Derbyshire Times and council team up to provide latest lockdown news for vulnerable people

North East Derbyshire District Council has teamed up with the Derbyshire Times to help vulnerable residents stay in touch with the news amid the coronavirus crisis.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Many elderly and at-risk people in the district have been left feeling lonely and isolated during the lockdown – cut off from the latest community news and information.

However, the Derbyshire Times and council leaders have joined forces to distribute copies of the newspaper to vulnerable households across the area.

Coun Martin Thacker, leader of North East Derbyshire Council, is delighted to team up with the Derbyshire Times.Coun Martin Thacker, leader of North East Derbyshire Council, is delighted to team up with the Derbyshire Times.
Coun Martin Thacker, leader of North East Derbyshire Council, is delighted to team up with the Derbyshire Times.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

North East Derbyshire District Council leader, Councillor Martin Thacker, said: “These difficult times have really shown how we can all come together as a district to help each other when it is needed most.

“Our residents called on us for help, and with the support of the Derbyshire Times I am incredibly pleased to say we can now offer these vulnerable residents support in accessing local information on the developing situation on a weekly basis by providing them with copies of the local newspaper.

“This pandemic has shown more than ever what a fantastic community spirit we have where businesses come together to help each other and their residents in their time of need.

“These small gestures go a long way to helping people who are feeling isolated and provide valuable information to keep their minds active and healthy.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Phil Bramley, the DT's Head of Audience, said: "We know how important it is to get information out to the community right now - it can literally help save lives.

“We're really pleased to be working in partnership with the council to help get this vital news out to vulnerable members of the community - it shows what can be achieved at moments of crisis like this, when we all help and pull together."

The council’s Community Support Team has been in touch with more than 3,000 vulnerable residents during the pandemic to offer help and advice or just ‘a friendly voice on the phone’.

Team members are availablce seven days a week and the authority is asking for all residents who are vulnerable and self-isolating to register this information with them either online via the website or by calling 01246 231111.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

Nancy Fielder, editor