Making it easier to bring people together
Supporting community initiatives that help to reduce loneliness and isolation across Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire
We provide funding, guidance and training for people who want to organise something that brings people together where they live.
We're also building a confident, capable and supportive network of people who are passionate about creating opportunities for connection and belonging.
We call this network The Feeling Connected Family.
Bring Your Ideas to Life
with FREE support from
The Feeling Connected Project
Funding to help cover the costs of setting up and running your group, activity, event or project Super simple to apply for! (We can help you complete the short form if you need it) You don't have to be a constituted or other formal group/organisation to apply - we welcome applications from individuals and teams of friends or neighbours! See our Funding page to check eligibility and all the details..
Group support to build confidence, skills and connections. Learning, sharing, supporting and connecting is at the core of all our free training and events. The Loneliness: Making a Difference Workshops are open to anyone with a personal or professional interest in tackling loneliness and isolation in our communities. The Learning Together Sessions are for new or existing organisers (and anyone with an idea for a community based group, event or project) as well as any supporters who can help them move forward. Head to our What's On page to find out more.
Our Feeling Connected Socials are informal, in person get-togethers for anyone interested or active in the community. Whether you're new to the Feeling Connected Family or have been with us for a while these events are free and open to anyone.
Connect online with other members of the Feeling Connected Family in our private Facebook Group. Ask each other questions, give and receive support outside of our in person events. Find opportunities for collaboration, celebrate and encourage each other and get to know what else is going on in the region. The Facebook group is called Feeling Connected Family. Use the button on this page to request to join
Guidance to help you with the tricky bits like rules and regulations - made simple and relevant for informal organisers. We discuss what you might need as part of your one to one mentoring. Or you can ask about them at one of our Learning Together Sessions Note that any guides are specifically tailored for informal initiatives and may not be appropriate for formalised groups/organisations with legal or other obligations.
Individual mentoring - support, advice, guidance and encouragement from one of our experienced Development Workers Tailored support to find what works for you, your initiative and your community! From developing your ideas to reaching out to your neighbours, to all the other stuff that might have you stuck as you get going - we're here to support you every step of the way. Our individual mentoring service is usually for informal organisers but we may be able to support you if you're newly constituted or in the early stages of running your initiative. Both informal and formal organisers can get group support at our Learning Together Sessions
Use the Feeling Connected Logo - You're not just hosting a group or organising an activity ... you're creating an opportunity for people to feel more connected and less lonely. Use the Feeling Connected Logo on your promotion or communication materials to show that your group is: - funded by Feeling Connected - open and inclusive - community focussed - passionate about helping people feel like they belong - part of the Feeling Connected Family We provide range of Logo files to suit your needs. Logo files are available via the Logo Files button on this page. You must not change it in any way (other than to resize to fit your project)
Read the inspiring, real life stories from other local organisers we've supported
Stay Connected
Join the Feeling Connected Family to receive emails, including date and funding announcements and other news straight to your inbox!
If you'd like us to share your Facebook posts on our page, just tag us by typing @FeelingConnectedDVA
anywhere in your posts
Connect with other members of the Feeling Connected Family