Friday 23 February 2024
 A World War Two bomb found this week on St Michael Avenue in Plymouth is due to be taken from its current location today to the sea where it will be detonated. Please visit the Plymouth City Council for updates.
 Families invited to help shape future support services
We're changing the way that young families are supported at Children’s Centres, and are inviting those who use the services, as well as professionals and community groups, to help influence the changes.
It follows a national move, announced by the Government last year, for Children’s Centres to become Family Hubs, as part of its Start for Life Programme initiative.
In Devon that means extending the age range, from current services that deliver targeted support to 0 to 8-year-olds, to future services that provide targeted and universal support to 0 to 19-year-olds, or up to 25-year-old young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). And it would mean a wider range of services than present, including support from local community groups, working together to help young families.
Exactly which services will be integrated into a Family Hub will very much depend on the needs of local families. But the kind of services that families could access include early years services and education; Public Health Nursing and Midwifery services; activities delivered by local groups; drug, alcohol and domestic abuse support; mental health support and youth services.
Read the full story on our website to find out more, including how to have your say on the plans.
 Reducing food waste can save you money
Recycle Devon is highlighting how reducing the amount of food thrown away at home can help households save money and cut bin waste.
A 2022 study in Devon found that nearly a third of black bin waste is food waste, 79 per cent of which is avoidable. It also found that 35 per cent of all discarded food is still in its packaging.
Food prices remain the number one food concern for almost three quarters of participants of a recent survey. Nearly one in four (24 per cent) reported struggling to keep up with household bills, yet food waste is still on the rise for four key products – milk, potatoes, chicken and bread.
Read the full story on the news page of our website to find out a few simple measures that can help reduce food waste and save money too.
 Give your views on proposals to improve active travel and bus reliability in Exeter
We’re asking people for their views on our proposals to improve bus reliability and active travel facilities in Exeter.
The consultation covers two key 'bus corridors' within the city; the central corridor (approximately 1.9 miles between Paris Street Roundabout and Middlemoor Roundabout) and the eastern corridor (approximately 2.1 miles between Pinhoe Sainsburys and Sidwell Street).
The improvements aim to use a combination of technology, physical enhancements, and bus priority measures to develop a ‘smarter’ bus network that's a more attractive travel choice by reducing journey times and making trips more reliable. We're also asking for people’s views on proposals for two pedestrian and cycle crossings.
Public drop-in consultation events are being held in March where you can find out more about the proposals and speak to members of the project team. There is no need to book for these events, just turn up:
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Tuesday 19 March 2024, 4:30pm to 7:30pm Exeter Guildhall, 203 High Street EX4 3EB
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Thursday 21 March 2024, 10:30am to 2:30pm Exeter Library, Castle Street EX4 3PQ
You have until noon on Friday 29 March 2024 to share your feedback on the proposals with us using this online survey.
 Autism and Us workshop next week
The next Autism and Us workshop will take place on Wednesday 28 February at 10am to midday and will explore demand avoidance, including:
- the key characteristics of the extreme demand avoidance profile
- outlining the diagnostic background of demand avoidance
- how this fits into the strengths and needs of autistic children and young people
- characteristics of this profile and how it may manifest through a child’s behaviour
- a range of strategies / approaches are highlighted with the aim of supporting children and young people in the home
- an individualised approach which allows for the prioritising of goals to support family life
If you are interested in this or want to know more about the Autism and Us workshops, please visit our website.
 Is there an area you feel unsafe?
StreetSafe is a service that allows you to anonymously report safety concerns in public places. This includes issues like poorly lit streets, abandoned buildings, or vandalism, as well as instances where you feel unsafe due to someone following or verbally abusing you.
You'll be asked where it happened, and why you felt unsafe. As this is anonymous, the police won't contact you about what has happened but the information you give them is used in the policing decisions they make in your neighbourhood.
There are also optional questions about why have you chosen to report anonymously using StreetSafe and your age, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and if you have any illnesses or disabilities. You don't have to give this information, but if you do it will help the police to better understand your experience.
To find out more, visit Police.UK, the national website for policing.
Enjoying the outdoors and being fire safe survey
In anticipation of the warmer days to come, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is asking for feedback about how you enjoy the outdoors with family and friends.
They're interested in your activities along coastlines, heathland, local nature reserves, forests, or commons, relating to outdoor fires to gain insight and help make sure everyone enjoys the outdoors safely.
You can take part online.
 Trading Standards week of action
This week Trading Standards South West has been running a 'week of action' to raise awareness about illegal practices that could end up costing you money - or more!
Everything from illegal pet importers and dating scams to rouge traders and underage sales of vapes, they've been sharing a whole host of useful information and advice on their Facebook page.
If you missed it, scroll back and have a read.
 Need some financial help?
If you can’t afford to buy the basics or pay for essential bills, the Government's Household Support Fund may be able to provide short-term financial support to meet immediate needs.
Even if you've had help from it before, or you've received one of the Government’s cost of living payments, you may still be eligible for more money from the fund if you can show that you're facing financial hardship.
The fund is administered by your local district or city council and runs until Sunday 31 March 2024, so if you need support, please apply before then.
 Have you thought about becoming a childminder?
If you are looking for a rewarding career working with children, that enables you to work from home, then childminding is a brilliant option.
With Government start-up grants available, there has never been a better time to start your childminding journey.
Visit our website for more information.
Films at the Library
All good things must come to an end... Check out the last few films showing in your local library as part of the Films at the Library season.
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