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Derbyshire County Council issue appeal for care staff

Could you be a care hero? Derbyshire County Council are looking to recruit care workers to support some of Derbyshire’s most vulnerable residents during the coronavirus outbreak.

Recruits are needed to offer support to help older and disabled people lead dignified, fulfilled lives in their own homes or in a council-run care home. Tasks would include helping people get washed and dressed, preparing light meals or snacks and supporting people to take their medication or offer personal care.

Derbyshire County Council are hoping to attract people who have found themselves out of work as a result of the pandemic through offering full and part-time roles on flexible, long or short-term contracts.

There are also vacancies in residential homes to help get people out of hospital when they are well enough as well as supporting long-term residents or people needing help after surgery.

Councillor Jean Wharmby, Cabinet Member of Adult Social Care, issued an appeal for people to consider helping the county’s most vulnerable residents: “During the coronavirus outbreak, we’ve seen many, many examples of Derbyshire Spirit where people in our communities are helping each other through this most difficult time.”

“Now we need people’s help to make sure we continue to support our most vulnerable residents with the vital care and support they need.”

“Our carers are doing an amazing job in very trying circumstances, often going above and beyond the call of duty, and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them all.”

“But we need more people like them so if your working situation has changed in any way – either temporarily or permanently – why not consider working for us? Become a care hero and make a difference.”

The council have introduced fast-track applications and will meet the costs of a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. New starters, along with all other care staff, would have access to all the personal protective equipment they need to stay safe while doing their job in line with government guidelines.

No previous experience is necessary as full training will be given and we also offer support to help staff manage their well-being, particularly during this challenging time.

Councillor Wharmby added: “Care workers also do a fantastic job supporting our colleagues in the NHS by getting people out of hospital when they are well enough to ensure there are enough beds for people who fall ill with coronavirus.”

“And by recruiting more care workers we are able to offer support to people so they can remain independent in their own homes, avoiding the need for them to go in to hospital.”

“Like other organisations, we’re being affected by the pandemic as some of our staff are self-isolating while others with underlying health conditions are being shielded and can no longer work.”

“We know coronavirus has changed a lot of people’s lives but I’d ask you to consider helping to change lives yourself by helping to care for people who need it most.”

Find out more information and apply.

Derbyshire County Council apprenticeships

Posted in About Chesterfield, Home

Chesterfield company create virtual community art gallery

Seymour & Lerhn, a division of Chesterfield-based technology Oasis Studio, have created The Rainbow Gallery, an online community art project where both children and adults can submit pictures of their artwork to be showcased in the virtual gallery.

In order to adhere to the latest government advice, Seymour & Lerhn decided to think creatively and decided to host a virtual art exhibition. Delivered online in an immersive 360-degree environment, visitors can view and submit their images of colourful paintings, sculptures, and even poetry. The aim of the gallery is to be inclusive and available for everyone, whilst celebrating the fantastic efforts that NHS staff and key workers are going through.

Seymour & Lerhn Associate, Charlie Power (right), explains: “We created The Rainbow Gallery as a way to bring people together, even during social distancing. As you walk down the street or look on social media, lots of people are creating artwork to celebrate the key workers of the UK. We thought we’d create a virtual space to bring all the fantastic artwork together in a central place, in an immersive, interactive way.”

The exhibition is free to tour around, and visitors can observe the artwork created by people from across the UK, without even having to leave their own home.

Oasis Studio Founder & Director, Paul Deakin, said: “It’s easy to just focus on the physical effects to public health during COVID-19, however we also need to focus on the mental health of the nation. With people not being able to see family and friends, getting furloughed, or potentially spending a lot time on their own, the morale of the nation is low.”

“We’re not saying that all mental health problems will go away with a single painting, but art offers escapism to focus on a project, have a fun time, and enjoy the end result.”

Seymour & Lerhn are encouraging residents across the country to submit and create their own artwork, as they are promoting the benefits to mental health by doing so. To tour The Rainbow Gallery or to submit your artwork, click here.

Click here to find out more about Oasis Studio

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Featured, Home, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Outwood Academy Newbold donates PPE to local key workers

A secondary academy based in Chesterfield has donated PPE equipment to Chesterfield Royal Hospital and Elm Lodge Care Home in Newbold.

