Helpful information

National lockdown: Stay at Home

​You must stay at home. The single most important action we can all take is to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives.
You should follow this guidance immediately. The law will be updated to reflect these new rules.
Leaving homeYou must not leave, or be outside of your home except where necessary. You may leave the home to:
  • shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person
  • go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home
  • exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, this should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.
  • meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form one
  • seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse)
  • attend education or childcare - for those eligible
Colleges, primary and secondary schools will remain open only for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers. All other children will learn remotely until February half term. Early Years settings remain open.
SAMARITANS 116 123
ANXIETY UK 03444 775 774
MIND 0300 123 3393
CALM 0800 58 58 58
CRISIS TEXT LINE TEXT 85258
​CHILD LINE 0800 11 11

Covid-19 Vaccine Text Scam Alert

Covid-19 Vaccine Text Scam Alert

Dear Neighbourhood Watch member,
 
Today we have been alerted to a highly believable scam which starts with a text and advises the user that they are eligible to apply for the vaccine and to click on the link in the text message.  The user is then led to a webpage, which looks very convincing and asks them to complete some details, in order for them to be able to apply for the vaccine.
 
The details asked for:
Name
Address
Date of birth
Proof of address
Card payment details
 
With the recent approval of multiple vaccines in the UK, these types of scam attempts are likely to continue, as fraudsters continue to take advantage of the roll-out to some many people.
 
Please see our article on our website: 
https://www.ourwatch.org.uk/news/fake-text-identifying-you-eligible-covid-19-vaccine
 
And feel free to share this email with your networks.
 
#WeAreStrongerTogether

Scam Warning - Fake Dpd Emails and Texts

​Scam warning: Fake DPD emails and texts.

Action Fraud has seen a surge in reports relating to fake emails and texts purporting to be from DPD. The messages claim that DPD was “unable to deliver your parcel today” and provide instructions on how the recipient can arrange another delivery. The links in the emails and texts lead to fake websites that are designed to steal money, as well as personal and financial information.

Victims of this scam have reported losing over £242,000 since June. For more information, please visit https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/alert/fake-dpd-messages-lead-to-over-200000-in-losses-since-june


How you can protect yourself:
  • If you’re unsure whether the email or text is genuine, then don’t use the link. Instead, visit the DPD website by entering the official web address directly into your browser’s address bar, or search for it and follow the search results.
  • Remember, your bank will never ask you to transfer money to another account, or contact you out of the blue to ask for your PIN or full password.
  • If you have received an email which you’re unsure about, you can report it by forwarding it to report@phishing.gov.uk. You can report suspicious text messages by forwarding them to 7726.


For more information about how to protect yourself from fraud and cyber crime, please visit www.actionfraud.police.uk/cybercrime
Scam warning: Fake DPD emails and texts.

Action Fraud has seen a surge in reports relating to fake emails and texts purporting to be from DPD. The messages claim that DPD was “unable to deliver your parcel today” and provide instructions on how the recipient can arrange another delivery. The links in the emails and texts lead to fake websites that are designed to steal money, as well as personal and financial information.

Victims of this scam have reported losing over £242,000 since June. For more information, please visit https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/alert/fake-dpd-messages-lead-to-over-200000-in-losses-since-june


How you can protect yourself:
  • If you’re unsure whether the email or text is genuine, then don’t use the link. Instead, visit the DPD website by entering the official web address directly into your browser’s address bar, or search for it and follow the search results.
  • Remember, your bank will never ask you to transfer money to another account, or contact you out of the blue to ask for your PIN or full password.
  • If you have received an email which you’re unsure about, you can report it by forwarding it to report@phishing.gov.uk. You can report suspicious text messages by forwarding them to 7726.


For more information about how to protect yourself from fraud and cyber crime, please visit www.actionfraud.police.uk/cybercrime

ONS is looking to recruit people with knowledge of the local area

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is recruiting over 35,000 field staff to encourage householders to fill in their 2021 Census questionnaires and maximise response rates. As the public face of the census, field staff are essential to its success. 

ONS is looking to recruit people with knowledge of the local area and who can relate to the communities within it. The hours are flexible and include the opportunity to work part-time, evenings and weekends.

www.censusjobs.co.uk/search-for-a-job. 

