Friday 27 September 2024
As we wave goodbye to the summer, our thoughts are turning to Christmas, and while many people look forward to spending the festive season with family, the young adults, who have left our care and are now living independently, can find it a lonely and difficult time.
Every year we like to create gift hampers to ensure that all our care experienced young people over 21-years-old receive something nice at Christmas. For some of them, these gifts may be one of very few that they receive.
However, the gifts are not covered by statutory funding, so we rely on your generosity and support. Last year you donated more than £3,000 as well as various gifts and we packed over 250 Christmas hampers for our care experienced young people. Watch our video to find out more.
If you would like to donate this year, please visit our Just Giving page. The money will be spent equally across the hampers to include items such as soft blankets, large towels, toiletries and other appropriate gifts. Or you can select a gift from our Amazon wish list (it is limited to ensure the gifts are fair and consistent for each young person).
Thank you for your support.
 Children at St Michael’s Church of England Primary Academy in Exeter who recently completed the Walkability course
Do you know the Green Cross Code? New road safety course for primary schools launched
We’re giving primary school children the chance to gain the tools and confidence that they need to help keep themselves safe once they are ready to take the next step and begin walking to school on their own.
Children taking the Walkability (Child Pedestrian Training) course will complete a two-hour practical session to learn a range of road safety rules and essentials such as understanding road signs and their meanings, the Green Cross Code, navigating road crossings, identifying safe routes to cross and the importance of always staying vigilant and aware. They will also take home a booklet sharing what has been taught to enable parents to continue the learning experience at home.
The free course is co-designed by teachers and is initially available for schools to book for their pupils in years 3, 4, 5 and 6. It’s being delivered by Active Devon on our behalf and funded by Vision Zero South West. Schools interested in the training should complete a form, which is available on the Active Devon website along with more information about the course.
Read the full story on the news page of our website.
Our final road infrastructure improvements for South West Exeter are due to start on site in the coming weeks.
The work is part of the Government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund to support the development of 2,500 new homes on the outskirts of the city.
The scheme to install a new pedestrian and cycle crossing on Bad Homburg Way will complete active travel links around the Devon Hotel roundabout. Work is expected to get underway on Monday 7 October and is scheduled to be completed in February 2025.
Work to realign Chudleigh Road is expected to start towards the beginning of November. The road is being moved to connect to a new signalised junction with the A379 which will be developed further to the east. Work in this area also includes widening of the A379/Ellacott Road junction to accommodate additional lanes on the A379.
There are more details in the full story on the news page of our website.
 Protective measures at Denham Bridge prevented major damage
Measures introduced to protect the 17th century Denham Bridge near Bere Alston have helped save it from extensive damage.
The bridge was closed earlier this week while large concrete blocks protecting the Grade II listed structure were craned back into position after being struck by a large vehicle earlier this month.
The 1.8 tonne blocks on the approach to the bridge absorbed the impact of the vehicle which got stuck on the west side of the bridge. The vehicle had to be recovered, and although the blocks were moved out of position, the bridge itself remained intact.
The concrete blocks were installed in February to guide vehicles to take a wider approach across the bridge. This was in response to the first of two incidents this year when the bridge was damaged by vehicles. On both occasions large sections of the parapet had to be rebuilt, closing the bridge for weeks.
An 8-metre max length restriction was introduced on the bridge in May to add to the existing width limit of 6’ 6” (2 metres) already in place. Additional signs have also been located on roads heading to the bridge to advise drivers in advance of the restrictions. Further measures, such as a physical narrowing on a section of the road leading to the bridge, are also being considered.
Read the full story on the news page of our website.
Stoptober is coming up, and there's no better time to quit smoking than NOW!
Did you know that if you quit smoking for the whole of October, you’re five times more likely to quit for good?
Stoptober is the NHS's annual campaign to encourage and support people to stop smoking. Even if it’s your first time or you’ve tried before, Stoptober gives you the perfect opportunity to quit! Stay smoke-free for 28 days, and you’re five times more likely to quit for good.
It’s one of the single best things you can do for your health, but that’s not all - you also save money, breathe easier and be a good role model for your loved ones.
Many people try to quit smoking with willpower alone, but it's much easier to go smoke-free with the right help. With the right support, quitting is easier than you think. Start planning today by checking out the NHS's free tools and tips to help you stay on track.