Outwood Academy Newbold has donated plastic gowns and 300 pairs of goggles from its science labs to Chesterfield Royal Hospital to assist staff during the current coronavirus outbreak.

Students and staff have also been busy making PPE visors using laminator pouches, plastic sheeting and cut with the academy’s laser cutter. The visors have since been donated to Elm Lodge Care Home in Chesterfield.

Steve Roberts, Principal of Outwood Academy Newbold, said: “We are in the midst of a national crisis and it is time that we believe we all need to come together to support each other to help the country get through this situation. This is why we decided to take action to do what we can to help our NHS.”

“Obviously we aren’t equipped with the medical equipment that can be of use to the NHS, but as a school we do have science labs and as such we have plenty of goggles which are of use so we decided to donate them.”

“We will continue to make more visors like this and have offered it out to other care homes in the local area.”

Outwood Academy Newbold is part of the new North Derbyshire Careers Hub, a network of 21 schools and colleges working together to transform careers education for young people across the region.

Led by the D2N2 LEP, with financial support from the Careers & Enterprise Company, the Careers Hub works collaboratively with local schools, universities, training providers, employers, Enterprise Advisers, careers professionals and Shirebrook Academy to deliver the Gatsby Benchmarks and improve careers outcomes for young people.

In addition, the Careers Hub also offers a central fund for employer engagement activities and training for a ‘Careers Leader’ in each school.

Daniel Heffernan, D2N2 Careers Hub Lead, said: “We are delighted that the students are using this time to both increase their employability skills whilst supporting our fantastic NHS.”

Click here to find out more about the North Derbyshire Careers Hub

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Featured, Home

Chesterfield town centre prepares for retail reopening

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement earlier this month regarding plans to restart the economy and ease lockdown restrictions over a planned period, Chesterfield Borough Council is working with retailers and market traders to assist wherever possible with the phased re-opening of shops and stalls in the town centre.

The safety of those who live, work and shop in Chesterfield town centre is the council’s number one priority. Over the next couple of weeks, people visiting the town centre will start to see a number of physical changes in advance of more market stalls opening, potentially from Monday 1 June and more shops from Monday 15 June.

Signage will be visible around the town centre to advise shoppers where to queue outside individual shops, and where restrictions may be enforced, as they are currently at the Market Hall, regarding limiting the number of people who can enter premises at the same time.

There will also be signs in other areas such as Chesterfield Borough Council car parks and green spaces reminding people to follow social distancing guidelines keeping two metres apart from anyone outside of their household, and not to congregate in groups.

Barriers will be available for shops to use to make it clear where people should queue and wait to enter shops and this process will be supported by a number of council appointed ambassadors who will be deployed around the town centre to assist shoppers and maintain safe social distancing.

The council has been working with a number of town centre retailers to establish what assistance they might need in controlling queuing outside their stores, particularly in terms of barriers, signage and floor markings; the intention being to create safe queuing zones and pedestrian flows in these areas.

The public toilets located in the Market Hall will re-open from Monday 1 June, with social distancing measures and extra cleaning processes in place; this may mean increased queues for the toilets.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “Our priority is to ensure that Chesterfield town centre is as safe as possible for everyone. Whilst we are still awaiting further government guidance about the relaxation of lockdown measures, the council is committed to supporting local retailers and market traders to return to the high street.”

“We have conducted a specific review looking at how the council can help our town centre retailers and traders to start to return by introducing positive measures such as signage reminding people to follow social distancing guidance and controlling queuing outside shops, all of which will be in place soon.”

Chesterfield Borough Council is encouraging its shopworkers and residents to cycle or walk into the town centre, wherever possible.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, added: “Please do think about whether you need to drive into the town centre or take public transport. We would encourage you to cycle or walk. This would good for the environment and good for your health and wellbeing.”

The council will be lowering the car parking barriers and re-introducing car parking charges from Monday 1 June.

