Firms in the town’s network of Chesterfield Champions continue to announce further progress, and help to raise the profile of the town through various initiatives.
Our latest news roundup from businesses and other organisations across Chesterfield sees a new film festival being launched for young people, a collaboration between Chesterfield FC and a local taxi provider, a new apprentice being recruited by a property and construction firm in the town, and two major charitable donations.
Read the latest stories and updates below:
Veezu kicks off Chesterfield FC partnership
Leading Chesterfield private hire provider Veezu, formerly named City Taxis, has partnered with Chesterfield FC for their upcoming season.
Entering their seventh year as first-team travel kit sponsors, only this time under the Veezu brand, the partnership will see Veezu become the club’s official ride partner, ensuring fans can travel to and from home games easily and safely.
“Whilst the rebrand has been a prominent change for us at City Taxis, our ethos and passion for supporting our local community continues under the Veezu brand,” said Sacha Skinner, Regional Marketing Manager at Veezu.
“We are extremely excited to be partnering with Chesterfield FC again and to see Veezu on the training kits, in what has been a fantastic start to the 2023/24 season!”
Chief Executive, John Croot said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Veezu and I would like to thank them for their support.
“We are confident that our strong presence and wide reach will help establish the brand in the area.”
Sparky Ink Studio celebrates 7th anniversary with new film festival
Chesterfield’s Sparky Ink Studio, which provides creative experiences and projects for young people is celebrating seven years of success.
The studio will host a film festival, which is a VIP event for the Students, their Families and acquaintances of the Studio over the last 7 years. The festival will be showcasing all the hard work from its talented students and team, dating right back to 2016 when Sparky Ink Studio first opened, as well as some recent documentary clips.
The festival opens at 11am on Saturday 18th November, when the Studio will be returning to its roots at West Studios. The team will be using the purpose-built theatre and hope to fill all 140 seats there.
Jane-marie Wright , Founder and Creative Director commented: “Since 2018, we have been collecting unseen films, animations and clips from our students and we are so glad we can finally dust off some of our old classics to premiere.
“Our students and Team are very important to the Studio and the work we do and as we are now at the ripe age of 7 we wanted to celebrate this in the best possible way.
“Our little Studio is always trying to give something back to the Autism and SEN community and our students are amazing and deserve to have a special day where they can see how their film looks on the Big Screen. In addition, we think we might be the first ever Film Festival of this kind in Chesterfield and are looking to team up to offer regular Film Festivals of this kind in the future.
“We hope this in turn will motivate more people with Autism, ADHD and other Special Needs to pursue a creative career in this wonderful industry. It is also important that more people know we are here. We often have people tell us they didn’t know we existed so we want to celebrate that the Studio is here and we want more people to come along to our events, workshops and sessions.”
Find out more about Sparky Ink Studio, along with its events and workshops at: www.sparkyink.co.uk or on Facebook @sparkyinkstudio.
New apprentice joins DBCP following career change
Charlotte Gladwin has said goodbye to retail management and has embarked on a brand-new career in building control thanks to an apprenticeship.
Previously working as a store manager at a pet shop for three years, Charlotte (21) now joins DBCP as a Level 4 Building Control Surveyor apprentice.
As an apprentice Charlotte will undertake practical on-the-job learning at construction sites throughout Chesterfield and North Derbyshire, working alongside DBCP’s team of experienced and knowledgeable Building Control Inspectors.
During her five-year apprenticeship, she will also combine her practical training with completing industry-recognised exams, which will ultimately see her qualify as a Building Control Surveyor.
As a qualified Building Control Surveyor, Charlotte will have responsibility for completing site inspections independently and ensuring buildings are safe, energy efficient and adhere to building control standards.
A former pupil of Wales High School in Rotherham, Charlotte entered retail following her A’ Levels. Keen to move out of retail and, with an interest in construction and the outdoors, she identified Building Control as the ideal profession in which to build a career.
