community

Kind-hearted customers at Tesco stores across Exeter have donated thousands of meals to people in need this Christmas.

Shoppers gave 11,171 meals for food charities FareShare and The Trussell Trust during the Tesco Food Collection, which ran in stores in Exeter from 29 November to 1 December.

Customers were asked to donate long-life items to help people in need as part of their usual shop. With this year’s UK-wide total of 3.5 million meals donated to the charities, the overall total given by shoppers since the Tesco Food Collection scheme began in 2012 is more than 52...

DEVONIANS are being encouraged by a care provider in the county to spread some festive cheer this Christmas among any elderly and vulnerable neighbours or relatives they might have (December 2018).

Christmas can be a bleak time for anyone living alone and Guardian Homecare, which provides care in south Devon and has offices in Exeter, is asking people to check on relatives and neighbours.

Katie Jewell, Regional Manager for the care provider, said: “Christmas is all about spending time with friends and family, but there are some people out there, our service users included,...

A friendship formed at an Exeter community centre has given confidence back to short story writer, Linda Lewis.

When Linda moved back to Exeter in 2017, the first thing she did was go to the Beacon Community Centre’s Friday drop in. There she met Pearl Palmer, a lady who enjoyed reading magazines like the People’s Friend.

At that time, Linda had lost her confidence. “I have sold hundreds of stories to magazines but when I told people I was a writer, they assumed I meant novels, “ said Linda.

“When I said I wrote short stories for woman’s magazines, they weren’t...

Broadclyst Community Primary School (BCPS) has been reaccredited with the British Council’s prestigious International School Award in recognition of its work to bring the world into the classroom.

The International School Award celebrates the achievements of schools that do exceptional work in international education. Fostering an international dimension in the curriculum is at the heart of the British Council’s work with schools, so that young people gain the cultural understanding and skills they need for life work in today’s world.

BCPS embeds international studies into...

Redrow Homes is working in partnership with the local council and community in Pinhoe, Exeter to revamp a derelict patch of land into a beautiful landscaped space.

The area is located near to Redrow’s Saxon Brook development and has been empty since a popular pub was demolished.

On learning that Redrow had a development in the area, Exeter City Council reached out to the award-winning housebuilder. Redrow was immediately keen to be involved in the rejuvenation of the community’s land surrounding Saxon Brook.

The project is well underway, and the team involved have...

Phonic FM is Exeter’s community radio station. Broadcasting across Exeter since 2008, it provides a locally-rooted alternative to mainstream radio, on FM and online.

Staffed and funded by around 70 volunteer members (representing a diverse mix of backgrounds, cultures and musical preferences), it aims to support the arts – in the widest sense – in and around the city. The core offering of music is augmented by programmes featuring film, theatre, art (both visual and sonic) and more besides. Phonic FM has supported countless local artists of every type and genre – many of whom have...

With an estimated three million children at risk of being hungry during the school holidays in the UK this summer, and as food bank usage is reportedly hitting record highs, Broadclyst Community Garden has joined a nationwide initiative to grow and donate fresh fruit and vegetables to those in need. The charitable initiative sees gardening brand Miracle-Gro connect with FoodCycle projects across the country, including Exeter, to support those at risk of food poverty and social isolation. With the long-term aim to alleviate the nation’s food poverty crisis, the partnership hopes to kick-...

With 40% of households across the South West being made up of people over the age of 65*, it’s no surprise the region has the highest percentage of older people in the UK. In view of this, there is a wide range of fantastic charities and community groups that care for and provide activities for this aging generation.

It’s these groups that RGB Building Supplies is inviting to apply for £1,000 to spend at one of its branches as part of its Well Built Community Fund.

Whether a care home would like to renovate a room for the benefit of its residents, a charity needs materials...