Author: Dom Stevens

Chambers Join Forces to Press Chancellor on HS2

3rd June 2015

Chambers of Commerce representing more than 11,000 businesses in the East Midlands, Yorkshire and the North East have today written a joint letter to the Treasury, urging Chancellor George Osborne to bring forward the confirmation and delivery of the Eastern Leg of HS2.

The letter, which has been signed by the Presidents and Chief Executives of the chambers for Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, Doncaster, Sheffield, the North East and Bradford, Leeds, York and North Yorkshire, says it’s imperative that Government confirms the route as quickly as possible and accelerates its delivery plans.

It refers to research undertaken by professional services firm KPMG in 2013, which suggested the proposed leg, linking Birmingham with Leeds via the East Midlands and Sheffield and then further north through a direct connection to the East Coast Main Line, has the potential to deliver a GDP impact of £4.1bn for the East Midlands, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire.

The Chancellor was in Derby on Monday, where he unveiled his vision to make the Midlands an ‘Engine for Growth’ in the UK. He said that HS2 is “the great engineering project of our age and it will transform the economic geography of our country.”

He also said that it will “bring massive benefits to the Midlands by way of new jobs, enhanced connectivity, capacity and regeneration.”

And Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin yesterday (2 Jun) said that the HS2 project will begin within two years and will be constructed in full, after the general election had delivered a “massive vote of confidence” in the scheme.

The areas along the proposed Eastern Leg of HS2 are already home to some of the UK’s most dynamic and innovative manufacturing and engineering firms, and also boast a strong professional services sector in their cities, a thriving construction sector and a burgeoning creative industries sector, among others.

The letter states that improving links between these businesses will allow them to exploit the benefits of agglomeration, boost success in these key sectors and help to forge an economy that is truly balanced, both geographically and sectorally.

The increased productivity and competitiveness which the HS2 Eastern Leg will facilitate could also bolster growth locally and support long-term international success.

Chris Hobson, Head of Information and Representation at East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), said: “HS2 is the single-biggest transformational transport infrastructure project in generations and represents a huge opportunity for businesses in the East Midlands. It will bring the capacity and connectivity that will help underpin the region’s future success, so it must deliver for the whole region.

“As representatives of more than 11,000 businesses along the proposed Eastern Leg, we are calling on the Chancellor to proceed to delivery of HS2 without delay, ensuring the legal framework is completed as soon as possible and the groundwork is done to enable the concurrent development of the Eastern and Western Legs of Phase 2.

“The creation of a new economic powerhouse in the north, to complement the well-established one in the south, places further emphasis on ensuring north-to-south connectivity for this region, the ‘Engine for Growth’ which provides the UK with its manufacturing spine.

“However, uncertainty kills confidence. It is imperative that Government confirms the route as soon as possible and that delivery plans are accelerated to maximise the business benefits which come with creating a national rail network that can compete with the best in the world and create the opportunities needed for long term economic growth.”

Read the HS2 Chamber letter

Posted in Business, Development

Two new partners appointed at Mitchells

2nd June 2015

Chesterfield-based independent Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers, Mitchells has strengthened its senior management team with the appointment of two partners.

Andrew McDaid and Tony Hornsby, who were both previously Senior Associates with the firm, now join managing partners Richard Trueman and Tim Leeman in leading the strategic direction of Mitchells.

Founded nearly 150 years ago in 1868, the appointment of Andrew and Tony secures the long-term future of Mitchells, which has since established itself as an expert SME business adviser across Derbyshire, South Yorkshire, the East Midlands and beyond.

Tony’s area of specialisms includes corporate finance and the care home sector in which he has helped position Mitchells as one of the leading accountancy specialists in the UK.

Within the firm Andrew specialises in audit and assurance, access to finance and grants and supporting high growth businesses achieve their ambitions. His work with clients during the recession enabled many companies to create jobs during the difficult financial period.

Andrew was also instrumental in developing and implementing Mitchells’ award-winning CloudMitchells, which gives clients remote, secure 24/7/365 real-time access to their financial information to provide their virtual finance director proposition.

Commenting on his appointment Andrew, who joined Mitchells in 2008, said: “Becoming a partner is acknowledgment of my commitment to Mitchells and its clients, while sending out a clear message to the business community that the firm is continuing to grow and evolve. It is a very exciting time for Mitchells.”