Thank you

On behalf of everyone at South Derbyshire CVS and especially the people we help support across the district, I’d like to say a big heartfelt thank you for your recent kind donation to our Foodbank. Without these wonderful contributions we simply wouldn’t be able to buy additional food or provide the support to those struggling in their hour of need
 
To give you a sense of the scale of demand, between 23 March and 27th October, we provided 12,654 meals to 552 children and 854 adults.
 
Your donation will help us continue to support people across South Derbyshire who are hungry, lonely and isolated.
 
The Foodbank Hub is here for the many local people economically affected by the crisis. We provide free emergency food parcels as well as supplying other important items such as soap, pet food and toilet paper. In these challenging times we have had to find new ways of working and this has involved moving to new premises where there is more space for increased storage, safe sorting and social distancing. We are doing everything we can, to make sure we continue to help those most in need especially over the winter period. Donations like your own allow us to buy stock when we run short of key items, and also help us meet food bank running costs (heating, lighting, cleaning and so on). We receive very little grant funding for the food bank and have to subsidise these costs from our charity’s reserves.
 
We’ve heard a lot about these being ‘unprecedented’ times and indeed they are, but the kindness and generosity of local people and communities such as yours is truly uplifting.
 
Finally, and just in case you haven’t seen our Winter Giving Campaign film, I thought I’d share with you here. We’re incredibly grateful to our friends at The Pin Up Group CIC who helped us make it. Simply click on the link below to watch (oh…and please feel free to share it with others 😊)

​                 WINTER CAMPAIGN VIDEO

‘Holly Jolly Advent’, our online Advent calendar

Each day the Council is inviting residents to join them to open a new door on the Holly Jolly Advent calendar, to discover festive messages, Christmas-themed activities and free prize draws. As well as lots of fun, many of the activities will encourage families to think about the environment and either use items gathered from around the home or things you can find in the garden or when out on a walk - providing additional benefits to health and wellbeing.
https://www.southderbyshire.gov.uk/our-services/things-to-do-and-places-to-visit/online-advent

The Office for National Statistics

The Office for National Statistics is recruiting over 35,000 field staff to encourage householders to fill in their 2021 Census questionnaires and maximise response rates. As the public face of the census, field staff are essential to its success.
ONS is looking to recruit people with knowledge of the local area and who can relate to the communities within it. The hours are flexible and include the opportunity to
work part-time, evenings and weekends.
www.censusjobs.co.uk/search-for-a-job.


Census 2021

Census 2021 will provide a snapshot of modern society
Households across Derbyshire will soon be asked to take part in Census 2021.
The census is a once-in-a-decade survey that gives us the most accurate estimate of all the
people and households in England and Wales. It has been carried out every decade since
1801, with the exception of 1941.
It will be the first run predominantly online, with households receiving a letter with a unique
access code, allowing them to complete the questionnaire on their computers, phones or
tablets. However if preferred, a printed version will be available on request.
“A successful census will ensure everyone from local government to charities can put
services and funding in the places where they are most needed”, Iain Bell, deputy national
statistician at the Office for National Statistics, said.
“This could mean things like doctors’ surgeries, schools and new transport routes. That’s
why it is so important everyone takes part and we have made it easier for people to do so
online on any device, with help and paper questionnaires for those that need them.”
Census day will be on March 21, but households across the country will receive letters with
online codes allowing them to take part from early March.
The census will include questions about your sex, age, work, health, education, household
size and ethnicity. And, for the first time, there will be a question asking people whether they
have served in the armed forces, as well as voluntary questions for those aged 16 and over
on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Results will be available within 12 months, although personal records will be locked away for
100 years, kept safe for future generations.
For more information, visit census.gov.uk.

PCC Pleas For Policing - Do Not Make the Police Another Victim of Coronavirus

Derbyshire's PCC, Hardyal Dhindsa, is calling on the Government to support the police service when it announces its public spending plans this week.

Pointing out that the Government has relied upon the police to implement its Covid-19 restrictions, putting frontline officers and staff at risk of the virus, he said that it would be jeopardizing public safety to expect the police to find further cuts after the long period of austerity which meant that Derbyshire lost over 400 officers and the best part of 300 police staff.

He said that he had discussed the funding position in detail with the Chief Constable and raised the issue at a meeting with local MPs last week, seeking their support against new cuts to policing and explaining the vital role that the police play in engaging with the public to adhere to the Covid-19 restrictions.

"Even a flat cash settlement figure is, in real terms, a cut," he explained today.  "While I recognise that the country's financial position has been hit hard due to Covid-19, the police service must not become another victim, which is what will happen if we are asked to find any further financial savings. 

