Derbyshire unemployed workers centres to cash in on an extra £80k of funding
Centres that assist low income, unemployed, injured and disabled local residents have been given the green light for a total of £80,000 of funding over the next four years.
Amber Valley Borough Council has signed off on the financial package worth £20,000 a year until 2027 for Derbyshire Unemployed Workers Centres (DUWC).
Cllr Chris Emmas-Williams, Leader of Amber Valley Borough Council, said he was delighted to reinstate funding for the centres, many of which are a lifeline for local community residents.
The labour leader said: “These centres are essential. Our area has been dominated by industries that are now in decline and as a result, residents have been hit hardest by job cuts and closures. These centres provide help, advice and representation on everything from how to navigate the complex benefits system, to applying for PIP or pension credit, or fighting for compensation following an industrial injury.
"We are in a cost-of-living crisis and the advice given at these centres can help residents in our area maximise their incomes in these difficult times.”
In Amber Valley alone, since 2019, around £3.4m in allowances, missed claims and compensation, has been secured for local residents, according to the councillor.
DUWC has been providing free and independent welfare rights advice for the last 40 years. Working alongside Citizens Advice, Derbyshire Law Centre and the NHS, the organisation was first established in Chesterfield in 1993. There are now 18 additional centres across Derbyshire, with Amber Valley residents able to access services locally in Heanor, Alfreton, Somercotes and Belper.
Cllr Emmas-Williams added that he has been attuned to the needs of this sector of the community for some years with funding for the centres one of his top priorities.
“We came into power in May 2023 and set about reinstating this funding as soon as we were able. We would have liked to have funded them sooner.
"However, we have now addressed this and set aside £20,000 a year, which will continue for the following three years to help fund these local centres, alongside parish, town and other borough councils.”
The centres also receive funding from charitable trusts.
More News From Amber Valley Info
| National Tramway Museum brings A New Chapter With Major Save the Date Announcement The National Tramway Museum has today announced a Save the Date ahead of what promises to be a lan read more | |
| Belper care homes provider wins national dementia design award at UK Dementia Awards 2026 The award highlights Milford Care's innovative approach to environmental design, which focu read more | |
| Historic Heanor war memorial returns home to The Grammar following major restoration Amber Valley Borough Council has brought a significant First World War memorial back to its orig read more | |
| Alfreton nursery opens stunning new baby room Partou Field View Day Nursery and Pre-School in Alfreton has undergone a major £100,000 refurbishment including a total revamp of read more | |
| Patrols have been put in place following an arson attack at a home in Langley Mill. The incident took place in Minkley Drive at around 2.45am on Wednesday 13 May and saw two men set read more | |
The Amber Valley Info Noticeboard
| Food waste recycling is coming to Amber Valley From June 2026, Amber Valley Borough Council will introduce weekly food waste recycling across the borough as part of a phased roll-ou read more | |
| Stallholder Bookings Now Open For The Tansley Big Day Out We're excited to announce that Tansley's Big Day Out 2026 will take place on 6th & 7th June 2026! read more | |
| Christmas and New Year bin collection dates Over the festive season, bin collections will operate on revised schedules. Some collections may take place up to two days earlier than u read more | |
| Launch Of WOMBLE MANIA! At the Heights of Abraham, Opened by Marcus Robertson, Son of Wombles author, Elisabeth Beresford, officially launched WOMBLE MANIA! at the Heights of Abraha read more | |
| Belper School and Sixth Form Centre Closed Today Due to a significant water leak, resulting in the water being turned off at school, we unfortunately have to close the school today. read more | |
