Keyham gardens fully restored by Plymouth’s construction industry
Work to repair the boundary walls and back gardens for three homes in Keyham, following the bomb incident earlier this year has been completed.
As part of the ongoing support Plymouth City Council has given residents most impacted by the Keyham bomb incident in February, the Council called on the support of the local construction industry to repair the damage left behind by the Army.
Building Plymouth is an award winning, Council-led partnership with the construction industry. With nearly 70 member organisations, they engage with clients, contractors, consultants and the supply chain and have delivered a number of successful community initiatives to help improve the quality of life in the city.
As a gesture of goodwill, Building Plymouth arranged for local contractors, consultants and suppliers to work together to help repair the damage that was left in the gardens after the incident. Over recent months, eighteen local companies volunteered their time, materials and equipment equivalent value to £40,000 in-kind to support residents in Keyham whose properties were damaged by the army during the efforts to remove the unexploded bomb.
The first phase of the repair works involved repairing the boundary line at the rear of the properties – rebuilding the walls, erecting fencing and installing new back gates in order to make the area fully secure. The second phase of the works was to restore two gardens located either side of where the bomb was safely removed. This included creating
new garden designs, laying the new decking, installing steps and fencing, reinstating destroyed masonry, as well as creating a stylish pergola.
One of the homeowners, Martyn Hammond, said: “The quality of work is outstanding! It didn’t feel like too much trouble and they listened to what I had previously and went over and above to reinstate my garden. I feel so happy to have my garden back again, considering back in February when this area was like a big sack of sand and now, I’m getting my plants restocked and am back in my happy place to sit and chill again. Thank you so much to everyone who has helped to make this happen.”
Resident Lee Elliott added: “We can’t express our gratitude enough to the skilled workforce who have been here to help us – the quality of work is top quality, the carpentry is out of this world, everything has gone to regulation with no corners cut. It was a kind freebie but everyone has completely gone above and beyond!
Many of the contractors who gave their time for free
Steve Warren-Brown, managing director of YGS Landscapes who acted as overall managing contractor on the garden projects, said: “Working brilliantly together as a team of volunteers through the Building Plymouth partnership has delivered a positive legacy after such a traumatic experience for three affected residents. As a local landscaping contractor, we knew we should play our part in helping to recover the Keyham gardens and it has been amazing to see so many construction friends stepping up to help. Thank you to everyone involved, this is another fantastic team effort coordinated through Emma Hewitt’s inspiring leadership of our Building Plymouth partnership.”
PLYMOUTH RETAINS PURPLE FLAG STATUS
Plymouth has once again been awarded the Purple Flag accreditation for its evening and night time economy for the fifth year in a row.
The Purple Flag is an acknowledgement of exceptional standards and partnership working within the evening and night-time economy and recognises important aspects such as variety of services, culture, safety, wellbeing and partnership working.
The Purple Flag award was applied for by Safer Plymouth. Safer Plymouth is Plymouth’s community safety partnership which helps agencies to work together to improve the safety of residents, while enjoying everything that Plymouth has to offer.
Plymouth was the first city in the UK to have an anti-drink spiking scheme which has now developed force-wide and nationally. The close relationship between the partners and the trade has enabled many training sessions to further upskill evening and night-time economy staff to help support people on a night out.
Regular medical and welfare support on a number of evenings supplied by the Street Pastors and Plymouth Night Patrol, as well as the newly commissioned Safe Bus were noted during the assessment and the tight partnership working with the various partners in the city and the trade were key to the awarding of the Purple Flag accreditation. Councillor Sally Haydon, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said: “Plymouth is one of only 100 towns and cities worldwide which has this accreditation, and it serves as a sign to those living in the city or those wishing to visit or study here that every effort is made to make sure that people going out in the evening have a great and safe time.”
IN PLYMOUTH
Devonport’s Hasler personnel raise funds for terminally ill Royal Marine Sophie
Personnel from the Royal Navy’s Recovery Centre – RNRC Hasler based at Devonport Naval Base – have taken a day out to participate in various physical challenges in support of a fundraising campaign that is close to their hearts.
The activities in aid of the #26forsoph campaign were centred around the Endeavour Gym at HMS Drake and the surrounding areas of Plymouth. The main drive of the day was to support and donate money in aid of 26-yearold Sophie Ward, a Royal Marines musician who is currently assigned to Hasler, after she received a devastating diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in January 2024.
Despite the rapid progression of this debilitating disease and the obvious challenges Sophie’s resilience and determination has shone through and been nothing short of inspiring.
To support Sophie’s ongoing care and treatment she has received backing from three vital charities — The Royal Marines Charity, Dorothy House Hospice Care, and the Motor Neurone Disease Association. Meanwhile her bandmates in the Royal Marines and members of Hasler have undertaken various challenges in support of the #26forSoph fundraising campaign, across the Royal Navy.
In Devonport, Hasler personnel challenged themselves based around the number 26, Sophie’s age. Activities included an individual running a 26-mile marathon, others completing a 26-mile triathlon or gym-based challenges completing 26 miles using various CV equipment. These challenges focus the commitment to Sophie’s fight and to highlight awareness to MND.
Warrant Officer ‘Stan’ Bloomer Royal Marines, Sophie’s recovery officer said: “Everyone in Hasler wanted to come together to advertise their support for Sophie and the crucial charities that have assisted her and close family so well since her diagnosis.
“Despite having challenges of their own all those Hasler personnel who took part in raising funds for #26forSoph showed selflessness and determination in all the activities they undertook”.
Pictured right: Fund raising personnel took part in gym-based challenges and a 26-mile triathlon
Royal Marines musician Sophie Ward Image: Derek C Donsworth, DCD-images.co.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.
Plymouth Oktoberfest
Oct 26
The popular event returns to Central Park with two sessions from 12 noon to 5pm and from 6pm to 11pm. Every year has been a sell-out since it was first launched and tickets are sure to be in big demand. As usual the event will feature oompah bands, bier steins, gourmet bratwurst, party games, singalongs, Ocktoberfest dress ups, lederhosen hosts and much more. For tickets and further information visit www. oktoberfestplymouth.co.uk
Civil War Talk
Oct 26
Popular speaker Philip Photiou will be giving a talk on the Civil War at Ford Park Cemetery. There will be a ploughman’s lunch included in the price of £12 for a ticket. Office hours are Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm where tickets can be purchased by calling 01752 665442. Philip is a popular speaker and his talks are often a sell-out.
Coffee Morning
Nov 2
Crownhill Methodist Church Hall from 10.30am to 12 noon. Various stalls. Proceeds to Fund for Human Need. All welcome.
Bonfire Night
Nov 5
Plymouth Hoe will be lit up with a spectacular Bonfire and Fireworks display. More details coming soon.
Plympton Remembrance Day Parade & Service
Nov 10
Meet at Co-op car park on Ridgeway at 10am for 10.20am start, followed by march to Castle Green for an open air service and wreath laying from 10.50am. After the service the Parade will march along Underwood Road to the Union Inn, Branch HQ.
Remembrance Day Service
Nov 11
Victorian Chapel in Ford Park Cemetery at 10.45am. After the service, there will be a short walk to the War Memorial where a wreath will be placed.
City Centre Christmas Lights Switch-On
Nov 14
The Christmas calendar officially kicks off with the switch-on of this year’s spectacular Christmas lights on the Piazza, run by the Plymouth City Centre Company. The festive fun starts at 4pm, with a wonderful programme of entertainment, including singing, dance, plus live music from Joey the Lips, and their 10-piece funk and soul band. Santa will be coming along with special guests, sharing the Christmas magic and switching on the colourful Christmas lights. The big switch-on moment is due to take place between 6pm and 6.30pm.
Pilates and Dinner at The Dome
Nov 15
Mixed level pilates led by Pilates with Cassie in the immersive Dome at Market Hall, Devonport from 6pm to 9pm. Followed by two-course meal freshly prepared by the Olive Branch Team from Oreston. There will also be a raffle with the chance to win Pilates prizes, Dome experiences and coffee and cake! Grab your tickets from www.pilateswithcassie.co.uk
Barbican Christmas Lights Switch-on
Nov 16
Join in the wonderful Christmas lights switch-on event with an afternoon of festive family fun with free activities and entertainment from 12pm to 6pm on the Barbican and Sutton Harbour.
Out and About Your guide to events in the local community and beyond
Plymouth Children’s Book Group
Nov 17
Author workshops, stories and activities for four to 11 year olds at Millfields Trust and The Plot in Helen Walsh, try magic, felt-making, origami, music and more. Free pasties and soup. Tickets £5 per family. Accompanied children only.
John Lydon – I Could Be Wrong, I Could Be Right
Nov 20
Punk icon John Lydon will perform in Plymouth as a part of his UK tour. The Sex Pistols’ frontman will be at the Quad Theatre on the Marjon campus at 7.30pm. Doors open at 6.45pm. Tickets from www. comicalentertainment.com
Sounds of Nature Themed Concert
Nov 23
University of Plymouth Orchestra presents a free children’s concert at 3pm at the Levinsky Hall on the university campus. Evening concert at 7.30pm featuring Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony, Tales from the Vienna Woods by Strauss and Barry’s Out of Africa. Admission free but donations welcome. Tickets can be booked via the ‘What’s On’ page of the University of Plymouth website. The evening concert will include a raffle and free refreshments after the performance.
Christmas Fayre
Nov 23
Ford Park Cemetery from 10.30am to 1.30pm. This is always a popular event with many bargains on the various stalls.
Plymouth Christmas Market
Nov 28 to Dec 15
All the festive sites, smells and atmosphere are brought to the city centre, with the wonderful festive log cabins, festooned with Christmas lights, selling a wide range of unique gifts, crafts, clothing and festive treats including delicious food and live music
Autumn Concert
Nov 30
Plymouth Philharmonic Choir present a concert featuring works by composer geniuses, Haydn and Mozart at 7.30pm in The Minster Church of St Andrew, Plymouth. The programme, Haydn’s Maria Theresa Mass and Small Organ Mass and Mozart’s Vespers is packed full of beautiful music, with fugues, arias, elaborate bel canto lines and dramatic contrasts.
