The Rural Services Network in partnership with the Citizens Advice Rural Issues Group has launched a Rural Cost of Living Household Survey
Independent research commissioned by the RSN in summer last year shows rural areas are suffering more acutely from the cost of living crisis compared to urban areas.
To lend more weight to the argument for more funding for rural areas the RSN is calling on as many rural residents as possible to complete a Rural Cost of Living Household Survey.
The purpose of the survey is to understand more about rural household budgets at, what is, a very difficult time for many.
Research has shown that those living in rural areas face extra costs and we now want to explore the impacts for households.
But we need your help and want to receive as many survey responses as possible, whatever your household’s income or financial position. This will help us to engage more effectively with Government Departments, MPs and other policy makers.
Devon County Council has a dedicated website with lots of useful information and advice for residents, families and businesses who maybe struggling with the cost of living or energy bills – here is the link: https://www.devon.gov.uk/cost-of-living/
In addition there are still a number of grants/funds available that people may want to access. A lot of this information is online but the schemes include:
This fund is to support households that are struggling to pay for food, energy, water bills and other related essentials; especially those who may not be eligible for other Government support.
All children up to year two at state schools in England automatically get free school meals. From year 3 onwards, you may continue to qualify. You can check eligibility and apply on our Free School Meals page. Additionally, families in Devon on low incomes, whose children receive free school meals, also receive school meals holiday vouchers which are funded by the Household Support Fund. To see if your child is eligible for free school meals, or to apply, please visit our website or call our Education Helpline on 0345 155 1019
Devon County Council can award grants of £500 – £3,000 to groups or projects that address hardship such as food or fuel insecurity, offering warm safe spaces, something to eat and drink, and a place to work, learn or socialise. Or help to build community resilience – e.g., guidance on budgeting, cooking low-cost nutritional meals. They will also support projects tackling loneliness and isolation
This programme supports 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.
This week is Children’s Mental Health Week. It’s run by children’s charity Place2Be, and is designed to shine a spotlight on the importance of children and young people’s mental health.
This year’s theme is ‘Let’s Connect’.
Feeling connected to other people is vital for our wellbeing, and when that doesn’t happen, we can sometimes feel isolated and lonely, which can have a negative impact on our mental health.
We’ve put together this special edition of our newsletter to share some useful information and resources to encourage connections with others in healthy, rewarding and meaningful ways and to help support children and young people’s mental health.
What can I do as a parent or carer?
Moments of connection are really important in the relationships that children have with their parents or carers, and it doesn’t need to be difficult.
Little things, like when you pick them up from school or come in from work, are important. Try to give them your full attention and see if this helps you feel better connected.
With an older child, you may find times such as car journeys a good time to talk, or to reconnect by playing music that you both like.
Family life can become busy and stressful, so it’s important to find some time where you all connect together. This could include simple things like cooking, watching a film, playing a game or going to the park.
As adults we can sometimes be dismissive of the things that our children and teenagers are interested in, such as their music, fashion and what they watch. But you may feel better connected if you appreciate the important things in their world. This can open up conversations about other things in their lives that matter to them.
Arguments and disagreements are bound to happen in families, and it is important that children learn how to disagree in appropriate ways – how to say sorry, for example, when they have done something wrong. They will learn a lot about how to do these things from you, so try to model the behaviour you want to see in your children.
Visit Place2Be’s Parenting Smart website for more practical tips from child mental health experts to support children’s wellbeing and behaviour.
Why are friendships important for my child?
A lack of meaningful connection can cause loneliness and anxiety.
Friends have a big impact on a child or young people’s mental health and wellbeing, so it is important they learn how to establish healthy relationships, which can allow them to support one another.
It can be a tricky topic to explain, so allowing your children to see and experience positive connections and modelling the sort of friendships you want them to have is vital. This could include seeing you speak kindly to your friends, treating people with respect and giving your time to the people you care about.
If your child is shy or lacks confidence, it can feel more difficult for them to make and keep friends. Give your child lots of opportunities to connect and communicate with you in whatever ways you feel comfortable for them. Practising with you will give them more confidence to connect with others.