Tony, who joined nearly 20 years ago, agreed adding: “We have a great team of business advisers and accountants at Mitchells and one that we continue to add to and develop. This puts us in a great position to add value to clients businesses and growth ambitions, helping them manage their own businesses and make proactive strategy decisions helping profitability rather than looking back at the past.”

Managing partner Richard Trueman commented: “Tony and Andrew’s appointment is a major step for the firm. We removed the top heavy partner structure associated with traditional accountancy practices and this has led to better and quicker decision making for our clients which has contributed significantly to our growth. Tony and Andrew are instrumental in our plans for the future of Mitchells and I am delighted that they are joining myself and Tim in leading this.”

Outside work Andrew, from Stannington, enjoys attending music gigs and festivals, while Tony, from Mansfield, is currently training for the gruelling Oxfam Trailtrekker Challenge on 22 – 23 August, where he will have just 30 hours to cover the 100km (61 mile) course through the Yorkshire Dales.

Discover more about Mitchells

Posted in Business

New Literary Festival at Chatsworth Announces Full Line-Up

2nd June 2015

The full line-up for a major new literary festival has been announced today with a stellar cast of more than 20 of art’s leading makers, curators and writers appearing at ‘The Chatsworth Festival – Art Out Loud‘, which runs for three days from Friday 18 to Sunday 20 September 2015.

Believed to be first literary festival dedicated to art, speakers include Turner Prize winner Grayson Perry CBE; contemporary conceptual artist and painter Michael Craig-Martin; writer and BBC Arts Editor Will Gompertz; Royal Academy director Tim Marlow on Ai Weiwei; novelists Esther Freud and Hannah Rothschild; and many more (see below for full list).

Talks will take place in a marquee on the private South Lawn and in the historic Theatre. Tickets go on sale from 9 June 2015 at www.chatsworth.org priced at £12.50 per talk and include entry to garden. Chatsworth will run a Festival Bookshop, selling recently published and other books by a selection of the speakers.

The three day event is inspired by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire’s passion for art. “We’re delighted to be able to give our visitors the opportunity to hear some of the country’s leading artists, collectors, authors and journalists and talking about their work. The lives of all our speakers, one way or another, have been immersed in art and we think their experiences and involvement in the creative process will provide some truly fascinating talks” – The Duke of Devonshire.

‘Art Out Loud’ is the latest addition to a burgeoning arts scene at Chatsworth and the event will run alongside the 10th anniversary of the ‘Beyond Limits’ monumental sculpture exhibition in the garden starting in September. The ‘Make Yourself Comfortable’ exhibition of contemporary seating takes place in the house until October while the ‘Grand Tour’ programme of exhibitions and events begins in July in conjunction with Nottingham Contemporary, the Harley Gallery and Derby Museums.

Chatsworth has a long association with the literary world. The Duke of Devonshire owns the antiquarian bookshop ‘Heywood Hill’ in Mayfair where his aunt Nancy Mitford, author of ‘Love in a Cold Climate’, worked during WWII, while his mother Deborah Cavendish was a successful published author of more than a dozen books including ‘Wait for Me’ and ‘Tearing Haste’.

Friday 18 September

Tim Marlow: the writer, broadcaster and art historian talks about Ai Weiwei as a major new exhibition of the artist’s work opens at the Royal Academy where Marlow is Director of Artistic Programmes.

Hannah Rothschild: the writer and film director is in conversation with Rachel Campbell-Johnston about her first novel “The Improbability of Love” published May 2015.

Philip Hook: a Director of Sotheby’s and author of “Breakfast at Sotheby’s; An A-Z of the Art World”, he gives the inside track on the business of buying and selling art.

Helen Rosslyn: the art historian and film maker looks at some of the rarely seen highlights of the Devonshire Collection of prints and explains how an early encounter with them contributed to her own passion for prints.

Saturday 19 September

Duke of Devonshire: in conversation with Rachel Campbell-Johnston, the Duke discusses the continuing work being done to establish Chatsworth as an important destination for contemporary art.

Fiona McCarthy: the award winning biographer of Eric Gill and William Morris talks about her long-held fascination with the process of making and how it inspires her books, including her new book about Walter Gropius

Michael Craig- Martin: the celebrated artist talks about his two new books, his 2014 exhibition at Chatsworth and his digital portrait of Lady Burlington, as she reflects on her experience as a sitter.

Pablo Bronstein: in conversation with Alex Farquharson of Nottingham Contemporary, the artist discusses the influence and impact of the architecture and design of the 17^th and 18^th centuries on his own work.

