Chesterfield entrepreneur who has helped more than 35 businesses, charities and community organisations strengthen their digital presence has been named a finalist at the UK Small Business Awards 2026.

Jessica Smith, founder of Justjessvirtual, has been shortlisted in the Female Entrepreneur of the Year category, recognising the growth of her business and its impact in supporting organisations to increase their online visibility.

Founded during the Covid-19 pandemic, Justjessvirtual provides social media management, digital marketing, content creation and communications support to businesses and organisations across Chesterfield and beyond. Since launching, the business has worked with clients across sectors including health and wellbeing, retail, professional services, charities, community organisations, trades and events.

Jessica established the business after relocating to Chesterfield, where she built a new life and career before deciding to launch her own business. Today, much of her work comes through relationships built within the town’s business community.

Jessica said:

“Chesterfield gave me a fresh start and has become the place where I’ve been able to build both my business and my family life. The local business community has been incredibly supportive, and so much of my work has come through local relationships and referrals.

“When I started Justjessvirtual, I wanted to help businesses and organisations tell their stories more effectively online. Seeing the difference that digital visibility can make for small businesses, charities and community groups has been incredibly rewarding.”

One of Jessica’s proudest achievements has been supporting the African Caribbean Community Association in Chesterfield with its digital communications, website and funding communications. The work helped strengthen the charity’s online presence and supported successful funding bids, enabling the organisation to continue delivering services for the local community.

Jessica has also supported major community events, helped businesses improve their digital marketing strategies and created content that has reached audiences of more than one million people online.

Looking ahead, Jessica hopes to continue growing the business while supporting even more organisations across Chesterfield to build confidence in digital marketing and social media.

Jessica added:

“My ambition is to continue helping businesses, charities and community organisations feel more confident online. Growth isn’t just about taking on more clients; it’s about creating more impact, supporting more local stories and helping organisations understand the value of being visible.

“Being recognised as a finalist at the UK Small Business Awards is a huge honour. I’m proud to be representing Chesterfield on a national stage and hope it highlights the fantastic businesses and entrepreneurs we have here.”

The UK Small Business Awards celebrate entrepreneurs and organisations making a significant contribution to their industries and communities across the UK, recognising innovation, resilience and business excellence.

To discover support available to start, grow and promote a business in Chesterfield, visit: www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/

From record-breaking community events like the Sparkle Night Walk to empowering young people and creating greener neighbourhood spaces, Chesterfield Champions continue to make a positive difference across our town.

Thousands turn Chesterfield pink for record-breaking Sparkle Night Walk

More than 3,500 people filled the streets of Chesterfield with colour for Ashgate Hospice’s biggest-ever Sparkle Night Walk, raising over £250,000 to support end-of-life care across North Derbyshire.

Local schoolchildren help shape Chesterfield Children’s Festival

Pupils from Abercrombie Primary School have helped shape this year’s Chesterfield Children’s Festival, working alongside the organisers to influence the 2026 programme.

Year 6 students have spent the past 12 months collaborating with local charity Junction Arts through workshops, discussions and creative sessions. Their ideas have helped ensure the festival reflects the interests of young people in our town.

The partnership began in June last year, when pupils took part in a comedy and confidence-building workshop with performer Wacky Woody. They later became “Festival Budding Investigators”, attending the 2025 event and providing feedback to support future planning.

Now in its fourth year, the Chesterfield Children’s Festival is a free event celebrating imagination, play and creativity, with a wide range of performances and activities for families.

Jemma Burton, Project Manager at Junction Arts, said:

“The Children’s Festival aims to bring high-quality arts and cultural experiences to Chesterfield, inspiring young people and encouraging them to take part in creative activities.

“Our FBI agents have been honest, insightful and full of ideas. They have truly helped shape the 2026 programme, and we’re proud to bring their ideas to life.”

Mrs Kirsty Gratton-Bircumshaw, Higher Level Teaching Assistant at Abercrombie Primary School, added:

“Over the past two years, our Year 6 pupils have taken part in fantastic sessions with Junction Arts. Every session has been creative, engaging and great fun.

