Derby Information and Advice Network

Classification: OFFICIAL

Derby Information and Advice Network

Bulletin July

Do you give out information and advice on local services for vulnerable people and others?

Do you want to be kept up to date?

The Network provides regular brief updates to all network members, as part of the agenda at each of the meetings and through this bulletin.

Don’t forget, if you have an event you want to promote – you can use the Network mailing list at any time.

Read this bulletin on our website

If you would prefer to read the bulletin on the web, it is available on the Information and Advice Network webpage on the Derby City Council website.

On the webpage you can also find copies of:

· Information and Advice Strategy

· Terms of Reference

· Past editions of the Bulletin.

Featured Project – Disability Direct - The Stuff Project

Disability Direct has been granted funding by the Big Lottery to bring back the Stuff Project. The previous project supported 16 to 25 year olds whereas the New Stuff – Fast Forward will support 11 to 25 years and older people by supporting them to work together to develop community projects and to share understanding and experiences.

Our aim is to equip individuals with the right skills and resources so they are able to make changes for themselves and the communities they live in reducing segregation and promoting positive integration of generations.

The project will commence in October and will run for 3 years.

If you would like any further information, please email Sally Austin or telephone 01332 299449

Name - Olwen Wilson

Organisation – Derby City Council

Job Title - Programme Manager

Intended Audience – Information and Advice Network members and public

Care Act - delay to funding reforms

Changes to how care is funded, due to come into force in April 2016, have been delayed by the Government.

Elements affected are:

· The Cap on Care Costs - to April 2020

· The extension to the Means Test Thresholds - to April 2020

· The Appeals system - pending the Comprehensive Spending review.

The following script has been produced to respond to customers' queries, especially those who currently fund their own care.

Contact telephone - 01332 642742

Contact email -

Name - Paul Naylor

Organisation – Direct Help and Advice (DHA)

Job Title - Business Development Manager

Intended Audience – People who are in need

Free Housing Advice

Our experienced advisors are committed to achieving the best possible outcome for each client and arranging free legal advice on a range of housing issues.

Free Debt Advice

Money Worries?

Struggling with Debt?

FREE Advice and Assistance on:

· Negotiations with creditors.

· Bankruptcy.

· Debt relief orders.

· Council tax arrears.

· County court fines.

Free Energy Efficiency Advice

For you to achieve affordable warmth, requires a wide range of initiatives to ensure that your household receives the assistance it needs.

If you require any of our FREE advice or support services contact our DHA Advice Team:

Contact telephone - 01332 287 850

Contact email -

Website - www.dhadvice.org

Name - Alex Preece

Organisation – Derby City Council

Job Title - Marketing and Project Support Officer

Intended Audience – Information and Advice Providers

Universal Support Delivered Locally

Derby City is a national trial site for Universal Support Delivered Locally (USDL). There is a co-located multi-agency advice hub in the Council House offering support with welfare benefits, personal budgeting, debt advice, employment support, education, training, online access and digital support, to help people with transition to Universal Credit.

If you are aware of any customers who need support in these areas please ask them to contact us.

Contact telephone - 01332 643742

Contact email -

Website - www.derby.gov.uk/advice-and-benefits/benefits/universal-credit/

Name – Adrian McNaney

Organisation – Derby City Council

Job Title – Commissioning and Partnerships Officer

Intended Audience – Network Members

Database Project

Many organisations and projects share overlapping aims and objectives to promote health, wellbeing and the independence of vulnerable people and support this work by, holding information on local support services and activities.

This project aims to improve the quality and accessibility of databases by working with database holders, information providers and users to develop a coordinated approach that makes better use of existing resources and improves access to preventative services.

If you have ideas to improve databases on public access websites, or want to find out more

Contact telephone – 01332 642752

Contact email –

Name - Janet Tristram

Organisation – St James Centre

Job Title - Fun-abil8y Manager

Intended Audience – Anyone receiving support for their health needs

Personal Health Budgets Support

Would you like to take control of your health needs and have the money to organise them as you want?

With Personal Health Budgets you can create your own care plan and choose how your budget is managed.

To get a Personal Health Budget you need to have complex health needs or have a Continuing Health Care or Child Continuing Care Package.

Contact telephone - 01332 604066

Contact email -

Website - NHS Choices Website

Name - Diane Jones

Organisation – Livewell Service, Derby City Council

Job Title - Livewell Nurse

Intended Audience – Anyone who can signpost people aged 40-74 to apply for a free NHS Health Check. Network members who may qualify themselves.

Aged 40-74? Get a free NHS Health Check with Livewell

Do you work with people aged 40-74 registered to a Derby GP practice? Do you fit this criteria yourself? If so, you/your clients could be eligible for a free NHS Health Check with Livewell.

The NHS Health Check is a simple 30 minute appointment that checks cholesterol, blood pressure, BMI and more. Following the tests, Livewell advisors will help find ways to reduce the risks of health problems in the future which could include joining it’s free healthy lifestyle service to lose weight and/or stop smoking.

