Plymouth Chronicle Central & Waterfront January 2023

Worried about the cost of living?

The rising cost of living is a real worry for many households in Plymouth and across the UK.

If you are worried about the cost of living or are struggling to make ends meet, there are a range of local services offering practical support and advice.

They can provide you with information about benefits and advice on housing issues, food costs and energy bills, as well as looking after your own wellbeing.

The services below are a good place to start seeking help but there is much

more information and extra help available online. Plymouth City Council has recently launched an online Cost of Living Hub to make it as easy as possible to find help. Visit www.plymouth.gov.uk/cost-living.

If you need help to get online, the libraries in Plymouth offer free Wi-Fi for your own devices as well as the use of computers. Call 01752 305900 for more information.

Remember, if you are struggling, you are not alone and there is no shame in asking for help. Everyone needs a little bit of extra support at some point.

Help with energy costs

Not being able to afford to heat or power your home can be very worrying and stressful.

It’s important to continue paying these bills and there’s help available from your supplier if you’re struggling.

Plymouth Energy Community (PEC) can provide advice about energy bills as well as support with home improvements. For more information call PEC on 01752 477117.

You can save as much as £467 per year on your energy bills by considering some key tips from the Energy Saving Trust.

Visit energysavingtrust.org.uk/energy-savingbudget/.

The main message to remember is, if possible: Turn it down, Turn it off, Use it less.

Energy saving tips

In a year you can save up to these amounts by:

• Turning down the thermostat by one degree (£145)

• Taking a shorter (four-minute) shower (£95)

• Air-drying clothes instead of using using the tumble dryer (£70)

• Turning appliances off rather than leaving them on standby (£65)

• Reducing the temperature of your washing machine (to 30 degrees) and amount you use it (£34)

• Ensuring lights are switched off when leaving the room (£25)

• Swapping one bath per week for a four-minute shower (£20)

• Not overfilling the kettle when boiling water (£13)

Help with food bills and money saving tips

The Plymouth Food Aid Network’s website has a useful Community Food Access map showing different charities, community groups and organisations who are able to provide food support in Plymouth.

You can find it at pfan.adoddle.org/food-accessmap/.

This includes food banks, food larders and community fridges where food is either free or low-cost. For tips on how you can save money when buying and cooking food visit www. transformingplymouthtogether.org.uk.

If you are receiving certain benefits and have a child under four, or you are pregnant, you may be entitled to up to £8.50 per week to buy healthy food and milk through the Healthy Start scheme.

Visit the website www.healthystart.nhs.uk or call 0300 3307010 (calls charged at local rate) to check eligibility.

If you need help applying, go to your local children’s centre or wellbeing hub.

Struggling with your housing costs?

Families with children registered for free school meals will continue to receive vouchers during the school holidays to the value of £13 per child, per week, which can be redeemed at various supermarkets.

Vouchers will be given out during the upcoming Christmas, February half term and Easter holidays.

To check whether your family are eligible for free school meals visit: plymouth.gov.uk/free-school-meals or call 01752 307410.

Food money saving tips

• Buy tinned and frozen fruit and vegetables as they last longer and are often cheaper

• Look for ‘wonky’ vegetables as they are cheaper, but just as good for you

• Use a microwave or slow cooker (some start at £15) instead of your oven to save on energy

• Try meat-free days and using pulses such as lentils, chickpeas or beans in meals to get your protein

• Look out for reduced fresh food items with yellow stickers in supermarkets

• Try to batch cook meals on days when you have time and freezing them for days when you might not have the time, or feel like cooking

• Avoid food waste by writing (and sticking to!) a list, keeping leftovers for another meal and keeping sliced bread in the freezer and only taking out what you need.

Where to find financial help

Don’t wait for the bills to mount up – ask for help as soon as you can.

Citizens Advice Plymouth can help with a variety of issues such as debts, employment issues and utility bills. They also provide specialist benefits information, advice and support, including an online benefits calculator to help you find out what benefits you can claim.

You can contact Citizens Advice Plymouth by Freephone on 0808 278 7910 or using their faceto-face, drop-in service at Ernest English House in Buckwell Street, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 4.15pm.

Visit their website citizensadviceplymouth.org.uk/ advice-plymouth for more information.

Money Helper is a government-backed service that provides support and advice on budgeting, benefits, pensions and debts.

Its trained specialists can help work out what’s right for you with free impartial support over the phone on 0800 138 7777 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm) or online at www.moneyhelper.org.uk.

Its website contains links to online tools and advice about a huge range of topics, including banking, credit, pensions and savings.

Unfortunately, scammers and loan sharks are likely to try to take advantage of the cost of living crisis.

Be alert for any scams, for example if you’re approached by someone unexpectedly or if an offer seems too good to be true. If you think you’ve been scammed, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

Loan sharks can charge very high rates of interest, don’t provide much paperwork and may use intimidation or threats to frighten people into paying back a loan.

If you’ve already borrowed from a loan shark, the important thing to remember is that you haven’t broken the law and there is help available.

If you are struggling with housing costs, have issues with your accommodation or are at risk of becoming homeless, it’s important to ask for help and advice as soon as possible.

Shelter is a national charity that offers support with housing issues, providing information, support and advice to millions of people facing homelessness and experiencing unfit and unsafe housing.

In Plymouth, they offer a walk-in service on Mondays and Thursdays, 10am to midday at Ernest English House, Buckwell St, PL1 2DA.

You can also contact them on 03301 755 121 or visit www.shelter.org.uk.

The Community Connections team at Plymouth City Council can also help you with housing issues such as a risk of becoming homeless, tenancy problems, rental costs, deposit guarantees and support with legal issues.

They can be contacted on 01752 305496 or by visiting plymouth.gov.uk/housing.

If you are having issues paying your Council Tax bill you may be able to apply for an exemption, discount or find other support.

You may even be able to apply for a hardship payment or be able to negotiate a payment arrangement.

You may find it helpful to consider paying your Council Tax by direct debit as this gives you a choice of payment dates.

Visit plymouth.gov.uk/council-tax to explore your options or contact Plymouth City Council on 01752 668000 for further help.

Warm spaces available across the city over autumn and winter

To help beat the chill this autumn and winter, a range of warm spaces are being opened up throughout the city.

Plymouth City Council is working with community and faith groups to offer these warm spaces where people can gather for free, charge up and connect their devices and maybe enjoy a hot drink and some company.

Plymouth’s free warm spaces include libraries, community hubs, church halls, sports centres and other places, for anyone struggling to heat their home this winter.

Some venues will also offer hot drinks, food, activities and other services such as free Wi-Fi.

Warm spaces are free, heated, safe, friendly, neutral places where you can comfortably spend time reading, studying or chatting with others.

Full details of all the warm spaces including opening times and facilities can be found on an interactive map on the Plymouth City Council website at plymouth.gov.uk/warm-welcoming-spaces. The map is being updated regularly as more warm spaces open up this winter.

As all the city’s libraries have signed up to being a warm space, why not go along and get online to find out more about the other warm spaces in the city and the cost of living support available to you?

Discover the help that’s on offer – including financial support, energy bills, food costs, housing issues, employment support, mental wellbeing and much more. Go to www.plymouth.gov.uk/cost-living.

You can speak in confidence to the Illegal Money Lending Hotline on 0300 555 2222.

Mental health support

If you’re struggling and would benefit from mental health support, there are services and organisations that can help. Remember, you are not alone, there’s always someone to talk to.

The Samaritans: are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can get in touch about anything that’s troubling you, no matter how large or small the issue feels, with no judgement and no pressure.

Call them for free on 116 123.

Shout: is a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope. Just text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 for free to speak to a trained volunteer.

Headspace: offer an out-of-hours service in Plymouth for people who feel they are approaching a mental health crisis.

They aim to provide a non-clinical setting with a safe, calm and structured environment, where individuals can go to access peer support.

Their phone line 07890 257614 is open seven days a week from 6pm to midnight.

Devon Mind: offer emotional support face to face, over the phone and online. They also run a number of courses and workshops as well as a counselling service. They can be contacted on 01752 512280 during office hours.

Livewell Southwest’s First Response Service: is a 24/7 crisis line providing advice, support and signposting for people experiencing mental health difficulties. If you feel worried about your mental health, or that of a loved one or a friend, you can call the crisis line on 0800 923 9323.

Local heroes wanted Appeal for sponsors to fund warm packs

Transforming Plymouth Together have launched a Sponsor a Warm Pack campaign, offering everyone the opportunity to make a real difference in Plymouth this winter.

For just £25 a warm pack can be provided by churches and charities to individuals who are facing a very bleak winter. By providing the packs via organisations already engaged with people identified at risk this winter there is also an opportunity to visit and offer a connection which can then be built upon.

So far over 750 requests for these pack have been made, in addition to 250 packs which were distributed at the start of autumn.

For anyone sponsoring a warm pack through the Transforming Plymouth Together Crowdfunder campaign, Aviva Insurance Company will match the donation through their Each pack contains hot water bottle; thermos style flask; fleece blanket; thermal hat, gloves and socks; fleece scarf and instant soup.

The pack will also contain a booklet with energy and

money saving ideas, including no cook, kettle only and microwave cooking recipes. Advice on local financial and energy support will also be included.

For anyone sponsoring a warm pack through the Transforming Plymouth Together Crowdfunder campaign, Aviva Insurance Company will match the donation through their Cost-of-Living Boost. To donate go to www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/tpt-winterwarm-packs

As part of the campaign Transforming Plymouth Together are working with www.warmwelcome.uk, which already has over 2,300 open warm spaces registered on their national map. In Plymouth more than 30 churches have already agreed to open their doors to their local community to offer warmth, food, device charging points, and much more.

Some churches are extending the hours of their existing groups, others are waving charges for their toddler groups and lunch clubs, and a handful of churches are providing community support of this kind for the first time.

Big response to electric blanket fundraiser

The Crowdfunder appeal urged people to ‘heat the human not the home’ and

Luke Pollard said the overwhelming response to the fundraiser with Plymouth Foodbank had ‘shone a light’ on the severity of the cost of living crisis,

Launched one month before Christmas, the campaign aimed to purchase 100 electric blankets – also known as heated throws – which are a cheaper way to stay warm and save on energy bills.  The campaign also raises awareness of the difficult choices people in Plymouth are making between turning their heating on each evening and warming up their food.

As temperatures drop and the cost of living continues to rise, almost one in four adults in the UK will not switch on the heating at all this winter, according to a recent study.

A third of Plymouth children live in poverty, and Luke said many families have told him they simply won’t be able to turn on their heating this winter.

Typical household energy prices are currently capped at £2,500 until April 2023. In last week’s Autumn Statement, the Chancellor announced the cap will rise to £3,000. Rocketing interest rates and inflation are already squeezing finances for families in Plymouth.

With budgets already stretched, households across the UK are on the lookout for ways to cut down their energy usage. Typical gas central heating costs £6.76 to run over a six hour period.

Electric blankets cost a mere 20p to run over the same time period.

In October, Luke urged Plymouth City Council to create ‘heat banks’ across Plymouth – warm spaces for people struggling to afford their heating.

Plymouth Foodbank will now begin the process of acquiring electric blankets to give people in need. The blankets will subsequently be distributed from Plymouth Foodbank’s base

at the Oasis Project on 28 Manor Street. Luke praised donors for going the ‘extra mile’ to help keep Plymouth’s citizens warm over the winter and encouraged people to keep donating to the fundraiser, which has a new target of £4,000.  Donations for the campaign will remain open until January 18.

Plymouth Foodbank has seen a marked increase in usage due to the cost of living crisis, serving 11,646 extra meals between August-November 2022, compared to the same time period in 2021.

Luke Pollard said: “With utility bills rocketing many families are turning off their heating this winter.”Thank you to everyone who has donated to support those in real need this winter. It’s incredible to raise over £2,000 in less than a week - the Janner spirit is really spectacular.

“This campaign has shone a light on the severity of the cost of living crisis. In a rich nation like Britain, we should not need fundraising campaigns to help keep people warm, but I cannot stand by and do nothing when faced with such a crisis.

“Heating the human not heating the home with these blankets and throws will help keep people in Plymouth warm over the winter.  I hope people will continue to support our city’s wonderful Foodbank and other emergency food providers over the winter to keep people fed and warm.”

Maria Mills,, project manager at the Oasis Project, said: “Plymouth Foodbank are very grateful for the support of Luke Pollard MP in this successful campaign to raise funds to buy electric blankets for Foodbank clients in need of this specific support.

“The campaign has raised enough money for us to buy heated throws which will enable people to stay safe and warm in these coming months.

“We are hoping that with the success of the campaign we will reach the stretch target of £4000 which will mean that more families or individuals will be to keep warm this Christmas.”

“In a rich country like Britain, we should not need fundraising campaigns like this, but I simply cannot stand by and do nothing when faced with such a crisis.”

Access Plymouth provides a volunteer driven car service, called Community Cars, that helps older people to get out and about in Plymouth. They are in need of more volunteers to support the growing number of users of this essential service.

The Community Car service has been helping elderly people to live independently by supporting them to get out and about, to medical appointments, shopping trips, meeting friends and social events since 2011. The support given helps people feel less isolated, be part of their community and reduces loneliness.

Access Plymouth has a team of dedicated volunteer drivers who give a few hours a week to help others.

Duncan, who has been volunteering for 10 years, said: “When I retired I didn’t want to stay at home growing old, I wanted to get out and keep myself and my brain active. It makes me feel good, it helps my mental health and I know am putting something

back into the community plus I get to meet lots of people who would be stuck without us. The biggest pleasure is helping those people who can only leave the house when I pick them up.”

Lesley Hargreaves, CEO at Access

Plymouth said: “Our Community Car transport service is much more than a trip from A to B, we make positive difference to the lives of older people in Plymouth. Our volunteers are the backbone of the charity, we are now in urgent need of more people who can drive their own cars, commit to a minimum half day a week and who can assist elderly people in a friendly manner. We pay mileage and DBS checks are carried out”.

To find out more about volunteering for Access Plymouth call 01752 600633 or email info@ accessplymouth.co.uk

Southwest Funeral Care is an independent family owned business located in Southway, serving Plymouth and the surrounding areas.

Plymouth MP Luke Pollard MP’s joint campaign with Plymouth Foodbank raised £2,000 for electric blankets in less than a week.

help families struggling to afford their energy bills this winter.

Luke Pollard MP pictured with Andrew Denham, project co-ordinator at Plymouth Foodbank and Nigel Morris Plymouth Foodbank chair

Out and About

Your guide to events in the local community and beyond

Send details of your event to info@ cornerstonevision.com and we will do our best to include them in Out and About. Unfortunately because of space limitations we are unable to publish details of regular meetings of groups and societies or similar organisations.

Breakfast with Santa

Until Dec 18

Get into the Christmas spirit and enjoy a special ‘Breakfast with Santa’ in The Box Kitchen & Bar on Saturdays and Sundays. This event has been hugely popular in previous years, so don’t leave it too late to book! ‘Breakfast with Santa’ menu includes bacon and maple syrup pancakes; pancakes with maple syrup and berries; bacon, sausage, egg or veggie sausage baps with tea or coffee for adults and hot chocolate or fruit juice for children. All children’s tickets include a gift. Tickets and details www.theboxplymouth.com

Zooluminate

Dec 9 to Jan 2

Dartmoor Zoo presents a beautiful light installation which brings the zoo to life after dark in the most enchanting way possible. Admission is from 5pm until 8pm, or to take full advantage of the entire zoo experience, purchase a full admission day and night ticket (12pm - 8pm). This event does not take place on December 24, 25, and 26 when the site is closed.

Oh No It Isn’t!

Dec 9 to 24

Plymouth’s Barbican Theatre present their hilarious yet poignant alternative to traditional panto performed by Cornish-based HaHum-Ah Theatre. Tickets and details at www. barbicantheatre.co.uk

Christmas Celebration

Dec 9 and 10

The Down Thomas Singers are holding a twonight candle-lit celebration of Christmas Music and Carols at the Silver Jubilee Hall, Down Thomas at 7.30pm. Tickets £5 each with a hot drink and mince pie included. The charity being supported is HUGS which helps families, in the PL postcode area, whose children suffer from rare cancers. Tickets from 01752 299204.

Christmas Concert

Dec 10

Presented by the Sir Joshua Reynolds Choir at Brixton Community Hall at 7.30pm. Tickets £8 including wine and mince pie. Tickets from 01752 345390.

Christmas Table Top Sale and Bazaar

Dec 10

In the hall of The Church of The Holy Spirit, Southway from 1pm to 3pm. Lots of goodies available for Christmas. Tables available (pre book only) £5 each. Contact Veronica on 07855 256383.

Christmas Raffle

Dec 10

Ford Park Cemetery Visitor Centre from 2pm to 4pm. Refreshments available. Details at 01752 665442 from 10am to 4pm.

Christmas Celebration

Dec 10

Fundraiser for Hugs Children’s Cancer Charity at The Staddy from 1pm to 4.30pm featuring Ocean City DJs, party games and more. Tickets £15 for family of four, £5 additional tickets. To book contact Sharon Hallam on 07718 291084.

Frostbite Boat Rally

Dec 11

A spectacular parade of shimmering boats on Plymouth Sound. Enjoy and evening with family and friends from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. Details from Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club.

The Collati Singers

Dec 11

Festive music from the 12th to the 21st century at at Stoke Damerel Church at 3pm. Tickets £15 on the door or from www.wegottickets.com

Light Up A Life Dec 13

St Luke’s Hospice Light Up a Life services at 2pm, 5.30pm and 7.30pm at St Andrew’s Minster Church, Royal Parade. A chance to remember loved ones and celebrate their lives. Free with refreshments available afterwards. Details www. stlukes-hospice.org.uk/light

Christmas Wreath Making Workshop Dec 13

Boringdon Hall with award-winning florist Hannah Burnett from 6pm to 7.30pm. Make your own decorative and natural festive wreath this Christmas in the magnificent surroundings of the Elizabethan house. Learn how to make a wreath using festive florals and natural greenery. Mince pies, tea and coffee will be provided, all materials are included and you’ll take your creation home to enjoy throughout the festive season or for the perfect Yuletide gift. Cost £55 per person. Details www.boringdonhall.co.uk

Dartmoor Zoo Christmas Fair Dec 14

As part of zoo admission, come and meet some local artists, craftspeople, health and wellbeing practitioners and score yourselves some amazing, unique Christmas gifts! In the Jaguar Suite from 2pm to 7pm.

Songs for the Longest Night Dec 15

Concert of acappella singing to celebrate winter by the Great Sea Choir at Stoke Damerel Church at 7.30pm. Tickets £6 to £12 to local charity on the door or from www.wegottickets.com

Comedy at Royal William Yard Dec 15

Comedy returns to Ocean Studios presented by local promoters A Press of Suspects. Featuring a top secret headliner who is currently starring in two comedy shows on BBC. Tickets £10. Show

starts at 8pm. Tickets from realideas.ticketsolve. com/ticketbooth/shows/1173623702

The Christmas Mouse

Dec 15 to 24

Soapbox Children’s Theatre present a delightful Christmas show at their Devonport Park theatre. A special seasonal treat for eight year olds and under and their big people. With stunning puppets, this is a Christmas story sure to make memories and warm little hearts. To book visit stiltskin.org.uk/soapbox-childrens-theatredevonport-box-office/

Winter Gold Christmas Concert Dec 16

South-west based chamber choir Levowan XII presents an evening of beautiful choral music in the fabulous setting of St Peter’s Church, Wyndham Square at 7.30pm. The concert features one of J S Bach’s Christmas Cantatas Gloria in Excelsis Deo and is followed by a contrasting collection of contemporary festive songs. Mulled wine and mince pies available. For more information, visit www.levowan.co.uk

Christmas Concert Dec 16 and 17

Presented by Plymouth Musical Activities Club at Devonport Playhouse at 7.30pm. Tickets £7 now on sale. Call or text Carol Rowntree on 07926 029268.

Carols and Christmas Music Dec 17

Presented by the Sir Joshua Reynolds Choir in the Great Barn at Buckland Abbey amidst a magical forest. Performances at 1.15pm and 2.15pm. Donations welcome.

Christmas Express Trains

Various dates

Plym Valley Railway will be running Christmas specials every weekend in December. Booking for either a table for four or compartment for six adults. Every fare paying child will receive a gift from Santa. Visit www.plymrail.co.uk for details and bookings.

The Snowcat at Yuletide Dec 17 to 24

Soapbox Children’s Theatre in Devonport Park invite you to join them on this Christmas

adventure. With incredible puppets, magical characters and a fantastic soundtrack, our winter season show will take you on a journey unlike any other. To book visit stiltskin.org.uk/soapboxchildrens-theatre-devonport-box-office/

Plymouth Jazz Club

Dec 18

Featuring the Dart Valley Stompers at Royal British Legion Club, Tailyour Road, Crownhill at7.30pm. Tickets and details www.plymouth-jazzclub.org.uk

Carols by Candlelight Dec 21

Salisbury Road Baptist Church at 7pm. Mince pies after the service. All welcome.

Phoenix Chorale Open Rehearsal & Social Evening Jan 9

Do you love to sing? Then the Chorale would love to welcome you to join them at the first rehearsal of the spring term at St Peter’s Church, Wyndham Square from 7pm to 9.30pm. The Chorale’s new programme will include Jubilate Deo by Dan Forrest and Bob Chilcott’s A Little Jazz Mass. The evening will begin with a friendly chat over coffee and cake where you can meet our members and find out about what it means to sing with Phoenix Chorale. We are a small, friendly group of choral singers who enjoy singing a wide range of music and also try to provide opportunities for young people to perform with the choir. New members are always welcome. Rehearsals take place on Mondays from 7.30-9.30pm at St Peter’s Church, Plymouth. For more information, visit www.plymouthphoenixchorale.org

Plymouth Jazz Club

Jan 15

Featuring the New Washboard Syncopators at Royal British Legion Club, Tailyour road, Crownhill at 7.30pm. Tickets on the door. Details from www.plymouth-jazz-club.org.uk

Send details of your event to info@ cornerstonevision.com and we will do our best to include them in Out and About. Unfortunately because of space limitations we are unable to publish details of regular meetings of groups and societies or similar organisations.

Barbican Theatre’s hilarious panto ‘Oh No It Isn’t’ runs from December 9 to 24

£12 million boost for arts and culture in Plymouth

Plymouth’s role as a cultural and arts hotspot has been endorsed with renewed Arts Council England investment of more than £12m into the city’s cultural organisations.

Arts Council England (ACE) today announced their three year funding deal for National Portfolio Organisations (NPOs) around the country. NPO status is awarded to organisations that create excellent cultural work and open up the arts to new audiences in exciting and engaging ways. There are eight in Plymouth, which will get £4,113,239 a year over the next three years, a total of £12,339,717.

The announcement comes at a challenging time for cultural organisations in the city and nationally. Rising costs and utility increases are adding to the financial burden of Covid, which is still having an impact on Plymouth venues’ audiences and earned income. NPO status gives organisations an ongoing contribution from ACE towards running costs and the development of new projects, but all remain reliant on additional commercial and fundraised income.

ACE confirmedhat the following organisations have NPO status for the next three years:

• Barbican Theatre Plymouth, a regional centre of excellence for young and emerging theatre and dance artists

• Beyond Face, who provide opportunities for artists of the Global Majority to live, work and thrive in the South West theatre sector

• KARST, an independent contemporary arts gallery and studio complex in Millbay

• Literature Works, the regional literature development agency for South West England

• Plymouth Culture, the strategic development organisation that supports and enables the growth of culture across the city

• Real Ideas Organisation, which helps organisations to grow and communities to thrive, as well as bringing new life into old buildings such as Ocean Studios and Market Hall

• The Box, Plymouth’s flagship new gallery, museum and archive

• Theatre Royal Plymouth, the South West’s leading producing house

Hannah Harris, CEO Plymouth Culture said: “It is fantastic news that Plymouth’s cultural sector has retained the significant level of Arts Council investment achieved in the previous funding round.

“This is a mark of the outstanding cultural leadership within the city’s cultural organisations and the ongoing support for culture from the local authority. This secures an exciting programme of cultural activity for the city over the next three years.

“We are disappointed that some organisations have had a reduction in funding but will seek to work alongside them and to support them through this transition. We thank them for their hard work in supporting communities through culture and hope to see it continue.”

Plymouth comes together to tackle violence against women and girls

Nearly 200 people attended Plymouth’s first Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Conference, which took placeduring the international 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence.

Representatives from the public, private and charity sectors came together to hear about the work taking place in Plymouth and to discuss plans for a new VAWG Charter Mark scheme.

Plymouth’s VAWG Commission was created at the beginning of this year and a survey was carried out in March to help gain a deeper understanding of the local situation. This found that 89 per cent of respondents agreed that violence against women and girls is a problem, with 60 per cent feeling that it happens more often now compared to five years ago.

The survey informed a report about male violence against women and girls in Plymouth, which set out a number of recommendations to enable real change. One key recommendation is that Plymouth should adopt a VAWG Charter Mark scheme.

The scheme would offer organisations and local communities the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to addressing male violence, promoting gender equality and supporting women and girls.

Conference attendees took part in a session to discuss their thoughts on the Charter, with conversations about what it might look like and include, what it would mean to their organisations and identifying potential

barriers and ways to overcome them.

The feedback will be used to develop plans for the scheme, led by the new VAWG Strategic Lead in collaboration with partners across the city, before it’s launched next year.

Councillor Rebecca Smith, chair of the VAWG Commission, said: “It was fantastic to see so many people attending the Conference, representing a huge variety of organisations and businesses with some of the city’s largest employers in attendance as well as the Police, NHS, education providers, arts and cultural institutions, local charities and small, independent businesses.

It was amazing to witness the collective passion of people in Plymouth to tackle the difficult issue of violence against women and girls.

“One of Plymouth’s real strengths is our collaborative working and willingness to come together as a city. Ending violence against women and girls is not something that can be done by individuals or just one organisation, but by pulling together I believe that we can work to deliver long-lasting results and cultural change.”

