DRCS News

2024

21st February 2024 - New Trustee for DRCS

New Trustee for DRCS

DRCS has strengthened its board of trustees.

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25th January 2024 - New Programme Supports Parents and Carers of Children With Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

New Programme Supports Parents and Carers of Children With Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

Parents of children with additional needs or disabilities in the county can access a free eight-week skills-based programme with therapy and online peer support.

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23rd January 2024 - Group Therapy – Is It For You?

Group Therapy – Is It For You?

Group therapy can be beneficial for people with a wide range of mental health difficulties, including anxiety, depression, and relationship issues.

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11th January 2024 - Missed Appointments – Cancelling is Better Than Not Showing Up

Missed Appointments – Cancelling is Better Than Not Showing Up

Missed appointments – cancelling is better than not showing up.

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2023

15th December 2023 - Six Strategies for Managing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Six Strategies for Managing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

As we enter the winter months, concerns about mental health and well-being may arise. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that some people experience during the winter, possibly due to factors such as reduced daylight hours. Not everyone is affected by SAD, but if you are, here are some self-help tips to navigate the upcoming months.

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14th December 2023 - Why is There an Increase in Domestic Violence During the Christmas Season?

Why is There an Increase in Domestic Violence During the Christmas Season?

The Christmas period typically sees a rise in police responses to domestic abuse incidents.

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23rd November 2023 - Carers Rights Day & Mental Health Support

Carers Rights Day & Mental Health Support

Today is Carers Rights Day, an annual event dedicated to raising awareness about the rights and challenges faced by unpaid family carers. It serves as a valuable resource for carers, providing information and support to help them understand their rights, access resources, and navigate the complexities of caregiving.

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14th November 2023 - 20th Year for Industry Accreditation for DRCS

20th Year for Industry Accreditation for DRCS

(Left to right) Celebrating 20 years’ accredited – DRCS clinical lead Kim Heappey and CEO Janette Smeeton.

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9th November 2023 - Lest We Forget - Veterans and Mental Health Issues

Lest We Forget - Veterans and Mental Health Issues

Remembrance Day, also known as Armistice Day, is observed annually on November 11 and this year will be no different. It serves as a solemn occasion to honour and remember those who have died in wars and pay tribute to armed forces members who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

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7th November 2023 - Have You Ever Considered Helping to Run a Charity?

Have You Ever Considered Helping to Run a Charity?

Today is the start of Trustees’ Week which celebrates the achievements of nearly one million trustees across the UK.

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1st November 2023 - Feeling Like You Have an Empty Nest?

Feeling Like You Have an Empty Nest?

The departure of children from the nest to go to university, move into a new home or relocate because of a job, can lead to various adjustments in parents' lives. Many parents take it in their stride, enjoying the new found freedom after years of nurturing their loved ones, but for some it can mean unexpected changes in routines, a loss of purpose and difficulties in accepting the alterations.

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27th September 2023 - Mayor Officially Opens DRCS Chesterfield Centre for Talking Therapies

Mayor Officially Opens DRCS Chesterfield Centre for Talking Therapies

DRCS' new mental health centre to increase the support available in the community has been officially opened by the Mayor of Chesterfield. Councillor Mick Brady and Mayoress Suzie Perkins met DRCS leaders, trustees and staff and toured the charity's new base for talking therapies in the town, formerly the Register Office on New Beetwell Street.

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23rd August 2023 - Feeling Anxious About Going on Holiday?

Feeling Anxious About Going on Holiday?

Kim Heappey, Clinical Lead at DRCS, the largest third sector provider of counselling services including talking therapies and well being programmes in Derbyshire and the Peak District, looks at the issue. “For most people, a holiday means relaxing, spending time with loved ones, seeing some new sights and attractions, and making some new memories. But it's not like that for everyone, especially those prone to anxiety. Holidays can be a trigger time. Many people worry about things going wrong on the first day of their holiday, the concept of travelling far away, especially if air travel is involved, and dealing with new experiences while away from normal routines, can all be too much to cope with."

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17th August 2023 - Trustees Tour Chesterfield’s New Centre For Talking Therapies

Trustees Tour Chesterfield’s New Centre For Talking Therapies

DRCS' trustees viewed extensive refurbishment work at Chesterfield’s new centre for talking therapies.

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17th July 2023 - Charity Partnership With Breeze Corporate Finance Ltd Raises £7,606 For DRCS

Charity Partnership With Breeze Corporate Finance Ltd Raises £7,606 For DRCS

Breeze, an independent and discreet M&A boutique with a focus on entrepreneurs and owner managers, and the delivery of lower mid-market sized assignments, is committed to making an impact within local communities across the East Midlands.

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16th June 2023 - DRCS Joins Biggest ThinkFest! Yet

DRCS Joins Biggest ThinkFest! Yet

Derwent Rural Counselling Service (DRCS) joined ThinkFest! as it returned to Chesterfield for 2023 bigger and better than ever.

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1st June 2023 - Work Progresses on Chesterfield’s New Centre for Talking Therapies

Work Progresses on Chesterfield’s New Centre for Talking Therapies

Beighton Construction is nine weeks into the refurbishment of the former Register Office on Beetwell Street for charity Derwent Rural Counselling Service.

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19th May 2023 - Mental Health Problems Play Role in New Increased Long-term Sickness Figures

Mental Health Problems Play Role in New Increased Long-term Sickness Figures

Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for January to March 2023 show that, since the Covid pandemic, there are now well over 400,000 more people outside of the labour market as a result of ill health.

