Exeter

Persimmon launches COVID-19 volunteer scheme

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Wed, 04/15/2020 - 8:09pm

Leading housebuilder Persimmon Homes has today announced a “volunteer army” to help the NHS and local communities during the Covid-19 crisis.

The business has encouraged hundreds of staff to register for the Persimmon Voluntary Programme to help the country through the difficult weeks ahead.

In order to protect the health of its employees, Persimmon has taken the decision to undertake an orderly shut-down of work and temporarily close its sales offices across the country.

All Persimmon staff currently not working their usual pattern remain on full pay. It is...

Your NHS is here for you: Getting help in an emergency

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Tue, 04/14/2020 - 5:39pm

NHS hospital teams across Devon are reassuring local people that emergency services are there for them if they are unwell and need help.

Doctors are concerned that some people who should be getting medical help for non-COVID-19 illnesses are staying away from hospital and not seeking help due to fears they might catch the virus.

Attendances have fallen by more than a third at emergency departments across Devon, in line with national trends. Some of this may be because people are acting responsibly and getting advice from other healthcare settings. However, at all...

Estuary League of Friends launches urgent appeal for donations

A charity at the heart of a Devon community’s response to the Coronavirus crisis has launched an urgent fundraising appeal to help it continue its vital services.

The Estuary League of Friends - based in Topsham and a lifeline for many in the town and surrounding areas - needs £60,000 to continue its essential work.

In recent weeks Estuary’s staff and volunteers have been delivering groceries, medicines and essential supplies, cooking and delivering hot meals, taking people to urgent medical appointments and making telephone calls to vulnerable people who are self-...

Coronavirus: South West businesses urged to join protective equipment ‘battle’

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Tue, 04/14/2020 - 12:37pm

The CBI have urged even more businesses in region to join the ‘battle’ to produce protective equipment for the NHS and front-line workers. The organisation have organised a webinar for companies and CBI Deputy Regional Director Ben Rhodes welcomes all those interested to sign up.

The organisation are urging firms with the skills or expertise that could be harnessed to get involved, as well as those who have skills that could be useful for the fight, including the suppliers, lawyers, logistics and others needed to make this critical endeavour happen.

We know many...

Medical students joining fight against COVID-19 honoured in first Exeter virtual graduation

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Sun, 04/12/2020 - 5:25pm

Medicine students who opted to graduate early to accelerate becoming junior doctors in the COVID-19 crisis fashioned home-made mortarboards to take part in the University of Exeter ’s first virtual graduation.

Ninety five final year students chose to graduate three months early so that they can join NHS colleagues in Exeter and the South West in fighting the disease.

While a physical graduation is impossible in lockdown, the University honoured the students in its first ever virtual ceremony. Many of the students fashioned home-made mortarboards in lieu of traditional...

Old Mill: It’s tempting to move out of cash, but it’s still the cornerstone of financial planning

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Fri, 04/10/2020 - 11:40am

Financial experts Old Mill offer top tips on how to keep your cash safe in uncertain economic times

Last month, the Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) lowered the Bank Rate from 0.25% to an all-time low of 0.1% in an emergency move to support the UK economy in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. As we know, rate cuts are designed to make borrowing cheaper and to encourage spending, but what about those with cash savings?

Stuart Coombe , Chartered Financial Planner at financial experts Old Mill says “while it may be tempting to move out of cash, it’s still...

New deal for Kirsten at Chiefs

Rob Baxter has rewarded the fine form of South African import Jannes Kirsten with a new contract extension at Gallagher Premiership leaders, Exeter Chiefs.

Brought in last summer as injury dispensation for summer signings Tom Price and Will Witty, the 26-year-old former Bulls forward has certainly delivered on all fronts since arriving in Devon.

Kirsten’s hard-hitting, no-nonsense approach, together with his fantastic work ethic, have not only won him many admirers within the game, but has also seen him establish himself as an integral cog in the Exeter engine room....

Meriel Fishwick, FORCE CEO

Help protect your local cancer charity

FORCE Cancer Charity is enlisting the help of its supporters and the people who have used the services it provides to lobby for a share of the money Chancellor Rishi Sunak has pledged to charities.

The Government has promised £370 million for small and medium sized organisations at the heart of local communities which are making a big difference during the COVID-19 outbreak.

With its support centres in Exeter, Okehampton, Tiverton and Honiton temporarily closed, FORCE has redesigned its services to offer ongoing help and advice cancer patients and their families.

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Manager for Guardian Homecare, Catherine Porter.

Laid-off Devon tourism workers asked to take Care jobs in COVID-19 crisis

Authored by Reporters
Posted: Thu, 04/09/2020 - 3:46pm

DEVONIANS laid-off or made redundant from tourism, hospitality or catering roles due to restrictions and business closures related to the Coronavirus are being asked to become carers (April 2020).

As COVID-19 cases rise, Devon’s homecare service providers, who are at the frontline like other healthcare professionals, are urgently seeking more staff to care for the vulnerable and elderly.

Catherine Porter, Manager at Guardian Homecare, which has teams operating in Exeter and surrounding areas, said: “Approximately 49,000 people normally work in Devon’s tourism industry...

Burrington Estates New Homes amongst the nation’s favourite house builders in the UK

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 04/09/2020 - 11:42am

Burrington Estates New Homes continues to build on its success as it receives the highest rating of 5-stars in the recent independent homebuyers’ customer satisfaction survey by the Home Builders Federation (HBF) Star Rating Scheme. The 5-star accreditation states over 90% of their customers would recommend Burrington Estates New Homes to a friend. This outstanding result reflects the continued investment in providing exceptional customer service and aligns with their vision of creating beautiful places to live and work whilst building enduring communities.

The annual survey is...

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