Useful Links
Carers Support
A carer is a person of any age who provides unpaid care and support to a family member, friend or neighbour who is disabled, has an illness or long-term condition, or who needs extra help as they grow older. Carers can request an assessment of their needs as a carer which may access additional services
Devon Carers Helpline 03456 434 435
Carers UK 020 7378 4999
Children and Young People
Children and Family Health Devon
Children and Family Health Devon are there to help for under 18 year olds.
🔗https://childrenandfamilyhealthdevon.nhs.uk/
Young Devon
Advice and information for young people in Devon.
Mental Health Support in Schools Team
Mental Health Support Teams in schools that children and parents can access directly – part of the Children and Family Health Devon services
🔗https://childrenandfamilyhealthdevon.nhs.uk/our-pathways/mental-health-support-team/#jump-collapse10010
Lumi Nova App
Lumi Nova is an engaging intergalactic adventure game designed to help children and young people (7-12 year olds) build confidence and learn essential, lifelong skills for managing their fears and worries. Families can gain instant access to Lumi Nova in partnership with Children and Family Health Devon
🔗 luminova.app/devon
Community Resources
Devon Connect
Devon’s online community hub - connecting people to their community and promoting social action.
Barnstaple Library
Barnstaple Library provides free access to knowledge, information, and cultural experiences for people of all backgrounds, including regular events held in the library.
🔗https://discover.librariesunlimited.org.uk/-/barnstaple-library#/
Dementia Support Services
Alzheimer’s Society
National Helpline: 0333 150 3456
🔗https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/
Dementia UK
Dementia UK are a specialist dementia nursing charity. Their nurses, known as Admiral Nurses, provide free, life-changing support and advice to anyone affected by dementia.
National Helpline: 0800 888 6678
North Devon District Hospital currently run two dementia support cafes a month. Tea and coffee is provided in an area where you can chat with an Admiral Nurse and volunteers:
First Wednesday of the month 2pm - 4pm
Third Wednesday of the month 4pm - 6pm
Raleigh Galley Restaurant, Level 0, North Devon District Hospital
Memory Cafes
Local groups run in Barnstaple; Bideford; Northam; South Molton; Braunton; Ilfracombe, Holsworthy and Torrington
Devon Memory café consortium website has up to date details on location days/times
Devon Referral Support Service
If you have been referred to hospital and are waiting for an outpatient appt, a diagnostic test or an operation and wish to know how long you may expect to wait, please use one of the contact methods below:
- Tel: 01626 883888 (Helpdesk)
- Email: drss.helpdesk@nhs.net
Your GP and the practice are unable to provide up to date waiting time information so this is the best route for you to use to understand how long you may expect to wait.
Due to Covid 19, waiting times are longer than usual. The NHS is working hard to give people information about how long you will wait. All the hospitals in Devon are making sure care is given to people most in clinical need first.
For further information please see the links below:
🔗MyHealth Website: https://myhealth-devon.nhs.uk/my-referral/about-devon-referral-support-service-2/
🔗Wait times: https://www.myplannedcare.nhs.uk/swest/
(If you have been referred to either NDDH or RD&E they have now merged so show under their new name Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust).
Devon Safeguarding Children Partnership
The Devon Safeguarding Children Partnership (Devon SCP) are responsible for safeguarding children in Devon.
Domestic Abuse
Shoreline Recovery Centre
Alcoholism & Domestic Abuse Support
🔗www.shorelinerecoverycenter.com/alcoholism-domestic-abuse/
North Devon Against Domestic Abuse
NDADA provide temporary refuge to women and children experiencing domestic abuse, and offer support and help to anyone who asks
Finance / Benefits
If you are of pension age and have care needs you can apply for Attendance Allowance. If you need any information regarding benefit entitlements or what financial support you may access, please contact:
TTVS Torridge CVS Torridge area: Denise 01237 459337
Barnstaple area: Ann 01237 420135
CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau) 0808 2787 999
Outreach options in Barnstaple, Bideford, South Molton and Ilfracombe
Fire Safety
Devon and Somerset Fire Service advice leaflets:
A guide to fire safety in the home
Fire safety risks from moisturising creams (emollients)
Health and Lifestyle Advice
Better Health
Healthy changes start with little changes. Whether you want to lose weight, get active or quit smoking, Better Health is here with lots of free tools and support. Click HERE for more information.
Stop for Life Devon
Do you want to quit smoking?
Stopforlifedevon are here to help. They offer tailored support to you as an individual to help you quit smoking for good. Click HERE for more information.
Health and Medicines A-Z
Use the links below to view A to Z directories on health conditions and medications.
🔗Health A to Z - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
🔗Medicines A-Z - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Steady on your Feet
People over 65 have a 1 in 3 chance of falling this year, which can often lead to hospital admissions.
To find out how you can stay steady on your feet, click here for more information.
Patient.co.uk
A useful and easy to use website for health information. It includes useful tools, tests and also a symptom checker.
Local Health Information for Devon
Information about local NHS services, referrals and support.
Headway North Devon
Headway North Devon is a local charity dedicated to improving life after brain injury.
They meet every Tuesday at - The Salvation Army Church Hall Oakleigh Road Barnstaple EX32 8JT.
If you'd like to attend or find out more information please contract - headwayndmobile@gmail.com or call them on 07971174960
Helping you and your doctor make the right decisions about your care
Medical Equipment
Home Care Suppliers in Northern Devon
The Litchdon Patient Participation Group has come together to create a list of local suppliers of medical and other equipment for home care.
To download a copy of this list, please click the link below.
🔗Home Care Equipment Suppliers
All Medical Equipment Can Be Returned
Community Equipment can be returned so they can be re-used by someone who really needs them.
You can return equipment to community hospitals or by arranging collection by Millbrook Healthcare telephone number 0330 124 4491 or email Devoncontactus@millbrookhealthcare.co.uk
Mental Health Support
Mental Health Support - Devon, Torbay & Plymouth
Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis no longer needs to visit an Emergency Department for advice. Devon, Torbay and Plymouth mental health services provide a 24/7 First Response Service for anyone experiencing a crisis. The helpline offers expert mental health advice, support and signposting.
Helpline number: 0808 196 8708.
SilverCloud
Nurture your wellbeing by learning the underlying issues that negatively impact your life. SilverCloud provides free modules which contain text, video clips, audio clips and interactive activities, as well as a two-minute assessment to see if self-guided or coach assisted exploration would be best for you.
Learn to manage stress and build resilience in your own time over an eight-week period. Apply your new skills in your everyday challenges. Reflect on how your new outlook and self-management tools have helped you.
Topics include:
- Space for Sleep
- Space from Stress
- Space for Resilience
- Space from Money Worries
- Supporting An Anxious Child
- Supporting An Anxious Teen
- Self-Management Toolkit
If interested, you can sign up here
Relate
Who support individuals, couples and families through all stages of their relationships offering various counselling and therapies
Kooth
On-line support for young people (aged 11-18)
Recovery Devon
- A community interest company who create opportunities for Recovery in Devon.
- We support Recovery and wellbeing; both as a personal vision and as an underpinning value base to promote radical change in mental health attitudes and provision.
- A partnership, including people with lived experience of mental health issues and their supporters and family, alongside mental health practitioners.
- Supported by the Devon Partnership Trust.
My Care
My Care allows you to access your hospital medical records via a website or mobile phone app.
It will give you greater control on your healthcare by providing you with online access to aspects of your health record, including:-
. View upcoming appointments
. View certain test results
. View allergy and medical history
. View and complete relevant questionnaires
To sign into this please click here or to down the app follow the guidance here
NHS Guide for Migrants
Welcome to Devon – Accessing healthcare services
This guide helps you understand how to register with a GP, get medical help, and look after your health in Devon.
It also shows which services are free and where to find support for you and your family.
Older Peoples Information, Advice & Friendship
Navigate Charity 01823 299050
Navigate gives people the knowledge, skills and confidence to manage their money.
🔗https://www.navigatecharity.org.uk/
The Silver Line 0800 470 8090
The Silver Line Helpline run by Age UK is a free, confidential telephone service for older people, providing friendship, conversation and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
🔗https://www.thesilverline.org.uk/
Barnstaple Age Concern 01271 324488
Age Concern Barnstaple and North Devon supports people aged 60+ in Barnstaple and the North Devon District.
Sexual and Reproductive Health
Devon Sexual Health
Devon Sexual Health helps people living in Devon & Torbay make informed decisions about their sexual health.
Their website includes guidance on contraception options, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), testing, HIV prevention medication and emergency contraception, access to STI postal testing kits and – for young people – access to free condoms.
Family Planning Association
The FPA provides accurate, unbiased and up-to-date information on sexual and reproductive health.
Ladywell Unit (NDDH) Counselling Service
Petter Ward, NDDH offer a counselling service that provides a safe, professional, confidential and non-judgemental space for women and men to discuss their difficulties with pregnancy, pregnancy loss and related issues.
For more information and contact details, click on the flyer below
🔗Ladywell Counselling Service Flyer
New Pregnancies - Register for Ante Natal Care:
Are you living in North Devon and recently found out you are pregnant? Click the link below to get your booking appointment.
Marie Stopes are comissioned by the Devon ICS to provide abortion services across Devon from April 2020. Patient's can self-refer to the service without the need to speak to their GP. Visit the Marie Stopes website on the link below for more information:
Wellbeing
One Northern Devon is a partnership of organisations working together to improve wellbeing for the people and communities of North Devon and Torridge.
🔗Cost of living - https://onenortherndevon.co.uk/cost-of-living/
🔗Home page - https://onenortherndevon.co.uk/
The Fern Centre is based at North Devon's District Hospital in Barnstaple. They offer support for patients with cancer, as well as their loved ones by providing a dedicated space for therapies, care and advice in a comfortable and welcoming environment.
It is run by specialist staff and trained volunteers. It is entirely funded by charitable contributions raised by the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust charity, Over and Above.
For more information and to see the full list of services and support they can offer, please visit their website:
🔗www.northdevonhospice.org.uk/your-care/one-day-at-a-time/
Offering wellbeing opportunities and activities such as mindfulness techniques, Art Therapy and self-massage.
My Wishes
The End-of-life Educational Group (North Devon) have created a link and booklet to help people think about what is important to them in their future care, empowering us all to have those important conversations to ensure individual values and choices will be at the centre of their future care.
Wellbeing and Health AdvicePage created: 17 August 2022