Acknowledge that friendships are complex and can be difficult to navigate, and reassure them that it’s natural for friends to change over time. It’s normal to fall out sometimes, so talk to them about how to re-connect with friends after arguments including what they can do to help repair relationships. Let your child know that being friends doesn’t always mean agreeing or getting along with others all the time.
Friendship groups become increasingly important to children as they become teenagers and it helps them discover and form their own identities, develop autonomy and gain independence. Be open to hearing about their friendships and try to listen without judgement.
How do I tell if my child is having a tough time?
It’s normal for children and young people to experience worry, stress or anxiety at certain points in their lives, and there can be many reasons for these feelings.
Anxiety is one of the most common psychological conditions among children and young people, yet the signs of anxiety are not always obvious for parents to spot.
Look out for:
sleep problems – having difficulty nodding off, bad dreams and wetting the bed are signs of potential anxiety
nervousness – if your child seems less able to cope and more nervous than usual, it may be caused by underlying anxiety
physical problems – minor ailments such as tummy trouble or feeling faint may be an indication that there’s an bigger issue
becoming more clingy – is your child becoming more tearful or not wanting to let you go? This is often a sign of separation anxiety, which is a common form of anxiety in children under 12 years old
change in eating habits – problems with food can begin as a coping strategy when young people are anxious, and they may lose their appetite or perhaps start comfort eating when they’re not hungry
losing their temper – outbursts may not just be a the result of raging hormones. They could be another sign of anxiety
lack of concentration – if you notice that your child is struggling to focus on a given task, it could mean they’re stressed about something
reduced confidence – if you notice your child is becoming withdrawn or they seem to lack confidence or get easily upset, it might be an indicator that they need some help
If your child’s anxiety is severe, persists and interferes with their everyday life, it’s a good idea to get some help. A visit to a GP is a good place to start and it may help to talk to their school as well.
The YoungMinds website has lots of useful information about ways you can support your child if they are struggling with worry or anxiety and places you can get help. There’s also a free parent helpline on 0808 802 5544, from Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm.
How can I help support my child’s mental health?
One of the most important things you can do to help is let your child know it’s OK to talk about their mental health.
Talking to your child about how they’re feeling can be tough, especially if you’re concerned that they’re having a hard time. You might feel like you don’t know what to say or when a good time to talk is, or you might feel worried about how your child will react.
It doesn’t matter what topic the conversation starts with – it’s about the opportunity it gives you to talk about feelings and provide comfort.
Try taking 20 minutes to do an activity you both enjoy, such as kicking a football around or doing some drawing, as it can create a relaxed space for getting the conversation started.
If they do want to talk, listen to them in a non-judgemental way about how they’re feeling. Remind them that it’s OK to feel scared or worried and try to reassure them. Remember, you don’t need to know all the answers, but talking things through can help.
If they don’t want to talk right now, reassure them that they can talk to you at any time. You could also see whether other forms of communication like writing a letter or texting would make it easier for your child to let you know what’s going on. Remember, you know your child best, and you can tell when it isn’t the right time or they aren’t in the mood to talk.
What can I do if my child is struggling?
If your child tells that you they’re struggling, it’s important to make sure they feel seen and heard. If you’re worried about something that’s come up in conversation, be honest and clear about how you see things, and how you want to support them.
When responding, it helps to:
validate their feelings. You could say ‘it’s really understandable that you’re feeling…’ to let them know that their feelings are okay
thank them for sharing what’s going on, and be encouraging about the way they’ve opened up
let them know that you love them, that you’re there for them, that they can talk to you whenever they need to, and that you can help them get support if they need it
ask them if there’s anything you could do that they would find particularly helpful
spend time together thinking about what is making them feel this way. It could be something at home or school, a relationship with a friend or family member or something else
let your child know about the helplines, textlines and online chat services that are available. Young people can find it difficult to talk and worry about upsetting their parents, so reassure them that it’s okay to open up to other people
remind your child that this is temporary. Reassure them that things can change and they can feel better
avoid conversations at the height of distress. It’s important to be there for them, but it can be more helpful to talk about the causes when things are feeling calmer
How do I get help for my child?
If your child is struggling with their mental health and they need some help, you may be feeling really worried. Remember that you and your child are not alone.
