media post:

Marcus continued: “While it is a truly rare occurrence for a young player to suffer with a heart attack, each player has parents, guardians, brothers, sisters and grandparents who love to watch them play, and unfortunately this increases the chances of this situation becoming a reality.

“While we hope that this defibrillator is never required, we understand and have seen first-hand with Christian that access to equipment such as this can be the difference between life and death, and perhaps other local companies will follow suit and help other local grass roots clubs.

“As a company, personally and as a family we support many local and national charitable causes. It is important that if you are in a position where you can help others, that you do!”

Leverton UK 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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Derbyshire reaches one million vaccine doses

Vaccination teams across Derbyshire have passed the landmark of administering one million doses of Covid-19 vaccines.

The vaccination programme began on December 8, with an average of more than 6,000 doses per day administered by teams operating out of 27 different sites.

Derbyshire has the highest first dose vaccination rate in the Midlands and the fourth highest in England, having reached more than 71% of the adult population. The only systems in England to reach a greater proportion of adults are Dorset, Somerset and Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly.

Derbyshire is the third system in the Midlands to reach the one million mark, and Joined Up Care Derbyshire executive Medical Director Steve Lloyd paid tribute to the efforts of the thousands of people involved.

“This vaccination programme is the biggest ever undertaken by the NHS and its success is a tribute to the efforts of so many people in so many different ways,” he said.

“GPs and practice staff have been right at the forefront, managing the existing workloads while also mobilising to deliver an incredibly successful programme. Staff from all over the system have been involved, putting in countless extra hours to organise and run the whole programme and the vaccination sites themselves.

“Our partners organisations, especially Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust, have been vital parts of the programme, providing expertise, staff and facilities to make this all work. So many different organisations have been involved, from the acute hospital trusts to councils, DHU Healthcare and many others.

“The Local Resilience Forum has also been a vital part of the process, providing support and co-ordination at a high level across multiple organisations.”

“A special mention needs to go to the volunteers who have done so many hours, often in difficult circumstances of bad weather or unsociable hours. Their dedication and good will have helped us reach the one million vaccine mark.

“But we need to remember that we still have a long way to go. Hundreds of thousands of people still need to receive vaccinations, including the important second dose, and we still need volunteers and staff to be part of the next phase. We’ve done brilliantly so far, but the job isn’t done yet and we know that significant challenges will lie ahead both in completion of the current phase of this programme and into the future as it potentially becomes a booster programme alongside other routine vaccinations.”

Chesterfield Mayor, Cllr Glenys Falconer receiving a vaccine at The Winding Wheel

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Airline staff assist Chesterfield Royal Hospital as VIP Wellness Lounge takes off

A brand new VIP lounge has been launched at Chesterfield Royal Hospital to improve the wellbeing offer for staff, with the help of airline or aviation staff who are currently furloughed, grounded or made redundant due to the pandemic.

The crews used their exceptional customer service skills and expertise to provide the hospital staff with a little bit of respite, as well as an opportunity to chat and share experiences.

The initiative, known as ‘Project Wingman’ got off to a flying start with 70 of staff swapping their boarding passes for a well-deserved break, along with a cuppa and biscuits.

Part of the Wingman team at the Royal Charlotte Turner, First Officer (TUI) says: “I normally work as a Senior First Officer at TUI – so I fly the Boeing 737’s out of Doncaster on the short haul flights. Usually I’m there and back in one day. I really miss it and can’t wait to get back!

“I saw Project Wingman advertised and I thought it was so lovely. NHS workers do such an incredible job and have been working throughout – everyone must be absolutely shattered, having long shifts in a tough environment. We work in an environment that’s really lovely and where we are trying to get people to come on holiday and make you feel amazing. We can’t do that at the moment so we’d like to give it back by bringing it in to Chesterfield Royal Hospital”

Chesterfield Royal Hospital’s Workforce Health & Wellbeing Lead, Andy Picked said: Project wingman is an innovative initiative ran by airline crew, pilots and aviation sector staff to provide a decompression space for NHS Staff away from the challenges of the work environment – especially important during a pandemic.