Speakers at the conference included Ben Hurst from Beyond Equality and the VAWG group from women’s charity Trevi.

There were also presentations about some of the work that’s already underway across Plymouth. This includes the new M.A.N. Culture group (Male Allyship Network), the NSPCC’s ‘Young Voices’ campaign, a new research partnership led by the University of Plymouth, and local charity Ahimsa who work directly with the perpetrators of domestic violence to change their behaviour.

Find out more about the VAWG Commission at www.plymouth.gov.uk/vawg

By-elections to be held in Moor View and Chaddlewood

By-elections will be held in the Moor View and Plympton Chaddlewood wards on Thursday January 12, following the resignations of City Councillors Shannon Burden and Dan Collins.

A Notice of Poll has now been published and can be viewed on the Council’s ‘Elections 2023’ page at www.plymouth.gov. uk/elections-2023.

The deadline for registering to vote in these by-elections is midnight on Thursday December 22.

For anyone who is not yet registered, the easiest way to do this is online at www. plymouth.gov.uk/register-vote

This page can also be used to update your name, address or other details or change your voting preferences (for example to vote by post).

Anyone who already registered and would like to vote by post can download a form at www.plymouth.gov.uk/vote-post Postal vote applications must be received by 5pm on Friday December 23.

Anyone with queries should contact the council’s electoral services team on 01752 304866 or email ero@plymouth. gov.uk. Anyone wishing to stand as a candidate in either by-election will need to complete a set of nomination papers, available online at www.plymouth.gov. uk/elections-2023 and from the electoral services team.

Completed papers must be received by 4pm on December 13.

Councillor Rebecca Smith speaking at Plymouth’s VAWG conference

Stand by to stride through the streets to raise funds for St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth with the launch of the charity’s flagship Men’s Day Out 2023.

A mass of big-hearted men will be marching through Plymouth on Saturday March 11 to support the compassionate end of life care St Luke’s provides for hundreds of local families at the toughest times in their lives. As well as a rousing day full of fun and banter, the event is recognised as an important opportunity for men to open up and share their closely guarded feelings of loss with fellow walkers who have been through similar experiences.

Men’s Day Out is one of the most popular and colourful happenings on the city’s calendar, with around 2,000 entrants signing up each year to march a 12km circular route, finishing with a pasty and a beverage at the rugby.

Walkers and their generous sponsors bring in thousands of pounds each year to help fund St Luke’s invaluable hospice care for patients at home, in hospital and at the charity’s specialist unit at Turnchapel, 365 days a year.

But it’s not only about clocking up the miles, totting up the cash or having a fun day out with friends and colleagues.

Men’s Day Out offers a unique camaraderie for those who have lost loved ones or are facing up to a terminal diagnosis in the family.

Rambling the streets together

THE

offers the perfect opportunity to meet others in the same boat and to swap stories, while doing something positive and uplifting to support people in the community at the end of their lives.

Many take part in the walk to remember a friend or family member who was cared for by St Luke’s. Writing their loved one’s name on their official Men’s Day Out T-shirts helps to spur them on as they join the throng of men on the move. Starting and finishing at Plymouth Albion RFC at Devonport, the event, sponsored once again by Jem Scaffolding Ltd, will kick off at 10am and follow a marked route through the city centre and along the waterfront, taking in Plymouth Hoe and the Barbican.

Back at the rugby ground, walkers can enjoy a well-earned pasty and a beverage before settling down to witness our local boys in a clash with the Rams from Reading.

Registration for Men’s Day Out costs just £35, but that only covers T-shirt, refreshments, rugby ticket and event costs. It’s the sponsorship and donations that really make the difference to patients who need the vital service at home, in hospital and at St Luke’s specialist unit at Turnchapel, 365 days a year.

Places are limited so take the leap and register early for this well-loved event to avoid disappointment and to start rallying your sponsors. Visit www. stlukes-hospice.org.uk/mensdayout

ALMSHOUSES TRUST

Hyde Park school leaders praised by Ofsted inspectors

A recent interim Ofsted inspection of Hyde Park Infant School has heaped praise on the senior leadership team.

Ofsted Inspectors visited the school in October and spoke with the head teacher, representatives from the governing body, the chief executive officer and the chair of the trust about the next steps for the school.

This was an interim visit, following the decision to grade the school as inadequate in November 2021. Despite this, the inspector found many positives and while the school will remain at that grading for now, the inspectors were clear that ‘leaders have made progress to improve the school.’

Other key strengths highlighted include:

• The leadership team was praised for taking ‘swift action to improve the school.’ The report noted that they ‘have rightly prioritised the development of the curriculum, including the provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).’

• Since the last inspection, the school has redesigned the curriculum to identify ‘key knowledge that pupils need to know and remember’ and have strengthened the subject leadership capacity

• There is now a more consistent approach to teaching with coaching and training for staff to ensure that all phonics teaching is high quality.

• The school’s provision for children with SEND has been refined with ‘pupils’ learning targets now reflect their needs more accurately.

• Children in their Reception year ‘learn in an environment that meets their developmental needs increasingly well.’ The report goes on to note how the new purpose-built Reception area, with outdoor space, is due for completion imminently and will enhance learning even further.

Praise was also reserved for the federation of governors and the Horizon Multi-academy Trust, of which Hyde Park Infants is a partner school. The governors were noted to ‘provide effective support and challenge’ while the trust ‘holds an accurate understanding of the school’s current strengths and areas for improvement.’

Yvonne Jones, executive headteacher of Hyde Park Schools, said: “We are pleased with the many positives recognised by Ofsted since the last inspection. The hard work since the last inspection has been acknowledged by Ofsted as we remain steadfast in our drive for improvement and reassure our families that this drive will continue.

“We have worked tirelessly over the last several months to ensure our curriculum allows for deeper learning and creates curiosity amongst our children. We have achieved this with our revision and are now embedding this ensuring our children are learning more and remembering more.”

Babcock support for community

A group of Babcock employees from Devonport Dockyard recently took to the city’s streets to assist Plymouth Soup Run who support local people who experience homelessness, drug and alcohol dependency or mental health issues.

Since 2011, Plymouth Soup Run have delivered food and hot drinks to the homeless and vulnerable at the various locations across the city, seven days a week, 365 days of the year and have not missed a day, even during the pandemic.

With the number of people accessing the service steadily increasing, the support of Babcock’s employees was very welcome.

Throughout the evening the seven employees from the Devonport senior leadership team, Unite trade union and HR prepared and cooked a hot meal as well as packing up lunch bags, before distributing the food at number of stops across the city to feed more than 60 of Plymouth’s most vulnerable people.

Babcock’s Maria Judges, senior HR business partner was in thes team. She said: “Supporting Plymouth Soup Run is always such a humbling experience. Having been involved for the last couple of years, it is saddening to see the numbers of people accessing the service increase, but it provides even more motivation to keep volunteering and encouraging others to offer their support.”

This is just one of the many community support projects Babcock is involved with as part of its Environmental Social Governance commitments. Babcock recently supported other local charities such as Clean Our Patch, Plymouth Triathlon Club, and Children’s Hospice Southwest.

Litterers handed big court fines

Ten environmental criminals have each been ordered to pay nearly £1,000 for dropping litter in Plymouth.

The City Council brought the cases before the Plymouth Magistrates Court after fixed penalty notices for £150 went unpaid.

The court heard how each of the defendants had either been witnessed dropping litter or leaving it loose in services lanes in residential areas outside of waste collection days.

None of the offenders attended their hearings but were found guilty in their absence.

They must each pay a fine of £660, costs of £250 and a victim surcharge of £66. They must pay the total of £976 within 28 days. Each will now carry a criminal record.

Also before the same court was a man who failed to keep his dog on a lead in a dogs on lead area.

Like the litterers, his offence was witnessed by a council officer who issued him with a fixed penalty notice. When it was unpaid, the case was brought to court. He must also pay a fine of £660, costs of £250 and a victim surcharge of £66.

Councillor Bill Wakeham, Cabinet member for the Environment and Street Scene, said: “The lesson here is quite simple; if you litter, or do not keep your dog on a lead in a restricted area, you will be issued with an FPN.

“If you then choose to ignore the FPN, your case will be heard in court and could prove to be a very expensive mistake.

“It’s disappointing to have to continue deploying our officers as a deterrent against a small minority who flout the law.”

Plymouth on course for bumper cruise season in the year ahead

A busy summer has set Plymouth on course for a bumper cruise season next year with a dozen ships already lined up to visit Britain’s Ocean City in 2023.

The port welcomed thousands of cruise tourists this year with the post-pandemic return of passenger liners bringing an economic boost to the city.

There were seven individual cruise ship visits, including two by the small expedition vessel Ocean Nova in April and the arrival in June of the exclusive Residences at Sea vessel The World, the largest private residential ship on the planet, when she anchored in Plymouth Sound for three days. The Seabourn Ovation also visited that month.

Nicko Cruises’ Vasco da Gama arrived in August, carrying 500 German passengers who disembarked to spend a day in and around the city.

And in early September Ponant Cruises’ Le Champlain, under charter to luxury travel group Abercrombie & Kent, made an unscheduled call in to Mill Bay Docks – booked on a Friday for a Monday visit – demonstrating Plymouth’s ability to accommodate last minute cruise ship visits.  During the day a Sir Francis Drake actor in authentic costume attended to bring some character to the event.

October saw the arrival of Holland America Line’s huge MS Rotterdam, making a 150th anniversary visit to celebrate the founding of the company in 1872 when the very first ship of the line SS Rotterdam visited Plymouth to collect mail and passengers on route to New York.

An onboard event took place, with travel trade, media and a port and city delegation including the Lord Mayor Councillor Sue Dann, the King’s Harbour Master and members of the Plymouth Cruise Partnership, to mark the historic occasion. There was an exchange of plaques with the Master of MS Rotterdam presenting a ship’s plaque to the city and the Lord Mayor handing over a Plymouth city

plaque to the captain.

Plymouth really laid out the red carpet for this very successful cruise ship visit with the team of Cruise Ambassador volunteers led by Douglas and Annemarie Kerr giving a warm welcome to passengers and crew as they came ashore, providing information during the day and a farewell as they returned back to the ship prior to departure.

There was also a Town Cryer and a popup Welcome Centre at the Barbican and Commercial Wharf.  Rotterdam is scheduled to return to Plymouth in 2023.

Next year sees an increase of the number of cruise ships scheduled to visit Plymouth with

the current 12 bookings also including the Spirit of Discovery (Saga Cruises), Silver Dawn (Silversea Cruises) and Braemar (Fred Olsen Cruise Lines) with further enquiries being received.

Destination Plymouth chief executive Amanda Lumley said: “The cruise tourism generated by the ships visiting Plymouth brings a welcome eonomic boost through passengers and crew spending on everything from visiting the attractions and taking tours, to the gift shops and other retail outlets, cafes, restaurants and boat trips. There are also the port revenues for berthing, pilotage, harbour fees, staff.

Mrs Murals Falklands tribute

After a busy summer brightening up subways in Plympton, local artist Ellie Johnson – better known as Mrs Murals –was commissioned to produce three large works of art in memory of soldiers who fought ins the Falklands War.

The thought-provoking artwork was funded by Saltram National Trust and depicted soldiers in action to commemorate the Falklands conflict as an act of remembrance.

Unfortunately, due to weather complications the paintings could not be displayed at Saltram as part of this year’s remembrance installation, but another location was found for one of the paintings.

The artwork was put on display to the public at Plymouth Guildhall for a number of weeks, and was ready to greet ticket holders of the Remembrance Festival for the Federation of Plymouth & District Ex-Service Associations.

Ellie said: “As a resident of Plymouth it has been a real privilege to have been painting for our military city at such a beautiful location of Saltram. I’m so pleased that such a poignant place has been found for one of the paintings.”

Ellie Johnson with her latest artwork

Cost of living support available for Plymouth residents

Plymouth councillors are urging anyone struggling with the rising cost of living to use the wide range of support that is available in the city.

Plymouth City Council is working with partners to support residents struggling with the rising cost of living and has created a cost of living hub on its website to make it easier for people to find useful information and resources available both in the city and nationwide.

The council’s online hub includes information about:

• Support available to help with housing, food and energy costs

• Where to find financial advice, for example about debts or budgeting

• Mental health services

• Employment and skills support

The refreshed online hub, which initially launched in June 2022, also now includes a map of warm, welcoming spaces across Plymouth. These spaces, which include libraries, churches, community centres and businesses, all offer a safe place for people to spend time in as the weather gets colder.

Organisations that wish to offer their buildings as a warm space can now register to be added to the map.

Council Leader Richard Bingley said: “We know that the increasing cost of living is a real concern to many Plymouth residents which is why we have created this online hub on our website that pulls together all of the help and advice available in one place, so people can quickly and easily find the support they need.

“We are also using our latest round of funding from the Government’s Household Support Fund to offer direct help with food and energy costs for those most at risk in the city, including low-income families and single adults, people with disabilities and people at risk of homelessness or who are living in temporary accommodation.”

Councillor Rebecca Smith, who chairs Plymouth’s cost of living task force, said: “The hub came about as a result of the work being carried out by our cost of living taskforce, which has brought together organisations from across the city to work collaboratively as we tackle this challenge, providing practical support and identifying new approaches we can take to support local people.

“The rising cost of living is an issue that is affecting many families in Plymouth and we know it is a worrying time for everyone. We want people to know that there is a wide range of advice and practical support available, and where to find it.“We’ll be adding information to the hub regularly.”Find the cost of living hub at plymouth.gov.uk/costofliving.

The Plymouth hub is in addition to the Government’s Help for Households campaign, which is a great source of information too.

Thousands of jobs and massive investment on the way as Freeport is given green light by the Government

Thousands of jobs and millions of pounds of investment is coming to the city with the Government’s approval of the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport Full Business Case.

Plymouth and South Devon Freeport is the first of eight Freeports to be given the full green light along with two others. The approval unlocks millions of pounds of grant seed funding and enables applicable businesses to join and take advantage of the Freeport status.

It is anticipated that the Freeport status will create 3,500 jobs and provide a massive boost for the economy in Plymouth.

The Freeport will enable new employment land to be bought forward at the three sites of South Yard, Langage and Sherford as well as provide £25m of Government funding for essential infrastructure.

It will also support a new £30m Innovation Centre at Oceansgate in Devonport and ccelerate the formation of advanced manufacturing clusters in marine, defence and space sectors with low carbon applications at the forefront.

Freeport status is expected to bring forward £250m of private sector investment as well as £29 million investment from local councils.

A major expansion plan for Princess Yachts is also included in the Freeport plans.

The Freeport is a dynamic public/private partnership with Plymouth City Council, South Hams District Council and Devon County Council working alongside Babcock, Princess Yachts, Carlton Power, the Sherford Consortium and a wider range of stakeholders including the Universities of Plymouth and Exeter, Plymouth port operators, skills providers and the Heart of the South West LEP to ensure its success.

Harnessing the region’s key strengths in marine, defence and advanced manufacturing, and supporting the burgeoning space sector, the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport will enable innovators and investors from across the world to test, trial and take to market cutting edge technology and products.

Working with the Department of International Trade, a dedicated team of experts will showcase the Freeport to global investors and businesses who fit the criteria to expand or relocate to the region.

of South Yard, Sherford and Langage into prime employment sites attracting new business, providing thousands of jobs and injecting millions of pounds of inward investment into the region. These three sites had previously been identified as under utilised and undeveloped as part of the Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan.

Carlton Power, the owners of Langage Energy Park, recently secured planning permission to build a 10MW green hydrogen electrolyser, ensuring that Langage could be home to the first hydrogen

advanced manufacturing and IT for Plymouth and South Devon. It’s putting this area on the map for foreign investment and attracting businesses to relocate here. This is a huge deal for this city and the wider region and I’m really excited about the opportunities it will create for our residents and our businesses.”

Councillor Judy Pearce, Leader of South Hams District Council, said: “The Freeport is already having a benefit in our area, with SHDC having granted planning permission for the 10MW green hydrogen facility at Langage very recently.

It is the catalyst for new jobs, clean growth and the opportunity to decarbonise our regional transport, all things that South Hams District Council strives for through its corporate strategy, Better Lives for All.”

RICHARD BINGLEY, LEADER PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL

Businesses that are part of the Freeport can take advantage of a range of tax and customs benefits and incentives to support growth, innovation and investment in the South West including business rates relief, employer National Insurance contributions rate relief, stamp duty land tax relief, capital allowances, VAT and tariff benefits and simplified import procedures.

Approval now enables interested businesses to begin taking the first steps to contracting, designing and planning their place within the Freeport with the Freeport team, landowners and partners and discuss the myriad of benefits this presents.

And, the good news keeps on coming for the Freeport with confirmation from government that the Langage site has now been designated which means eligible businesses will be able to benefit from the tax reliefs available. South Yard and Sherford sites were designated in the summer.

Freeport status enables the relevant councils and landowners to bring forward the key sites

production hub of its kind for Devon and Cornwall.

The Langage Green Hydrogen hub will be a key facility for the Freeport and will also help to deliver net zero goals for Freeport operations overall. Innovators are lining up to leverage this hydrogen fuel supply to prototype and test future engines for vehicles and vessels – the hope is that these novel solutions will be manufactured in the Freeport.

Levelling Up Minister Dehenna Davison said: “This is a historic day for Plymouth, South Devon and beyond, as the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport gets up and running to drive growth and innovation locally and nationally.

“The Freeport is going to shape the fortunes of the Plymouth and South Devon economies by pumping up to £100 million worth of investment across the region.

“We are maximising the opportunities of Brexit to drive growth and throw our doors open to the world.”

Leader of Plymouth City Council, Richard Bingley said: “The Freeport will deliver 3,500 well paid jobs and provide a free trade hub which will include

Devon County Council Leader John Hart said: “A huge amount of work and commitment has gone into getting the Freeport off the ground over the past 18 months and the close partnership between councils has been key in getting this vital project to this point. The Freeport will enhance our county’s reputation in the marine, defence and space sectors, which will help attract inward investment, generate local jobs and benefit local businesses - all of which will drive economic growth and recovery.”

David Lockwood, Babcock’s chief executive said: “We welcome the UK Government’s designation of the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport. As a major employer in the region, we have actively supported this business case, which firmly aligns with our long term commitment to the area.”

“The Freeport will bring significant opportunities and potential employment to the South West of the UK, and we are delighted to be part of this through our dedicated support to the Royal Navy, continued investment in our facilities and delivering wider economic benefits through our supply chain.”

A national recruitment campaign to find a permanent team is now underway. The Freeport website and social media channels have also been launched providing regular updates, news and developments about the project.

“ It’s putting this area on the map for foreign investment and attracting businesses to relocate here. This is a huge deal for this city and the wider region and I’m really excited about the opportunities it will create for our residents and our businesses.”

Freeport success, from left to right: Councillor Richard Bingley, Councillor Judy Pearce, Plymouth and South Devon Freeport interim chief executive Richard May and Councillor John Hart

New Bishop of Plymouth visits Derriford Hospital

The new Bishop of Plymouth has seen first-hand the pressures the NHS is facing on his first visit to Derriford Hospital since he started his new role.

The Rt Rev’d James Grier visited an oncology ward and the hospital chaplaincy, meeting with the team of chaplains and a representative from St Luke’s Hospice.

Bishop James praised the work of the staff he met.

“In just one ward, I met staff from across the amazing diversity of roles that make up a hospital, including the ward clerk, cleaner, pharmacist, physio, nurses, doctors, health care assistants and St Luke’s Hospice team.

“All of them were so positive and welcoming in the midst of clearly working incredibly hard within the pressures of the demands of work in the NHS at this time.

“They also spoke with such passion about their work and the ward they were part of. They were an inspiration.”

Bishop James is no stranger to the NHS, his father was a GP in Plymouth, where he grew up, and his mother was a nurse.

Derriford Hospital has an active

chaplaincy team, known as the Department for Pastoral and Spiritual Care.

It comprises around 100 volunteers and staff from different faiths and denominations who are on hand to support patients, visitors and staff.

“The chaplaincy team here are very

much about being there for everyone and creating space for people whether they’re a person of faith or not,” said Bishop James.

“There’s lots and lots of people on site but the chaplains are just there to support and care and that’s really significant.”

Maths and numeracy skills boost for adults in Plymouth

New free courses and activities are on offer for adults in Plymouth who want to improve their maths skills, thanks to the Government funded Multiply programme.

Multiply is aimed at adults who do not already have a GCSE grade C/4 or higher in Maths or an equivalent subject, and hopes to give people the skills they need to progress in their careers and secure well paid jobs.

The free courses are available to local residents on either a part time or intensive basis and will be offered in flexible settings. These courses will soon be available to book through On Course South West.

People who improve their numeracy skills are more likely to be in employment, have higher wages, and better wellbeing. Around 17 million adults in England – half of the working-age population – have the numeracy skills of primary school children. Poor numeracy skills can hold people back from having the confidence to get on in life and into work.

Plymouth City Council has been awarded £1.3 million funding from the government’s £2.6 billion UK Shared

Prosperity Fund to offer tailored courses that meet the needs of the local community.

There will be courses for beginners and those who want to build on the foundations of their maths knowledge, to more advanced offers such as GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Qualification. Employers will also be able to request support to help their teams with maths skills.

Businesses that develop their employees’ numeracy skills can also boost productivity, increase profits and improve employee retention. Local employers will also benefit from the scheme, with courses and activities tailored to a particular area or jobs at no cost to them offered to their employees to help boost their numeracy skills.

Research also shows that sectors with a high proportion of workers with basic or advanced numeracy skills have experienced the most rapid growth in employment over the last decade.

To find about more about Multiply, visit the On Course South West website: www. oncoursesouthwest.co.uk/ multiply or contact the team on 01752 660713.

W E ARE RE C RUITIN G

Since 1965, Princess Yachts has been manufacturing yachts to international acclaim. Today our shipyards cover an area of over 1 1 million square feet across six sites in Plymouth, employing over 3,000 people

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Bishop of Plymouth, the Rt Rev’d James Grier pictured with representatives from St Luke’s Hospice and the Chaplaincy team during his visit

Age UK Plymouth works in partnership with Plymstock School to pioneer volunteer programme for young people

A team from Age UK Plymouth has visited Plymstock School to officially launch their Young Persons Volunteering Programme at an assembly for the school’s sixth formers.

Students were talked through the services and activities that Age UK Plymouth provides over 50s in Plymouth and enjoyed finding out more about the unique 80 year history of the charity.

For a young person looking at entering the workplace or applying for a university place adding volunteering experience to a CV or personal statement is invaluable; demonstrating proactivity, empathy and an ability to work as part of a team.

Volunteering also provides an opportunity to learn, develop and showcase skills, improve confidence and equip young people with knowledge and experience.

A trial of the programme has been a huge success with a 100% retention rate of volunteers choosing to stay with the charity after their six weeks of volunteering.

Eighteen-year-old Caitlin began volunteering with Age UK Plymouth while still studying at Plymstock and after completing her A-Levels was recruited by the charity as a support worker at the Dementia Day Centre.

She said: “During my time as a volunteer I was able to improve my confidence as I was an extremely shy person. I developed a new sense of responsibility because I wanted to ensure that clients were able to enjoy their day.

“The Day Centre contains an incredible group of staff members and volunteers who are all kindhearted individuals. We all share the same morals and passion surrounding dementia awareness and advocating for vulnerable people, which means that we all work together amazingly and are able to better support clients.”

Tara Dale, head of fundraising at Age UK Plymouth has spear-headed the campaign, citing it as a great opportunity for young people.

“The value of volunteering shouldn’t be underestimated! Volunteering is fun and so rewarding, to be helping others and see the benefit of your support is an invaluable experience for anyone,” said Tara.

“Young people will develop and gain practical and transferable skills such as, working as part of a team, communication, self-motivation,

organisation, time management and initiative; to enter the workplace or apply for further education with these skills already under your belt is a huge advantage for a 16 or 17 year old.”

Like many charities Age UK Plymouth relies on volunteers to help offer vital services in the local community. There are a wide range of volunteering opportunities available with the organisation.

Chief executive David Wood said: “Age UK Plymouth are committed to making our city a community where people Love Later Life. As the need for our services grow, so does the need for volunteers. People may be surprised by how many different ways there are to give their time and skills.

“In our day centres our clients enjoy listening to live music, we hold events throughout the year that need to be marshalled or photographed, volunteers support our catering and admin teams, the list is as varied as it is long!”

The majority of opportunities within the six week placement will be at Age UK Plymouth’s Dementia Day Centre, just a few hundred yards

from Plymstock School, but as volunteers come forward their hobbies, skills and interests are all taken into account and it is hoped that volunteers from the programme will be introduced throughout the organisation from supporting walking football to helping in the fundraising team.

“We are delighted to be working with Age UK Plymouth to give some of our students the opportunity to volunteer within the local community and for such a good cause,” said Liz Monelle, head of Sixth Form at Plymstock School.

“It is another way that our students can show the compassion and goodwill that so many of them have, their willingness to help others always astonishes us during such a busy time in their studies. We are looking forward seeing the students develop and grow during their time in the programme and hearing of the positive skills they learn and experiences gained during their time working with Age UK Plymouth.

“We have already had a great response to the programme and we are hoping this can be a link with the local community for many years to come.”

Community turns out to say goodbye to David James

Community figures and members of the public from across Plympton and Plymouth packed into Plympton St Mary’s Church on the afternoon of November 7 to say a final goodbye to former Plympton councillor Alderman David James who passed away in October at the age of 84.

Members of the congregation included the current Lord Mayor Cllr Sue Dann and her consort Alderman Chris Mavin, Tracey Lee and Giles Perritt the chief executive and deputy chief executive of Plymouth City Council, a number of Aldermen of the City of Plymouth, many councillors past and present from across the political divide, the current Stannator of Plympton Pastor Arno Bessel and many past Stannators and the Chairman of Plympton Community Council John Gilding plus many members of the public.

Alderman

After the opening hymn. Make Me A Channel of Your Peace, a triple eulogy was given by Gary James, Patrick Nicholson and Martin Axe who each spoke about a different aspect of Alderman James’ life.

Gary spoke about Alderman James the family man. Cllr Patrick Nicholson summarised his former ward colleague’s dedicated public service and how David had stood up for ward residents on a number of issues during his long period as a councillor for the Plympton St Mary ward.

He referred to the improvements at a number of Plympton’s primary and secondary schools which David had had a hand in, either as a councillor or a school governor.

He also referred to various local issues that David had championed such as his opposition to housing being put on green fields at Boringdon and getting egress from the former china clay works at Coypool coming out into Woodford closed off.

Ending his speech he turned to the coffin and said “David, thank you for being you.”

Martin Axe spoke of his long personal friendship with Alderman James and that he would give anything to see his friendly smile one more time.

In a moving end to the service Alderman James’ coffin was led out to a recording of his wife of 63 years, Diane, singing the song Memory. In the 2000s Alderman James was the successful bidder in a charity auction organised by Hospital Radio Plymouth for time in a professional recording studio which was used for Diane to record a CD of her singing a variety of songs, including Memory.

(story courtesy of the Plympton Podcast)

Former Plymstock School volunteer Caitlin (right) joined staff and clients from the Dementia Day Centre at the National Marine Aquarium’s Dementia Friendly Session in September

James’ coffin was led into the church to the sound of Nat King Cole’s song Smile and the funeral was led by the Rev’d Prebendary Robert Harris.

Personal trainer Emily wins top award

A Plymouth woman who took the plunge to launch her personal training business just weeks before COVID struck has not only seen her enterprise thrive during and after the pandemic, but has also just won a top national award.

Emily Keen, who is 32 and lives in St Judes, had been running her personal training classes alongside her job as gym manager at Fort Stamford Health & Fitness in Turnchapel for a number of years. But in December 2019 she decided to go fully self-employed, not knowing what was about to happen with the pandemic.

The ensuing lockdown meant that Emily organised all her sessions online via Zoom – and to her delight the business really blossomed.

Emily said: “The lockdown really helped my online sessions for groups

and individuals. To my amazement I even had clients joining from the USA, Spain and other parts of the world - as well as from all over Plymouth and Devon.”

At the start of October this year Emily was nominated for Best Fitness Business in the England Business Awards.

After being mystery shopped and voted for by clients, friends and family, she travelled to Bristol with her mum Sharon for the regional awards - and was surprised and delighted to be named as the Best Fitness Business in Devon.

Two weeks later she travelled to Birmingham with her partner Kieran, dad Paul and brother James for the national awards ceremony - and this time was named as the Best Fitness Business in England.

“When I went to Bristol for the regional awards I was extremely nervous,” said Emily, who has a degree in health and fitness from Plymouth Marjon University and a Masters in health and sports science from Exeter University.

“When my name was called I couldn’t believe it and then at the national finals I was in total shock when they announced me as the best in the country.”

Emily’s popularity continues to grow and she works with between 60 and 70 clients every week with classes in the gym at Fort Stamford, outdoor sessions at Mount Batten, online workouts and one-to-one sessions with clients at their homes.

“I am so happy to have won the awards, but for me the most satisfying thing is helping people to improve their health and fitness. I am privileged to have such a wonderful group of clients, some of whom have been with me for a number of years.”

For more information visit www. emilykeenpersonaltraining.co.uk

Emily (above) pictured with her award and (below) with one of her outdoor groups

Team behind Devonport’s Immersive Dome win regional top tech award for innovation

Real Ideas’ work with immersive technologies, including the Immersive Dome and Market Hall in Devonport won the CreaTech Award in the Tech South West Awards, hosted in Bristol recently The award celebrates innovation in creative technology and its application in fashion, design, e-sports, marketing, public engagement, museums, gaming, and entertainment.

It comes just a few months after the hemispherical, 15 metre diameter, immersive dome celebrated its first year since launch, and during the week the venue hosted its inaugural Immerse Fulldome UK festival, a packed ten-days designed to bring professionals in 360-technology together, alongside public screenings and activities to showcase the applications and creativity the technology offers.

Through the first-of-its-kind in Europe, Immersive Dome, Real Ideas aims to create a technological hub, a magnet for creatives, designers and rising film-makers, bringing a unique facility to the South West and driving economic prosperity in the creative and emerging 360 film-making sector.

From the youngest 360-degree dome film makers (aged six) to health professionals using new immersive technology to treat Parkinson’s, and from climate change experts showing the deep scale of advancing disaster to world leading cutting edge commercial and aesthetically-driven immersive 360 filmmaking, VR and more, the team based at Plymouth’s Market Hall is exploring new applications and exciting opportunities for immersive technology all the time.

Lindsey Hall, CEO for Real Ideas said: “We have a strong track-record of delivering projects with social and economic value. We work closely with local community groups, schools, further and higher education establishments, and businesses across the south west region, and as a result, creative collisions and networks organically evolve. The immersive dome provides an enormous opportunity to bring all our communities together, create new

opportunities for creativity, commerce and economic development, while attracting the right investment and people to the area to grow and maintain this exciting world of immersive technology.

”The CreaTech award evaluated the Immersive Dome facility and judged its merit on real results and the opportunity it presents.”

“The Immersive Dome is a fantastic illustration of how a tech ecosystem can develop with the right vision and facilities in place. Backed up by the enthusiasm and resources at Real Ideas, it has become a unique high-value specialist facility which encourages collaboration and creativity across the region, and indeed, across continents”

The state-of-theart facility responds to significant opportunities in the South West: creative industries are growing four times faster than the economy at large, in all areas of the UK. In Plymouth, the university produces 1,000 creative graduates a year and has been at the heart of global developments in digital art and tech for more than 30 years.

At the same time, the area also has significant challenges. Graduate retention rates for the region have typically been poor. Several communities in the city, including Devonport, are in the bottom 10 per cent of

Indices of Multiple Deprivation, and wage rates are low, particularly for women.

Dan Pritchard, co-founder of Tech South West and CEO of Program, said: “The Immersive Dome is a fantastic illustration of how a tech ecosystem can develop with the right vision and facilities in place. Backed up by the enthusiasm and resources at Real Ideas, it has become a unique highvalue specialist facility which encourages collaboration and creativity across the region, and indeed, across continents.

“Our judges were impressed by some of the achievements in a relatively short space of time, and by some of the applications already being found for this exciting and innovative technology. It appeals to, and provides opportunities for, so many different areas of society.

“As the region’s tech sector goes from strength to strength it’s a real privilege to shine a spotlight on amazing innovators and entrepreneurs from across the South West, such as Real Ideas.”

To find out more about the Immersive Dome and live screenings visit the website at www.realideas.org

Charity ball raises over £7,000 for Keep Me Close Appeal

A charity ball has raised over £7,200 for Plymouth Hospitals Charity.

Money raised at the Keep Me Close Appeal annual ball will go towards the provision and development of accommodation for parents of babies who are being cared for on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Coordinated by dedicated fundraiser Tracey Stacey, the glamourous yearly event drew over 200 guests including families, health care staff and local businesses. Guests made the event a huge success by taking part in the evening’s entertainment and donating along the way.

Tracey said: “It is such a privilege to see how much this means to people within our community and the real generosity of others. When we all come together to an event like this, the incredible atmosphere makes me realise the phenomenal and lifechanging impact that the Keep Me Close appeal has on our patients and their loved ones.

“The money raised will enable us to continue making a difference to those during a really difficult time in their lives and to deliver the most patient-centric care possible Thank you so much to all of our suppliers and donors for helping us to have an amazing evening.”

Corinne Bailey, charity manager added: “I am continually blown away by people’s generosity and we are inspired by our patients and their families everyday.

“We’re really grateful to everyone who donated and was involved in the event.”

NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH HEARTS TOGETHER CHARITY MEANS MORE ACCOMMODATION FOR PARENTS OF PREMATURE BABIES

Marjon launches new child health programme with NHS

Plymouth

The programme, led by senior lecturer Erica Eaton-Quinn and health and wellbeing coordinator Mike Prynn, will offer a range of fun physical activities to children and young people, with the key aim of showing that exercise and a healthy lifestyle can be enjoyable.

The programme will prioritise enjoyment, foster social connections, enhance feelings of autonomy and control over their health and wellbeing, and train the young people to internalise motivation for physical activity.

The Government reported that in 2020/21, nearly 30 per cent of children in England aged between four and five were overweight or obese, and over 40 per cent of 10 and 11-year-olds were overweight or obese. Marjon and NHS Plymouth’s new partnership aims to reduce these figures to support healthy lifestyles for families in the city.

The sessions will take place at the Marjon Sport & Health Centre and families need to be referred through the hospital’s multidisciplinary team. Sessions will be delivered with the support of Marjon students from the Health and Wellbeing Practitioner and Sport Science degree programmes.

Building on its growing reputation for sport, health, and wellbeing, 2023 will see Marjon launch 12 new health programmes including nursing and clinical science degrees. In June 2022, the NHS reported more than 132,000 roles were vacant nationally, 46,000 of which were nursing posts.

Anyone interested in studying a health or wellbeing course, can visit www.marjon.ac.uk/prospectus-request/order-online/

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Derriford Hospital has entered a partnership with local hospital hotel charity, Hearts Together, to provide home from home accommodation for parents and families of patients caring for premature or sick babies in the unit.

The NICU cares for hundreds of babies every year from around the Devon and Cornwall peninsula who have either been born prematurely or with other life threatening illnesses. Often these babies have been transferred in from other hospitals for a higher level of care and end up having extended stays within the NICU. It is the only unit of its kind this side of Bristol.

Due to the nature of the babies cared for within the NICU at Derriford, parents are encouraged to remain close by to promote bonding, maternal and paternal mental health and to allow parents to be involved in their baby’s care, something that is

intrinsic to the development of their baby.

The NICU can treat 12 babies across their intensive and high dependency care nurseries and their unit based accommodation is limited to three families at any given time, priority being given to families of babies who are very unwell, do not live locally or for parents to room in with their infant prior to discharge.

If more accommodation is needed the charity has previously secured additional rooms from a variety of sources, including local hotels at extreme cost and local student accommodation. Although such facilities have been well received by the NICU families they do not always offer the bespoke additional amenities necessary to support their stay.

However, through the new partnership with Hearts Together Hospital Hotel, the Keep Me Close fund has secured a further four selfcatering ensuite kitchenette rooms

With these additional number of bedrooms secured under the new partnership, the neonatal families will continue to have access to free bespoke accommodation that is close to their baby at UHP NICU.

Hearts Together has been supporting staff, visitors and patients alongside UHP for over 20 years, providing accommodation as well as support services for those facing difficult times such as a wraparound counselling service, access to a fully equipped communal kitchen, washing facilities, complimentary breakfast, communal areas including a garden, and the Hearts Together shuttle vehicle for lifts to and from Derriford Hospital.

For more information about the Keep Me Close appeal please visit www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/keepme-close

Glittering success...(from left) Roisin McKeon Carter, events organiser Jen Granlund, Tracey Stavey and Katie Hoffman

within Hearts Together Hospital Hotel, conveniently located near to Derriford Hospital at the Plymouth Science Park.

Marjon University has launched a programme in partnership with University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust supporting children and young people to tackle excessive weight.

Students stage silent climate change protest

Students from Plymouth High School for Girls have staged a silent protest calling for immediate action on climate change.

The event, which took place at the school, was to demonstrate the passion and determination the students have towards doing something about protecting the planet.

It came as world leaders gathered in Egypt at COP27 to discuss how nations will cut greenhouse gas emissions to meet the 1.5C target, how to adapt to the extreme weather, and other ways to preserve the environment.

The voluntary event, led by the school’s Earth Alliance student leadership group, provided an opportunity to bring learning to life as pupils’ discussion on climate change and experience of the protest supported curriculum learning in both Geography and History.

Ailish Field, in Year 13, said: “Our silent COP27 protest is a showcase of young people rising up and demanding action from world leaders, both on a smaller scale and on a worldwide scale.”

“Anything is possible when people join together to stand up for a cause with determination and creativity.  Schoolchildren are telling politicians and authorities from around the World what they ought to do to protect the climate in the face of the climate catastrophe.”

“We’re in such a lucky position here at

“Having student leaders for environmental issues should be implemented in every school because it is such a focal point in students’ lives and encourages young people to believe that

they can make a difference despite their age.”

Young people and staff from across the school, which is a member of the Thinking Schools Academy Trust, campaign throughout the year to find positive ways to challenge their community and encourage people to make positive differences to live greener.

Klara Evans, one of the Earth Alliance leaders and a Year 13 student, said the protest was silent to make a statement that talking needs to stop and action must commence.

“We feel that as a school and as individuals, we need to be noticed, as we see the need for more action to be taken to protect and repair our planet. Our protest will be silent because there has been enough talking and now it is time for climate action.”

Simon Underdown, headteacher at Plymouth High, praised the Earth Alliance team for organising the compelling and thought-provoking event.