If your child is experiencing thoughts, feelings or behaviours that are affecting their daily life, speaking to a GP is a good first step to finding the help they need. They can explore what’s going on for your child, and suggest things that might help. They can also make referrals to specialist NHS and other local services.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) is the NHS service for children and young people who may be experiencing problems with their emotional or psychological wellbeing. Through CAMHS, your child can access specialist support and treatment such as counselling and therapy. You can ask a GP or other health professional to refer your child to CAMHS, or you can self-refer your child into this service.
Your child may be able to access free or low-cost counselling through a local organisation, even if they have not been referred by a GP or are not being treated by CAMHS. There are also private counsellors and therapists working all over the country if this is an affordable option for you.
As you find your way around local services, it might also help to talk to other parents who have been through this, or to speak to any friends or family who might be able to advise you about where to get started.
Parents and carers of children and young people up to the age of 25 years old can use the parent helpline and webchat service for detailed advice, emotional support and signposting Monday to Friday, 9:30am until 4:00pm. There is an email service outside of these hours.
Offers online information as well as helpline support to under 25 year olds about anything that’s troubling them. Email support is available via their online contact form, as well as free 1-2-1 webchat service and telephone helpline available via 0808 808 4994 from 4pm until 11pm seven days a week.
Whatever you’re going through, you can contact the Samaritans for support. Please be aware that this is a listening service and does not offer advice or intervention. Call 116123 or email jo@samaritans.org any time of the day or night.
Operates in schools across the county, delivering health advice and support to school-aged children and young people. The ChatHealth text line allows young people aged 11 to 19 years old a place to talk completely confidentially with a school nurse about any worries or concerns they may have. Text 07520631722.
A charity that promotes positive mental health for teenagers and encourages them to build resilience and manage difficult emotions with online resources.
Provides free, confidential, 24/7 text message support for anyone struggling to cope. They can help with issues including suicidal thoughts, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, abuse, self-harm, relationship problems and bullying. Text “Shout” to 85258 to speak to a trained volunteer who will listen and work with you to solve problems.
The website lots of useful information about mental health and self-care for young people, including videos on social media, dealing with change and the worry tree.
There was much excitement when a large black Leonardo helicopter landed in the field next to Hatchmoor Nursing Home last week. Pupils from GTS and Petroc attended, and thoroughly enjoyed being shown around this state-of-the-art aircraft.
Condition Monitoring Technology Group(CMTG) organised the event, as they supply technology used in these helicopters. It’s wonderful that Torrington is the base for this highly innovative and skilled company, who provide many training and employment opportunities.
Many thanks to Douglas Graham, the Operational Director and his colleagues who gave us a great insight into the company and its market leading position.
My Mayor’s Charity Burns supper which was held at Great Torrington Golf Club on Friday 20th January was a resounding success. I would like to thank Mike Harper, our Piper who entertained us with everything from traditional Scottish airs, to thinly disguised modern tunes played on pipes. There were also readings including some of Burns’ own work.
All the classic ingredients were there from haggis and neeps to the obligatory speeches, and plenty of Tartan for the Lassies and the Laddies.
My thanks to the many local Mayors, dignitaries and representatives of local organisations who came along, and of course to Trish and the wonderful staff at Great Torrington Golf Club who treated us to a Burns Supper well worthy of the occasion.
Overall, a total of just under £350 was raised for my Mayors Charities, Devon Air Ambulance and First Torrington Guides.
We are pleased to announce that the winners of the “12 Days of Christmas” Window Spotting competition were Poppy and Tilly Coates! They were presented with their prize by Assistant Town Clerk Charlotte Kirby just before Christmas.
A huge “Thank you” to the Knit and Natter group for all of the hard work which went into knitting all 78 festive creations. We are sure you agree, they all looked beautiful as they adorned the various shop windows.
We are currently dealing with a very high number of pothole reports due to the cold and wet weather. Approximately a third of the reports we are receiving are duplicates and are already waiting to be assessed or repaired.
provide an email address to receive automatic updates
see where potholes have already been reported
see where we have asked our contractor to carry out repairs
Where a report already exists you do not need to create a new report to receive updates. Select the report (as shown in the example on the right) and click ‘Add me to this pothole’. Your help in reducing the number of duplicate reports we receive will enable our inspection team to work as efficiently as possible during these challenging conditions.
