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Report finds Chesterfield is one of the happiest places to live in East Midlands

A report published by Rightmove has found Chesterfield to be the second happiest place to live in our region. The property company compiles a list of happiest places to live across the UK each year, with St. Ives in Cornwall coming out at the top of the list nationally.

In the East Midlands region, Chesterfield sits just behind Loughborough who top the list, followed by Northampton, Derby and Lincoln.

The Rightmove study, now in its ninth year, asks residents to tell the company how they feel about where they live, as well as asking them to rank ten happiness factors.

The ten factors range from how friendly the neighbours are and how good the local services are, to the sense of belonging and the quality of nature and green spaces in the area.

Dom Stevens, Manager at Destination Chesterfield said “With stunning countryside and great outdoor spaces on the doorstep in the nearby Peak District – which proven to benefit mental health, great road and rail connectivity to major cities, superb local amenities and strong and supportive communities, Chesterfield really does have it all when it comes to the ingredients for a happy place to live.”

Rightmove says people living in rural and coastal areas were found to be happier with where they live than respondents living in cities and urban areas, which reflects a nationwide trend of people desiring better access to outdoor spaces.

The study also discovered that people living in rural and coastal locations were more likely to have developed a greater affinity with their local area during the initial lockdown period, with our study suggesting that accessibility to green spaces made people more appreciative of where they live.

Of the people who plan to buy or rent in the next 12 months, over half (56%) claimed they now place greater importance on access to nature and green spaces when deciding on the area and home they want to live in.

Rightmove data property expert Tim Bannister said: “Our latest research shows that despite all the challenges that this year has brought, many people have been able to reconnect with their local area and community which has had a positive effect on how they feel about where they live.

“Overall, I think lockdown has enabled people to rediscover what’s on their doorstep, and spending more time in their local areas has made people value their surroundings and communities so much more. This year’s study shows a greater appreciation for green spaces and nature, and a strong correlation between people living in coastal and rural areas and how happy people are where they live.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , ,

Chesterfield to fall under highest level of local restrictions (Tier 3)

Chesterfield – along with the whole of Derbyshire – will be under the highest level of local restrictions when the national lockdown ends on 2 December.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “We understand the concern and frustration that today’s announcement will cause for many people, particularly local businesses which have already endured so much disruption and hardship this year.

“In particular, we know the county-wide tier three restrictions will hit our hospitality and tourism industry hard in the run-up to the festive period. This is something which I and all other Derbyshire council leaders highlighted in an urgent letter to Government this week, urging them to consider less strict rules for our area.

“But unfortunately, while we have seen some improvements in infection rates, they remain too high.

“We must all continue to play our part and abide by the updated restrictions when the national lockdown ends, to continue to slow the spread of the virus, reduce pressure on the NHS and protect the most vulnerable. In doing so we can lower infection rates, and hopefully move to a lower tier in time.

“Our community’s resilience will continue through these ongoing challenges, and as we prepare for the festive season I know this spirit will keep shining through, even though our celebrations must be different this year.

“As a council we will do all we can to keep essential services running for local people, as we have since the start of the pandemic. However, there will be some ongoing impact on some of our services when national restrictions end on 2 December – we are currently reviewing this and more information will be available on our website and social media channels as soon as possible.”

Find out more details about the current restrictions on the Government website: www.gov.uk/guidance/local-restriction-tiers-what-you-need-to-know#very-high-alert

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , ,

Chesterfield wellbeing centre ready to bounce back from pandemic

Staff at a state-of-the-art wellbeing centre based in Chesterfield say they ‘cannot wait to be back,’ after facing setbacks due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

360 Wellbeing Centre, Chatsworth Road hosts a team of experts on all aspects of mental and physical wellbeing, both medical and complementary. The interior also features décor and artistry created by local artist Sally Anderson.

The centre hosted its grand opening just a month before the first coronavirus lockdown back in March, but had to put a number of big plans on hold as a result of the restrictions.

Managing Director, Samantha Woodcroft explains, it has not been easy: “We had so much planned, including a huge wellbeing event at the Chesterfield Technique Stadium for which we had already sold over 250 tickets. We were one of the first industries to be locked down and the last to reopen.”