He said: “The Earth Alliance student leadership team are passionate about protecting the environment and helping others to understand that we can all do our bit. It is a pleasure to work with such a committed and dedicated team. At Plymouth High, there is a wonderfully diverse range of opportunities for students to get involved in outside the classroom, with this silent protest being one of them. We have something for everyone at our school, and it’s admirable to see so many people involved in this event.

“Our school community, the larger Plymouth community, our nation, and the rest of the world all have an important role to play in protecting the environment – by taking action now – and that’s what this protest is about.”

Dental students get an insight into impact of dementia

Second year dentistry students from Plymouth’s Peninsula Dental School have been working with Age UK Plymouth to gain a deeper understanding into a day in the life of a person living with dementia.

The students have spent time working with the charity to understand the very specific challenges that present for a person living with dementia including completing Dementia Friends training with Age UK Plymouth.

Utilising the knowledge and experience gained from their time at Age UK Plymouth the students will then go on to devise and deliver a health improvement project for people living with dementia.

The Dementia Day Centre relocated to central Plymstock two years ago and has gone from strength to strength continuing to provide an approach focused on clients enjoying quality time with a variety of stimulating and engaging activities on offer.

The dentistry students arranged a series of dental hygiene themed activities and enjoyed spending time chatting to the day centre guests.

With over three years of studying still to complete before completing their training, the students found that the experience was something that would stay with them.

One student commented: “Developing our communication skills and understanding the needs of our patients is a huge part of supporting their successful oral hygiene.

The Dementia Friends training and being here at the Day Centre really highlights the importance of being aware of a patients experience and how even the smallest of changes to our behaviours can support someone living with dementia.”

Tracy Walker, Dementia Day Centre manager said, “It’s been great to have the students here. It’s really important to us that as a community Plymouth continues its

dementia friendly journey. Sometimes it just takes tiny changes to someone’s process to support a person living with dementia, and the first step to that is simply education and awareness.”

Abby Nelder, Community Engagement programme officer said: “It’s really important that we encourage and support students to engage with people who may not normally access oral health care.

“The Inter-Professional Engagement Module, delivered in partnership by Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise and the University of Plymouth provides students with the opportunity to work closely with people, outside of clinic, enabling them to have a wider understanding of barriers faced by some in maintaining positive oral health behaviours.

“We are always grateful to our amazing host organisations such as Age UK

who enable us to deliver this module with our students”.

Professor Robert Witton, director of Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise said: “Helping to engage with groups who otherwise might not access oral health care is a really important part of what we do. As well as reaching those communities themselves, it’s important that we educate

those who work closely with them to ensure that message is sustainable as possible.”

Age UK Plymouth have been rolling out their Dementia Awareness Training across the city to groups and organisations including the National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth Live and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service to name a few.

The sessions are available in several different formats and can be modified to suit a range of organisations, from schools and youth groups to businesses looking to support and equip public facing members of staff with the tools to best serve their patrons and community. The training describes the experience of living with dementia in a way that will help attendees visualise it and increase their understanding.

Tammy Walker, training and wellbeing

Dementia Lead for Age UK Plymouth has years of first-hand experience of working with people living with dementia and is thrilled to be rolling out the awareness training across Plymouth.

She said: “It’s more important than ever that organisations and businesses are committed to dementia education and choose to raise awareness from within. There are over 100 types of dementia and it is a complex condition affecting one in 14 people over the age of 65 in the UK. Organisations can make tiny changes to support visitors, customers or colleagues living with dementia and that can make a huge difference to their experience.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about the various forms of free Dementia Awareness Training available for groups or businesses please email tammy.walker@ ageukplymouth.org.uk.

The dental students who spent time with people living with dementia

Plymouth High that we have been allowed to lead such an important issue within our school and for our voices to be heard.

“The Earth Alliance student leadership team are passionate about protecting the environment and helping others to understand that we can all do our bit. It is a pleasure to work with such a committed and dedicated team”

Simon Underdown, headteacher

Students and staff stand in solidarity to get their messages across

Launch of Retrofit Training Academy at City College

Jobseekers and tradespeople with an interest in creating a more sustainable and low-carbon future can now acquire a recognised qualification with The Retrofit Academy at City College Plymouth.

With a view of contributing to a greener society, overcoming challenges and barriers faced with those wanting to enter the sector, and providing economic support and new career opportunities by making retrofit more accessible to all, the college has opened the first academy in partnership with The Retrofit Academy and will offer a new level 2 award that will support anyone wishing to join this exciting sector.

As an official partner of The Retrofit Academy CIC, City College has joined a growing network that aims to support and drive a low-carbon future by training a new generation of retrofit professionals as well as bettering homes and lives through domestic decarbonisation.

The Level 2 award will support those already working in construction such as plasterers, heating engineers and carpenters who would like to acquire specific retrofit skills. It is also suitable for those wishing to join the industry with no previous construction experience.

Dan Burnard, programme area Mmanager for Construction at the college, said: “Retrofit is generating a new wave of exciting career opportunities and through this membership we will not only be offering people the chance to learn essential skills vital for this industry, but we will be providing them with an overall understanding of the sector, setting out the wide variety of options they will have.

“Even working at the current building regulations level, we are still not carbon neutral. We are set to be retrofitting new builds within five years. To future-proof houses and minimise climate change we are going to need to retrofit one house every

minute in the next 25 years to meet the carbon targets of 2050. Academies such as this one are key to ensuring we have enough people to meet these targets.”

The Retrofit Academy at City College is part of the Government’s Skills Bootcamp initiative, which means those who are selfemployed - or unemployed - can complete a Level 2 Award in Domestic Retrofit for free. The Skills Bootcamp also includes training and certification in piloting drones. Employers might also wish to enrol staff with funding available.

Lance Chatfield, executive of Technical Innovation and the lead for the college’s maritime, manufacturing and construction and built environment strategic action, added: “Dan is correct about just what we need to do to meet these crucial targets. Having been the first further education college in the UK to sign the climate

emergency declaration, this Retrofit Academy is another way City College is taking action to deliver on its vision to make a meaningful contribution to the development of our city and to actively contribute to efforts to protect the environment for future generations. Academies such as this one improve the lives of people both today and in the future.”

The Retrofit Academy was officially launched at the end of November, with the Green Construction Skills Bootcamp set to run its first course in the new year.

Employers wishing to enrol staff on the training will be asked to contribute 10 per cent of the costs if they have fewer than 250 employees, whilst companies with 250 or more employees will be asked to pay 30 per cent of the training costs.

Adults wishing to sign up to the Skills Bootcamp can do so via the college’s website, www.cityplym.ac.uk/skills-bootcamps/.

Plymouth Samaritans are celebrating the award of a grant of £5,146 from the Co-op Local Community Fund.

The cheque was presented to Norman Holmes, Plymouth Samaritans director, by Claire Russell of the Co-op at Sam’s Place, the charity’s shop in Plymstock.

The grant will be used to reach out to the local community and work in partnership with local groups and organisations to raise awareness about suicide prevention, emotional health and well-being and listening skills.The branch has a wide-ranging programme of outreach activities for 2022/23. The Co-op grant will help support this.

Outreach activities during 2022 included supporting an Educational and Wellbeing Programme for residents of Torpoint, Liskeard and Saltash; supporting Armed Forces veterans at breakfast club meetings;

attending events organised by Waitrose and Plymouth Library during Mental Health Awareness week; and speaking at wellbeing events organised by GWR and Devonport Dockyard.

The charity has also secured approval from the Co-op for a further bid for the next 12 months. This will be used to take the charity’s work out to the community in new ways.

The Co-op Local Community Fund helps pay for local projects that their members care about. Every time a member shops at the Co-op a proportion of what they spend goes to help community projects where they live.

Norman Holme said: “I would like to say a big thank you to Co-op members and the Local Community Fund for their vote of thanks in the work we do. The grant is a welcome boost to help us to link up with the community in new ways.”

Retrofit Training Academy launch, from left: Lance Chatfield, executive of Technical Innovation; Dan Burnard, programme area manager for Construction; Jackie Grubb, chief executive of City College Plymouth; Stephanie Reeves, network development manager at The Retrofit Academy CIC; Terry Such, crriculum lead and development officer for Construction and the Built Environment and Neil Radford, senior project manager at the Retrofit Academy

Cheque out...(from left) Samaritans Norman Holmes and Cath Peck and Coop Member Pioneer Claire Russell

Key milestone for university’s new home for engineering and design excellence

The University of Plymouth’s ambition of creating a space that will inspire and educate future generations of engineers and designers has reached a significant milestone.

Work has been ongoing for several months to transform the Babbage Building into a state-of-the-art engineering and design building.

Once complete, it will provide an innovative and sustainable new home for the School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics and additional space for the School of Art, Design and Architecture.

Designed by internationally award-winning architectural practice Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, and project managed by AECOM, the building is being transformed and expanded by BAM Construct UK.

A topping out ceremony, attended by representatives from the University and project team, has been held on site as the project continues to progress.

Professor Judith Petts, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Plymouth, said: “Engineers and designers are a critical element of our efforts to address the planet’s most pressing challenges.

“They are the innovators behind some of our most impressive achievements, in fields as diverse as offshore renewable energy and digital fabrication. This new building will provide our staff, students and industry partners with the latest technological advances to inspire their creativity and ingenuity now and in the future.”

Graham Kingdon, construction director for BAM Construction, said: “Engineers are a critical part of Britain’s industrial heritage and its future. As a company that recruits and employs many of our own engineering specialists, this building holds particular meaning for us.

“Many of those who study here will learn about structures and design that create the future built environment. We’ve also got happy memories of building here in Plymouth and for the university itself, so it is a double pleasure for us to work with them again, creating a highly sustainable building fit for the world we all want to live in.”

The transformed Babbage Building – being delivered by the University’s Estates and Facilities Directorate – will provide a state-ofthe-art space to inspire creativity, innovation

and collaboration from our engineering and design pioneers of tomorrow.

It will embody the University’s systems thinking approach by bringing STEAM –science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics – subjects together to support academic collaboration and innovation.

The building will house specialist equipment and laboratories dedicated to clean energy, autonomous systems, virtual engineering, precision manufacturing, digital fabrication, high performance computing and much more.

It will also incorporate low carbon technologies, supporting the aims of all the partners to achieve net zero carbon emissions and promote world-leading sustainability practices.

Pupils from Plymouth’s Fletewood School celebrated the reason for the season at Bethany Christian Home this Christmas, joining with the residents of the care home to perform an intergenerational nativity.

CARE HOME AND PRIMARY SCHOOL CELEBRATE WITH CHRISTMAS PLAY Fletewood

There are well-established links between the school, which is located in North Road East and the care home in Woodside, which is run by Christian charity Pilgrims’ Friend Society. After two years of safety measures dictating that the two communities had to stay apart, this collaboration was a lovely way in which older and younger people in Plymouth are coming together again to celebrate Christmas.

The children at Fletewood School are looking forward to performing with the residents. Ethan, 8, said “We are really excited (and a little bit nervous)! It might be the first show the residents have seen in a while because we haven’t been able to do a show with them for ages!”

Deputy Headteacher of Fletewood School, Jackie Cooper, agreed saying, “It is fantastic to be able to return to Bethany Christian Home. We love giving the children the opportunity to socialise with people from older generations –it’s just wonderful to see how the faces of both the children and the residents light up!”

For the residents of the local care home, it’s a joy to spend time with lively youngsters and to share the message of Christmas with the next generation.

Two residents are especially excited. Anthony (91) and Sarah (84) a couple at the home used

to regularly present the nativity and other Bible stories at primary schools with the Bible Society initiative Open the Book. Sarah was happy to pass on the baton of one of the central roles to a pupil from Fletewood School this year though. “I was pleased to see a younger person than me play Mary,” she said

Anthony said: “It brought back happy memories of working with children in schools and sharing the word of God with them through drama and stories.”

As the busy Christmas season fast approaches, as ever, the home is putting a special emphasis on the Christmas story. In addition to reading the nativity story and acting it out with the pupils, everyone joined together to sing traditional Christmas carols.

Sally Lear, activities and community engagement facilitator at Bethany Christian Home said: “It’s so important to us to build connections with the wider Plymouth community. Everyone at the home really looked forward to the intergenerational nativity. It’s going to be a great way to mark the start of the Christmas season.”

Representatives from the contractors and the University of Plymouth at the topping out ceremony

Clinical drug trial helps diabetic Desmond get back on the road

A Plymouth man with diabetes, who has lost more than four stone since beginning a clinical trial of a drug, says he feels ‘on top of the world.’

Desmond Hosking, 78, from Crownhill enjoyed an active life, doing a physical job and spending much of his free time working on boats and vehicles. But since being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes around 25 years ago, Desmond put on weight and was struggling to control the condition.

That is until he was offered the chance to take part in a research trial by clinicians at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust. The cardiovascular outcome trial is investigating whether a drug used to treat diabetes also has a positive effect on heart disease.

The study, which is being supported locally by the National Institute for Health and Care Research is now closed to recruitment, but the couple have seen a huge difference in Desmond’s weight and overall health and energy levels.

