Local support across Devon is available by contacting info@armedforceshub.org or visit the Armed Forces Community Support Hub website you are looking for help with your situation you can contact Forcesline for confidential and independent support on 0800 260 6767
Moving to Devon
Health Services
You will need to register with local health providers such as a doctor, dentist and optician. Try to register as soon as possible so that there is no break in any ongoing care and medication you may be receiving.
Find a service near you:
Find a GP GP services –https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/
Find a Dentist Dental services – https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/
Find a Pharmacy Find a pharmacy –https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-pharmacy/
Find an Optician Find an optician – https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-an-optician
When you find a doctor and dentist near where you live, or will be living, you will need to contact them directly and ask for a new patient form.
A pharmacist can help you with minor illnesses and injuries, and advise you on the best over-the-counter medicines.
The NHS recommends that you have an eye test every two years. Contact your local optician and book an eye test with them directly.
Children’s health services
Many specialist children’s services such as child and adolescent mental health, speech and language therapy, community nursing and the autism diagnosis service are provided by the Devon Integrated Children’s Service. You can find help, advice, toolkits and information online.
Visit: https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/our-services/children-and-family-health-devon
Traveline
To get around Devon, Travel Line South West provides a quick service to find and plan journeys in and around the county.
Visit: www.traveline.info
Council Tax – district councils
Council Tax is paid to your local district council. You can find out which one this is through the Gov.uk council finder.
Visit: www.gov.uk/find-your-local-council
Once you’ve found your local district council you can visit their council tax pages to find out how to contact them and to view local details.
Visit: http://devon.cc/districtcounciltax
You can also use a Gov.uk tool to find out the council tax band of your property.
Visit: www.gov.uk/council-tax-bands
Find a home
You can use Rightmove or Zoopla to find a property that suites your needs. These services list many homes to buy or rent in Devon.
Schools and childcare
Children’s centres
Children’s centres offer advice, support and activities for all parents and carers of children from pregnancy until the children are five years old.
Find a children’s centre in Devon:https://www.devon.gov.uk/educationandfamilies/early-years-and-childcare/childrens-centres
Find a children’s centre in Plymouth:https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/earlyyearsandchildcare/findchildrenscentre
Find a children’s centre in Torbay: http://fis.torbay.gov.uk/kb5/torbay/fsd/family.page?familychannel=3
Devon Family Information Service
Information for parents and carers of children and young people aged 0-19 years. Contact the service for information on registered childcare, support, activities and sports for children, young people and parents.
Visit: https://www.devon.gov.uk/educationandfamilies/early-years-and-childcare
Schools in Devon
There are a range of different school options, including grammar schools, academies and federated schools. You can search for schools in your area and then visit the school’s individual websites to find out details about the school and it’s application process .
Find a school in Devon: https://www.devon.gov.uk/schools/school/
Find a school in Plymouth: https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/schoolseducationchildcareskillsandemployability/findschool
Find a school in Torbay:https://www.torbay.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/schools/
Applying for a school place
In most cases, you will have to apply for a school place through the local council website.
Let the school know that you are a service family. The school may be able to provide extra support for your child if needed.
Support
Adjusting to Life Outside the Armed Forces
This module is for you if you’re coming up to, or are currently going through, the resettlement process, or if you have recently left the Armed Forces and are adjusting to life outside the Armed Forces.
You will also find this module useful if you are supporting a current or ex-member of the Armed Forces in these circumstances.
Please note that the module isn’t designed to be completed in one sitting. You can dip in and out of it and complete it at your own pace. The module also refers to downloadable resources that you can access from the bulleted three line menu icon at the top right of the screen.
Scroll down to see the topics, then select one to get started Visit:https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/learning/adjusting-to-life-outside-the-armed-forces/
Band of Sisters
The Help for Heroes Band of Sisters fellowship is open to close family members (including partners who have been together for over 12 months or are living together) of Armed Forces veterans and service personnel who have been physically or psychologically wounded as a result of their service
Visit: https://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/get-support/fellowship-groups/band-of-sisters/
The Warrior Program
The Warrior Programme enables individuals to manage their emotions and to develop the resilience, focus and motivation to succeed in today’s world. The programme has been developed over the last ten years to meet the demands and challenges experienced by past and present members of the armed forces and their families. runs residential programmes in the South West for veterans and adult family members.
Visit:https://www.warriorprogramme.org.uk/
Mediation and counselling services
Adapting to civilian and family life after a period in the armed forces can be complicated. Many ex-forces families experience difficulties and there are services available which will understand the issues and offer support.
