The new South Derbyshire CVS (SDCVS) Winter Giving Campaign film features on the South Derbyshire District Council Holly Jolly Advent Calendar.

The short film explains the help and support being provided by the staff and volunteers of SDCVS over Christmas, winter and beyond and how local people can make a big difference through a small donation.

You can view the video on the South Derbyshire District Council website.

What is a Quality Conversation?

A Quality Conversation requires effective listening skills, asking appropriate questions in an open manner and following up the responses.

How will the Quality Conversations in action help you?

This session will introduce, model and demonstrate a key Quality Conversation, skill at the end of the session you will take away a useful technique to apply to your next conversation.

What’s the training like?

The interactive online training lasts just one hour. It will be a quality conversation. Groups are small with just nine people per session.

It’s straightforward to join; you just need access to a computer with a web-cam and microphone in a quiet room with internet access. Feedback about the virtual approach has been really positive with staff saying it was a great way of learning in an intimate setting.

This interactive learning session is free and available to all staff across Derbyshire working in acute care, primary care, community services, social care and voluntary services.

Dates for the new year

• 18 January from 11:30am to 12:30pm
• 26 January from 11:30am to 12:20pm
• 8 February from 2pm to 3pm
• 26 February from 11:30am to 12:30pm

Places are limited so don’t miss out. Reserve your place by email: alison.merriman@nhs.net

Please see attached a letter posted to all family carers who support people with a learning disability and / or who are autistic.

This letter will be issued from 9 December and acknowledges the impact the global pandemic may have had on carers and the efforts we have made so far, to re-open our services in line with current government guidance and existing Health and Safety / Public Health advice. The letter further explains the work being completed by the practitioners in the Hub.  

We are keen to hear carer’s views which is why carers are asked to contact telladultcare@derbyshire.gov.uk if they wish to be part of the carer planning group and all interest from carers will be handled by our Stakeholder and Engagement Team, who will lead on this group.

Some carers may respond directly to workers or teams when they receive this letter, seeking further information. If they wish to give their views, please direct them to 01629 531307 as detailed in the letter. However we ask that you continue to support individual conversations with carers, if contingency plans are required.

We recognise the letter will not respond to all the issues carers have been raising, but we are keen to continue to work with them going forward. As you can see we are inviting carers to assist us to shape future communication and co-design future developments.

For any specific queries about this letter or the future planning of carer support, please contact Jude Boyle jude.boyle@derbyshire.gov.uk Commissioning Manager/ Carer’s lead.

Carers may benefit from the general support offered by  Derbyshire Carers Association  and there is also a range of general information and advice on the Carers in Derbyshire website, Facebook and Twitter.  

If you have any case specific enquiries relating to carers, please contact our ASCH Carer Liaison Worker angela.donnachie@derbyshire.gov.uk who will assist.

There will be further communication directly to carers over the next few months, outlining developments.