Devon

A new fitness class for plus-size people has secured funding to run a low cost pilot in Exeter.

Phat Health was set up to help people who are told to lose weight and get more active but don't feel comfortable in mainstream gyms and fitness classes. Jess Crew PHAT Programme Organiser said, "many gyms and fitness classes say that everyone is welcome but in reality they just don't cater for larger bodies."

Maresa Bossano, Wellbeing Exeter Community Physical Active Organiser commented, "We are very excited to be supporting this community project. People in Exeter have been...

The number of patients in Devon’s hospitals with Covid-19 has almost doubled in the first three weeks of October and is expected to continue rising as cases in the community increase.

This adds to the severe pressures that already exist in the local health and care system, leading health and care partners to remind people in Devon they can play a key role in keeping case numbers down.

The increasing rates of Covid in the community also impact on staffing. Currently 810 NHS staff in Devon are off work due to Covid. This accounts for almost 1 in 3 NHS staff absences, up...

With thanks to funding from regional and local authorities, there is now a real wealth of free, high quality digital training, advice and support for businesses and charities based in Devon.

Organisations can benefit from up to 12 hours of digital training and support right now, which can include digital training workshops and one-to-one advice. A team of Digital Business Advisors can review your website and explain how to get more visitors and boost sales; show you how to reach new markets with digital marketing; and, advise you on the best software to improve your productivity...

Keran Fletcher, an assistant accountant at Bristol Street Motors Renault Exeter, has been recognised for his exemplary performance with a national award.

He received the Masters Respect Award – awarded to the colleague who consistently demonstrates outstanding levels of respect in their role.

Keran was nominated by general manager at Bristol Street Motors Renault Exeter Daniel Mann who stated that “Keran is a role model employee. Not only is he currently undergoing his Vertu Motors training programme to become an accountant, but he has also taken on the role of health...

Princesshay has teamed up with local homelessness charity, St Petrock’s to launch Petrock’s Place. The outlet on Paris Street will take and sell donated clothes, take in donations for survival equipment and run regular workshops to enable people to breathe new life into clothing and textiles that may otherwise have been thrown away. All profits from the shop will go directly to help the clients of St Petrock’s. In addition, the space will provide a safe, caring environment for the most vulnerable people to learn new skills. The Crown Estate and Nuveen, joint owners of Princesshay, has...

Princesshay is welcoming three new brands into the centre before Christmas; gift retailer Menkind, stationery and organisers retailer Calendar Club and leading watch and jewellery repair specialists In Time.

Perfectly timed for Christmas shopping, the new Menkind store, opening in Princesshay between Lush and Hotel Chocolat, will stock gifts for everyone, ranging from stocking fillers to unusual presents and high tech gadgets.

Calendar Club is also set to join the centre's line-up in the coming weeks offering a huge range of organisers, calendars, diaries and planners as...

ECS is celebrating success on the seas this week as Rosalila, a Year 8 pupil and Cathedral Chorister, set sail for the British Youth Sailing Regional Junior Championships at Weymouth last month.

Rosalila swapped the Choir Stalls for the water as she competed in the South West RS 20” Feva class, sailing as part of the South West Regional Squad. When she returned to dry land, Rosalila said: “I am delighted to have been selected for the regional sailing squad. I love learning the skills of sailing – how to understand the wind and tides and the art and technical side too. It can be...

A new survey has revealed that a third of people in the South West find adoption difficult to talk about and 80 per cent say they don’t have a good understanding of how to start the process.

It’s worrying news for our local adoption agencies, Adopt South West and Families for Children, who need to find forever families to change their lives of nearly 60 children in the South West, as they prepare to mark National Adoption Week 2021 (18 – 24 October).

The annual event aims educate and inform people on the adoption process with a rounded, honest, and inclusive portrayal of...

People in Devon are reminded to get their COVID and flu vaccinations to give themselves the best possible protection against these deadly illnesses this winter.

The COVID jab does not protect against flu so it is vital to have both vaccinations to reduce your chances of becoming unwell and needing hospital treatment. Getting vaccinated helps you and the NHS, which is already facing extreme pressures in the run up to the very busy winter season.

Each winter, on average, 11,000 people in England die from flu and new government research suggests that adults in England are...