Active Devon

This was the Santa Surf today in Croyde, with The Wave Project and Barnstaple Ability FC / Laughter Group. The sun came out and they had some good waves - amazing surf skills on show and incredible getting in, despite being freezing! Lots of smiles on

Since announcing the winners of our Volunteer Awards for 2023, we have been helping to capture their stories and present them with their much-deserved awards. It seems fitting, on International Volunteer Day, that we celebrate and share the great work being done by volunteers across Devon. Take a look at the link to see them in action!

Sharing the Active Devon Volunteer Awards 2023 Winners Stories' - Active Devon We're delighted to share these inspiring short videos of this year’s winners receiving their award for the Active Devon Volunteer Awards 2023.

It's Safeguarding Adults Week, starting today, so we wanted to share a link to Ann Craft Trust's website. The website shares lots of useful advice and tips. Safeguarding Adults Week is a time for organisations to come together to raise awareness of important safeguarding issues. Take a look at the link

Safeguarding Adults Week 2023 - Ann Craft Trust We hope the week will enable more organisations and individuals to feel confident in recognising signs of abuse and neglect and recording and reporting safeguarding concerns. To achieve this, each day of the week we will focus on a different safeguarding theme. We will be producing resources to help...

Today marks International Men's Day - a day aimed at creating awareness of men's health issues to make a positive difference to the wellbeing of men and boys. This website gives some great information on how you can improve your health and wellbeing by following some simple steps - https://uk.movember.com/mens-health/general

Movember Movember, the month formerly known as November, is a moustache growing charity event held during November each year that raises funds and awareness for men's health.

Have you seen our latest offer for groups, clubs, charities and community organisations that provides physical activity in ?

Do you need support to explore how you can diversity your income streams to become more sustainable? Join Active Devon and Iridescent Ideas CIC for our ‘Show Me The Money’ workshop where we will cover things like securing contracts, charging fees, gaining donations, loans and setting up trading arms. We will also look at a range or grant funding options. Click here for more information and to book your place. https://activedevon.org/event/show-me-the-money-diversifying-income/

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In the run up to Safeguarding Adults Week, starting 20 November, we wanted to share a link to Ann Craft Trust's website. The website shares lots of useful advice and tips. Safeguarding Adults Week is a time for organisations to come together to raise awareness of important safeguarding issues. Take a look at the link

Safeguarding Adults Week 2023 - Ann Craft Trust We hope the week will enable more organisations and individuals to feel confident in recognising signs of abuse and neglect and recording and reporting safeguarding concerns. To achieve this, each day of the week we will focus on a different safeguarding theme. We will be producing resources to help...

If you thought that running wasn't for you, think again! Slow running means so you can take in nature around you at your own pace, and you don't need to be an athlete to have a go. Tamsin from Active Devon enjoys running to keep her healthy, so she's suggested a few ideas to help get you started -
"My top tip for anyone new to running is to take it slow, speed will come in time if that's what you are aiming for. Starting at a slower pace, using a programme like Couch to 5k, will allow your body time to adapt and build endurance to keep going. By running slower you can focus on running with good posture and concentrate on your breathing. Best of all, by running slower you can keep a good conversation going with a running buddy and take in the beautiful scenery."

Feeling stressed is something that can have an impact on our body, our emotions and how we behave. Being more active is one way that can help to reduce those feelings. This interesting article shares how moving more can help to look after our mental health. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/publications/how-look-after-your-mental-health-using-exercise

How to look after your mental health using exercise This guide provides you with tips on how to look after your mental health using exercise.

We support and celebrate all volunteers who use their time to encourage others to be more active. This great blog from parkrun shares 7 reasons why volunteering can bring you fabulous benefits - from personal growth to community engagement. Take a look here - https://blog.parkrun.com/ie/2023/09/06/7-powerful-reasons-to-volunteer-at-parkrun/

7 powerful reasons to volunteer at parkrun Looking to have fun and meet new people? Here are 7 powerful reasons to volunteer at parkrun.

As part of the Safeguarding Adults in Sport Framework, you need to evidence how your organisation ensures staff and volunteers at all levels have a good knowledge of their safeguarding duties and responsibilities. By developing an organisation wide training plan, you can map out and keep track of who needs what, and when.

The Ann Craft Trust has a training pathway you can follow, which can help guide you. Take a look at the link below. Ann Craft Trust

Do You Have a Training Plan For Your Sport and Activity Organisation? - Ann Craft Trust This includes ensuring all roles receive the right level of safeguarding adult training. By developing an organisation wide training plan, you can map out and keep track of who needs what, and when. The Ann Craft Trust has a training pathway you can follow, which will help guide you in the right dir...

Everyone seems to be going pumpkin picking this year! What a fun way to get outdoors together, connect with , breathe in fresh air and keep moving at the same time - searching, lifting and carrying your pumpkin keeping you active. Have a great time if you're going pumpkin picking!

Never underestimate the positive impact of getting outside in . A walking meeting during the working day is great for the body and gets you in the right frame of mind to explore new ideas and approaches. Fabulous for encouraging creativity and the chance to move away from your desk!

It's starting to get a little chilly outdoors, but if you wrap up warm, you can still enjoy the best of nature in Devon. Look at this amazing photo taken during a scenic coastal walk from to . Do you have a favourite stroll at this time of year? National Trust Devon Local Nature Partnership

Are you a physical activity provider or coach? This , we wanted to share some ideas for inspiring women to be more active during the , to improve their health and wellbeing. Take a look at this resource to find out more - https://womeninsport.org/resource/inspiring-women-to-be-active-during-midlife-and-menopause/

Inspiring Women to be Active During Midlife and Menopause Funded by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, this report builds on findings from our 2018 research, Menopause, Me and Physical Activity, that show that women overwhelmingly want to be more active…

It's World Menopause Day. We all know the benefits of moving more, but it can be especially beneficial in managing menopause symptoms and improving quality of life. Check out these great tips to help you be more active - https://netballher.co.uk/menopause/moving-in-menopause-its-non-negotiable/

Moving in menopause - it’s non-negotiable - NetballHer HRT and meditation are great … but there’s no fit-and-well if you don’t move.

The morning commute to work can be tougher when your situation changes. Our colleague, Louise, has shared what her new routine looks like since returning to work after maternity leave.

"My commute to work looks a bit different these days. A quick pit stop for a nursery drop off and then on to the Active Devon office. It's been brilliant to get back to working alongside this great team of people and our great network of partners.

"I am committed to cycling to work as much as possible, it's 10 minutes quicker than it would be driving, it's currently the majority of my weekly exercise and it's some fresh air on this October morning."

Well done and keep up the good work!

There are little things we can all do to improve our , such as going for a lovely in . Find out what little thing you could do to make a difference to your wellbeing -https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/
NHS Devon

Every Mind Matters Feeling stressed, anxious, low or struggling to sleep? Every Mind Matters can help with expert advice, practical tips and personalised actions to help stay on top of your mental wellbeing.

This , why not take a look at Mind - there are some great resources to help organisations better support and engage people with mental health problems in physical activity. https://www.mind.org.uk/about-us/our-policy-work/sport-physical-activity-and-mental-health/resources/mental-health-and-physical-activity-toolkit/

Mental Health and Physical Activity Toolkit When you’re living with a mental health problem, or supporting someone who is, access to the right information is vital.

Tomorrow is . Take a look at this guide on how to make the most of the UK's natural spaces for our and . https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/publications/thriving-nature

We are delighted to announce the winners in our Volunteer Awards for 2023! We want to thank every person who nominated someone as well as everyone who was nominated for their dedication to help others to move more for their health and wellbeing. We will be visiting all of our winners over the coming weeks to celebrate and will share their volunteering stories through our channels. Congratulations Devon! Winner Street Walkers Free Spirit Taekwondo Atlantic Racquet Centre Ilfracombe Rugby Club Rhythm City Dance Studio Plymouth Mayflower Specials Wave Project Walking Works Wonders

Did you know October is month? Why not celebrate the benefits of or to school if you can? Whether you're looking for ways for your school to get involved or for free fun activities to do with your children on the journey to school, take a look at Living Streets website for ideas. https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/get-involved/campaign-with-us/international-walk-to-school-month

International Walk to School Month October is International Walk to School Month, when thousands of children across the world will be celebrating walking to school.

The NSPCC's Keeping Your Child campaign is all about celebrating the important role parents and carers play in youth sport. To access their resources and find out more, click on the link: https://thecpsu.org.uk/KYCSIS-Week

Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport week | CPSU 2-6 October 2023. Support our national, annual campaign to help all parents to keep their child safe in sport.

Our five member judging panel began discussing the shortlisted nominations for our Volunteer Awards today. With so many amazing people and groups nominated across Devon for the unpaid work they do in keeping people active, deciding who will receive the awards could take some time...

There are still two days to go to take part in this year's . If you are able to join in, cycling to school can have a real, positive impact on the health and wellbeing of children. Find out more and make a pledge for -

Cycle to School Week - Bikeability Could you use pedal power to get to school? Find out more about Cycle to School Week and how you can get involved.

Are you in or around Okehampton on 2nd October and want to take part in a free walk? Join a free Okehampton social walk next Monday as part of the YHA England and Wales Festival of Walking, in partnership with Ramblers Wellbeing Walks.
Get to explore beautiful before returning for a cuppa and a piece of cake! 🍰 Find out more and book your free slot! https://www.yha.org.uk/experience/social-walk-yha-okehampton
The Ramblers Wellbeing Walks Okehampton

Today is and we want to celebrate everyone who left their vehicle at home to cycle, walk or wheel part or all of their journey today. It's not always possible to make the switch, but small steps can help our health and our planet.

As we gear up for on Friday, it can be tempting to look at the wet weather outside and jump in the car instead ☔️☔️. If you can grab your wellies and waterproof jacket, there are lots of brilliant wellness benefits you can get from walking in the rain. Take a look at this lovely article https://www.psychologies.co.uk/walking-in-the-rain-benefits/

Walking in the rain: 4 wellness benefits of rainy walks | Psychologies It’s time to re-invent the way we perceive Britain’s often drizzly days. Discover the health and wellness benefits of walking in the rain...

On , what's your motivation to move more? According to a survey commissioned by Get ukactive, mental health has become a stronger motivation for Brits to exercise than staying in shape, but three-quarters underestimate how much activity they need. In the survey, more than half of UK adults (54%) reported that their main motivation for keeping physically active was to help their mental health, while 49% said it was getting in shape. Read more below.

Mental health the main motivation for exercise but three-quarters of Brits don’t know recommended activity levels – National Fitness Day survey Polling of 2,271 UK adults by ukactive for National Fitness Day shows mental health scores higher (54%) than getting in shape (49%) as the main...

Today is . It may be a little rainy today, but if you can, grab your coat and try and get outside today for your health and wellbeing.

Do you live with a long-term health condition or support someone who does? We Are Undefeatable wants to hear from
you!
We Are Undefeatable is a campaign supporting people with long-term health conditions to be more . Help shape the
future of the campaign by taking part in their public consultation. Get involved here - www.weareundefeatablebigtalk.co.uk
Consultation closes 30 September 2023.

The results are in! We have now read and considered all of the brilliant nominations and will be announcing the shortlists for this year’s Volunteer Awards 2023 very soon. Before we do, we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who nominated a volunteer who goes the extra mile to help others to be . Shortlisting was really tough, the examples of volunteering we heard about were truly exceptional and are making a huge difference to and . Every single person nominated deserves our thanks and so we are sending out certificates to all nominees over the next few days.

Watch this space for more information!

Nominations for our Volunteer Awards 2023 close today (10 September) at 5pm. Don't forget to recognise someone who has helped others to be more active. https://www.activedevon.org/volunteer-awards/

Only three days left to nominate someone in our Active Devon Volunteer Awards. Recognise those around you who have helped others to be more active for their health and wellbeing. https://www.activedevon.org/volunteer-awards/

Are you in or around Okehampton? Join a free Okehampton social walk as part of the YHA England and Wales Festival of Walking, in partnership with Ramblers Wellbeing Walks.
Choose from two dates, 18th September or 2nd October, and get to explore beautiful before returning for a cuppa and a piece of cake! 🍰 Find out more and book your free slot! https://www.yha.org.uk/experience/social-walk-yha-okehampton
The Ramblers

Being doesn't need to be boring - in fact, you can have a lot of fun and improve your health too! Take a look at these great ideas from We Are Undefeatable including stretching while making a cup of tea or dancing around your kitchen while making dinner - anything can contribute to being more active!

Being active while having fun - We Are Undefeatable There are many ways you can move more while genuinely enjoying what you’re doing and having fun.