“You can’t pour from an empty cup.” It’s a phrase we often hear, and it couldn’t be more relevant for carers. Caring for someone you love is deeply rewarding, but it also comes with significant challenges. Prioritising your own well-being isn’t selfish — it’s essential.
While my focus here is on dementia carers, these insights can benefit all unpaid carers navigating the demands of caregiving.
Understanding the Value of Carers
The work of unpaid carers saves the government billions each year—a contribution that often goes unnoticed. Yet, carers deserve...
Westbank Community Health and Care is celebrating the first cohort of newbie cooks to have completed Foundation Courses in basic kitchen skills at the charity’s recently opened Community Cookery School.
The purpose-built teaching facility at Exminster, near Exeter, opened its doors to beginner cooks this autumn, offering free eight-week workshops to people of all ages who want to learn how to cook simple, nutritious, affordable meals.
A well-attended launch party allowed guests, including sponsors, to see the bespoke teaching kitchen in use. The event marked the completion...
More than 500 pupils across East Devon have taken part in workshops about the importance of recycling, thanks to an initiative by East Devon District Council (EDDC) and their waste contractor Suez.
Led by Suez’s Recycling Officer, Jess Prosser, the school children have enjoyed games and presentations highlighting the waste hierarchy and the value in reusing and recycling material.
During the past year Jess has spoken to 525 primary school pupils who have enjoyed a series of activities to sort materials and learn how and where they can reuse material.
On the 9th December Bird & Blend Tea Co. Exeter store will remain open after hours for its Christmas Extravaganza Lock-in…for any Christmas Elves keen on experiencing moments of magic whilst tea tasting.
The after-hours event will takeplace at 12 of its stores. Guests all over the country will suddenly find they havewarm hands, warm hearts and are filled with festive spirit. Events will take place at Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter, Glasgow, London, Manchester, Norwich, Nottingham and Oxford.
Wannabe Santa's Helpers will be treated on arrival to one of the Bird...
Ahead of World Mental Health Day , NHS talking therapy service TALKWORKS has launched a series of ‘Wellbeing in the Workplace’ winter workshops , available free of charge for businesses and organisations across Devon (excluding Plymouth).
The workshops will give employees the chance to learn a range of tools and techniques to help improve their mental health and wellbeing. These will include reducing stress, building resilience, creating manageable routines and developing healthy habits, both in the workplace and everyday life. The sessions will be bespoke for each business,...
As the cost of living crisis continues to impact the prices of energy, fuel and commodities, local businesses across Devon, Somerset, Plymouth and Torbay are being urged to make the most of available support to boost their resilience.
The Heart of the South West Growth Hub offers free, impartial, expert business advice, and has a range of programmes and grants available to help support businesses with growth, resilience, trade, marketing, recruitment, and more.
Businesses are being encouraged to get in touch with the Growth Hub team, who offer signposting services and can...
Mental health charity, Step One, has been supporting people in Devon with mental health and learning disabilities for 85 years, working closely with local NHS Trusts, GP surgeries and communities across the county. With mental health problems increasing and a reported 1 in 5 people now showing signs of depression (compared to 1 in 10 before the COVID-19 pandemic), the ‘BeWell@StepOne’ project was launched to provide support to as many people as possible across Devon. Through online courses, workshops, support groups and learning opportunities, BeWell@StepOne helps people to manage their...
A series of workshops are being held in Devon over the next month to help farmers and landowners improve the condition of their soil.
Devon County Council has launched the Farming Recovery programme to help farm businesses to adopt best practice of soil and nutrients management on their land.
Eight workshops, which will be held virtually and in person by Business Information Point (BIP) on behalf of the County Council, will support farmers and landowners to better understand their soils with the aim of improving environmental standards and tackling the current challenges...
In this workshop run by Exeter dance artist Daisy Harrison, take part in a short class, guided improvisations and learn some of the movement content from the upcoming duet ‘Flying/Falling’.
Experience soaring and tumbling first hand in your home or studio. Together we will explore themes from the upcoming duet; an immersive performance, exploring the delicate tipping point between the positive and negative experiences of falling out of balance.
This opportunity is aimed at professional dancers, graduates and students. The movement will be physically challenging, but...
Directing Weekends If you would like to explore the practical skills of a theatre director or simply want to know more about the art of directing, Cygnet Theatre can offer you the opportunity in a series of weekend workshops during October, November & January.
Over three weekends the possibilities, the difficulties and the joys of theatre direction will be illuminated, dissected and put into practice.
Try you hand, and discover from professional theatre directors how best to serve the script or narrative – and the actors. Each weekend will be hosted by different...