"The austerity years hit the service, and all those working within it, hard and it is simply unreasonable to expect them to face those pressures again when we are barely half way back to the numbers we had in 2010. 

"We are only just beginning to see the positive results of growth. Any cutbacks will threaten the progress made in recent years.  The public who have supported that growth through the increase in the policing portion of the Council Tax bill do not deserve to have that backing eroded. 

"The Chief Constable has told me, in no uncertain terms, that in order to continue to deliver our services, the establishment of sufficient and stable funding for the future is crucial.

"She stresses that a standstill budget, with no growth for any new or mainstreamed priorities, would create a deficit of £0.5m in 2021/22, rising to a £9m deficit in 2024/25 based on the reasonable assumptions of limited council tax precepts and no future increases in Central Government grant funding.

"We are deeply concerned that, even if the Government continues to cover the Uplift programme there will still be a deficit of £5.9m by 2024/25 as a minimum.

"In simple terms, this would undo the vast majority of the progress we have made since 2016.  Officer posts, staff posts would have to be cut.  Vital investment in technology would go.  Vulnerable people would be placed at higher risk.  Communities would not see the visible policing they so desperately want. We would be back to policing on a shoestring.

"So, in planning its financial future, I urge the Government to look for savings elsewhere.  The police have performed magnificently throughout the pandemic and do not deserve to be hit in the pocket yet again. I will continue to call for a fair deal for policing and, having explained the gloomy economic outlook, I hope that our local MPs will support me.

"It is our job and our moral responsibility to do everything in our power to keep people safe."

Investment Safety Tips Released After Spike In Derbyshire Fraud Offences

A spike in investment scams over the last year has seen victims in Derbyshire lose more than £6million to faceless fraudsters.

It’s a crime that even the most careful investor can fall prey to – whereby someone offers you a fake but often very convincing opportunity to make a profit. Scammers persuade individuals to move money to a fictitious fund on behalf of your business or to pay for a fake investment with the promise of a high return with little to no risk.

Since September 2019, 200 people in Derbyshire fell victim to this scam, and offences have been steadily rising since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Reports show that young people, aged between 20-29, are now also becoming more vulnerable to fraudsters, who are targeting them through advertisements or posts on social media.

Scammers are leading their victims to professional looking websites, where they’re persuaded to invest in the bogus schemes or are led to invest in cryptocurrency scams.

With more and more people looking to invest, we are now launching a campaign to raise awareness of this type of fraud – and how you can best protect yourself.

And to mark the start of International Fraud Week this week, we’re releasing a video featuring an actress telling the story of one Derbyshire investor.

It is a true story – one in which the victim was tricked out of more than £210,000.

Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY6gfmJAG-Y

Derbyshire Constabulary’s Cyber Protect Officer, Jodie Nevin, said: “With the coronavirus outbreak causing job losses and having a financial impact on incomes and our economy, more people are online looking for ways to make money.

"Sadly, these factors may leave victims more susceptible to fraudulent investment scams. Though these offences are getting harder to spot, there are some tell-tale signs to help protect your hard-earned money.”

In collaboration with Action Fraud, we are also sharing critical tips on how to protect yourself – and your money.
  • Be suspicious. If you are contacted out of the blue about an investment opportunity, this could be via a cold-call, an e-mail or an approach on social media.
  • Don’t be rushed into making an investment. No legitimate organisation will pressure you into making a transaction, or committing to something on the spot. Take time to do your research.
  • Seek advice from trusted friends, family members or independent professional advice services before making a significant financial decision. Even genuine investment schemes can be high risk.
  • Use a financial advisor accredited by the Financial Conduct Authority. Paying for professional advice may seem like an unnecessary expense, but it will help prevent you from being scammed.
  • Use the Financial Conduct Authority’s register to check if a company is regulated. If you deal with a firm or individual that isn’t regulated, you may not be able to get your money back if something goes wrong and its more likely to be a scam.
  • Don’t assume it’s real. Just because a company has a glossy website and glowing reviews from ‘high net worth’ investors, does not mean it is genuine. Fraudsters will go to great lengths to convince you they are not a scam.
  • Do NOT provide your identity documents. These fake trading platforms will request proof of your identity. They will tell you this is to comply with anti-money laundering regulations, however the criminals will use your details to sign up for accounts with other services in your name without your permission.
  • Do NOT allow anyone remote access to your computer. You may be asked to download software such as AnyDesk or TeamViewer.
  • Be cautious of bank transfers. There’s very little you can do to get your money back if you’ve made the transfer
  • Remember, if something sounds too good to be true - it probably is.
Reporting fraud:
If you think you’ve been a victim of an investment fraud, report it to Action Fraud online at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.
 
