DVA Health & Social Care Voluntary Sector Forum

This is the general meeting of the membership of DVA. The Forum is open to any health related or social care voluntary group in Derbyshire. It meets quarterly throughout the year at the Agricultural Business Centre in Bakewell.vThe Forum is a friendly, informal meeting and always welcomes new members. It provides an atmosphere where groups are able to 'network'.vMembers are also able to hear and debate presentations on current issues and the Forum is frequently used as a consultation mechanism by statutory bodies.

Information Updates

‘Network’, DVA’s newsletter, is published quarterly and circulated to both voluntary and statutory organisations in Derbyshire.vGroups and organisations are encouraged to use Network to submit articles about their activities and to promote their events.vThe newsletter is supplemented by an E News’ bulletin that is emailed frequently and keeps groups and organisations even more up-to-date about news and issues that are likely to be of interest to them.

Financial Support

DVA manages a Small Grants Scheme which offers financial support towards the running costs of health and social care related voluntary groups in Derbyshire, with priority given to those having limited financial resources.vFunding is provided by NHS North Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group and Derbyshire County Council.

Other financial support includes the ‘User Involvement Fund’, which is designed to cover out of pocket expenses of service users, carers and voluntary group representatives who participate in a variety of planning groups and consultation exercises relating to health issues in Derbyshire.

Mental Health Liaison Service

DVA supports the work of voluntary sector mental health providers in Derbyshire through the Mental Health Liaison Service.vThe role of the Service is to develop a platform for voluntary agencies delivering mental health services to come together to discuss matters of common interest and influence strategic planning in mental health. 

Connect to…

Connect to… is Derbyshire Voluntary Action’s enhanced social prescribing and self-care service to support people who are lonely, isolated or at risk of developing/living with, a long-term health condition. This service will help local people increase their social and physical activity, and access emotional and practical support.

The service will enable GPs and other health and care professionals to connect their patients to a range of non-clinical and community support services.

COMMuniTY CHESTERFIELD

The COMMuniTY CHESTERFIELD project aims to strengthen communities in Chesterfield through new collaborative initiatives linking the voluntary sector with the work and resources of the University’s College of Health and Social Care. The project operates from a new centre of community innovation at the St Helena Campus and its programme will include opportunities for research, volunteering, work placements, training, shared learning and joint project work.

Feeling Connected in Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire

‘Feeling Connected’ is a partnership project led by DVA which aims to improve local approaches to social connectedness in Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire.