Are you looking to recruit a member of staff? Are you unsure of how best to go about it? Perhaps you are short on time? Derbyshire Dales CVS can help you manage your recruitment process, provide you with advice on HR compliance issues, salary levels and training requirements. In practical terms we can provide the following menu of services:

  •  Preparing job advertisements

  •  Placing job advertisements in local media

  •  Preparing recruitment materials

  •  Assistance with the development of job descriptions and person specifications

  •  Copying recruitment paperwork

  •  Sending out application packs

  •  Arranging short-listing

  •  Arranging interviews including venue and reception services

  •  Contacting successful and unsuccessful applicants

  •  Taking up references

  •  Safe storage of recruitment paperwork

All of the above services can be purchased separately or as a complete package. We will have an initial scoping meeting with you to identify what you need and ensure the process meets your requirements as an organisation. Our competitive charges are based on our own experience of the local voluntary sector. Please give Neil Moulden a call to find out more on 01629 812154 or send an email.

DDCVS development workers Jonathan Simcock and Sarah Paisley are hosting a Voluntary and Community Group Networking coffee morning. Mizbah Ramzan from Foundation Derbyshire will  be attending the morning to talk about the work of the Foundation and to give advice on available grants. Jonathan and Sarah will be on hand, not only to provide refreshments but also to give advice on local grant funds including the Better Derbyshire Dales Fund. All welcome.

We would like local community groups to book a stall to display information and be available to talk about their group or organisation. You never know – you might meet a potential new volunteer! If you would like to attend please call 01629 812154 and speak to Jonathan or send an email.

An opportunity to hear about the work of the CVS over the past year and find out what the organisation has planned for the coming months.

All are welcome, particularly our members and stakeholders of DDCVS. If possible please let us know if you are planning to come so that we can cater sufficiently. Click here to send and email.

As you may be aware there is an important consultation taking place at the moment called Better Care Closer to Home. In the Derbyshire Dales area the proposals focus on the future of in-patient bedded care at the Whitworth Hosptial in Darley Dale and the future of care (in-patient bedded care and services such as physiotherapy and podiatry) at Newholme Hospital in Bakewell.

The proposals respond to calls for better joined-up community-based care in or near to home. Eleven public meetings about the consultation have been organised and everyone is encouraged to have their say.

For further information about the consultation go to the JoinedUpCare website – this is where you can also complete an online questionnaire. http://www.joinedupcare.org.uk

The Matlock Hospitals League of Friends has organised a march to express its concerns over the proposed changes to care at the Whitworth Hospital. Gather at Matlock Park Head at 10.00am and depart Twiggs/McDonalds 10.30am.

For more information go to http://www.mhlof.co.uk/

The government is seeking expressions of interest for an ambitious estates regeneration programme with 100 estates from around the country. £140m in loan funding has been set aside for partnerships and joint venture arrangements. The Department for Communities and Local Government have made available resources to help develop ideas. An expression of interest to be part of the programme has been submitted by Derbyshire Dales District Council.

An initial stakeholder meeting on the Hurst Farm estate has been arranged. It is very much early days, but this is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference to Hurst Farm, and improve the quality of life of its residents. Derbyshire Dales District Council has worked with Friends of Hurst Farm and Derbyshire Dales CVS to organise this event. Please let us know if you’re attending as soon as possible, call 01629 812154 and speak to Neil Moulden or send an email. Light refreshments will be available from 5.45 pm.

For more information about Estate Regeneration, go to https://www.gov.uk/government/publicatio ...

In February this year Big Theatre, a not-for-profit organisation based in Bonsall, was awarded a grant from the Better Derbyshire Dales Fund to contribute towards two theatre productions, one involving young people aged 10-14 and the other with ages 14-19 years. Big Theatre has been running workshops and holiday theatre projects since 2009, working with young people, developing their drama skills and building strong and cohesive companies ready to tackle intensive performance experiences. The award from the Better Derbyshire Dales Fund contributed to both our spring and summer productions this year, providing much-needed funding which allowed the projects to flourish. Our Easter production, “As Meat Loves Salt: The Tragic History of King Lir and his Daughters”, was based on the original French folk tale that inspired Shakespeare’s King Lear. Rehearsals took place over four Sundays and then a full week before a sold out performance on 2nd April. Our summer production, “Emily” was a revenge tragedy set in a circus at the outbreak of the Second World War. The play ran for two nights in August at Bonsall School.

The Better Derbyshire Dales Fund is a grant-scheme which supports communities by offering grants towards events; play areas and village halls. You can also apply for a grant to support any activity or running cost associated with a community group that addresses health issues.

Applications to the Better Derbyshire Dales Fund are assessed quarterly with the next grants panel planned for mid-November 2016. We would like applications submitted by Friday 4th November 2016. If you have any question about the Better Derbyshire Dales Fund please contact Jonathan Simcock or Sarah Paisley at DDCVS on 01629 812154. Or you can download a form and guidance from our website.

Table Tennis England has launched the School Table Packages and Activity Grant Scheme for the 2016/17 season, making it even easier for schools to introduce or expand their table tennis provision. The School Table Packages scheme allows schools to apply for grants of £300 to help meet the cost of their indoor and outdoor table tennis packages, which are offered at a subsidised rate.

For those schools which want to set up their own table tennis club, or build links with a club in their community, Activity Grants of up to £400 are also available. Possible uses of the grant include coaching fees and teacher training. To apply for the School Table and Activity Grant schemes, schools will need to complete and submit an application form. Please note that the Table Grant Scheme is currently open to Primary Schools and Special Schools only.