Community News from Derbyshire County Council – 3 November 2023 🔹 Library of things🔹Derbyshire Now magazine🔹Carers' rights information event🔹 Blood pressure checks 🔹 East Midlands devolution🔹Flood recovery grants

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Library lends a hand to green initiative

Library

Our library in Buxton is lending a helping hand to Transition Buxton and therefore supporting Derbyshire’s Journey to Net Zero .

Transition Buxton is a not-for-profit group that runs lots of green and sustainability initiatives in the town. They are now setting up a ‘Library of Things’ which will be hosted in our library. One from another area is pictured here..

There are more than 70 Library of Things across the country and the idea is that you borrow things that you only need occasionally rather than buying them. Items like carpet cleaners, hedge trimmers, drills, tents, pressure washers etc. It's a great way to save money and resources. 

Transition Buxton is currently gathering items and recruiting volunteers with a plan to launch the library before the end of the year. There will be a charge of £5 for the library of things membership, £2.50 for the unwaged. Donations to borrow items will be welcome. 

Residents may want to be borrowers, or perhaps there’s something in their shed that they may want to share with others.


Derbyshire Now magazine is online now

Derbyshire Now magazine cover winter 2023

We’ve lined up some great features in the 16-page magazine for residents, including some of the best places in Derbyshire to visit by bus – perfect if you’re looking for inspiration for an autumn day out.

And there’s money off vouchers for local attractions too, as well as the chance to win one of five pairs of tickets for an open-top bus ride in the Peak District.

Read inspiring stories from across the county, including our cover stars Jim, Carol and Dave. Turn to page 14 to find out how an amazing couple are helping change lives by opening their home to adults who need extra help to lead an ordinary life.

Trusted Trader Martin Maguire

We’re also celebrating the birthday of our Trusted Trader scheme – supporting residents to find trusted local traders and services for 15 years, like Martin Maguire of M&M Bodywork in Alfreton pictured here.

There’s also lots of useful news, advice and information including our improved Family Information Service and Youth Employment Service as well as information about the support available during the continued cost of living rises and help for those leaving hospital.

And don’t forget to get your tickets for the latest Shine-a-Light extravaganza at Elvaston Castle in early December. 

Encourage friends and family to sign up to our weekly enewsletter for a chance to win afternoon tea and bed and breakfast for two at historic Derbyshire hotel Makeney Hall. Turn to page 2 for details.



Save the date - Carers' Rights Day information event

save the date

Do you care for someone or know somebody who is an unpaid carer? Please help us spread the word about this year’s Carers’ Rights Day on Thursday 23 November.

To mark the day, Derbyshire Carers Association is hosting an information event on Thursday 23 November 2023 from 10am to 1pm.

The event will take place at the Post Mill Centre, Market Street, South Normanton, Derbyshire, DE55 2EJ.

Carers will be able to find out more about their rights and speak to legal, financial and employment advisors.

For more information and to book a place, residents can contact Katie Matkin on 07773 173416 or email katie.matkin@derbyshirecarers.co.uk

Derbyshire Carers Association supports over 6,000 adult carers and 350 young carers and delivers a wide range of services on our behalf.

Carers’ Rights Day is a national campaign which aims to make sure carers are aware of their rights, raise awareness of their needs as well as highlighting help and support available.


Free blood pressure check-ups return across Derbyshire

blood pressure

Do you know your blood pressure numbers? One in three adults in the UK have high blood pressure.

The council’s inhouse healthy lifestyles service Live Life Better Derbyshire will be delivering free blood pressure checks across the county over the coming months.

It’s also a great opportunity to find out more about Live Life Better Derbyshire’s free healthy lifestyle services.

Find out more including the full list of check up dates and venues.


East Midlands devolution

devo

The proposed East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) has moved one step closer to reality after key legislation was approved in Westminster.

The Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill has been granted Royal Assent after completing its passage through Parliament, paving the way for the creation of the EMCCA and the region’s very-first Mayoral elections next May.

We will now decide along with Nottinghamshire County Council, Derby City Council and Nottingham City Council on whether to move forward with devolution plans, with decisions expected before the end of the year.

The East Midlands devolution deal, agreed with Government ministers last summer, would see Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Nottingham benefit from £1.14 billion of funding to invest in local projects related to transport, education and skills, housing, the environment and economic development.

Local councils, including Derbyshire County Council, would all continue to exist as part of the regional devolution plans and would still be responsible for most public services in the area with the proposed mayor and combined authority focusing on these wider issues.


Flood recovery grants

flood sign with fire engine stock pic

If your home or business has been flooded, you may be eligible for support from the Government's flood recovery fund.

The Government has announced that money will be made available for residents and businesses in England that have been affected by recent flooding.

At the moment we do not have all of the details, but as soon as we do we’ll work with our district and borough council colleagues to get the arrangements set up as soon as possible.

We realise that the money the Government is making available is urgently needed by those who have been flooded and once we have the details we will work as quickly as possible to provide information about how to apply.


Update to new information finder helps people lead their best life

A new, improved version of Derbyshire County Council’s online information finder is now available to help residents lead the lives they want to live.

The online tool provides free, impartial information and guidance for anyone who might need a bit of extra support to remain living independently at home.

By answering a few questions, anyone over 18 can get tailor-made information, advice and guidance on a range of services, activities and resources they can access themselves to make their lives easier.

And for people who may need extra, practical support to help them remain independent there is now a new self-assessment tool available.

Using the answers provided, people who could benefit will be asked to fill in a self-assessment which will then be reviewed by an adult social care professional to see if they have eligible care needs.

The online information finder can be found at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/informationfinder

Healthwatch volunteers and Derbyshire Carers Association have supported the development of both the online information finder and self-assessment tool, providing feedback on the structure, content, use of language and purpose including having early access to the system to provide feedback.

Anyone who cannot use the internet, does not think the information provided is what they are looking for or would like to be assessed can email contact.centre@derbyshire.gov.uk or call 01629 533190 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.