Devon

Samaritans in Exeter, Mid and East Devon is celebrating Volunteers Week this year by bucking the trend and attracting a raft of new and younger volunteers as well as more experienced ones.

“Volunteering is often associated with older people with spare time and plenty of life experience. Those are vital to our organisation, of course, but they’re not the only demographic to find volunteering rewarding and satisfying” explains Mel Whittock, director of the local Samaritans branch.

One example is Izzy Kumik, a 19 year old Met Office apprentice who first worked with the...

Local swim teacher and now franchise owner, Kristina Tyldesley-Holley celebrates her new Devon baby swim school franchise launch by opening new venues in Chudleigh and Totnes.

Kristina Tyldesley-Holley, who runs swim sessions in Exeter and Crediton, has opened new Baby Squids swimming lessons in neighbouring areas; Chudleigh and Totnes.

Baby Squids – is a well-established, highly successful swim school for 0-4-year olds focusing on building children’s confidence and their love of the

Water. Classes run across the South of England and have been running now since...

Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw has been striding through Westminster - walking A Mile with a Smile - to help raise awareness of the everyday challenges faced by unpaid carers and the enormous contribution they make to families and communities throughout Devon.

It’s the first time Ben has taken part in the awareness raising event organised by Devon Carers, which was started during Carers Week two years ago. Devon Carers is a service delivered by Devon-based charity Westbank Community Health and Care that supports over 22,000 unpaid carers across the county. Carers Week is an annual national...

The Devon County Agricultural Association (DCAA) is delighted to reveal the winners of the Prince of Wales Award for 2022.

This year there are two winners – SparkUK and Ocean Discovery Zone, and the first prize of £1000 will be divided between them.

Both winners will be presented with their prize at the 2022 Devon County Show.

Lady Arran, Head Judge said: ‘Each year, we have so many worthwhile community initiatives entering these prestigious awards in Devon, it’s difficult to choose an outright winner. This year we’ve chosen joint winners, both of which the...

As UK Volunteers Week begins (1 - 7 June) , a local health and wellbeing charity is launching a campaign to swell the ranks of its existing army of award-winning helpers. Westbank Community Health and Care, based at Exminster near Exeter, relies on over 600 volunteers to help deliver a range of support services to individuals and communities across Devon.

Last year, Westbank’s Neighbourhood Friends volunteers received royal recognition for their service during the pandemic with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. This year, the charity hopes to take on even more volunteers...

People at high risk of Type 2 Diabetes who make small changes in their everyday habits over up to two years are much less likely to develop the disease, according to a project run by the Devon charity Westbank Community Health and Care.

Westbank’s Healthier Devon Diabetes Prevention Programme supports adults aged 18-90 years who want to improve their overall health and fitness. Many are patients referred by a GP or clinician because they are at high risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes - a serious, debilitating and often lifelong condition. Individuals can also self refer.

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The Environment Agency’s Fisheries Improvement Programme (known as FIP) has seen £25,853 of rod licence income invested in Devon and Cornwall projects over the last 12 months. The projects were delivered in collaboration with several different partners, including local angling clubs, rivers trusts and landowners. The funding has helped to enhance fisheries, boost fish stocks and make improvements for anglers, angling facilities and the environment. Mike Holland, Environment Agency Fisheries Specialist, said: “Anglers often ask us about how we spend the money raised from the sale of...

Home builder Redrow will be ‘throne’ its doors open to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with complimentary royal afternoon tea on offer in Exeter over the bank holiday weekend.

Visitors to Saxon Brook will be greeted with a celebratory atmosphere crowned off with patriotic red, white and blue decorations. Light refreshments will be served in the majestically styled sales centres and show homes on the 3rd and 4th of June.

Before the celebrations begin, Redrow will also bestow one lucky competition winner with an ultimate street party hamper, worth £1,000, to share...

People in Devon are being invited to raise vital funds for Diabetes UK this summer as part of a drive to highlight why it is so important to know your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The One Million Step Challenge runs from 1 July to 30 September and is ideal for anyone looking for a way to get more active. You take one million steps over the course of three months – around 10,000 steps per day – and get sponsored for every stride.

The call-out to sign up comes at the beginning of Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Week (23-29 May), an NHS England initiative supported by...

The end-of-life charity Marie Curie is calling on people across the South West to throw a Blooming Great Tea Party in June and July to help fund vital care and support for those living with a terminal illness, and their families.

The charity’s fundraising appeal is a piece of cake – simply set a date to host a tea party and invite family, friends, or colleagues to tuck into a delectable treat and catch-up over a cuppa.

Every penny raised from a Blooming Great Tea Party will go towards ensuring more people have access to the care and support they need at the end of life...