Recovery Devon

We’re supporting Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2025! 🌟

This global initiative challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. There are plenty of events happening throughout the week online, including inspiring panel discussions hosted by , all free and open to everyone.

For full event line up visit: https://www.neurodiversityweek.com

Join in, sign up, and celebrate neurodiversity! 🌈

Free Mental Health Sport Sessions - Exeter, Plymouth and Ivybridge from Sport in Mind 👟🧠

If you're 17+ and experiencing mental health challenges, free drop-in sessions are available for all abilities– no need to book or get a referral!
👍

Fun, supportive, and delivered by a qualified instructor. All equipment provided. Carers, friends, and family are welcome to join for the first few sessions to help accompany you.

All new members will need to complete a participation sheet before their first session via the link below:

https://app.upshot.org.uk/signup/68a5c5ab/

If you would like more info please contact Claire 01189479762

Or visit https://www.sportinmind.org

Fancy spending some time on a farm? 🧑‍🌾 Come and join Roo at Roosland, in Crediton, for her "Get on My Land" wellbeing volunteer open days!

This month they take place on 10th and 23rd March, 10.30am-4pm.

Practical projects, support, nature connection activities, fellowship, fun and food.

Contact Roo on 07960125901 or email [email protected], if you're interested.

𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐧 - Emergency Access Phone Boxes on (Taw) and Bridges🚨📞

Read more below 👇 A wonderful initiative by Bulletin Media to in .

𝑴𝒊𝒅 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒐𝒏 -

ECOE Advice are holding a free advice clinic at Churches Housing Action Team - CHAT tomorrow, Tuesday 11th February, from 9:30am - 12:30pm. Are you struggling to pay bills, too scared to turn the heating on or want to know how to make your house more energy efficient?

Can't make it tomorrow, ECOE Advice clinics are at CHAT twice a month on the 2nd Tuesday and last Thursday, 9:30am - 12:30pm, no need to book just drop in. The next clinic is on Tuesday 11th February.

📍 Coggan’s Well House,
Phoenix Lane, Tiverton,
Devon EX16 6LU

are back again this Tuesday, 11th February, from 9:30am - till 12:30pm.
Come by to chat about how they can help with your energy bills and keep you warm & well this winter.

This week try turning down your thermostat – Lower it by just 1°C and save up to 10% on heating bills. Don’t forget to layer up for extra coziness! For more tips pop in on Tuesday, no need to book.

This 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸, we’re sharing a powerful film called '𝘔𝘺 𝘔𝘶𝘮'𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘋𝘰𝘥𝘨𝘺 𝘉𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯', which highlights young voices and lived experiences.

Jody, our community development worker, shares:

"I discovered this video during a really challenging time for me, and while it’s not the easiest watch, as a parent to two children who have faced similar struggles, it really hit home. Hearing these young voices speak so honestly about what it’s like to grow up with a parent struggling with their mental health was both eye-opening and deeply moving.

What stood out most was how they process their experiences—how they view their parent’s illness, the ways it has affected them, and what helps them cope. I want to use this video as to remind my children that they are not alone, that there are other kids out there who understand, and that there is always help and hope for better days. It’s a message that can lighten the load, reassuring children that they don’t have to carry shame or embarrassment—something many of us parents worry about for them.”

‘𝘔𝘺 𝘔𝘶𝘮’𝘴 g𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘋𝘰𝘥𝘨𝘺 𝘉𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯’ was commissioned by Devon Partnership NHS Trust to open up conversations between children and adults about the realities of living with a parent who has mental ill health. We hope it helps others as much as it helped Jody.

Link to watch 🔗 https://youtu.be/z_rHzI_lGBI?feature=shared

My Mum's got a Dodgy Brain (childrens experiences + advice) Three children living with a parent with mental ill health share their story and their ways to cope.This film was commissioned by Devon Partnership Trust to ...

🌟 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱’𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗢𝘄n 🌟

This 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸, we recognise the challenges that come with being a parent who is also managing their own mental health. It’s okay to admit that it can be hard—caring for your children while also caring for yourself can feel like a lot. 💙

You’re doing your best, and sometimes that’s enough. If you're a parent living with mental health difficulties, you're not alone in this journey. Supporting your child's mental health can sometimes feel overwhelming, but it starts with understanding that your mental health matters too.