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26th April 2023 - Monitoring Your Own Construction Project but What About Yourself

Monitoring Your Own Construction Project but What About Yourself

Janette Smeeton, chief executive at DRCS, the largest provider of counselling services in Derbyshire, looks at this sector and mental health, and how DRCS can help. "Mental health and well-being are high priorities for many organisations across all industries. This was true before COVID-19, however, is even more so now. Growing mental health concerns also exist in the construction industry, as these suicide rates show."

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23rd March 2023 - Work Starts on New DRCS Chesterfield Home for Talking Therapies

Work Starts on New DRCS Chesterfield Home for Talking Therapies

Redevelopment work has started on DRCS' new home for talking therapies in Chesterfield. Beighton Construction are overseeing the 14-week refurbishment of the former Register Office on Beetwell Street for DRCS which will include roof works, internal strip out, new damp proofing system and new electrics. Inside the refurbishment project will include plastering, internal walls, decoration and floors plus new toilets and a lift with a view to the building opening this summer, and an official launch event in September.

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15th March 2023 - Students Learn Exam Stress Strategies From DRCS

Students Learn Exam Stress Strategies From DRCS

Cognitive Behavioural Therapist Dan Palmer gave a talk on exam stress while DRCS offered advice on how students can access its accredited talking therapies and well-being programmes for help. Dan Palmer said: “Exam stress can be one of the biggest pressures on students as well as adapting to a new environment, meeting new people, keeping on top of work, making ends meet with limited money and getting through college without dropping out.

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1st March 2023 - Construction Firm Appointed for New DRCS Chesterfield Mental Health Hub

Construction Firm Appointed for New DRCS Chesterfield Mental Health Hub

DRCS' new mental health hub for Chesterfield has taken a step forward with the appointment of a construction firm to lead the redevelopment of the building. Local firm Beighton Construction will oversee the refurbishment of the former Register Office on Beetwell Street for charity Derwent Rural Counselling Service. The new centre is set to open in summer 2023. Grand plans for the three storey premises include office space, treatment and consulting rooms, meeting rooms and relaxation space to help cope with an increased demand for DRCS services in the area plus tenanted options including rooms and floorspace.

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20th February 2023 - Duo Join Board of Derbyshire Counselling Service

Duo Join Board of Derbyshire Counselling Service

Glinys Capewell brings 45 years experience managing various teams in Logistics and Customs Compliance within the steel industry. Mark Serby, chair of trustees for the charity, said: “I am delighted to welcome Jill and Glinys onto the DRCS board as the organisation seeks to further our essential work and delivery of services across the county as mental health issues continue to dominate the headlines. They have a wealth of experience and skills which complement that of the current six other DRCS trustees.”

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2022

20th September 2022 - Artist Gifts Artwork to Derbyshire Counselling Service

Artist Gifts Artwork to Derbyshire Counselling Service

Derbyshire artist Kelly Herrick is hoping her artwork will provide inspiration to those with mental health conditions across the county. The contemporary landscape artist, based in Ripley, has gifted an original painting Harbour View to Derbyshire counselling provider Derwent Rural Counselling Service (DRCS).

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23rd March 2022 - New Clinical Lead for DRCS

New Clinical Lead for DRCS

Derwent Rural Counselling Service has appointed a new clinical lead to its senior management team.

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4th January 2022 - Golfers Support Charity With Biggest Donation in Eight Years

Golfers Support Charity With Biggest Donation in Eight Years

GENEROUS players and friends at Matlock Golf Club have raised more than £6,700 for DRCS with the biggest donation in nearly a decade.

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2021

13th December 2021 - New Trustees For DRCS

New Trustees For DRCS

Dr Max Biddulph is an Associate Professor at the University of Nottingham’s School of Education and has held positions including Director of Postgraduate Taught Programmes and course Leader for the Postgraduate Certificate of International Student Advice and Support.

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25th November 2021 - Menna Retires After 25 Years With Derbyshire Counselling Service

Menna Retires After 25 Years With Derbyshire Counselling Service

DRCS’s clinical lead Menna Yarwood has retired after 25 years with the Derbyshire counselling service.

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13th April 2021 - What does stress look like? How do I know if I am experiencing it?

What does stress look like? How do I know if I am experiencing it?

If you are feeling depressed or generally unhappy; feeling anxious or agitated then you may be experiencing stress.

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13th April 2021 - Mental health charity kicks off football club partnership

Mental health charity kicks off football club partnership

DERBYSHIRE’S biggest provider of mental health counselling services has kicked off a new partnership with a Chesterfield grass roots football club.

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16th March 2021 - Exercise your right to feel good

Exercise your right to feel good

Now March is here many of us may have already abandoned our new year’s resolutions to be more active.

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24th February 2021 - Derbyshire primary school supports DRCS

Derbyshire primary school supports DRCS

Youngsters at a Chesterfield primary school have raised £300 for DRCS as part of an awareness campaign on physical and mental health.

Pupils at Dunston Primary School collected the cash for DRCS through a variety of fundraising events.

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8th February 2021 - COVID-19 and mental health – supporting someone during the pandemic

COVID-19 and mental health – supporting someone during the pandemic

Checking in on your family, friends and colleagues has never been more important.

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20th January 2021 - Has technology improved access to therapy services?

Has technology improved access to therapy services?

Janette Smeeton, CEO at DRCS, looks at how the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has meant mental health support has taken new routes to deliver help to those who need it.

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2020

16th June 2020 - Worries about returning to work after lockdown?

Worries about returning to work after lockdown?

As the restrictions begin to be lifted, many people will look forward at the prospect of going back to work and seeing colleagues again.

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