The deadline for completed expressions of interest forms for ERDF funding has been extended to 12 noon on Monday 1 August 2011.

 

In light of recent announcements about potential job losses in Derby, the deadline for the current ERDF call has been extended. This extension will give partners more time to consider and submit proposals for how ERDF could assist in the current circumstances.  Derby has an allocation of £6.6m as part of the East Midlands European Regional Development Competitiveness Programme 2007-2013.

 

The aim of Derby's fund is to help areas with high levels of deprivation and low levels of economic and enterprise activity.  The deadline for completed expression of interest forms is now 12:00 pm on Monday 1 August.

 

For more information together with an expression of interest form visit the ERDF website.  If you need more help and advice on how to complete a successful expression of interest form please email Michelle Nally or call 01332 256903. 

Derby Hospitals NHS Trust is trialing a new Disability Advisory Group for Derby Hospitals. The aim of the group is to establish some key priorities for the hospital around disability equality. The Hospital is currently developing a new Equality and Inclusion Implementation plan and It is envisaged that this group would advise and act as a critical friend in measuring their success in delivering this for disabled people. 

 

So if you think you may be able to help keep Derby Hospitals on the right track by sharing your knowledge and experience of the treatment and employment of disabled people and would like more information about joining the advisory group email Adrian Piggott or call 01332 788980.

  

The first meeting of the group will be on Wednesday 7 September from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at the Royal Derby Hospital. 

Would you like to learn about different Faiths?  Do you have questions you would like to ask about our many faiths?  Does your group want to explore how faiths work together?  If so this project is for you! 

Why not invite the Forum of Faiths to your group? They will create a special session that is just right for your group that everyone can enjoy - you provide the venue and the refreshments and they will come totally free of charge! 

If you want to know more, or book a session for your group email the St James Centre or call 01332 604066.

For more information on the Forum of Faiths for Derby visit the Forum of Faiths website.  

Want to keep up to date with events, training, fun days, workshops - in fact anything that's happening in the voluntary and community sector?  Then visit the Community Action website!

  

The interactive Voluntary Sector Calendar is packed with events and training - you can add your organisation's events too!  We hope that the Voluntary Sector Calendar will become the place to go to find out about what's going on and when.  It will also be useful as a planning aid and hopefully prevent large events being scheduled for the same day.  To get started click here.    

   

Coping, the Chronic Pain Support Group, will be holding a drop-in session on 29 July from 10:30 am until 1:00 pm at the Age UK 50+ Centre in the Eagle Centre Market to which EVERYONE is welcome. 

 

For more information call Coping on  01332 608431.

With Ramadan approaching, the Department of Health has issued a guide aimed at helping to understand the health issues related to fasting. The guide also aims to help people make more informed choices, minimise complications and maximise the benefit of the fast.  It also includes the most frequently asked questions about fasting in general and medical issues in particular.

 

Click to download the guide. 

The government faces a legal challenge from charities over its plans to cut benefits for disabled people by more than £2bn. The Disability Alliance has warned the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that it will take legal action to obtain a judicial review of plans to replace the Disability Living Allowance.

 

The alliance, a coalition of 270 disability charities, said ministers had not properly assessed the negative impact of the benefit cuts, adding that the reforms did not comply with the Equality Act.

 

It has issued a "letter of claim" to the DWP calling on it to demonstrate that it has fulfilled its legal obligations to properly analyse the impact of welfare reforms on disabled people. If the department does not comply, the letter also warns that ministers face legal action. 

Do you have any services or resources that you would like to share with other voluntary and community groups? Spare furniture or equipment? Training or advice?  Or is there something you need? Or would like to swap?

 

We have created a Community Classifieds section on our website as one-stop shop to offer and request support and services, resources and equipment.

 

As the community classifieds section grows we will have sections for 'we want', 'we've got' and 'let's swap'. So, if you have anything you would like to share, swap or give away email Jayne Williams or call 01332 227749. 

 

We look forward to matching up groups and services! 

Derby Furniture Project are proud to announce their first ever Vintage Sale Day.

 

The event, which promises to be a must see for all vintage and retro admirers, will be held within the grounds of their new premises in John Street, Derby.  With retro and vintage furniture, bric-a-brac, glassware, collectables, clothing and face-painting for the children, this is a family event not to be missed. Look out for the bunting!

 

Derby Furniture Project is a Social Enterprise working for local people with the help of local people. The Vintage Sale Day will raise much needed funds for the charity.

 

For more information on the sale and the project email Derby Furniture Project or call Jayne on 01332 291121

  

In his speech to the NHS Confederation's annual conference in Manchester on 7 July, the Secretary of State announced the GPs and front-line clinicians who have come forward to lead the way in modernising the NHS.  The South Derbyshire Commissioning Consortium in the East Midlands will be the main NHS commissioning group for Derby city, South Derbyshire, Erewash, Amber valley and parts of the Derbyshire Dales 

 

In total, 257 groups of GP practices from across the country, covering around 97% of the population, have now come forward so they can directly commission services focused on delivering the best results for their patients.

 

For more information visit the Department of Health website.   

Derby City Council has been working closely with Derbyshire Constabulary over the past year to roll out a new police telephone number for people who have difficulty using the phone - limited verbal communication, low levels of confidence, difficulty holding the handset for a long period etc.  One of the key aims of this new initiative is to make it easier for people with learning disabilities to call the police. 

 

To apply for a Police Care Card for someone with learning disabilities download the application form.  Once completed and returned, the information on the form is entered into the police call handling database and a police care card is issued with a unique reference number, together with a new police telephone number connected to a dedicated line for safe card holders 

 

For more information on the scheme email Nav Rai or call 01332 642748.               

The next funding round - for 2012-13 - for the Innovation Excellence and Strategic Development Fund will be launched later this summer.

 

In order to provide potential applicants with a platform to ask questions about the process and receive the latest information, two 'Meet the Funder' events will be held later this month. One in London on the afternoon of Wednesday 27 July and the other in Leeds on the afternoon of Thursday 28 July.  For more information and to book a place at either of the events email the grants hub by Tuesday 19 July. 

 

The Life Book is a free booklet, available from Age UK, that is intended to be used to record details of important personal and general information that can be easily accessed in case of emergency - information about insurance, tv licence details, where important documents are kept and important phone numbers etc.

 

The Life Book is intended to help older people become more organised and act as a valuable resource for use by a family member or friend if they need to find out information in an emergency.

 

For more informaton or a copy of the Life Book call 0845 685 1061 and quote reference ALL 721. 
 

 



Jayne Williams
Community Action Derby