Update from the Derbyshire County Council Health Protection team

‘Are you heat aware’ checklist for organisations.

The Health Protection team are more than happy to answer questions or to talk to organisations who would like some help with this please just contact them on ASCH.Health.Protection@derbyshire.gov.uk

Sign up to the Heat health alerts: Weather-Health Alerting system registration form

See also the link below from the Met Office – Tips for Keeping Cool

Whatever your fundraising target is, the team at easyfundraising can help you get there.

This month, they are offering 250 exclusive fundraising packs to organisations in our area.
To get your complimentary pack, register for free funding with easyfundraising (it’s free) and when prompted, schedule a call with a member of the easyfundraising team who will send you your pack and explain how easyfundraising can help your organisation with funding. easyfundraising is a free, easy, and accessible way for your network of volunteers, staff and trustees to raise funds for you. They simply shop online with their favourite retailers, including ebay, Booking.com, Tesco, Trainline, Argos, M&S, and 8,000 others via the easyfundraising website or app and the retailer they shop with sends your organisation monetary donations.  Find out more www.easyfundraising.org.uk/derbyshire-dales

Positive Experiences for All
Online session 28th July 2026

This workshop focuses on enhancing participant experiences by exploring what makes an activity truly engaging and fulfilling.

Learners will review their current offerings, reflect on how well they meet the needs of their club or organisation, and identify actionable steps to create a more inclusive and enjoyable environment.

Through discussion and practical exercises, learners will consider ways to measure engagement, amplify voices within their organisation, and design strategies to foster meaningful and positive experiences for all.https://ukcoaching-buddle.sabacloud.com/Saba/Web_spf/EU5P1PRD049/guestapp/ledetail/cours000000000005885

Free Pro Bono Support for Charities from Cranfield Trust 

Cranfield Trust offers charities free management consultancy, mentoring, specialist telephone advice, training webinars and ready-to-use resources covering strategy, finance, HR and performance. Volunteer business experts help small and medium charities tackle challenges and build capacity across the UK.  Their services are open to registered charities and CICs that have published accounts. Use their quick online eligibility checker to get started, however, your primary purpose must be addressing
the welfare needs of people, including poverty, disability or social exclusion.

Pro bono services and free resources for charities | Cranfield Trust

—

Derbyshire Adult Community Education Service is offering a free, accredited Volunteer Passport course that can be completed online or at venues across Derbyshire.
The Volunteer Passport is a free, 10 hour accredited course delivered by Derbyshire Adult Community Education Service (DACES). Topics include:
o    Equality, diversity, and inclusion
o    Keeping yourself and others safe
o    Responding to incidents
o    Teamwork and customer care

Participants gain a National Open College Network accredited certificate. The course is open to anyone, no prior qualifications needed and is ideal for both new and experienced volunteers. Everyone who completes the course receives a National Open College Network accredited certificate.
👉Find upcoming courses: https://courses.dacesderbyshire.org.uk/CourseKeySearch.asp?KEY=volunteer

For more information or to register interest: Email: cs.dacesvolunteerpassport@derbyshire.gov.uk  Telephone: 01629 531241

—

Community Mental Health & Wellbeing Support Map information from Rethink Mental Illness:

Over the last few months, the map has continued to grow, with more support services, community groups, events, workshops, courses and wellbeing opportunities being added from across Derby, Derbyshire and, where relevant, nationally. To help people navigate the map more easily, we have recently introduced a few new features and updated the way some sections are organised.

📅 Events, Courses & Opportunities
This is a brand-new layer bringing events, courses and opportunities together in one place, including:

🎟️ Events & Awareness Days
🎓 Courses & Programmes
📍 Workshops & Learning
🤝 Community Activities & Social Wellbeing

This helps people find opportunities they can get involved in, alongside the support and services already available through the map.

☎️ If You’re Struggling Right Now
The crisis and immediate support section remains at the heart of the map, helping people quickly access urgent support when they need it.

As always, the map continues to evolve through partnership working, shared local knowledge, and the contributions of organisations and communities across Derby and Derbyshire. If you have any updates, new listings, events, courses, workshops or support opportunities you would like included, please get in touch. View the map:
https://bit.ly/3MRbjvP

—

Call Out to All Community Venues and Local Businesses: Join the Breastfeeding Welcome Here Award

Over 400 venues have already signed up across the county, helping to make Derbyshire a more supportive place for parents and babies.
Breastfeeding brings lifelong health benefits for both the breastfeeding parent and their child. By helping families feel confident and comfortable feeding while out and about, we can support them to reach their breastfeeding goals.