However Samantha says she, along with her staff have still been busy behind the scenes further improving the centre and expanding its range of treatments: “It’s extremely frustrating but we’ve used our time wisely, we have developed an exceptional range of wellbeing products and CBD oils, our staff and nurses have been on additional training to add cutting edge treatments to the clinic.”

She added: “The residents of Derbyshire certainly have a fantastic health facility available to them and we’re back even stronger and ready to offer a service.”

Nutritional Director Kelly Hopley added: “Our success stories with clients have been superb and we really cannot wait to be back. Health & Wellbeing is a passion for our team and it is truly worrying the effect Covid is having in so many ways on the local community. We want to be able to support our community to stay well & healthy.”

“The treatment menu is bursting with therapies such as IV vitamin drips, colon hydrotherapy, expert facial treatments and psychotherapy not forgetting a full range of complementary treatments and ear irrigation. Chesterfield Champions can also benefit from 10% off.”

The clinic has recently added the ‘Hear to listen’ campaign giving clients access to a team of experts who specialise in all things mental health from anxiety and depression to PTSD. For more information on the cente, you can contact the team on 01246 938948 or by email: info@360wellbeingcentre.co.uk

360 Wellbeing Centre 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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New international scale tourism destination, PEAK, selects Green Biofuels as construction fuel partner

PEAK, a phased development of an all year leisure, education, wellness, and entertainment destination based on 300 acres of reclaimed parkland at the edge of the Peak District National Park and Chesterfield, has selected the UK’s leading provider of HVO fuel, Green Biofuels, as the sole provider of fuel for the construction of the site in order to fulfil its journey to sustainability from the outset.

The multi-million-pound development will include the UK’s first fully-serviced national park gateway linked to a resort and educational campus. With the principles of sustainable tourism at its core, PEAK will offer domestic and international tourists experiences based around nature, culture, heritage, and activity in the Peak District and its environs. Overnight and short stay accommodation will be available in hotel, hostel and lodge formats.

The first development at PEAK, the Summit is underway and will open 2021. In line with Summit Resort and Development’s sustainability agenda, the construction compound, machines and equipment will be fuelled with Green Biofuels’ low emission high performance paraffinic alternative fuel. All vehicles delivering fuel to the site, and all construction vehicles on site will run on Green D+, which is a drop-in diesel alternative, requiring no changes to engines. Green Biofuels is supporting PEAK’s environmental commitment by supplying the site with a 35,000-litre tank to hold the fuel, in order to reduce emissions resulting from fuel deliveries to a site.

Independent tests at the Millbrook specialist vehicle testing facility have shown that compared to standard diesel emissions, Green D+ has up to an 85% reduction in particulates, and up to a 30% reduction in Nitrogen Oxides, thanks to a special additive not found in any other HVO fuel. This means that emissions contributing to climate change are reduced, as well as pollution affecting the local air quality. The emissions savings at the Summit construction site will be monitored and results announced over the duration of construction.

Gateway developer, Milligan, has appointed Cundall as its key advisor on sustainability and transport, working alongside Birchall Properties the landowner and strategic partners the Peak District National Park Authority, Chesterfield Borough Council and the University of Derby.

Alongside its regional attractions PEAK has planning permission for up to 2000 hotel rooms and 250 chalets. The overnight and short stay accommodation will be delivered in phases and in a range of formats from 5-star hilltop hotel with lodges, to village centre hotels with hostel accommodation. The aim is to deliver the quality and scope of accommodation and hospitality more familiar with an international ski resort.

Magnus Hammick, COO of Green Biofuels, said: “Green Biofuels is hugely proud to be on the journey toward sustainability with PEAK right from the start. As one of the UK’s largest privately funded construction projects, this partnership is especially important because it proves how easy it is for large-scale sites to instantly cut their emissions and protect local air quality with small and strategic changes. Ensuring low pollution is especially important at a site like PEAK because of its proximity to the National Park, so we have introduced a super-tank of 35,000 litres to supply the site, thereby reducing emissions from multiple fuel deliveries.

“This is a major commitment to clean air from the private sector, and I sincerely hope to see the Government making green construction practices a rule, so that our other national flagship projects are also built as sustainably as possible.”