If you report a pothole and we don’t repair it straight away this could be because:
the pothole was inspected and is not deemed to be a safety defect
there is a problem with the surface of the road which needs to be investigated as a repair will not solve the underlying problem
traffic management is needed to carry out repairs safely
Flooding and drainage
If it’s an emergency and there is danger to life as a result of flooding call 999. The number one cause of death during flooding is driving through flood water so please prioritise your safety.
Internal property flooding can be reported on our webpage.
Standing water or running water
On our Report a Problem page you can report standing water, flooding and blocked drains.
Standing/running water will not be investigated during prolonged heavy rain. Please ensure that you have checked that an issue is still present 24 hours after the rain has stopped before reporting it.
Where water is still present 24 hours after the rain has stopped we will attempt to clear it if:
the road is impassable
the water is forcing vehicles, cyclists or pedestrians away from the nearside of the road by more than one metre
vehicles have to cross the centreline marking
there is a risk of aquaplaning where the speed limit of the road is 40mph or above, and vehicles could reasonably be expected to travel at that speed
If we are unable to clear the water, we will use a flood sign or guard the area or close the road to make the location safe and then investigate a permanent solution.
Useful links
Our Report a Problem page can also be used to report storm damage such as hazardous or fallen trees and debris.
The MetOffice provides excellent guidance to people travelling in poor weather which you may like to share with your communities.
Recycling tips and Christmas collections in Torridge
Torridge District Council would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to all our residents who continue to help us recycle as much as possible across the District including recent additions such as small electrical goods and batteries. While the festive season is a period for many of us to relax and spend time with family and friends, we need everyone to KEEP RECYCLING especially all the cardboard, drinks containers and other waste items Christmas usually throws our way.
Torridge crews will now be taking a well-deserved short break during the festive period and there will be no kerbside recycling collections on Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year’s Day. However, crews will be working normally on other days across the holiday period to collect any festive leftovers. The Council are asking people to check their collection dates on their online calendar as some of the collections will be a day or two later than usual as a result of the public holidays.
To accommodate the extra work over this period, as usual, there will be no garden waste collections
between Monday 26th December 2022 and Sunday 8th January 2023. Collections will start again on Monday 9th January 2023.
Lots of festive items can be fully recycled, including:
Real Christmas Trees – Ideally chopped up and placed in your Green Wheelie bin or whole trees can be placed next to your Green Bin
Plastic bottles, containers and tins (green box)
Foil trays (green box)
Glass bottles and jars (black box)
Christmas cards without glitter (brown bag)
Christmas card envelopes (brown bag)
Food waste, including turkey bones (green food caddies)
Cardboard (broken up or flattened) which must be placed in the brown bag. Each household can have two brown bags and to order an extra one people should visit the Councils website.
There are some items which unfortunately cannot be recycled:
Large, oversized cardboard boxes may be rejected unless broken into pieces and placed in the brown bags or alternatively these can be taken to one of the local Devon County recycling centres.
Items covered in glitter.
We can only accept brown wrapping paper due to the low-grade nature of standard wrapping paper for which there is currently no commercial end use.
Residents can be reassured though that no waste will be sent to landfill and any residual waste that can’t be recycled is sent to an energy from waste reclamation plant where it is processed to generate electricity.
More recycling information can be found on social media or on the Council website @ torridge.gov.uk/recycling
THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR RECYCLING FOR TORRIDGE AND HAVE A MERRY GREEN FESTIVE HOLIDAY SEASON!
Great Torrington Town Council is delighted to announce that it has been awarded First Place in the Devon Wildlife Community of the Year Awards, Town & Parish Council category, for the work its volunteers have undertaken to manage Jubilee Wood and Meadow.
Cllr Gill Clayton, Chair of the Town Council’s Environment Committee, and Alan Williams, volunteer coordinator for Jubilee Wood and Meadow, attended the awards ceremony on Tuesday 6th December in Exeter and were presented with a certificate and a selection of guidebooks as the prize. The judges were very impressed with the breadth of the activities undertaken in Jubilee Wood to support and protect Devon’s wildlife.
The Town Council would like to thank Alan Williams, his team of volunteers and everyone in the community who has helped shape Jubilee Wood over the last few years for all the hard work put into this beautiful oasis on the edge of town ??