Desmond said: “I’ve been a lot better since I’ve been on the trial, I feel on top of the world. I’ve lost four or five stone and I feel quite fit. I still can’t walk as far as I’d like, but at least I can do a bit of work if I want to – just not 14 hours a day like I used to.”

Before starting on the trial, Desmond’s weight and ill health were making day-to-day life difficult and preventing him doing some of the things he most enjoyed.

He said: “We had a nice boat that we got rid of, partly because with the weight it was getting harder to get on and off, and pull the anchor up and everything. And I wasn’t able to work on my

Land Rover like I wanted to. My diabetes wasn’t stable.”

Wife Sonja, who blames her husband’s ‘sweetie addiction’ for his health problems, added: “He’s lost loads of weight, which helps his body manage the diabetes better. And he’s a lot more nimble. He’s absolutely dedicated to his Land Rover, and he can get underneath it again now, he couldn’t have done that before.

“It really has improved his life a lot, he’s got so much more energy as he’s not carrying around so much weight.”

Desmond is clear about the advice he would give to others considering taking part in research: “I’d say just do it. You’ll feel a lot better in yourself, and the care you’ll get is second to none. Whoever it helps, I’m just grateful to be able to help them. The NHS has kept me alive for the last few years and now I can do my bit in return.”

The couple have two children, six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, most of whom live locally and are regular visitors to Desmond and Sonja’s home. And it is the chance to improve life for future generations of people with diabetes that most inspires Desmond to take part in research.

He said: “It’s not for my benefit, I’m an old man. I’m doing it for the youngsters. Kids get diabetes, and I hate to see illness in other people.”

To find out more about Research and Development at University Hospitals Plymouth, visit: www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/research. To find out about health and care research studies recruiting in the Plymouth area, visit www. bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk/

POLICE CHOIR’S CHARITY CONCERT

Detailed plans to upgrade the Guildhall are unveiled

Plymouth’s Guildhall could be back in the great gigs game with exciting plans to upgrade its facilities for the next generation of music fans and a host of other users.

Plymouth City Council is currently working on proposals which are designed to encourage bands, musicians and event organisers to book the historic building as part of a scheme to bring the buzz back to the city centre.

It will also provide space for a variety of other uses, such as other entertainment events, conferences, training, weddings and hot-desking.

The project team has been liaising with event organisers as well as a design team including a listed building specialist to put together a package of work that will make the building more attractive to promoters and event goers, but still keep its unique identity.

Changes – which are all subject to planning or listed building consent – could include:

• Improvements to the main hall’s acoustics with bespoke sound-deadening systems

• Retractable lighting rig

• Modular stage units – giving more flexibility in the hall for events which need runways, cat walks or performances in the round

• Improvements to the kitchen in the main hall enabling a wider range of events to be catered for

• Wifi improvements, enabling technology such as live streaming to be incorporated into events

• A goods lift – to make moving of heavy equipment such as amplifiers, lights and PA systems much easier

which can be expanded to the Combined Court, as well as the Theatre Royal and the redevelopment of the Civic Centre by Urban Splash.

Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Mark Shayer said: “It was very important to make sure that the improvements work for the type of companies we are trying to attract, so we have spoken to event organisers and promoters.

“They have their own equipment but need our space to be flexible and easy for setting up and get-outs.

“We also looked at the common problems people have when they go to a venue – a long queue for the bar, thought what changes can we make to address these in our venue? All changes also need to be sensitive to the building’s listed status.”

The works will be submitted as a package for planning and listed building consent later this year. If all goes according to plan, the work could start in the summer of 2023.

The Guildhall, including Great Hall, Assize Courts and former City Treasury was originally built in the 1870s but reduced to a shell during the Blitz. They survived - by one single council vote in 1951 - the threat of demolition and became a focus of Plymouth’s rebuilding and the most significant survival from the bombed city centre.

It was one of the few damaged buildings to be restored rather than rebuilt, with the restoration continuing through most of the 1950s. It involved the stabilisation of what remained of the original building and the construction of new roofs, entrances and interior.

The Plymouth Area Police Choir performed a concert organised by the Ridgeway Methodist Church in Plympton to raise funds for Dame Hannahs charity, The choir is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Originally set up for police force officers in 1972, they now accept prospective male members from all walks of life as long as they can sing and hold a tune. They aim to perform about 15 concerts each year in and around the Plymouth area, to raise money for local and national charities.

John Streeter, choir secretary said: “We were delighted to be invited to sing at the Ridgeway

Methodist Church to raise money for Dame Hannahs. We feel that the evening was a success and the audience was very receptive.” Over £270 was raised at the event.

Dame Hannahs community engagement officer, Debbie Lumsdon, said: “I was delighted to attend the Plymouth Area Police Choir concert organised by the Ridgeway Methodist Church.

“It was a magical evening and I would like to thank everyone who came out on a very rainy night to attend and support Dame Hannahs. I would also like to thank Florence Bonner the soloist for sharing the evening with us.”

• Significant extension to the first floor bar and a back wall to be removed to create more space to move for bar staff

• Toilets to be refurbished throughout

• Accessibility improvements where possible

A separate work programme will see the installation of a new air source heat pump, to displace the use of gas boilers. An air source heat pump transfers heat from the outside air to provide internal heating and is far more environmentally friendly than gas with significantly reduced carbon emissions.

The Guildhall and Council House will form part of a new Civic Centre District Energy Scheme

Councillor Shayer added: “This project has been in the pipeline for some time and we have secured significant funding from the Government to help us deliver. If ever there was a project where investment will repay over and over again, this is it. Not only will more events bring more income into the council, but more people coming to the events will have spin-offs for nearby cafes, pubs and bars. They will have a great night too.”

The project is expected to cost £3.9m comprising £2.45m which was allocated in the council’s capital budget in March 2021 and £1.5m from the Future High Streets fund.

Plymouth Guildhall – plans involve £3.9m worth of improvements

Desmond and Sonja Hosking

The Plymouth Area Police Choir with soloist Florence Bonner (centre)

Let’s all go the extra mile...

By Chris Cole, Founder Cross Rhythms Plymouth Charity Experience

I must admit that although I’ve been on planet earth for some time, I still feel relatively young at heart. Perhaps that is because I hang around contemporary Christian music and a younger generation.

Young and old alike must make sense of life issues in these changing times. I remember how idealistic I was amid the mounting challenges the world seemed to be going through in my youthful days, especially in the 60s and 70s. My memories can fade with age, yet some can become more precious.

I’m older and sentimental enough to have been deeply impacted by the passing of Queen Elizabeth II a few weeks back and deeply aware that I will miss her Christmas Day speech and the sharing of her personal faith in Jesus Christ.

I was born in the year she was crowned Queen and have always admired her sense of duty to her vocation and the courage with which she bore her own personal ups and downs in life, especially family life.

It is often said the Christmas season can be a trying process for families coming together, when old grudges and broken

Festival is the perfect showcase for local talent

The City of Plymouth Festival of Music, Speech and Drama took place at the Future Inn hotel over a week long period in November.

The prestigious festival saw hundreds of children and adults from across the city and beyond aged  four and upwards perform for an audience and adjudicator in an array of performance genres. These included acting, public speaking, mime, acting musical theatre,  TV News reading and verse speaking, singing, and instrumental.

Adjudicator Paul Trigg commented:  “The Plymouth festival is a wonderful showcase of local young talent and as the speech and drama adjudicator I have been delighted to see so many such accomplished performances with energy and enthusiasm.

“Now celebrating 107 years! I hope it runs for another century! “

Festival secretary Jill Straw said “This has been a bumper year for the festival with entries massively up on recent years and we have given out over 70 cups.

“The festival was a fantastic platform for many professional performers from Plymouth and beyond, over the years  and is a brilliant way for young people to have an early experience  of the competitiveness of the industry.”

relationships are experienced. ‘Aunty Joan just can’t stand the husband that her sister married thirty years ago because she was offended by something he said at the wedding’.

One of my favourite parables from Jesus is quoted in Matthew 18. It is the story of the unmerciful servant who had been forgiven a billion pounds by his master (who represents God in the parable), but this same servant took offence at another who could not repay him a debt of about £20, and he wouldn’t let it go in forgiveness.

The end of the parable is that this unforgiving servant ended up in a worse

prison of their own choosing. One person said that the bitterness of unforgiveness is like taking poison whilst you’re waiting for the other person to die.

Jesus Christ’s birth was to show and demonstrate by example the goodness of God, and His death and resurrection was to open the door for us to come to the Father and find deep and genuine freedom from our broken and sinful hearts and actions.

The late Queen carried the burden of knowing more about the world than her 15 prime ministers, armed forces and secret service all put together in the 70 years she was Sovereign.

As a human being she went through all sorts of pain; family breakups and massive pressure, but every Christmas shared that her anchor and foundation was in her personal, experiential relationship with Jesus Christ. He is the best gift for the world right now.

The persecuted church can teach us something in the west. That is that they have learned to pray, forgive and love their enemies within their persecution. For us in the west it is a challenge to love our families before we can progress to those who spitefully abuse us.

This Christmas season and into the New Year, may I respectfully and humbly suggest that we all try and go the extra mile in kindness, forgiveness and courage towards others - we may be surprised how things turn out.

Listen to Cross Rhythms Plymouth on 96.3FM or online at the new Cross Rhythms Plymouth website at www. crossrhythms.co.uk/plymouth

Chris Cole

Festival photos by John Allen

Just some of the talented youngsters who won awards at the City of Plymouth Festival of Music, Speech and Drama

Plymouth City Council is now White Ribbon Accredited

Plymouth City Council has become White Ribbon Accredited as part of its ongoing commitment to end violence against women and girls.

White Ribbon is a global campaign that encourages people, especially men and boys, to individually and collectively take action and change the behaviour and culture that leads to abuse and violence.The council set out its plans to achieve accreditation in January 2022 and has been working towards this throughout the year. As an accredited organisation, the council will continue to work to change the cultures that lead to abuse and violence and promote gender equality. It will ensure that the commitment to preventing male violence against women and girls is embedded within the organisation’s culture and ways of working, including HR policies, employee development and training. This includes offering bystander training to all staff, equipping them with the skills to recognise and challenge misogynistic behaviour in everyday life.This is in addition to the partnership work that the council has carried out with organisations, charities and businesses across Plymouth, such as the development of the Violence Against Women and Girls Commission and the Safer Streets programme.

The Safer Streets programme aims to enhance the safety of public spaces for everyone and has led to the introduction of interactive help points across the city to make people feel safer, offering a new night bus service on Saturday nights and delivering bystander training to staff working in bars, clubs and pubs.

Councillor Pat Patel, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Culture, Leisure and Sport said: “We are proud to now be a White Ribbon Accredited organisation, demonstrating our continued commitment to ending violence against women and girls.

“This is not something that can be done by just one person or organisation, and everyone has an individual responsibility to speak up, to make a positive difference and help to change attitudes.

“As a council, and one of the city’s largest employers, we recognise the importance of leading by example. The new accreditation ensures that our commitment to ending violence against women and girls is embedded in the organisation at every level and positively impacts the way we work. I urge other organisations and businesses in Plymouth to join us in gaining White Ribbon accreditation, as together we can make a difference and ensure our city is a safe place for all.”

White Ribbon UK encourages everyone, especially men and boys, to make the White Ribbon Promise to never commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women and girls.

Anthea Sully, chief executive of White Ribbon UK said: “We are delighted to have Plymouth City Council as one of our White Ribbon Accredited organisations and are looking forward to working with them towards ending violence against women once and for all.”

For more information visit www.whiteribbon. org.uk

Historian Chris Robinson publishes his latest ‘Then and Now’ volume

Historian Chris Robinson has launched his sixth Plymouth Then & Now project and the first to focus on aerial images.

Remarkably all of the ‘Then’ pictures date from 1945 or earlier, with a large number of them dating back to the earliest days of quality aerial photography around 100 years ago in 1923/4!

The result is an astonishing collection of comparisons. Many are just a reflection on the way the world has changed over the last century, but a great number chronicle the impact that the aerial bombardment of the city had between 1940 and 1943.

For anyone who has struggled to relate

the prewar city to that of today, Chris has produced the most comprehensive and visually striking narrative ever published, thanks to a technology that simply wasn’t available until recently – Google Earth.

As well as providing comprehensive coverage of the Hoe, Barbican and City Centre, the book takes readers on a fascinating flight around Plymouth and also embraces Millbay, Stonehouse, Mount Wise, Devonport Park, Camel’s Head, Swilly, St Budeaux, Crownhill, Mutley, North Hill, Greenbank, St Judes, Prince Rock, Plympton, Mount Batten and more besides.

North Road, and the lost train stations of Millbay and Friary are featured, so too is the

CHARGES FOR SOIL, RUBBLE, ASBESTOS AND PLASTERBOARD BROUGHT BACK

Charges for some non-household items will resume at Chelson Meadow Household Waste Recycling Centre from December 5.

The policy, which was previously in place between January and June 2021, will mean that residents who bring soil, rubble, plasterboard and asbestos to the recycling centre will need to pay.