Residents are reminded to use their Resident’s Permit, which entitles them to park for free in most car parks before 10am and after 3pm Monday to Saturday and all day on Sundays and Bank Holidays. Find out more about this here: https://www.chesterfield.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-travel/parking-car-parks-and-parking-fines/free-parking-for-chesterfield-residents.aspx

Funding generated from town centre car parking charges helps the council to cover the cost of several essential services, including CCTV, street cleaning and public toilets provision.

If you would like to find out more about the location of car parks in Chesterfield or car parking charges visit https://www.chesterfield.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-travel/parking-car-parks-and-parking-fines/car-parks-in-chesterfield.aspx

Chesterfield Town Centre

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Featured, Home, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

BRM Solicitors announce appointment of new Director

Local law firm and Chesterfield Champions, BRM Solicitors, has appointed a new director to their Litigation Department.

Giles Searby, a respected commercial litigation solicitor with over 25 years’ experience, joins BRM from another regional firm. Prior to that he spent the first decade of his career at a Top 10 firm in London before moving to DLA in Sheffield.

On his appointment, Giles said: “I’m delighted to be joining BRM’s growing team, at this challenging time for businesses. Having lived in Chesterfield for the last 9 years and continuing to act for a number of local clients, the opportunity to base my practice here, whilst still also keeping in touch with the Sheffield business community represents the perfect mix for both myself and my clients.”

Adrian Sheehan, Executive Director, commented: We are very excited to boost our firm and our litigation department with a lawyer of Giles’ calibre.

Giles’ expertise in the manufacturing and technology sectors, and experience with international trade issues are a valuable addition to BRM’s Litigation Department.

Click here to find out more about BRM Solicitors

Click here to find out more about the Chesterfield Champions

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home

Peak District & Derbyshire marks English Tourism Week

For English Tourism Week (25-31 May), Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire is highlighting the need to protect the long-term future of tourism – by shining a spotlight on the sector’s value to the local economy.

English Tourism Week is an annual celebration of the tourism industry, dedicated to showcasing the country’s diverse tourism offer. For this year’s event, Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire has joined with local leaders to pledge support for the sector’s recovery.

Tourism is a vital industry in the Peak District and Derbyshire, employing more than 30,000 people and generating more than £2.3 billion a year for the local economy. But the impact of government restrictions and the seasonality of the industry mean that many businesses now require crucial support.

Recent surveys* collated by Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire show that by March, coronavirus had already had ‘a major negative impact’ on over 80% of tourism businesses, with many reporting cancellations as far ahead as October. If lockdown restrictions lasted until the end of September, businesses said they would lose 97% of their income.

Ahead of the potential reopening of the hospitality industry on 4 July, 30% of businesses said they wouldn’t be able to open if restrictions such as social distancing measures remained in place. Over 20% said they may be forced to cease trading entirely – highlighting the need for long-term support to protect the sector’s future.

Throughout English Tourism Week, Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire is encouraging people to pledge their support for local tourism businesses by using the hashtag #ProtectTourism and #EnglishTourismWeek20.

The tourist board is urging its followers on social media to share a ‘Peak District and Derbyshire Wish List’ of businesses they look forward to visiting when restrictions have eased, and to continue experiencing the Peak District and Derbyshire from home via www.visitpeakdistrict.com/inspiration/at-home.

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, said: “English Tourism Week is about celebrating the quality and value of our tourism offer, and during these testing times it has never been more important to support our local businesses and highlight the valuable contribution they make to the local economy.”

She added: “Tourism has been one of the earliest and hardest hit of all economic sectors and we must act now to protect the industry’s future. We’re working closely with our local and national partners to plan for recovery and help businesses bounce back. Part of these plans include the development of common industry standards that will provide a ‘ring of confidence’ for both businesses and visitors, so the sector can open safely when the time is right.”

Leader of Derbyshire County Council Councillor Barry Lewis said: “It’s vital that Derbyshire’s tourism industry has the tools at its disposal to bounce back once restrictions are lifted and people are able to start visiting our wonderful county once more.”

“Derbyshire County Council, together with Marketing Peak District and Derbyshire, has a key role to play in helping the sector re-open for business and we’re committed to supporting the industry to safely welcome back visitors when the time comes.”

