There are many ways to get your story out there – be that social media, blogging, or via the traditional media – but if you are a small charity, you may not have the money, skills or resources to carry out effective PR and marketing.

Kate Dawson is a charity communications expert based in Chesterfield looking to share her expertise with third sector organisations in Derbyshire and the surrounding areas through a series of free workshops. Broad subject areas will be:

  •  Knowing your audience and creating a compelling case for support

  •  Getting your organisation in the media

  •  Making social media work for you

The workshops will be tailored to meet local need and interested participants are asked to complete a short survey and provide their contact details to receive details of the workshops in due course. Complete the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/wellrea ...

For further information about Kate’s services visit www.wellreadpr.com or follow her on Twitter @katewellreadpr or facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wellreadpr/

Matlock & District Hard of Hearing Club – a very active and long established group with a history of 40 years of helping people with hearing loss – is facing a crisis with the pending retirement of their secretary and treasurer.

They would love to hear from potential new committee members prepared to take on these roles.

Anyone interested in volunteering for the Treasurer role should contact Jill on 01629 584942. Persons interested in becoming the group’s Secretary should contact Sheila on 01629 732715.

Latest Volunteering Opportunities from Gaynor Atkins at Voluntary and Community Services Peaks and Dales.

  •  Volunteer Driver for Derbyshire Dementia Support Service

  •  Befriender for Readycall Macmillan Ashbourne

  •  Volunteer Mentor for  Buddy + ( working with young people aged 10 – 18 years  at risk of offending)

For more information contact Gaynor Atkins on 01335 348602 on Wednesdays.

The Disability Employment Service is funded by Derbyshire County Council. It supports disabled people to find training, work experience, voluntary work and paid employment.

What the service offers:

  •  Help to match you to the job that’s right for you

  •  Help to find work experience and voluntary work

  •  Make sure you find out about job vacancies

  •  Help to sell yourself with application forms and CV

  •  Help you to prepare for interviews

  •  Advise you about support in the workplace, such as equipment or other support you may need

Who does the service work with?

  •  Anyone living in Derbyshire who has a disability.

For more information contact the office on 01629 532441

Tom Winlow, Derbyshire Dales Officer: 07976 445905

Email: disabilityemploymentservice@derbyshire.g ...

Web: www.derbyshire.gov.uk/dep

This course is for advisors and will focus on the practical aspects of providing employment advice, assistance, and casework to employees and workers. No employment law experience is necessary.

To book a place please email fran.cole@derbyshirelawcentre.org.uk or call 01246 550674.

If you would like advice on funding for your sports clubs you could book a half-hour one-to-one advice session with Edwina Archer of Derbyshire Sport.

Sport England has a number of new funds for 2017 including Tackling Inactivity; Funding for Volunteering and the Community Asset Fund which Edwina will be able to explain to you.

Sessions are free to all participants – priority to Derbyshire Dales based groups as Edwina is running sessions in other parts of the county.

To book your slot please contact us on 01629 812154 or email enquiries@ddcvs.org.uk

Derbyshire County Council is working with Derbyshire Economic Partnership to help distribute a £1.7m funding pot from the European Union to support rural businesses in parts of Derbyshire and Staffordshire.

The aim of the funding, known as LEADER funding, is to create more jobs, safeguard existing jobs, attract investment from the private sector to the areas and develop community services. Specific focus will be given to supporting farm productivity, tourism, heritage promotion and boost the woodland economy through forestry improvements.

Businesses and community groups in rural areas of Derbyshire Dales and High Peak have until Friday 31 March 2017 to apply for grants from £2,500 to £35,000 through the county council’s Peak LEADER Rural Grants Scheme.

Grants are available to help fund:

  •  Farm productivity and improvement

  •  Farm diversification

  •  Micro and small business support

  •  Developing rural services

  •  Small scale culture and heritage developments and improvements

  •  Rural tourism – new small tourist attractions

  •  Forestry improvements (woodland management)

To apply, visit www.derbyshireeconomicpartnership.org.uk .... Applications will close on Friday 31 March 2017.

Projects must either create jobs and businesses growth or develop community services to be eligible for a grant. Bids will be considered by the programme’s Local Action Group which is made up of representatives from the Local Authorities, voluntary groups, community groups and businesses within Derbyshire and Staffordshire Moorlands.

For more information about the authority’s Peak LEADER Rural Grants Scheme email LEADER Manager, Amanda Brown on amanda.brown2@derbyshire.gov.uk or call 01629 538475 or 07971314619.

The £1.7m investment is on top of a further £1.37m from the LEADER fund awarded to Bolsover and North East Derbyshire district councils to improve rural areas within their districts.

New businesses in the Derbyshire Dales can take advantage of free workshops in Wirksworth. The events on 27 February are being delivered at Derbyshire Dales District Council’s Wirksworth Leisure Centre by a free-to-use support service.  The 2.00pm – 5.00pm workshop is aimed at brand new businesses and there’s one from 5.30pm – 8.30pm for those looking to grow.

The Sheffield City Region (SCR) Launchpad service  – delivered locally by Growing Rural Enterprise Ltd on behalf of the District Council – helps individuals thinking of starting a business, new businesses registered but not yet trading and businesses trading for up to 24 months who need help with their growth plans.

The sessions on 27 February are business development workshops for would-be entrepreneurs with an idea or those who have been trading for less than two years and want to take stock and plan the next steps. The evening workshop has a “Going for Growth” theme and is aimed at businesses that want to grow and might be ready to employ additional staff.

The Launchpad service is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund with the remaining funding provided by the District Council.

To find out more or to book a place please email info@growingruralenterprise.co.uk or call 07971 666474.

More information is available online at www.growingruralenterprise.co.uk

On the evening of 28th February, the District Council is also hosting a ‘How to find and win funding for your business’ workshop at Wirksworth Memorial Hall, starting at 5.30pm.