Sight and Hearing Loss Service

A change of scenery is good for your mental health. It could be 5 minutes or a long weekend. Deaf get Active and Countryside Mobility could help you get a change of scenery.

https://www.livingoptions.org/your-mental-wellbeing/

Having 30 mins in a natural setting can help us feel happier and lessen the effects of both physical and mental stress. Hire one of our trampers at one of the many beautiful sites across the South West visit Countryside Mobility to find out more

https://www.livingoptions.org/your-mental-wellbeing/

If you, or someone you know is feeling lonely or after support, help is available.

Time to Talk is our telephone and online service, provided by a friendly team who listen and offer peer support, provide information and advice, and signpost or refer to other appropriate services.

https://www.livingoptions.org/projects/time-to-talk/

Enjoying yourself can help beat the stress, doing something you love will help boost your self-esteem. Enjoy running? Rowing? Painting? Do a fundraiser for us!

https://www.livingoptions.org/your-mental-wellbeing/

We have been advised by GWR of strike action on Saturday 19 and Monday 21 November that will affect some train services.

On these dates, RMT members at Network Rail’s signalling centre near Didcot Parkway will be on strike. As this is a crucial part of the network controlling all signalling between London Paddington, the Cotswolds, South Wales, West and South West of England, there will be a reduced number of services.

In Devon and Cornwall, local branch services will be unaffected by the strike and run to the usual timetable, however, longer distance services to London, Bristol, the Midlands and North will be impacted and only run between 0730 and 1830.

We have also received notice that the ASLEF union (train drivers) will be on strike on Saturday 26 November. This will severely limit train services and expectation is a very limited service between Bristol and London, Reading and Oxford, and Reading and Basingstoke.

Further information is available at

Industrial Action | Great Western Railway On these strike days train services on many parts of the GWR network will be disrupted. Trains on the days following the industrial action may also be disrupted.

Home from Hospital is our free, confidential telephone support and advice helpline, for those with a disability or long-term health condition who are leaving hospital to recuperate at home.

Our friendly advisors can help prepare for a smooth transfer home. Once home, the advisors can make check-in calls and help to deal with short-term needs and concerns.

Find out more on our website.

Options For Living Project - Home from Hospital Service Our Options For Living project has supported access to timely vaccinations and now provides a Home from Hospital service.

Last week we were joined by a fantastic group of crafters as we created festive decorations for our Princess Hay Charity Christmas Tree. A big thank you to everyone involved.

To find out about our future events, sign up to our monthly newsletter http://ow.ly/Fxga50LyG22

We seek to ensure that people with disabilities and Deaf people have the opportunity to live the life they choose.

Between 1st April 2021 and 31 March 2022 we supported over 14000 disabled people and Deaf people who use British Sign Language.

Visit our website to find out how we could support you, or someone you know.

https://www.livingoptions.org/

Could you be the next BSL pundit? Highlighting the importance of communication & inclusion within football, BT Sport are on the lookout for two British Sign Language pundits to sign at some of the biggest BT Sport football games this season, as well as at The FA Disability Cup 2023.

The New Signing | BT Sport We’re looking for two British Sign Language pundits to train up with the best team in the business at BT Sport, so that they can sign at some of the biggest BT Sport football games this season, as well as at The FA Disability Cup 2023.

Are you a North Devon resident? Come and share your views.

We are looking for people to join our focus group on Thursday 17th November, to discuss your experiences of using and accessing wellbeing services within your local area. We are keen to explore issues of accessibility to services for people with disabilities and / or long-term health conditions and identify gaps in provision.

The session will take place at the Learning Room, Barnstaple Museum on Thursday 17th November from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Booking is required.

www.livingoptions.org/events/north-devon-focus-group/

To book your space please email [email protected] or call 01392 459222.

For more information visit our website or get in touch. We look forward to hearing from you.

Reindeers, elves, hand-sewn trees, baubles and so much more... A festive and sparkly morning at Living Options HQ. Thank you to everyone who came and helped make our decorations for our Princess Hay charity Christmas tree. We can't wait to see how they'll look.

Don’t drink too much alcohol, the temporary high wont last forever. Drinking is not a good way to manage difficult feelings. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/alcohol-misuse/

https://www.livingoptions.org/your-mental-wellbeing/

As Winter approaches some people may find themselves feeling isolated and alone from spending more time inside. Time to Talk is our free, confidential listening support and advice helpline, for those with a disability or long-term health condition.

You might want someone to talk to who can help you find ways to meet new people or help you to maintain or regain your sense of wellbeing and enjoyment of life.

For more information visit http://ow.ly/tOVL50Lt1Bu

Time To Talk - Living Options Devon Our free, confidential listening support and advice helpline, for those with a disability and/or long-term health condition.

Have you read our latest newsletter? You can read the November edition of Accessibility Matters for the latest news and events here:

http://ow.ly/5maA50Lt161

We need your help in decorating our Princess Hay Christmas Tree.

During this free 2 hour workshop we will be making a selection of Christmas decorations to decorate our Princess Hay Christmas Tree, and we need your help! Our tree will be at the shopping centre in Exeter, for thousands of people to see throughout the festive period and we want ours to looking the best.

To book the last remaining spots on the workshop here -

Christmas Craft Workshop Christmas is around the corner and we need help decorating our tree!

A fantastic approach by RNIB working with Devon County Council to help share the experiences and perspective of someone blind or partially sighted walking the streets in Exeter.

http://ow.ly/fbCk50LsZEs

"Blindfolded walk" explores accessibility for blind and partially sighted pedestrians - News Some of our transport engineers and councillors got a fresh perspective on the challenges of navigating one of Exeter’s most popular streets on a recent visit organised by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB). Local campaigner Marilyn Lant was joined by RNIB regional campaigners off...

Rail strikes will be taking place this month.

GWR have advised of strikes on Saturday 5th, Monday 7th and Wednesday 9th November and that on the three strike days, there will be no services operating at all in Devon & Cornwall.

Services will also be impacted on the days in between and after strike days, with some cancellations, a later service start up than usual and some routes running at a reduced frequency.

Industrial Action | Great Western Railway The RMT, TSSA and Unite trades unions have announced industrial action at Network Rail and a number of train operators, including GWR. Industrial action will take place on Saturday 5, Monday 7 and Wednesday 9 November. This means services will be severely disrupted from Saturday 5 November up to and...

Your brain needs nutrients in order to stay healthy. A diet that is good for your physical health with be good for your mental health as well. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/

https://www.livingoptions.org/your-mental-wellbeing/

We're proud supporters of Purple Tuesday.

Purple Tuesday is about creating improvement in the awareness of the value and needs of disabled customers. It is about making the customer experience accessible.

As a Disability Confident Leader we support Purple Tuesday by encouraging local organisations to improve access to their services.



https://www.livingoptions.org/campaigns/purple-tuesday/

Today is Purple Tuesday...

What is Purple Tuesday? A worldwide initiative to raise awareness of the value and needs of disabled customers, and make the customer experience accessible. Be part of changing the customer experience for disabled people and let your voice count by completing the Purple Tuesday survey

Purple Tuesday

We support Purple Tuesday

What is Purple Tuesday?
Purple Tuesday is a global social movement and the #1 brand for improving the customer experience for disabled people and their families 365 days a year.

Did you know...

There are 1.8 billion disabled people in the world, representing 17% of the population

Tomorrow is Purple Tuesday

As a Disability Confident Leader we support Purple Tuesday by encouraging local organisations to improve access to their services.

Why not do the same?
Ask your local shops to make a commitment to improving access. This could be through implementing the hidden disability sunflower lanyard scheme, or supporting customers with sensory needs with formal quiet hours.

Last year’s November celebratory day reached over 19 million people:

https://youtu.be/BL5mGIK8lMI

Purple Tuesday 2021

We need your help in decorating our Princess Hay Christmas Tree.

During this free 2 hour workshop we will be making a selection of Christmas decorations to decorate our Princess Hay Christmas Tree, and we need your help! Our tree will be at the shopping centre in Exeter, for thousands of people to see throughout the festive period and we want ours to looking the best.

To book your space on this workshop click here -

Christmas Craft Workshop Christmas is around the corner and we need help decorating our tree!

Talking to someone and opening up about your feelings can help more than you know. Take a look at our Counselling service.

[email protected]
01392 459222

https://www.livingoptions.org/your-mental-wellbeing/

Our free, confidential listening support and advice helpline, for those with a disability or long-term health condition.

Time to Talk is a telephone and online service, provided by a friendly team who listen and offer peer support, provide information and advice, and signpost or refer to other appropriate services.

For more info -

Time To Talk - Living Options Devon Our free, confidential listening support and advice helpline, for those with a disability and/or long-term health condition.

Join us and get festive.

During this free 2 hour workshop we will be making a selection of Christmas decorations to decorate our Princess Hay Christmas Tree, and we need your help! Our tree will be at the shopping centre in Exeter, for thousands of people to see throughout the festive period and we want ours to looking the best.

We will provide all the crafting materials you'll need for the session and we will also provide hot chocolate and mince pies to get you in the festive spirit.

Book your free space now -

Christmas Craft Workshop Christmas is around the corner and we need help decorating our tree!

We wanted to highlight some local venues with good accessibility.

Exeter Phoenix is a vibrant, world-class multi-artform venue in the heart of Exeter's city centre.

Exeter Phoenix have put some fantastic access measures in place. Check it out

Access - Exeter Phoenix If you have questions, suggestions or would like to discuss specific requirements, please contact our Visitor Services Manager Anna-Ruth by calling 01392 667080 or email Anna-Ruth here >>

Did you know?...

We have rooms for hire.

Our affordable meeting rooms are fully furnished and fully accessible. Our rooms offer free WIFI, air conditioning, AV equipment, and have flexible layouts to fit your needs...

https://www.livingoptions.org/accessible-therapy-and-meeting-room-hire/

Room Hire - Living Options Exeter Rooms for Business and Therapy Affordable meeting rooms and therapy rooms for hire - Fully Accessible, Free WIFI, Air Conditioned, AV Equipped, and Flexible Layouts.

Caring for others can be just as important as caring for yourself. It will help bring you closer to people. Volunteering might be a good way for you to help others.

https://www.livingoptions.org/your-mental-wellbeing/

Our new Home from Hospital service supports people coming home after a stay in hospital.

Home from Hospital is our free, confidential telephone support and advice helpline, for those with a disability and/or long-term health condition(s) who are leaving hospital to recuperate at home.

https://www.livingoptions.org/about-us/options-for-living-project/