Robert Largan, Member of Parliament for High Peak, said: “Tourism is a vital part of our local economy. A huge number of High Peak jobs depend on tourism, both directly and indirectly. It’s really important that we do all we can to protect the industry through this crisis, as tourism will play a key role in our economic recovery. I look forward to welcoming visitors back to the Peak District, to enjoy our beautiful part of the world and to spend money here, when the crisis is over.”

*Results taken from Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire’s Coronavirus Business Impact Survey (17-23 March 2020) and Tourism Recovery Planning Business Survey (27-30 April 2020).

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Featured, Home, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Chesterfield company to provide water management system for Irish Lights vessel

Chesterfield-based company Cathelco, part of the Evac Group, will install a ballast water treatment system (BWMS) on the ILV Granuaile, an aids to navigation vessel operated by the Commissioners of Irish Lights.

The vessel’s primary function is to place and service 150 offshore buoys, which warn mariners of the location of sand banks, reefs and other offshore hazards. The vessel also provides support for the teams tasked with maintaining a further 65 lighthouses and beacons around the coast of Ireland and Northern Ireland. In addition, the ship supports the national response to maritime wreck and new dangers to navigation.

The vessel will be installed with an Evac Evolution system, which attained IMO and U.S. Coast Guard Approval last year, with the capacity to treat ballast water at a rate of up to 250m3/hr. The components will be supplied in modular form enabling them to be distributed to make the best use of available space within the engine room.

Adam Rogers, Evac’s Head of Global Sales for Ballast Water Management Systems, said: “We are delighted to have won the BWMS order for a vessel which has such an important role in maintaining safety at sea and protecting the marine environment”.

The Evac Evolution system has been fitted on vessels including cruise ships, container vessels, research ships, offshore supply vessels and cable laying craft where its small footprint and potential for flexible installation have proved to be important assets.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home

Chesterfield Borough Council’s Careline supports vulnerable residents

Chesterfield Borough Council’s Careline and independent living services’ have continued to support over 4,000 older and vulnerable people during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.

Councillor Chris Ludlow, cabinet member for housing, said: “Careline is a really important service and at this unprecedented time has proved to be an essential lifeline for many members of our community. The team have been working round the clock to ensure everyone receives the support they need.”

Careline allows people to maintain their independence in their own home, by providing services which meet individual needs whilst also delivering essential preventative actions in support of social care, GPs and primary care, and more acute NHS services.

Throughout the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak the Careline service has proved to be even more important than normal as it has helped to reduce pressure on the emergency services at this challenging time, as well as providing reassurance for the most vulnerable and their families.

Between 23 March and 26 April 2020, the council’s Careline monitoring centre received 6,160 non-emergency calls and 487 emergency calls. Of these emergency calls, the team were able to visit and directly assist 131 people who had fallen in their home, whilst 72 of the calls resulted in referrals to the ambulance service for emergency health issues.

Officers of the council’s independent living service have also been contacting more than 100 people each day to check on their wellbeing and to offer help with any applications or referrals for further support at this time.

If you or a family member live in the Chesterfield Borough and could benefit from the Careline service you can register by calling 0300 3230076 or visiting: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/careline.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home

County Council release statement on Derbyshire school reopenings

Councillor Alex Dale, Cabinet Member for Young People at Derbyshire County Council, has made a statement regarding reopening Derbyshire schools following the Coronvirus outbreak.

“We support the Government in its ambition to see schools opened up to more pupils as soon as it is sufficiently safe to do. To do this we’ve been working flat out to support schools in interpreting the guidance and planning to admit the target year groups announced by the Prime Minister on 10 May.”

“This is an incredibly complicated issue to work through. Unfortunately, the guidance so far issued by the Department for Education has not always been entirely consistent or clear on some key aspects and this has created some issues for schools and the council.”

“Due to the challenges that we’re having to work through with schools, it is clear now that many primary schools in Derbyshire will not be able to admit the additional year groups (reception, year 1 and year 6) that the Government had envisaged by 1 June. This is because the latest advice from the Government is that children need to be 2m apart in classrooms, and that it is not safe to rota children through the week and more time is needed to work through these issues.”

“The Department for Education have been absolutely clear with us that the priority remains the children of key workers and those who are vulnerable. In turn we’ve made clear to all schools that from 1 June their first priority should be aiming to increase the number of children from these groups.”

