The latest case studies for High Peak and Derbyshire Dales Rural ProHelp show the huge amount of work and the wide range of topics that have been achieved over this quarter. Professional members have helped fifteen community groups to the value of £10,000 of ‘in kind’ work and we have had some very positive feedback from groups .

Plans have now been completed for a new extension for Flagg Village Hall who are delighted with the work of ProHelp member Paul Dinsdale of PDA Architects, Buxton. They are now seeking funding for the project. They are also receiving legal advice from Richard Kay of Goodwin, Cockerton and Colhoun Solicitors, Buxton, regarding a deed of gift and a boundary wall question.

Peak Forest Playgroup is seeking to gain charitable status and is currently receiving help from member Roger Horne at Brooke ­Taylors Solicitors in Buxton.

Encore Reuse (a new Derbyshire Dales Furniture project) is currently seeking suitable premises. They have requested professional help from a number of ProHelp members including advice on their financial plan, given by Paul Beeson of Shorts Accountants, Chesterfield. They have received legal advice from Philip Bramhall of Franklins Solicitors at Bakewell, and Nick Hansen of Bagshaws in Ashbourne has provided them with a valuation on a property they were tendering for. They may need architects plans, a solicitor and possible a surveyor when they find their premises. For some groups this type of ProHelp assistance is very important.

Wormhill Village Hall are in the process of installing a disabled toilet and ceiling insulation and are seeking additional funding to install double glazed windows. They have received advice on the layout for the toilet and ramp from Access Buxton, who help ProHelp on a voluntary basis from time to time. This advice is invaluable as toilet space and siting of equipment has now been assessed by a disabled person.

Footsteps at Whaley Bridge have received further help from members John McCall of John McCall Architects and Richard Rhodes, Surveyors of Marple. The project has now been completed and they are awaiting the final funding stages to be completed so that work can go ahead.

John McCall is also working in partnership with Greg Pike of Allison Pike Architects from Disley on an exciting modern extension for Whaley Bridge Uniting Church Community Hall. This will be a huge project and we are delighted that two such enthusiastic members are pleased to be working together to bring their combined skills to this project.

Professional member Glenn Leathley of Chronicle Business Solutions, Whaley Bridge has been working very hard recently for ProHelp. He has recently run a well-attended course on Understanding Financial accounts in the High Peak, has been advising High Peak CVS on financial matters, is running a requested followup course in September and another course covering the Derbyshire Dales area also in September.

Glossop Women’s Aid were concerned that their image was looking very dated and are fortunate to have member Richard Cassy of Cassy Marketing, Chesterfield working with them to create an exciting and new design concept.

One of our newest professional members Steve Elliott, Health and Safety Consultant from Bonsall is running a Health and Safety course in Bakewell planned for November.

Two ongoing projects being worked on by member Paul Hollyer of Elliot Mather, Solicitors, Chesterfield are for Hollingwood After School Club which is working towards incorporating and registering as a charity and with Heath Village Community Association who wish to register as a charity.

And last but not least ProHelp member Adrian Russell, Architect from Bakewell has started working this week on a project for Chelmorton Village Hall. They wish convert the present toilets to include a disabled toilet with improved disabled access.

Projects in the embryonic stage include Bonsall Frame Knitters Workshops, The St. James the Less Preservation Trust, the Federation of Mental Health Groups, Wirksworth NOW project and Wirksworth Heritage Centre.