Schemes

  last updated 21.02.12

Food Banks/Schemes in Derbyshire
As fuel bills rise and household incomes fall, it’s a sad fact that some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in Derbyshire will be facing the choice of ‘heating or eating’ this winter.  As part of a campaign that seeks to tackle the impact of fuel poverty, Advice Derbyshire have developed an online database of food banks and schemes operating across Derbyshire. The resource allows users, and in particular front line workers, to search for their nearest scheme by postcode, which will provide a detailed map and information about any available services.  To view the online resource please click http://www.advicederbyshire.org/foodbanks.asp 

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Extract from Rhubarb Farm News, Hardwick Street, Langwith, NG20 9DR 
Apprentices: Rhubarb Farm is planning to employ 10-12 young people between 16 and 19 from the end of February. 
Rhubarb Farm will be running a weekly collection point for the Two Shires Credit Union from the end of January.  This is to help address local debt and prevent the predation of loan sharks.  Two local residents are training for the collection point.  Tel. 01623-741-210/07527-929-592 Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ;    www.rhubarbfarm.co.uk

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Derbyshire Oil Buying Scheme: Rural Action Derbyshire   Free membership offer
Rural Action Derbyshire has recently set up a scheme to use collective purchasing to reduce the cost of fuel prices. This is a scheme aimed at people who use Kerosene (heating oil) to heat their homes. Membership to the scheme is open to all oil users in Derby and Derbyshire.  The membership fee for a household is £20 per year.   For more information visit the RAD website www.ruralactionderbyshire.org.uk/oil or tel: 01629 821927. RAD have been awarded funding to enable free membership to join the scheme for vulnerable people for the first year.   Under the Warm Homes Healthy People fund 400 people can receive free membership for one year.   The definition of vulnerable people is quite wide.   The scheme is open to people in Derby and Derbyshire but to get free membership they need to sign up by the end of March 2012.  

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Enterprise Clubs
Initiative targeted at unemployed interested in self employment. The aim of Enterprise Clubs is to support the development of a network of locally led, community based clubs. The clubs will provide unemployed people interested in self employment with a place to meet and exchange skills, make contacts, share experiences and receive support and encourage each other to work through their business ideas.
If you are interested in setting up an Enterprise Club or think you could help support one, then you can find practical help and advice in the products below see: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/adviser/updates/enterprise-clubs/ The Jobcentre Plus contact: Sue Bainborough, Local Partnerships Manager tel: 01332 714736 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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Derbyshire Furniture Re-use Projects
Local furniture re-use projects all want furniture in good condition that could be re-used.  Anyone on a low income who is looking for affordable furniture can contact them:

YMCA Derbyshire
Field House, Dock Walk, Wheatbridge, Chesterfield, S40 2AB
Tel:  01246 564924

YMCA Happy Homes
Unit 8, Woodville Business Centre, Woodhouse Street, Swadlincote, DE11 8ED
Tel: 01283 220202

Glossopdale Furniture Project
Pikes Lane, Glossop, SK13 8EH
Tel: 01457 857505

Salcare Furniture Project
59 Ray Street, Heanor, DE75 7GF
Tel: 01773 764562

Encore Re-Use
Henmore Trading Estate, Mayfield Road, Ashbourne, DE6 1AS
Tel: 01335 300907; Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Derbyshire Furniture Project
The Old Pattern Shop, Litchurch Lane, Derby, DE24 8AA
Tel: 01332 291121; Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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FREE Office Furniture! 
Community and voluntary groups across the region have the chance to access FREE office furniture through Giving World Online http://www.givingworldonline.com/ which will become available over the next few weeks in Nottingham.  Giving World Online is a free website that provides charities and community projects access to free surplus goods such as quality unwanted furniture and rebranded stock from companies and organisations. To find out more register at http://www.givingworldonline.com/main/register/charity. All interested groups must be able to arrange to collect the goods from the premises which are based in Nottingham.

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In Kind Direct
Founded by HRH The Prince of Wales in 1996, In Kind Direct redistributes surplus goods from manufacturers and retailers to UK charities and has redistributed £100 million in goods so far from over 850 companies to over 8,000 charities.  In Kind Direct provides a single contact point for companies with goods to donate, they also address brand protection by vetting all organisations within their network and monitoring distribution carefully to ensure products are used for good. For further information, including how to register, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , visit http://www.inkinddirect.org/ or call 020 7398 5510.

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Burton and District YMCA's furniture redistribution service
In South Derbyshire is looking to expand its customers and sales but also want an increase in donations. The greatest need is for fridges (including fridge/freezers), washers and electric cookers (including microwaves). Anyone who can donate can call Happy Homes Swadlincote tel: 01283 220202.

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FREE Surplus Goods

Giving World Online (GWO) is a scheme set up to help community groups and charities access free surplus goods from businesses and organisations whilst at the same time helping reduce the amount of goods sent to landfill.  During the next three months GWO will be engaging with businesses in the East Midlands to encourage them to use GWO's free service to redirect their surplus goods on to charities and groups that could make use of them. The service is available to all charities and community groups particularly smaller organisations that are often volunteer-led or operate on very limited funds. To register to receive FREE goods or list the items that you need see http://www.givingworldonline.com/.

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YMCA Furniture Project
YMCA, Field House, Dock Walk, Wheatbridge, Chesterfield, S40 2AB. Tel: 01246 564924 or 07793743119
e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Collection/delivery of furniture is free in the Bolsover /NE Derbyshire and Chesterfield areas.  There is a 2 tier system of charges to buy furniture so, on proof of benefit receipt or low income, typical prices might be £17.50 for a bed, £15 for a fridge, £10 for a chest of drawers.  They also sell starter packs (bed, wardrobe, table and chairs and settee etc) £50 for a single person and £150 for a family - depending on size of family.

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‘Work for Yourself’
An opportunity for people in Bolsover and Chesterfield district who are not sure if self-employment is for them, to learn more and find out what help is available.
If you have a health condition or disability which is making getting a job difficult / Want to work for yourself / Live in areas covered by Bolsover District or Chesterfield Borough Councils this opportunity could be for you.  Free business support programme includes: Help from your own Business Adviser; Practical plans and information packs; Guides for market research; Ideas for finding funding; Publicity for your business.  This business start programme is delivered by Disability Dynamics Ltd. Contact Margaret for more information tel: 01252 721239 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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Women asylum seekers
The Testimony Project is a new project giving voice to women asylum seekers.  The website features testimony from women asylum-seekers, as well as legal information and sign-posting to relevant organisations. It also features a forum where women can voice their experiences of seeking asylum in the UK, share useful information with others, and seek essential, practical support and advice. Available at: http://www.testimonyproject.org/

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Derby Freecycle Group
The Derby Freecycle Group has recently celebrated the fact that it has enrolled over 10,000 members. It is run by the Rev’d Mark Smith ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ), our diocesan chaplain for deaf people, with the help of a team of volunteer moderators. The idea of Freecycle is simple. If you have things you no longer want, you post an e-mail message offering them free of charge to the local community. Those who need or want items can ask for them. It can help you declutter, help those in need who can't afford to buy, and reduce the pressure on our landfill sites all at once. It’s good to be generous to each other and to save the planet at the same time. To join, go to the group's website at http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/derbyfreecycle/ 

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