Council leaders from across the county will gather for the first meeting of the Vision Derbyshire Joint Committee – a milestone for the partnership which will enable local authorities to work more closely on key issues affecting local people.

Hosted by Chesterfield Borough Council, the meeting will take place on Monday 4 April and will lay the foundations for the formal governance arrangements and programme of work for the partnership.

It is a key step forward for Vision Derbyshire, which is a collaboration of local authorities across Derbyshire and is designed to deliver priority projects which have a positive impact on people’s lives and achieve greater council efficiency.

The main aims of the Vision Derbyshire Joint Committee are to:

• Provide collective leadership for Derbyshire
• Progress shared ambitions for the area
• Work together to tackle the issues and challenges outlined in the case for change
• Enable agile, timely and effective decision making

The meeting will also consider the Vision Derbyshire Climate Change Strategy (2022-2025) which sets out what needs to be done to reduce emissions across the county to net zero by 2050, or sooner, and how Derbyshire’s councils will work to achieve this.

There will also be discussion around the recently announced County Deal and the submission of a devolution proposal to Government last week, after Derbyshire and Derby was one of nine areas put forward to receive extra investment and local powers as part of the Government’s levelling up plans.

The location of the meetings will be rotated between the member authorities.  They will be open to the public and meeting agendas, reports and minutes will be available to view, in line with usual local government processes which ensure open and transparent decision making.  Papers are available to access at www.chesterfield.gov.uk

Volunteers at Ashgate Hospice will be selflessly giving up their Christmas Day this year to help support patients and their families who are facing their last Christmas together.

The North Derbyshire hospice has more than 600 volunteers who carry out a range of vital roles to support the charity’s services.

Once again this Christmas and over the New Year, volunteers at Ashgate will be continuing to give up their time so the hospice can keep on caring.

Among those volunteering on Christmas Day this year are Ward Volunteer, Andrea Jenner, and Volunteer Receptionist, Lesley Walton, who have been volunteering at the charity for 27 years between them.

Andrea, who takes meal and drink orders and serves patients and families staying on the hospice’s Inpatient Unit, started volunteering in October 2008 and helps out every Christmas.

She said: “I have volunteered on Christmas Day for several years now. It’s great to give something back at a time of giving; especially as for many people this will be their last Christmas together.

“Many relatives have their Christmas lunch with us, in the room with their loved one. Naturally, there have been changes due to COVID but the hospice still tries to make it as special as possible whilst ensuring everyone is as safe as they can be.

“No two shifts are the same really, every patient is an individual and their loved ones are different too and are treated accordingly.

Andrea says volunteering at Ashgate for the last 13 years has taught her “what is really important in life.”

“I’ve always said that the hospice has done a great deal more for me than I have done for it,” added Andrea.

“Seeing remarkable people at their best during the worst of times is humbling and life affirming.

“I have met people who, as long as I have a memory, I will never forget. The staff are also amazing – they treat volunteers as valuable colleagues.

“I had no prior knowledge of Ashgate before volunteering yet I’m so glad I chose to volunteer. Like many people I thought a hospice was a place you went to die – oh boy, how wrong was I?”

Meanwhile, Lesley, a retired social worker, started volunteering at Ashgate after visiting her close friend on the Inpatient Unit and experiencing first-hand the “excellent” care she received.

On reception, she will be welcoming patients and their families as they arrive at the hospice and answering phone calls on Christmas Day.

Lesley, who joined the charity in 2007, said: “Families are meant to be together at Christmas and I am a member of the Ashgate family. In the absence of a family of my own I like to spend my time with my friends and colleagues at the hospice, whilst doing my bit to support my local community.

“I must admit – I’m definitely lured in by one of the hospice chef’s wonderful Christmas lunches which are lovingly made for patients, families, staff and volunteers. I always buy mine at the end of my shift and take it home with me!

“Ashgate is a family which I feel very proud and grateful to be a part of. Over the years I have made many wonderful friends and having the opportunity to use my experience to make a difference, whilst learning new skills, is what I love most about volunteering.”

Over the past year, Ashgate Inpatient Unit volunteers have served more than 14,000 meals to patients on the hospice’s ward, whilst its reception volunteers have spent over 1,700 hours welcoming visitors to the hospice.

Matt Corbishley, Director of People and Performance at Ashgate Hospice, added: “From our volunteer gardeners to those who help care for patients on our Inpatient Unit – we are so lucky to have over 600 volunteers at Ashgate who carry out a whole range of roles to support our care for patients and families.

“Their contribution across the organisation is immeasurable and there would be so much we would struggle to do without their time, skills and commitment.

“During the festive season our care doesn’t stop and neither does the dedication of our amazing volunteers.

“It’s thanks to people like Lesley and Andrea that we’re able to continue being there for the people who need us most – and I can’t thank them and all of our volunteers enough for everything they do.”

If you’re interested in volunteering at Ashgate Hospice you can find more about some of the roles available here: www.ashgatehospice.org.uk/volunteering

Ashgate Hospice has released a one-off episode of their popular The Life and Death Podcast exploring feelings of grief, loss and finding comfort during the festive period.

The Christmas episode is available to stream on all platforms by searching for ‘The Life and Death Podcast Ashgate Hospice’.

Ashgate Hospicecare supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust wants you ‘Ho ho home for Christmas’.

This year the Trust is seeing unprecedented demand on the care and services provided and is doing all it can to see people discharged and back home in time for Santa’s visit – or as soon as it is clinically safe to do so.

With Covid and seasonal pressures continuing, the Trust is wanting to send a clear message. Berenice Groves, Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive, commented: “We always want to ensure that people are only in hospital for as long as they really need to be and this is especially true at this time of year. We’re working closely across the whole system to ensure that when it is clinically safe, patients can be discharged. We know that folks don’t want to spend Christmas in hospital and it means we can ensure others, who need our care, are able to have access to beds and means less delays across the hospital.

“We’re always here for those who really need us but we’re actively encouraging people to ensure they have a discharge plan in place as soon as they are admitted to hospital, where appropriate. This could mean ensuring that friends and family are able to support them a little more when they can return home and any adaptations are made to ensure that any additional needs are catered for.”

The Trust is currently running close to capacity, so they are encouraging patients to go home as soon as they are clinically signed off which is better for them, as well as reaching out to families to support them by either assisting with care in their relative’s home or supporting placements in residential or nursing care facilities.

Berenice added: “Our approach to discharge is simple. As soon as patients are admitted to hospital, we try to identify an estimated date they’ll be discharged. This ensures we all have a goal to work towards as we know nobody wants to be here for longer than is necessary.”

Patients can help by following some easy steps:

• Setting an expected date for when they’ll be able to leave the hospital
• Planning for transport home as soon as possible
• Discussing any aids and adaptations they might need with their care teams
• Ensuring the hospital’s checklist for discharge has been completed including the need for any prescription medicines being picked up

As a result of Chester’s Toy Appeal, organised by Chesterfield FC and the Community Trust, more than 120 families have been provided with toys which will be wrapped up and opened on Christmas Day by children who would otherwise miss out.

Sponsored by CRS Accident Repair, the appeal saw local businesses and individuals kindly donate new toys which were distributed via charities and to those who made successful applications.

Chesterfield F.C.’s marketing manager, Bridget Ball, said: “It is heart-warming to know that we have been able to help so many families at such an important time of the year.

“It was a real community effort. The success of the appeal hinged on the generosity of those companies and individuals who donated toys – together with the support of CRS Accident Repair – and I would like to thank everyone who helped.”

Chesterfield F.C. supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.