news&views Covid help
FOR Coronavirus advice in Devon and latest updates see www. devon.gov.uk/coronavirus-advicein-devon/
City gospel
YOU may be are aware that Exeter-based Soul of the City Gospel Choir has been raising funds for PPE for frontline workers with their fabulously fun filled video of a Jackie Wilson classic “Higher & Higher’ which raised spirits as well as funds for so many key workers. See the video at youtu.be/O-69yvPZAqg. But did you know the NHS replied with a video of their own? The NHS response can be watched here www.soulofthecity. co.uk/2020/05/26/response-toppe-choir-video-from-nhs
Talk to the Frog
EAT That Frog, the community interest company who have training centres in Newton Abbot, Torquay, Paignton and Plymouth, are reaching out to anyone who is stuck at home and getting bored, stressed and isolated, by providing access to free online courses to help them manage their health and wellbeing. Everyone who books a place will get telephone support from friendly tutors and access to short, fun, modules that can be accessed from a computer or smartphone, with topics such as Sleeping Well, Managing Healthy Relationships, Personal Safety, Diet & Fitness and Emotional Resilience. Eat That Frog are also helping people who need to find work during the crisis, with free online support for Job Applications, Interviews and Writing Your CV. The short modules are achievable in a few hours and give people tools to help them manage through this difficult time – local residents who have taken up the offer of support have found it’s really helped their wellbeing. The courses are available to anyone in Devon who is in need. l If you’d like to take advantage of this free support, please call 01803-551551 or email info@eatthatfrog.ac.uk. More details can be found at: eatthatfrog.ac.uk/online-adultcourses/
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Craft Festival to return in September
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HE CRAFT Festival Bovey Tracey was scheduled to take place on June 12-14, but has now been postponed until September 18-20. Sarah James, Craft Festival Director said: “We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused but I hope you understand that it’s been a very difficult decision to make but we feel it’s the best decision for everyone. We have contacted all exhibitors and ticket holders. Your tickets are valid for the event you have booked, with the new dates. You do not need to do anything. We are currently in the process of re-scheduling all the workshops, so please bear with us as we make new arrangements.” As a small, non-profit making organisation, event organisers are also very mindful of their amazing ‘Makers’, all of whom are small businesses and have prepared stock for Craft Festival Bovey Tracey. Many of these Makers also sell online, all those that would normally have visited Craft Festival Bovey Tracey are asked to show their support by visiting their platforms and support them if you can by buying something handmade. Sarah added: “We exist to support contemporary makers of craft and we are very pleased that we were able to secure dates later in the year. We are working very hard to make sure the transition to September goes smoothly, when we can showcase a highly selective group of 200+ makers & artists set on the edge of Dartmoor.
“All of us at The Craft Festival Team would like to thank you all sincerely for your support. We offer our heartfelt thanks to all exhibitors, visitors, workshop leaders, demonstrators, musicians, food sellers, contractors, sponsors, volunteers and Craft Festival staff for your understanding and support.” l You can find all Craft Festival Bovey Tracey Exhibitors details via the website www.craftfestival. co.uk/Bovey-Tracey or via madebyhandonline.com with regular Live events happening on their Facebook page facebook.com/ theoriginalcraftfestival
Shielded creativity EXETER Museum (RAMM) together with the Exeter Community Wellbeing hub and Exeter City Community Trust are sending out physical activity packs to shielded, vulnerable and isolated people in the city to help ease lockdown boredom. Lockdown has created a stark digital divide with many households having no access to the internet and others reliant on expensive pay-as-you-go services. Councillor Rachel Sutton from Exeter City Council said: “Vulnerable groups such as elderly people and households with lower incomes often find it difficult to access the wealth of online creative resources that is available at the moment. We also know that some elderly people also do not feel comfortable using online services.” Taking part in creative activities can help people’s wellbeing and mental health and this is more important than ever right now. The physical packs ensure that everyone can benefit from the sense of achievement and connection that doing something creative can bring. The packs contain three creative activity sheets, a museum word search, some drawing materials and a postcard of an object or painting from RAMM’s collection for creative inspiration. The pack adheres to Public Health England guidance for infection control. l People who feel they fit in the “shielded, vulnerable or isolated” category, can request a pack by phoning 01392 265960 and leaving their name and postal details or emailing jamie.vittles@ecfc.co.uk.
Dad Dancing Fit Club has now launched online
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OCKDOWN has for many of us seen an increase in our waistlines. Now Dangerous Dads Network have launched the Dad Dancing Fit Club™ online giving dads, mums, children and anyone who wants to get fit the opportunity to converge to demonstrate their dancefloor moves. Launched in 2018 by fitness instructors in the South West, they now have classes running via Zoom across the globe. There will be twice weekly Dad Dancing Fit Club sessions taking place on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 9am with sessions lasting about 50 minutes, and all the family (but especially dads) can attend. Founder of the Dangerous Dads Network and the inspiration behind Dad Dancing Fit Club, Ian Blackwell, said about the launch of new online Fit Club:”We are very excited about our move on-line. Dad Dancing Fit Club was designed by fitness instructors in 2018 and was launched at our annual, award-winning
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event DadFest just before start of The World Dad Dancing Championships. DDFC has been a big success in leisure centres and village halls but now, with lockdown, we are going online so families can continue to boogie, stay fit and have fun. “DDFC includes classy moves like The Robot, The Air Guitar and, of course, The John Travolta, all set to the best tunes around. Dad Dancing Fit Club was originally developed by professional fitness instructors thanks to funding from Subway, Heart Research UK and The Big Lottery, and is not like your traditional fitness class with shouty instructors and lycra. “We want to help adults and children get fit and to encourage healthy hearts, and DDFC is designed to be great fun by encouraging physical activity through the ancient art of ‘dad dancing’. DDFC has been set up to appeal to men and their children but classes will be open to everyone who feels the urge to dad dance. “ The classes are free (although
donations are always welcome. DDFC is full of cool moves, games and the sessions are lots of fun, so why not give it a go? l To join in with DDFC on-line via Zoom, people need to pre-book their place. To book a place go to daddancingfitclub.com/what-is-ddfc-online