“Project wingman has contributed to a comprehensive staff health and wellbeing support programme already in place at Chesterfield Royal Hospital and provided an opportunity for staff and airline crew to share a conversation over a drink and a few treats in line with social distancing and covid rules.

“It has been an absolute pleasure working with these professional who have volunteered their time to run their first class refreshment lounges. The Chesterfield Royal Hospital Charity funded the refreshments and logistics of the intiative.”

Chesterfield Royal Hospital 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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Ashgate Hospicecare welcomes two new Trustees

Ashgate Hospicecare have announced the appointment of two new Trustees who will help to shape the charity’s strategy, as they plan for the future needs of their local community and help meet the needs of patients for years to come.

Joining the Board of Trustees are Kirsty McMillan, Director of Integration and Direct Services for Derby City Council and Dermot Toberty, former Director of the largest HR Shared Service Centre in Europe.

In addition to her current role, Kirsty McMillan is also an active member of the local NHS and social care system, known as ‘Joined Up Care Derbyshire’. She previously worked as a Chief Officer within Local Government, as well as operationally within the housing association, supported housing and homelessness sectors.

Kirsty McMillan, Trustee at Ashgate Hospicecare, said: “Having supported my own mother to live her final months in a way that she wanted, even though this was not conventional and at times tested the local palliative care team, I saw first-hand that as far as she was able, she died her way and in control of even the smallest decisions right up until her last few days.

“This was incredibly powerful to see and reminded me that individuals can have amazing strength in character, even at the most testing times in their lives. I am a passionate advocate for the ethos and values of the hospice sector, and Ashgate embodies this and more!

“I hope to be able to raise the profile of the contribution that Ashgate and palliative care can make to people’s lives.”

Dermot Toberty trained as an accountant and qualified whilst living up in the North East, and then moved to Chesterfield with his wife and two daughters in 1988 to work for Royal Mail.

Following a wide variety of finance roles across the UK, he moved to HR in 2003 to set up and run the largest HR Shared Service Centre in Europe. He remained there until his retirement in 2017.

Dermot Toberty, Trustee at Ashgate Hospicecare, said: “In 2019, a very close friend was diagnosed with a terminal illness and she began to receive her end-of-life care from Bolton Hospice.

“Seeing and hearing about the care she received in her final few months was truly wonderful. Knowing that she was being well cared for in a lovely environment made the whole experience of her passing a lot more bearable. Nothing was left to chance and when she needed something it was delivered in an instant, without any fuss or bother, with care and compassion.

“Later, when I heard about the funding issues at Ashgate, and coming from a financial background, I was keen to get involved.

“I am very proud to be part of the Ashgate Team.”

Commenting on the appointment of the new Trustees, Nicholas Jeffrey, Chair of the Board at Ashgate Hospicecare, said: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome Kirsty and Dermot as new Trustees to Ashgate. They bring with them a wealth of expertise, as well as compassion and a shared vision for a society where everyone can die with dignity and comfort.

“I am really looking forward to working with them as we shape our future services, which includes plans for how we cope with rising demand and more complex patient needs as people live longer with more complicated conditions.”

Ashgate Hospicecare 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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Redbrik Half Marathon donates four-figure sum to charity following Virtual Events

The Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon has donated a four-figure sum to two regional charities after hundreds of runners donated their entry fee difference between the cancelled 2020 Redbrik Half and all-new 2021 Redbrik Foundation Chesterfield 10k.

The donation comes after runners took to the streets from as far afield as Edinburgh to take on the Redbrik Half’s Virtual Events weekend, which took place following the in-person event’s cancellation due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Entrants into the cancelled 2020 Redbrik Half who had deferred their entry to the 2021 Chesterfield 10k were offered the opportunity to donate the difference in entry fee between the two events to the Half Marathon’s charity partners, Ashgate Hospicecare and Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

The majority of entrants took up the option, and as a result, in addition to funds raised by individuals, more than £1,000 was raised by the event itself, which has since been donated to Ashgate and Bluebell Wood.

The Redbrik Half’s Virtual Events saw more than 100 people from across the country run five miles, 10km or a half marathon over the course of the original Half Marathon event weekend, with vital funds raised for charities across the region as a result.