The green ambitions of the project have attracted world renowned adventurer and polar pioneer, Robert Swan OBE. Through his ambassadorship of the Summit, Robert seeks to empower and enable people from all walks of life to participate in sustainability through their leisure activities and adventures.

Robert Swan OBE, said: “After everything I have seen and experienced, I have to say I am truly impressed and excited by what Green Biofuels are doing and what they will do for the green footprint of the PEAK construction.

“Now that the journey to sustainability at PEAK has begun, it is essential to take meaningful and strategic steps to ensure every choice is considered and weighed up against its environmental impact. It is for this reason that I am very encouraged to see PEAK select Green Biofuels as its construction fuel partner.”

Mark Hutchings, COO of Summit Resorts & Developments, said: “We as a company and indeed as individuals are passionate about our environment and the world in which we live. We want our legacy to be not only to provide something truly special for the local community and visitors to the area, but to deliver that in a way we can truly say is the most environmentally friendly way we possibly could. We believe that using Green D+ in every aspect of our operation from fuelling the plant and machinery on site to providing the power for our site cabins to run is a huge step towards achieving this.

“We are proud to be part of one of the largest developments in the U.K. at the moment that is adopting such a policy, and we believe that by doing this we will hopefully set a precedent for others to follow.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , ,

Pupils get creative to design a new logo for ambitious town project

Pupils at Springwell Community College were challenged to create a new logo to capture the spirit of a major project which aims to regenerate their town.

Almost 70 young people submitted their designs to the Staveley Town Deal logo competition, which was launched in September for year seven pupils at the school.

Alex Atkinson was declared the overall winner for his design which incorporated some of Staveley’s most well-known landmarks.

The winning entry was picked by a judging panel which included the Chair of the Staveley Town Board, Ivan Fomin, and Staveley-based design company, Q2 Creative.

Ivan Fomin said: “The winning logo portrayed hope for Staveley with a bright sun, and blended the canal and waterways whilst retaining the history with the winding wheel.”

Alex then had the opportunity to work with Q2 Creative to turn his hand drawn design into a format that would be suitable for use on the official website and on banners and hoardings in and around Staveley.

Lynne Dawson from Q2 Creative said: “We were delighted to be able to help out with the selection and development of the Staveley Town Deal logo. The students’ work was of a really high standard, with some very thoughtful and well-conceived ideas – it was very hard to choose a winner! It was great to work with Alex in developing his idea and explaining the design process and elements that go to make a successful logo. We wish the Staveley Town Deal project every success.”

The Staveley Town Deal Board has been established to oversee the development and implementation of a long-term Town Investment Plan for the Staveley area.

It is made up of elected members and senior officers from Chesterfield Borough Council, Staveley Town Council and Derbyshire County Council, both local members of parliament, representatives from local charitable organisations, Derbyshire Police, education leaders and representatives of the local business community.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, added: “The Staveley Town Deal will create real improvements that will benefit local people for many years to come. It’s vital that the Town Deal engages young people because it is about ensuring that Staveley is a thriving town with great opportunities where young people can build their future.

“Well done to Alex for his excellent design, and thanks to all the young people who took part.”

As well the opportunity to work with a professional design company and learn how the process works, Alex won a £50 Shopping voucher awarded by Chesterfield Borough Council.

The five runners up were also given prizes of two tickets for a weeks’ membership to the Healthy Living Centre in Staveley or Queen’s Park Sports Centre, to be used in line with government restrictions.

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Regeneration plans move forward as Chesterfield Borough Council secures key site

A key town centre site has been secured by Chesterfield Borough Council – a major step forward for ambitious regeneration plans to create a new gateway for the town.

The council has taken a part freehold, part lease hold interest in the former Chesterfield Hotel site today (Monday, 16 November) and will now work with contractors to clear out and demolish the derelict building, which has stood empty since it shut its doors in 2015.

The site is highlighted as a key development opportunity in the emerging HS2 Station Masterplan which aims to harness the opportunities presented by HS2 and revitalise the area around Chesterfield Train Station.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “Chesterfield Hotel was a significant building and a venue which has served the town well over the years.

“Sadly, the costs to remodel and refurbish the building to bring it back into productive use are too high, and it is deemed an unviable option as compared with redevelopment of the site.