Our Stop For Life service in Devon is here to support you every step of the way. If you live in Devon and currently smoke, you could be eligible for free support. It's easy to get started and we will be there throughout your journey to help you stop smoking for good.
Visit the Stop For Life Devon website for more information.
The National Apprenticeship Awards take place each year. For the first time this year they include awards to recognise T Level students and employers and have therefore been renamed the National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards.
We've been shortlisted for the Social Justice Employer of the Year Award for our work supporting care experienced young people into apprenticeships. The award is to recognise organisations who demonstrate the impact they have had in creating opportunities and support for those who are disadvantaged or under-represented and the positive affect that this can have on the lives of those that they are working with.
We have supported 23 care experienced young people into apprenticeships within the Council to-date. Being short-listed for the award recognises the impactful work taking place across the Council to support our care experienced young people into an apprenticeship. A huge thank you to our Education, Training and Employment Personal Advisers, Apprenticeships and Early Careers Team and the teams across the Council who have opened opportunities to support young people to develop their employment skills and build their careers.
The South West Regional Awards take place next month, and we'll let you know how we get on!
These brilliant, community run groups bring together volunteers who lend their skills to mending broken items and saving them from going to waste.
Devon has a fantastic number of Repair Cafés run by the community for the community. Skilled menders and talented amateurs give their time and expertise for to help people fix items that might have otherwise been thrown away.
They usually run monthly and depending on who is there and what skills they have, they will attempt to fix everything from hairdryers to bikes to jewellery.
Find your local Repair Café using the Recycle Devon Community Group Map.
The charity that runs libraries in Devon on our behalf, has been recognised and awarded by the Community Libraries Network for its health and wellbeing programme.
Libraries Unlimited are unwavering in their commitment to providing free essential services that aim to reduce health inequalities and combat loneliness.
These include warm banks in winter, IT support, work clubs, and a ‘Home Library’ service for those who are housebound. There are also many wellbeing events and groups including sensory sessions, free baby weighing facilities, menopause cafes, dementia cafes, walking groups and conversation classes for refugees.
Many projects and extra provisions are implemented every winter as part of their ‘Cold Days, Warm Libraries’ campaign to reach the most vulnerable, including: winter coat rails, free refreshments and energy advice sessions.
Find out more by reading the full story on the news page of the Libraries Unlimited website.
We are offering free trees to landowners across Devon to help combat climate change, mitigate ash dieback, and support our declining wildlife.
Each tree pack includes 45 native broadleaf trees, comprising of three species commonly found in Devon, such as oak, birch, and rowan.
If you have a field corner to spare or another area where you would like to establish a copse, linear woodland or extend an existing woodland, you can apply for a free tree pack.
To give trees enough space to develop a good crown and grow to maturity, we advise planting at 3m random spacings, which requires an area of approximately 400m sq. (for example, 20m x 20m) for 45 trees.
To request a free tree pack, please fill out this form by Tuesday 8 October 2024.
People in Devon can now book flu and COVID-19 vaccinations as the NHS rolls out additional protection for those most at risk ahead of winter.
Anyone eligible can book their vaccinations using the NHS website, by downloading the NHS App, or by calling 119 for free if they can’t get online.
The vaccinations, which will be available from Thursday 3 October, provide vital protection to keep people from developing serious illnesses and ending up in hospital during busy winter months.
This year, based on the latest scientific evidence, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended adults aged 65 years old and over, residents in older adult care homes and those with underlying health conditions aged six months old to 64 years old will be eligible for flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.
The Government has also decided that, as in previous years, the COVID-19 and flu vaccines will be offered to frontline health and social care staff.
To find out more, please read the full story on the news page of the One Devon website.
Seven Brethren Recycling Centre will be closed to the public from Monday 30 September to Sunday 13 October (inclusive) for significant maintenance work.
Due to the scale of the work, it would not be safe or practical to open to the public during this period. Work is being undertaken outside of the busy summer period to try and minimise disruption to the public as much as possible.
The site will re-open to the public on Monday 14 October.
The nearest alternative facilities are at Bideford, Ilfracombe and Torrington.
Please visit our website to find out more about our Household Waste Recycling Centres across Devon.
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