Redbrik Half virtual event runner, Chris Breen, completed not just one, but two virtual half marathons during the original event weekend. He said: “When I heard the Chesterfield Half Marathon was going ahead as a virtual event, I jumped at the chance.

“On the Saturday, I chose my favourite countryside run. I loved it, pushed myself and came in at 1 hour 50 minutes exactly. Imagine my surprise when a friend of mine said he was entering too and wasn’t sure of a local route that would come out at the half marathon distance.

“I got my arm twisted and ran it again the following day with my friend! To say I was tired on the Sunday evening is an understatement, but I thoroughly enjoyed doing these virtual half marathons.

“It’s just what we needed in lockdown – something to aim for – and the icing on the cake is receiving a medal and certificate as a memento. Thanks to the Redbrik Half Marathon team for organising a fantastic event.”

John Timms, Event Director of the Redbrik Half Marathon and Redbrik Foundation Chesterfield 10k, said: “It’s fantastic to see how much the Redbrik Half Marathon has been able to raise for regional charities despite the ‘real’ event’s cancellation this year.

“Donation of the entry fee difference between the two events may seem a small sum in isolation, but the figure we’ve managed to donate as a result of people’s generosity is testament to what can be achieved as a collective.

“Our attention now turns to the 2021 Redbrik Foundation Chesterfield 10k, an exciting new event for the beautiful town of Chesterfield in aid of some brilliant causes.”

Mark Ross, Managing Director at Chesterfield Half Marathon title sponsor, Redbrik estate agents, said: “We’ve loved playing a key role in the Redbrik Half Marathon’s journey – which is ending on a high with this fantastic donation.

“I’d like to congratulate all those runners who took to their streets individually during the original Redbrik Half event weekend and raised thousands of pounds for some great causes – your efforts are all the more important in an extremely challenging year for charities.

“With less than 12 months to go, we can’t wait for the 2021 Redbrik Foundation Chesterfield 10k, which has already been extremely well received by the local community.”

Redbrik Chesterfield Half – 20.10.19 – Images provided by Charles Whitton

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Chesterfield primary school introducing ‘daily mile’ track to improve health and wellbeing for pupils

St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Chesterfield is currently in the process of constructing a daily mile running track around the perimeter of its sports field. It is hoped the development will help promote health and wellbeing amongst pupils and the wider community.

Once completed, the track will run around the full perimeter of the grassed area of the field and will require 9 laps around it to complete a mile. The surface will be 1.2m wide and be made out of polyurethane bound rubber all weather material.

Rachael priest, chair of the school’s Parent-Teacher Friends Association said: “The field is a large part of the school’s outdoor space (making up almost half the outside play area available to the children) however, the British inclement weather means that it can typically only be used for a few months of the year. The nature of the material will mean that even through the winter months when the field is to muddy to utilise the children will still be able to use the track to complete their daily mile and for other activities.”

“The school is very keen to promote health, fitness and wellbeing and the introduction of the track would be a positive step in encouraging both children and staff to adopt a healthier and more active lifestyle while also improving and enhancing the Schools outdoor environment. The school is eager to adopt the mile as a daily part of the school day and hope, in time, that the completion of the daily mile by each pupil becomes as routine as maths lesson or break time.”

“We hope that the effects of the daily mile will also be felt by the wider community with our pupils becoming positive, confident individuals passing on the message that exercise is good for both body and the mind and encouraging others to embrace a happier and healthier future.”

The school has currently raised £2000 of its £10,000 target through past events and currently have collection points in the classrooms and playgrounds where children can bring in small change and deposit them in a covid secure way.

It is now looking to  affiliate with a local running club in the future and hold sponsored running events with funds raised going towards the track. Other initiatives being planned include ‘sponsor a step,’ where people can help fund the track by buying a virtual step for a fee. In return the sponsors names or nominated names will be displayed on a sign in a similar way to buying a brick projects.

John Cannon of Cannon Events, who host a number of local fun-runs to promote exercise locally, said: “To have a facility like that in the school, for children to exercise every day, will benefit their physical and also mental health enormously and it’ll have a positive effect on their schoolwork as well. It is absolutely priceless. This track is going to make a huge difference.”

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