“The building has fallen into disrepair and is unfortunately now regarded as a safety risk and an eyesore on this key route from the train station. We must act to bring this area back to life, as part of our wider plans to revitalise this important gateway to our town.”

Making sure the site is safe and secure is the council’s immediate priority – including work to remove the remaining boundary wall at the side of the hotel on Malkin Street amidst safety concerns about the structure.

Work will start immediately to clear and strip out the inside of the building before full demolition, which is expected to start in spring next year.

It is proposed that a temporary surface car park will be created in its place while plans for the future use of the site are developed as part of the emerging HS2 Station Masterplan.

Cllr Gilby added: “This is a major step forward for our long-term plan to harness the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity presented to us by HS2. To make the most of it we must invest in the delivery of new housing as well as business and commercial development around Chesterfield station.

“Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, Chesterfield continues to move forward. Town centre regeneration is a key element of the council’s Economic Recovery Plan, which will put Chesterfield in the strongest position to bounce back from the far-reaching impacts of Covid-19.”

The council is currently finalising the HS2 Station Masterplan which will be subject to public consultation in the first part of next year.

The land purchase has been funded through the HS2 Strategic Sites project which was awarded £2.4m of funding from the Local Enterprise Partnership for Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire (D2N2 LEP) earlier in the year – the acquisition of the former Chesterfield Hotel site is just one of a range of initiatives that the council is taking forward with the benefit of the funding to develop the area and to maximise the economic benefits that will be brought to the town by HS2.

HS2 Chesterfield Station

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , ,

Chesterfield puts the magic back into Christmas

Destination Chesterfield has launched the Christmas in Chesterfield campaign with some brand-new Christmas experiences, in partnership with Chesterfield Borough Council.

It includes the magical story of the Chesterfield Elves and how they saved Christmas. The story is told through a series of Christmas experiences around Chesterfield Town Centre.

The Chesterfield Elves wanted to put the fun back into Christmas after a difficult year. The elves travelled to the North Pole over the summer and brought back some magic technology, which will bring Santa to Chesterfield in a unique and Covid-safe way, as well as a few other Christmas treats for everyone to enjoy.

The main experience is The Amazing Magical Chesterfield Santa House

The Santa House is where the elves have set up the magic technology known as the ‘Santa Zoomer’ – a video link to chat with Santa.

The Amazing Magical Chesterfield Santa House in Chesterfield Town Centre will open its doors on Saturday 5 December. As well as the chat with Santa via the video link to the North Pole, visitors will pose for a special Augmented Reality experience in which Santa will magically appear. A video of the Augmented Reality experience will be sent direct to the mobile phone of visitors at the end of the experience.

Also launching this December is The Spot the Chesterfield Elf Game (Elf Trail). This is a fun trail around Chesterfield Town Centre.

The Chesterfield Elves are letting everyone know where they live by giving a few clues to their locations. When an Elf is found, residents can scan the ‘QR Elf Code’ and gain access to a short story about the elf, as well as gift guides to Chesterfield’s fantastic range of independent shops, plus some special offers.
The full story of The Chesterfield Elves save Christmas, can be downloaded and is the perfect bedtime story for families.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Cabinet Member for Town Centres and Visitor Economy at Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “While this year, there won’t be the usual large-scale events in Chesterfield Town Centre, we have created these very special and unique experiences to make Christmas in Chesterfield fun and magical as it always is.

“It has been a tough year for many of us and the Santa House and Spot the Chesterfield Elf Game, will bring plenty of fun and show that Chesterfield can still celebrate Christmas.

“Public safety remains our priority and the Santa House experience has been designed to be Covid-safe. But can I ask everyone to play their part by wearing a face covering, to keep social distancing and follow the latest guidance, as by doing these few things, we will all have an enjoyable and healthy Christmas.”

Residents and visitors to Chesterfield will also be welcomed and wowed by our improved Christmas lighting, across the town centre, including redressed tree lights and some new light features that have a ‘snow fall’ effect.

Councillor Sarvent added: “The experiences won’t be found anywhere else; the improved Christmas lights will delight young and old; and the great shopping and hospitality, really will make Chesterfield a fantastic place to be this Christmas.”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said “In these challenging times it has never been more important to support each other. I am delighted that Destination Chesterfield and Chesterfield Borough Council have continued this year to work collaboratively on the Christmas in Chesterfield Campaign. Combining our efforts will reinforce the Support Local message. Making the decision to choose an independent retailer for your gifts and food both now and beyond the pandemic will make a huge difference to our high street.”

