This July - we are re-opening some of our libraries, the Summer Reading Challenge continues, we are expanding and developing our digital activites, and much more!

Derby City Council is announcing a further round of top up grants for small businesses in the city affected by Covid-19 and they particularly want to reach cultural and arts groups. Would you able to include something online? Here’s the link to the news article: https://news.derby.gov.uk/top-up-grant-opens-for-further-bids/ Applications opened yesterday and close at 5pm on 13^th July.

New funding has helped Derby Libraries spend £6,000 on increasing its supply of eBooks and Audiobooks, following a huge surge in demand for eLibrary services during lockdown.

In April 2020 there were 6,044 downloads of eBooks and Audiobooks by members, compared to 3,242 downloads during the same month in 2019. Audiobooks and eBooks are free for members to download through the BorrowBox app.

We are working with Writing East Midlands to host a series of fantastic writing workshops taking place from 9 July. Please SHARE the opportunity below with your networks – a great way to get creative and connect with people from the comfort of your home

Family-owned Wathall’s funeral directors has launched a bespoke services for local businesses, organisations and charities to help bereaved staff and stakeholders come to terms with their grief.

The Dandelions Grief Journey support and education programme enables people to understand the grief process and learn how to cope with life moving forwards.

Single or regular sessions can be held virtually in the interim and then either in the workplace or an external venue.

Former Derby County Captain Shaun Barker and ambassador for specialist Derbyshire charity Safe and Sound has launched an online football challenge for young people eager to showcase their skills and to raise awareness of internet safety.

Shaun has produced a video for Safe and Sound’s social media channels  https://vimeo.com/432176695 - challenging young people to do as many keepy ups as they can and then post their skills online.

A wide range of businesses and organisations who work with Derby College Group (DCG) to better prepare students for the world of work have been officially recognised.

DCG works with around 3,000 businesses and organisations with a large proportion involved in helping to shape the curriculum for students and providing work placements, specialist speakers and projects for students across the College sites in Derby, Morley and Ilkeston.

A DERBY husband-and-wife have been inundated with orders for their personalised gift boxes from companies wanting to welcome furloughed colleagues back to the workplace. 

Natalie Bamford – founder of the award-winning Derby Days Out - and husband Adam launched Colleague Box, a letterbox gift company, as the Coronavirus pandemic was at its peak, and they have just taken a quote for over a thousand of their Return to Work Treat Boxes – one of the 13 options available to companies wanting to put a smile on the faces of returning team members or those who may still be on furlough.

Die-hard doughnut fans are being given the opportunity of a lifetime by a bakery which is looking to recruit an army of sweet-toothed taste testers.

Project D delivers a range of handcrafted doughnuts, which are embellished with an array of delicious and decadent toppings, to homes across the region.

Now the company, which changes the flavours of its doughnuts every six weeks and also offers a vegan range, is looking for between three and five taste testers in each of its delivery locations.

Derbyshire’s specialist child exploitation charity Safe and Sound has clinched two regional awards in recognition of its achievements.

The East Midlands Charity Awards were announced during a virtual event – celebrating the work of charities across the region and concluded with a resounding #Cheer For Charities.