Jonathan Yeo: one of the UK’s most highly regarded portrait artists discusses his career to date and the current trajectory of portraiture in conversation with Matthew Parris.

Charles Saumarez Smith: the Chief Executive of the Royal Academy talks about the plans for the new RA building opening in 2018, its impact on the 250-year old institution and on the viewing public.

Will Gompertz: the author and BBC Arts Editor, discusses his new book “Think Like an Artist” and explores the subject of creativity; what unites successful artists and what can their ability to turn fantasy into reality teach us.

Joseph Walsh and Kevin Francis Gray: these two internationally successful artists discuss the artistic process behind their work in conversation with Rachel Campbell-Johnston.

Sunday 20 September

Esther Freud: the novelist discusses her latest book featuring Charles Rennie Mackintosh and explains how her experiences with her father Lucian helped her find the right tone and line.

Jonathan Ruffer: in conversation with Matthew Parris the investment banker tells how and why he bought and restored Auckland Castle along with its twelve Zurbaran paintings, all considered masterpieces.

Grayson Perry: the ceramicist and Turner prize-winner considers art history’s web of connections and influences and what they mean for artists and in particular for Grayson Perry himself.

Christopher Simon Sykes: the writer discusses the latest instalment of his biography of David Hockney, drawing on the primary material he gathered from Hockney and the artist’s close circle of friends to produce his rich, joyful account of Hockney’s life.

Simon Jenkins: the journalist, author and former Chair of the National Trust raises questions about the role of the historic house in the 21^st century and how best to balance the interests of the house and the visiting public.

Cate Haste: the biographer and film-maker discusses her book on Craigie Aitchison, examining what informed his visual imagination, distinctive themes and powerfully evocative painting style.

Alison Yarrington: the Professor of Art History at Loughborough University advised on the 2009 project to restore the Chatsworth Sculpture Gallery to its appearance in 1858, the year of the death of its creator the 6^th Duke of Devonshire. She discusses the work with Matthew Hirst, Head of Arts and Historic Collections at Chatsworth.

Final speaker: details to be announced, will be a ‘Great British Artist’.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Chesterfield Royal performs well in the latest National Inpatient Survey

2nd June 2015

The Chesterfield Royal Hospital is continuing to improve is the message from the latest Care Quality Commission (CQC) patient survey report.

Of the 58 questions scored, the Royal showed improvement in 48 of the responses compared to the 2013 report across a wide range of topics including waiting times, ward environment, levels of care from doctors and nurses, discharge from hospital and information.

The Royal received 452 responses, an excellent response rate of 55%, to the survey carried out by the CQC to ensure the Trust knows what patients think of its services and the care and treatment they receive. More than 59,000 patients responded across the country from 154 acute trusts.

Key findings from the report include significant improvements in…

• Giving patients privacy when discussing their condition and treatment;
• The length of time nurses responded to the patient call button;
• Patient involvement in decision making regarding their care and treatment;
• Taking the patients’ family or home situation into account when planning discharge;
• Hospital staff informing patients who to contact if they’re concerned about their treatment following discharge;
• Patients feeling they were treated with dignity and respect;
• Patients asked to give views on their stay and being told how to make a complaint.

The Trust was rated as ‘about the same’ or ‘better than’ other hospitals in every single question asked, scoring highly in…

• Keeping to single sex accommodation bays;
• Being offered a good choice of food;
• The level of privacy afforded to patients during their examination and/or treatment;
• The cleanliness of the hospital room and ward;
• Keeping to the arranged admission date.

“Very encouraging”

Chief Executive Gavin Boyle said: “This survey is very encouraging and I’m delighted to see that we’re moving in the right direction with so many of the responses scoring higher than in 2013, some significantly so. The majority of our responses fall in the ‘expected range’ which, whilst still showing that we are performing well also shows that we can do better. Our aim is to provide the best possible care for our patients and we will continue to work hard as a Trust to achieve that aim.”

A small number of questions showed a fall compared to last year. An emerging theme was to improve communication and our arrangements for discharging patients from the hospital.

Gavin added: “We welcome hearing the views of our patients and, whilst it’s pleasing to acknowledge the good news, we welcome the opportunity to find out where our services can be improved. The only way to get better is to listen and make sure that we respond as a Trust to work on those areas.”

Posted in About Chesterfield

Celebrity host announced for Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards

1st June 2015

Celebrity chef Theo Randall has been confirmed as the host of Chesterfield’s 2015 Food and Drink Awards ceremony.

