Devon For Europe
This evening I was back at the Royal Seven Stars to meet with Devon For Europe. A growing campaign for a Peoples Vote on the final terms of Brexit before it's too late
Soundart Radio
I enjoyed visiting Soundart Radio in Dartington today. Thank you to Lucinda and Shelley for all you are doing around schools and community projects; it was interesting to hear of your future plans to involve young people in this great local radio station
Devon Sustainability and Transformation Plan
This morning I met with Sophia Christie, the interim CE of Devon STP to discuss children's mental health, funding, digital and integrated care. We spoke about my ongoing campaign to increase community beds across the South Hams and in particular, I raised my concerns about Dartmouth and the need for more community beds.
Devon Youth Intervention Team
Today I met with Jan Forward, the Service Manager of the Devon Youth Intervention Team (YIT). This team works with young people to divert them away from offending and the criminal justice system at the earliest possible opportunity. Many of these young people have unidentified language and communication needs which make school and friendships difficult for them. I also met with a crucial member of the team, Dr Val Brooks, a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist. Val works with the young people to identify their communication needs in order that they can be supported to be successful in education and to improve their life chances. The team's figures for first time entrants into the youth justice system, are substanaily below both the national and local South West average. Also attending the meeting to learn more about the Devon team's successes was Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
Bercow: Ten Years On is a review of provision for children and young people with speech, language and communication needs published by I CAN, the children's communication charity, and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. Communication is our most important life skill, but many children and young people have difficulties communicating. Left unidentified and unsupported, these needs can have a negative impact on many aspects of life. The report makes recommendations to improve support for children and young people with communication needs and their families. More details about the review are available here
Advice Surgery
Thank you to everyone who attended my Advice Surgery today. If you would like an appointment to discuss personal, local or national concerns please telephone 01803 868378 or email nina.smith@parliament.uk
Dartington Primary
I met with Jill Mahon, Headteacher of Dartington Primary, School Governor and a parent's representative to hear about parental concerns with regard to a mobile mast placed near the school. Tests undertaken this week showing the level is well below the set limits are being shared with parents.
Totnes Advice Surgery
Thank you to everyone who attend my Advice Surgery today. If you would like an appointment to meet to discuss local or national issues, please email nina.smith@parliament.uk of telephone 01803 868378
Brixham Carers
It was lovely to be back in Brixham this afternoon to meet with carers to discuss local issues and social care and recommendations of the Health Select Committee's Inquiry into Long Term Funding of Adult Social Care.
Totnes Macular Society & Devon In Sight
Thank you to local people living with sight loss, Totnes Macular Society and Devon In Sight for meeting today to discuss off road paths, NHS, social care and key partnership role of voluntary sector.
Totnes WI
Thank you to the Totnes WI for inviting me to join you to discuss voting, select committees, social care, prisons and Brexit
The Egremont Trust
I met this morning with Richard Martin of The Egremont Trust (Salcombe), a registered charity with the aim of maintaining the ship MV Egremont as a facility for the advancement of the education and development of young people, as well as raising funds to utilise the facility for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
South West Coast Path
I really enjoyed meeting up with director Julian Gray today to discuss Torcross and other stretches that need access improvements and the 40 for40 campaign
Dartmouth Mayflower
Lovely to catch up with Peter Conisbee and the exciting plans for Dartmouth Mayflower 400 celebrations
Totnes Open Meeting
Thank you to everyone who came to last night's public meeting in Totnes, especially to Rev Steve Jones for chairing and PC Geoff Foster for coming to discuss drugs and policing.
BrixFest
Brixham looked great today for BrixFest. I agree with Mitch Tonks who has travelled the world but says the best and freshest fish are landed right here in Brixham
Shoalstone Pool
I absolutely loved joining the wonderful team at Shoalstone Pool to say a huge thank you to all the volunteers who have saved this amazing lido following Storm Emma. Do come and visit!
Quayside Totnes
I was delighted to open Quayside in Totnes today. This kind of supported living changes lives and I am delighted to see Quayside open, accessible to the community and to hear so many compelling and positive stories from residents. Cutting the ribbon with me are Mr and Mrs Hindle.
L-R Paul Watson, MD Guinness Care, Catriona Simons, CEO The Guinness Partnership, and Neil Braithwaite, Chair of The Guinness Partnership Board.
â€ÂéDevon Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Services
I met with Fee Scott today, the Chief Executive of the Devon Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Services to discuss how they support women aged 13 and over and young men aged 13-25. They also offer limited support to the families, friends and partners of those affected by sexual violence.
