Charity completes refurbishment at former Chesterfield register office

18th August 2023

The refurbishment of the former Chesterfield register office, based in a prominent town centre location has now been completed.

Charity Derwent Rural Counselling Service, one of the largest third-sector providers of counselling services in the region, has undertaken the total refurbishment of the building on New Beetwell Street.

The three-storey centre, which will be officially opened with a launch event on September 22, has become DRCS’s new Chesterfield base and includes office space, numerous treatment and consulting rooms, meeting rooms and relaxation space to help cope with the increased demand for DRCS services in the area.

DRCS Trustees were taken on a tour of the building ahead of the therapists moving in from mid-August. The building also offers options for businesses to rent rooms and floorspace, with disabled access via a new state-of-the-art lift.

Janette Smeeton, chief executive at DRCS, said: “This has been a huge project for our team and one of the most important in the charity’s 30-year history. The need for mental health services has never been greater as people struggle post Covid, with the pressures of work and family, and challenging economic times.

“This will be one of the largest talking therapy centres in the county and we look forward to welcoming people to our new centre, served by our team of experienced therapists.”

Mark Serby, chair of DRCS Trustees, added: “The building is fantastic. Not only has DRCS brought an empty facility back to community use, but it has created a valuable asset for people and businesses in the region to access on their journey to wellness and well-being.”

The Beetwell Street hub is part of ambitious plans for DRCS which operates a large team of freelance and employed staff based at seven centres across the county covering the Amber Valley, Erewash, Chesterfield, Buxton, Matlock, Ashbourne, Derby, Swadlincote and the Peak District.

Over the last 30 years, DRCS, which can be accessed via self-referral or through a GP, has offered talking therapies for common mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, stress and long-term conditions through pathways including counselling, CBT and guided self-help.

In the last eight years, DRCS has been in partnership with Derbyshire Healthcare Foundation Trust to deliver the NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression service, throughout Derbyshire.

To find out how you can access DRCS services across Derbyshire call 0800 047 6861.

Looking for a new business premises in Chesterfield? Find out more about the range of commercial property available at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/commercial-property-search/

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home, Love Chesterfield, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in chesterfield business news, chesterfield charity news, chesterfield news, Chesterfield register office, chesterfield town centre, Derwent Rural Counselling Service, Love Chesterfield

Work progresses on refurbishment of former Chesterfield register office

22nd May 2023

Internal work has started on Chesterfield’s new centre for talking therapies – the building which formerly housed the Chesterfield Register Office.

Beighton Construction is nine weeks into the refurbishment of the premises on Beetwell Street, for charity Derwent Rural Counselling Service.

Having completed roof works, internal strip out, new damp proofing system, floors, heating and new electrics, a team of contractors is now underway with plastering and decoration, plus installing new toilets and a lift.

The three storey centre, set to open in summer 2023 with an official launch event in September, will include office space, numerous treatment and consulting rooms, meeting rooms and relaxation space to help cope with the increased demand for DRCS services in the area, plus options for businesses to rent rooms and floorspace.

Andrew Holmes, director at Beighton Construction, based in Chesterfield, said: “A new damp proofing system has been installed in the basement, partition walls and plaster repairs have been completed plus a new heating system, and the first phase of decorating is underway.

“The new lift will offer access to all floors for centre users.”

Janette Smeeton, chief executive at DRCS, said: “Progress continues on the site which will be one of the largest talking therapy centres in the county.

“Bringing the building back to community use will create a valuable asset for people and businesses in the region.”

Over the last 30 years, DRCS has become one of the largest third sector provider of counselling services in the region offering help to individuals, via self-referral or via a GP, with common mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, stress and long term conditions through counselling, CBT, guided self-help, and other forms of talking therapy.

In the last eight years, DRCS has been in partnership with Derbyshire Healthcare Foundation Trust to deliver the NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression service, throughout Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in Beetwell Street, chesterfield business news, chesterfield news, Chesterfield register office, Love Chesterfield, Talking therapies derbyshire

Charity announces move into former Chesterfield register office

17th November 2021

Derwent Rural Counselling Service, which supports people with mental health problems across Derbyshire, has invested in new premises in Chesterfield.

DRCS has bought the old Register Office in Chesterfield as part of ambitious growth plans for the charity which currently operates a team of 60 freelance and employed staff working from home and out of seven centres across the county.

Grand plans for the Beetwell Street premises include office space, consulting rooms, meeting rooms and relaxation space to help cope with an increased demand for DRCS services in the area plus other tenanted options.

Janette Smeeton, chief executive at DRCS said: “We have seen rapid growth and success in the last few years and expanded our services now treating people from the Amber Valley, Erewash, Chesterfield, Buxton, Matlock, Ashbourne, Derby, Swadlincote and the Peak District. Adding to our property portfolio in Chesterfield makes sense as were using rented meeting rooms in the town.

“One main aim for DRCS has been to create a local service for everyone in Derbyshire to make sure everybody can get the service they need, close to home.

“The new Chesterfield building offers the biggest property challenge to date with three floors to renovate, but will help us provide as many treatment appointments as possible for the local community. We have not yet begun renovations but hope these will start as soon as possible.”

Mark Serby, chair of trustees for the Bakewell-headquartered charity said: “This is an exciting project and another step in implementing the board’s strategy for growth.

“Now is the right time to invest in the future. Covid has changed how we do things and proved there is not only appetite, but there’s a need. By investing in the purchase and renovation of the property we will be in a position to scale active services and have capacity to introduce potential new ones to meet changing needs and have a real meaningful impact.”

Over the last 30 years, DRCS has become the largest voluntary sector provider of counselling services in the region offering help to individuals, via self referral or via a GP, with common mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, stress and long term conditions through counselling, CBT, guided self-help, and other forms of talking therapy.

Over the last eight years, DRCS has been in partnership with Derbyshire Healthcare Foundation Trust to improve access to psychological therapies throughout Derbyshire achieving above national recovery rates and shorter waiting times.