To apply and book an appointment, visit www.livewellderby.co.uk/healthcheck

Contact telephone - 07812302024

Contact email -

Website - www.livewellderby.co.uk/healthcheck

Name - Claire Winfield

Organisation – Sight Support Derbyshire

Job Title - CEO

Intended Audience – Voluntary sector organisations (and other relevant) in and around Derby

Sight Support Derbyshire is on the move!

From Monday 3rd August 2015 Sight Support Derbyshire (previously known as DAB) are moving their head office.

Their new address will be

Suites 2.2-2.10,

Second Floor,

Litchurch Plaza,

Litchurch Lane,

Derby, DE24 8AA.

Telephone number, website and emails remain the same.

Contact telephone - 01332 292262

Contact email -

Website – www.sightsupportderbyshire.org.uk

Name - Matthew Allbones

Organisation – Citizens Advice and Law Centre

Job Title - Project Coordinator

Intended Audience – Operational stafff and public

Help for people in debt

People who are struggling with their debts can now get more help from the Citizens Advice and Law Centre. The Money Advice Service can help anyone with money problems to sort out all of their finances.

To access the service call 01332 228700 or www.calcderby.org.uk

Contact telephone - 01332 228723

Contact email -

Website - www.calcderby.org

Name - Cathy Lomax

Organisation – First Contact Derby

Job Title - First Contact Derby Project Officer

Intended Audience – Anyone who wants to be part of the First Contact Derby network

Information & Support Hubs at hospitals

The Information and Support Hub at Royal Derby Hospital is now open, located in Patient Advice and Liaison Service near the main entrance. Volunteers & Patient Advice and Liaison Service staff have been trained to complete First Contact checklists. The Hub at London Road Community Hospital isn't being manned yet, but information is available 24/7, as it is at the other information points, at entrances to wards 1&2, and 3-6 at London Road Community Hospital.

Contact telephone - 01332 258272

Contact email -

Website - none - see Age UK Derby & Derbyshire's website

Name - Rachel Austin

Organisation – Déda

Job Title - Dance Development and Learning Manager

Intended Audience – Adults with a disability or learning difficulty

Dance at Déda

Accessible Creative Movement is a class especially for adults with a disability or learning difficulty. The sessions combine movement and music to spark creativity and expression whilst encouraging mobility, balance and co-ordination. The class is accessible to everyone and suitable for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility.

Contact telephone - 01332 370911

Contact email -

Website - www.deda.uk.com

Name - Simon Edwards

Organisation – careers@derby

Job Title - Team Leader

Intended Audience – Referral organisatons

Careers Advice for adults in Derby

Derby City Council's careers advice service for adults (19+) offers one to one appointments at the space@connexions, Curzon Street, DE1 1LL. This includes careers advice, help to find work, CV and interview preparation, advice on learning courses and volunteering.

Contact telephone - 01332 643912

Contact email -

Website - www.derby.gov.uk

Name - Emma Bates

Organisation – Financial Inclusion Support

Intended Audience – All

£5,000 Funding Available for 2015 - 2016 from The England Illegal Money Lending Team Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA)

Up to £5,000 available to directly target an area affected by, or believed to be at risk of illegal money lending to raise awareness about loan sharks. Projects to be delivered by March 2016.

Contact for information. Closing date for applications is September 30th 2015.

Contact telephone - 01332 460466

Contact email -

Website - www.financialinclusionsupoprt.co.uk

Name - Sarah Groom

Organisation – Our Place at Revive Healthy Living Centre

Job Title - Community Co-Ordinator

Intended Audience – Derwent Residents

Our Place

New activities for Derwent residents include our Job Club, Cooking & Growing Club, Senior's IT Club and Lunch Clubs. We are holding a Community BBQ on 5th August 12:15-3pm, 50p entry. Tickets are available from Reception at Revive.

Contact telephone - 01332 288700

Contact email -

Website - www.revivehealthylivingcentre.co.uk

All Together Better – leadership course

Derby City Council are trying to work in a more co-productive way with our customers to improve the services we deliver. We would like you to identify customers who you think would be a good citizen leader. This course is designed to give customers the knowledge, skills and confidence to work alongside us.

Derby City Council and South Derbyshire CCG are funding an All Together Better course for parents and relatives of disabled children, disabled adults and people working in social care, health, education or leisure. You must be a resident of Derby City or South Derbyshire or be involved in providing support to someone who is a resident.

The course is six 2 day sessions from September 2015 to March 2016.

All Together Better is a leadership course designed to identify, train, support and sustain a network of people - citizen leaders - people who believe that things can be better for vulnerable people and their families and want to make a difference in their local community.

The course will provide participants with a greater understanding of:

· Why things are the way they are

· What is the latest leading edge thinking

· What is available and what is possible

· How to work in partnership

· How to be part of shaping the future alongside professional

· How government works and policies are made

· How to get your point over to people.

Please could colleagues think of people they support who might well be suitable for this course and email Neil Woodhead.