For more information about investment fraud, visit www.fca.org.uk/scamsmart. 

Our Service is now closed to the public for face-to-face enquiries

CORONAVIRUS- Update
 DUWC offers Help, Advice and Representation on Benefits and Credits.
The safety and well-being of our staff, clients and volunteers is very important to us.
To Speak to an Adviser
Contact us on:
Email: info@duwc.org.uk
Telephone: 01246 231441 Weekdays 8.0 am – 4.0 pm
 
Our current advice is:
Service by telephone and email.  All outreach sites are now closed.  We will arrange appointments only when absolutely necessary.
 
No Home Visits
 Website: www.duwc.org.uk
 
IMPORTANT:
If you have fallen ill since attending our advice sessions, please let us know as soon as possible.
 
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during these exceptional circumstances.

update you about the temporary closure of the POST OFFICE LIMITED - CASTLE GRESLEY

For further information please visit our Consultation Hub via the link below:
Consultation Hub - Castle Gresley DE11 9HS
Yours faithfully
Audra Mirjah-Clarke
Post Office Ltd

Rural Locations

We are privileged to work in such a beautiful rural area and we hear your concerns!

We will be popping up at various rural locations over the coming weeks conducting patrols, speed checks and educating drivers on how to pass other road users safely i.e.- bikes and horses by adding educational videos on our pages.

To report speeding please do so via www.crestderbyshire.org where there is also advice on how to be involved in Community speed watch- Volunteers from local communities work alongside Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs) to monitor speeding traffic in their areas.

For those of you living rurally please take a look at https://www.derbyshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rc/rural-crime/rural-crime-prevention/ where there is lots of advice on rural/wildlife crime & crime prevention as well as links to various useful wildlife/rural organisation websites. Derbyshire constabulary have a force wide Rural Crime team (RCT) that tackle issues that affect our rural communities such as thefts of machinery/livestock, preventing persecution of protected species and the illegal trade in endangered species. Keep in touch with what the RCT are doing via www.facebook.com/ruralcrimeteam/

Facebook – send us a private message to /DerbyshireConstabulary
Twitter – direct message our contact centre on @DerPolContact
Website – complete the online contact form derbyshire.police.uk/Contact-Us.
Phone – call us on 101
Contact your local team- https://www.derbyshire.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us/us/contacting-a-member-of-staff-or-team/

NHS QR poster

Local businesses - this is where to go to get your NHS QR poster, and other important resources https://coronavirusresources.phe.gov.uk/.../customer.../

Help local people in crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic & beyond

become a Stronger South Derbyshire Regular Giving Fund member

sdcvs.org.uk/donate
Contents

New website for the Derbyshire Home from Hospital Support Service

We have a brand new website for our Derbyshire Home from Hospital Support Service!

The service offers short term practical support for people who need a little help when they leave hospital or to help prevent them being admitted. Anyone living in Derbyshire or registered with a Derbyshire GP can use the service if they have limited support from other sources such as friends and family.

For more information visit: https://dhfh.org.uk.

Health & Wellbeing Grants

South Derbyshire CVS manages a number of small grant funds for voluntary, community and not-for-profit organisations wanting to make a difference to local people and communities. You can apply for up to £2,000 in total. Guidelines and application forms can be found at: www.sdcvs.org.uk/community/funding-advice.

Useful Funding Websites

Scam Awareness Newsletter from Citizens advice

Attachments

Scams Awareness Leaflet [Citizens Advice Derbyshire Districts].pdf - 285.5 KB
Scams Awareness Newsletter 2020 [Citizens Advice Derbyshire Districts].pdf - 234.1 KB
Scams Awareness Postcard [Citizens Advice Derbyshire Districts].pdf - 169.3 KB

Every mind matters

If you want to talk to someone about your mental health or you are looking for support for someone else, there is help available:
https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/

Dear Partner

We wanted to let you know about a couple of things we are doing at the moment around funding and fundraising.


Stronger South Derbyshire Regular Giving Fund Launch
As you may know, at the beginning of the Coronavirus crisis, we set up the Stronger South Derbyshire Fund, enabling people to make donations to support vulnerable people in South Derbyshire during COVID-19. Today we're launching the Stronger South Derbyshire Regular Giving Fund, encouraging people to keep up the support for the community response by making regular monthly donations. Funds raised will support local activities and services that are helping people through this challenging time, as well as helping us to plan ahead and make sure we are always there for local people in need. For more information please visit: https://sdcvs.org.uk/donate.

Small Grants for Community Support during CV19
When COVID-19 hit, we made the application process to our Small Grants Fund even more accessible, to ensure that local groups and organisations closest to their communities could access additional funds during the crisis. Groups based and operating in South Derbyshire can apply for sums of up to £500. This could be used to help people in practical ways, to provide emotional support, to help people stay connected, or to find new ways to support beneficiaries during this difficult time. For more information please visit: https://strongersouthderbyshire.org/funding-for-groups/.

Yours faithfully

Kerrie Fletcher
CEO
South Derbyshire CVS
  For more information contact South Derbyshire CVS on communications@sdcvs.org.uk.

ACTIVE COMMUNITIES & HEALTH TEAM NEWSLETTER 2021

Neighbourhood Watch National Newsletter - Our News January 2021

Happy New Year from everyone at the Central Support Team of Neighbourhood Watch.  

2020 brought challenges that we did not think were possible this time last year, but we saw the very best of people within our communities, pulling together to support one another and offer much needed assistance to the vulnerable and isolated. While the difficulties are continuing for the time being, we also look forward to a hopeful future with the vaccine roll-out. It is in times like these that we need the support of our loved ones and neighbours more than ever. We encourage you to reach out to your local Neighbourhood Watch group should you be in need of, or able to offer, support.

Our January 2021 Neighbourhood Watch national newsletter.  This month we launch the Neighbourhood Watch Crime and Community Survey 2020 findings, recruit for a new Volunteer Development Manager, share crime prevention advice and look at the new community projects we are running. As always, we hope you find the information useful. The final page of our newsletter contains a reminder from the Government (www.gov.uk) on how we can all play our part in stopping the spread of the virus.

Best wishes for 2021,

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH NETWORK, Central Support Team

Follow us..
Website: ourwatch.org.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/ourwatch
Twitter: twitter.com/N_watch
Instagram: neighbourhood.watch.insta
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/neighbourhood-watch/

Help Us Understand How Covid-19 Has Impacted Crime and Other Activities

COVID-19 and crime survey

We are delighted to be working with University College London to understand how COVID-19 has impacted upon people's routine and online activities, crime and their perceptions of it.

To help with this work, we are encouraging our supporters to participate in a short survey (surveymonkey.co.uk/r/9LGPHDL) which closes on 23rd December.

As well as understanding how the pandemic has affected things to date, the aim of the survey is to understand how it might do so in the future. Your participation will be really valuable and help us understand things that other data cannot.

We estimate that it will take about 15-20 minutes to complete. Your responses will be stored securely and you will not be asked for any information that would identify you as an individual.

If you are willing to take part, please complete this survey: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/9LGPHDL

Please support this work - with your help I am sure we can gain real insight into the effects of COVID-19 on crime.
 
Yours faithfully,

Central Support Team, Neighbourhood Watch Network

Supporting You and Your Community Through Covid-19

We recognise that this is a challenging period for us all and even more so for vulnerable people. As Neighbourhood Watch we believe it is very important that we all take care and protect ourselves as a priority and where possible we safely carry on the great work of supporting and staying connected with our communities.

There are a variety of ways however in which we can support our loved ones and communities through these restrictions.

Keeping your loved ones safe
The most valuable thing we can all do is keep ourselves and our loved safe - physically and emotionally. 
Supporting your community
There are a variety of ways in which you can support your community depending on your individual situation. A few ideas are: The NHS Volunteer Responders programme, set up by NHS England, is here to help people in England to stay safe during coronavirus. NHS Volunteer Responders have now completed more than a million tasks! Following an initial recruitment campaign for new volunteers in 70 local authority areas, they have now opened up recruitment across England. This is in response to the lockdown that began on 5 November and because demand for the volunteers’ support is continuing to rise. It will also help to meet NHS requests for additional direct support during this winter. At the same time, they are encouraging anyone who signed up as an NHS Volunteer Responder in March but had to step down due to other commitments, to re-join the programme and give as much time as they can.