Theo will announce the winners of the very best producers, restaurants, cafes, bars and venues that Chesterfield has to offer. Nominations for the prestigious awards open on Monday 8 June, with the ceremony taking place later in the year in October.

The Awards are organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with headline sponsor Chesterfield College whose students will, once again, be catering the entire event at Chesterfield College’s Heart Space Building.

Award winning restaurateur Theo is a familiar face on prime time TV, and recently published his second cookery book, My Simple Italian.

Commenting on the awards Theo said: “I am delighted to be involved with the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards. I am passionate about good quality food and drink and these awards embody the very best that the town has to offer as well as celebrating the next generation of employees in the hospitality industry. I am very much looking forward to meeting some of the local stars on the food and drink scene as well as the hospitality students at Chesterfield College.”

Stuart Cutforth, Principal and Chief Executive of Chesterfield College added: “It is fantastic to support Chesterfield’s Food and Drink awards again this year. These awards really help to raise the profile of the industry in the area and celebrate local talent. Chesterfield College is looking forward to hosting the event later this year and showcasing the talents of our catering and hospitality students. Events like this are a brilliant opportunity to excite and encourage young people to get the skills they need to be part of this industry in the future.”

Nominations across ten categories for the awards open in June and shortlisting will take place in August with the winners being crowned at the star-studded ceremony in October later this year.

This year there are 13 categories in the awards including the brand new Conference Venue of the Year. Other categories in the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards include:

Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council
Café/Tea Room of the Year – sponsored by Kier
Gastro Pub of the Year – sponsored by Chesterfield College
Pub / Bar of the Year
Best Newcomer – sponsored by BHP
Best Customer Service – sponsored by East Midlands Chamber
Best Out of Town
Chesterfield Food Producer – sponsored by NatWest
Conference Venue of the Year – sponsored by Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers
Young Chef of the Year – sponsored by Crooked Spire Church
International Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by MSE Hiller
Family Friendly Award – sponsored by Jumble Design
Chesterfield Food Hero – sponsored by Banner Jones

Other supporters of the awards include the Derbyshire Times, Peak FM, Franke Sissons, Holdsworth Foods and Reflections.

Voting opens on Monday 8 June and can be done online at www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards. Posters and postcards are also being distributed to food and drink businesses across the town. Voting is open until midnight on Sunday 12 July 2015.

A limited number of sponsorship opportunities still remain. If any businesses are interested in becoming a sponsor of the 2015 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards they should contact Dominic Stevens on 01246 207207 or email dom.stevens@chesterfield.co.uk.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield

Residents to choose artwork for Chesterfield sports centre

1st June 2015

Chesterfield residents can have their say on the artwork which will grace the new Queen’s Park Sports Centre.
There are three options of the artwork which will be outside the new Chesterfield Borough Council facility, which is currently under construction.
The three options are:

• Heartbeat – designed by Nottinghamshire sculptor Michael Johnson. The design shows an image of a regular heartbeat symbolising wellbeing and exercise. At 12 metres long and 2.8 metres high, the design would be made of stainless steel with mosaic and bronze elements.

• Wave – designed by Matlock sculptor Stuart Marsh, showing a wave representing grace, strength and determination. The design would be 2.2 metres long and 1.8 metres high and made of stone from the Peak District.

• Jump – by West Midlands based artist Mick Thacker. This is a sculpture of a time lapse motion of the human figure jumping. The design represents the beauty of movement and the joy of life itself.

Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for planning said: “We are keen for residents to have their say on which of these three pieces of art will be at the entrance to the new Queen’s Park Sports Centre.

“As a council, we have a policy that one per cent of the money spent on new developments must be spent on public artwork, this has led to some of the well-known pieces of art in the borough, including the Growth sculpture at Hornsbridge and the Spirit of Saltergate celebrating Chesterfield FC.
The consultation is available to complete online from Monday 1 June to Friday 12 June from a link on the council’s website: www.chesterfield.gov.uk.

People can also see the designs and vote for their favourite design at the existing Queen’s Park Sports Centre on Boythorpe Road, the Healthy Living Centre in Staveley, Chesterfield College and the council’s Visitor Information Centre in Rykneld Square.

The new Queen’s Park Sports Centre is currently being built on the site of Queen’s Park Annexe.
The £11.25 million project is paid for by £6.725 million from Chesterfield Borough Council, £2.5 million from Chesterfield College, as part of a dual use agreement, £2 million from Sport England’s Strategic Facilities Fund and £25,000 from Squash England. Read about the development

The new centre will open in early 2016. The existing centre on Boythorpe Road will remain open until the new one is complete.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Uncategorised

Chesterfield Retail Awards shortlist announced

21st May 2015

Six Chesterfield retailers are hoping to retain their titles at next month’s Chesterfield Retail Awards.

