Friday 28 July 2023
 Learn Devon’s autumn programme is now live!
With over 100 exciting courses on offer for adult learners, Learn Devon will have something for you.
Whether you are looking to learn something new, gain a qualification or just brush up on your skills, Learn Devon has got you covered.
Learn Devon has a range of courses available from digital skills and IT, English and maths qualifications (including GCSE and Functional Skills) to education and training courses and much more. Learn Devon also has courses for adults with learning difficulties and English courses for speakers of other languages (ESOL).
The courses provide a mixture of face-to-face and online options to suit your learning needs.
To see the full programme online and register today, please visit the Learn Devon website.
Sixty seven holiday activity providers; 106 clubs; more than 3,000 places available per week; a total 49,000 places over the summer holidays – that’s the impressive scale of our Holiday Activities and Food programme, 2023.
Take-up so far by young people is good, but there are still places available.
Parents of children aged five to 16, who receive benefit-related free school meals, are invited to take part in a range of exciting activities these summer holidays.
A full list of the activities and how to apply are on our Holiday Activities and Food programme website.
Sports including swimming and football, paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, mountain biking, arts and craft, treasure hunts, forest school, magicians and storytellers…the list goes on.
And this year there are more places available for secondary school age ranges, with activities including go-karting, climbing, trampolining, high ropes and surfing.
Parents can find out more on our Holiday Activities and Food Programme website.
 Grants available to groups that also help families eat good, nutritious food
Grants available to groups who are giving their community a helping hand
This month we have been marking the first birthday of our Growing Communities Fund.
We set up the fund to help local groups and organisations to become more resilient and help those in their communities cope with these financial pressures.
Since its launch, we have awarded more than £530,000 to 300 different local projects, many of which are helping communities cope with continued high costs of food and bills.
If you’re involved with a group that improves people’s wellbeing, reduces isolation, helps families eat good, nutritious food, or aims to provide a warm safe space this winter, you can still apply for a grant.
You can complete and submit the grants application form online.
For more information, please contact communitygrants@devon.gov.uk or call 01392 383379.
Essential summer health tips for going abroad
It's the start of the school summer holidays, and with lots of people planning a trip abroad, the Government's UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is reminding summer travellers of simple steps to reduce their risk of common infections such as diarrhoeal illness, measles, malaria, dengue and other infections carried by mosquitoes.
The advice includes watching what you eat and drink; being aware of the heat; protecting yourself against mosquito bites; staying safe from rabies and reducing your risk of catching sexually transmitted infections.
Look up local health risks and country-specific advice before you go, including recommended vaccinations as some countries will have specific vaccine requirements or entry restrictions.
It is also important to make sure you or your family are up to date with vaccinations in England’s routine immunisation programmes, including measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), as these infections are more common in some countries than in the UK.
For more information please visit the UKHSA website.
 Work starts on Cullompton’s Higher Bullring
The Higher Bullring in Cullompton is being given a facelift, with work underway to create a new square around the war memorial, enhancing its heritage setting.
The improvements form part of the High Street Heritage Action Zone, a national project led by Historic England which aims to unlock the potential of High Streets across England, making them more attractive, engaging and vibrant places for people to live, work and spend time.
Cullompton is one of only 10 places in the South West to receive funding. Historic England is providing £1.1million, and we've match funded the project with Mid Devon District Council and Cullompton Town Council.
There will be new high quality paving, drainage, benches, planters, cycle parking and bins as well as a new bus shelter with a green living roof. The works will create a larger, more flexible and functional public space that can be used for events and activities.
Work will be phased during the five month construction period to minimise disruption. However, temporary traffic lights will be in place during the first few weeks of work, which will impact traffic flow.
 Being active isn't always about being sporty. Gardening is also a healthy activity.
Let’s Move - Free Summer Challenge
The summer holidays can mean lots of lovely time together, but finding things to do and keep everyone entertained can be hard work!
Active Devon has launched a free, fun Devon-wide community challenge to help get you, your friends and family moving more during the summer. The Let's Move challenge invites you to 'buddy up' and create a group of your Devon based family and friends to each do a minimum of 26 minutes of activity every day throughout August.
You might decide to go on a dog walk or take part in a scavenger hunt, or maybe go cycling, do some gardening or have a swim. Any activity counts, so it’s whatever suits you.
There's a free app to download so you can keep track of your team’s daily activity. There's also a leader board showing which areas of Devon have completed the most logged activity, and lots of different prizes up for grabs.
Please fill in this form to let Active Devon know that you would like to take part.
 Get around for £2 all summer!
Make your days out more affordable this summer by switching your car journey for the bus!
With fares for £2 or less all throughout Devon until the end of October, there's never been a better time to travel by bus to visit some incredible places across the county.
It's thanks to the Government's fare cap, which was introduced in January to help with the cost of living and encourage more people to travel sustainably.
For more information on the £2 single fares scheme, terms and conditions and exclusions, visit the Travel Devon website.
 World Hepatitis Day
Today (Friday 28 July) is World Hepatitis Day which helps raise awareness of the disease, along with the testing and treatment options available.
Hepatitis C is a viral infection which is passed on through blood-to-blood contact with an infected person and can cause inflammation of the liver. In the UK, it’s most commonly spread through sharing needles used to inject drugs.
Outside of the UK, it’s often spread through poor healthcare practices and unsafe medical injections.
If you think you may have been exposed to Hepatitis C, taking a test will put your mind at rest, or if the test is positive, allow you to start treatment early.
With a free, confidential home finger prick test from the NHS, you can get results in days. You can also get tested for Hepatitis C at GP surgeries, sexual health clinics, or drug treatment services. Find out more on the NHS website.
 Play Libraries Unlimited's fundraising lottery
Fancy the chance to win £25,000 each week and support vital library services in Devon?
Libraries Unlimited, the charity that runs libraries in Devon on our behalf, are inviting residents to take part in their weekly online lottery.
It's done through One Lottery, the leading lottery provider for good causes in the UK. Tickets are just £1 and 50 per cent goes back into providing library services in the county.
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