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IN THISISSUE
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
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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/
Craft Festival to return in September T HE CRAFT Festival Bovey Tracey was scheduled to take place on
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.
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
Dad Dancing Fit Club has now launched online L 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 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
No go green event DAWLISH against Plastic have had to cancel their inaugural Go Green Festival planned to happen in Dawlish on July 26. Dawlish against Plastic’s Dave Hutton said: “Our planning group has been meeting regularly for over 9 months to bring the first ever festival of its kind to Dawlish. We had been in contact with many groups and individuals and started to confirm bookings. “However, we have decided to cancel the Go Green Fest for this year. We hope to be able to hold the event in July 2021 and will confirm this as soon as possible.” Part of their planning has involved the organisation of an illustrated writing competition for KS2 and KS3 students, with prizes up to the combined value of £100. This competition will still go ahead this year. More details can be found on the website www. dawlishagainstplastic.org.uk/ go-green-fest/childrens-storycompetition Covid artistry RAMM is offering artists the opportunity to create new art in response to the Coronavirus. Open to professional visual artists and craftspeople living or working in Exeter the new artwork will be displayed in the museum next year.
Free resources for children’s wellbeing E XETER based Musician & Educator, Laura Loft is offering her new book, Big Emotions: Mindful Music For Little People, beautifully Illustrated by Nia Gould as a free audio book along with free resources for EYFS & KS1 for anyone who is self isolating or social distancing to use with their child. Laura created the book as a wellbeing toolkit for young children to recognise their Big Emotions with ideas to help regulate them. Laura said: “Following a car accident when pregnant and other variables I had developed CFS/M.E/ Fibromyalgia and during this time I could only manage a few hours activity a day. So we spent a lot of time creating stories, adventures and games from the comfort of a bed or a chair. My son struggled with the usual array of toddler ‘big emotions’ especially anger plus the added frustrations of adapting to a mummy that couldn’t do much so we came up with songs and stories to help deal with this.” The book received recent funding from Persimmon Homes Community Champions to launch a pilot event at Trinity Primary School Exeter for World Book Day. Laura planned and led music workshops, art activities and a live interactive performance. Laura added: “This event went so well and we couldn’t believe the turn out to the live interactive show for all! I love that the children explored how to look after their mental health in a creative way and left with a toolkit full of resources and their own book!” The free Schools Activity Pack includes: an online video of the book with instrumental soundtrack; flash cards of 8 emotions with activities; mindful colouring; big emotions song book with workshop ideas and online videos of the songs! l Visit www.lauraloftmusic.com to receive your free downloads or purchase your own printed copy.
Reconnect online WE don’t know what will happen in the next few months, we hope we will be able to publish the next issue, and be able to deliver it to most outlets. We will let you know, via our website, if it becomes necessary to publish an online version again next issue. #saveourvenues THE ‘Save Our Venues’ campaign is hoping to reach artists, music fans and the wider music industry in order to help save the hundreds of grassroots music venues across the UK. Acts are being encouraged to head to the campaign’s website if they wish to help save a venue currently in crisis, where they can access “the tools and guidance to perform an ‘at home’ gig in support of that particular venue”. See saveourvenues.co.uk. Dawlish market FOLLOWING a survey that Sustainable Dawlish carried out in support for the reinstatement of Dawlish’s Farmer’s market Dawlish Town Council have engaged Richard Gieson to organise a mid week market. Planned to take place each Wednesday the market will start once the lockdown is over. Email projects@dawlish.gov.uk for more information.
RAMM goes online
ONE of the first online resources to be made available to Key Stage 2 children (7 to 11 year olds), but also available for all was the Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM)’s resources to support teaching and learning at home. The extensive resources are based on their collections and local links making them a great way to learn about local residents in The Second World War, or what Roman Devon was like or to travel to exotic locations in history like Ancient Egypt. The resources are crammed full of historical facts, fun learning opportunities, creative ideas, and quizzes and are designed to help both teachers in their planning and to set as exciting challenges for their class; as well as for parents and carers looking for activities to do at home. The museum continues to be closed until further notice. Once RAMM re-opens schools will be able to book onto a programme of visits for primary aged children. l For more information on these free resources visit www.rammuseum.org.uk/young-visitors/schools/ online-learning Weekly art challenge Each Friday, RAMM at Home are showing us how to make a mini museum collection in our own home through a series of step-by-step videos, pictures or how-to instructions. Some of the challenges include creating different objects each week that make up the colours of the rainbow.
Annual Dartmoor celebration postponed until to 2021 O RGANISERS of the Dartmoor Folk Festival have announced that the event due to take place at South Zeal in August, has been postponed. The Dartmoor Folk Festival Association said: “It is with much sadness that we have made the difficult decision to postpone this year’s Dartmoor Folk Festival. We have been working hard to try to find a way to run the event as planned, but the ongoing developments surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic will not allow us to do so safely. After 42 years of being an annual event, you will appreciate that this decision has not been taken lightly. “Our top priority has to be the well-being of everyone involved in staging the festival, the hundreds of visitors who join us every year, and most importantly the wider local community. “We know that this news will be a huge disappointment to all involved and appreciate that it will have a significant impact on local businesses, our suppliers, traders, and the artists we had booked to perform. “On a brighter note, we look forward to welcoming everyone to the Festival again next year on August 6-8, 2021 for a ‘proper job’ celebration of the music, song and dance traditions of Dartmoor. “We are already taking ‘steps’ to move artists’ bookings to the 2021 line-up and details will be confirmed later in the year. Those who have booked tickets for this year will automatically roll over to 2021, or if requested, refunds will be made. “We will all miss catching up with old friends this August, and as well as sending our best wishes, we thank everyone for their understanding and support.” The Association adds that to keep up-to-date about further developments or to keep in touch, discuss sponsorship or sign up for volunteer roles, visit: www.dartmoorfolkfestival.org.uk . l Enquiries can be made by telephone on 01837 840102 or email: enquiries.dartmoorfolk@gmail.com The Dartmoor Pixie Band at last year’s Dartmoor Folk Festival.
Hit Training offer free skills training for all FOR anyone in Devon currently furloughed, self employed, employed, or unemployed and finding themselves at a loose end and looking for an opportunity to develop themselves, then Hospitality Industry trainers Hit Training have got full funded online short courses available. The company usually offer professional short courses in hospitality, but during the COVID-19 outbreak they are also offering free courses that do not have to be specific to an industry, all titles are available to everyone. There are many titles to choose from. Most course titles are generic to any industry, here are a few of the subjects: Certificate in Principles of Team Leading Certificate in the Principles of Customer Service Certificate in the Principles of Business Administration Level 2 Certificate in Equality & Diversity Level 2 Certificate in Safeguarding, Prevent and British Values Certificate in Allergy Awareness TQUK Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Working with Individuals with Learning Disabilities Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health (RQF) Certificate in Awareness of Bullying in Children and Young People Certificate in Behaviour that Challenges in Children Level 2 Certificate in Falls Prevention Awareness Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Care Planning Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Behaviour that Challenges (GENERIC) Level 2 Certificate in Understanding the Care and Management of Diabetes Level 2 Certificate in Understanding the Safe Handling of Medicines (RQF) Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Nutrition and Health Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism Level 2 Certificate in Awareness of Mental Health Problems Level 2 Certificate in Common Health Conditions Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Working with Individuals with Learning Difficulties Level 2 Certificate in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Working with Individuals with Learning Disabilities Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Dignity and Safeguarding in Adult Health and Social Care Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Dementia Care Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of End of Life Care Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of the Prevention and Control of Infection in Health Care Settings l Find out more at hittraining.co.uk or contact Maria Cooper, the Business Consultant for Devon and Cornwall, on 07940 320498.
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Recognition for local adoption charity
LOCAL adoption charity Families for Children have been recognised in this year’s Parliamentary Review for their Families for Children’s best practice article. The Parliamentary Review, co-chaired by former ministers Lord Pickles and Lord Blunkett, also features commentary from the prime minister and senior politicians alongside leaders across both the private and public sectors, the review aims to share and promote best practice among executives and policymakers. Ruth Marriott, Families for Children CEO said: “We are delighted to be involved in this year’s Parliamentary Review and we hope our story is read widely.” Reconnect has regularly featured Families for Children the specialist independent voluntary adoption agency based in the South West. The article higlights the Agency’s best practice in supporting adoptive families for vulnerable children. To view the Families for Children’s article in the review visit www.theparliamentaryreview. co.uk/organisations/families-forchildren
Evolution, Exeter's Holistic and Ethnic Shop will very soon be moving again or maybe already by the time you read this. It's only just across the road and down a bit to 157 Fore Street. We're making some changes and may include therapy rooms and a coffee shop eventually. Hope to see you there soon!
Tel: 01392 410759 Mobile: 07773282861 Email: info@evolution-exeter.co.uk Website: www.evolution-exeter.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/evolutionexeter
IF there is one thing the corona virus lockdown has given us (apart from those working doubly hard in the healthcare sector) it is time away from our usual busy schedules to reflect on our lives and what we value. With so many people becoming used to unusual work patterns (be it working from home, having meetings by video call or the relative luxury of being paid to pursue their own activities via the Furlough scheme) now could be a particularly good time for anyone who wants to do so, to take stock of their work situation. It seems likely that post-virus there will be a substantial re-evaluation of the merit of various jobs with the realisation that traditionally lowly paid roles such as care workers, hospital cleaners, transport workers and shop assistants are in fact some of the most essential people in the country and should be paid accordingly. More generally, perhaps it is time that we dispensed entirely of the outdated concept of ‘having a good or bad job’ and just recognised that all work has value, particularly if it benefits others or contributes to the general wellbeing of society. One person who has a particular interest in all aspects of work is life coach and regular Reconnect contributor Jeff Sleeman. Said Jeff: “I strongly believe that we should think about work much more holistically, not just as something we do to earn money but to include everything we do that utilises Time to view our jobs holistically
our time, energy and innate talents for the greater good. The concept of work as ‘Love in Action’ as defined by the Findhorn Foundation (a well-established educational establishment based in Scotland) is an idea that really resonates with me. I believe that embracing this concept can help people to understand and find the work that they are truly called to do in their lives - be it running a company, driving a bus, working in a charity shop or caring for a sick relative. Without the arbitrary label of high or low status jobs, these could all be seen as of having intrinsic value and there should be no stigma in opting to do what, up until now, has been seen as menial work. Of course, generating sufficient income is usually an important consideration but if you don’t genuinely love what you do most of the time, you’re probably not in the right job.” Jeff offers life coaching and support or anyone wishing to make positive changes in their life, including the quest to find truly fulfilling work. l For details see his website www. jeffsleeman.com
ARE you working from home and fed up of endless Zoom meetings? You can now transform your dull meeting into a thing of joy by booking a rescue pet to attend. Yes, you read that right, and no you’re not dreaming. You can now book a rescue pet to join your Zoom meeting! Animals in Distress in Ipplepen have launched a new service where a pet from their rescue centre can join you for the first 10 minutes of your Zoom meeting. It may be a dog, cat or rabbit who will join you via a live link up. For a fee of £5, the Charity’s website warns you to expect “lots of cuteness and feelings of joy; some headbutting of the camera; a deep interest in your meeting (dogs love meetings); a feigned disinterest and snooty aloofness (cats, obviously); pretty much non-stop eating throughout, or throwing things about in their pen and making a right mess (rabbits); a feeling of happiness for the rest of your day after the meeting.” Rowana Rowan, Fundraising and Communications Officer, said “This is a new fun service that we are offering to people stuck at home in these unprecedented times. We want to bring some joy into people’s lives, as well as showcasing some of the animals we have at our rescue centre hoping to find new homes after lockdown, and raising some vital funds for the animals at the same time. “We want to stress that this service is just for fun, and does not form a part of our rehoming service – however if you are interested in adopting the pet at your meeting, we can talk to you afterwards about the animal and how to apply.” l To find out more about this novel service see https:// Bit.ly/AiDPetsOnZoom“ Rescue pets enliven meetings
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Ourclocks showthedayofthe moonphaseormenstrualcycle so youandyourfamilyarealways awareoftheenergetics bothwithinand aroundyou. Makingiteasyto manage yourdiaryinflowwiththenatural rhythm, whilststayingpresentto yourenergylevels andemotions.