Northern Tea Merchants, aGeek, Vivienne’s Hairdressing and Beauty, Babyluv, Fred’s Haberdashery and Pelican Cycles have once again been shortlisted for a prestigious award.

They join a total of 33 Chesterfield retailers shortlisted across 14 categories in the annual awards, which recognise the very best independent shops, high street stores and market traders in the town.

The shortlisted retailers will now go head-to-head, with the winner in each category being announced by Peak FM breakfast show hosts, Becky Measures and James Summers, on Wednesday 24 June at The Winding Wheel.

The winners of each category will also fight it out for the prestigious Retailer of the Year Award, sponsored by East Midlands Chamber. Last year, Pelican Cycles scooped the coveted award.

Organised by the town’s inward investment campaign, Destination Chesterfield, the Awards are sponsored by Learning Unlimited – part of Chesterfield College Group.

Stuart Cutforth, Principal of Chesterfield College said: “We work with many local retailers already and the apprenticeships that we offer in relation to retail are growing increasingly popular, such as customer service and sales apprenticeships, so are delighted to be involved with such a key retail awards ceremony in Chesterfield. We hope that we continue to work successfully with more and more local retailers in regard to their staffing and training needs as we look to help grow this area’s economy, giving the community a real boost.”

The shortlisted retailers across the 14 categories are:

Excellence in Customer Service – sponsored by Learning Unlimited
Adorn Jewellers
Blanc
R P Davidson Cheese Factor

Market Hall Business of the Year – sponsored by Kier
1001 Vac and Electrical spares
A Little Bazaar
Lambs Cupcakes

Best New Store – sponsored by Banner Jones Solicitors
A Little Bazaar
Meadowfresh
PK House

National / Multiple Retailer of the year – sponsored by Vicar Lane
Carphone Warehouse
Debenhams
Specsavers Opticians

Food and Drink Retailer of the Year – sponsored by BHP Accountants
Meadowfresh
Northern Tea Merchants
R P Davidson Cheese Factor

Fashion and Footwear Retailer of the Year – sponsored by In the Works PR
Badger
Blanc
Moo Fashions

Hair and Beauty Business of the Year
Vivienne’s Hairdressing
Phunk’d Hair & Nail Lounge
The Therapy Lounge

Jewellery & Accessories Retailer of the Year – sponsored by The Pavements Shopping Centre
Adorn Jewellers
M’s Gallery
Moo Fashions

Home and Gifts Retailer of the Year
Curious Goods
Libby’s
New Dawn

Children’s Clothes, Toys and Accessories Retailer of the Year
Babyluv
Debenhams
Giraffe Nursery Store

Phones and Technology Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors
aGeek
Chips Computers
Tech CPR

Leisure Retailer of the Year (Sports, Hobbies, Crafts or Outdoor) – Sponsored by Peak FM
Fred’s Haberdashery
StraightCurves
Pelican Cycles

Market Trader of the Year – sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council
David Wood Fine China
Ibbotson’s Fresh Produce
Tiddlywinks

Independent Retailer of the Year – sponsored by Jumble Design
R P Davidson Cheese Factor
Libby’s
Pelican Cycles

This year, the awards are hosting an additional category – Vicar Lane Shopping Centre’s Retailer of the Year Award, which will name town’s favourite retailer based on Vicar Lane and Steeplegate in the town centre. Voting for this award was done directly with Vicar Lane Shopping Centre, however the winner will be announced at the awards ceremony.

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre’s Retailer of the Year Award

Carphone Warehouse
Holland and Barrett
New Look

Other supporters of the awards include eBusiness Works and the Derbyshire Times.

You can keep up-to-date with the awards on social media by using the hashtag #retailawards15.

To find out more about the 2015 Chesterfield Retail Awards visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/retailawards.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Chesterfield plans to become a dementia friendly town

13th May 2015

The Chesterfield Dementia Action Alliance is planning to make Chesterfield a nicer place to live for people living with dementia, or those who provide care for such, and develop dementia-friendly communities.

The alliance brings together regional and local members of the community such as large and small retailers, local authorities, hospital trusts, care providers, financial and professional services, charities etc.

