SIGNPOST PROJECT
The CVS hosts and manages the Signpost project which supports families who have a child under the age of 18 in the Derbyshire Dales, the High Peak and Chesterfield.
Beth Lawrence, Carolyn Walker, Trish King and Jenny Smith work directly with families, helping them sort out their problems. Sometimes this involves a parent phoning up to ask for a phone number of a local counseling service or scout group. At other times this is more intense with a family seeking support with benefits or looking for help in times of great stress.
Beth has been working on the Signpost project since its launch in January 2004. Carolyn came into post in April 2008. Trish joined us in June 2008 although she had been previously employed by NCH to deliver the same work. Jenny has recently joined the team this year and has lots of experience having worked on the same project in Amber Valley.
The Signposting and Support service has been delivered in Derbyshire Dales and High Peak by DDCVS since 2004. This service had formerly been funding through grant aid, but in 2007 Derbyshire County Council put the service out to tender. Derbyshire Dales CVS won the contract to deliver these services, and now works in partnership with South Derbyshire CVS, Amber Valley CVS and North East Derbyshire CAB to deliver these services across the county.
An evaluation of the project was completed in 2006. It showed that 136 families received support from Signpost between April 2004 and September 2006, and 60% of these families were referred by social services. A survey of past clients revealed a high level of satisfaction with the service; 77% of parents questioned rated the service as very good.
The evaluation reviews the targets of the Signpost service, the work completed and the future plans of the service, and the views of families and referrers are included. To receive a copy of the evaluation or to refer a family please email signpost@ddcvs.org.uk. Or telephone 01629 810900.
