Voluntary groups in West Devon are invited to apply now for their share of a £50,000 funding pot to support community projects across the Borough.
As part of the Council's cost of living response plan, West Devon Borough Council has launched two new grant schemes for local voluntary and community groups.
Worth up to £2,500 per group, the money can be used for projects or schemes that are working to directly support residents through the cost-of-living crisis, while also supporting the broader health and wellbeing of local people.
Community Wellbeing Grant
This grant aims to support activities with up to £2,500 towards addressing residents' wider health and wellbeing impacts such as:
- Improving mental health and wellbeing
- Improving physical health and wellbeing
- Activities that promote participation in activities to disadvantaged and isolated groups
Cost-of-Living Community Response Grant
This grant is an opportunity to bid for up to £1,000 for community schemes that directly contribute to the cost of living. This could include creating and operating warm banks, or providing warm meal clubs for residents, etc.
What sort of projects should apply?
Community and voluntary groups should be able to demonstrate that their projects will improve health and wellbeing for local people through the cost-of-living crisis.
Click the button below to find out more and get your application to us.
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The winter Holiday Activities & Food Programme (HAF) is now available for families across Devon.
School holidays can be particularly difficult for some families because of increased costs (such as food) and reduced incomes. For some children that can lead to a holiday experience gap
The aim of the HAF programme is to support children to eat more healthily, be more active over the school holidays and have a greater knowledge of health and nutrition as well as be more engaged with school and other local services.
A list of providers is available here:
HAF Providers Winter 2022
The programme is taking place in four different locations around Devon, with West Devon falling under the umbrella of "South and West Devon".
Okehampton Library is offering a warm space this winter, with free hot refreshments including teas, coffee, hot chocolate and blackcurrant squash.
You can find the library on 4 North Street, Okehampton, EX20 1AR. Everyone is welcome to attend the library and use the warm space.
Okehampton Library Opening Hours
Mondays: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesdays: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesdays: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Thursdays: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fridays: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
If you have any questions, email Okehampton Library or call them on 01837 52805.
The Tavistock Area Christians Together (TACT) are opening the doors of the local churches to offer safe and warm spaces for members of the local community.
All are welcome to attend these sessions - Tavistock Library will also open its doors for a warm space on Wednesdays.
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Mondays
The Parish Rooms at St Eustachius Church,
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hot meals available.
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Tuesdays
Tavistock Catholic Church is opening their lounge room 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. with refreshments and crafts.
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Wednesdays
Kings Church,
11 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Café available.
Tavistock Library,
2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. Refreshments, board games and library services are available.
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Thursdays
Tavistock Methodist Church,
9 a.m. to 12 noon. Tea, coffee and toast.
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Fridays
United Reformed Church,
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lower Deck Café.
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Saturdays
Abbey Chapel,
10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Refreshments available.
The Love Food Hate Waste website has simple hacks, tips and guidance to make the most of your food at home - incredibly helpful advice during a cost-of-living crisis.
Following their advice can both reduce bills and help the environment.
Love Food Hate Waste provides:
- Simple recipes that can help you waste less
- Advice on planning more meals to reduce waste
- Advice on a weekly food routine
- Guides on saving food
- Resources to help community groups
Research from Recycle Devon shows that everyone throws away more food than they think they do. This can be due to buying too much in the first place, not storing things properly so they go off quickly, not eating things in time.
The handy tips from Love Food Hate Waste could save you hundreds of pounds a year and make a real difference.
With energy prices exponentially increasing, there are options which could help you save money and limit your impact on the environment.
Previously you’d have been able to switch to a better energy deal with one of the increasing numbers of green energy suppliers, but this is no longer the case.
However, there are still a number of things that you could do around the house which could help keep the costs low.
Uswitch is giving advice on what household appliances are costing more on average per minute and per week, and how you can utilise switching off appliances to save money.
Tips on how to reduce appliance energy usage
- Choose appliances with a high energy efficiency rating wherever possible - A-rated devices are the most energy-efficient
- Turn appliances off at the plug when you aren’t using them
- Switch off lights when leaving the room
- Swap halogen light bulbs for LED versions which last longer and cost less in the long-term
- If possible, set a heating schedule for the times when you’re using certain rooms or know you’ll be at home
Uswitch expert Ben Gallizzi says:
"With the cost of living increasing, many of us are trying to find ways to cut down on our energy bills. It’s easy to think that small appliances may not have a big impact on your overall energy bill, but surprisingly they can often have the most impact."
Visit the Uswitch website to discover which household appliances use the most energy and seek advice now.
Do you have a free event or a place that can provide a communal warm space where local people can gather together this winter?
Let us know about your free warm spaces and we'll do our best to let local people know where to come and how to access the space.
Email your warm space to: communications@swdevon.gov.uk
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