Through this experience, the children have gained a real understanding of everything that goes into organising a festival, from practical details like budgeting and safety to the experiences visitors see on the day.”

The festival will take place at Queen’s Park on Saturday, 18th July 2026 and Sunday, 19th July 2026, 10:00am – 4:00pm.

Solar panel investment helps local community hubs cut costs

Two community buildings in Chesterfield have reduced their energy costs and carbon emissions after installing solar panels, thanks to funding from Chesterfield Borough Council’s Community Grants Fund.

Loundsley Green Community Trust and the Cosy Hub in Grangewood have both installed solar panels to generate clean, renewable electricity, helping create more sustainable community spaces while reducing operational costs.

The projects received funding through the council’s Community Grants Fund, with £19,035 awarded to Loundsley Green Community Centre and £15,240 supporting the Cosy Hub. The installations are already helping both venues operate more efficiently, with savings set to be reinvested into local programmes and services.

The initiative forms part of Chesterfield Borough Council’s wider commitment to tackling climate change and supporting organisations to adopt greener ways of working.

Councillor Martin Stone, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Planning and Environment at Chesterfield Borough Council, said:

“I’m delighted to see these community buildings taking positive environmental action by installing solar panels. Supporting projects like these helps create a greener community that relies less on fossil fuels, while enabling organisations to operate more sustainably and efficiently.”

Since launching in 2023, the Community Grants Fund has awarded more than £500,000 to local groups, including over 100 projects. A total of 36 climate-focused initiatives have received more than £172,000 in funding.

Ian Birchmore, Chair of Loundsley Green Community Trust, said:

“This investment will be a huge benefit to us, the local community and the environment. Even during winter, we’ve seen periods where we generate all the electricity we need, significantly reducing our reliance on the grid.”

Danny Henman, CEO of Community Development Chesterfield, added:

“The savings on our energy bills are allowing us to keep our doors open more often and reinvest in activities that support our community.”

BRM’s Wills Month raises thousands for Chesterfield FC Community Trust

Chesterfield law firm BRM has raised £8,881 for Chesterfield FC Community Trust through its latest Wills Month campaign, supporting vital community health, wellbeing and education initiatives across the town.

During the campaign, BRM waived its usual Will-writing fees, instead encouraging clients to make voluntary donations, with a suggested contribution of £75 per person. The funds raised will support a wide range of initiatives delivered by the Trust, including youth engagement projects, community wellbeing programmes, and social and exercise clubs for older adults.

Since the partnership began in 2025, BRM’s Wills Month campaigns have now raised more than £20,000 to help fund the Trust’s work across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Executive directors Rob Woodhead and Paul Berresford led the initiative at BRM’s Chesterfield office.

Rob Woodhead, Executive Director at BRM, said:

“We’re incredibly proud to have raised £8,881 during our Wills Month in support of the Trust. As a Gold Friend of Chesterfield FC Community Trust, we’re delighted to raise much-needed funds that support health, wellbeing, and education in the region.”

Paul Berresford, Executive Director at BRM, added:

“The success of Wills Month reflects the generosity of our clients and shows what can be achieved when local businesses and the community come together. We’re thrilled to have raised over £20,000 since the start of our partnership, helping to fund vital activities that make a real difference to local people’s lives.”

Keith Jackson, Deputy Head of Community at Chesterfield FC Community Trust, said:

“The continued support from BRM directly increases much-needed funding for all of our projects, including Walking Football, Affected by Cancer and our mental health programmes. The generosity of local residents helps shape what we can deliver, so every contribution makes a real difference.”

Ashgate Hospice, Junction Arts, Chesterfield Borough Council, BRM, and Chesterfield FC, are a few of over 200 Chesterfield organisations that are proud to support the local economy, working closely with Destination Chesterfield to showcase Chesterfield and North Derbyshire as a destination to live, work, visit and invest.

Find out more about our Champions network.