Here are some gentle ways to support both your own well-being and your child’s:

𝟭. 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
It’s important for your child to know that their feelings are valid and that it’s okay to talk about what’s going on in their world. Just as you may need to express your feelings, your child will benefit from a safe, open environment to do the same. Encourage them to talk, but also let them know it's okay if they don’t have the words right away.

𝟮. 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿
Caring for your own mental health might mean finding small ways to nurture yourself each day. Similarly, your child doesn’t need to be ‘fixed’—just supported. A walk together, a story, or a quiet moment can do wonders for both of you, without feeling the pressure to make everything perfect.

𝟯. 𝗗𝗼 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂
Every family and every situation is different. You don’t need to follow a set formula. If it feels right to spend time together doing an activity, do it. If it feels like a good day to focus on self-care, it’s okay to take a step back. Trust yourself to know what’s best for your family at any given moment.

𝟰. 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘀
Some days will be easier than others, and that’s perfectly okay. Celebrate the little things that go right—whether it’s a good conversation, a calm moment, or even just a moment of peace. Progress doesn’t have to look big to be meaningful.

𝟱. 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝘁
You don’t have to handle everything on your own. It’s okay to ask for help when you need it. Whether it's talking to a friend, a professional, or simply accessing the right support for both you and your child, asking for help shows strength, not weakness.

𝘙𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳, 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥'𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵. 𝘐𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩.

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁:

Family Lives (Support for parents): www.familylives.org.uk
YoungMinds (Support for children and young people): www.youngminds.org.uk
Mind UK (Mental health support for all): www.mind.org.uk
Family Action (Support for families facing challenges): www.family-action.org.uk
Action for Children (Support for families and children): www.actionforchildren.org.uk
Gingerbread (Support for single parents): www.gingerbread.org.uk
Minded for Families (Mental health support for children and families): www.mindedforfamilies.org.uk
The Family and Childcare Trust: www.familyandchildcaretrust.org
Anna Freud Centre (Support for children, young people, and families): www.annafreud.org

𝑾𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒐𝒏: The River of Hope - What a wonderful project by Tamar Valley National Landscape with students from five Devon schools. A lovely video put together by Fotonow (CIC). 👏

River of Hope - Devon Young people from five secondary schools in Devon took part in River of Hope, they worked alongside a poet, Emmie Readman and a visual artist, Shona Watt to ...

One of our thoughtful community members asked: “𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗼 𝘄𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗯𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀, 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲?” 💙

What a great question! The connection between blue and sadness is fascinating when we take a closer look at history and symbolism. While blue skies often evoke feelings of joy and peace, the colour blue also has a long-standing association with introspection and deeper emotions:

🔹 𝗔𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀: In ancient Greek and Roman cultures, blue was linked to mourning and reflection. The calm but melancholic hues of the natural world were often symbolic of the complexity of human emotions, and the Greeks viewed blue as a colour representing the soul’s inner workings.

🔹 𝗦𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Blue flags were flown on ships to honour those lost at sea, making the colour a symbol of remembrance and tribute to those no longer with us. It became associated with loss and the emotional depth of saying goodbye.

🔹 𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲: We’ve all heard someone say they’re feeling “blue” or seen someone’s skin take on a bluish tint when they’re ill, cold, or struggling to breathe. This physical appearance of blueness, linked to frailty or lack of oxygen, was historically connected to sadness or feeling unwell.

🔹 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀: The music genre, "The Blues," emerged as an emotional outlet for the struggles of life. It gave voice to pain, heartache, and the complexities of human experience. But it also carried messages of hope, resilience, and personal strength through its soulful melodies.

🔹 𝗣𝘀𝘆𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆: Blue is often associated with calmness and reflection in psychology. Just like the tranquil blue sky after a storm, sadness can sometimes offer us the space to pause, reflect, and heal. It’s a reminder that sometimes, emotions like sadness can lead to personal growth and transformation.

What does the colour blue mean to you? Does it symbolise something different for you? We’d love to hear your thoughts and reflections below! ⬇️

There's still time to apply! Could you be the new member of the Recovery Devon team?

Application deadline is the 3rd Feb!

https://recoverydevon.co.uk/2025/we-are-recruiting/

𝑬𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒐𝒏: Sidmouth - The town 'caught still in a timeless charm' has quite the line up of events for 2025. Have a look and see if something inspires you to try this year! 👀✨