As the programme evolves it will focus on direct support to the NHS with tasks such as the delivery of equipment to monitor vulnerable COVID-19 patients in their homes, and with stewarding people at vaccination clinics. They will also continue to support vulnerable people by delivering food and medication, and through Check In and Chat phone calls. They are not intending to replace any local volunteering activity. They aim to work collaboratively with volunteering leads in local areas.

If you are interested in joining as a volunteer you can attend an online meetings by clicking the link below at the specified time:

Thursday 17th December, 11.30-12.30 Join Microsoft Teams Meeting

Beware of scams and crimes
Criminals are using the COVID-19 pandemic to scam the public. To help you avoid becoming a victim, we have highlighted on our website the wide variety of COVID-19 scams and crimes which have arisen, key protection advice and guidance on how to report these scams.

Community response stories
For further inspiration on ways in which you can support your community, have a look at our Community Response Stories. If you have a story you would like to share, please submit it using this form.

Domestic abuse survivors
Are you or someone you know is a domestic abuse survivor, the information below may be very useful.
Keep safe,

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH NETWORK, Central Support Team

Follow us..
Website: ourwatch.org.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/ourwatch
Twitter: twitter.com/N_watch
Instagram: neighbourhood.watch.insta
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/neighbourhood-watch/

Custody Volunteers Presented With Royal Award For Outstanding Service

Dedicated volunteers who monitor standards and welfare across Derbyshire's custody suites have been presented with a top award in honour of their service.

Members of Derbyshire's Independent Custody Visitor (ICV) scheme received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service - the highest honour for volunteering in the UK - from the county's HM Lord Lieutenant Elizabeth Fothergill CBE during an afternoon celebration at Force Headquarters, with full social distancing measures in place at all times.

The ICV team, which is managed by Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner Hardyal Dhindsa, is the first of its kind in the country to receive the accolade, which recognises outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their communities and was created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

It comes just a year after the volunteers scooped Platinum in the Quality Assurance awards. 

Congratulating their success, Mr Dhindsa said: "I'm immensely proud of the achievements of our ICVs who have not only won two of the most prestigious awards available but have also been at the forefront of a national pilot to innovate inspection procedures and safeguard vulnerable detainees.

"Throughout the pandemic, our hardworking and committed volunteers have continued to provide oversight of the county's custody facilities and provide scrutiny at a time when policing is under additional pressure with new hygiene regulations and social distancing measures to maintain.

"Such pressures can impact on procedures and I'm very grateful to our volunteers for ensuring Derbyshire preserves the very best care and welfare standards of those in custody including the vulnerable. 

"So much has already been achieved but we will not become complacent and continue to push the boundaries of innovation to ensure custody provision in Derbyshire, and beyond, is managed exceptionally well and the needs of detainees are paramount."

Elizabeth Fothergill CBE, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire, added: "As Her Majesty's representative in the County of Derbyshire, it is my great honour and pleasure to present the QAVS on behalf of HM The Queen to some truly exceptional organisations, so I am delighted to be presenting the Award to the Derbyshire Custody Record Review Scheme volunteers.

"The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service is an annual award for outstanding achievement by groups which volunteer their own time to enhance and improve the quality of life and opportunity of others in their local communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Queen's coronation.

"Group volunteers undertake the detailed review and scrutiny of sample custody records from police custody of detainees, to monitor the treatment of detainees in police custody in Derbyshire. This is a unique development from the long-standing Derbyshire Independent Custody Visiting Scheme, and shows the potential to bring about a massive change in volunteer independent oversight of police detention practices, undoubtedly improving the quality of life of others.

"This dedicated and highly skilled group of volunteers is taking a dynamic and innovative approach to their task, driving improvement. The methodology has already helped improve the management of juveniles in police detention, the treatment of female detainees and of those held for immigration offences. This trailblazing approach to an unglamorous but vital function is proving highly effective in helping to ensure the safe, lawful and humane treatment of persons in police custody.

"The scheme has met the most rigorous assessment process and all the volunteers should be proud of their significant achievement, the QAVS is the MBE for charities and I am delighted that such an innovative Derbyshire organisation has been recognised and rewarded. Congratulations to all involved."

Derbyshire's ICV scheme was one of 230 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups across the country to be presented with the prestigious award this year.

ICV reports, which are shared with the force, are taken very seriously, often providing the springboard for improvements in the provision of custody services. Their visits provide an independent assessment of the way in which custody provision complies with national requirements.

