Living Options Devon

A chance to win a £2,000 luxury holiday as part of the Exeter Community Lottery, or there's a cash alternative up for grabs!

If you buy your ticket from Living Options Devon https://ow.ly/U72h50SYyl3 we receive 50p of every £1 ticket sale. Funds that we'll use to help ensure that people with disabilities and Deaf BSL users can live the life they choose.

https://ow.ly/U72h50SYyl3

[Image description - stunning holiday pics including swimming pool and northern lights. Super Draw details and the Exeter Community Lottery and Living Options Devon logo included]

Looking forward to our next Deaf Wellbeing Group BSL meet.
Monday 19 August 2024
Join us at Living Options Devon Offices. 3-4 Cranmere Court, Lustleigh Close, Matford Business Park. Postcode - EX2 8PW
Time: 10.30am – 1.30pm
If you're coming please let us know!

Deaf-Led Services, Devon

Image description: Event details and a head and shoulder silhouette with patterns around it. The Living Options Devon logo and the Lottery Community Fund logo are included.

Congratulations and welcome on board to the brilliant Becky, Freddie and Kelly. With training now complete, they're our latest Experts by Experience to join the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism team!



[Image description: Becky, Freddie and Kelly stand in front of the Living Options offices training completed, smiling]

Local to Barnstaple? The Sight and Hearing team will be at Barnstaple Library Wed 4th September, 10am-12 noon - part of the One Barnstaple Wellbeing Wednesdays.

Drop in for info, support and meet the team. There will also be the RNIB on hand sharing advice.

[Image description The Sight and Hearing team demo a magnifier, in the background are shelves of useful sight and hearing equipment . The Living Options logo, One Barnstaple logo and the text - Wellbeing Wednesday Cafe, Barnstaple Library, Wed 4th September, 10am-12 noon.]

Last chance to take part and help shape the future of Deaf sport
Deaf-Led Services, Devon

Only 10 days left to make your impact! 👊

Join us in changing the future of sports for the deaf community and stand a chance to win a £100 Amazon voucher!🫰

🔗 - https://t6irl4cggj7.typeform.com/UKDSSurvey2024?typeform-source=ukdeafsport.org.uk&fbclid=IwY2xjawEW6P1leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHeLnBwwn1cN2--WMxTrAhwwgBzdLCYEgu5bUPJHw55LwHG_RY1ecKqfuqA_aem_mvI7CaEJ_U1avfJQcNGR6w

We're recruiting for a part-time Countryside Mobility Project Officer - Fleet and Training.

You'll help to ensure that everything runs safely and smoothly. From coordinating services and repairs for our fleet of Countryside Mobility Trampers, to ensuring teams at our partner sites are confident in how to hire.

Come and make a real difference to people's lives. Apply online. https://www.livingoptions.org/positions/countryside-mobility-project-officer-fleet-training/

[Image description: A Tramper is driven through a forest path. Living Options Devon and Countryside Mobility logo, Disability Confident leader logo included. Title says - Countryside Mobility Project Officer]

We've hit another milestone! 1,500 NHS staff across Torquay, Exeter and Plymouth have now received Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism – delivered by our team of incredible trainers and experts by experience in partnership with NHS Devon.

Huge steps, thanks to towards better-informed care and understanding towards people who have a learning disability and autistic people.



[Image description 1. Sean, Heidi, Holly and Charlie smile in front of the Oliver McGowan presentation. 2. Heidi, Jack and Kate stand ready to begin training in front of a presentation. 3. Al, Corine and Holly get ready to present]

Local to Newton Abbot? You can expect a warm welcome from No Limits Community Cafe & Hub! 👏

Lara using BSL to tell other Deaf people about No Limits! Here is Lara, one of our Work Experience participants who kindly offered to sign using BSL ( British Sign Language) about No Limits Cafe and her Work Experie...

This weekend! Sat 3rd August - Saltram House, Plympton, Plymouth. PL7 1UH.
10.30am meet, start walking at 10.45am. Parking £3.

Please let us know if you can make it!
Deaf-Led Services, Devon

Image description: Photo of a sunny grassy path. Event details with dog friendly, wheelchair friendly and signing hands icon. Along with the lottery community fund and Living Options logos. Deaf-Led Services, Devon

Referral Co-ordinator vacancy. This is a part time post, 15 hours per week over 2 days. A great opportunity to work as part of a consortium to provide a single point of contact for health and social care professionals and members of the public who make a referral or enquiry to the Devon Advocacy service.

Apply on our website - closing date 12/08/2024
https://ow.ly/xhnS50SJ1RI

[Image description. Living Options Devon and Devon Advocacy Consortium logo, hands typing on an open laptop and the Disability Confident Leader logo.]

We are recruiting for an Independent Advocate. 22.5hrs per week. Do you have a good understanding of the principles of advocacy and experience of working with people who have a range of disabilities and communication problems? We'd love to hear from you.

Closing date 02/08/2024 https://ow.ly/2gX250SIW4F

[Image description. Living Options Devon and Devon Advocacy Consortium logo, hands typing on an open laptop and the Disability Confident Leader logo.]

Have your say on pharmacy services.

Community pharmacies can be found in many high street locations, in supermarkets or attached to doctors’ surgeries as well as a range of online community pharmacies.

NHS Devon wants to hear your views and experiences on current and future services. Find out more and share your views here: https://ow.ly/Prcp50SCpYB

[Image description: A pharmacist in white coat smiles and hands over a box of medication, rows of medication can be seen in the background. Text reads: "Share your views on pharmacy services. The NHS in Devon is developing a community pharmacy strategy and wants to hear your views and experiences on current and future services. For more information or to request a paper version of the survey, please visit www.OneDevon.org.uk/CommunityPharmacyStrategy or call 01392 205 205." There is a QR code to scan and complete the survey.]

Job vacancy! Come and make a difference - we are recruiting for a full time Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA).

Do you have a good understanding of the principles of advocacy? A good working knowledge in areas of Safeguarding, Mental Capacity, Mental Health or other relevant specialty?

Previous advocacy experience is not essential as full accredited IMCA training will be provided.

Full job description on our website, for an informal chat about the role contact Anne Phelan, IMCA Manager, at [email protected]

https://ow.ly/4Uel50SF3FZ

[Image description. Living Options Devon and Devon Advocacy Consortium logo, hands typing on an open laptop and the Disability Confident Leader logo.]

Today, celebrates a special lady whose legacy has made a difference to thousands of people with disabilities. The Clare Milne Trust has been a long-term funder of Living Options - exceeding £50,000 to date.

Most recently, funding has gone towards our Counselling service for people with disabilities and Deaf BSL users.

Clare’s mother’s wish was “to know that my girl will be remembered for something that brings happiness where it is most needed.” Our free counselling service brings hope and happiness to people often during very dark times. So today, on Clare’s Day we share our gratitude and send our warm wishes to all that knew Clare personally.

Thank you Claire Milne Trust and thank you Clare and Lesley for setting up this wonderful trust.

[Image description: A smiling Clare with a pink flower in hair. Text says 'We're supporting Clare's Day celebrating the legacy of Claire Milne. An illustrated butterfly and the Clare Milne Trust logo.]

We're set up and looking forward to exhibiting at the Care & Occupational Therapy Show at Westpoint Exeter, tomorrow, Wednesday 17 July. Doors open 10am!

The team will be ready to talk about the services provided by Living Options Devon, including the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism. Find us at Stand 310.

Free tickets are still available https://lnkd.in/eD9nskT



[Image description - the Living Options exhibition stand set up at Exeter Westpoint. There are pull up display banners and a table with leaflets and information posters on display.]

Lovely Ozzy the therapy dog in the offices today with our Deaf-led services lead Justine.

[Image description 1. Ozzy wearing his do not disturb working dog coat, post-treat licks his lips happily. 2. Ozzy sits waiting for his next command from Justine 3. A close up of Ozzy's working dog coat - working dog do not disturb PAWS therapy dog in training.

Exeter Community Lottery results are in!
A winning ticket is potentially a week away, for your continued support.
If you haven't signed up yet please visit our page . All tickets purchased help to give our fundraising a boost

Support Living Options Devon on Exeter Community Lottery Living Options Devon is offering you the chance to win £25,000 and help raise much needed funds.

Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust are hosting a free, accessibility friendly heath tour from Estuary View, Woodbury. Spotting plants starting with every letter of the alphabet - what a great idea! Here's how to book 👇

Heath Week: Beginners Guide To Heathland Botany (Accessibility Friendly) Join Dr Sam Bridgewater for a tour on the heaths in an attempt to find plants starting with every letter of the alphabet.

"Life is unpredictable and could change in a split of second. It happened to me. I did me best to survive. However, I exhausted my personal resources and I needed help. Counselling talks helped enormously."

We provided 366 hours of professional counselling to Deaf and disabled people between 1st April 23 and 31 March 2024 - https://www.livingoptions.org/projects/counselling-service/



Image description: Text reads - over 300 hours of professional counselling for Deaf and disabled people provided between 1st April 23 and 31 March 2024. The Living Options logo and hands holding a heart icon are included.

Living Options CEO Stephanie, Helen and Charlie from the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training team at the recent National Learning Disabilities and Autism awards in Birmingham. Such a privilege to be recognised for our part in at a national level.

Sending our congratulations to award winners Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Icb for the Oliver McGowan Training Award - and everyone else working to support and advocate for people with learning disabilities.

[Image description 1: the black tie event in progress as attendees sit around tables chatting, image 2: Helen, Charlie and Steph stand smiling at the camera against sparkling decor]

A chance to win a HUGE Ninja BBQ bundle this July as part of the Exeter Community Lottery, just in time for the Summer holidays – or, there’s a £1,000 cash alternative up for grabs!

If you buy your ticket from Living Options Devon https://ow.ly/Uw4t50SvbXX we receive 50p of every £1 ticket sale. Funds that we'll use to help ensure that people with disabilities and Deaf BSL users can live the life they choose.

https://ow.ly/Uw4t50SvbXX

Exciting news! We have a new vacancy to join our team.
We’re looking for a Business Admin and Marketing Apprentice. This role is 37 hours a week, working 4 days at our Exeter offices and 1 day a week at college. You will be enrolled on the Level 3 Business Administration Course apprenticeship with Exeter College.

You will be working at the heart of the organisation, with your time split between operations administration and marketing, so we’re looking for an experienced administrator with a keen interest in business support.

If you’re ready to join a forward-thinking charity, doing impactful work that makes a real difference to the lives of others we’d love to hear from you.

https://www.livingoptions.org/positions/business-admin-and-marketing-apprentice/

[Image description: a person types on an open laptop, Living Options and Exeter college logos included along with the Disability Confident Leader logo]

“Being outdoors was my Dad’s passion. The woods were his spiritual home… Thanks to this amazing service, my Dad and I were able to return to the woods for a walk.”

Sophie's dad Peter worked for the Forestry Commission for over 40 years and he's now back exploring the Forest with his daughter Sophie, this time from the seat of an all-terrain Tramper 🌳

Read Sophie and Peter's story over on our website https://ow.ly/BsLr50SuA7z

Haldon Forest Park - Forestry England Forestry England Countryside Mobility Hire Scheme

[Image description: Peter drives a Tramper along a pathway with a backdrop of greenery and forest. The Living Options Devon logo and Countryside Mobility logo included. Sophie's quote is "Thanks to this amazing service, my dad and I were able to return to the woods."]

July is Disability Pride Month - an internationally celebrated awareness month. Celebrating and understanding diversity, embracing disabled identity, sharing experiences and raising awareness of the barriers and challenges faced by disabled people.

The significance of the Disability Pride Flag is that the design highlights the diversity of disabilities – red for physical disabilities, gold for neurodivergence, white for invisible and undiagnosed disabilities, blue for mental illness, green for sensory disabilities. Running in parallel lines to symbolise unity and strength within the community 🫶



[Image description: the disability flag with the words July is Disability Pride Month]

"I never felt rushed and always felt listened to... It gave me the support and reassurance when things felt overwhelming."
Victim of anti-social behaviour and disability discrimination

Did you know we have a Victim Care and Support service? Last year we supported over 30 disabled and Deaf victims of crime. We help people identify if they are victims of crime and offer free, confidential support for both reported and non-reported crimes, helping the victim to overcome the effects caused by a crime.



Image description: Text on a light blue background reads - over 30 disabled and Deaf victims of crime supported between 1st April 23 and 31 March 2024. The Living Options Devon logo and a scales of justice icon.

Active Devon are celebrating the brilliant work of unpaid volunteers in their community who support others to be more physically active across Devon. Find out more and nominate someone today https://activedevon.org/volunteer-awards/

Image description: a montage of volunteer photos in the community. Group shots of celebrating clubs and groups as well as people standing on their own. Active Devon logo included. Text reads - Volunteer awards nominate now!