Author: Emma Smith

Two of our buildings are open as warm spaces - Derbyshire Record Office in New Street, Matlock and Buxton Museum and Art Gallery in Terrace Road.

All of our libraries are warm and welcoming places too. You don't need to be a member to call in to get warm and have a chat - why not make use of the facilities while you're there?

We're also offering grants to organisations to set up warm spaces to support... Read More »

If you're more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under the age of four, then you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk through the NHS Healthy Start scheme.

If you're eligible, you'll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops.

Find out more at www.healthystart.nhs.uk

Have you checked if you are eligible for Pension Credit? It's worth on average £3,500 a year, plus it unlocks other benefits including help with heating costs, council tax discounts, a free TV licence if you're aged 75 or over and housing benefit.

We're urging people to apply as soon as possible. If you apply before 18th December 2022, and are successful in claiming pension credit, then you will... Read More »

It can be an expensive time of year with many people feeling they have to borrow money to afford food, presents and celebrations over Christmas.

If you struggle to access mainstream banking services this may mean you've thought about using payday loans or door step lenders, which have much higher interest rates and will cost you a lot more.

However, did you know that credit unions and community banks... Read More »

Are you getting everything you're entitled to? Our welfare rights team offer support to ensure that you're receiving all the benefits you are eligible for.

Since we launched our Cost of Living support in June, we've helped 100s of Derbyshire residents to successfully claim additional benefits they didn't know they could get.

That's already lead to thousands of pounds extra in Derbyshire people's pockets... Read More »

Welcome to my latest Leader's Briefing.

Only one month to go until Christmas, and the next edition will be my last Leader's Briefing of the year!

We recently commemorated Remembrance Day at our Mill Lane offices and leisure centres and I really hope the commemoration events went well at parishes across the district.

If you live in the district, hopefully you have now received your copy of our residents'... Read More »

Please sign up for this newsletter if you find it useful and look out for the next edition coming soon.

Visit our website for advice and support on the cost of living.

Some supermarkets are offering discounted children's meals and discounts on school wear to help families.

There are also discounts and offers available for broadband tariffs and retail offers.

Visit the help for households website to find out more.

There are many families across the district and county that will need help to reduce their fuel bills this winter. If this is you or someone you know, Marches Energy Agency (an independent charity) are offering free advice on energy saving in your home and can help if you are struggling to pay your bills.

Find out what help is available on the Marches Energy Agency website.

We are supporting Derbyshire's food bank network to do what we can to ensure our residents who are struggling with low incomes and debt have food available for them and their family in times of need.

We have put together a list of partners who can help you access food or help and advice with links to their websites and numbers to call.

For more information - Cost of Living Contacts and Help - North East... Read More »