Visits to the Amazing Magical Chesterfield Santa House must be pre-booked with bookings opening on 16 November 2020 from www.chesterfield.gov.uk/christmas or www.chesterfield.co.uk/christmas

The Santa House will open on Saturday 5 December and run each Saturday and Sunday until 20 December. There is no charge to visit but spaces are limited. Extra dates may be announced.

The Christmas lights will sparkle from mid-November and The Spot the Chesterfield Elf Game launches on 7 December.

Full details on everything happening this Christmas, including gift guides and shopping offers for our many unique and independent shops can be found at chesterfield.co.uk/Christmas with further details on council services at Christmas at chesterfield.gov.uk/Christmas

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Christmas, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , ,

Website helps shops and food and drink businesses continue to do business during Lockdown 2

Destination Chesterfield has sprung into action to support local retailers and food and drink business which have been forced to close their doors in the face of the second lockdown.

Within hours of the second lockdown being announced, Destination Chesterfield created a dedicated page on its website packed with details of nearly 100 local non-food retailers, and food and drink businesses that are continuing to operate by adapting their services to meet the needs of the community.

The initiative was originally launched during the first lockdown and proved a huge success. So much so that Destination Chesterfield wants to add even more businesses to the free directory!

Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager commented: “The webpage is very simple but highly effective and had a large volume of visitors during the first lockdown. As soon as we heard about the second lockdown, we pulled out all the stops to get it back up and running.

“The mission for Destination Chesterfield has always been to encourage as many people as possible to support the town. Our website, during the pandemic and the uncertainty that comes with it, is playing a key role in helping us continue to remind people to support the town and its businesses.

“Every trader plays an important part in the local economy and we all need to work together to can ensure their survival beyond these extremely challenging times.”

Councillor Kate Sarvent, cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy at Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “In this second national lockdown, it is important that we all support local businesses in any way we can. It has never been easier to shop local from the comfort of your own home because so many local businesses are being innovative in their approach whether it be offering delivery services, click and collect or simply shopping online.

“As always, we are working closely with Destination Chesterfield to support local businesses and I hope lots of people will use this website to find out how they can also help support our local businesses too.”

Details of retailers and food and drink businesses trading during Lockdown 2 can be found at www.chesterfield.co.uk/visiting/shopping/shopping-during-lockdown

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , ,

5 ideas to celebrate World Kindness Day

World Kindness Day is celebrated on 13th November and this year we can probably all agree that compassion for others is needed more than ever.

But acts of kindness don’t need to involve grand gestures.  Showing someone that you care could be as simple as a smile or remembering to say thank you.

From donating your time to others, to making time to look after yourself, Destination Chesterfield shares stories from local businesses to inspire kindness today and every day.

 

1. Donate your time and knowledge

If money is tight, but you still want to give back to your community, why not share your time and skills with others.

NLT Training is running a free programme to support job hunters, offering practical help and support including work experience.

ActionCOACH Chesterfield is providing free coaching webinars on marketing, mindset and finance to help businesses and charities navigate through challenging times.  And Managing Director and Certified Business Coach, Fiaz Sadiq has set aside 5 complimentary hours per week to coach 5 businesses or charities throughout lockdown.

SEO CoPilot has volunteered to build a website for Chesterfield homeless charity, Pathways, as well as helping to expand the charity’s online presence.  In the future, the team would like to support an animal shelter or similar organisation, and everyone is keen to do their bit to help the local community.

 

 

2. Support local charities

You feel good when you help others and it was fantastic to see so many people using City Taxi’s new food delivery app over the summer, raising more than £7,000 for Ashgate Hospicecare and Chesterfield Royal Hospital.  For World Kindness Day, City Taxis is planning to surprise the staff at Ashgate Hospicecare with a complimentary afternoon tea delivery, working with a local cafe.  And the company will also be inviting people to nominate a loved one to win a home delivery through its competition, running across its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels.

Over the festive period there are several initiatives you can get involved with to make Christmas magical for underprivileged local children.  Greatest Hits Radio North Derbyshire and Chesterfield FC Community Trust are just two organisations that have made it their mission to ensure every child in the area has a present to open on Christmas day.

Find more local charities to support here.  And if you’d like to track all of your fundraising and volunteering, you can do that for free with the Chesterfield-based Investors in Community platform.

 

 

3. Be there for others

Isolation and lockdown can be very lonely times and so it’s important to make time to check in with your friends, family and colleagues and find ways to come together wherever possible – whether that is in person or virtually.

Dronfield Heritage Trust has provided online activities to support wellbeing, as well as pulling out all the stops to squeeze in a wedding for a very grateful couple prior to the current lockdown period.

The University of Derby has been inviting businesses to sign up to its employee mental health support scheme and nearly 2000 employers took part in the first phase of the project, helping people to stay in or return to work.

 

 

 

4. Be creative

You could combine your kind spirit with your creativity like the team at Geeks Headquarters, which has volunteered its 3D printer to produce over 450 mask straps for local medical facilities during the Coronavirus pandemic.

And a variety of commemorative window and wall displays were created ahead of Remembrance Day by service users and support teams of Chesterfield-based specialist care provider, Heathcotes.  A great way to mark the day in place of traditional services that were not possible due to the lockdown period.

 

 

5. Be kind to yourself

Possibly the most important variety of kindness is self-care.

You could book in something to look forward to post lockdown – from a make up tutorial at ProMUA or reflexology and reiki at 360 Wellbeing to a coaching sessions at Stanedge Golf Club.

There are plenty of restaurants offering dining at home.  And it’s definitely okay to take a peek at our gift ideas from local businesses; you deserve an early Christmas treat.

 

 

Thank you to the businesses that have supported this blog post.  If you are interested in getting involved and helping to raise the profile of Chesterfield and Derbyshire, please email tara.underhill@chesterfield.co.uk.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Destination Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Funding for pilot ‘mental health friendly space’ project in Chesterfield

Derbyshire County Council is providing up to £45,000 of funding for the delivery of a 2-year project aiming to make Chesterfield a more mental health friendly place.

Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Communities, Councillor Carol Hart said: “For many people who suffer with anxiety, stress or depression a trip outside the home can be a difficult experience.

“COVID-19 has exacerbated existing symptoms for many people and has also increased the number of people feeling anxious about trips out.

“In providing some security and assurance, safe places and friendly faces may help people to overcome some of their anxieties.”

The pilot project, delivered by Fuzzy Ducklings, will link with the existing Safe Places scheme run by the council’s public health department.

This will enable it to extend the number of safe spaces into private businesses and retailers, which will increase the number of people it reaches.

It is proposed that a pilot scheme starts in Chesterfield where work has already taken place.

Lee Waterhouse, founder of Fuzzy Ducklings has his own experiences of mental health issues and this spurred him onto to help others.

He said: “I began to form the idea of making Chesterfield a mental health friendly place. I decided to create a mobile app where we bring together all the mental health services into one easy to find application.

“I also wanted to offer mental health awareness training to every business in the town centre.

“My passion for mental health awareness, and personal experience with mental health issues, puts Fuzzy Ducklings in the perfect position of providing a service that is of value to people throughout Chesterfield and Derbyshire.”

In order for Chesterfield to become a “mental health friendly” place a model has been developed that covers the following areas:

  • Raising mental health awareness, addressing stigma, and promoting inclusivity
  • Developing a digital resource that will support people by highlighting the location of safe spaces they can access if they feel unwell
  • Engaging local business to play a role in improving the community’s mental health and wellbeing, for example, training staff on mental health awareness

Chesterfield Mental Health Network will oversee the initial scheme in Chesterfield. This is a multi-agency partnership with representatives from the community and voluntary sector, health and social care and the business sector. The pilot scheme will be evaluated and if successful, will be rolled out across Derbyshire.

First Aid for Mental Health course chesterfield

 

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Chesterfield’s Crooked Spire Church receives lifeline grant from Government’s £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund

Chesterfield Parish Church is one of 445 heritage organisations across the country set to receive a lifesaving financial boost from the government thanks to the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help them through the coronavirus pandemic.

445 organisations will share £103 million, including Chesterfield Parish Church, to help restart vital reconstruction work and maintenance on cherished heritage sites, keeping venues open and supporting those working in the sector.