Mediation services in Devon: devon.cc/devonmediation
Directory of counselling services: devon.cc/counsellingdevon
Cruse
Following a bereavement Cruse can provide information and support to military families.
Phone: 0844 477 9400
Visit: www.cruse.org.uk
The Wave Project
Located in North Devon and across the UK, The Wave Project for young people (between 8 and 21 years old) provides support to overcome anxiety and improve emotional health. These are surf course that make people feel calmer and more motivated.
Visit: www.waveproject.co.uk
Social
SSAFA
SSAFA provides a service to support service leavers and their families whenever, whoever and for however long they are required.
Visit: https://www.ssafa.org.uk/
Libraries
Local libraries have something for everyone, with books and information, music, films, and computers with access to the Internet.
Libraries Unlimited runs Devon’s public library service on behalf of Devon County Council – 50 libraries across the county and 4 mobile libraries. Your local library has something for everyone: books and information, music, films, computers with access to the Internet and more. Free Wi-Fi is available in all our libraries.
Torbay Libraries
Libraries Unlimited runs Torbay Libraries on behalf of Torbay Council. Torbay Libraries includes four public libraries; Paignton Library, Torquay Library, Brixham Library and Churston Library. All libraries offer a range of events and activities, free access to books and information, free Wi-Fi and a range of digital resources including eBooks and digital magazines.
Find a local library in Devon:https://www.devonlibraries.org.uk/web/arena
Bringing you e-books, audiobooks and magazines, along with reference subscriptions, including access to Ancestry Library Edition.
We are are also creating fun online content and live streaming events each week. Choose from Bounce & Rhyme, Story Time, Language Cafes, Reading Groups, Zoom Daily Chat, FabLab Devon workshop, Online Quizzes, Virtual Author Talks, Staff Book Recommendations and much more.
Find a library in Plymouth and its opening hours.
Visit :https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/libraries/findlibraryandopeninghours
Find a local library in Torbay:https://www.torbaylibraries.org.uk/web/arena
Places of worship
There are a variety of places of worship offering support and social activities.
Find a place of worship in Devon: devon.cc/placesofworshipindevon
Find a place of worship in Plymouth: devon.cc/placesofworshipplymouth
Find a place of worship in Torbay: devon.cc/placesofworshiptorbay
Active Devon:
Active Devon is a community-focused, non-profit organisation dedicated to inspiring and supporting Devon to be active.
We believe movement is central to living healthier, happier and more connected lives whatever your age, ability or background. To find an activity or use any of the online resources available visit https://www.activedevon.org/
Clubs & Communities
Sports and leisure clubs, and the communities their help to support, are key parts of a growing and increasingly active society. Discover a wealth of resources and information to support you, your club and your community. https://www.activedevon.org/resources/clubs-communities/page/2/
Parks, Skateparks and Leisure Centre can be found on your local council website for example East Devon Outdoor Gyms.
Outdoor gyms are a free facility provided to encourage adults to exercise whilst out and about in East Devon. They include a mixture of aerobic (restrictive) and stretching equipment such as mini skis, chin up bars, cross trainers, rowers and parallel bars. They can be found at:
Beer – Jubilee Gardens
Budleigh Salterton – The Green and Lime Kiln
Exmouth – Phear Park and Sunken Gardens (next to Exmouth Pavilion)
Ottery St Mary – Land of Canaan
Seaton – Seafield Gardens
Sidmouth – Stowford Rise
Phear Park in Exmouth has a trail of equipment positioned at intervals on the perimeter footpath to encourage circuit training. This has lots of equipment for stretching muscles. There is also some equipment clustered below the multi use games area (MUGA) for an aerobic workout. The link below offers information on parks, gardens, play areas and skateparks as well as a map.
Leisure Centres East Devon https://www.ledleisure.co.uk/
North Devon Leisure facilities visit https://www.northdevon.gov.uk/leisure-and-lifestyle/sports-facilities-and-pitches/leisure-centres/
Find a fitness facility visit: www.plymouth.co.uk/gyms
Find a fitness facility visit: devon.cc/fitnesstorbay
Crafts
Devon has plenty of classes and groups which provide creative and therapeutic arts and crafts sessions.
Visit: devon.cc/crafts
Adventure breaks
Calvert Trust
The Calvert Trust offers a fantastic weekend break which includes food, accommodation and adventurous activities for just £50 per person.
The offer is open to serving, reserve and veteran armed forces families with a disabled service person, partner or child in the family. The break is available to people of all abilities, including: physical or learning disabilities, ADHD, autism and challenging behaviour, visual or hearing impairment and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Visit:https://calvertexmoor.org.uk/