The charges will remain at the same level as they were during that period – soil & rubble will be £2.40 per bag or item, plasterboard £6 per bag or sheet and bonded asbestos £11 per bag/sheet.

It is estimated that by doing this, the council could save £177,000 per year that may prove crucial in ensuring the continuation of other valued waste services.

The change comes as the council considers proposals for closing an unprecedented £37.6m shortfall in its budget for local services next year.

A report to Cabinet highlighted how inflation, rising energy costs and rising demand for social care services are causing huge budget pressures for all local authorities and outlined a package of proposals to help close Plymouth’s gap.

Councillor Bill Wakeham, Cabinet member for the Environment and Street Scene, said: “This has been a difficult decision that simply must be taken in light of the current

financial crisis.

“Chelson Meadow is a ‘household waste’ centre and generally, the kind of materials that we are going to be charging for relate to DIY construction and landscaping.

“Clearly, this will only effect a small minority of residents with most people able to use the centre as they always have done.

“Hopefully, this may act as a driver for households undertaking home improvement works to try and reuse and recycle.”

The reintroduction of the policy brings Plymouth in line with the majority of local authorities nationwide and locally with Devon, Cornwall and Torbay.

Residents bringing any of the charged materials to Chelson will be directed to a dedicated area of the site. Payment will be by card only.

More details on Plymouth’s recycling centres can be found here: www.plymouth. gov.uk/recycling-centres

What materials are classed as soil and rubble?

Bricks, breeze blocks, concrete, drainage pipes (ceramic/porcelain), gravel, hardcore, paving slabs, rubble, sand, sanitary ware (ceramic/porcelain toilets, bidets, sinks, shower trays, pipes, etc), soil, slates/slabs, stones, tarmac, tiles (ceramic, porcelain, floor, roof, wall) and turf.

Home Park football statium and the Pennycross speedway/stock car/greyhound stadium Also revealed in the book is the story of Surrey Flying Services who took many of the images featured, a substantial number of them in 1924. One of the oldest aviation companies in the country, they also took the lease on the fledgling Roborough Airport for a number of years in the early 1930s.

All in all it’s a thought provoking and entertaining look at the way the city has recovered from its wartime trauma and how it has evolved over the last 100 years or so and is thus a must for anyone who loves the city and indeed anyone who loves playing ‘spot the difference’...and who doesn’t!

Sporting Lions

Plymouth Lions Club have helped with funding for the formation of the Sparkwell Youth Academy.

Sparkwell Parish Hall and Playground Trustees have been trying to provide more active sports and activities within the hall and playgound for the youth and children of the village in an effort to encourage a healthier lifestyle and sporting interests.

Initially it’s only for one hour on the third Thursday evening of every month. The activity will be for primary school children from school Year 6 upwards and Years 7 and above for secondary school.

The aim is to cover all sports, with a different one every month. The programme started with badminton followed by bowls, handball, hockey, volleyball, football, netball, basketball, table tennis, marshall arts and hopefully many others.

Plymouth Lions donated £120 to purchase sports equipment for the very worthwhile community initiative which will hopefully prove to be of value to the next generation of sporting enthusiasts.

Please contact Ray Foss on 07831 657 109 for further detail and information.

St Andrew’s Church in the 1930s...

...and seen from the air today

CARING SISTER IVY WINS NATIONAL AWARD

A young girl from Plymouth has been named as ‘Young Sibling of the Year’ by the national disability charity, Sense.

Eight-year-old Ivy Stedman, who lives in Southway won the award in recognition of her support for her disabled siblings, as well for her efforts to advocate for young carers.

Ivy has two disabled siblings’ nine-year-old Harry, who has Antenatal Bartter syndrome, ADHD, and global developmental delay, and older sister Kate, who has autism spectrum disorder.

After attending an online session organised by the Sense Siblings and Young Carers group called ‘An Introduction to Parliament,’ where she was able to learn a little bit about the world of politics, Ivy was inspired to write a letter to her MP Johnny Mercer. Ivy shared her experience about what it is like to be a young carer and how she finds it difficult to get support.

Ivy’s letter writing resulted in her receiving a referral to be assessed in school for additional

support, something the family had been waiting two years for. The issues Ivy shared have also been raised by Plymouth City Council which has discussed how it can better support young carers across the constituency.

Ivy said: “I feel really really proud and happy to have won this award!”

Ivy’s mum, Ellie added: “We are all so proud of Ivy. It still blows me away that after the Introduction to Parliament Zoom session, she took it upon herself to make a change and see how our local MP could help her. The letter she wrote was amazing, as was Johnny Mercer’s response. Ivy’s actions have not only improved her life but highlighted the plight of siblings and young carers with the government and our local council. What an amazing little girl!”

Sense chief executive, Richard Kramer, said: “Huge congratulations to Ivy on winning the Young Sibling of the Year award. Ivy’s love for her siblings and her efforts to advocate for young carers really impressed us and we are delighted to honour her with this award.”

The Sense Awards recognise the outstanding achievements of people with complex disabilities, as well as the staff, carers, family members, volunteers and fundraisers who support them. For more information about the Sense Awards visit: www.sense.org.uk/sense-awards

Celebrations for Tamar Healthcare

Local Plymouth care provider Tamar Homecare saw off seven major national care providers to win the coveted LaingBussion Homecare Award at a glitzy ceremony in London.

Actors and comedians Roni Ancona and Sally Phillips, alongside Former Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Stephen Dorrell, presented the Tamar Homecare team with the LaingBussion Best Homecare Provider at the ceremony.

“I was genuinely gobsmacked at getting to the final; never in a million years thought our local Plymouth team would be a match for the well-established national providers.

“Nobody at our table could quite believe it when our name was called out,” said Kelly Helme, registered manager of Tamar Homecare.

One of eight finalists for Best Homecare provider, Tamar Homecare, saw off the competition of seven major national companies, the only local care provider to make it to the final. The award was made for Tamar Homecare, demonstrating “Excellence in the provision of personal care or healthcare in a home setting with a focus on innovation and/or higher acuity services.”

Tamar Homecare is a local Plymouthbased community care provider. They provide

care for people in their homes throughout Plymouth and Saltash, enabling them to remain independent. Kelly added: “Our goal is to make people’s lives better for both clients and our staff. We work with Plymouth City

Council, Cornwall County Council and private individuals to provide the best care possible.”

To find out more about Tamar Homecare’s services visit www.tamarcareservices.co.uk or call Kelly on 01752 657 560

Improvements to bus facilities in Mayflower Street

Improvements to bus facilities in the city centre are under way.

New bus shelters will be installed at the bus stops on Mayflower Street, which will be widened to improve traffic flow. More space is going to be created for the buses to use. The scheme will see:

• A new bus stopping area with extra space to drop off passengers. There are currently two bus stops and one shelter. The new scheme will have two bus shelters and bus stops with space for three buses

• Kerb adjusted to widen the road so that buses and cars can pass by when other buses have stopped

• Street furniture removed if surplus and relocated where necessary

• Disabled bay relocated – with details to be confirmed later

• Eight car parking spaces removed.

The work is being carried out to create more bus stops in the city centre ahead of major changes to the layout of Royal Parade. Some bus services – yet to be decided – will be moved to Mayflower Street permanently rather than Royal Parade to create more space and cut congestion on Royal Parade. It should also help improve air quality as fewer buses will be queuing for space.

These improvements are funded by the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund which is costing £615,000.

Traffic orders have been submitted for when the work is carried out as well as changes to traffic management after the work.

Councillor

Emergency Numbers

Police, Fire, Ambulance or Coastguard 999 or 112

Police general enquiries 101

Derriford Hospital 01752 202082

NHS 111

Electricity, Western Power Distribution 0800 678 3105

Gas, Wales & West Utilities 0800 111999

Water, South West Water 0344 3462020

Environment Agency (Emergency) 0800 807060 RSPCA 0300 1234 999

Age UK Plymouth 01752 256020

Adoption UK 0844 848 7900

Al-Anon Family Groups 020 7403 088

Alcoholics Anonymous 0800 917 7650

Carers UK 020 7378 4999

Childline 0800 1111

Christians Against Poverty (Debt Advice) 0800 328 0006

Citizens Advice 0300 3309 043

Cruse Bereavement Care 0870 1671677

Devon & Cornwall Food Action 01752 651800

Disability & Information Advice Line 01302 310123

Drug Addicts Anonymous: Helpline 07818260811

Jan Cutting Healthy Living Centre 01752 203670

Money Advice Plymouth (Debt Advice) 01752 208126

NSPCC Child Protection Helpline 0808 8005000

National Missing Persons Helpline 0500 700700

National Christian Helpline 0300 111 0101

NHS Direct 0845 4647

National Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000247

Osteoporosis Support Group 075958 500314

Overeaters Anonymous 07000 784 985

Parentline Plus 0808 8002222

Relateline 0845 1304010

Samaritans

Jonathan Drean, Cabinet

Member for Transport said: “Plymouth has pledged to be carbon neutral by 2030 so we need to encourage more people to get out of their cars and use public transport when travelling to and from the city centre.

“This work once complete will help alleviate congestion on Royal Parade as well as emissions build up as fewer buses will be using the bays on Royal Parade.

“We recognise that all these changes are coming in a relatively short period of time. Much of the timing is beyond our control –we’ve had a combination of the pandemic, supply issues and tight government funding time tables which means we have to do a lot of projects in the next six months or so.

These changes will be worth it.”

Top providers...the Tamar Healthcare team celebrate their award

Outreach hub for veterans launched

Armed Forces charities in Plymouth have launched the first of a series of new outreach hubs at Chaddlewood Farm Community Centre following Census data revealed that veterans made up over eight per cent of the Plymouth population.

For the first time last year the Census asked people to declare if they had previously served in the UK Armed Forces. Local authority figures released today show that 18,279 veterans live in Plymouth.

Help for Heroes data from the same period as the Census in 2021 shows that at that time the charity was supporting almost 1,500 affected by their service across Devon.

With 12 times that number of veterans living in Plymouth alone, the charity and other organisations recognised there are many more who could need support.

The move to open outreach hubs for the Armed Forces community, which includes veterans and those currently serving, and their families, has been driven by the local community team from Help for Heroes, in tandem with the Armed Forces Community Social Prescriber for Plymouth Becky Ormrod, Improving Lives Plymouth, Op Courage (the veterans’ mental health service from the NHS), Veterans UK, Royal British Legion, Team Endeavour Wheelchair Rugby Club, and Armed Forces champions from the Department for Work and Pensions.

Veteran Roch Rochester, who has been supported by Help for Heroes and other organisations, and attended the outreach hub representing Team Endeavour Wheelchair Rugby Club which he now runs to support others, said: “All the charities coming together give that option of wraparound support for veterans and others in the Armed Forces community in need, or even if

they’re not in need just for a social connection.

“Some of our rugby players have gone on to do cycling or canoeing or sailing; it’s all those connections that help to build our community.

“Help for Heroes and others really helped me when I was in a dark place. All these organisations I didn’t know were there for me. I always thought it was for other guys and their injuries. Now, I have a voice in that community. I can knock on a door and ask for help for myself or others, but many years ago I couldn’t. For me it’s great to see this happening.”

The hub will be at Chaddlewood Farm Community Centre in Glen Road (PL7 2XS) on the second Thursday of each month (3pm-7pm), at Ernest English House in Buckwell Street (PL1 2DA) on the third Wednesday of each month (9am-7pm) and at Four Greens Community Trust, Whitleigh Green (PL5 4DD) on the last Wednesday of each month, starting on November 30 (4-8pm).

Help for Heroes’ case manager, Paul Mouncher,

said: “Often, those who are in or have been in the Forces aren’t sure where they can go to speak to someone who will understand, or who knows what’s available for them and where. And, crucially, where they can find help and support.

“The outreach hub is there to bridge that gap for them: a one-stop shop with all the charities and organisations together in one place, so the Armed Forces community can come for a chat and a cuppa and enquire about the available support in welfare, clinical, mental health, and sporting activities.”

Help for Heroes has already supported more than 27,000 people and won’t stop until every veteran gets the support they deserve. Members of the Armed Forces community can ask for help at www.helpforheroes.org.uk/get-help/ask-for-help/

For further details on attending or supporting a Plymouth Armed Forces community outreach hub, contact Paul Mouncher, Help for Heroes’ case manager on 07807 298684 or paul.mouncher@ helpforheroes.org.uk.

Advertise to over 23,000 homes in Central and Waterfront

The Central and Waterfront Chronicle is delivered door to door every month to homes in Hartley, Mannamead, Compton, Efford, Laira, St Judes, Mt Gould, Lipson, Greenbank, Prince Rock, Cattedown, Barbican, Hoe, City Centre, Mutley and Peverell.

The February edition of the Plymouth Chronicle in Central and Waterfront will be published onJanuary 20 with a copy deadline of January 9. The Central and Waterfront edition is one of four hyper local editions delivered to a total of more than 90,000 homes throughout the city.

We welcome submissions but cannot guarantee publication. We accept press releases in the form of text documents and images in JPG or TIFF format (high resolution please).

Launch of the outreach hub at Chaddlewood Farm Community Centre