Totnes Community Hospital
Thank you to all the health care professionals for their hard work for the Totnes Community
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Bob Alfordand the Totnes Caring Team |
Totnes Care Team |
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| Social Care Team | Mental Care Team for older people |
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| Bob Alford, Julian Ayrton, Matron Tracey Cunningham and Lee Baxter |
Advice Surgery
Thank you to everyone who attended my Advice Surgery today.
Amongst the subjects discussed was the availability of Orkambi and thank you to Jessica, Cathy, Jean and Sarah for their thoughts on this important issue.
Grove School
Thank you to the Devon head teachers, public health, and NHS leaders, who joined myself and Anne-Marie Morris MP at the Grove School for meeting today to discuss education and mental health.
Ageing Well
Thank you to Ageing Well for all you are doing to make it easier for local communities across the Bay to access high quality advice and information. FAIR (Financial Advice, Information & Resilience) was launched today, and is a new advice and information project which will offer a wide range of support for local communities
Fishtek Marine
Absolutely loved visiting Fishtek Marine today, an amazing business based in South Devon making a difference in marine conservation, reducing bycatch and plastic waste in our oceans
Galmpton
Tonight I was Quiz Master at the Manor Inn, Galmpton. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped to make this an enjoyable evening and for their kind donations to Rowcroft Hospice.
Slapton
Thank you to local residents, councillors, the Slapton Line Partnership, Devon County Council, and South Hams District Council for coming to today's meeting at Slapton Village Hall, to discuss A379 and the beach management plan.
Social Prescribing
Huge thanks to the great Dr James Mottram and an amazing team for all they are doing for the Kingsbridge community. Loved hearing about South Hams Area Wellbeing and agree social prescribing can make such a positive difference to people's lives.
Kingsbridge Community College
Lovely to be back at Kingsbridge Community College for wide ranging Q&A session with year 13, College Council pupils and to meet Haseeba to share views on the NHS and public health. Thank you to Roger Pope for advice and thoughts on the national and local challenges, finance, mental health and education
TOTSOC
Thank you Paul and Kate from TotSoc for coming to share their views on the draft NPPF and consultation
Totnes Advice Surgery
Thank you to everyone who attended my Advice Surgery today. If you would like to meet discuss any concerns, please telephone 01803 868378 or email nina.smith@parliament.uk for an appointment.
Share Shed
I was delighted to visit the Share Shed in Totnes today and meet with Larch Maxey to hear all about their success. They are currently based at The Network of Wellbeing's office, 16 High Street, Totnes, TQ9 5RY. The Share Shed is a 'library of things' where people can borrow all sorts of useful things, ranging from ladders, drills, carpet cleaners, camping and gardening equipment, sewing machines, and much more! The project enables local people to borrow items at nominal cost so that they don't have to buy them for themselves. The aim is to build a more resourceful community, allowing people to connect with each other and share things they may need just once in a while.
I know that the Share Shed is looking for a new long term home and I would encourage anyone with any ideas about this to get in touch with the team by telephoning 07516 908237 or emailing info@shareshed.org.uk
Marketplace Ministries
It was good to catch up with Lindy Strong and Pastor Mark Hatch at Marketplace Ministries to hear about some of the services they provide, like the Food Bank, and a Drop-In shelter for the homeless.
Police
Thank you to PC Geoff Foster and our local police team for taking the time to discuss the problems that affect the streets of Totnes.
Totnes Advice Surgery
A busy surgery today in Totnes. If you would like an appointment to discuss national, local or personal concerns, please telephone 01803 868378 or email nina.smith@parliament.uk
Grove School
I visited The Grove Primary School today to discuss the issues of school funding and mental health within education.
Barclays Bank
I met with representatives from Barclays Bank to discuss the proposed branch closure in Totnes
South Brent
I visited the South Brent Health Centre and a big thank you South Brent Community Energy Society and Sustainable South Brent for installing solar panels on the Health Centre and for a great meeting with the practice team to discuss taking forward other projects to benefit those at risk of hospital admission.
Salcombe Primary School
I loved my visit to Salcombe Primary School today, and huge congratulations to Francesca and Joey for their fabulous winning posters and to Anna and Ella for campaigning to be the first #PlasticClever school. Great to meet all the pupils, staff and head, Andy Pugsley to hear about their campaign.
Torcross, the Slapton Line and Beesands
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Today I visited Torcross, the Slapton Line and Beesands to view the damage from Storm Emma. |
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Totnes Advice Surgery
This afternoon was another constituency surgery. To make an appointment please call 01803 868 378 or email nina.smith@parliament.uk