The Breastfeeding Welcome Here Award aims to:
· Help community venues show they actively welcome and support breastfeeding.
· Support new families to feel confident feeding in public.
· Improve public awareness of the lifelong health benefits of breastfeeding.
· Remove barriers that may prevent people from breastfeeding when out and about.
Benefits of Signing Up
· It’s completely free.
· Becoming more family-friendly encourages repeat custom and longer visits.
· Your venue will receive free positive publicity.
· You’ll be making a meaningful contribution to the health and wellbeing of families across the district and helping to improve health inequalities.

Complete the short application form here: www.derbyshire.gov.uk/breastfeeding-welcome

Any queries, please contact the Start Well Team: breastfeedingwelcomeaward@derbyshire.gov.uk

—

Hurst Farm Heritage Trail is officially open

Derbyshire Dales District Council led the project in partnership with Community Benefit Society Hurst Farm Wild Works and the opening follows completion of the capital works led by regional contractor G F Tomlinson in October last year.

The project is part of a wider initiative formed by partner organisations to support the physical and mental wellbeing of its residents and making Hurst Farm a better place to live, work and visit. In 2017 Derbyshire Dales District Council alongside Derbyshire CVS, The Friends of Hurst Farm and Platform Housing joined forces to apply for funding.

Thanks to National Lottery players, a £1.26 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund was awarded for this five-year project ending in October 2026, to enhance the natural beauty of the woodland, while also improving accessibility and safety.

The trail provides improved links to community amenities as well as heritage sites, linking the Social Club, Milk Churn Cafe and Farmers’ Community Garden, the Wishing Stone, Bailey’s Tump and the Lumsdale Conservation Area viewing point.

This project is about more than footpath improvements. The Wild Works team run a varied programme of volunteering and activities aimed at getting people outdoors, increasing connection and wellbeing and learning new skills.

The Hurst Farm – Wild Works team can also be found at the Farmers’ Community Garden from 10-4 weekdays above the Farmers’ View on Hazel Grove, Matlock, DE4 3ED, where visitors are welcome to learn more or ask questions in person.

For more information follow the project on Facebook and Instagram @hurstfarmwildworks or book sessions via their website www.hurstfarm.co.uk  You can email the project team at info@hurstfarm.co.uk

—

Digital Support Derbyshire

Derbyshire County Council has confirmed that they will be continuing to fund Rural Action Derbyshire’s work at Digital Support Derbyshire and the Network for a further two years!🎉🎉🎉

Policy and Partnerships Manager, Charlotte Winterbottom says “RAD is proud to continue this vital work with the Digital Support Derbyshire Network. We will be building on great progress made across Derbyshire over the last few years by providing even more opportunities to tackle the digital divide. Over the next two years we want to get digital support happening in areas where there are currently gaps and will continue to support people and groups with much needed devices and digital skills and confidence.”

The team are also delighted to confirm that another round of the Digital Support Derbyshire Small Grants will be launching soon. Full details will be shared at the next network meeting on the 20^th May.

ruralactionderbyshire.org.uk

—

Disability Festival – Wed 17th June 

Join Derbyshire Dales District Council Sports Development Team for a fun day of inclusive activities for adults with long term conditions or disabilities. Venue: Hall Leys Park, Matlock, Time: TBC

Please bring a packed lunch for a picnic in the park. Bookings will open nearer the time – Please contact Chris (chris.nightingale@derbyshiredales.gov.uk) for information

—

Community Asset Transfer Toolkit

Sport England has recently published a new toolkit designed to support clubs and community organisations who are planning to, or are in the process of, taking on their own facility through a Community Asset Transfer (CAT).

The tool outlines the key stages of the CAT process and is designed to help organisations:
• understand what a CAT is
• identify the key requirements needed to ensure they’re ready to take on a CAT
• prepare effectively for a CAT and understand when professional support may be required
• access guidance on how to effectively run and manage their facility after completing a CAT.

Community Asset Transfer Toolkit | Buddle

—

Update to November 2025 update to the Code of Fundraising Practice

The Code of Fundraising Practice sets the standards that apply to charitable fundraising in the UK. Any fundraising carried out on behalf of your charitable organisation – whether by staff, volunteers or paid fundraisers – should meet the rules in the code to ensure it is legal, open, honest and respectful.

The Fundraising Regulator is responsible for setting, maintaining and promoting these rules. You can find out more about their role, including an animation that explains who they are and how we promote good practice, on the website, About us | Fundraising Regulator

—

Using AI responsibly

Also on 9 December 2025, the Charity Commission produced new guidance to support charities in understanding and using AI responsibly. It includes practical steps on planning, piloting, user testing and data protection.  You can read about it here Guidance for using artificial intelligence in fundraising | Fundraising Regulator