“Then we have advised that they should also continue to plan for how they might accommodate children from the other key year groups (reception, year 1, year 6, year 10 and year 12).”

“Every school in Derbyshire is different and their approaches to offering more places back in classrooms for our children and young people will vary.”

“If schools do admit children on 1 June from the key year groups they will need to make sure they have the room to do this safely.”

“We hope that secondary schools will be able to offer some face to face learning for year 10 and year 12 students, due to the greater flexibility they have in terms of space.”

“We will continue working with schools to identify when they will be able to admit whole year groups in the coming weeks, although for many of our schools this will still be challenging.”

“I want to thank head teachers, school employees and governors who have worked extremely hard over recent weeks as they plan for 1 June. I’d also like to thank parents and carers in advance for bearing with us and their local schools while we continue to work very hard to deliver on our collective ambition to get more children back to school as soon as possible.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home

Chesterfield College to hold virtual events to help people plan for September

Chesterfield College is holding a series of virtual events to help people get the information they need to make the right choice about their future study options. The college is inviting school leavers, and adults who want to retrain or develop their skills, to join any of their virtual events taking place throughout May and June.

A virtual open day takes place on Wednesday 3 June between 4 and 6pm and a new series of ‘Live at Lunchtime’ chats on Instagram are taking place on Mondays and Wednesdays.

The virtual events will demonstrate the range of courses available in September, from beauty to engineering or digital technologies to vehicle refinishing. They will provide an opportunity to explore all the study options available.

The virtual open day will include video interviews with staff from every area of study as well as the different support teams across the college. Advisors with specialist knowledge on academic support, finance, travel and other aspects of college life will be on hand to answer questions via a live chat during the event.

During the Instagram ‘Live at Lunchtime’ chats, you can hear from special guests across the college as they talk about studying particular subjects and what other aspects of college life they can expect.

Julie Richards (right), principal and Chief Executive of Chesterfield College said; “It has never been more important to focus on the future and although we can’t hold our normal open days right now, we hope these virtual events will help people get the information they need to make the best choices to be ready for September.

“I want to reassure everyone in our community that there is a place for you at Chesterfield College. We’re still teaching and helping our students to learn the skills they need for the careers they want. We’re helping to train the next generation of healthcare workers, engineers, scientists and many other professions our economy needs now and in the future. When the new academic year starts we will be here to support all our new and returning students and apprentices to secure a positive start to their studies.”

You can register to take part in the virtual open day here and all the joining information will be sent to you.

To find out more about the series of ‘Live at Lunchtime’ chats taking place, click here.

Click here to find out more about Chesterfield College

Chesterfield College open days

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Celebrate Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield

Custom Solar completes a further installation project at Port of Southampton

Chesterfield’s Custom Solar has successfully and safely completed another solar project working closely with Associated British Ports (ABP) at the Port of Southampton.

Despite the impact of Covid-19, the 120kWp solar system was successfully installed on the Ocean Terminal Coach Canopy within 6 working days, incorporating amended safe systems of work and social distancing measures.

The project is an extension to the existing 1.7mW previously installed by Custom Solar across multiple buildings on the port including the main Ocean Terminal, this means Solar is now providing over 20% of annual electrical demand.

The Port of Southampton is the nation’s second largest and most efficient container port, as well as the UK’s number one for cars and cruise. In 2016, ABP and its customers handled 89 million tonnes of cargo. They support 119,000 jobs and contribute £7.5 billion to the UK economy every year.

Custom Solar operate and maintain all of the systems across the port providing live monitoring via their own bespoke monitoring solution, full reactive maintenance and annual scheduled service visits.

Matthew Brailsford, MD of Custom Solar, said: “Once again we are very proud to be supporting ABP in the quest to source the majority of their power from solar energy, it proves what at integral role solar has in our energy future. This project is all the more amazing as we delivered it during a global pandemic and amended the entire way in which we approach our construction sites. It’s truly been a fantastic effort by the team.”

You can find out more about the project on the Case Studies section of Custom Solar’s website here.

Click here to find out more about Custom Solar

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield