Friday 27 May 2022
 Pilot transport schemes to tackle loneliness
A series of innovative transport schemes are being introduced in Devon to help reduce loneliness in people over-55 years old and young people aged between 16 and 24 years old.
Our project is one of just 12 chosen from across the country (out of more than 200 applicants) to have successfully bid for the government's Tackling Loneliness with Transport funding.
We will be working with Devon Communities Together, Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership, One Northern Devon and WestBank Community Health and Care to deliver a variety of support such as:
- implementing travel trainers who will provide support to help passengers gain confidence in using public transport, understanding timetables, and buying tickets or using travel passes, in order to encourage increased independent travel
- introducing a travel buddy system to encourage sociable travel and help people to switch to public transport from the car for some journeys
- driver training initiatives to help improve the journey for passengers
- having a community grants fund focussing on ‘cold spots’ in the county with limited or no public transport services
- targeting young people with a community rail project and a 'Try the Train' initiative
Read the full story on the news page of our website to find out more.
Ezra Holman (pictured, right) from Exmouth, became the 100th young person to benefit from our Devon Youth Hub service, after looking for help with job applications.
The Devon Youth Hub supports young people, aged 16 to 24, into employment, training, or education.
Having graduated as an aviation engineer, Ezra struggled to get any entry level opportunities in the area. His CV was very strong, but he’d been struggling with his cover letter and initially he felt unable to recognise and talk about his skills and strengths.
The Youth Hub helped Ezra to improve his ability to complete application forms, by examining the job descriptions in more detail and exploring his skills and experience.
He attended a few sessions at the Youth Hub and picked up some helpful techniques that helped him get a job offer as a Health and Safety and Wellbeing Assistant.
“I’m enjoying my role, the team at Milestone Infrastructure have been supportive and are pushing me," says Ezra. "It’s really interesting!"
Read more about Ezra and the support he's received from the Devon Youth Hub on the news page of our website.
Frontline care workers say coronavirus is still having a major impact on their caring roles, with some saying that they do not yet consider themselves to be out of the pandemic response.
Members of Devon’s Local Outbreak Engagement Board met this week, and its chair, Cllr John Hart, started by thanking all health and social care workers for their ongoing and tireless support.
The Board heard how staff in domiciliary and residential care, day services, supported living arrangements, as well as volunteers and others in local communities continue to be working exceptionally hard to keep people safe and well.
But they also heard that some staff are finding it difficult to adjust in this period, between the pandemic as was and public life now, while coronavirus for them is still having a significant impact on their day to day working lives.
Cllr Hart, said:
“I, and the rest of the Local Outbreak Management Board, want to thank the Devon public for continuing to take up their vaccines.
“We also want to give a huge thank you to all those health and social care workers, backed by local communities and volunteers, who continue to look out for vulnerable people, and who have worked – and are still working – so hard, for so long, to keep everyone, especially the most vulnerable, safe and well.”
Read the full story on the news page of our website.
 Job of the week - Junior Software Developer
Are you passionate about creating digital services that make life easier for people?
We’re looking for a Junior Software Developer to join our dynamic team designing, developing, testing, debugging and maintaining fantastic digital services for the people of Devon at a time of rapid digital transformation across local government.
You’ll need a good understanding of HTML5, CSS, Javascript and SQL and be enthusiastic about learning new skills, and we’ll provide the training and support you need to quickly become confident in low code development using platforms like Outsystems.
In return for your valuable contribution, we offer a competitive salary, flexible working including remote working, an attractive pension scheme, a staff discount scheme, and a minimum 20 days annual leave (plus bank holidays).
To find out more and apply, visit the Devon Jobs website.
 Autumn COVID-19 booster jab advice announced
There is just over a month left of the Spring booster; although people who are eligible will still be able to have their booster after the end of June.
Meanwhile the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) provided interim advice to government last week on an autumn booster dose.
The boosters would be for more vulnerable adults, alongside frontline social care and health workers, in order to maintain their protection over the winter against severe COVID-19.
The JCVI’s current view is that in autumn 2022, a COVID-19 vaccine should be offered to:
- residents in a care home for older adults and staff
- frontline health and social care workers
- all those 65 years of age and over
- adults aged 16 to 64 years who are in a clinical risk group
The committee will announce its final plans for the autumn programme, including further detail on the definitions of clinical risk groups, in due course.
 Staying healthy over the Jubilee weekend
As the country prepares to celebrate the historic Platinum Jubilee, the NHS in Devon is reminding people where to get help if they need it and to ensure they have enough prescription medication for the double bank holiday as most GP practices ask patients to order their repeat prescriptions at least three days in advance.
The NHS expects to experience similar extra pressures to those typically seen over the long bank holiday at Easter, with many GP practices closed on the public holidays and more people out enjoying the outdoors.
Dr Nigel Acheson, Medical Director for NHS Devon, said:
"Our NHS staff are still on hand if you need them, but please help us by choosing the right service and ensuring you have enough prescription medication to get you through the extended bank holiday.
"If people are visiting Devon over half-term, they can contact their practice back home for an online consultation and advice during practice opening hours in the run up to the bank holiday."
Pharmacies will be open over the long weekend, and you can view opening times for your nearest pharmacy online. For more urgent issues, phone 111 or visit the NHS 111 website to get the right treatment, more quickly, at any time of day or night.
 Get your COVID-19 vaccination this half-term
Many COVID-19 vaccination clinics will be running throughout half-term and the Jubilee weekend.
People who are eligible for a spring booster are urged to take up the offer.
Children aged five to 11 years old need to attend a clinic to have their vaccinations, as do any 12 to 15 year olds who are not yet fully jabbed as the secondary school vaccination programme has now ended.
Leigh Mansfield, Programme Director for Vaccination Services in North and East Devon said:
"Half term is a great time to get your children vaccinated ahead of the summer holidays as COVID-19 restrictions are still in place for many travellers.
"We also welcome adults who haven’t yet had the vaccine and have decided to take up the offer now."
Booked appointments can be made by calling 119 or through the online National Booking Service and walk-in clinics are listed on the NHS website.
 New Chair sworn in as Annual Meeting returns to County Hall after two year hiatus
Earlier this week, at the first Annual Council Meeting at County Hall for two years, we welcomed Councillor Ian Hall, who represents Axminster, as our new Chair.
A former member of Axminister town council, Cllr Hall has been a county councillor since 2007 and was elected to East Devon District Council in 2015.
His interests include sport and helping change young lives and promoting education through sport, and the role of faith groups to help unlock the ‘hard to reach’ residents of Devon. He believes in ‘fairness for all’ and has an interest in ensuring the mental and physical wellbeing of all of Devon’s residents - which will be the main theme for his year of office.
"It’s been difficult for many, none more so than young people, but I have been heartened to see that over the last decade the conversation around mental health has continued to increase in prominence," he said.
“But there is still an incredible amount to do – never has there been a time when this issue has been so important, and we must all ensure that we look out and support one another and help our communities to heal."
Councillor Percy Prowse, who has represented Duryard and Pennsylvania since 2009, is our new Vice Chair.
Read the full story on the news page of our website.
 The Queen's Platinum Jubilee weekend
Her Majesty The Queen will soon become the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee. To mark her 70 years of service, we'll all be enjoying a special extended bank holiday weekend from Thursday 2 to Sunday 5 June.
There are many events and activities planned across the county. To find what’s on near you, please visit the government's Platinum Jubilee website.
You can also find lots of free resources to help with your celebrations, including bunting, posters, recipe cards, kids’ activity sheets and a celebration playlist, as well as details on how to take part in a special creative challenge!
There's a guide to the Platinum Jubilee weekend on the Royal Family's website, along with lots of interesting information about Her Majesty The Queen and the history of Jubilees.
 Don't forget to use your free school meal holiday vouchers during May half-term
If your child currently receives free school meals, we've sent you some supermarket vouchers to help you buy food over the May half-term holiday.
Hundreds of schools across the county have helped us to distribute the vouchers, so please check your email inbox and redeem them as soon as possible before they expire.
Please get in touch with our free school meals team if you were expecting to receive one but don't. You can email them at freeschoolmeals@devon.gov.uk or call our education helpline on 0345 155 1019.
Many families in Devon have seen their financial circumstances change. If you previously didn’t qualify for free school meals but your income has recently reduced or stopped, please apply online through the Devon Citizens' Portal to check if you are eligible for support as soon as possible.
This is the quickest and easiest way for your eligibility to be assessed and you will get an instant decision. Alternatively, call our education helpline on 0345 155 1019.
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