The latest case studies for High Peak and Derbyshire Dales Rural ProHelp show the huge amount of work and the wide range of topics that have been achieved over this quarter.

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Wonderful news for Foosteps at Whaley Bridge. They have received Lottery funding for a new and very exciting extension to their premises. Footsteps offers a coffee shop, book shop and IT facilities to the community. This funding will enable them to provide a lift to each of the three floors, disabled facilities, and most importantly provision for young people’s activities. The new basement will be devoted to after school activities, meeting room and counselling facilities. Thanks to ProHelp professional member John McCall of John McCall’s Architects of Hayfield the plans will provide an exciting and innovative use to the building. Richard Rhodes, Building Surveyor from Marple, another ProHelp member has also worked on the project with John. Footsteps are now seeking legal advice so that they can go ahead with the work as soon as possible. Footsteps was our very first ProHelp project and we are pleased to see the fruition of so much hard work on everyone’s part. Congratulations!.

Encore Reuse (a new Derbyshire Dales Furniture project) has been seeking suitable premises for many months and at last has found a home based at the airfield in Ashbourne . They have recently heard the good news that they too have received lottery funding to start the scheme. This is really good news for Derbyshire Dales as this will provide an invaluable service to families who need low cost furniture and also to people who have good furniture they would like to donate to a worthwhile charity. They have received professional help from severalof our members including advice
on their financial plan, given by Paul Beeson of Shorts Accountants, Chesterfield. They have received legal advice from Philip Bramhall of Franklins Solicitors at Bakewell, and Nick Hansen of Bagshaws in Ashbourne has provided them with a valuation on a property they were tendering for at one time. They will now need the services of Philip to draw up their lease. We are thrilled that things are moving at last for Encore and wish them lots of luck. We are particularly pleased because this project will create jobs and training which is important in the Ashbourne area.

Wormhill Village Hall	Wormhill Village Hall have now finished their new disabled toilet and I understand that there will be an opening ceremony in the near future. They have also insulated their ceiling and are having new double glazed windows fitted in the Spring. They have received funding from a variety of sources and have managed to save money by completing the work themselves. This will make a huge difference to the people of Wormhill. Thanks particularly to Access Buxton group for their invaluable advice. We are beginning to get a balance of projects throughout the county, although not many in the Matlock area. On going projects include: St. James the Less have had their grant confirmed to change the church at New Mills to an Arts Theatre. Roger Lee of Frank R. Marshall has recently completed a valuation report for them. Ashbourne Partnership are applying to become a company limited by guarantee and are being assisted by Cooper Sons Hartley and Williams Solicitors. Richard Cassy of Cassy Marketing is working with Glossop Womens Aid on a new design image. Roger Horne of Brooke Taylors Solicitors is currently assisting two groups Peak Forest Playgroup, registering for charitable status and Derbyshire Federation for Mental Health who are seeking limited company status. Two of our members John McCall and Greg Pike of Allison Pike Architects are working together on a new and innovative design for a large extension at Whaley Bridge Uniting Church to give them space for the ever growing demands for community space. Bonsall Frame Knitters Workshops are being assisted by Derek Trowell , Architect and Nigel Winter of Roger Rawlinson, Chartered Surveyors. Goodwin Cockerton and Colhoun Solicitors of Bakewell and Buxton are working on 2 projects. Flagg Village Hall have been given some land to build a new extension and Richard Kay is working on the deeds, he is also advising Taddington Tigers After School Club on the most appropriate status for them. Heath Village Community Association are in the final stages of their charitable status application . Elliott Mather Solictors (retired member) are currently working with them. Lomas and Co Accountants in Glossop are currently working on a business plan and 3 and 5 year projections for Glossop Community Transport. Tom Sread of Smith Cooper and Partners of Ashbourne and Buxton is helping the new treasurer of Ollersett Fields Development Association to set up their accounts system. Another possible extension is being looked at by Richard Hubble and Sue Deaville of High Peak Architects in Whaley Bridge. The project for Chapel Players would give them a much needed disabled toilet, access and backstage facilities.
St James in New Mills
Bonsall Frame Knitters Workshop
Glossop Community Transport

From time to time groups ask for an access audit before they ask ProHelp for architects plans. This was the case with
Brassington Village Hall who need disabled access and facilities. We have been able to liaise with Bolsover Access Group who have an accredited assessor who will give them a full report. There is a nominal charge for this service but groups can write this charge into their funding bid. Groups are then quite clear hat they need before approaching ProHelp for architectural assistance if necessary.

ProHelp workshops have also been hugely popular. Run by ProHelp professional members, to date two have been on understanding accounts, by Glenn Leathley of Chronicle Business Solutions, and Risk assessment by Steve Elliott, our Health and Safety consultant. We hope to run further workshops in the New Year on Business Planning with Paul Beeson of Shorts Accountants and Employment Law with Robin Mason, Solicitor.

One of our newest members is Lynn Allison of LAM Group in Bonsall. Lynn is currently working with Wirksworth Heritage Centre on their marketing strategy. We are delighted that since September we have welcomed several new members to our ProHelp group of Professionals. Many of them are already working and that is really encouraging. Members are working on 25 projects at the moment which is a huge support for the people of High Peak and Derbyshire Dales.