Derbyshire led the way with a new style of custody inspection involving the retrospective review of custody records to evaluate the care and support of vulnerable people including those with mental health or learning difficulties, migrants and children.

This work led to a national pilot involving five other schemes across the UK and positive changes included making sure child detainees are able to access an Appropriate Adult in custody within a reasonable timeframe, the use of cell call bells to prevent harm and improvements to the dignity and care of female detainees.

There is currently a recruitment campaign underway to select a new throng of volunteers to be part of the award-winning custody monitoring team. For more information https://www.derbyshire-pcc.gov.uk/News-and-Events-Meetings/News-Archive/2020/PR-832.aspx

South Derbyshire CVS Small Grant Funds

Stronger South Derbyshire – Small Grants for Community Support during CV19

Applications are currently being sought from groups based and operating in South Derbyshire for sums of up to £500. This could be used to help people in practical ways, provide emotional support, help people stay connected or find new ways to support your beneficiaries during this difficult time. Visit: https://strongersouthderbyshire.org/funding-for-groups/.

Hello Neighbourhood Watch member,

We now have a new website for Derbyshire NW:
https://www.derbyshireneighbourhoodwatch.co.uk/

It is clear and easy to use - please have a look and browse.

The new site allows you to:
  • Find the latest news on funding and community projects and events
  • Have new members sign up online with the member forms and be sent directly to our administrators inbox for immediate upload
  • Order lamppost signage (Office is unable to process immediately due to Covid-19 and no stockroom access, they will be processed as soon as we are able to gain access to the office)
  • Order products and leaflets (Office is unable to process immediately due to Covid-19 and no stockroom access, they will be processed as soon as we are able to gain access to the office)
  • Find contact details including links to SNT , NW Facebook pages
  • Send through articles and events to be posted on your regional pages. - If you have a NW watch you would like advertised then please send through min 300 words about your watch and what you have been doing along with any photos.
  • Advertise any projects or successful funding projects.
Please forward this message to as many people as possible.

If you have ANY of the #COVID19 symptoms you must book a test and self isolate.

  • loss/change in sense of smell
  • loss/change in sense of taste
  • high temperature
  • new, continuous cough
Book a test now:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Help and support

Following recent measures to increase social distancing and self-isolation, we have received a huge number of requests for help and support. We are working hard to meet the demand and doing our best to respond as quickly as possible - please be patient and if you have left a message please don’t ring again – we will get back to you as soon as we can.
 
We currently offer the following support:
  • Food Bank (emergency parcels for people in financial difficulties) A number of our referral partners are holding a supply of parcels to give out directly; they can also be collected from CVS by appointment only or delivered to the doorstep (for those who are self-isolating)
  • Essential food shopping and collection of prescriptions, these will be safely dropped off to people’s doorsteps
  • Telephone befriending/welfare calls for self isolating people who need a regular friendly chat
  • Information about, and referral into, other community support services.
We would also love to hear from individuals wanting to volunteer and from groups and businesses offering community support services.

Individuals needing help:
All requests for individuals needing help should now be directed to the Derbyshire Community Response Unit. This is for vulnerable people who are self isolating and who don’t have any family or friends to help. Register at derbyshire.gov.uk/communityresponse or telephone 01629 535091 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm / Saturday 9am to 1pm. They will refer as appropriate into local services – including those provided by SDCVS and local Stronger South Derbyshire partners.
 
Anyone in the ultra high risk/shielding group can register for priority help. If they’ve not had a letter but have one of the conditions listed, and they don’t have anyone who can support them, they can register directly  https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable or call the government helpline on 0800 0288327.
 
If you need to reach CVS directly,
Like most organisations we’ve had to close the offices and most staff are working from home, so email is the best way to get in touch
For all things to do with our response and community response to CV19 visit www.strongersouthderbyshire.org.

We have also produced a Stronger South Derbyshire Community Response leaflet - please feel free to share this with your networks and contacts, along with the other information in this e-bulletin.

Derbyshire Domestic Abuse Services

If you or anyone you know is affected by domestic abuse, contact the Derbyshire Domestic Abuses Support Line

If you are deaf, hearing impaired or if it is difficult for you to speak, text and tell us how we can contact you safely.

If you are in danger or think someone else is, always ring 999

If you ring 999 from a mobile when in danger and cannot respond to the operator, stay on the call and press 55 when told to and you will be connected to the Police/ Listen to their instructions.