The Crooked Spire will receive £281,548, which amounts to 80% of the cost of replacing failing roofs on the Chancel and the side aisles.

This vital funding is from the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage and the Heritage Stimulus Fund – funded by Government and administered at arms length by Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Both funds are part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund which is designed to secure the future of Britain’s museums, galleries, theatres, independent cinemas, heritage sites and music venues with emergency grants and loans.

433 organisations will receive a share of £67 million from the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage to help with costs for operating, reopening and recovery. This includes famous heritage sites across the country, from Wentworth Woodhouse in Yorkshire to Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, Blyth Tall Ship to the Severn Valley Railway, the International Bomber Command Centre in Lincolnshire to the Piecehall in Halifax. The funds will save sites that are a source of pride for communities across the country.

12 organisations, including English Heritage, Landmark Trust, Historic Royal Palaces and the Canal and River Trust, will receive £34 million from the Heritage Stimulus Fund to restart construction and maintenance on cherished heritage sites to preserve visitor attractions and protect livelihoods for some of the most vulnerable heritage specialists and contractors in the sector.

The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) has also been awarded a grant from the Culture Recovery Fund through Historic England. The AHF will use the funding to support charities and social enterprises occupying historic buildings to develop new business plans and strategies for organisations affected by the pandemic.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said:

“As a nation it is essential that we preserve our heritage and celebrate and learn from our past. This massive support package will protect our shared heritage for future generations, save jobs and help us prepare for a cultural bounceback post covid.”

Lucy Worsley, Chief Curator, Historic Royal Palaces, said: “There’s no truer way to experience the past than to walk in the footsteps of those who have lived it – that’s why preserving our built heritage is so important. “At Historic Royal Palaces, we care for six nationally significant buildings, opening them to the public and preserving them for future generations. Sadly, the pandemic meant that we had to stop some of our critical conservation work. The grant we have received from the Culture Recovery Fund will enable to this work to resume – so we can give some of Britain’s most historic buildings the care and attention they deserve, while supporting the specialist craftspeople who are vital for the future of our national heritage. We are enormously grateful to the Government for this support.”

The Vicar, Patrick Coleman, said:

“The Crooked Spire is consistently among the ten greatest visitor attractions in the East Midlands, and brings in tens of thousands of visitors to Chesterfield in a normal year. As the premier tourist venue in Chesterfield, it is a significant national treasure, keeping at its heart the purposes of worship of God and telling the Good News of Christ, which are always its primary purpose, and – as visitors so often tell us – this makes the place so much more than a museum.

“The team at the Parish Church has worked tirelessly to make the building accessible and COVID-secure for all who visit for any reason, and this grant will enable us to ensure a safe and dry welcome, as well as making up for lost visitor income, and enabling us to continue our programme of investment in improving facilities within the building.”

Duncan Wilson, Historic England’s Chief Executive said:

“It is heartening to see grants, both large and small, from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund helping heritage sites and organisations across the country which have been hit hard by the effects of Covid-19. These grants range from giving skilled craft workers the chance to keep their trades alive to helping heritage organisations pay the bills, and to kick-starting repair works at our best-loved historic sites. The funding is an essential lifeline for our heritage and the people who work tirelessly to conserve it for us all, so that we can hand it on to future generations.”

Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of the National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “It is absolutely right that investing in heritage should be a priority during this crisis and this support by Government is crucial. Heritage creates jobs and economic prosperity, is a major driver for tourism and makes our towns, cities, and rural areas better places to live. All of this is so important for our wellbeing and will be particularly vital when we start to emerge from this incredibly difficult time. “Our heritage is still facing a perilous future – we are not out of the woods yet. But this hugely welcome funding from Government, and the money we continue to invest from the National Lottery, has undoubtedly stopped heritage and the organisations that care for it being permanently lost.”

Kate Mavor, Chief Executive of English Heritage, said:

“This support for our nation’s heritage is fantastic news. Over the last few months, our teams have been working hard to welcome visitors back safely to the great castles, stone circles, abbeys and historic houses in our care. This funding will help us invest to safeguard the historic fabric of these much-loved places, which everyone can learn from and enjoy.”

Crooked Spire Lunchtime concerts

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