The Dementia Action Alliance is pleased to announce the launch of Chesterfield Dementia Action Alliance on Thursday May 21^st. This session is designed to explain how the group operates, how you can be involved and the support available.

The launch takes place at the Assembly Rooms (above the Market Hall) on Thursday 21^st May between 2.30 to 4.30pm.

As part of the session attendees will also have the opportunity to become a Dementia Friend.

You can register to attend at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chesterfield-dementia-action-alliance-launch-tickets-16216115839

Posted in About Chesterfield

Chamber Comments on Appointment of New Business Secretary

11th May 2015

The Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP has been appointed as Secretary of State for Business in Prime Minister David Cameron’s new Cabinet.

Mr Javid, the Member for Bromsgrove, was Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport in the previous Cabinet. He takes over the business brief from former Lib Dem MP Dr Vince Cable, who lost his seat at last Thursday’s election.

Chris Hobson, Head of Information and Representation at East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), said: “We look forward to working with Sajid as he looks to move the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) forward to maintain and build on the momentum in the economy, which has been largely driven by business.

“In order to do this, he needs to ensure the team at BIS is talking to businesses here in the East Midlands, which as a region, has been a national leader in terms of creating jobs and driving economic growth in the UK over the past five years.

“The region has a broad-based and balanced economy, with real strengths in manufacturing and engineering and these are key sectors which need to be supported in order to secure the long-term success of the UK’s economy.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Free adult cycle training in Chesterfield

11th May 2015

Adults in Chesterfield can upgrade their cycling skills for free thanks to Derbyshire County Council’s new County Rider scheme.

County Rider offers free one to one cycle training to people aged 18 or over who live, work or study in Chesterfield

Councillor John Owen, deputy cabinet member for highways, transport and infrastructure at Derbyshire County Council, said:

“The great thing about County Rider is that the programme can be tailored to suit your needs.

“Your instructor will design a programme to suit you whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced cyclist who wants to become an even better rider. The training is not strenuous and can be done at your own pace.

“Cycling is great for you and for the environment − and we will teach you how to do it safely. You can get fit and save money on travel while reducing the pollution caused by traffic congestion.”

County Rider offers learners up to four training sessions and each one can last up to two hours. The amount of coaching required will depend on what the learner wants to achieve and their instructor’s assessment of their skill level.

County Rider training meets national standards recognised by the Department for Transport.

Apply for County Rider training or contact the Derbyshire County Council road safety team for more information, tel: 01629 538060.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

Apprenticeships celebrated for helping to deliver quality care

7th May 2015

In a special celebration at Learning Unlimited, 64 apprentices from across the East Midlands, North and North West working with Chesterfield based company Heathcotes Care were recognised for their hard work and commitment to training and successfully completing their apprenticeships. The event marked the achievements of learners at all levels including the first higher level health and social care apprentices who are working in managerial positions within the organisation.

At the event, all the apprentices received certificates and special awards were given to the apprentice of the year, a leader in learning and the most improved learner. All 64 apprentices are now working with the company in a variety of roles at all levels in the organisation.

Heathcotes Care, who provide specialist residential care for adults with learning disabilities across the East Midlands, Yorkshire and Humber and the North West, highlighted how important apprenticeships are to give their workforce the skills they need to deliver a quality service. The organisation has been working in partnership with Learning Unlimited for the last two years to provide a work based learning formula that has helped them to reduce staff turnover and improve retention and progression rates.

Brendan Kelly, Operations Director from Heathcotes Care said: “For us, service user experience is the key to success. Apprenticeships help us to deliver that. When we have attracted the people with the right qualities to care, apprenticeships help us to give them the skills to do their job well. When staff are happy and feel that they can do their job well they stay with us which means the adults we care for get quality and continuity and that makes a difference to their quality of life.

“The different levels of apprenticeships on offer mean that we can progress people from entry to managerial level and equip them with an in-depth knowledge of how we work. We can see how this benefits the people we care for, our staff and our organisation which is why we have just started 75 new apprentices with Learning Unlimited. ”

Steve Hepworth, Head of Learning Unlimited said: “Celebration events like this really make you realise how important getting the right skills can be for an organisation and for a learner. It is inspirational to see so many successful learners keen to celebrate their apprenticeships as well as recognising the journey they go on to progress their careers. The success rate for Heathcotes Care is way above national average and I think that is partly down to the culture within the organisation and partly due to the way our work based tutors ensure learners are supported to succeed. The partnership approach pays off and we are looking forward to supporting the new apprentices thorough to the next celebration event.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business