She explained: “I really enjoyed studying Geography, Psychology and Business at A-Level and, together with my love of the outdoors, I felt that a career in building control aligned with my future ambitions. At DBCP I’ll be part of the process that creates positive change in the local landscapes for our communities.
“Being in the position to check that building work is correct and architectural drawings have been followed is a significant responsibility. I’m really excited by the fact that at the end of my training, assignments and intense exams, I’ll be carrying out these tasks and be trusted to do so.”
DBCP’s long-running apprenticeship programme is helping the business attract local young people who want to progress their careers within the field of building control. The company currently employs seven apprentices who are at different stages of their training, including degree level.
“The opportunities provided by the team at DBCP are so exciting. I really enjoying being out on site and I’ve already found the team so supportive,” she added.
Delighted to welcome Charlotte to the team, David Pratt, Building Control Manager at DBCP, said: “Building Control Surveyors are in high demand. We look forward to sharing our industry knowledge and best-practice with Charlotte as she embarks upon her five-year training. I know from personal experience that building control offers a long and varied career. I am certainly never bored!”
If you’re interested in a future apprenticeship with DBCP, get in touch by emailing david.pratt@dbcp.co.uk.
Sponsored Queen’s Park swim raises more than £7,000
A sponsored swim at Queen’s Parks Sports Centre has raised £7,543 which will be shared between two charities.
Around 120 children who take part in swimming lessons at Queen’s Park Sports Centre and the Healthy Living Centre took part in the sponsored swim in October which was raising money for Parkinsons UK and Ashgate Hospice.
Every child in the swimming programme was invited and they all set their own target distances for the swim. In just 12 hours the swimming instructors swam around 42 miles which is the same distance as swimming across the English Channel to France and back to England
The money will be shared between Parkinsons UK and Ashgate Hospice, the hospice was selected in memory of beloved swimming teacher Rachel Pye who sadly passed away earlier this year.
Councillor Jonathan Davies, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “I want to thank everyone who organised and participated in the sponsored swim, they raised an incredible amount of money that will be going to some very worthwhile causes.”
Redbrik Foundation helps Cavendish Cancer Care provide essential services with generous cash boost
Cavendish Cancer Care will now be able to provide essential therapy for children and young people in need of support, thanks to a generous cash boost from the Redbrik Foundation.
Each month, the Foundation selects one charity from the South Yorkshire and Derbyshire area to receive a donation to help them continue their contribution to the community.
In light of receiving October’s grant, Cavendish Cancer Care can now offer art therapy, play therapy and counselling to young people whose lives have been affected by the illness.
Hannah Williams, Fundraiser at Cavendish Cancer Care, said: “A cancer diagnosis within the family can have a huge impact on children, which is why it is so important they can turn to Cavendish, as a safe space to relax and understand their emotions.
“Katie, whose eight-year-old son was supported by our Children and Young People’s Service when his dad had leukaemia, told us the support and care her son received made a difference to her entire family, with unconditional care, attention and kindness that have helped him work through his anxieties. It is families like Katie’s where this gift from the Redbrik Foundation will make such a difference.”
Every month a different member of the Redbrik team is set to nominate a cause close to their heart, helping them give something back to the local community.
This month, Property Consultant Jacob Bailey named Cavendish Cancer Care as his charity of choice. He said: “I am constantly inspired by the amazing work they do and the support they offer to local families and individuals who are facing some of the most challenging times of their lives. It is an honour to be able to help them continue their fantastic work.”
Since it was established in 2020, the Redbrik Foundation has donated tens of thousands to local charitable causes, including Ashgate Hospice, Sheffield Children’s Hospital, Whirlow Hall Farm, Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, Paces, St Luke’s Hospice, Fairplay and Pathways of Chesterfield.
If your charity is interested in support from the Redbrik Foundation, contact Director David Cooper by email at david.cooper@redbrik.co.uk.
Veezu, Chesterfield FC, Redbrik, Chesterfield Borough Council, DBCP, Sparky Ink Studio, and Ashgate Hospice support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.