Funding — Derbyshire 4 Funding is a free service to help High Peak voluntary and community organisations search for funding   >>MORE

We also have Funderfinder computer-based software for groups to use. For general advice on funding, grants available and how to apply, contact the High Peak CVS team.

The Derbyshire 4 Funding online database has details of over 8,800 funding schemes and trust funds. This information is continuously researched and updated. Useful features:

• Dedicated “Local Support” section
• Latest information on national government, trust and lottery funding
• Easy to use print function for detailed grant information
• Advice on how to write successful funding applications provided by Funder Finder
• Free online access to the Funder Finder list of trusts
• A-Z guide to funding jargon

Training — we have built a solid reputation for quality, delivering respected training packages that meet individual learning needs.

Training events database - search our comprensive list of local training events relevant to the sector.

High Peak CVS offers a variety of training and workshop sessions, aimed at increasing the skills and capacity of people involved in local voluntary and community groups.

Through Digital Umbrella, the IT services wing of High Peak CVS, we also run a specific IT training programme, with one-to-one and small classroom sessions available.

We can offer organisations across the region a range of tailored, bespoke training sessions – everything from chairing skills to strategic planning.

Further details on our Training page or Training Events searchable listing.

Contact Nicola Dinsdale to discuss your specific training needs.

Services — a range of practical services and projects for voluntary and community groups, to help them be successful in what they do:

• Prohelp FREE professional support for Voluntary and Community Groups: feasibility studies, structural surveys, legal advice, accountancy advice, marketing strategy, web design, property valuations, health and safety, business planning, etc.
• Computers and IT - a range of IT services including web design, IT training, consultancy and support, provided by Digital Umbrella, the IT services wing of High Peak CVS.
• Equipment hire - a range of equipment and facilities for local voluntary and community groups to use, at very low cost or FREE.
• Room hire - our Training and Meeting rooms are available for hire
• Library - books, leaflets, CDs, videos, for loan
• Printing - a fast A3 colour copier that member groups can use

Information — a major activity of High Peak CVS is providing information relevant to voluntary and community groups.

Small Group Project — Practical help and support to small local voluntary and community groups in the High Peak, particularly those who are disadvantaged, marginalised or rurally isolated.

Help can be given in many ways: Advice on researching needs and clarifying aims Deciding on the structure of the group or organisation Advice on Constitutions Identifying roles and responsibilities of Management Committee members Advice on running meetings Funding advice Details of charitable status Networking - we may be able to put you in touch with others who can help Keeping up to date through our Newsletter Training advice

More on Small Group Project >>

ProHelp — FREE professional support and advice for Voluntary and Community Groups in High Peak and Derbyshire Dales.

From the end of September 2007 Prohelp ceased to be operational in the High Peak and Dales due to the lack of ongoing funding. A regional application to fund Prohelp is currently under consideration by East Midlands Development Agency. We hope that an award of funding will enable us to resume operations in the new financial year.

More about ProHelp >>

SUSTAIN — Information, advice and training to enable local community organistions to develop in sustainable ways.

Through the SUSTAIN project High Peak CVS aims to help voluntary and community groups attain sustainable funding through diversification and developing social enterprise approaches to income generation. We offer information, advice and training to assist with the sustainable development of your group. This may range from brief help on a specific matter, to in-depth protracted development work. A particular focus of SUSTAIN concerns asset development of premises to generate income for the organisation. In addition to sustainable funding and social enterprise, sustainable development under the SUSTAIN project also relates to environmental sustainability and sustainable communities.

More about SUSTAIN >>

Community Voices — delivers development support to groups across the High Peak, concentrating on working with groups in areas of deprivation, groups that serve children, young people and families and those groups with a health related purpose

Local Network Fund Support for community and voluntary groups either running projects for children and young people or working in an environment which may include children and young people. This could include support with writing applications to the Local Network Fund and associated issues of child protection policies and Criminal Record Checks. For more information about LNF see our funding section.

The support and information offered through our general development work includes: funding, constitutions, starting new groups, group and project development, policies, employment issues, status issues, annual general meetings, business plans, finances and much more.

This development support is backed up by the training programme that the CVS offers.

Arts Development — a new Arts Development Officer at High Peak CVS focuses on delivering the key recommendations within the High Peak Arts Strategy.

This is a unique opportunity to share resources, increase the strategic capacity for arts, strengthen arts networks, develop new partnerships and support sustainable structures. The ADO will provide advice to local voluntary and arts-based groups with a particular focus on festivals.

High Peak Festivals Forum is open to organisers of the many different Festivals and Arts Events in the Borough. The Forum is an opportunity for all to benefit from sharing skills, ideas and experiences of event planning and organisation. It will also look at some of the major issues that effect festivals and events.

In 2004 High Peak CVS undertook a feasibility study into shared premises in Buxton, which would provide space and resources for artists, community and voluntary organisations and businesses to work together in creative ways. This concept is now being carried forward by Vision Buxton with the help of our CEO Kevin Skingsley.

ICT — we offer a range of services to help make best use of Information & Communications Technology through Digital Umbrella, our IT services wing:

• IT Champions – awareness raising, impartial advice and consultancy. Help to demystify what computers can do and how to make best use of them, through one-to-one consultancy support, awareness raising workshops and small conferences.
• Technical Support – fixing and upgrading your computer equipment. A service provided by Purplezebra across the High Peak and Derbyshire Dales.
• IT Training – a range of flexible IT training, including one to one and small classroom sessions, available close to you.
• Website Design and maintenance.services for voluntary and community groups, run as a social enterprise.
• Net:gain – a one year support and mentoring programme for VCS organisations, including workshops to help organisations identify IT opportunities.