Derbyshire County Council have launched a drive to recruit more care workers to support the county’s most vulnerable residents during the coronavirus pandemic.

Derbyshire County Council are hoping to attract people whose working situation may have changed because of the outbreak, as well as former care staff, young people aged 18 or over and retirees. They are offering flexible hours and short or long-term contracts. The council are in need more staff who can support older and disabled people to live independent, dignified lives in their own homes as well as in the council’s care homes.

Tasks include helping people get washed and dressed, preparing light meals or snacks, supporting people with their medication and personal care. There are also vacancies in the council’s residential care homes, helping people to get out of hospital when they’re well enough and support the NHS during the coronavirus outbreak.

Cabinet Member for Adult Care Councillor Jean Wharmby issued this urgent appeal to people across the county: “These are the most difficult times and I’d appeal to anyone whose work has been affected by the coronavirus to consider working for us.”

“You don’t need previous experience of working in social care, just the desire to care and help make a difference to someone’s life. You will receive all the training, protective equipment and assistance you need to give good quality care to our clients. You’ll be part of an amazing team helping our most vulnerable.”

As well as appealing to people who may no longer be working because of the pandemic, the council is also calling for retired care workers and young people looking to get on the career ladder.

Councillor Wharmby added: “We need to increase our capacity to help get people home from hospital when they’re medically fit which will ensure there is the space in hospital for people who need to be there. We also need to be able to offer support so people can remain in their own homes, avoiding going into hospital.”

“Like everyone, we’re affected by the pandemic as some staff are self-isolating because of the coronavirus while others with underlying health conditions are part of the “shielded” group and can no longer come to work.”

“We know this pandemic has changed a lot of people’s lives, but you could help change lives yourself by helping care for the people who need us most.”

To speed up the recruitment process the Derbyshire County Council are:

• introducing a fast-track application process
• paying for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS check)
• offering flexible working hours.

Derbyshire County Council currently pay £9.55 to £9.74 per hour for care workers in the community or in a residential care home.

Find out more about coronavirus recruitment and apply.

In the midst of lockdown, Vicar Lane Shopping Centre wants to create a little sunshine along the way! They have teamed up with Bear Cool Honey Company to challenge little gardeners of Chesterfield to get their green fingers in gear and grow their own mini sunflowers!

For individuals who don’t have any sunflower seeds to hand, they can get a ‘Grow Your Own Ray of Sunshine – Sunflower Seeds & Bee Pencil Pack’ for £1 from Bear Cool Honey Company here – https://www.bearcoolhoneycompany.co.uk/. Vicar Lane is suggesting customers opt for a dwarf variety, to make them easy to accommodate in even the smallest of gardens.

Vicar Lane would love to follow everyone’s sunflower journey, so they are inviting the public to share their pictures online with #VicarLaneSunflowerStories.

Once they have the all clear for business as usual at Vicar Lane they’ll set a date in the diary for all mini-gardeners to bring their sunflowers down to the centre and create a sea of yellow in St. James Square.

Vicar Lane has chosen sunflowers, not only as a symbol of sunshine and happiness but for the endless ways they support our wildlife from the bees, while they are in flower, to the birds when the seeds are ripe!

Shaun Brown, Centre Manager at Vicar Lane said, “These are unprecedented and challenging times for communities across the globe and we just wanted to let our local communities know that we are all thinking of them. It would be great to see a sea of yellow, both across the internet and, hopefully Vicar Lane this summer, so anyone that wants to, please join the fun!’’

Chesterfield Borough Council is prioritising the delivery of essential services but in line with the latest Government guidance, are adjusting some of the services that they provide.

All of the latest service-related updates can be found in the dedicated coronavirus information hub: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/coronavirus

Council Tax

Chesterfield Borough Council know that this is a difficult time for many residents and that the COVID-19 virus is having a significant impact on the economy. Council Tax pays for the essential services that Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire County Council, Derbyshire Police and Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service deliver to residents within the borough. If you are able to do so, please continue to pay your Council Tax as detailed on your bill, so that these essential services can be maintained.

If you are struggling to pay your Council Tax, there is support available and Chesterfield Borough Council can help you.

Usually, most residents pay their Council Tax in 10 monthly instalments, starting in April and finishing in January. However, during the current crisis, some residents may need to talk about a more flexible payment plan.

Chesterfield Borough Council can offer residents a 12 month payment plan for their Council Tax which would run to March 2021, which will lower monthly payments. To implement a 12 month payment plan, please email revenues.billing@chesterfield.gov.uk – please ensure that your email includes your Council Tax account number.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “We are committed to helping all residents during this unprecedented crisis. Council Tax helps pay for the essential services that we provide but we understand that for some residents keeping payments on the current schedule simply isn’t possible and we want you to know that we can be flexible, and that support is available.”

If you are having difficulty making payments, please contact Chesterfield Borough Council as soon as possible who can help you to manage your payments. You can email revenues.billing@chesterfield.gov.uk, visit their website or call 01246 345 345.

We are experiencing high call volumes, so please bear with us as there may be a delay in answering your call. We are working hard to support all residents at this time.

Council Tax Support

If you are on a low income, you may be able to claim a reduction on your Council Tax bill through the Council Tax Support Scheme. You can check whether you are eligible for additional support using the benefits calculator: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/benefits-and-advice/housing-benefit-and-council-tax-support/benefits-calculator.

Chesterfield Borough Council’s website has a section on benefits advice which provides you with more information on the support you may be able to access: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/benefits-and-advice

Hardship fund

Chesterfield Borough Council will also be providing working age residents who already receive Council Tax Support with an additional reduction in Council Tax of up to £150. This will further reduce the amount that these residents need to pay of their Council Tax bill.

In many cases, this will mean that residents will not need to pay anything for 2020/21. All residents who are entitled to receive this additional support do not need to do anything, new bills will be issued to these residents during April. Where residents have already paid Council Tax at a higher level, the council will refund payments as soon as possible.

Private sector housing team

Officers from the private sector housing team are still available for advice and guidance during this difficult time. However, it may take longer than usual to respond as their teams are dealing with enquiries on a priority need basis.

To reach the private sector housing team please email hia@chesterfield.gov.uk. The council’s private sector housing enforcement team is operating in line with the latest Government guidance when enforcing standards in rented properties.

Government guidance for landlords and tenants, as well as details on updated enforcement measures are available on the Government website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-and-renting-guidance-for-landlords-tenants-and-local-authorities.

Stay up to date with all the latest information about coronavirus on our dedicated hub: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/coronavirus

Chesterfield FC Community Trust, along with partners Men-Talk and Fem-Talk, has recently been working with the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) to tackle the issue of mental health in the workplace.

Mental and emotional wellbeing is an increasing concern in such a high-pressure environment so the Trust and the police have joined forces to help combat the problem.

Katy Harrington, EMSOU’s wellbeing lead, explained that the collaboration came about after she attended the Chesterfield FC Player of the Year awards last May. She said: “A video for one of the awards showed how footballers go out into the community and talk about a wide variety of issues including mental health.

“Mental health is being promoted a lot within the sporting arena so as the wellbeing lead for EMSOU, I thought this would be a good opportunity to demonstrate to our officers and staff that even athletes who are at the top of their game suffer from mental health issues and that it’s ‘ok not to be ok’.

“I would like to thank Chesterfield FC Community Trust, Men-Talk and Fem-Talk for taking time to come and run a session for us. I was concerned that not many people would attend, however both sessions were well supported and I have only received positive feedback.

“I hope to work with Scott and his team in the future and I am sure that once the word has spread about how beneficial the sessions were, other people who were a little apprehensive about attending will now attend.”

Scott Atkinson, the Trust’s head of education and wellbeing, said: “We’re delighted to be working alongside EMSOU, Men-Talk and Fem-Talk to deliver this important initiative.

“Our wealth of experience in this area clearly demonstrates the benefit of resituating mental wellbeing services in a non-clinical environment, providing a safe and secure space where rank can be left at the door and attendees can speak freely and openly in complete confidence.”

Deputy chief constable Chris Haward, who attended the first meeting, commented: “Our mental health is so important. We all go through difficult times and often struggle in silence and only seek help when it’s too late.

“Our conversations in the first meeting were very open and honest, without judgement and allowed us to share similar experiences and see that we are not alone. It showed me how others do understand and how important talking about our mental wellbeing is and how we can all support each other if we are prepared to take the first steps and TALK!”

EMSOU is a collaborative unit bringing together specialist officers and staff from Derbyshire Constabulary, Leicestershire Police, Lincolnshire Police, Northamptonshire Police and Nottinghamshire Police to tackle the most serious and organised criminals who commit major and complex crimes against our communities. They also investigate terrorism and extremism, as well as provide forensic services for the entire region.