Parents and carers from across Derbyshire have helped shape the future of support for children, young people and families through a series of Families First Partnership engagement sessions.

Almost 40 parents and carers shared their experiences and ideas on topics including accessing support, working with professionals, support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and how services can better meet families' needs.

Their feedback highlighted the importance of making support easier to access and understand, improving communication, involving families in decisions and providing help earlier when it is needed.

The Families First Partnership is working to bring services together and make it easier for families to get the right support at the right time. Feedback from the sessions will help shape future improvements.

YES is a one-stop-shop for young people, offering access to training, careers advice and guidance. You can access our service if you're not in education, employment or training.

Post-exam advice events are being held on:

• Monday 24 August 2026 at Swadlincote Adult Education Centre, Rink Drive, from 11am to 4pm
• Tuesday 25 August 2026 at The Quad, Dock Walk, Chesterfield, from 11am to 4pm
• Thursday 27 August 2026 at Ilkeston Library, Market Street, from 11am to 4pm.

Come and join us! It's free and no need to book – just turn up. We'd love to see you.

It may be the school holidays but with September fast approaching it’s time to check if you could receive free school meals for your child.

From the start of the 2026 academic year changes to entitlement mean all children whose families receive Universal Credit will be entitled to a free meal regardless of household income.

All pupils in reception, year 1 and year 2 will continue to get free meals under the universal free school meals policy.

Families are urged to apply and check if they are eligible.

An iconic bear that greeted visitors to our museum and art gallery in Buxton is to make a welcome reappearance after three years in storage.

The Buxton Bear is one of several artefacts recently unpacked and placed in the museum’s temporary new home next to our library on the town’s Kents Bank Road.

He’ll be joined by a variety of other fascinating objects from the museum’s collection – some new as well as old favourites.

You’ll be able to get a sneak peek of progress at the new temporary museum space on 16 September, noon-4pm, as part of a Heritage Open Days event with the official opening date being announced soon. Admission is free!

You can find out more about the museum’s collection – and discover the tale of its famous, well-travelled mermaid – on the museum’s YouTube channel.

The museum and art gallery was originally housed in Peak Buildings on Terrace Road but closed due to structural concerns in 2023, with staff setting up an interim service at Buxton Library on Kents Bank Road following the huge task of moving from their former home.

Have you got an idea that could bring Derbyshire's heritage to new audiences?

Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, grants of £300 to £2,000 are available through Derbyshire Makes for museums, community groups and heritage organisations.

Whether you're planning workshops, community events, training opportunities or creative activities, this funding could help turn your idea into reality.

As grants can’t be given retrospectively, organisations are encouraged to get their applications in in good time. The first deadline for applications is 1 September 2026.

Your old computer still running on Windows 10, with the only option appearing to be buying a new one to update to Windows 11? Think again.

If you bought your computer after 2010, there's probably no need to get rid of it say volunteers at two of Derbyshire’s repair cafés who are offering free advice on options to extend your old PC’s life – potentially helping save the environment as well as your hard-earned cash.

Transition Buxton and Transition Chesterfield's repair cafés can talk you through the possibility of switching to a free supported alternative to Windows.

The next Buxton Repair Café is this Saturday 22 August at Buxton Methodist Church in the Market Place from 9.30am-1pm (last item 12.30pm), then on the fourth Saturday of every month.

Chesterfield Repair Café meets on the third Saturday of every month from 10am-1pm at the Baptist Church in Cross Street. The next one is Saturday 19 September.

As with all repair café services there's no charge, though donations are welcome.

To contact a repair café near you use the 'find out more' link below, and discover what else they can help you mend.