Motorists with communication needs offered free seatbelt covers
Devon and Cornwall Police is offering drivers and passengers with speech, language or communication needs free seatbelt covers to help make things easier after incidents on the road.
The covers contain a card inside which allows the user to add their name, age, address, medical conditions or other information about how they like to be communicated with. For details of where to collect, visit the Devon & Cornwall Police website.
Help celebrate our year at our annual members’ meeting
There’s still time to book your place at this year’s annual members’ meeting, which is our opportunity to celebrate and reflect upon our achievements of the past year, and our plans for the future.
This year’s event takes place on Thursday 25 September from 4pm to 6pm in the TREC centre, Torbay Hospital, Torquay. The TREC can hold up to 100 people, and we are expecting good attendance, so please let our Foundation Trust Office know in advance if you are planning to come to avoid disappointment. Anyone who is unable to get seated will be able to watch it online after the event – please contact the Foundation Trust Office or call 01803 655406 to reserve your place.
Check your blood pressure at your local library
Library users can borrow a blood pressure monitor when they take out a book. The service, which has been available in libraries across Torbay for a year, is now being rolled out to libraries across Devon as part of the Check Your Blood Pressure campaign.
More than 50 libraries across Devon are now loaning out the blood pressure kits for up to three weeks and include a monitor, a simple instruction leaflet, a blood pressure diary to record the readings, and advice on what to do if numbers are high.
The aim is to encourage more people to regularly check their blood pressure at home and submit their reading to their local GP surgery as it could save their life.
You can read more details about this scheme and where your nearest participating library is at One Devon.
Final plans underway for Torbay Baton of Hope
The Baton of Hope 2025 arrives in the Bay on Tuesday 30 September to raise awareness of the impact of suicide. One hundred baton bearers, most of whom have all been impacted by suicide, will take part in the walking relay through Torquay, Paignton and Brixham.
Torbay is the only South West location for this relay event, and organisers Torbay Suicide Prevention Partnership, hope people will line the streets to cheer on the baton bearers. The relay will end with the Big Show of Hope gala fundraiser at the Riveria International Centre, with all profits going to the Torbay Suicide Prevention Legacy Fund. More details at Torbay Baton of Hope – Torbay Council
Save the date: Carers’ celebration event
Mark your diary! On Saturday 22 November, Torbay Carers will host its annual carers’ celebration event from 10am to 2pm at Paignton Library.
Carers will be able to get advice and guidance, family-friendly activities and free refreshments. Email signposts@nhs.net for more details.
Torbay Hospital League of Friends’ bed push
Thank you to our Torbay Hospital League of Friends who raised an incredible £1, 223.84 at its annual bed push fundraiser last month. Volunteers pushed a decorated hospital bed through the streets on the August Bank Holiday Sunday to support patient care at Torbay Hospital. The League has supported Torbay Hospital for more than 70 years and we are deeply grateful for their continued interest, support and kindness.