The Christmas calendar kicks off with the switch-on of the City Centre Christmas lights on the Piazza on November 14
The choir will be welcoming four first class soloists: soprano Catherine Hamilton, mezzo-soprano Judith Le Breuilly, tenor Matthew Minter and baritone James Cleverton. Tickets £20 in advance, £22 on the door, £5 students/U16s. Tickets available from choir members, the choir ticket manager 07949 311030 and wegottickets.com/event/634425. For more information please visit plymouthphilchoir.org
Just Christmas Fair
Nov 30
A ‘fair’ and charitable event with locally and ethically produced goods for sale at Hope Baptist Church, Peverell Corner from 10am to 3pm. Free entry. Refreshments include hot pasties and home made cakes. All welcome.
Dick Whittington
Nov 30 and Dec 1
Sounds Musical Theatre Company present a proper Plymouth pantomime for the whole family, a bespoke version as he follows his fortune to Plymouth. Performances at 1pm and 6pm, on November 30 and December 1 at 1pm at the newly reburbished community hub Oreston Methodist Church Hall. Tickets £13 adults, £10 children. £42 family ticket. Book online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/sounds
Christmas Fayre
Nov 30
St Budeaux Methodist Church from 10am to 1pm. Various stalls including a raffle, tombola and cakes. Tea, coffee, hot chocolate and bacon or sausage baps will be available.
Festive Good Food and Craft Market
Dec 1, 4, 8, 11, 15 and 18
Royal William Yard’s festive market is back on Sundays and Wednesdays in December. Full details at www. royalwilliamyard.com
Christmas Fair
Dec 7
St Francis Church Hall, Honicknowle from 11am to 2pm. Various stalls, tombola, gifts, nearly new, Pig racing and refreshments. All welcome.
Sleeping Beauty
Dec 3 to Dec 7
Presented by the Wranglers Theatre Company at the Muse Theatre, Lipson Community Academy. Directed by Wendy Holmes and featuring a script by Geoff
Coventy, this spellbinding panto promises to delight audiences of all ages. Adults £15, family £48. Tickets at www.thewranglers.co.uk/store/c3/Box-Office
Christmas Coffee Morning
Dec 7
St Gabriel’s Church, Peverell Terrace from 10am to 12 noon. Home made cakes on sale, plus a selection of small Christmas items. There will be a real Christmassy raffle and at the end of the morning a grand Christmas draw will take place. It promises to be a very enjoyable morning and everyone is welcome.
Santa Fun Run
Dec 8
Organised by Saltram Rotary Club with the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership. Event covers 5km around the Barbican and Waterfront with proceeds going to Shekinah and Jeremiah’s Journey. Register at www. plymouthsantafunnrun.co.uk
After the Fire Open Day
Dec 14
St Francis Church, Honicknowle Open Day 11am to 2pm. Go along and see the church restored after the 2023 fire. Exhibition of photos on view. Bouncy castle and activities for children in the hall. Cups of tea/ coffee. No charge, go along and help celebrate using the church building once more.
Christmas Concert
Dec 14
Plymouth University Choral Society with local soprano soloist Milly Atkinson will be performing John Rutter’s Magnificat and Shepherd’s Pipe Carol, Bob Chilcott’s On Christmas Night, and other carols including I Saw Three Ships (arr. David Willcocks) St Andrew’s Minster Church 7.30pm. Tickets available from Choral Society members or on the door £16 adults, £6 students
Milton Jones
Dec 14
Fans favourite Milton Jones brings his Ha!Milton tour to the Main Hall at Plymouth University at 7.30pm. Tickets available at www.comicalentertainment.com
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.
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Work starts on community sports facility in Stoke
Work to improve a community sports facility has officially kicked-off.
As part of the city’s ongoing investment in sports facilities, Stoke Damerel Community College is set to become home to three multi-surfaced pitches, providing space for several different sports.
Work will focus on a brand new, 2G sand pitch, which whilst primarily suitable for hockey, is a multi-sports surface and can be used for a number of other activities.
Also in the plans is a smaller 3G pitch, specifically targeted at football and rugby use, which has been supported by a £250,000 grant from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation. A renovation and upgrade of and existing grass pitch is also set to get underway.
The new additions will be for both school and community use with modern flood lighting to ensure that they can be used all year round
The plans complement the work already underway to transform the former Brickfields Sports Centre into a new community health and wellbeing hub that will be operated by the Argyle Community Trust.
Councillor Sue Dann, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Sport, Leisure and HR, joined representatives from Stoke Damerel Community College and the Football Foundation to see work begin.
Sue said: “It’s always exciting to see projects that have been long in the planning get to the construction stage. I know that these facilities will be so well-received, not just by Stoke Damerel Community College students, but also by the city’s large sporting community.
“I look forward to seeing work complete and pitches in use by students and residents alike.”
Dan Cole, senior sssistant headteacher of Stoke Damerel Community College, said: “Our new sports facilities will elevate our sports programmes, offering our students and community first-rate resources to train, compete, and stay active.
“This is a significant step in advancing our commitment to fostering well-rounded students by encouraging both academic achievement and physical development”
Robert Sullivan, chief executive of the Football Foundation, said: “The Football Foundation is working closely with our partners – the Premier League, The FA and Government – to transform the quality of grassroots facilities in England by delivering projects like this across the country.
“Good quality playing facilities have a transformative impact on physical and mental health and play an important role in bringing people together and strengthening local communities.
“We’re delighted that works are now underway to deliver the new 3G and grass pitches at Stoke Damerel Community College and we’re excited to see the new facilities in action.”
Library to host Skills and Careers Festival All set for a banging Bonfire Night!
On Course South West and Plymouth Libraries have announced the launch of their first Skills and Careers Festival, a free event designed to showcase opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The festival will take place on Saturday November 2, from 10am to 2pm at St Budeaux Library. The event aims to connect residents with: Upskilling opportunities, local employers and career advice and guidance experts. The event is free and free parking is available nearby.
Attendees will have the chance to explore various career paths, learn about educational programmes, and receive personalised advice from industry professionals. The festival is an excellent opportunity for job seekers or anyone looking to enhance their skills or change careers.
There will be local counsellors, employers and community organisations from across the city, highlighting the importance of this community-focused initiative.
A spokesperson for On Course South West said: “We would like to encourage local residents to join us at the event with the chance to take the next step in their career journey and discover the wealth of opportunities available in the local community.
Pre-register interest in the event by going to www.oncoursesouthwest.co.uk/news/skillsand-careers-festival-comes-to-st-budeauxlibrary
City to receive
£600,000 in
wake of riots
Plymouth MP Luke Pollard and Plymouth City Council leader Tudor Evans have welcomed the Government’s announcement that the city is to receive a share of funding from a newly established Community Recovery Fund following the recent riots.
The city will receive £600,000 from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in response to the violent disorder that took place in Plymouth in August.
Luke Pollard, Member of Parliament for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, said: “I am incredibly proud of how Plymouth came together in August to tackle the violence and disorder that was brought to our streets, but it will take time for our communities to fully recover.
“The £600,000 Community Recovery Fund awarded by the government is a huge boost which will mean more help to deliver targeted support to our most impacted communities.
“Plymouth is so much better than the criminal disorder we saw. To truly defeat that hate we need to tackle the root causes of it as well as protecting and reassuring communities in real pain worrying whether Plymouth is safe for them. This funding will help the council motor that work.”
Tudor Evans, added: “Any additional money from the government is always welcome and we will ensure every penny is spent wisely for the benefit of everyone in Plymouth.”
Plymouth’s popular Bonfire Night is set to return once again this November, making Plymouth Hoe the backdrop to a glittering fireworks display.
On Tuesday November 5, it’s estimated that up to 20,000 spectators will be heading to the Hoe to attend the annual Bonfire Night. The event will include a 15-minute fireworks display launched from the Citadel wall, a large bonfire, fairground rides and catering stalls.
The event will start at 4pm, and the bonfire will be lit at 7pm, with a spectacular display of fireworks starting at 7.30pm to round off the night.
Councillor Sally Haydon, Cabinet Member for Events, said: “Bonfire Night is one of the most important events in our calendars every year in Plymouth. Year after year we have an impressive bonfire and fireworks display which is not to be missed. The event is free to attend with lots of fun things to do on the evening for families.”
Attending the event on Plymouth Hoe is also
one of the safest ways to celebrate Bonfire Night, reducing the potential danger from private back garden bonfires and fireworks, relieving the burden on the emergency services during a particularly busy time, and helping to cut back on carbon emissions.
The event will be sponsored by Plymouth Waterfront Partnership this year, whose chief executive Jon Walton, said: “We are delighted to be able to support this incredibly popular, and free to attend annual event, that truly showcases our spectacular Hoe and waterfront.
“This event brings footfall into our businesses, and in doing so supports our local economy. We wish all a very enjoyable evening and remember to stay safe this Bonfire Night.”
Parking in the area around the Hoe and the Barbican will be very limited and people are being advised to use city centre car parks, such as Western Approach or Theatre Royal.
It’s important to plan travel to the event in
advance as there will be road closures around the area. Disabled parking will be available on the Hoe for those displaying a blue badge. Road closures:
• Hoe Road from the mound at the Citadel to the junction of Pier Street - 5pm to 9pm
• Madeira Road from the junction of Elphinstone to the junction of Hoe Road - 5pm to 9pm
• Citadel Road from the junction of Hoe Approach to the junction of Lockyer Street - 5pm to 9pm
• Armada Way loop (Crowne Plaza) 5pm to 9pm
• Windsor Place for its entirety - 5pm to 9pm
• Osbourne Place to the junction of the Esplanade - 7am to 9pm
• Notte Street from The Crescent to Hoe approach - 7.30pm to 8.30pm
• The Crescent from Millbay Road to Notte Street - 7.30pm to 8.30pm
• Princess Street from the junction of Lockyer Street to the junction of Princess Ope Inc. access from Armada Way - 7.30pm to 8.30pm.
Funding to make Plymouth safer for women and girls
Plymouth community groups tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) in the city can apply for grants of up to £5,000 thanks to new funding.
The £35,000 funding pot is available through a partnership between Plymouth City Council, Devon Community Foundation and the Sedel-Collings Foundation.
Councillor Sally Haydon, Cabinet Member for Community Safety at Plymouth City Council, said:
“The fund is an excellent initiative to offer to those who are working hard to keep women and girls safe.
“The fund forms part of our commitment for a safer Plymouth, and as partners working together in the city, we are committed to tackling violence against women and girls.
“We have so many incredible organisations in our city that already do some amazing work in tackling VAWG, we hope that the fund will offer more opportunities for others to join us.”
Councillor Zoe Reilly, Violence Against Women and Girls Champion for the city, said: “This fund will help organisations promote cultural change
around VAWG and DASV (domestic abuse and sexual violence), and work towards increasing the safety of women and girls in the city.
“It is vital that we continue to push this work forward. Let’s continue working together to tackle violence against women and girls.”
In recent years the tragic cases of Bobbi Anne McLeod, Kerry Power and the five victims of the Keyham shooting have all provided stark evidence of the need to take urgent action now.
In developing its strategy, Plymouth’s Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (DASV) Partnership Board drew on the accounts of more than 150 people with lived experience of VAWGDASV, as well as the knowledge and experience of agencies and organisations working in this field.
The board also commissioned a survey in Plymouth which found that 49 per cent of respondents had experienced some level of harm/ abuse or inappropriate behaviour whilst at home. And nearly 40 per cent had experienced unwanted sexually explicit online comments, emails, messages or images.
This new funding is ring-fenced for community
organisations whose work supports the Plymouth VAWGDASV strategy. This includes increasing the safety of women and girls in the city, support and services to adult and child survivors of VAWGDASV and interventions which engage with those who harm.
The fund is available through Devon Community Foundation’s Small Grants application process, which is open to grassroots organisations across Devon working to strengthen communities and tackle inequalities.
Hayley Everett, head of Fundraising and Communications at women and children’s charity Trevi, said: “Funding initiatives to end violence against women and girls is not only a moral imperative but a societal investment.
“It ensures that survivors can access the support they need to heal, while also addressing the root causes of violence, creating safer communities, and breaking the cycle of abuse that perpetuates trauma across generations.”
Information on applying for a grant can be found at Violence Against Women and Girls Fund - Devon Community Foundation (devoncf.com)
Photo: Scott Grenney One Plymouth
19 October 202412 January 2025
In partnership with ARTIST ROOMS, Tate and National Galleries of Scotland
Paul RooneyBroken Token
19 October 202412 January 2025
An IWM 14-18 NOW Legacy Fund commission, in partnership with The Box Plymouth
Devonport 200
19 October 202412 January 2025
Photo:
The Box delights with exciting autumn exhibitions
New exhibitions at The Box are bringing an exciting combination of historical and contemporary art to the city this autumn.
Land Sea Sky: Ingrid Pollard, JMW Turner & Vija Celmins (October 19 to January 12 2025) has been developed in partnership with ARTIST ROOMS, Tate and National Galleries of Scotland. This major exhibition brings
together three artists who, although working more than 200 years apart, are connected through their close observation of nature and skillful use of materials.
It includes over 15 works by the muchloved JMW Turner, showing how he captured the essence of the land and sea before the invention of photography.
UK BREAKS
Departing Mon 17 Mar ‘25
The highlights of North Wales await on this great-value break, where we’re based on the seafront in Llandudno and take in the stunning landscapes of Snowdonia. We also cross the border to discover Chester, with its medieval ‘rows’ and fascinating museums.
Your break includes
Return coach travel from Plymouth
4 nights at the Grand Hotel, Llandudno (JG2+ rating) with dinner & breakfast
Entertainment some evenings
Excursions to Snowdonia (Betws-y-Coed & Conwy) & Chester
Optional excursion to the Isle of Anglesey (£14pp)
Paul Rooney: Broken Token (also October 19 to January 12 2025) is a two-screen film that explores the idea of home during a time of war. It’s part of the IWM 14-18 NOW Legacy Fund – a national partnership programme led by Imperial War Museums. Its production has involved Plymouth veterans, creatives and West Country folk
Departing Mon 23 Dec ‘24
Enjoy a memorable festive getaway this year, complete with plenty of food, entertainment and excursions to soak up the Isle of Wight’s seasonal charm.
Your break includes
Return coach travel & ferry crossings from Plymouth, Saltash
4 nights at the Shanklin Beach Hotel, Shanklin (JG2+ rating) with dinner & full English breakfast
Christmas Day includes breakfast, a traditional Christmas lunch & a light evening buffet
Entertainment every evening
Pantomime ticket at the Shanklin Theatre
Island Highlights tour (Ventnor, Alum Bay & Newport)
Excursion to Ryde
singer Hannah Martin. Rooney has combined the veterans’ recollections of connecting with home during conflicts in the Falklands, The Gulf and Afghanistan with film footage and a melodic folk ballad.
The Box is also celebrating the 200th anniversary of the founding of Devonport –once a separate town named Dock – through displays that draw on the city’s archives and a new commission by filmmakers Naresh Kaushal and Jamie Harper.
Discover more about these, plus Osman Yousefzada: When will we be good enough? (November 2 to March 9 2025) and Planet Ocean (until April 27 2025) at www. theboxplymouth.com
Join The Box on its ‘Journey to a Million’
The Box will soon be welcoming its one millionth visitor and it could be someone reading this article.
There’s only one way to find out! If you, your family or friends haven’t yet visited, went a while ago and have been meaning to go back, or you’re a regular attendee, why not head to The Box again?
Enjoy everything that’s on offer this autumn and help it reach this important milestone.
Departing Fri 22 Nov ‘24
The Thursford Christmas Spectacular is the biggest Christmas show of its kind in Europe! Set in a lavishly decorated auditorium, this celebration of the festive season delivers an extravaganza of non-stop singing, dancing, dazzling costumes, music and variety.
Your break includes
Return coach travel from Plymouth, Saltash
3 nights at the Warner Corton, Lowestoft (JG4 rating) with dinner & breakfast
Entertainment one evening
Entrance to the Thursford Christmas Spectacular
Excursion to Norwich
▶ SAVE £20 - Quote PLY - Book by 25 Oct 2024
One of 15 works by the much-loved artist JMW Turner in the exhibition: Kilchurn Castle with the Cruchan Ben Mountains, Noon 1801. Photo - The Box, Plymouth
Ingrid Pollard’s Three Drops of Blood by Ingrid Pollard. Image by Stephen Tolfrey. Courtesy of The Box, Plymouth. © the artist
TACKLING THE WORKFORCE CHALLENGES IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
Key representatives from Plymouth’s health and social care sector have met for the first time to share system-wide, collective workforce strategies across University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Livewell Southwest and adult social care.
The event hosted by Caring Plymouth, the city’s sector skills partnership for health and social care, brought together a range of stakeholders including adult social care providers, Plymouth City Council’s Commissioners, senior representatives from the NHS and Livewell Southwest, training providers including further and higher education, and representatives from Department for Work and Pensions.
Councillor Mary Aspinall, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, said: “We now have shared understanding about the demands for this critical workforce so that we can better prioritise the coordinated actions that we need to take to deliver a sustainable, system-wide skilled workforce for the future.
“We know that this sector has the highest overall demand for recruitment in Plymouth, with approximately 350 unique job vacancies a month with highest demands for care workers and home carers as well as nurses, and there is also significant need for managerial and administrative roles.”
Speaking at the event, Darryn Allcorn, chief nurse and director of Integrated Professions at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, said: “It is exceptionally positive that we can work collaboratively across the city in order to understand our collective workforce demands and challenges.
“There is so much more to our workforce than the traditional caring roles associated with health and social care. Through working together, we can ensure our local communities not only have employment opportunities but supported to develop lifelong careers.”
Sharing their workforce strategy priorities, Nicky Varker, assistant director of Workforce at Livewell Southwest, said: “We share in the ambition to deliver the highest-quality health and care services to our population and to do this, we want to make sure Plymouth is the destination of choice for roles in the sector.
“This means creating attractive packages that bring the best people into the city and support them to unlock their potential. We’ve worked hard to open doors in recent years with new pathways into nursing that are helping people to achieve aspirations they had started to close a door on.
“The challenge is to spread this into our wider workforce to create clear development pathways to help people enter and grow within Livewell.”
The event also marked the launch of the city’s first dedicated Skills and Training Directory for the Health and Social Care sector which provides access and improved information, advice and guidance for people new to the sector as well as helping the existing workforce with career progression. For further information email caringplymouth@plymouth.gov.uk
£130m regeneration of North Prospect
A major milestone has been reached as Plymouth Community Homes (PCH) celebrated the official completion of a 12year long project to completely regenerate the North Prospect community in Plymouth.
The transformational £130m project, the largest regeneration scheme of its kind in the South West, began in 2012 and saw the demolition of almost 800 homes in a poor condition over the following years.
The North Prospect community now includes more than 1,100 high quality, energy-efficient new homes, offering a better variety of house types, sizes and tenures. The building works were so substantial that the construction of new homes was divided into five phases, which are now complete.
The project delivered 491 new homes made available for affordable and social rent, and 195 for purchase as shared ownership, creating overall 686 affordable homes – more than the 605 socially rented homes previously in the area. PCH also refurbished a further 300 social rented homes.
The regeneration has led to a reduction in crime in the area of nearly 60 per cent, and improved employment outcomes for local people.
Special celebration
To mark the historic milestone, PCH, the largest social housing landlord in Plymouth, hosted a special celebration event at both The Beacon Community Hub in the heart of North Prospect followed by a VIP reception at the Home Park Club Argyle Lounge.
Throughout the day, invited guests joined PCH staff past and present and North Prospect residents along with all those involved with the regeneration from partner organisations, including Plymouth City Council, Homes England and local developers.
Guests had the opportunity to reflect on the journey of transforming the community as they learned more about the history of North Prospect, and the impact of the regeneration. The Beacon event featured a specially designed history exhibition, curated by Plymouth Community Homes with the help of residents and local history enthusiasts.
.Attendees also had the chance to tour the area during the event on a specially arranged, PCH-customised Land Train, viewing some of the redevelopment and hearing a potted commentary about the development on route.
After the morning celebration event finished, the Land Train was made available to pupils from nearby school, Mayflower Community Academy, with around 60 primary school children visiting the specially curated history display at The Beacon for part of their history studies before taking tours on the Land Train during the afternoon.
The school visit was particularly poignant for students as Mayflower Community Academy itself was built as part of the regeneration project so the celebration offered the school a chance to celebrate its own history whilst engaging pupils with their local community.
The event at The Beacon was followed by a lunchtime VIP reception where guest speakers included former CEOs of Plymouth Community
Cllr
for Ham ward which includes North Prospect, and Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Cllr Tina Tuohy, who is a North Prospectresident and a ward councillor for the area.
Over the years, the North Prospect regeneration scheme has been shortlisted for several industry awards, including Best Project at the RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence, and scooped the Best Regeneration Project award from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.
Before the regeneration, the area formerly known as Swilly had become synonymous with social deprivation, antisocial behaviour and crime. Initial considerations for a regeneration project began almost 30 years ago, and the work has succeeded in improving the wellbeing of residents through the strategic use of architectural features, such as open spaces to help deter antisocial behaviour.
Recently completed surveys and research have recorded that total crime in North Prospect has dropped by nearly 60 per cent since the
regeneration, while public order offences have reduced by 76 per cent.
From the beginning of the project, PCH sought to rehouse as many residents back into the local area as possible. Efforts were made to safeguard the rights of families with roots in the area. During the final three phases of works, more than 70 per cent of residents were able to move back into new homes in the neighbourhood.
Cllr Tudor Evans said: “I’ve been the ward councillor here since 1988, so way before the regeneration started. When you think about what’s been achieved, how many homes went and how many homes have been created, and the lives that have been transformed, that money has worked out for North Prospect.”
Long-standing North Prospect resident and Plymouth Lord Mayor Cllr Tina Tuohy, described the regeneration as ‘a tale of two cities.’ She explained: “After the First World War, the North Prospect area was completely different - it was originally designed as offering ‘homes for heroes’ but the area would require change in the future.
“It’s wonderful to see that the regeneration has
Homes, John Clark and Clive Turner, as well as current CEO Jonathan Cowie, alongside Leader of Plymouth City Council,
Tudor Evans, also a ward councillor
Prospect reaches historic completion
done just that. This is why a newly regenerated community with nice wide-open spaces and better homes is far more suitable for modern times.”
Andrew Lawrie, head of development at Plymouth Community Homes, said: “North Prospect was once a notorious area with a reputation for antisocial behaviour. The properties in the area were built just after the First World War and suffered from a number of serious building defects, such as damp.
“The regeneration was a hugely ambitious project costing almost £130m and PCH would not have been able to deliver this without the vital grant funding we had from Homes England, in addition to help provided by Plymouth City Council.
“It’s too early to say what the lasting effect of the regeneration will be, but resident surveys already show that people feel safe in their homes, which is fantastic to see.”
Nick Jackson, executive director of Business Services and Development at Plymouth Community Homes, said: “Today’s celebration marks a major milestone after many years of work to deliver the largest regeneration scheme of its kind in the South West region. We are delighted to see the final phase conclude this autumn, delivering more than 1,100
new homes for the community and for the city of Plymouth.
“This regeneration would not have been possible without the determination, passion and dedication of numerous staff both at PCH, and through our positive partnership working, especially with Plymouth City Council, and we are proud to be celebrating with our partners, stakeholders and suppliers today, as well as with our residents who live in North Prospect.”
Jonathan Cowie, chief executive at Plymouth Community Homes, said: “Having joined PCH a year ago, it is an honour to follow in the footsteps of my predecessors, John Clark and Clive Turner, who began this work back in 2009, and then drove forward the regeneration of such a pivotal transformation for the city of Plymouth.
“Achieving a project of this scale is the result of years of hard work from talented and committed people who wanted to improve the community for the people who live there – which is our vision at PCH, to create thriving communities where people want to live, and to change lives. I have little doubt that the North Prospect regeneration will lead the way in showing the possibilities of reimagining a community.”
North Prospect Regeneration: Facts & Figures
• Almost 800 damp, poorly constructed homes were demolished and over 1,100 modern, energyefficient new homes have been built as part of this £130million regeneration project
• 491 homes were made available for affordable rent and social rent, and 195 for shared ownership purchase, creating an overall of 686 affordable homes created – more than the 605 socially rented homes previously in the community
• A further 477 homes were developed for open market sale
• Around 300 social rented homes were fully refurbished to modern standards
• The work was undertaken over a 12 yearperiod, and divided into five phases
• Planning began as early as 30 years ago at Plymouth City Council, and formal work planned started 15 years ago when Plymouth Community Homes was formed in 2009, with the North Prospect regeneration forming one of the transfer commitments made
• PCH worked with Plymouth City Council and Homes England to complete the project over the following years
• 741 households were moved out of the area whilst works took place, and more than 70% of residents moved back into new homes in the area once the new homes were ready
• The regeneration has won four awards to date, and was nominated for two more
• The Beacon, the purpose-built, mixeduse community centre, sits at the heart of the community, creating 20 local jobs and hosting 12 regular community groups
• The regeneration has provided more space for open green spaces, while the spaces have been designed to deter antisocial behaviour
• Devon and Cornwall Police reported a significant drop of 27% in crime and antisocial behaviour between 2009 and 2018 in the early years of the regeneration
• New surveys have now found that total crime in North Prospect has dropped by 59% since the regeneration.
• Public order offences in North Prospect have dropped by 76%.
• Employment outcomes have improved in the area, with a drop of 28% in the number of people on low incomes and the number of people out of work down by 1.3%
• 95% of residents now say they feel safe in their new homes
• Phases 1 and 2 of the scheme completed in 2014 and 2017 respectively, with Phase 3 complete in February 2020, followed by Phase 5, Briarwood Heights, in 2022 and Phase 4 in 2024
New Director of Public Health for Plymouth announced
Professor Steve Maddern (pictured above) will be joining Plymouth City Council in December, as Dr Ruth Harrell steps down after eight years in the role. Steve, who is originally from Plymouth, brings a wealth of experience to the role having successfully led public health initiatives in Swindon where he is currently Director of Public Health. He began his early career in pharmacy and has worked in a number of roles in the NHS, Public Health England and local authorities.
As the new director, he will take responsibility for a number of key areas including public health, environmental health, trading standards, community empowerment, leisure, licensing and bereavement services.
Councillor Mary Aspinall, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care said: “We’re delighted to welcome Steve to Plymouth and his expertise and experience will be invaluable as we work to make Plymouth a brilliant place to grow up and to grow old. I would also like to express huge thanks to Ruth for all her hard work over the last eight years as director of Public Health. I have greatly appreciated all her advice during our time working together.”
Tracey Lee, chief executive of Plymouth City Council, said: “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Ruth for her outstanding contributions to public health in Plymouth and her commitment and dedication, in particular the absolutely pivotal role that she played in guiding the city through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I look forward to working with Steve and we welcome the expertise and fresh perspective he’ll bring as we work to deliver our public health priorities to support local residents.”
• The developer for Phase 3, Kier Living (now Tilla) established the North Prospect Training Academy, which offered a six-week construction skills programme, including a mix of theory and learning.
Ruth first joined the council as a consultant in Public Health in 2014 and then became interim director of Public Health before taking on the role permanently in 2017. She will remain at the council but is moving into a part-time consultant role which will help to ensure a smooth transition.
Ruth said: “I’m delighted that Steve is joining Plymouth City Council as the new Director of Public Health. Unfortunately, my own health means that I couldn’t continue to give the role all that it required - and that the people of Plymouth deserve. I am really pleased to be able to hand over the baton to Steve and look forward to continuing to work with him and the rest of the team in the future.”
Cookworthy Green before... ...and Cookworthy Green after
Photos and facts and figures courtesy of Plymouth Community Homes
Navy chefs prepare meals for homeless
A Royal Navy Outreach team from Devonport Naval Base has joined two local charities in Plymouth to help distribute meals to homeless people in the city.
Working alongside the Plymouth Salvation Army and Mutley Baptist Church, Royal Navy chefs, working from their mobile catering trailer produced hot meals and helped at several locations, across Plymouth with local charity volunteers, during their Feed the Homeless week.
The organiser of the event and chief liaison for the Royal Navy’s Outreach team was Writer Bethany Cummings. Bethany has been planning with the charities over several months.
“We are excited to be supporting this venture with our finest chefs from the Royal Navy who’ve volunteered their time and effort to prepare hot meals for the homeless community,” said Bethany.
“For me personally, meeting members of the public and service users during the event as well as speaking to you everyone has been tremendously rewarding.”
One of the chefs helping to cook the meals was Stephen Trotter, who is proud to have helped with the charities in Plymouth.
“As chefs in the Royal Navy, we take pride in serving food across the fleet. So, we’ve been thrilled to have contributed and liaise with MBC and the Salvation Army to cook and help those in need.
“It’s so sad seeing anybody in a difficult situation, so knowing that we’ve provided them with potentially their only hot meal of the day and make their day just that little bit better makes it all worthwhile.”
“I am very proud and impressed of what the team has managed to deliver, both with the Salvation Army and with the Mutley Baptist Church,” said Colonel Mike Scanlon.
“The event was planned and executed brilliantly by our team, and it gives me such comfort to know that they are using their skills and generosity to help out the community when the opportunities arise.”
Call for nominations for Community Hero Award
Plymouth Waterfront Partnership (PWP) has announced that nominations are now open for its annual Community Hero Award. This special award recognises individuals or organisations that have made an exceptional contribution to the Plymouth waterfront community.
The winner of the award is given the honour of switching on the Barbican Christmas Lights. Last year Professor Jacqui Stedmon was the community hero and this year’s event will continue to raise funds for Jeremiah’s Journey.
The PWP Community Hero Award celebrates those who have gone above and beyond to make a positive impact on the waterfront, whether through volunteer work, community projects, or simply making a difference in the lives of others.
The award is a way to recognise and acknowledge the invaluable contributions of individuals and organisations that help to create a vibrant and thriving waterfront community.
To nominate someone for the Community Hero Award, please visit www.visitplymouth.co.uk/christmas-in-plymouth/barbican-christmaslights-nomination and submit a brief description of their achievements. The deadline for nominations is November 8.
The winner of the Community Hero Award will join the Lord Mayor, Santa and a special guest at the Barbican Christmas Lights switch-on on Saturday November 16.
Armada Way work is now under way – at long last!
The long-awaited scheme to make Armada Way a greener, safer, more family-friendly city centre is now off the starting blocks.
Council leader Tudor Evans and city centre champion
Councillor Mark Lowry marked the start of work by digging the ground at the top compound near North Cross, which will become a hive of industry as contractors swing into action.
Councillor Evans said: “This is a big day and a big deal. We said we would sort Armada Way and we are. It’s been a hell of a journey, but we are determined to make it worthwhile. There is so much to be gained from this scheme – new spaces for events and activities, places to play, better lighting, better seating, new CCTV cameras to help prevent antisocial behaviour, new landscapes to provide for biodiversity and a sustainable urban drainage system which will relieve pressure on our ageing drainage system. We are investing in the city centre because we think it is important and the right thing to do.”
and flag poles reinstated as well as new paving are also part of the project plan.The team has met with businesses and will be working closely with the 50 or so retailers along Armada Way to ensure as little disruption as possible while the work progresses.
Steve Hughes, chief executive of the City Centre Company, said: “There are over 500 businesses here in the city centre employing over 7,000 employees.
“This scheme is hugely important to the city, to the shops, to future investors. We are delighted to see work start and can’t wait for this important street to be transformed.”
Highlights of the scheme:• Recapture the scale and grandeur of Armada Way – providing a gateway to the city centre, linking the train station to The Hoe.
City Centre Champion Mark Lowry added: “We would like to thank the businesses for their continued patience and support while we worked through all the challenges a scheme of this ambition has thrown up. Investors are watching this with great interest.
“We currently have around 800 homes in the city centre and we want to see many more. The city centre is seeing rejuvenation and regeneration on a massive scale, which is needed if we are to make it a buzzing place where people want to visit, shop or live in.”
Given the scale of the scheme, the construction will take place over 22 months and will be carried out in phases.
Armada Way has been split into work zones and the first sign of progress will be site clearance and the creation of a haul road – a temporary road made from recycled building material – in the top two zones, with the top zone the first to see extensive work carried out.
These roads will appear in each zone, to enable construction vehicles to get on and off the sites easily from the highway.
The compound overlooked by Beckley Point will see contractors digging foundations and forming the new amphitheatre, installing pipework for the rill and constructing the rain gardens – the first stage of the new SuDs scheme.
New landscaping, tree planting, new lighting, street furniture
New
• More trees and greenery – there will be 202 trees on Armada Way. The new trees will all be 3.5 to 8 metres high when planted, to give immediate environmental benefits and a canopy to provide cover.
• Helping wildlife and nature – there will be a variety of trees providing a range of habitats, shrubs, wildflowers and reed beds, as well as bug hotels and bird boxes.
• Huge play village for families – a destination play village that will be the size of five tennis courts, full of spaces to run, splash, balance, swing, climb, relax and sit, for children of all ages and their carers/parents to enjoy.
• Working smartly to deal with the city’s rainwater – a new surface water drainage system that will be partly powered by solar panels to make it more sustainable. It will recycle the water to maintain the plants and trees.
Improved safety for all – we will install 12 and 15 metre high lighting throughout and feature lighting to up-light plants and create patterns on the ground. A much-improved CCTV system and clear views across Armada Way will help to deter anti-social behaviour.
• Places to sit, relax and eat – there will be spaces for 500 people to sit.
• Cycling path for people of all abilities - with cycle racks and Beryl Bike hubs.
• Pop-up spaces with water and power – for retail, arts and entertainment.
For details and updates visit www.plymouth.gov.uk/armada-way
support group for tinnitus sufferers
A new group to support local people with tinnitus is being formed in Plymouth.
It is estimated that over 37,000 people experience tinnitus in Plymouth alone, and an estimated eight million people in the UK will be affected by tinnitus by 2025 - around one in seven adults.
Facilitated by Jill Field, Julie Williams and Carol Evans the group will enable people with tinnitus to meet others with the condition, hear useful tips on coping methods, find out what help is available and hear about the latest research.
Jill said: “I hope our new support group will provide a safe place where people living with and supporting people with tinnitus can come together and support each other, receive information and advice and feel able to share common experiences.”
The Plymouth Tinnitus Peer Support Group is supported by Tinnitus UK. Julia
Hobbs, Tinnitus UK”s head of services, commented: “Being among people who have tinnitus, listening to their experiences and how they manage it, can be a tremendous help.
“It is amazing to see the difference interacting with others living well with the condition makes to people, especially those who have recently been diagnosed.”
Tinnitus is defined as the experience of sounds with no external source, most commonly ringing or buzzing, but sometimes experienced as whooshing, clicking or even music. Around one in eight adults experience persistent tinnitus.
“Many people aren’t troubled by sounds they hear, but for around 10 per cent, the condition has a significant impact on their quality of life, often linked to stress, anxiety or sometimes depression.
Julia added: “Tinnitus can be an isolating condition, with friends and family struggling to understand how it feels to adapt to the presence of loud or persistent noises.
“Some people choose to bring a partner or family member to the meetings, which can often help both parties understand more about the condition and the experiences or behaviours it can bring.”
The first meeting of the support group will take place on Friday October 24 from 10.30am to 12.30pm at Ernest English House, Buckwell Street, Plymouth.
Anyone is welcome to attend, but attendance should be confirmed by emailing plymouthtinnitusgroup@gmail. com
For more information about the group please contact Jill or call the Tinnitus UK Helpline 0800 018 0527 (Mon- Fri 10am to 4pm)
Council leader Tudor Evans gets the work under way
City College to fundraise for St Luke’s Hospice
City College Plymouth is partnering with St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth, choosing the Plymouth based charity as their charity for the 2024/25 academic year.
As part of the college’s ongoing commitment to supporting community wellbeing and making a difference to the lives of local people, St Luke’s has been a cornerstone of care in Plymouth and the surrounding area for over 40 years, providing compassionate end-of-life care and support for those with terminal illnesses.
Throughout the year, students and staff will be working closely with the charity to raise much-needed funds and awareness through various events and initiatives including St Luke’s flagship events such as Tour De Moor, Men’s Day Out and the Midnight Walk.
Founded in 1982, St Luke’s offers specialist care to people with life-limiting illnesses across Plymouth, South West Devon, and East Cornwall. The hospice cares for over 300 people at any one time, delivering the majority of care in the comfort of patients’ homes, alongside its specialist unit in Turnchapel.
Their holistic approach ensures not only medical care
but also emotional and practical support for patients and their families. Their dedication to dignity and compassion has made St Luke’s a lifeline for the community.
City College student experience manager Chaz Talbot said: “We are delighted to be supporting St Luke’s as our charity partner. Their incredible work touches the lives of so many in our community.
“As a college that is deeply rooted in Plymouth, we recognise the importance of supporting local organisations that make a real difference. Our students and staff are excited to engage in fundraising efforts and community initiatives that will help St Luke’s continue delivering their vital services. Together, we can raise awareness, contribute to their mission, and ensure that their life-changing work continues to reach those in need.”
Every year, City College Plymouth students and staff choose a charity to support throughout the academic year. Last year, the community at the college chose Surfers Against Sewage, taking part in numerous fundraising events and activities to support the Cornwall-based marine conservation charity.
Make a will and help support St Luke’s Hospice
Every year during make a will week local solicitors and legal practices prepare a will in return for a donation to a chosen charity.
This year Make a Will Week runs from November 4 to November 10 and a number of local legal companies will be giving their time free of charge to update or write wills in return for a donation to St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth. Making a will helps provide peace of mind and is one of the kindest things people can do for the ones they love. Making a will is especially important for those who have children or other family members who depend on them financially.
The support offered by local companies during Make a Will Week helps ensure people with terminal illness live well to the end of their lives, making the most of every precious moment with those they hold dear.
Visit the St Luke’s website for a full list of companies participating at www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/will
Plymouth charity unveils settled housing project for rough sleepers
PATH, a charity dedicated to tackling homelessness, has announced the completion of its latest housing project aimed at providing long-term settled accommodation for individuals with a history of rough sleeping in the city.
The newly refurbished property in Stoke features six fully furnished units, each designed to provide comfort, security, and a sense of home.
These units are specially tailored to support the unique needs of individuals transitioning from life on the streets to a stable living environment.
“We are thrilled to introduce these new homes to the community,” said Victoria Allen, chief executive of PATH. “Our goal is to create a supportive and nurturing environment where residents can rebuild their lives and regain their independence. This project is a testament to our commitment to ending homelessness and providing dignified housing solutions.”
Each unit is equipped with essential amenities and furnishings to ensure a comfortable living experience. Residents will also have access to PATH’s support services, which include personalised case
management, and referrals into mental health services, job training, and other resources aimed at promoting long-term stability and self-sufficiency.
Part of the funding for the initiative was provided by an RSI grant (Rough Sleeper Initiative) from the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government, which was formerly known as the Department of Levelling
and Judi Loheac, curriculum lead for health & childhood education at City College Plymouth.
Oceansgate job boost
More skilled jobs and a place for Plymouth’s marine businesses to innovate and collaborate – that’s all part of the vision for the next stage of the Oceansgate development which has now been submitted to planners.
A planning application has been submitted for a series of innovation barns – high spec large industrial units for use as workshops and prototyping along with project offices.
Over 1,700 square metres of high-quality space within eight units is being planned to expand the existing Oceansgate complex, which is already home to 14 light industrial units and 12 offices.
Councillor Tudor Evans, Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: “Plymouth is at the forefront of marine innovation and a key part of its success is enabling businesses to collaborate with each other and test prototypes.
“The first two phases have regenerated and revived land that had been unused by the MOD for decades. There are over 170 people employed directly or indirectly thanks to Oceansgate.
“We need to make sure Plymouth stays at the forefront of marine innovation and this is the ideal place to help make this happen.
“South Yard was literally built for the city’s marine industry – an industry which changes all the time. These proposals should help the city of Plymouth continue to lead in this key sector.”
South Yard is now a key part of the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport and offers specific tax and relief benefits for companies based within it, incentivising employers to invest and create new jobs.
Up Housing and Communities. For more information about PATH visit www.pathdevon.org or contact info@pathdevon.org
The planning application proposes two buildings that would be similar in style, but a higher specification than the already high-spec offices and industrial units at Oceansgate. The Plymouth and South Devon Freeport have allocated seed capital grant of £3.256 million and the Council is service borrowing of £3.274m to fund the plans.
From back to front, left to right: Wayne Marshall, partnerships lead for St Luke’s; Pauline Hands, executive of health, science, leisure & public services at City College Plymouth; Chaz Talbot, student experience manager at City College Plymouth; Ben Manning, executive of curriculum, quality and student experience at City College Plymouth; Penny Hannah, head of fundraising for St Luke’s; Nina Wearne, Partnerships Manager for St Luke’s;
Pictured at the new development (from left) Dave Ringwood, Stephen Brown, Chris Coldrick, Becky Saxton, Paul Green, Mike Taylor (former chief executive of PATH and Victoria Allen current chief executive of PATH
£200,000 grant boost for Stoke-based mental health support charity
A small mental health support charity based in Stoke has been awarded a £200,000 grant by the National Lottery Reaching Communities fund.
Horticultural Therapy Trust, which was founded 13 years ago, provides isolated people within the community with a safe space using gardening and horticulture as therapy.
Based at Penlee Valley Gardens the trust was established by Dennis Trewin and Deb Hoskins and has helped hundreds of people of all ages and backgrounds over the years.
The Reaching Communities grant will provide funding of £50,000 a year for the next four years.
Deb Hoskin said: “This is the largest grant we have ever received and will allow us to do so much more to support local people experiencing mental ill health with a wider scope of time, days and resources.
“As well as continuing to grow our community garden haven, we will be able to help other communities to create gardens in which people and biodiversity can thrive. We have already heard of a few people out there in Plymouth doing their best to make unkempt spaces beautiful and accessible who would like our help.
“Our mission is to offer a beacon of hope for
a brighter future by cultivating a therapeutic, participant-led garden where individuals can grow whilst building emotional wellbeing, resilience and a sense of community. Central to our ethos is care of biodiversity, where wildlife is considered part of the HTT community. Being able to be with nature is where the healing happens. We also share a lot of fun and enjoyment, HTT is a safe space to share experiences including the funny ones! A smile is such a measure of change for the better and improved quality of life.”
A participant said: “HTT being funded by the National Lottery means more people can access this literally life changing space and continue to let the trust’s precious community evolve and blossom. More people crucially will feel less alone and experience more of a closeness to nature, learning to care equally for plant and person. More funding additionally enables HTTs’ passion to reach environmentally undernourished communities, always delivered with such care, and hopefully more people and green spaces can have the chance to thrive, cultivating meaningful friendships along the way.”
Deb added: “We are uniquely based on kindness and respect, peer mentoring and care. Over all the years I have been so deeply inspired by the
‘humanity’ at HTT. Everyone drops into being kind because everyone has suffered, and is going through something, so no one points the finger in judgement at another.”
Up until 2023 HTT existed with two staff doing everything in sessions and out of hours to keep the charity going, with the kind help of a group of invaluable volunteer trustees and volunteer gardeners who also offered wellbeing support.
HTT now has four part time staff all with different backgrounds each with their own journey to HTT, offering unique skills to bring alongside participants, volunteers and trustees, with Deb Hoskin and Paul Keller, a founding trustee, still fully present, and still learning.
Deb added: “We are as always so grateful to everyone who has funded us over the years. Every penny counts and has counted towards us being able to do what we do. Until this latest funding we got through by kind support of up to 30 funders without whom we wouldn’t be able to run. We have very few overheads so every penny goes into actively helping others.
Paul Keller, founding trustee and chair of Trustees said ‘HTT has always worked with mental health in an accessible and approachable way ensuring the participants it works with feel safe and cared for. This is something that is so important in our fast paced world today – a safe space created for people to grow in an awareness of the peace that nature and gardening brings with a chance to talk to others.
“I have supported this project from the beginning and continue to do so because like all those staff and volunteers, past and present that also support this project I believe in the good it brings in helping those in need to help themselves.
“Thanks to staff, volunteers, participants and funders for all your continued support.”
For more information visit www.horticulturaltherapy-trust.org
BLOCKHOUSE FOLK CELEBRATE LAUNCH OF EXHIBITION
A photographic archive of residents of Stoke, Morice Town and Ford was celebrated at a special event at Blockhouse Park early in October.
Local people who had posed for the Photo Census had a first glimpse at the special newsprint magazine of the portrait project by photographer Josh Greet together with words from community interviewer Haidee Dampney. Meanwhile an exhibition of Josh’s portraits has started using shop windows in Stoke village as gallery space.
Local residents Josh and Haidee have been working alongside Rachel Dobbs and the Village Hub, in Devonport Road as a part of a larger two year project to uncover and celebrate social and natural heritage in the area thanks to funding from the Heritage Fund.
Josh and Haidee asked people ‘What would you like someone in 100 years time to know about your daily life?’ and got some very philosophical answers! Diane from The Village
Hub said: “People have been so keen to be involved. It’s great to see all these photos coming in and knowing that our local community is being celebrated in this way. Everyone looks great in these shots!”
In the past Josh Greet had photographed football stars like Ian Wright or English Lioness Millie Bright in his work as a professional photographer for brands like Adidas, Arsenal, Sky Sports or H&M, but for Blockhouse Folk he turned his camera to his neighbours here in Stoke.
Josh teamed up with Haidee Dampney, who works with groups across Plymouth providing wellbeing activities for all, and down-to-earth mindful yoga teaching for adults, young people, children and families to interview participants in the project.
For those who cannot make the in street exhibition which runs until October 20 as part of Plymouth Art Weekender, all of the portraits and the stories people wanted to tell can be viewed online at blockhousefolk.thevillagehub. org.uk/photographic-census/
A new team has been created to support Special Guardians and Kinship Carers in Plymouth.
Kinship care is an umbrella term for when a relative or close family friend looks after a child most, or all, of the time.
It is estimated that up to 300,000 children in the UK are cared for in these kinds of arrangements.
Kinship Care Week in October, provided an opportunity to celebrate the invaluable role that kinship carers play in children’s lives and society.
There are different types of kinship care, ranging from informal agreements to private foster care. The majority of relatives who provide care are grandparents, aunts and uncles, but the group includes others such as older siblings.
Family and friends carers play a unique role in enabling children and young people to remain with people they know and trust if they cannot, for whatever reason, live with their parents. These children are not necessarily looked after or known to the council.
Plymouth City Council’s new Special Guardianship Support Team offers support for special guardians but also to people caring for children under informal care arrangements, child arrangement orders and residence orders. The support on offer includes help including:
• Managing contact arrangements with birth parents or wider family
• Training and support with challenging behaviours, impact of trauma and life-story work
• Access to therapeutic support funded by the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund
• Access to peer support groups, and professional advice and guidance as needed
• Full assessment of support needs.
Councillor Jemima Laing, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, said: “We believe there are around 400 kinship carers in Plymouth, but there could be more due to the number of informal arrangements that are often made. We have a dedicated team on hand to offer support so to any kinship carers reading this, I’d really encourage you to get in touch and see how we can help you, and the children you care for.”
The team can be contacted for more information by calling 01752 398228 (open 10am to 1pm Monday to Friday) or email SpecialGuardianshipSupportTeam@plymouth. gov.uk.
More information about kinship care and the support available in Plymouth can be found at www.plymouth.gov.uk/special-guardians
Staff and volunteers at HTT celebrate the good news
Photo: Roy Perring
Lifelines
In
the depths
of despair Tom
cried out to a God he didn’t know to ‘mend me or end me’
When Tom Collins lost his first wife Anne to cancer his life descended into years of despair, depression and darkness.
The couple had been married for more than 20 years when Anne passed away at the age of 47 in 1996. She had been diagnosed with four brain tumours at the end of 1995 and been given six months to live. She died nine months later.
Tom had a strange premonition before Anne’s cancer was diagnosed. He said: “She had become ill and I had this weird feeling that my world as I knew it was going to come to an end.”
He cared for Anne over the following months at their home in Tamerton Foliot and as her health deteriorated he cried out for her to pass peacefully. Tom said: “I wasn’t religious and didn’t go to church, but like a lot of people in this situation I cried out to a God I didn’t know for her to go peacefully. I had always felt that there was a higher power in our lives.”
With few family or friends around, Tom found himself grieving mostly on his own and more than a decade of pain and sadness followed.
Tom said: “It was as if my whole world had collapsed and I was in a very dark place. I was angry with the world and everything in it.”
A keen motor cyclist he joined the biking world and in his words ‘became a different person.’
“I had a fast racing motor bike and rode like a lunatic because I didn’t care if I died,” he said. “It got me into trouble with the police for speeding and they told me at my age I needed to slow down a bit.”
He took their advice and decided to buy a Harley Davidson instead and years of rideouts with his new found biking friends followed. “It became my whole life,” said Tom. “I enjoyed the camaraderie, but we did lots of stupid things and I got involved with soft drugs during this time.”
By this time Tom was in his early 60s and he realised that his life was shallow and meaningless. “I was sick of the life I was leading. I thought I was going to be alone for the rest of my life and got to a point where I didn’t want to be here anymore.
“Again in desperation I cried out to a God I didn’t know to “mend me or end me.’ I wanted to be a different person and really needed someone who would help me change. I had a sort of tick list wanting that person to have honesty and integrity, non smoker, non drinker, ideally a woman and someone younger than me,” he added.
A few days later he had parked up his Harley on The Hoe and was sat admiring the view in the
sunshine when Tom’s life was about to change as he heard the familiar rumble of another Harley Davidson approaching.
“I turned and watched as the rider parked up really neatly next to my bike. When they took their helmet off I could see it was a young woman. As she walked by me I commented on her neat parking and she stopped to chat. She told me she was called Bronia and I found out that she had lost her husband a few years earlier.
“She seemed so positive about life and had a really bubbly personality and it was then that she told me that her own family and church family had helped her cope with the loss. She had something about her that I didn’t have and I know that was because she was a Christian.”
They exchanged telephone numbers and later went on rideouts on their Harley Davidsons together.
“We got to know each other better and talked a lot about faith and Christianity and Bronia then talked to me about something called Alpha which is a course for people who want to find out more about faith and Christianity. I hadn’t opened a Bible or gone to church for decades, but Bronia persuaded me to go,” said Tom.
The course was run by Hope Baptist Church in Peverell and it was during the course that Tom, who was initially sceptical, became convinced of the existence of Jesus, that He was the Son of God and that He offered everyone the opportunity to invite Him into their lives.
One of the books which Alpha participants were recommended to read was John Stott’s Basic Christianity. Ironically Tom had been given a copy of the book many years before by some Christian neighboursbut he had never bothered to read it.
Tom said: “I took it to work one day to read and then came across a prayer at the end of the book. It said that if you really wanted Jesus to come into your life you have got to invite him. As I said ‘Jesus I am truly sorry, will you please come into my life,’ the tears started running down my face and I started to shake uncontrollably and as
Listen to Cross Rhythms Plymouth on 96.3FM or online at the new Cross Rhythms Plymouth website at www. crossrhythms.co.uk/plymouth
this happened the DJ on my transistor radio said ‘and now we are going to play My Sweet Lord by George Harrison!’ It was incredible.”
Scan the QR code to watch Tom’s interview on Cross Rhythms Plymouth
“It was the turning point of my life. I started to attend Hope Baptist Church with Bronia on a regular basis and our friendship grew stronger and stronger. We would ride out on our Harleys, go for walks and were always talking about faith,” said Tom. They lived separately over the years but after praying about their future together they married eight years after they first met and they now live in Plympton.
Tom said: “I was in such a dark place but now my life is so fulfilled thanks to Jesus. When I came to faith I had a feeling, I didn’t hear a voice as such, but I definitely had a compulsion to tell people just what God has done for me.”
By:
Produced
Tom Collins
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Tinside transformation under way in £4.5m project
Work is under way to refurbish and transform Plymouth’s Tinside Lido following a fun-packed summer. The Grade II-listed site recently closed its doors at the end of September after celebrating a season finale weekend of free swim sessions and a doggy paddle for Seafest.
Tinside is one of three key ‘gateways’ to the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, which aims to help people enjoy being in, on, under and beside the sea.
Its £4.5 million refurbishment is designed to open up new spaces and is being funded by grants from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (as part of the Horizons Project), Youth Investment Fund, Levelling Up Fund and Plymouth City Council.
Improvements will include:
• the creation of a multi-purpose youth, community and events space on the derelict first floor of the main Lido building
• a revamp of the single-storey building between the Lido and Tinside Cove to provide a base where youth workers, rangers and volunteers can introduce young people to opportunities created by the National Marine Park
• a renovation of the terrace on top of the main building to include a new public seating area, with a coffee pod and multi-purpose event space overlooking the sound
The new contemporary spaces are designed to attract new visitors, support youth work and community use and help generate income
from commercial events and conferences.
They will enable youth workers and partners to engage with young people and equip them with skills by providing an open doorway to blue tech, innovation and creative industries as well as a safe space for exploring blue health benefits.
Council Leader Tudor Evans said: said: “Many will see Tinside Lido as the jewel in the crown of our National Marine Park and the renewal of this iconic building will breathe new life into Plymouth’s historic waterfront. This investment will create a modern, dynamic space that can be enjoyed by even more people, as well as truly celebrate the city’s relationship with the sea.”
Councillor Jemima Laing, Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet member with responsibility for children’s social care, culture and events, added: “This is an amazing opportunity to work with and support young people, increasing children and young people’s positive engagement in the city’s green and blue spaces.
“It enables us to offer more fun and engaging activities for young people, developing their confidence and skills in these environments. It is also a fantastic and fun way to highlight the training and employment opportunities that are developing in Plymouth’s growing blue and green economy.”
Rhys Jones, chief operating officer for Plymouth Active, the council-owned company that runs Tinside, said it plays a ‘vital role’ in
the life of the city. He added: “This investment will help ensure the Lido can cater for the needs of young people, community groups and commercial events so it can continue to flourish, by supporting the community and the local economy for generations to come.”
Construction work started at the beginning of October, with works expected to finish by Spring 2025. Contractor Nevada Construction has completed initial enabling works, including waterproofing and installation of safety railings to the terrace.
While the work should not be noisy and
dust will be contained within the hoardings around the site, a small number of car parking/taxi spaces will be needed for building material deliveries. Details can be found on the hoardings along the street and colonnade levels.
Pictured on site (left to right): Neil Phillips (site Manager for Nevada Construction), Kat Deeney (the council’s Head of Environmental Planning), Councillor Tom Briars-Delve (Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change), Jay Chard (Outdoor Pools Manager for Plymouth Active) and council leader Tudor Evans.
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Waste Services
Babcock welcomes over 260 new starters to Devonport
More than 260 apprentices and graduates are beginning their new careers at the expansive Babcock facility in Devonport.
The 2024 cohort of joiners will be some of the first to benefit from the recently opened Engineering & Nuclear Skills building at City College Plymouth, part of the Babcock Skills Academy. This hybrid teaching model combines cutting-edge digital resources and hands-on training to enhance learners experience and workforce capabilities.
The new members of the Babcock team will have the opportunity to support a variety of projects and business
areas, from life extension programmes on frigates and submarines, to advanced manufacturing and technology projects – playing a part in the delivery of vital defence programmes.
The apprentice roles include slingers, fabricators and pipe workers, as well as electrical fitters, mechanical fitters and computer numerical control (CNC) machinists.
The graduates are involved in a wide range of business areas such as specialist engineering (mechanical, electrical, process and civil), naval architecture and project management.
As part of their development, they will undergo specialist
training to develop the specific skills required to deliver in a nuclear and defence environment, from the complex skills needed to support submarine maintenance, to those required to deliver nuclear grade infrastructure.
John Gane, managing director at Devonport, said: “We are delighted that so many apprentices and graduates are beginning their careers with us.
“This reinforces the scale and breadth of the opportunities available for people to join Babcock and have a long-lasting career that is out of the ordinary, delivering work with a real purpose that helps protect national security.”
D. TAYLOR
Thousands of Plymouth children missing out on free school meals
Parents and carers are being urged to check if their child is eligible for free school meals, with data indicating that approximately 2,600 children in Plymouth could be missing out.
Free school meals provide children with a hot, healthy lunch every day and give access to other benefits such as free holiday clubs during the school holidays.
Schools also receive invaluable extra funding for every child attending who receives free school meals. This is worth £1,480 per eligible pupil for primary schools and £1,050 per eligible pupil for secondary schools which means Plymouth schools are collectively missing out on more than £3 million.
This funding helps to tackle barriers and enables schools to put in place extra support for pupils who need more help to thrive and achieve their highest potential. Schools can use the funding in a huge variety of ways, which can include developing high quality teaching, providing targeted academic support, implementing initiatives to support attendance or offering extracurricular activities.
While all children in Reception to Year 2 receive universal infant free school meals, eligible families can still apply to help make sure the school is able to access this funding.
Councillor Sally Cresswell, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships said: “If you receive any of the qualifying benefits then I would really encourage you to apply online for Free School Meals, regardless of the age of your child, and it’s worth applying even if you are not sure if you qualify.
“It’s such a fantastic way for families to save both time and money that would be spent on prepping packed lunches. And even if your child would prefer a packed lunch, they can choose not to take up the free lunch option everyday and their school will still benefit from the vital additional funding available.”
Data from the Low Income Family Tracker by Policy in Practice has identified approximately 1,600 households in Plymouth that could be eligible for free school meals but are not currently claiming them.
Children and young people in primary, secondary and post-16 education may be eligible if their parent or carer receives certain benefits:
• Universal Credit with an annual income of less than £7,400
• Child Tax Credit with an annual income of less than £16,190
• Income based Employment and Support Allowance
• Income based Job Seeker’s Allowance
• Income support
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Guaranteed element of the State Pension Credit
• Working Tax Credit run-on paid for four weeks after recipient stops qualifying for Working Tax Credit
To apply, visit www.plymouth.gov.uk/freeschool-meals. If extra support is needed in order to complete the application form, parents or carers can visit their local Family or Wellbeing Hub.
University’s new Vice-Chancellor promises to put students first
Professor Richard Davies has started work as Plymouth University’s new ViceChancellor.
His opening messages to the university’s students and staff saw him speak about his pride in taking on the new role, along with the excitement of moving to the city, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead:
“Let me start by saying what a privilege it is to join the University of Plymouth – a university that values inclusivity and excellence in equal measure, in an incredible city that has so much to offer. Together, our University and our city have extraordinary potential.
“I am optimistic about the future, and I will be a tireless champion for the University of Plymouth, as a broad-based university, open to all who can benefit from our educational offer.
“As a team, we need to be relentless at putting our students first in all that we do and continue to strive for an
exceptional student experience.”
Ahead of taking over the role, Richard had already begun meeting colleagues and students, and his work beyond ‘day one’ includes engaging with key stakeholders and supporters of the University in Plymouth and further afield.
And he remains committed to delivering the university’s strategy in a challenging context where he feels ‘the value of a university education is in question in a way that it hasn’t been in my lifetime.’
“I left industry to work in universities because I believe in the power of higher education, the vital importance of academic freedom, and our role in developing minds that think outside the box. Without universities who is going to reveal difficult truths, say unpopular things, and challenge orthodox thinking? Without us, who will find the solutions we all need?
The University of Plymouth will continue to play a vital role.”
Richard added that he is looking forward to living in the
area, getting to know everyone, and focusing on developing both education and research intensity to continue building Plymouth as a global-civic University.
He also praised the work of his predecessor, Professor Dame Judith Petts, who retired at the end of September and her team for their work in leading the university so successfully, including sector-leading work around environmental sustainability and widening access to higher education, along with managing finances and delivering significant new development projects.
And he feels the university is in a good place to face the difficulties facing higher education in the UK.
“Part of the reason for saying that with such confidence is that in every corner of the organisation, I have found nothing but warmth, kindness, enthusiasm, and excellence, so far.
“And for those I have already met, thank you for making me feel so welcome.”
UNIVERSITY AND ROYAL NAVY ANNOUNCE NEW PROGRAMMME OF COLLABORATION
Plymouth University and the Royal Navy have reaffirmed their commitment to working together on a range of innovative research and other initiatives.
The two organisations initially joined forces in 2021 with the ambition of conducting research and advancing understanding around the future potential of marine autonomy and maritime cyber security.
They have now agreed to collaborate, for at least a further three years, on an expanded range of disciplines that also includes floating offshore wind (FLOW) and the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
This work will be carried out through the continued sharing of facilities and equipment owned by the University and the Navy. It will also make use of Smart Sound Plymouth, the UK’s premier proving area for designing, testing and developing cutting edge products and services for the marine sector.
The extended partnership agreement was signed by Professor Kevin Jones, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) at the University, and Commodore Marcus Rose, Deputy Director Underwater Battlespace Capability at the Royal Navy.
Professor Jones said: “The
university and Royal Navy have a proud history of collaboration. In recent years, that has grown in scope and significance, with the development of research and student projects directly aligned to global security and the health of the ocean.
“Our extended and expanded partnership will enable us to build on those successes, uniting our world-leading expertise and technologies in areas that are of critical importance on a regional, national and global scale.”
Commodore Rose added: “Navy Develop looks forward to continuing our close work with the university’s high calibre
staff and student cohort and reaping the mutual benefits of this extended agreement. As the pace of change accelerates, our collaboration with the University of Plymouth is a valuable enabler for Navy Develop.
“Having formally worked together since 2021, we have collectively achieved some notable successes in surface and sub-surface autonomy and as we both look to assess and embed a whole host of new emerging maritime technologies, I anticipate more success in the future.”
Since the signing of their collaboration agreement in 2021,
the University and Royal Navy have worked on a number of mutually beneficial initiatives. This has included cooperating around the development and deployment of a number of uncrewed vessels, and enhancing resilience against potential cyber security incidents.
This has made use of university facilities including the Marine Station, the Cyber-SHIP Lab and the Maritime Simulation Laboratory, in addition to uncrewed vessels owned and operated by both organisations.
As well as involving personnel from both parties, undergraduate and postgraduate students from the university have undertaken projects covering new sensors, data quality, marine autonomous platform capability, and data analytics.
These are all areas that the reaffirmed collaboration aims to build on, with the plans being to continue involves researchers, students and other personnel in a varied range of activities.
Discussions are also taking place around the development of future PhD opportunities, potentially looking at the use of AI to inform battlefield intelligence and enhanced decision-making for Navy personnel.
Professor Kevin Jones and Commodore Marcus Rose pictured after announcing the new programme of collaboration
Professor Richard Davies... ‘a privilege’ to join the university
City College’s supported internship programme achieves excellent results
City College Plymouth’s Supported Internship Programme, in partnership with Plymouth City Council, has delivered outstanding results this year with 39 interns, one of the highest numbers across the UK for a college, gaining valuable work experience and skills.
The programme, aimed at young people aged between 16 and 25 with Education and Health Care Plans (EHCP), is supported by key local employers such as Plymouth City Council, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Livewell Southwest and Co-op among others.
Interns have benefitted from a variety of roles, from working in NHS pharmacies and canteens to meeting and greeting visitors at City College’s reception. These placements allow students to fully integrate in the workplace, where they are recognised as part of the staff team, and contribute meaningfully while continuing to work towards qualifications in maths, English and employability skills.
Steve Murphy, curriculum lead & development officer for Pre-Employment & Skills Development at City College, said: “Our internship programme is a flagship initiative at the college. It’s important that our students access employment opportunities and become the very best version of themselves. We’re incredibly proud of the impact this programme is having on their lives.”
The vision of the Supported Internship Programme is to continue expanding, with more employers coming on board to offer opportunities to students with special educational needs, ensuring equal access to employment for all. Last year’s programme showed 97% successfully moved onto employment or higher level training on completing the course, an outstanding achievement for both the students and the college.
Councillor Sally Cresswell, Cabinet Member
for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships said: “I’m delighted to see so many interns join the programme this year. Supported internships are invaluable to help young people with special educational needs and disabilities unlock their potential by gaining real-world experience, building their confidence and developing the skills they need for future employment.”
For more information about the programme visit: www.cityplym.info/SkillsDevelopment
City leaders unite to lobby Government for housing investment
Plymouth’s three MPs, along with the Council Leader, have joined forces to lobby the Government for additional funding for much needed housing in the city. With more than 7,000 households in this city on the housing register, the need massively outweighs the supply. As the city continues to grow and with thousands of new jobs being created in the next few years, including new jobs at the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport and the expanded Devonport naval base, it is expected that even more people will need a home.
While Plymouth is one of 20 areas in the UK that is considered a ‘priority’ by Homes England, investment is needed to ensure that plans to push forward the city’s plans for housing can be delivered. In particular, plans to increase the number of new homes in the city centre.
Following a question raised in the House of Commons by South West Devon MP Rebecca Smith, Matthew Pennycook MP, Minister of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, agreed to meet with the three local MPs, Rebecca Smith, Luke Pollard and Fred Thomas along with Council Leader Tudor Evans, to discuss the national effort required to deliver the housing needed.
Together, they discussed the growth of the city, the local housing picture and appealed to the Government for additional support.
Councillor Evans said: “Over the past nine years, we have delivered more than 7,500 new homes across the city, but we know that won’t be enough. With huge amount of planned investment in our city, particularly at Devonport, we need to make sure we have enough people to fill the jobs and we have the right local infrastructure to support this growth.
“Together with our three MPs, we stand united, lobbying the Government for more money for housing, transport, and making sure that local people have the right skills to be able to apply for the jobs available.”
Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth, Sutton and
Devonport, said: “As the MP for Devonport I have been campaigning for Plymouth to get its fair share.
“The opportunity to build 5,500 homes in the city centre will provide jobs and homes for local people and will directly support the growth of our strategic industries, especially the Dockyard.”
Rebecca Smith, MP for South West Devon, added: “The £200 million investment in Dock 9, Devonport’s largest submarine dry dock, by the previous Government will accelerate Babcock’s maintenance of UK submarines. This will preserve Devonport’s vital role in maintaining our nation’s nuclear deterrent, creating new jobs and attracting even greater levels of investment.
“However, to ensure that this investment is an opportunity rather than a potential strain on our local economy we must ensure that the correct infrastructure is in place. Upskilling our local workforce, improving Plymouth’s housing supply and providing suitable railway links must all be considered.
“I thank the Minister of State for Housing,
Plymouth MPs Rebecca Smith, Luke Pollard and Fred Thomas along with council leader Tudor Evans and chief executive of the council Tracey Lee pictured with Matthew Pennycook MP, Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government
Communities and Local Government Matthew Pennycook for meeting with the Plymouth MPs and listening to my concerns. I look forward to working closely with the Minister to secure a more prosperous future for our Dockyard, Plymouth and the wider region.”
Fred Thomas, MP for Plymouth Moor View, added: “It is brilliant that Plymouth is growing. But we urgently need more housing to meet increased demand. It was great to meet together, cross-party, to raise this with the new Housing Minister. The new Government has been clear that it wants to get Britain building again, delivering 1.5 million more homes in the next five years. This must come together with investment in places like Plymouth and I will continue to work with the Government to make sure this happens.”
Interns outside the University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust’s Brittany House
All set for Santa Fun Run!
Plymouth residents are being encouraged to jingle all the way to the finish line this December as the Santa Fun Run makes its return to Plymouth’s waterfront for the second consecutive year.
Organised by Saltram Rotary, and supported by Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, the festive event will be held on Sunday December 8, starting and finishing on the Barbican.
Participants of all ages are invited to don their Santa suits (all included with the registration fee) and enjoy the fun run, jolly jog, or wonderful walk of either a 2.5km or 5km route through the city’s beautiful waterfront all to support local charities Jeremiah’s Journey and Shekinah.
Jon Walton, chief executive of Plymouth Waterfront Partnership said: “We’re so excited to see the Santa Fun Run return to the Barbican and waterfront for a second year. Last year hundreds of Santas either walked, jogged or ran along our fantastic historic roads and enjoyed spectacular waterfront views.
“We really hope even more people will enter into the Christmas Spirit and participate this year to raise even more money for two such worthy local charities, Jeremiah’s Journey and Shekinah.”
Roger Punch of Saltram Rotary Club said: “Following on from the enormous success of the Plymouth Santa Fun Run on the waterfront last year, we are delighted to be able to take the plunge again this year. Again, primarily supporting Shekinah and Jeremiah’s Journey, who are such worthy charities, both providing invaluable support for the local community, we are looking forward to building on
the exceptionally positive feedback that we received. With invaluable support from the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, we have the realistic ambition of having 1,000 Santas on the start line on December 8.”
John Naismith of Jeremiah’s Journey said: “We are absolutely delighted that Saltram Rotary have selected Jeremiah’s Journey to be one of the supported charities for the Plymouth Santa Fun Run along with our friends at Shekinah. Being a part of such a high-profile fun run provides us the platform to promote the essential service that our Bereavement Services Team provide for children, young people and families in and around Plymouth. We are looking forward to many people joining us and there is every chance that you will see Jeremiah Bear complete the full 5k of the Plymouth Santa Fun Run again this year.”
Kristy Winters of Shekinah added:“We are thrilled that Shekinah has once again been chosen as one of the beneficiary charities for the Plymouth Santa Fun Run. This event is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness and support those most in need in our community. We are equally excited to be partnering with Jeremiah’s Journey once again!
“Our heartfelt thanks go out to the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership and the Saltram Rotary for their continued support and dedication. We look forward to another successful and meaningful event this year!”
The Santa Fun Run takes place on Sunday December 8 at 11am. Registration is now open at www. plymouthsantafunrun.co.uk. All entrants receive a free Santa Suit and finishing medal as part of the entry fee.
homes in Waterside & West
The Waterside and West Chronicle is delivered door to door every month to homes in Stonehouse, Mount Wise, Devonport, Stoke, Keyham, Millbridge, Milehouse, Beacon Park, Pennycross, Ford, North Prospect, Ham, Weston Mill, Barne Barton and St Budeaux.
The December edition of the Plymouth Chronicle in Waterside and West will be published on November 15 with a copy deadline of November 7. The Waterside & West 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).
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