Community News 2025 03 07

Election candidates announced
The names of all the candidates standing in Derbyshire County Council's election on Thursday 1 May 2025 have been announced.

All 64 seats across the county will be contested by 353 candidates as a new county council is elected for the first time in four years.

To find out who is standing in your area visit the election results by wards page.

As well as candidates' names, you will also find either the party or group they are representing.

Good news for bus users
A bus service formerly run by Hulleys of Baslow as a commercial service has started again.

The 55 service, which runs from Chesterfield to Alfreton, started running last Friday (4 April) by operator Notts and Derby. The timetable and route will stay mainly the same as the former Hulleys 55 service, with a couple of small changes.

Most of the service is being run on a commercial basis with the county council providing some funding to help the operator cover additional areas along the route.

We're looking for a bus operator to run a new service, the 84, which will go from Chesterfield Royal Hospital to Spital, Chesterfield town centre, Chatsworth Road and Holymoorside and return. Submissions were due last Friday and it is hoped that the new service will be operational as soon as possible, and by the end of the week at the latest.

Get creative with Derbyshire Makes
With another three weeks to go for Derbyshire Makes, here's your chance to get creative free of charge.

Derbyshire Makes Festival continued in Heanor last weekend and with the sun shining the town showed its creativity and community spirit in spades.

After that it's on to Cromford – Sat 12 and Sun 13 April; Glossop – Tues 15 and Weds 16 April during the school Easter holidays; Bolsover – Sat 19 and Sun 20 April and Swadlincote – Sat 26 and Sun 27 April.

For all the details of what's happening and to book onto workshops visit Derbyshire Makes on Facebook or Insta or check out the website.

Digital connectivity for business
Do you run a business? Businesses in Derbyshire are being offered access to expert guidance on growth through connectivity at Derbyshire Digital Awareness Conference 2025.

The conference, which is free for Derbyshire businesses to attend, takes place at Reach Conference Centre in Derby on Friday 9 May.

It brings together industry professionals, policy makers and thought leaders with the aim of providing the county's businesses with practical information and takeaways to support business growth and improved productivity through digital.

Delivered by East Midlands Chamber on our behalf, expert speakers include Microsoft on how to harness AI technology for growth and the East Midlands Cyber Resilience Centre on the importance of cyber resilience in the increasingly digital marketplace.

Breastfeeding Network seeks volunteers
Breastfeeding Network Derbyshire is looking for volunteers to provide peer support to mums.

Applications for training will open shortly and in the meantime people can register their interest online by completing a short questionnaire.

Support for unpaid carers
Do you provide unpaid care to a family member or friend who couldn't cope without your help? If so, you could be a carer and entitled to a range of support services or a carer's assessment.

Our Derbyshire All Age Carers Support Service (DAACSS) – which is delivered by Derbyshire Carers Association (DCA) on our behalf – includes:

Carer's assessments.
Services to help you to have a break from your caring role.
Advice on how to access services such as housing, employment support and education, and more.

To find out more or request a carer's assessment contact DAACSS by emailing info@derbyshirecarers.co.uk, call the team on 01773 833 833 or fill in their contact form.

Healthy pregnancy campaign
We and Derby City Council are developing a healthy pregnancy campaign designed to help support pregnant women, birthing people and new parents. If you're one of them, we would like to hear from you.

Fill in the online survey below and be in with the chance of winning a £50 shopping voucher. The survey closes on Tuesday 22 April.