East Devon District Council’s trial handy person scheme, which was due to end in February 2016, has proved such a success with council tenants across the district, that it is now being extended for a further six months until the end of August 2016.

The extension will give the housing service a full year’s worth of data to evaluate and the results will determine whether it is feasible for the council to run this service in the future.

The scheme, which began in September 2015 is aimed at helping elderly and disabled tenants with small jobs around the home. The idea for the...

Exeter School's F1 in Schools team, Burning Rubber, has won a place in the National Final of the STEM competition.

The team of six Year 10 pupils took four prizes at the F1 in Schools South West Regional Final held at Exeter University on Tuesday 1 March.

Burning Rubber began preparing for the F1 in Schools competition back in July and eight months later the team, accompanied by Dr Rowland and Miss Offord, have made it into the Final.

The competition was an all-day event, held in the Great Hall at the Streatham campus of the University of Exeter. In the morning, the...

The Neonatal Unit at the Royal Devon and Exeter hospital has become the first in the country to be fully accredited by the prestigious UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative.

The full accreditation demonstrates the unit’s commitment to providing the highest quality of care for the hospital’s youngest patients and their families.

The Baby Friendly Initiative, set up by UNICEF and the World Health Organisation, is a global programme which provides a practical and effective way for health services to improve the care provided for mothers and babies. It is based on a comprehensive...

To mark Disabled Access Day, Seaton Wetlands and the East Devon District Council Countryside team are inviting members of the public to use the off-road mobility tramper to explore the Seaton Wetlands nature reserve site.

Disabled Access Day is on Saturday (March 12) and is a nationwide event encouraging disabled people to visit somewhere with friends and family that they have never been to before.

Seaton Wetlands are made up of three Local Nature Reserves - Seaton Marshes, Black Hole Marsh and Colyford Common. There is also an area known as Stafford Marsh, where you will...

A pioneering new strategic research centre, that will aid health professionals to design bespoke physical activity and exercise plans to improve the everyday lives of young people with cystic fibrosis, has been launched.

The ground-breaking research centre, which comprises an international team of experts led by the University of Exeterm was announced on Saturday, March 5. It will be led by Professor Craig Williams in conjunction with Dr Alan Barker, both from Exeter’s Sport and Health Sciences department.

The project will also involve collaborators from the University of...

With over half the population of England with high cholesterol, HEART UK - The Cholesterol Charity - has partnered up with Flora ProActiv on a campaign to get cholesterol checked for National Heart Month. High cholesterol is a major risk to heart disease as it contributes to the narrowing of vital arteries which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

There are no obvious signs or symptoms with high cholesterol and HEART UK and Flora ProActiv have teamed up to prompt people to check their cholesterol levels.

For most people, there are simple and effective ways to lower...

Today marks the launch of ‘One You’, a ground-breaking new campaign to help adults across the country avoid future diseases caused by modern day life.

Everyday habits and behaviours, such as eating too much unhealthy food, drinking more than is recommended, continuing to smoke and not being active enough, are responsible for around 40% of all deaths in England, and cost the NHS more than £11 billion a year.

‘One You’ aims to encourage adults, particular those in middle age, to take control of their health to enjoy significant benefits now, and in later life.

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Research published today highlights the unlocked potential of the South West economy. It claims that the Gross Value Added (GVA) in the region could be increased by up to £50 billion by 2025 if GVA per worker in the South West matched the G7 average (excluding the UK itself). Highlighting the continued challenge over productivity, the study also reveals that the South West economic value per workforce job is £6,000 below the UK average of £47k per work force job. Currently London tops the chart of UK regional GVA figures, outstripping the South West by over £20,000 per work force job. The...

Popular presenter and broadcaster Judi Spiers opened the latest new social enterprise charity shop for WESC Foundation in an official ribbon cutting ceremony at Sidwell Street, Exeter.

WESC Foundation (WESC), a school and college for children, young people and adults with sight loss is a specialist centre for Visual Impairment. The charity’s aim is to provide education and care for young people and adults with visual impairment, including complex needs, in their transition through school, college and beyond.

The Sidwell Street shop is the fifth social enterprise for the...

The spotlight shone brightly when Devon law firm Wollen Michelmore won three awards at the first ever Devon and Somerset Law Society 2016 legal awards.

Almost 400 people attended the inaugural awards dinner at Sandy Park, Exeter where guests were treated to a sumptuous dinner and great entertainment. The celebratory event recognised firms from across the region who took the opportunity to showcase their firms successes and professional standards.

Wollen Michelmore, who has offices in Torquay, Newton Abbot, Dartmouth, Barnstaple and Bideford, were shortlisted in 6 of the 12...