The Town Council runs a grant scheme that helps Darley Dale residents by offering practical financial support to very successful voluntary and community groups, clubs, local charities and not-for-profit organisations.
In February, Open Door Church Services, part of St Helen’s Church in Darley Dale received a grant for £1,000 to replace two disabled ramps at the church. Stephen Walker, Church Warden, said “Our sincere thanks go to Darley Dale Town Council for providing a grant to improve the disabled access to our church building. Both these ramps are used by a diverse group of people who use our church not just for worship but for a wide range of different activities. We have had many favourable comments stating how much easier it is to move from the church to the church hall and vice-versa. Thank You.”
The group hosts all-inclusive church services to those who would love to take part in a church service, but feel they are unable to because of the nature of their or a member of their family’s disability. The services are at 2pm every first Sunday of the month and all are welcome.
In March we had the pleasure of presenting Darley Dale Primary School with a grant for £1,000. Headteacher, Sarah Hudson said: “We are thrilled to receive the grant money – a HUGE thank you to Darley Dale Town Council for awarding us the grant and for the team who put in the hard work to apply for it. At Darley Dale Primary, we aim to foster a love of the outdoors and our children love their outdoor learning. We have already put in our order for much needed new and replacement items to help with our outdoor learning (Forest Schools and gardening). The items we are eagerly awaiting include: fire steels, fruit press, fire tripod and Dutch oven, tarpaulins and much, much more!”
Also, in March Darley Churchtown School were awarded a grant for £1,000 to buy three bikes to help pupils take advantage of the opportunities for cycling in the local area and help the older children develop their cycling skills.
Lastly, in May we presented Darley Dale Methodist Church’s Lunch Club with a grant cheque for £1,250, the money will help with the increased costs of the groups yearly minibus hire fee.
Monica Render, Senior Church Steward, said “On behalf of Darley Dale Methodist Church Community Lunch Club, we would like to express our thanks to Darley Dale Town Council for their grant towards the cost of the Bakewell and Eyam Community Transport minibus. We use the accessible minibus each week to bring some of our lunch club members who otherwise would have difficulty getting there. The grant will enable us to keep the cost for those using the bus at an affordable level.”
Hazel who attends the weekly Lunch Club, said, “I look forward to going to the Lunch Club on a Thursday, one of the few days I can get out. I really appreciate the minibus, particularly as I am a wheelchair user.”